After a lengthy 15-day blackout, Disney and YouTube TV struck a deal on November 14, 2025, restoring access to popular channels like ESPN and ABC for millions of viewers.
The blackout, which began on October 30, significantly affected around 10 million subscribers, coinciding with critical sports events, including college football and NFL games.
Disney's CEO Bob Iger played a pivotal role in negotiations, emphasizing fair pricing and the value of Disney's channels amidst a backdrop of substantial financial losses estimated at $30 million per week during the standoff.
Just in time for important college football matchups, the agreement came as a relief for eager fans and restored key programming offerings to YouTube TV's platform.
In response to the disruption, YouTube TV provided affected users a $20 credit as a gesture of goodwill for the inconvenient loss of access.
This conflict highlighted the ongoing tensions between streaming services and content providers over carriage fees, reflecting a trend that has become increasingly common in the evolving media landscape.