Blog Post Content (Ye Sab Copy Karein)
If you're one of the 9 million YouTube TV subscribers in the U.S., your channel lineup just took a major hit.
Late Thursday, Disney pulled all of its channels from Google's streaming platform after the two companies failed to reach a new content deal. This means popular channels like ESPN, ABC, FX, Disney Channel, and Nat Geo are gone from the service indefinitely.
A Massive Blow to Sports Fans
The timing couldn't be worse for sports fans. The blackout immediately impacts coverage of:
- College Football
- NBA games
- NFL (including "Monday Night Football" on ESPN)
- NHL games
This dispute leaves millions of viewers scrambling to find a way to watch their favorite teams this weekend.
The Blame Game: Who Says What?
Both multi-billion dollar companies are blaming each other for the blackout.
YouTube TV's Side
Google's YouTube TV claims Disney used a blackout as a negotiating tactic to demand higher prices. In a blog post, the company said Disney's demands would have resulted in a significant price hike for all subscribers. YouTube also pointed out that this move conveniently benefits Disney's own streaming service, Hulu + Live TV.
Disney's Side
Disney fired back, stating that Google, a "$3 trillion market cap" company, is "using its market dominance to eliminate competition" and refusing to pay fair industry-standard rates for its content. Disney said it remains "committed to reaching a resolution."
What This Means for Your Bill
YouTube TV, which costs $82.99 per month, has already made a promise to its customers.
The company announced it will give all subscribers a $20 credit if Disney's content remains unavailable "for an extended period of time."
For now, the largest internet TV provider in the country is without some of the most-watched channels, leaving its 9 million subscribers caught in the middle.