YouTube TV subscribers frustrated by the ongoing blackout of Disney-owned channels are getting some relief in the form of a $20 credit. The streaming service announced that affected users will receive an email with instructions on how to apply the credit toward their next billing statement. The decision comes after more than a week without access to popular Disney networks, including ESPN, ABC, FX, National Geographic, and Disney Channel.
The blackout began on October 31, following a breakdown in negotiations between YouTube TV and Disney. Both sides have pointed fingers over pricing issues a common sticking point in carriage disputes. YouTube has accused Disney of demanding unfair price increases, while Disney maintains that it is simply seeking “fair market rates” for its content. Until a resolution is reached, millions of YouTube TV subscribers will remain without access to some of television’s most-watched channels and major live sports programming.
In a statement to TechCrunch, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed that the $20 credits are already rolling out and will be accessible through subscribers’ email notifications. The company emphasized that it remains committed to restoring Disney’s channels as soon as a deal is reached, stating that the process of reinstating them could take only a few hours once terms are finalized.
This is not the first time YouTube TV and Disney have clashed over distribution fees. Their last major dispute occurred in 2022, when Disney content was briefly removed for a day. At that time, YouTube TV offered subscribers a $15 credit as compensation. However, the current standoff has lasted significantly longer, causing greater frustration among users, particularly sports fans missing ESPN coverage and viewers unable to access local ABC affiliates.
The ongoing blackout underscores the growing tension between content providers and streaming platforms as both battle for control over pricing and profits in the cord-cutting era. For now, YouTube TV’s goodwill gesture may soften the blow for subscribers, but the resolution of the dispute will determine whether customer loyalty remains intact in the face of mounting streaming competition.
