ESPN and other Disney-owned channels are set to return to YouTube TV following a newly announced agreement. More than 20 channels were removed from YouTube TV on October 30, but a deal was reached two weeks later, reportedly after the involvement of YouTube and Disney CEOs Bob Iger and Sundar Pichai.
Under this new agreement, subscribers to the base YouTube TV plan will gain access to ESPN’s complete lineup of sports by the end of next year. Updates on this development were reported by various media outlets.
YouTube confirmed the agreement, stating that it maintains the value of their service for subscribers and allows for future flexibility in their offerings. Subscribers can expect channels such as ABC, ESPN, and FX to return to their service throughout the day, along with previously recorded content. YouTube also expressed appreciation for subscriber patience during the negotiation period.
Disney officials, including co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, along with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, released a joint statement indicating that the agreement underlines Disney’s commitment to providing quality entertainment while adapting to audience viewing preferences. They noted that this deal acknowledges the value of Disney’s programming and enhances the variety available to YouTube TV subscribers, making it timely for fans to enjoy shows, particularly college football lineup during the weekend.
This resolution raises questions about the impact on subscriber satisfaction and the dynamics between major streaming platforms and content providers in the industry.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/821581/disney-youtube-tv-deal-agreement-espn