ESPN goes dark on YouTube TV as carriage dispute shuts out more than 10 million subscribers

YouTube TV customers watched ESPN go dark Thursday night as talks between the Google-owned platform and sports network broke down, leading the channel — along with other Disney-operated channels — to disappear from the platform.  A deal between the two sides could not be reached, and by late Thursday night, the stations, which include ABC, FX, Disney Jr. and National Geographic, along with ESPN channels, went dark for more than 10 million YouTube TV customers, escalating the prolonged back-and-forth between the two sides.  At the heart of the issues is pricing, according to Sports Business Journal, with both sides pointing the finger at the other in dueling statements released on Thursday night.  ESPN has gone dark on YouTube TV. NurPhoto via Getty Images “Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC,” Disney said in a statement. “Without a new agreement in place, their subscribers will not have access to our programming, which includes the best lineup in live sports – anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football, with 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend. With
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