Latest Twist in YouTube TV-Disney Dispute Takes Heat Off ESPN – Newsweek

The carriage fight between Google’s YouTube TV and Disney has moved into a new phase. For over a week, ABC and ESPN have remained off YouTube TV for nearly 10 million subscribers, with analysts estimating Disney’s losses at $4.3 million per day—around $30 million weekly—as negotiations drag on ahead of Thursday’s quarterly earnings call. A notable development emerged on Wednesday, however, with Awful Announcing reporting that YouTube TV and Disney are aligned on the price for ESPN, widely regarded as the primary sticking point, but that the real issue now is ABC’s price and carriage terms. In recent years, Disney has shifted more live sports, once exclusive to ESPN, onto ABC, most notably “Monday Night Football.” Disney argues the expanded sports slate warrants higher distributor fees, but operators push back, saying they’re being billed twice for the same content since they already pay premium rates for ESPN. The report notes YouTube TV isn’t seeking immediate discounts, but instead wants contractual assurances of lower rates once it overtakes three rival distributors in subscribers, a move that could compel Disney to adjust pricing industry-wide. Read More: Jaguars Rookie Travis Hunter Hit With Devastating Injury Setback Read More: Browns Reveal Deshaun Watson News
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