NEW YORK — Disney and YouTube TV reached a new deal to bring channels such as ABC and ESPN back to the Google-owned live-streaming platform Friday, ending a blackout for customers that lasted over two weeks.
Beyond ESPN and ABC, other Disney-owned content removed from YouTube TV during the impasse included channels such as NatGeo, FX, Freeform, SEC Network, ACC Network and more.
Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said Friday that they were “pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”
Disney, meanwhile, said that YouTube TV had refused to pay fair rates for its channels. The California entertainment giant also accused Google of “using its market dominance to eliminate competition.” And executives criticized the platform for pulling content “prior to the midnight expiration” of their deal in late October.
Both sides also publicly sparred over negotiations and content available leading up to Nov. 4 elections across the U.S.