YouTube TV and Disney reached a carriage agreement in September 2024
Yes. YouTube TV and Disney signed a new carriage deal in September 2024 after their previous agreement expired. The deal restored access to Disney-owned channels that had been removed from YouTube TV's lineup, including ESPN, ABC, FX, and National Geographic. The agreement also added Disney+ and Hulu to YouTube TV's bundle at no extra cost to existing subscribers.
Before this agreement, YouTube TV subscribers lost access to these channels in September 2024 when the previous contract ended. The blackout lasted about a week. During that time, viewers could not watch live sports on ESPN, ABC broadcasts, or shows on FX and other Disney networks through YouTube TV.
The new deal is a multi-year agreement, though Disney and YouTube have not disclosed the exact length or financial terms. Both companies announced the settlement publicly, but the specific dollar amounts remain private, as is standard in these negotiations.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV regained ESPN, ABC, FX, and National Geographic channels after a brief blackout in September 2024.
- Disney+ and Hulu are now included in YouTube TV subscriptions at no additional charge to current members.
- The deal covers multiple years, though the exact duration and cost have not been made public.
- This type of carriage agreement determines which channels appear on YouTube TV and affects what sports and entertainment content subscribers can watch.
What channels came back under the new agreement
The restored channels include ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and SEC Network for sports coverage. ABC stations returned for network television programming and live events. FX, FXX, and FXM came back for entertainment content. National Geographic and National Geographic Wild returned for documentary and nature programming.
These channels had been removed from YouTube TV on September 1, 2024, when the previous carriage agreement expired. The blackout affected live sports broadcasts, including college football and other ESPN programming that many subscribers relied on during the fall sports season.
Subscribers who had removed these channels from their guide during the blackout will need to re-add them manually if they want to watch them again. YouTube TV did not automatically restore them to every subscriber's channel list.
Disney+ and Hulu are now bundled with YouTube TV
Under the new deal, YouTube TV subscribers receive access to Disney+ and Hulu as part of their YouTube TV membership. This applies to all current YouTube TV subscribers at no additional monthly cost. The bundle includes the ad-supported versions of both services.
Previously, YouTube TV subscribers had to pay separately for Disney+ and Hulu if they wanted those services. This bundle reduces the total cost for viewers who want access to all three platforms. The exact value of this addition depends on what subscribers would have paid for Disney+ and Hulu independently.
YouTube TV's base subscription price did not change when this deal took effect. The addition of Disney+ and Hulu represents a change in what is included rather than a price increase.
Why carriage agreements matter for streaming services
A carriage agreement is a contract between a channel owner (like Disney) and a distributor (like YouTube TV) that determines whether that channel appears on the platform. Without an agreement, the distributor cannot legally carry the channel, even if subscribers want it.
These agreements cover licensing fees, which is what YouTube TV pays Disney for the right to show ESPN, ABC, and other channels. The fees are negotiated every few years, and disagreements over price can lead to blackouts. When no agreement exists, the channels disappear from the service until both sides reach a deal.
Carriage disputes happen regularly across streaming and cable television. They are not unique to YouTube TV or Disney, though high-profile channels like ESPN make these blackouts more noticeable to subscribers.
What happened during the September 2024 blackout
YouTube TV and Disney failed to reach a new carriage agreement before the previous one expired on August 31, 2024. On September 1, Disney-owned channels went dark on YouTube TV. This included all ESPN networks, ABC, FX, and National Geographic.
The blackout lasted approximately one week. During that time, YouTube TV subscribers could not watch live sports, ABC broadcasts, or other Disney-owned content through the service. YouTube offered a temporary credit to affected subscribers, though the amount varied.
Both YouTube and Disney released public statements during the dispute, each explaining their position on the negotiations. YouTube TV ultimately agreed to Disney's terms, and the channels returned on September 9, 2024.
How this deal compares to previous negotiations
YouTube TV has experienced carriage disputes with other networks before, including disputes with Roku, Amazon, and other major distributors. These negotiations are common in the streaming and cable industry. The September 2024 Disney deal followed a similar pattern: negotiation, expiration, blackout, and eventual agreement.
The addition of Disney+ and Hulu to the bundle is a notable change from previous Disney carriage agreements with other platforms. This reflects Disney's strategy of bundling its streaming services with traditional television distribution to increase subscriber value and retention.
The length of the new agreement is longer than some previous deals, which suggests both parties wanted to avoid frequent renegotiations. However, carriage agreements typically come up for renewal every three to five years, so future disputes remain possible.
What subscribers should know about future blackouts
Carriage disputes can happen again when this agreement expires. YouTube TV subscribers should understand that blackouts are a risk whenever major contracts come up for renewal. There is no way to prevent these disputes entirely, as they depend on negotiations between two separate companies.
If a blackout occurs in the future, YouTube TV will likely offer credits or refunds to affected subscribers, as it did in September 2024. The amount and terms of these credits are decided by YouTube TV and are not may provide to be the same each time.
Subscribers who rely heavily on specific channels should keep this possibility in mind when choosing a streaming service. No platform can may provide permanent access to all channels, since carriage agreements can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay extra for Disney+ and Hulu on YouTube TV?
No. Disney+ and Hulu are included in your YouTube TV subscription at no additional cost. You receive the ad-supported versions of both services. This applies to all YouTube TV subscribers under the new agreement.
What if I don't want Disney+ and Hulu included?
You cannot remove them from your subscription or opt out of the bundle. They are included as part of the YouTube TV package. You can choose not to use them, but you cannot reduce your YouTube TV bill by declining access.
Will YouTube TV have more blackouts with Disney?
The new agreement is multi-year, so another Disney blackout is unlikely in the near term. However, when this deal expires, negotiations will happen again, and blackouts are always possible during renewal periods. No agreement is permanent.
Can I watch ESPN on YouTube TV right now?
Yes. ESPN and all other Disney-owned channels have been restored to YouTube TV since September 9, 2024. If you removed these channels from your guide during the blackout, you will need to re-add them manually.
Why do carriage disputes happen so often?
Carriage disputes occur because channel owners and distributors disagree on licensing fees. Disney wants higher payments for its popular channels like ESPN, while YouTube TV wants to keep costs down for subscribers. These negotiations are standard business practice in the media industry.