When Disney channels were first removed from YouTube TV, the streaming service promised that if the blackout lasted for an “extended period of time,” eligible subscribers would receive a $20 credit. Now, those credits are set to be issued.
Starting Sunday, November 9, YouTube TV will begin providing the one-time $20 credit to qualifying customers if no agreement has been reached with Disney to restore the missing channels. Subscribers will receive an email with instructions on how to apply the credit toward their next billing statement. All credits are scheduled to be issued by Wednesday, November 12.
Since shortly before midnight ET on October 30, YouTube TV customers have been unable to access ESPN, ABC local stations, and other Disney-owned networks after they were pulled from the service.
YouTube has stated that if Disney agrees to a new deal, the channels will be restored “in a matter of hours,” well in time for the NFL “Monday Night Football” game between the Eagles and Packers airing on both ABC and ESPN on November 10.
“We know that subscribers are frustrated with the disruption and we continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV as soon as possible,” a YouTube spokesperson said.
Regarding the ongoing negotiations, YouTube added, “Instead of negotiating in good faith with us to reach a deal, Disney continues to resort to their playbook.”
YouTube TV, available exclusively in the U.S., costs $82.99 per month for the base subscription plan. The dispute between Google and Disney centers on pricing. Google claims Disney has demanded an unprecedented fee increase, while Disney insists that Google has been “refusing to pay fair rates for our channels.”
On Friday, a memo from three top Disney executives—Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro—was sent to staffers, indicating that talks remain far from a renewal agreement.
“When will ESPN and ABC be back on the service? We wish we could give you that answer today, but unfortunately, we are headed into another sports-packed weekend without a deal in place,” the executives wrote.
Disney leadership emphasized that the company has “offered fair terms that are in-line with the more than 500 other distributors that have renewed their agreements since last summer, including the top distributors, who are far larger than YouTube TV.”
Notably, Disney quietly reached a deal with Comcast in October.
“Despite all this, YouTube TV continues to insist on receiving preferential terms that are below market and has made few concessions,” Walden, Bergman, and Pitaro added.
The standoff leaves YouTube TV subscribers eagerly awaiting a resolution so they can regain access to their favorite Disney networks.
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/youtube-tv-disney-blackout-20-dollar-credit-customers-1236573169/
