As Disney’s channels remain unavailable on YouTube TV, the platform has given users an unexpected $10 credit. It also called the Disney feud “aggressive”.
Over 10 million YouTube customers lost access to ESPN and Disney channel after contract talks broke down. This was one of the largest television blackouts in years. The Disney networks were dropped shortly before 9PM on Thursday, and interrupted “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt” on ESPN and “9-1-1: Nashville” and “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC. The two TV giants have been having disagreements for weeks over carriage fees for Disney’s channels, including FX, Disney Jr. and National Geographic. YouTube TV, one of the largest pay-TV services in the U.S. has objected to Disney’s price demands fueling the dispute.
READ: Disney raises prices of Disney+ and Hulu services (
Users have mentioned the credits on Reddit. It is not automatic, rather it appears under Settings > Membership > Manage Plan. It is only accessible through the desktop website. When accepted, the $10 credit applies for six months before your bill reverts to the original cost. Multiple reports claim that these credits are offered monthly, totaling $60 per month.
There was no notification for the credit, and it seems rather random. It also does not appear to be tied to the $20 credit the platform is set to offer if the Disney channels are unavailable for an “extended period of time.”
According to a poll by 9to5Google, most people said that the $20 credit either wasn’t enough or they were simply tired of the constant possibility of losing channels. Disney and YouTube TV had been engaged in negotiations but they were unable to reach a new distribution agreement before their existing contract expired Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. More than 20 channels were removed from YouTube TV.
READ: ESPN, Disney channel blacked out on YouTube TV in contract dispute (
This isn’t the first time YouTube TV offered credits during channel disputes. The streaming service has previously negotiated with major networks like NBCUniversal, Paramount and Fox, sometimes offering temporary discounts when channels were unavailable.
Earlier this year, Disney raised its prices for its subscription services Disney+ and Hulu, starting Oct. 21. This rise in prices came shortly after the company faced backlash for the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show on ABC. However, the company said the rise in prices were planned for months, and were unrelated to the Kimmel controversy. Disney announced a week later that the show would return to air.