• YouTube TV subscribers lose access to Disney channels due to failed negotiations.
• Disney accuses Google of refusing to pay fair rates, impacting nearly 10 million viewers.
• YouTube TV offers a $20 credit for prolonged service interruptions.
• Disney executives claim YouTube TV pulled channels with no advance notice.
• The blackout affects various popular programming, including major sports events.

YouTube TV subscribers are currently unable to watch Disney channels such as ESPN, ABC, and FX due to a breakdown in negotiations over a new content distribution deal. A Disney spokesperson criticized Google, saying they refused to pay "fair rates" for utilizing its channels, leading to the blackout. The number of affected subscribers is estimated to be around 10 million, which constitutes a significant portion of YouTube TV's viewer base, the largest internet TV provider in the U.S., according to Business Insider and BBC.

The failure to reach an agreement has resulted in Disney channels being temporarily removed from YouTube TV's lineup, significantly impacting coverage of popular events like NFL and college sports games. YouTube TV expressed frustration and stated that Disney used the threat of a blackout as a negotiation tactic designed to increase subscription prices. In response, the platform has communicated a commitment to restoring Disney's content and is offering affected subscribers a $20 credit if channels remain unavailable for a lengthy period, as noted by both SFGate and India Times.

In internal communications, Disney executives highlighted that YouTube TV had pulled the channels with no advance notice, which not only affected live programming but also deleted previously recorded content from subscribers' libraries. Disney Entertainment co-chairs mentioned that YouTube's actions are indicative of a lack of willingness to negotiate fairly and undermine competition in the industry. This sentiment was echoed in their statement asserting the importance of achieving equitable agreements similar to those already reached with other distributors like Hulu and Fubo, according to SFGate and India Times.

Amid the negotiations, YouTube TV has highlighted that Disney’s proposed terms would lead to increased prices for subscribers while benefitting Disney's direct streaming services. This dispute reflects ongoing tensions in the industry, as negotiations with other major media companies have also showcased contentious outcomes regarding content availability. Both companies indicated that they are striving for a resolution to restore services but remain divided over fee structures and conditions, as reported by Business Insider and BBC.