As negotiations between Disney and YouTube TV continue, the start of the third week of blackouts to popular channels like ESPN and ABC looms. The lack of an agreement has been costly to all parties involved, particularly subscribers who are left without some of their favorite channels. At the same time, Disney and YouTube TV continue to incur financial losses.
While frustration has peaked for subscribers, both YouTube TV and Disney have issued public statements regarding the negotiations, each essentially pointing the finger back at the other. Most recently, Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the topic on a recent call.
Disney's Response to YouTube TV Blackouts Including ESPN & ABC
Although The Athletic's Andrew Marchand cited that there "may be renewed momentum" to finish a deal, it appears Disney remains steadfast in its belief that the offer made to YouTube TV is a fair one.
Marchand's article highlighted issues regarding YouTube TV's willingness to pay for channels beyond ABC and ESPN, and cited a comment from Iger on his X account.
"Iger ends call saying they are working tirelessly to get deal done and are offering YTTV as good a deal as anyone else," Marchand posted.
Iger ends call saying they are working tirelessly to get deal done and are offering YTTV as good a deal as anyone else https://t.co/uxYfEu3mlG
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 13, 2025
While the aspect of offering YouTube TV "as good a deal as anyone else" may be true, there are unquestionably issues that still loom. Specifically, according to Marchand, the fact that Disney bundles their programming in packages has become problematic in negotiations.
What's Causing Delays in Disney & YouTube TV's Negotiations?
Various reports have referenced ESPN and ABC as primary sticking points early on in negotiations between YouTube TV and Disney. This likely stems from the fact that YouTube TV subscribers have been unable to watch popular live sports such as ESPN's Monday Night Football and all of the network's college football since Oct. 30.
However, according to Marchand, the current issue that's delaying a potential deal between the two sides involves the networks outside of the two popular channels, according to The Athletic.
"However, the question of how much to pay for Disney’s ancillary non-sports networks, such as Freeform, FX and National Geographic, remains an obstacle, according to sources briefed on the conversations between the two media giants," Marchand wrote.
Per the report, the channels specifically highlighted as being a current sticking point in negotiations include:
- Freeform
- National Geographic
- FX
- Disney Channel
These channels, along with the Disney Channel, are reportedly sticking points for YouTube TV. Marchand highlights that these networks draw a much lower viewership, as kids' programming has become increasingly common on streaming services. Not only does Disney+ offer a significant amount of children's programming, but YouTube also features several popular kids' television shows.
However, while these channels may cause an issue in negotiations, subscribers will surely be focused on two things as the weekend draws near. The first is the college football slate scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15, followed by Monday Night Football two days later. A third consecutive week with YouTube TV subscribers unable to tune in is bound to create even more backlash than we've seen thus far.
Related: YouTube TV Unveils New Update on ESPN, ABC Blackouts
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