YouTube TV Reaches Deal to Restore Access to Disney Channels

YouTube TV Reaches Deal to Restore Access to Disney Channels
YouTube app on a smartphone in this illustration taken on July 13, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)
Reuters
12/20/2021
Updated:
12/20/2021

Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube began restoring access to Walt Disney Co. channels on its platform on Sunday, after the companies reached a distribution agreement to end a two-day blackout.

YouTube wrote on Twitter that “we’ve reached a deal with Disney and have already started to restore access to channels like ESPN and FX.”

Neither company disclosed the financial terms of deal.

YouTube warned last week that it would only renew its agreement with Disney if the company offered “equitable terms” and announced that it was cutting the monthly price for YouTube TV by $15, from $64.99 to $49.99.

On Sunday, YouTube said a monthly subscription had reverted to $64.99, but affected users would receive a one-time $15 discount.

“We appreciate Google’s collaboration to reach fair terms that are consistent with the market,” Disney said in a statement on Sunday.

YouTube earlier this month struck a multi-year pact with streaming platform Roku Inc. to distribute YouTube’s flagship app and TV service, ending a months-long battle over accusations of anti-competitive conduct.