Summary
YouTube TV and Disney could not agree on a new deal, leading YouTube TV to remove Disney's ABC and ESPN channels from its platform. This has resulted in Disney losing around $5 million each day, and ESPN, in particular, has experienced a significant drop in viewership for its sports programming.
Key Facts
- YouTube TV removed Disney's ABC and ESPN channels starting October 30, 2025.
- The removal came after both companies failed to agree on a new carriage rights deal.
- YouTube TV claims the terms offered by Disney would have negatively affected its members.
- Disney is losing approximately $5 million per day during this standoff.
- ESPN and ABC have suffered noticeable drops in viewership since the channels were removed.
- The average audience for Monday Night Football on November 2, 2025, saw a significant decrease compared to a similar game the previous year.
- ESPN's "College GameDay" and its college football broadcasts also saw reduced viewer numbers.
