Disney Reaches New Deal With YouTube TV, Ending Blackout of ESPN Content

Per ESPN, YouTube TV and The Walt Disney Company ended their dispute this week. A new deal between Disney and Google-owned YouTube TV was reached this week that will bring Disney-owned channels back to the platform. This includes ABC and WWE PLE partner ESPN.

The Walt Disney Co. said via a press release, “As part of the new deal, Disney’s full suite of networks and stations — including ESPN and ABC — have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers.” Additionally, YouTube also confirmed the return of Disney content to its platforms, and viewers should be able to resume viewing the channels “over the course of the day.” Disney also apologized for the recent blackout, thanking customers for their “patience as we negotiated on their behalf.”

This ends a full blackout of Disney content on YouTube TV that started on October 30, with both sides failing to reach a new licensing deal. It caused a disruption of Disney content for YouTube TV subscribers, disrupting coverage of top college football matchups, professional sports, games, and all news and entertainment programming.

Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said yesterday (Nov. 14) that the executives were “pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football.”

ESPN is the broadcast partner of WWE for its monthly premium live events. Thanks to the resolution of the dispute, WWE fans will be able to access the ESPN App Unlimited plan to watch WWE Survivor Series: WarGames later this month on YouTube TV.

The WWE and ESPN partnership officially kicked off in September with WWE Wrestlepalooza.