Disney says it isn’t backing down as its standoff with YouTube TV stretches into a second week, leaving millions of subscribers without ESPN, ABC, and the rest of Disney’s linear networks.
Disney CFO Hugh Johnston addressed the blackout in a CNBC interview on Thursday, November 13, following the company’s September 2025 earnings report. Johnston said negotiations with Google are ongoing and described the situation as “live,” adding that Disney anticipated a difficult renewal process heading into the year and is prepared for a prolonged dispute.
Johnston told analysts on the company’s earnings call that Disney factored the blackout into its financial guidance, noting the company expected discussions to continue for some time. He also pointed to the dual financial impact on Disney, citing lost YouTube TV payments and gains from subscribers who may move to other providers.
Disney’s deal with YouTube TV lapsed just before midnight ET on October 30 after the companies failed to reach new terms. The blackout covers ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, and other networks. The dispute centers on pricing. Google has said Disney is pushing for a significant fee increase that would “reset” the market, while Disney argues that Google is refusing to pay fair rates.
Ongoing blackout hits viewers and both companies
The stalemate has already disrupted major programming. YouTube TV subscribers have missed two weeks of Monday Night Football on ESPN and ABC, along with college football, primetime entertainment, and more across Disney’s networks. In fact, 24 percent of subscribers said they had already canceled or planned to cancel if ESPN stays dark.
While YouTube had offered to put ABC and ESPN back while negotiations continued, ESPN shot down the offer.
According to Morgan Stanley estimates, Disney is losing about $30 million per week in revenue. Google, meanwhile, is facing mounting subscriber frustration as cancellations loom.
