Disney and YouTube announced a deal Friday night to end a blackout that removed ABC, ESPN and other channels from the YouTube TV streaming platform.
The deal ends a standoff in which Disney pulled programming from YouTube TV in late October.
Disney said the deal was a “multi-year distribution agreement” with YouTube TV.
“It recognizes the enormous value of Disney programming and provides YouTube TV subscribers with more flexibility and choice,” Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a press release.
“We are pleased that our networks were restored in time for fans to enjoy the many exciting programming options this weekend, including college football,” they said in the release.
Customers should see an almost immediate impact. Disney said Friday evening that channels “have already begun to be restored to YouTube TV subscribers.”
The new deal allows Disney+ and Hulu Bundle content to be shared on YouTube TV, Disney said.
YouTube, owned by Google company Alphabet, said on October 30 that Disney had removed channels from the streaming service amid the impasse in negotiations, something Disney had threatened to do.
YouTube said last month that Disney used the threat of a power outage as a negotiating tactic that would have resulted in higher prices for its subscribers. He also said at the time that a blackout could potentially benefit Disney’s own streaming products, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
Before the deal was reached, Disney said YouTube TV was refusing to pay fair rates for its channel.
A YouTube spokesperson said the company was happy a deal had been reached. Customers should see channels return, along with recordings in their library, within 24 hours, the company said.
“We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience while we negotiate on their behalf,” the YouTube spokesperson said.
Last month, YouTube announced that it would give subscribers a $20 credit if Disney content was unavailable “for an extended period of time.” YouTube TV’s basic subscription plan costs $82.99 per month.
YouTube is the largest Internet television provider in the United States, with more than 9 million subscribers. Disney-owned Hulu is next, with about half the number of subscribers.
The Associated Press contributed.
