- An internal Disney memo reveals deep pessimism regarding the ongoing contract dispute with YouTube TV, signaling no immediate end to the blackout.
- Approximately 10 million YouTube TV subscribers have lost access to ESPN, ABC, and other Disney channels, missing key NFL and college football games.
- YouTube TV has fired back, accusing Disney of negotiating in public and misrepresenting the facts of the potential deal.
- A survey of over 8,000 fans shows the majority blame Disney for the standoff, and 60% of affected subscribers are considering switching streaming providers.
Stalemate Intensifies as Disney Memo Reveals Bleak Outlook
A bitter contract dispute between Disney and Google’s YouTube TV is heading into another weekend, and a leaked internal memo from Disney executives suggests a resolution is not on the horizon. The memo, sent to employees on Friday, paints a pessimistic picture, leaving 10 million subscribers without access to ESPN, ABC, and other popular channels during the peak of the football season.
The document, signed by Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, frames the conflict as a fight for fair market value. “Rather than compete on a level playing field, Google’s YouTube TV has approached these negotiations as if it were the only player in the game,” the memo stated. Disney claims it cannot allow YouTube TV to “undercut” its ability to invest in top-tier content by accepting a deal with preferential, below-market terms.
Fans Miss Major Sporting Events
The blackout, which began on October 31, has already caused subscribers to miss significant sporting events, including last week’s “Monday Night Football.” The losses are mounting, with this weekend’s schedule featuring a Top 10 college football clash between BYU and Texas Tech and the classic LSU vs. Alabama rivalry game. The upcoming “Monday Night Football” matchup, a highly anticipated game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, is also set to be blacked out for users of the service.
YouTube TV Fires Back at Disney’s “Old Tactics”
In response to the leaked memo, a spokesperson for YouTube TV accused Disney of employing manipulative strategies. “Once again, Disney is resorting to their old tactics like leaking documents to the press, negotiating in public through their paid talent and misrepresenting the facts,” the spokesperson said. They asserted that their team is ready to strike a “fair agreement” consistent with deals Disney has with other distributors and urged the media giant to return to the negotiating table for the sake of their shared customers.
Viewers Grow Frustrated with Both Sides
While the corporate giants battle, viewers are caught in the middle. The dispute has had a “modest but tangible impact” on ESPN’s ratings, but the greatest impact is on fan sentiment. A survey conducted by The Athletic of over 8,000 fans revealed that the majority of affected YouTube TV subscribers place the blame on ESPN and Disney. The survey also delivered a stark warning to the streaming service: 60% of its subscribers involved in the poll are now considering switching providers over the blackout.
As the standoff continues, the memo confirms what many feared: “We wish we could give you that answer today, but unfortunately, we are headed into another sports-packed weekend without a deal in place.”
Image Referance: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6787572/2025/11/07/espn-disney-memo-youtubetv-nfl/