Disney execs give status update on talks with YouTube TV

Disney execs give status update on talks with YouTube TV

Walt Disney Company executives told staff on Friday that it seems their prized tv properties ESPN and ABC will continue to be blacked out on Google-owned YouTube TV via the weekend.

“We realize this has been a challenging week, with everyone asking the same question as millions of YouTube TV subscribers during the busiest time of the year in sports: When will ESPN and ABC be back on the service?” read a memo despatched to Disney staff on Friday.

The memo, which was first reported by Variety, was signed by Disney Entertainment co-chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman in addition to by ESPN boss Jimmy Pitaro.

Walt Disney Company executives told staff on Friday that it seems ESPN and ABC will continue to be blacked out on Google-owned YouTube TV via the weekend. GC Images

“We wish we could give you that answer today, but unfortunately, we are headed into another sports-packed weekend without a deal in place.”

The three Disney execs said the House of Mouse “began these negotiations by offering YouTube TV a deal that would cost less overall than the terms of our recently expired license.”

“That’s real savings that YouTube TV could pass along to its customers,” the trio wrote in the memo.

“We’ve offered innovative, bespoke programming packages — tailored to sports fans, entertainment fans, kids and families — that would provide tremendous flexibility for YouTube TV and greater choice and value for its customers.”

Despite their efforts, however, YouTube TV “continues to insist on receiving preferential terms that are below market and has made few concessions.”

On Monday, YouTube TV proposed restoring ABC and ESPN, in response to Disney’s request to deliver again ABC for Election Day coverage. PixieMe – inventory.adobe.com

Meanwhile, YouTube said it’s open to negotiating a good deal with Disney to revive the leisure large’s networks to its YouTube TV pay‑TV service, while it accused Disney of misrepresenting details and in search of greater charges than rivals and its personal smaller platforms.

On Monday, YouTube TV proposed restoring ABC and ESPN, in response to Disney’s request to deliver again ABC for Election Day coverage.

“Our team stands ready to make a fair agreement in line with their deals with other distributors and we encourage Disney to come to the table and do what’s best for our mutual customers,” YouTube said in a press release to Reuters.

YouTube said Disney is in search of a fee above what Charter and DirecTV pay for the ABC networks. The video streaming service said it’s not in search of better charges, as Disney claims.

YouTube said it’s open to negotiating a good deal with Disney to revive the leisure large’s networks to its YouTube TV pay‑TV service. REUTERS

The dispute facilities on carriage charges, the per‑subscriber charges distributors pay to hold broadcast and cable networks.

YouTube TV, considered one of the largest U.S. pay‑TV distributors, has been negotiating this 12 months with media firms that have threatened to tug their networks from the platform.

Disney’s networks went darkish on YouTube TV late last Thursday after talks failed to provide a licensing deal, the firms said in separate statements.

The Post has sought remark from Disney and Google.

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