Disney and YouTube struck a muti-year distribution agreement, ending the two-week blackout and restoring Disney’s full network system to subscribers.
The new deal restores Disney sports and entertainment programming including ESPN and ABC, to YouTube’s TV’s platform.
However, the company has clarified that the affected Disney content has begun returning to the platform.
The service has faced disruption due to carriage disputes with major firms threatening to remove their connections from the platform.
In this connection, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in an official statement: “This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment with how audiences choose to watch.”
On the contrary, YouTube said in a statement: “The agreement preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility on our offers.”
The new deal will further integrate YouTube TV with all of Disney’s conventional broadcasting programming, including all the ESPN networks, the Disney branded channels, ABC, the FX Networks, and National Geographic channels.
ESPN’s new sports streaming platform inaugurated earlier this year will be made available to YouTube TV subscribers, as well as emulating other Disney deals this year.
It still serves a bonus for fans who are striving to afford an increasingly fragmented landscape for sports online.
Subscribers will also have the option to add Disney’s other streaming platform-Disney+ and Hulu-in a bundle.
YouTube TV retains Disney’s prominent programming while gaining new flexibility to incorporate Disney’s growing streaming services. This ultimately provides more options to its subscribers.
Additionally, this year YouTube successfully concluded difficult negotiations with Fox and Paramount and ultimately secured permanent access despite initial disputes.