YouTube TV and Disney agree deal to bring content back to the streamer

YouTube TV on iPhone
YouTube TV on iPhone (Image credit: Bryan M. Wolfe/iMore)

What you need to know

  • YouTube TV has agreed a deal with Disney that keeps its content on the streamer's platform.
  • Content was originally set to be removed when the existing deal ended on December 17.
  • No agreement was made with Disney content removed from YouTube TV for a couple of days.

YouTube TV has brought Disney content back to its service after agreeing a new streaming deal with Disney. The move means that content from the likes of ESPN and FX will continue to be available despite fears a deal might not be reached.

A deal was, in fact, not reached in time for uninterrupted service. The original deal came to an end on December 17 with content removed as a result. However, as a new update confirms, the two companies were able to agree a new deal on December 19 and content is already on its way back.

We're happy to share that we've reached an agreement with Disney to return their content to YouTube TV while preserving a $64.99/mo. price for our members. We have already started to restore access to Disney networks like ESPN and FX, including their live and on-demand content, as well as any recordings that were previously in your Library. We will also be turning on the local ABC stations over the course of the day.

YouTube had previously promised a price reduction of $15 per month to make up for the loss in content — something the company says it will continue to do as a one-time credit for a couple of days people were missing their Disney content.

As we promised a $15 discount while the Disney content remained off platform, we will still honor a one-time credit for all impacted members. For active members who have not yet received that $15 discount on their monthly bill, you will automatically receive a one-time credit on your next bill with no action needed. For members who were impacted and have initiated the cancellation process, we would love to welcome you back.

Good news for YouTube TV fans, to be sure. And no doubt good news for Disney's bottom line as well.

Oliver Haslam
Contributor

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.