The YouTube and Disney impasse got messy when the channels owned by Disney such as ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel, Freeform, National Geographic, were yanked off from Google’s YouTube TV.
In what appears as a reprieve for the lovers of the two platforms, a deal was reached between the two parties on Sunday.
Video streaming platform, YouTube announced the restoration of access to Disney-owned networks like ESPN, and FX, while further noting that it was reinstating subscriber recordings from the networks to their libraries. The Google owned-company added that subscribers’ personal preferences and recommendations were not affected by the disruption and remains as they were on Friday.
The major bone of contention and the reason for the disagreement was that YouTube wanted Disney to “treat YouTube TV like any other TV provider” and offer it the same rates that services of a similar size pay, while Disney wished to reach a “fair, market-based agreement.”
The dispute is coming at an essential time for sport lovers, in the wake of the final NFL week coinciding with the beginning of the playoffs, together with college bowls.
But it appears the issue has been amicably resolved as Disney in a statement to Streamable said:
“We are pleased to announce that after a brief disruption, we have reached a new distribution agreement with Google’s YouTube TV for continued carriage of our portfolio of networks.”
“We appreciate Google’s collaboration to reach fair terms that are consistent with the market, and we’re thrilled that our robust lineup of live sports and news plus kids, family, and general entertainment programming is in the process of being restored to YouTube TV subscribers across the country,” it stressed.
YouTube on its own part that will go ahead with the $15 one-time discount it earmarked for base plan subscribers in the wake of their lost access to Disney-owned networks, even if it was just for a little more than a day. The discount will allow subscribers automatically receive a $15 credit on their next bill, without needing to take any action.
YouTube failed to mention the terms of the deal said: “We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your patience as we continued to negotiate on your behalf. We also value Disney’s partnership and willingness to work towards an agreement.”
But subscribers are not finding it easy locating their channels and YouTube in a statement to address that said:
“Some subscribers might have trouble finding Disney content in their customized live guides. In this case, YouTube advises affected users to search and add their favorite Disney channels back to the directory.”
Ayoola Faseyi, an Abuja based Journalist with interest in Technology and Politics. He is a versatile writer with articles in many renowned News Journals.He is the Co-Founder of media brand, The Vent Republic.
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