YouTube TV subscribers could soon be losing access to popular channels if company leadership can’t come to an agreement with Disney before the end of this month.
Disney began running public announcements Thursday evening on YouTube TV to alert customers that the company’s networks, including ABC and ESPN, will be dropped from the service if the companies can’t reach a new distribution agreement, CNBC reports.
The current agreement expires Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Google is the parent company of Youtube TV.
“This is the latest example of Google exploiting its position at the expense of their own customers,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to the outlet.
“If we don’t reach a fair deal soon, YouTube TV customers will lose access to ESPN and ABC, and all our marquee programming — including the NFL, college football, NBA and NHL seasons — and so much more.”
According to CNBC, YouTube TV is asking for better rates for Disney’s programming.
“We’ve been working in good faith to negotiate a deal with Disney that pays them fairly for their content on YouTube TV,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
“Unfortunately, Disney is proposing costly economic terms that would raise prices on YouTube TV customers and give our customers fewer choices, while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products – like Hulu + Live TV and soon, Fubo.”
The spokesperson said if channels remain unavailable for an extended period of time, YouTube TV will offer subscribers a $20 credit.
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