Disney-YouTube TV blackout angers cord cutters who ditched cable, only to find the same hassles on streaming

Disney networks, including ESPN and ABC, have been blacked out on Google's YouTube TV due to a carriage dispute. Negotiations failed, leading to the removal of Disney's channels just before the previous deal expired. A key disagreement centers on Disney's demand for rate hikes, which Google opposes. Subscribers expressed frustration on social media, lamenting the return of cable-like contract battles. Both companies are blaming each other for the blackout. Google claims Disney used the threat of a blackout as a negotiation tactic and that this harms YouTube TV subscribers. Disney accuses Google of using its market dominance to eliminate competition and undervalue their channels. Executives from Disney emphasized the value of their content and their need to stand firm. Several Disney-owned channels are affected, impacting live sports viewers significantly. This is not the first such dispute for YouTube TV, which has had similar conflicts with other content providers. Industry experts state that consumers are the ones most harmed by these disputes. While blackouts can cause friction and cancellations, they often don't last long, with a deal expected eventually.