A major television blackout is set to continue for millions of American sports fans after a leaked internal memo exposed the deep divisions in the bitter carriage dispute between media titan Disney and tech giant Google.
Feud Spills Into Second Weekend
The conflict has now spilled over into a second weekend, meaning the 10 million subscribers to Google's YouTube TV service remain completely locked out of all Disney-owned channels. This sweeping blackout includes the entire slate of programming from ABC and the crucial sports network ESPN.
Subscribers have already missed a series of high-profile sporting events. This past Saturday, viewers were unable to watch the top-tier college football clash between Alabama and LSU. The outage also affected other games, including the contest between BYU and Texas Tech, and the NFL's Arizona Cardinals versus Dallas Cowboys match-up.
Internal Memo Reveals Little Hope
In a fresh blow, The Athletic has obtained an internal memo sent by three of Disney's most senior executives that offers little hope for a swift resolution. The document was signed by Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, alongside ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
The memo accuses Google's YouTube TV of negotiating in bad faith. "Rather than compete on a level playing field, Google's YouTube TV has approached these negotiations as if it were the only player in the game," the executives wrote. They defended Disney's position, stating the company invests heavily in top-tier talent and content and "cannot allow anyone to undercut our ability to do so."
Disney claims it has offered YouTube TV "fair terms that are in line with the more than 500 other distributors" that have recently renewed their agreements. The memo further alleges that YouTube TV is demanding "preferential terms that are below market" while making "few concessions" in return.
YouTube TV Fires Back
In a sharp response, a spokesperson for YouTube TV accused Disney of using underhanded tactics. "Once again, Disney is resorting to their old tactics like leaking documents to the press, negotiating in public through their paid talent and misrepresenting the facts," the spokesperson stated.
The spokesperson contended that their team is ready to make a fair agreement in line with Disney's other distribution deals and encouraged Disney to return to the negotiating table to resolve the situation for their mutual customers.
The blackout began on October 31st when YouTube TV, the largest internet TV provider in the United States, pulled all Disney channels from its platform. The immediate consequence is that subscribers will be blocked from watching one of the season's most anticipated NFL games: the Monday Night Football showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles.
However, it is not a complete loss for football fans. YouTube TV subscribers will still have access to NFL games that air on other major broadcast networks, including Fox, CBS, and NBC, on Sundays.
