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Both ‘Monday Night Football' and ‘Dancing With the Stars' came in lower than usual in their first airings after Disney networks went dark on the service.
YouTube pulled more than 20 Disney-owned channels including ESPN and ABC right before Halloween after Google and Disney couldn't come to an agreement. At the time, YouTube TV claimed that it ""will not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products."
Disney’s channels, including ABC and ESPN, are still missing from YouTube TV. Talks are ongoing, but viewers shouldn’t expect a quick fix.The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox
YouTube TV claims Disney has been "unnecessarily aggressive and assertive," while Disney states the former has blown things out of proportion. Viewers lost 21 of Disney's channels last week, including ABC and ESPN, as neither side could reach a content agreement before the October 30 deadline.
The platform pulled over 20 Disney-owned channels on October 30, with conflicting reports about credit offers appearing on some subscribers' accounts.
YouTube TV and ESPN have been in a battle of contract negotiations over the past week, which has caused turmoil for fans and millions of dollars for Google, which owns YouTube TV, and Disney, which owns ESPN. At the end of the day on Oct. 30, the deal between the two media giants expired, causing all of Disney's networks to be taken off YouTube TV.