A new statement from a Disney executive shows the company is in no rush to get college football and ESPN content back on the screens of YouTube TV subscribers.
Television enthusiasts have seen this frustrating story before. The contract between a content provider and a cable, satellite, or streaming company ends, and the provider pushes for an increase in payment from the TV company. It's been an issue subscribers have had to deal with for decades. However, the ongoing battle between YouTube TV and Disney is getting ugly.
In October, the warnings began about the two sides hitting an impasse and potential blackouts on the streaming platform. A threat subscribers have seen before. However, on Oct. 30, things became real as all Disney content, including ESPN and ABC, was taken off the TV provider with over 10 million subscribers — which is the fourth highest in the nation.
In the end, most assumed the blackout would probably last a week, at most, and college football fans would not miss some big conference matchups being broadcast on Disney-owned networks. However, we are closing in on a third straight weekend without ESPN and ABC on YouTube TV, and a Disney exec suggested this week they have no intention of lowering their demands.
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"We're ready to go as long as they want to," Disney CFO Hugh Johnston told Sports Business Journal on Thursday.
Disney CEO Bob Iger was less aggressive but explained to the outlet why his company's proposal is fair and not "trying to break new ground."
"The deal we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to. We are not trying to break any new ground," Iger said. "While we have been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our content to their platform, it is imperative that we make sure we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver.
"Which both YouTube and Alphabet (YouTube TV's parent company) have told us is greater than the value of any other provider. The offer that is on the table is commencing with details that were already struck with distributors larger than they are."
Disney is allegedly losing $4 million a day during the YouTube TV blackout.
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