Google told subscribers of its YouTube TV vMVPD service that it will drop its monthly subscription price by $15 if it has to drop Disney channels from its lineup after the current contract expires Friday, Dec. 17.
The two companies are currently in negotiations and both expressed hopes that it would reach an agreement by the deadline by Friday but if not, it would mean the loss of ABC’s stations, the ESPN networks, the Disney channels, the FX networks, National Geographic channels and Freeform.
YouTube TV considers its conditions reasonable.
“Our ask of Disney, as with all of our partners, is to treat YouTube TV like any other TV provider—by offering us the same rates that services of a similar size pay, across Disney's channels for as long as we carry them,” YouTube told its subscribers in an email on Tuesday. “We welcome a renewed agreement provided we can reach equitable terms with Disney. However, if we are unable to reach a deal by Friday, the Disney-owned channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV starting December 17, and we will decrease our monthly price by $15, from $64.99 to $49.99 (while Disney content remains off of our platform).”
Disney, meanwhile, expressed confidence that a deal will be struck.
“Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution has a highly successful track record of negotiating such agreements with providers of all types and sizes across the country and is committed to working with Google to reach a fair, market-based agreement,” Disney said in a statement. “We are optimistic that we can reach a deal and continue to provide their YouTube TV customers with our live sporting events and news coverage plus kids, family and general entertainment programming.”
YouTube TV had a similar disagreement with NBCUniversal in September, prompting Google to also offer a discount, however a deal was struck before any channels were dropped.
