Disney, ESPN, ABC could leave YouTube TV as two sides work toward new deal
YouTube TV warned subscribers Monday it might lose channels such as ABC, ESPN and FX as parent company Google works toward a renewed deal with Disney.
In an email sent to subscribers and shared online, YouTube TV said it is in negotiations with Disney on a new contract to continue carrying Disney-owned channels including National Geographic, ABC and ESPN.
The current deal is set to expire on Dec. 17. The two haven't reached an "equitable" deal yet, YouTube TV said.
"Our ask to Disney, as with all 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 TV said in its statement.
Disney told U.S. TODAY in a statement that it is "optimistic" a deal could be reached.
"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 added.
Last week, Google reached a deal with streaming platform Roku to continue distributing the YouTube and YouTube TV apps on streaming devices.
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