The two companies end their carriage fight with a multi-year agreement that restores Disney’s full linear lineup to the platform.

November 15, 2025: Disney and YouTube TV have officially reached a new carriage agreement, bringing an end to a dispute that temporarily removed major channels—including ABC and ESPN—from the streaming platform’s lineup. HOLR breaks down the story here as viewers across the United States express relief after days of uncertainty surrounding access to some of the most-watched networks.

What Happened?

The blackout began after contract negotiations between Disney and YouTube TV stalled, leading to the temporary removal of popular networks such as ABC, ESPN, FX, National Geographic, and Disney Channel. The issue stemmed from disagreements over carriage fees and distribution rights—common points of contention during these types of negotiations.

Viewers immediately noticed the impact, particularly sports fans who rely on ESPN for coverage of major events. The timing also intensified frustrations, as the dispute overlapped with live sports broadcasts, primetime TV seasons, and ongoing holiday programming.

HOLR has the latest news as the two companies moved quickly to address the disruption, with both parties confirming that the channels would be restored for all YouTube TV subscribers following a renewed agreement.

Agreement Reached: What Viewers Can Expect

Following intense negotiations, Disney and YouTube TV announced they had reached a mutually beneficial resolution. All affected Disney-owned networks have now returned to YouTube TV’s channel lineup, ensuring uninterrupted access moving forward.

Subscribers can once again stream live sports, ABC News programming, original series, and family-friendly Disney content without needing alternative platforms or temporary workarounds.

HOLR breaks down the story here:

All channels restored: ABC, ESPN, FX, Freeform, National Geographic, and Disney Channel are fully accessible.

No action required: Subscribers do not need to update settings or reinstall the app—the channels return automatically.

New terms in place: While details of the agreement remain confidential, the settlement signals a willingness from both companies to maintain long-term distribution stability.

Subscriber Reaction

The blackout sparked significant backlash among YouTube TV users, many of whom took to social media to express frustration. Sports fans were especially vocal, given ESPN’s broad coverage of major leagues and events.

Now that the channels have been restored, many subscribers have expressed relief—though some have encouraged both companies to prioritize smoother negotiations in the future to avoid similar disruptions. HOLR has the latest news as online conversations continue, focusing on the importance of reliable access to live TV in the streaming era.

Why These Disputes Keep Happening

Carriage disputes have become increasingly common as streaming platforms and traditional media companies renegotiate how content is valued and distributed. Rising production costs, subscription model shifts, and increased competition in streaming all play a role in these conflicts.

Disney, which owns one of the largest portfolios of TV networks, often finds itself at the negotiation table with distributors seeking favorable terms for their subscribers. At the same time, platforms like YouTube TV face pressure to keep subscription prices reasonable while offering premium content.

This latest dispute highlights how delicate these relationships can be—and how quickly disruptions can impact millions of viewers.

The Bigger Picture

With this agreement in place, subscribers can expect uninterrupted access to Disney-owned channels—at least for now. But the incident serves as a reminder of how dynamic the streaming landscape has become, with major players constantly renegotiating rights to stay competitive.

For now, viewers can resume watching their favorite shows, sports broadcasts, and network programming without interruptions. HOLR breaks down the story here as more updates emerge regarding the long-term implications of this settlement for both companies.