The Disney YouTube TV Blackout is now officially hitting The Walt Disney Company hard — estimated losses of about $4.3 million per day are piling up as key Disney-owned channels remain unavailable on YouTube TV.
What’s happening with the Disney YouTube TV blackout
The blackout began when Disney’s contract with Google’s YouTube TV expired at 11:59 PM ET on October 30, 2025, and the two companies failed to agree on a new distribution deal. Channels owned by Disney — including ESPN Inc., American Broadcasting Company (ABC), FX Networks, National Geographic Partners and more — were pulled from YouTube TV.
Disney says Google is refusing to pay “fair rates” for its networks. Google counters it is being forced into higher subscriber prices if it meets Disney’s demands.
Financial impact for Disney
- Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate that each week of the blackout costs Disney about $30 million, which breaks down to roughly $4.3 million per day.
- If the blackout lasts 14 days, Disney could be staring at a $60 million revenue headwind for that period.
- One note: the drop in revenue includes lost carriage-fees and potentially reduced advertising and subscriber revenues tied to the missing channels.
- Disney’s quarterly net income estimate was revised downward by ~$25 million due to the fallout.
Why this matters
For Disney
- Losing major platforms for distribution means fewer eyeballs, less ad reach, and less leverage.
- The timing is especially bad: the blackout covers major sports events (ESPN’s games, “Monday Night Football”, NBA, etc.), which typically generate high viewership and revenue.
- Disney has to weigh the cost of holding out for higher rates versus the revenue loss of staying off YouTube TV.
For YouTube TV / Google
- They risk subscriber cancellations. A survey showed 24% of U.S. YouTube TV subscribers either cancelled or intend to cancel due to the blackout.
- Google is offering a $20 credit to affected subscribers to retain goodwill.
- While Google saves on paying Disney’s fees during the blackout, the risk is avoiding long-term subscriber churn and negative perception.
For consumers
- Subscribers to YouTube TV lose access to key channels (ABC, ESPN, etc.).
- Options are limited: switch to Disney’s own streaming services (like Hulu + Live TV, ESPN +) or wait for the blackout to end.
- Price increases may be on the horizon if higher carriage fees are passed on to consumers.
What happens next?
- The analysts expect a deal to be reached soon. Morgan Stanley believed resolution might happen by the end of the week.
- The longer the blackout lasts, the harder it is for Disney to recoup the lost revenue and for YouTube TV to retain subscribers.
- Watch for announcements of new carriage agreements, rate terms, or alternate distribution moves by Disney.
Background on Disney’s business and carriagedisputes
The Walt Disney Company is a major media, entertainment and broadcasting powerhouse, owning major networks (like ESPN, ABC), streaming platforms, theme parks, and content studios.
Carriage disputes (where content owners and distributors clash over fees) are not new. Disney has previously had similar standoffs (for example with Charter Communications).
As the media landscape shifts toward streaming and direct-to-consumer models, both content owners and platforms are under pressure to re-negotiate who pays what and how subscriber growth and loyalty are maintained.
Why the “$4.3 million per day” figure is significant
- It quantifies the blackout’s immediate magnitude: a daily revenue drain rather than just a “temporary inconvenience”.
- It highlights how the business model of these big media houses relies heavily on carriage agreements and steady distribution.
- It underscores that even major brands are vulnerable when distribution channels disappear.
Key Takeaways
- Focus Keyword (“Disney YouTube TV Blackout”) appears throughout this article.
- Disney is losing money per day (~$4.3 m) due to the blackout of its channels on YouTube TV.
- Both Disney and Google/YouTube TV are under pressure: Disney from lost revenue, Google from subscriber churn and reputation.
- The dispute underscores the shifting dynamics in media distribution and the cost of failing to secure agreements.
- Resolution seems imminent but the longer it drags on, the higher the costs and risks for all parties.
