Disney Demands YouTube TV Restore ABC for Election Day as Blackout Drags On

Disney is calling on YouTube TV to temporarily restore access to ABC ahead of Election Day, framing the move as a matter of public interest.

In a statement released Monday, Disney said it has asked YouTube TV to allow ABC programming to air on November 4, when Americans head to the polls, even as the two sides remain locked in a contract dispute that has kept Disney’s channels off the platform for days.

“Despite the impasse that led to the current blackout, we have asked YouTube TV to restore ABC for Election Day so subscribers have access to the information they rely on,” Disney said. “We believe in putting the public interest first and hope YouTube TV will take this small step for their customers while we continue to work toward a fair agreement.”

YouTube TV has not yet responded to the proposal.

ABC’s election coverage is still expected to be available through other outlets, including ABC News Live, the network’s free streaming channel. Over the weekend, Disney’s ESPN took similar steps to reach audiences during the blackout, making its popular College GameDay show freely available on X (formerly Twitter) and through the ESPN mobile app without requiring a cable or streaming subscription.

The dispute between Disney and YouTube TV began last week when the two companies failed to agree on a new carriage deal. As a result, YouTube TV removed all Disney-owned networks, including ABC and ESPN, late on October 30. The sticking point reportedly centers on pricing, with Disney pushing for rate increases that Google, YouTube TV’s parent company, has refused to meet.

At the same time, Google has been encouraging major media companies to consider flexible programming tiers that could allow subscribers to pay only for select channels — a shift traditional networks have resisted.

YouTube TV, which charges $82.99 per month for its base plan, has said it will offer customers a one-time $20 credit if Disney’s channels remain unavailable for an extended period.

Disney is the latest major media company to clash with Google over YouTube TV in recent months. Paramount Global (now Paramount Skydance), Fox Corp., and NBCUniversal have all faced tense negotiations but ultimately reached new agreements before their contracts expired.

Not all networks have been as lucky. In September, YouTube TV dropped Univision and other TelevisaUnivision-owned channels after talks broke down. Those channels remain off the platform.

For now, Disney’s push to bring ABC back — even temporarily — underscores the growing tension between traditional media giants and digital distributors vying for control in the streaming era, just as millions of viewers prepare to tune in for Election Night coverage.

Sandra Williams

Sandra is a science enthusiast and a researcher by nature. Her articles are informative and eloquent in equal measures, and always include knowledge that is verified by authentic sources. She is a maven at health related sciences and takes an interest in new scientific findings from all facets of the subject. Her column is a ready reckoner on all that is going on in the world of scientific study, and health sciences, including disease outbreaks, their causes, and prevention measures being taken.