Canadian YouTube TV subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief as The Walt Disney Company and Google's streaming platform have finally resolved their contentious carriage dispute. The two media giants announced a new multi-year distribution agreement on Friday, November 15, 2025, bringing Disney's popular channels back to the service after an approximately two-week blackout.
The Resolution and Channel Restoration
Disney's full suite of networks began returning to YouTube TV immediately following the announcement, with subscribers seeing channels like ABC, ESPN, FX, National Geographic, and Freeform restored throughout the day. The timing proved particularly fortunate for sports enthusiasts, as the resolution came just in time for weekend college football games and other live sporting events.
"We are pleased that our networks have been restored in time for fans to enjoy the many great programming options this weekend, including college football," Disney stated in their official announcement. YouTube TV echoed the sentiment in their social media communication, thanking subscribers for their patience during the negotiation period.
Behind the Blackout and Negotiation Tensions
The conflict began on October 30, 2025, when Disney content suddenly disappeared from YouTube TV after the previous licensing agreement expired. The blackout lasted nearly two weeks, leaving subscribers without access to popular channels during critical sports programming and entertainment shows.
During the dispute, both companies publicly traded accusations regarding the breakdown in negotiations. YouTube TV claimed Disney was demanding unreasonable terms that would force price increases for subscribers, while Disney countered that Google was using its market dominance to avoid paying fair rates for valuable content.
The tension escalated when Disney requested temporary restoration of ABC programming for Election Day coverage on November 4, arguing it served the public interest. YouTube TV rejected this partial solution, instead proposing full restoration of both ABC and ESPN channels while negotiations continued.
Broader Implications for Streaming Consumers
This dispute represents the latest in a growing trend of carriage disagreements in the evolving streaming landscape. As more Canadians abandon traditional cable for streaming services, these contract negotiations increasingly result in service disruptions that directly impact consumers.
YouTube TV had previously committed to providing subscribers with a $20 credit if the Disney blackout lasted "an extended period of time," with reports indicating customers could begin claiming this compensation starting November 9. The platform's base subscription costs $82.99 per month in Canada, making the temporary loss of Disney content particularly frustrating for paying customers.
This isn't the first time these companies have faced such challenges. In 2021, a similar contract dispute resulted in a less-than-two-day blackout of Disney content on YouTube TV, suggesting these negotiations are becoming a recurring feature of the streaming industry.
The resolution comes as relief to Canadian subscribers who rely on YouTube TV for access to live sports, news, and entertainment programming from Disney's extensive portfolio of channels.
