The company announced earlier in the week if a deal was not reached YouTube TV would decrease the cost of the service by $15 per month while Disney channels are not available.
A total of 17 streaming channels were dropped including Disney Channel, ESPN, National Geographic, and Disney-owned ABC stations.
YouTube TV on Twitter Dec. 13, 2021:
Members, we’re working with Disney to continue carrying Disney-owned channels, including ESPN and your local ABC station. If we’re unable to reach a fair deal by 12/17/21, we’ll decrease our monthly price by $15 while content is off the platform.
The sudden removal left many sports fans at a loss, even during live games. One Twitter user posted:
YOU JUST SHUT DOWN ESPN WITH 4 MINUTES LEFT IN THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE VS JAMES MADISON FOOTBALL GAME? WTF?
Another Twitter user responded:
Drop ESPN and you’ll lose a lot of subscribers. I only subscribe to watch college sports, especially football American football, wherever I go and for less cost than traditional cable. $15 reduction in price does nothing for me.
Throwing a little bit of fuel on the fire, YouTube support services suggested subscribers sign up for Disney’s own streaming service.
Of course, Disney also offers a bundle with Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu for $13.99 per month, or with ad-free Hulu for an additional $6 per month.
Check out YouTube TV’s “Service Update” dated Dec. 17, 2021.
YouTube recently renewed a deal with Roku bringing back the YouTube TV app to Roku users as well as keeping the YouTube app available on the platform.