Many of YouTube TV’s 9 million subscribers have been frustrated with the Internet TV provider lately. The reason is that a new content distribution deal with Disney could not be reached.
October 30 in a blog post, YouTube TV said Disney “used the threat of a YouTube TV blackout as a negotiating tactic to force terms that would increase prices for our customers.”
The streaming giant also said that Disney’s decision to remove its content could benefit its own streaming platforms, such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. However, the two broadcasters are still working towards an agreement.
October 30 at midnight EST, the following Disney channels were blacked out on the Google TV platform:
ABC
ESPN
Disney Channel
FX
Nat Geo
After a dispute between the two streaming platforms and dissatisfaction among subscribers, YouTube TV quietly returned the $10 per month discount offer, dropping the standard monthly price of $82.99 to $72.99 for six months.
While the full $60 discount might be considered a big deal, two factors make the offer less appealing:
The offer is not open to all subscribers and the eligibility criteria has not been disclosed.
The ad is almost hidden, and subscribers have to navigate through the section to manage or unsubscribe to find it.
The $10 offer has nothing to do with the dispute with Disney, as it is not the first ad of its kind.
But YouTube TV is now doing something to make up for the lost Disney channels.
YouTube TV is trying to smooth things over for customers after losing access to several Disney channels.T. Schneider/Shutterstock.com” loading=”eager” height=”540″ width=”960″ class=”yf-1gfnohs loader”/>
After losing access to several Disney channels, YouTube TV is trying to patch things up with customers.T. Schneider/Shutterstock.com
Earlier this month, YouTube promised via X (formerly Twitter) that it would give its subscribers a $20 credit if Disney content remained unavailable “for an extended period of time.” Now, Google’s pay TV platform is making good on its promises.
The streaming giant began offering eligible YouTube TV subscribers a $20 credit on Sunday, Nov. 9, Variety first reported.
Related: Google is quietly pulling the plug on a service used by millions
The streaming platform confirmed to Tech Crunch that it will send an email to YouTube TV customers. letter with instructions on how to apply the one-time $20 credit to your next billing statement. All credits should be issued by Wednesday, November 12th.
YouTube told Variety that if Disney agrees to the deal, the channels will be back on the air “within hours” by November 10. of the NFL’s Monday Night Football Eagles-Packers game, which is scheduled to air on both ABC and ESPN.
“We know subscribers are frustrated by the disruption, and we continue to encourage Disney to work constructively with us to reach a fair agreement to restore their networks to YouTube TV as soon as possible,” YouTube said in a statement on November 8.
In addition, YouTube said that Disney is not negotiating “in good faith, but is following its own “playbook.”
Most subscribers have to claim their credit manually, as it isn’t automatically applied to customers who subscribe directly to YouTube TV, Android Authority reports.
To claim the $20 Disney Fall offer, customers should go to this YouTube TV link in their browser or open YouTube TV, tap their profile picture, and click Settings. From there, subscribers should scroll down to the Updates section, where this Disney Content message appears:
“We know it’s frustrating and we really appreciate your membership. That’s why we’re offering you a one-time $20.00 credit.”
Subscribers should click/tap on Claim Credit and the $20 will be applied to their next account.
This isn’t the first time YouTube TV and Disney have been at loggerheads. Previous 2021 YouTube TV offered customers a $15 credit when Disney content was unavailable for a day.
While a $20 reduction in the monthly fee due to lost channels seems reasonable and generous, Reddit subscribers revealed a rather negative sentiment.
Some users said the credit wasn’t enough to make up for the missing content, while for others it was more important that the credit wasn’t automatic.
User Vast_space_8299 commented: “Very deceptive approach to keep their customers whole. Credit should be automatically applied to your account. I’m disappointed that Google took the shady route.”
Subscriber Deputy_Retro echoed the sentiment, saying, “Why not just apply the discount to my account? Why do I have to go to settings, check for updates, and click claim?”
In another thread, the responses were similar, with subscribers more disappointed that the credit isn’t automatic, arguing that YouTube made it that way, so they don’t have to give credit to every customer.
“It’s not automatic, so you have to claim it. Google expects some subscribers not to claim,” wrote user stu21.
Both threads reveal customer dissatisfaction with YouTube TV’s handling of the dispute with Disney, saying the $20 credit is a one-time gesture rather than a solution. A number of users have confirmed that they have already canceled their subscriptions or are planning to do so.
“Too late… Canceled over a week ago in person,” wrote a user of the turbine plane.
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This story was originally reported by TheStreet in 2025. on November 10, where she first appeared in the entertainment section. Add TheStreet as a preferred source by clicking here.
