YouTube makes desperate offer to subscribers as 24% say they're canceling

YouTube has made a last minute offer to its subscribers as 24% say they are canceling their subscription.

This all started at the beginning of the month when ESPN disappeared from the platform after the companies had failed to reach a new agreement.

ESPN took to X, formerly Twitter, to speak out against YouTube, saying: “Unfortunately, Google’s YouTube TV has chosen to deny their subscribers the content they value most by refusing to pay fair rates for our channels, including ESPN and ABC.

“Without a new agreement in place, their subscribers will not have access to our programming, which includes the best lineup in live sports — anchored by the NFL, NBA, and college football, with 13 of the top 25 college teams playing this weekend.”

Since then, a report by Variety claimed that a new Drive Research survey had revealed around 24% of YouTube TV subscribers have either already canceled or are planning to cancel if ESPN is not put back on the platform.

In a public letter responding to the situation, YouTube said: “We agree that the right priority here is to give customers what they want. As you know from the many content disputes you’ve been part of, customers don’t want companies fighting and content blackouts. But unfortunately, your proposal would permit us to return Disney’s ABC stations only for a day and will cause customer confusion among those who may briefly see ABC on YouTube TV only to lose it again shortly after.”

The message went on to say: “To truly achieve what is best for our mutual customers, we propose immediately restoring the Disney channels that our customers watch: ABC and the ESPN networks, while we continue to negotiate. Those are the channels that people want.

“If you agree with our proposal and give us approval, we can get our operational teams together and get these channels live in hours. Let us know how you’d like to proceed.

“More importantly, let's get a fair deal done so we can get back to providing our mutual customers with the content they want. Thank you.”

It seems the two companies have been able to work things out as YouTube announced a new deal had been reached to restore the Disney channels.

The social media platform stated: “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Disney that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers.”