Sports fans can breath a sigh of relief now that ESPN, ABC, National Geographic, and more Disney-owned channels have returned to YouTube TV. On Friday, Disney and YouTube struck a multi-year distribution deal to end a two-week blackout that left YouTube TV's 10 million subscribers without access to Disney's suite of networks and stations during peak college football season and a historic election.
You can still claim that $20 credit YouTube TV offered to ease the sting of missing out on your favorite programming — but only until December 9. It's a one-time discount and not automatic, so be sure to claim it now before it's gone (more on that in a bit).
YouTube TV subscribers should now be able to access ESPN, ABC, and the rest of Disney's networks once more. The new deal allows Disney Plus and Hulu Bundle content to be shared on YouTube TV, and subscribers will have the option to add these streaming services in a bundle. They also get access to a selection of live and on-demand programming from ESPN Unlimited within YouTube TV's app at no extra cost, a move that mirrors other Disney deals this year.
“This new agreement reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment and evolving with how audiences choose to watch,’’ Disney Entertainment Co-Chairmen Alan Bergman and Dana Walden and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a Friday press release.
For its part, YouTube said that it's happy the deal “preserves the value of our service for our subscribers and future flexibility in our offers.”
“We apologize for the disruption and appreciate our subscribers’ patience as we negotiated on their behalf,” the company added in a statement on Friday
One of the best live TV streaming services on the market, YouTube TV pulled Disney's content after the companies' existing carriage deal expired on October 31. Both sides blamed the other for the impasse. Disney claimed YouTube TV was refusing to pay fair rates for its channels while YouTube argued Disney proposed costly terms that would lead to higher prices and fewer choices for its subscribers.
How to claim your $20 YouTube TV credit
Even with YouTube TV and Disney finally playing nice, existing customers can still claim their $20 credit for YouTube TV until Dec 9, 2025. To get this rebate, head to tv.youtube.com on your web browser or phone. Click on your profile in the upper right-hand corner and go to the Settings menu. Select Updates, where you should see a button to "claim credit" if you're eligible.
The $20 should then be automatically applied to your account, where it can be used toward your next monthly bill. If you don't see an offer, check your inbox, as YouTube said it's rolling out personalized links to claim the rebate. Note that if you already nabbed the recent $10 monthly promo YouTube TV offered, the $20 credit stacks on top of it.
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