Good news for sports fans frustrated by the ongoing ESPN blackout. No, YouTube and Disney still haven't struck a new carriage deal to restore service (booo), but YouTube TV is taking the sting out a bit and giving subscribers a $20 credit for their troubles.
YouTube TV began emailing customers on Sunday, Nov. 9, offering a $20 credit that they can apply to their next billing statement. Multiple staffers at Tom's Guide have already received this email, which says that a follow-up email will come "over the next few days" with instructions on how to redeem the $20 credit. According to reporting from The Athletic, all YouTube TV subscribers should receive the credit by Nov. 12, so make sure to check your inbox if you still haven't been informed you're receiving a credit.
YouTube TV subscribers lost access to ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned networks on November 1 after a distribution deal between the two companies expired. Last week, YouTube's parent company, Google, promised to issue a $20 credit if ongoing negotiations left subscribers without the channels for an "extended period." If Disney and ESPN channels weren't restored to YouTube TV by today (November 9), the company planned to begin issuing credits, according to The Athletic's source. It remains unclear whether this credit is a one-time thing or, should negotiations drag on, will be issued every month.
When will ESPN return to YouTube TV
A $20 credit only goes so far to smooth over this frustrating standoff that's gone down like a lead balloon as college football and basketball seasons heat up. With roughly 10 million subscribers, YouTube TV is the fourth-largest television distributor in the U.S. Once the companies reach a deal, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels should be restored to YouTube TV "in a matter of hours," according to YouTube. But with the clock ticking down until the NFL “Monday Night Football” Eagles-Packers game and no deal in sight, that's little consolation.
Both sides are pointing fingers for the blackout. YouTube's accused Disney of distorting the facts and demanding an unprecedented fee increase. Meanwhile, Disney argues the tech giant "continues to insist on receiving preferential terms that are below market and has made few concessions," according to an internal memo to employees on Friday shared by Variety. It's worth noting that Disney has a vested interest in a prolonged blackout since sports fans can still catch ESPN on its Hulu + Live TV plan, which is 25% off right now through November 18.
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