As of Oct. 31, YouTube TV lost Disney channels, including ESPN and ABC. Since then, we've covered everything from alternative streaming services for ESPN, to whether or not you should get the Disney Plus, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited bundle. We even highlighted a $10 YouTube TV discount that the live TV streaming service has quietly been offering some loyal customers.
But now, the YouTube TV vs. Disney battle has taken an unexpected twist. Deadline is reporting that a Disney spokesperson is officially requesting that YouTube TV bring back ABC. Specifically, Disney wants ABC back on YouTube TV for Election Day in the U.S. (tomorrow, Nov. 4).
“Despite the impasse that led to the current blackout," the statement provided from Disney reads, "we have asked YouTube TV to restore ABC for Election Day so subscribers have access to the information they rely on. We believe in putting the public interest first and hope YouTube TV will take this small step for their customers while we continue to work toward a fair agreement.”
Disney is right — ABC is a matter of public interest
Here's the thing with that statement: Disney is right. ABC is a broadcast over-the-air network, and like its fellow broadcast news networks (Fox, CBS, NBC), its ability to be freely available to the general public and provide unbiased news coverage is a matter of public interest.
This is no longer an alien concept to most Americans at this point, either. "Public interest" is a doctrine that was bandied about by the FCC and its chairperson, Brendan Carr, both when discussing the rationale for holding up Skydance's acquisition of Paramount and when threatening to take broadcast licenses from Disney following Jimmy Kimmel's temporary suspension.
Now, it's important to note that Disney's altruistic streak has a potential expiration date. While Disney is reportedly requesting YouTube TV restore ABC access during Election Day, details beyond that are currently nonexistent. Will the access be just for the 24 hours of Election Day? Just during news broadcasts? Will you lose access at midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 5?
At this point, the answers to those questions are as unknown as the answer to the biggest question on every YouTube TV subscriber's mind: When will I get my channels back?
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