YouTube TV Regains Disney & ESPN, But Has The Damage Been Done?

On Friday night, YouTube TV lost 17 channels as information technology was unable to come to an agreement with Disney over its channels. However, those channels did come dorsum on Sunday, after YouTube TV and Disney were able to come to a deal. Surprisingly, for the same $65/month. And then in that location was no price increase similar many were expecting.

Merely the real question here is, has the impairment been done to YouTube Television receiver?

Did Disney do this to become more Hulu + Live TV subscribers?

There'south a lot of conspiracy theories floating around that Disney was playing hard to get with YouTube TV, to go some of their subscribers to sign upwards for Hulu + Alive Tv set. Remember, Disney is the bulk owner of Hulu. So getting more subscribers over there is helpful to them. And taking channels like ESPN away from YouTube TV subscribers during Higher Basin flavour is a big bargain. Seeing equally ESPN airs 41 out of the 44 bowl games.

Some users too noticed that Disney was airing commercials most YouTube Goggle box losing their channels ahead of Friday, followed by commercials for Hulu + Live Idiot box. Which adds more credence to this being the case.

I ran a poll on my Twitter account on Saturday, which is not a big indication of how many left YouTube Boob tube. But information technology'south interesting that the number one option was Hulu + Live Tv set, followed by Fubo TV. Of course, a big reason for Hulu + Live Idiot box being the number one pick is, the price is the same. And the channels are by and large the same.

I also switched over to Hulu + Live TV on Sabbatum after this happened. Though, only to switch back to YouTube TV on Sunday. That'south considering the unlimited cloud DVR is such a big deal for me over at YouTube TV. I probably have tens of thousands of hours of shows and movies recorded over there.

Information technology's likely that I was non the simply one that switched, merely to come up correct dorsum over to YouTube TV. It's but a better service than Hulu + Live Tv set is. Between the meliorate interface, the unlimited cloud DVR, and the ability to stream in 4K (for an added cost). Amongst other reasons.

So was the damage washed for YouTube TV?

The big reason why I decided to actually jump transport to Hulu + Alive Television set (before going back), is that this is merely i of many disagreements that YouTube Idiot box has had in the past few months. Of course, there was that large Roku disagreement that lasted almost the entire twelvemonth. More recently at that place was the NBCUniversal distribution agreement that near didn't happen.

It was starting to seem that nosotros were going to lose some channels at some point. Whether it was now, or later on downward the road. And it gets frustrating, hearing every few months that y'all might lose near a quarter of the channels you're paying for. We don't hear about these disagreements with Hulu + Alive TV, Fubo Tv or Sling TV. Only YouTube TV. And that might be another reason why a lot of customers jumped ship to YouTube Goggle box.

Now nosotros don't know for sure, and never volition, how many customers left YouTube Television for some other service over this weekend. Only given the fourth dimension of the year, information technology was probable a substantial number. And I'd be surprised if they all came back to YouTube Idiot box now that Disney and ESPN are back. That'south going to hurt YouTube Tv set in the long run.

Withal, this is a major reward of cord cutting

While it's annoying switching from YouTube Tv set to another service, it'south nonetheless a big advantage of existence a cord cutter. If this happened with say Comcast or AT&T'due south cable service, y'all would simply be out of luck. Y'all'd be without those channels for however long this blackout lasted. As there's typically only one or two options for cablevision Idiot box in almost areas of the U.s..

Simply with cord cutting, there are at to the lowest degree iv options available. That includes YouTube Television receiver, Fubo Boob tube, Hulu + Live Idiot box, and Sling TV. There are a few others, but these are the big ones. Making it easier to switch when something similar this happens.

Equally you are able to suspension your YouTube Television account for upwardly to vi months at a time, and check out other services. Which is actually useful for times like this. Pausing information technology means that you don't lose your DVR, and it will as well keep recording.

Don't hold your jiff for this happening with Sinclair for Bally Sports

When YouTube Goggle box announced they made a deal with Disney on Sunday, everyone on Twitter was request them to do the same for Bally Sports. But that's non going to happen. Sinclair is working to take Bally Sports off of all the streaming services right at present, to create their own streaming service. I've written about it before, and how it's going to be such a bad thought for Sinclair. Even a couple sports commissioners take come out and said that it would fail. Which makes it a big deal.

Then as much as I'd love to be able to lookout my Pistons, Tigers and Red Wings play on YouTube Telly, that's non going to happen anytime shortly. Not until Sinclair launches their streaming service and it fails, at to the lowest degree. Sinclair is talking near charging $20-$25 for this service, which is a huge cost to scout 3 teams (or less, depending on your market).

The issue with Bally Sports is more than Sinclair than YouTube TV. Remember, Sinclair took the channels off of Hulu + Live TV and Fubo TV around the same fourth dimension. AT&T'southward contract with Sinclair has not yet expired, so DIRECTV Stream is the only option for the Bally Sports networks. But that will probable change adjacent yr.