There’s been some updates since I covered YouTube TV’s contract disputes with NBCUniversal and Disney.
A Temporary Truce With NBCUniversal
YouTube TV narrowly avoided a blackout of NBCUniversal channels at the end of September. After their previous contract expired, the two sides struck a short-term extension. You still have access to Sunday Night Football, Saturday Night Live and Telemundo.
For now, subscribers can breathe easy, but this was only a stopgap measure. Carriage fees, bundling, and even how NBCUniversal’s streaming content might be packaged with YouTube TV remain unsettled. The truce could expire just as quickly as it began.
No Word on a Deal with Disney
With Disney it’s been shockingly quiet. Their agreement was also set to expire at the end of September. Yet as of October 2025, Disney-owned channels remain live on YouTube TV. Nothing’s been reported on whether those two reached a similar extension or not. Are they simply holding off on another standoff for now? With Disney holding ESPN, ABC, and a lineup of must-carry channels, YouTube TV can’t afford a clash here.
The Univision Fallout
While YouTube TV kept NBCUniversal and Disney, it lost its biggest Spanish-language partner. On September 30, the service dropped TelevisaUnivision channels Univision, UniMás, Galavisión, TUDN. They even pulled the plug on the ViX Premium add-on.
Negotiations collapsed over fees and placement. YouTube TV wanted to move Univision networks out of its base package, into a pricier Spanish-language add-on. The move would have raised costs for Latino subscribers by nearly 20%. Univision pushed back, saying this would cut their audience while punishing Spanish-speaking households.
YouTube TV countered that Univision channels simply didn’t pull enough viewers on its platform to justify the costs. They also pointed out that Univision already profits from YouTube’s ad ecosystem.
Politicians Have Gotten Involved
Conservative and Democratic politicians have criticized the move as being discriminatory towards Hispanics. They argue the move creates financial barriers for Spanish-speaking communities. Texas Senator Ted Cruz and even members of the Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus have blasted YouTube TV for cutting off culturally vital news and entertainment.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has threatened legal action if YouTube TV doesn’t reconsider. Remember that Hispanic Americans are an important voting bloc for both parties. Stations owned by Univision or Telemundo have been crucial during elections and promoting their agendas.
If YouTube TV can’t resolve its standoff with Univision soon, it’ll alienate millions of viewers. They also risk starting a fight that goes far beyond business. The NBCUniversal and Disney talks may be high-stakes, but YouTube TV might have an ugly fight on their hands if an agreement with Univision isn’t reached soon.
