The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger addressed the ongoing carriage dispute with YouTube TV on Thursday morning, telling investors during Disney’s quarterly earnings call that the company remains committed to reaching a fair agreement while emphasizing its responsibility to both consumers and shareholders.
The blackout of Disney’s networks — including ESPN, ABC, and FX — is entering its third weekend, leaving millions of YouTube TV subscribers without access to some of sports and entertainment’s most popular programming. Iger said Disney has worked “tirelessly” to restore its channels to the platform but stressed that any new deal must reflect the value Disney provides.
“We care deeply about our consumer,” Iger said. “Our priority has always been to remain on their service without interruptions, and you close a deal on a timely basis so an interruption does not occur. The deal we have proposed is equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to. We are not trying to break any new ground.”
Iger pointed to Disney’s long track record of striking equitable agreements with other distributors. He said the offer on the table mirrors terms already accepted by “distributors larger than they are,” suggesting Disney believes its proposal to YouTube TV is consistent with industry standards.
“While we have been working tirelessly to close this deal and restore our content to their platform, it is imperative that we make sure we agree to a deal that reflects the value that we deliver, which both YouTube and Alphabet have told us is greater than the value of any other provider,” Iger added.
Before the earnings call, Walt Disney Company CFO told CNBC that the company prepared for this dispute earlier in the year, and is set to go on as long as it takes.
“We’re in the middle of negotiations right now. Things are live. They’re happening,” said Hugh Johnston, Walt Disney Company CFO to CNBC. “Obviously as we entered the year, we knew this was going to be a challenging battle. We prepared ourselves for it, and we’re ready to go as long as they want to So, beyond that I’d rather not comment on that.”
The comments come amid mounting public pressure for both sides to resolve the dispute, particularly as major live sports events continue to air on ESPN and ABC and other Disney owned networks. Fans have taken to social media expressing frustration over missed college football, NFL, and NBA games, while industry observers note the standoff underscores the changing economics of digital distribution.
Iger’s tone suggested optimism but also resolve, balancing consumer empathy with Disney’s insistence that its premium content justifies a premium price.
“We are trying hard and working tirelessly to close this deal,” he said. “And we are hopeful we will be able to do so on a timely enough basis to give consumers the opportunity to access our content over their platform.”
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