What’s happened? It has been over 10 days since all the Disney-owned channels, including ESPN, ABC, and National Geographic, went dark on YouTube TV due to stalled negotiations between the two entertainment giants. Now, the Google-owned streaming platform is offering the promised $20 credit to customers.
- YouTube TV will send all its subscribers instructions to claim the one-time $20 credit via email (which applies to the next billing cycle).
- The platform has begun issuing the credit to customers on Sunday, November 9. All paid subscribers should get the credit by November 12.
Why is this important? Last week, some YouTube TV subscribers received a notification about a $10 monthly discount for six months, reducing the effective price of the entry-level plan from $82.99 to $72.99 per month.
- While it was an attempt to retain subscribers who might otherwise cancel, users had to opt for the offer pricing manually.
- The $20 credit should be available more consistently across all YouTube TV accounts.
Why should I care? The confirmation of the $20 credit comes as a relief to subscribers, especially since the $10 monthly discount wasn’t available to everyone.
- Keep an eye on the email account you used to create your YouTube TV account for instructions on claiming the $20 credit.
- Meanwhile, if both companies reach an agreement, YouTube TV has promised to restore all the channels in a matter of hours.
OK, what’s next? The blackout is still ongoing as both companies continue negotiations. Most recently, both companies suggested the possibility of restoring limited channels, such as ABC and ESPN, but to no avail.
- While credit issuance may continue as a goodwill gesture until a deal is reached, extended blackouts could negatively impact YouTube TV’s subscription base in the United States.
- Customers could explore getting subscriptions to rival services like Hulu + Live TV or Fubo, both of which are owned by Disney.
- For now, there’s no confirmation on whether YouTube TV subscribers will be able to watch Monday Night Football on the platform.
