Many of YouTube TV’s 9 million subscribers have been frustrated with the internet-TV provider lately. The reason is its failure to reach a new content distribution agreement with Disney.  

In an Oct. 30 blog post, YouTube TV said Disney “used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers.”  

The streaming giant also said that Disney’s decision to remove its content could benefit its own streaming platforms, such as Hulu + Live TV and Fubo. The two streaming companies are still working on reaching agreement, however.

At midnight EST on October 30, the following Disney channels went dark on Google’s TV platform:  

  • ABC
  • ESPN
  • The Disney Channel 
  • FX
  • Nat Geo 

Amid the dispute between two streaming platforms and frustration among subscribers, YouTube TV has quietly brought back its $10 per month discount offer, reducing the standard monthly price of $82.99 to $72.99 for six months. 

While the total discount of $60 can be considered generous, two factors make the offering less attractive: 

  • The offer is not for all subscribers and criteria for eligibility have not been disclosed. 
  • The promotion is almost hidden, with subscribers having to dig through the section for managing or canceling their subscription to find it. 

The $10 offering has nothing to do with the dispute with Disney, as it is not the first promotion of its kind.

But YouTube TV is now doing something in an effort to make up for the lost Disney channels. 

YouTube TV is trying to smooth things over with customers after losing access to several Disney channels.

T. Schneider/Shutterstock.com

YouTube TV to woo subscribers with a $20 credit after Disney fallout 

Earlier this month, YouTube promised on X (formerly Twitter) that it will grant its subscribers a $20 credit if Disney content remains unavailable “for an extended period of time.” Now, Google’s pay TV platform is keeping its promise. 

On Sunday, Nov. 9, the streaming giant started issuing eligible YouTube TV subscribers a $20 credit, first reported by Variety. 

Related: Google quietly pulls the plug on a service used by millions

The streaming platform confirmed to Tech Crunch it will send YouTube TV customers an email with instructions on how to apply the one-time $20 credit to their next billing statement. All credits should be issued by Wednesday, Nov. 12. 

YouTube told Variety that if Disney agrees to a deal, channels would be live again “in a matter of hours,” before the NFL “Monday Night Football” Eagles-Packers game on Nov. 10, scheduled to air on both ABC and ESPN. 

“We know that subscribers are frustrated with the disruption and we continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV as soon as possible,” YouTube stated on Nov. 8.

Additionally, YouTube argued that Disney is not “negotiating in good faith but rather sticking to its ‘playbook.’” 

How to get the $20 YouTube TV credit 

The majority of subscribers must claim their credit manually, as it is not automatically applied for customers who subscribe to YouTube TV directly, reports Android Authority. 

To claim the $20 offer amid Disney fallout, customers should go to this YouTube TV link on a browser or open the YouTube TV, tap on their profile picture, and click on Settings. From there, subscribers should scroll down to the Updates section, where the following  “Disney Content” notice appears: 

“We know this is frustrating, and we deeply appreciate your membership. That’s why we’re offering you a one-time $20.00 credit.”

Subscribers should click/tap on Claim Credit, and the $20 amount will be applied to their next bill. 

Subscribers slam YouTube TV $20 credit as “shady” and minimal 

This is not the first time YouTube TV and Disney have had a dispute. A previous one in 2021 resulted in YouTube TV offering customers a $15 credit after Disney content was unavailable for one day. 

Even though lowering the monthly payment by $20 due to the lost channels seems reasonable and generous, subscribers who took their thoughts to Reddit revealed a rather negative sentiment. 

Some users argued that the credit is not enough to make up for the missing content, while for others, the more important issue was that the credit is not automatic. 

User Vast_space_8299 commented: “Very deceptive approach to making their customers whole. The credit should be automatically applied to your account. Disappointed to see Google take the shady route.” 

Subscriber Deputy_Retro seconded that thought, saying, “Why not just apply the discount on my bill? Why make me go to Settings, search for updates, and click claim?”  

On another thread, responses were similar, with subscribers getting more frustrated because the credit is not automatic, arguing that YouTube made it that way so it doesn’t have to give the credit to every single customer.

“It’s not automatic so you do have to claim it. Google counting on some subscribers not claiming,” user stu21 wrote. 

Both threads reveal customer dissatisfaction with the way YouTube TV is handling the dispute with Disney, arguing that the $20 credit is a one-time gesture, not a solution. A number of users confirmed they have already canceled their subscriptions, or plan to. 

“Too late… Canceled over a week ago personally,” wrote user turbineseaplane. 

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