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A YouTube executive has shared their perspective of the ongoing negotiations, calling Disney “unnecessarily aggressive and assertive.” Disney and YouTube TV Discussions Continue Deadline spoke with the executive, who requested they remain anonymous, shared YouTube’s view of the ongoing negotiations with Disney, saying that Disney’s networks on YouTube have seen “flat-ish” viewing numbers: “There are aspects of their portfolio that are doing well on our platform. But remember, they have a very broad portfolio of channels where viewership on many networks is in decline or non-existent. They still have this very antiquated view that the customer should be forced to pay for the full portfolio.” Disney is reportedly asking for a price hike, which Google refuses. Google has proposed new genre-based tiers and packaging flexibility, to which Disney is open, but they still failed to reach a new deal. YouTube TV removed ESPN, ABC, National Geographic, FX, and other Disney networks from the service on Thursday night, before the agreed-upon midnight ET deadline. The executive cited Disney’s recently completed merger of Fubo and Hulu + Live TV, saying “[Disney] frequently [tells] us in negotiations that they don’t care if it goes to a drop because they have those two.” Earlier today, Variety reported on a memo sent to Disney employees from Disney Entertainment Co-Chairs Dana Walden and Alan Bergman and ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro., stating that they are continuing to work towards a “beneficial deal” with YouTube TV. Just a few days ago, Disney and YouTube settled a breach of contract suit over Justin Connelly, former president of Disney Platform Distribution who left before major ESPN negotiations in May and joined YouTube. For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
