Three of Disney\u2019s top executives distributed a memo to employees Friday laying out the company\u2019s perspective on ESPN\u2019s standoff with YouTube TV over distribution rights, in a signal that the network remains pessimistic about a resolution, even with the prospects of 10 million YouTube TV subscribers missing college football and \u201cMonday Night Football\u201d for a second straight weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than compete on a level playing field, Google\u2019s YouTube TV has approached these negotiations as if it were the only player in the game,\u201d the memo that was obtained by The Athletic\u00a0read. It was signed by three high-ranking Disney executives, Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt goes without saying that the reason so many consumers value our programming above others is because we invest in the best talent, creators and content in the world, and we cannot allow anyone to undercut our ability to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
The current impasse, which began on Oct. 31, has resulted in lost access for YouTube TV\u2019s subscribers to ABC and ESPN\u2019s slate of college football games and even one of the network\u2019s crown jewels \u2014 last week\u2019s \u201cMonday Night Football\u201d game.<\/p>\n
This weekend\u2019s ESPN college football schedule includes a Top 10 matchup between BYU and Texas Tech in the mid-afternoon, along with a classic rivalry game between LSU and Alabama in primetime. Monday night\u2019s NFL game is arguably the best matchup \u201cMonday Night Football\u201d has had all season, with the Philadelphia Eagles in Green Bay to play the Packers.<\/p>\n
The memo lays out deal points Disney says it has offered, including \u201cfair terms that are in line with the more than 500 other distributors that have renewed their agreements since last summer, including the top distributors, who are far larger than YouTube TV.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYouTube TV continues to insist on receiving preferential terms that are below market and has made few concessions.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for YouTube TV had this response:<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce again, Disney is resorting to their old tactics like leaking documents to the press, negotiating in public through their paid talent and misrepresenting the facts including from the deals they\u2019ve offered and taking credit for our product proposals. Our team stands ready to make a fair agreement in line with their deals with other distributors and we encourage Disney to come to the table and do what\u2019s best for our mutual customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The loss of up to 10 million potential viewers has seemingly had a modest but tangible impact<\/a> on ESPN\u2019s TV ratings for college football and \u201cMonday Night Football,\u201d but there are many factors that influence a game\u2019s ratings in any given week or time slot.<\/p>\n