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Disney content to go dark on YouTubeTV after contract talks collapse

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Photo illustration of the YouTube TV logo displayed on a smartphone, with the YouTube logo in the background.

Content from The Walt Disney Company , including channels like ABC and ESPN, was removed from Google 's YouTube TV on Thursday after the two companies failed to renew a streaming contract.

"Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach a fair deal, and starting today, Disney programming will not be available on YouTube TV," the platform said in a statement Thursday.

More than 20 channels, including ABC and ESPN, and Disney content recordings would be removed from YouTube TV, the company said.

The two sides had been engaged in negotiations but were unable to reach a new distribution agreement before their existing contract expired Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Disney did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. The mass media and entertainment conglomerate was the first to warn about the potential content removal last week.

In a Thursday statement on its official blog, YouTube argued Disney had "used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers," and that Disney was now following through on that threat.

"We will not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney's own live TV products," YouTube TV said in a post on its help center webpage. Disney's live TV offerings include Hulu + Live TV and Fubo .

"We know how disruptive it is to lose channels you enjoy, and we're committed to continuing to work with Disney to reach an agreement," YouTube said in its statement, adding that if the content is unavailable for an extended period of time, the company will offer members a $20 credit.

YouTube TV pays broadcasters to stream their channels and has been engaged in several tense negotiations over contract renewals in recent months.

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