Disney Films Are Disappearing From YouTube and Google TV.
The ongoing feud between Disney and Google is heating up. It all began last week when Disney removed its channels from YouTube TV , Google’s Live TV service, over a dispute over commission rates. Now, Disney appears to be removing content from other Google services as well. As first noted by 9to5Google , Disney films are starting to disappear from paid YouTube content and even from other platforms like Google TV.
For example, try typing “The Avengers” into YouTube’s search bar right now. Aside from trailers and user-uploaded videos, you’re more likely to see rental options for the 1998 spy film starring Sean Connery and Uma Thurman than for Marvel superheroes. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Superman has a large “Buy or Rent” button at the very top of the page.
The same goes for Lilo & Stitch . There’s currently no option to buy or rent either the original Lilo & Stitch or its remake on YouTube, but payment buttons for the Dreamworks family film Bad Boys II appear in the top center of the page, just like with Superman .
The problem even seems to affect films from Disney subsidiaries. I was able to access the rental page for Alien , which Disney now owns after acquiring Fox, but I couldn’t purchase it. Instead, I saw the message: “This video contains content from Fox. It is unavailable.”
I encountered the same issues trying to find these movies on other Google services, such as Google TV (which, like Apple TV, also offers rentals) or the Play Store. However, what’s interesting is that all of the movies listed above are also available on non-Google platforms, such as Prime Video. Even older Disney Vault movies, like the original The Little Mermaid , are available on Prime but not on Google services.
I’ve reached out to Disney and Google for comment and will update as soon as I hear back. Neither company has yet made an official statement regarding this apparent blocking of paid content.
My opinion? It’s a negotiating tactic. YouTube’s paid offerings are a completely separate service, unrelated to YouTube TV, and therefore likely not covered by that platform’s licensing agreements. At the same time, by taking more of its content from other Google platforms, Disney could put additional pressure on Google to pay for its channels.
This isn’t the only mind game going on, judging by its significance. At the time of writing, the first major election since last year’s presidential election took place in the US, and yesterday, Disney offered to temporarily restore ABC to YouTube TV so viewers could stay up-to-date on the news. YouTube rejected the offer , claiming it would “create confusion for users,” and instead offered Disney to “immediately reinstate” ABC and ESPN while negotiations continue, as a sign of goodwill.
“These are the channels people want,” YouTube stated, implying that the company is overpaying for additional channels that viewers aren’t particularly interested in. The company also stated that if Disney agrees to partner with them, it could “get these channels live in a matter of hours.”
This is certainly a more tense process than previous YouTube TV negotiations , which were largely concluded before customers saw any impact. While Disney may indeed take YouTube up on its offer, the situation is likely not yet resolved. Fortunately for YouTube TV subscribers, YouTube promises to rectify the situation if it drags on, and some have even begun to notice .
But as someone who doesn’t subscribe to YouTube TV but rents movies through YouTube, I have to admit I feel a little out of place.