YouTube TV has made headlines lately, primarily due to its failure to reach a new content distribution agreement with Disney. This means the following channels are no longer available on Google’s pay TV platform:
- ABC
- ESPN
- The Disney Channel
- FX
- Nat Geo
YouTube TV said in a blog post on October 30 that 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.”
Disney’s move to pull its content could benefit its own streaming platforms, including Hulu + Live TV and Fubo, YouTube said.
“We know this is a frustrating and disappointing outcome for our subscribers and we continue to urge Disney to work with us constructively to reach a fair agreement that restores their networks to YouTube TV,” it said.
YouTube is among the biggest internet TV providers in the U.S. with more than 9 million subscribers. Hulu comes in second with around half as many subscribers, writes the Associated Press.
On November 2, YouTube said on X (the former Twitter) that it will give subscribers a $20 credit if Disney content remains unavailable “for an extended period of time.” Google’s pay TV platform added that it continues to negotiate with Disney and that subscribers should receive an email with more details in the coming days.
Meanwhile, news about its “secret” $10 discount offer began circulating on the web.
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YouTube quietly brings back $10 per month discount
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, reported Cord Cutters.
The limited offering is similar to the deal from last year, and it comes at a time of rising prices for streaming services. However, it appears that not all YouTube TV subscribers are eligible for the $60 savings.
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To make matters more confusing, the offering is hidden in the account management page on the website.
Current subscribers should log in via a web browser on a computer (not accessible on mobile apps) and enter the membership section on their YouTube TV dashboard. Then they can select the “manage” option (next to the base plan billing details), which leads to a submenu of choices that includes pausing or canceling subscriptions.
Under the option to cancel or pause a membership, the promotional banner appears, but only for those who qualify.
By clicking on it, the reduced rate is activated, starting on the next billing date. An automated email confirmation should follow shortly.
Who is eligible for the YouTube TV discount?
The eligibility criteria are confusing, since YouTube TV didn’t publicly disclose the algorithm that determines which subscribers see the offer, writes Code Cutters.
Users on forums suggest the following factors might play a role in eligibility:
- Years of subscription
- Payment history
- Recent viewing patterns
These factors have not been officially confirmed.
In September, YouTube TV offered a higher discount of $33 for two months, reducing the subscription price to $50, which resulted in $66 savings. It turns out that subscribers who had received any of the previous discounts were not eligible for the new discount, writes Android Police.
Various outlets have suggested that the discount is YouTube TV’s attempt to make up for the abrupt removal of more than 20 popular Disney-owned channels, reports Tom’s Guide.
The discount is different from the $20 one-time credit YouTube TV promised when the Disney channels were removed.
This is not the first time YouTube TV has offered credits amid channel disruptions. The streaming platform previously negotiated with large networks such as NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Fox, offering temporary discounts when channels were inaccessible.
While the $60 total value may seem generous, the fact that it is not accessible to all subscribers might appear a bit controversial. Also, some users on this Reddit thread argue that even at $72.99, YouTube TV service is “not close to being worth that amount monthly.”
What could also be frustrating is that the promotion is almost hidden. Subscribers have to dig through the account menu — specifically the section for managing or canceling their subscription — to find it. Most comments on the Reddit thread indicated that even eligible users had no idea the offer existed.
