Disney and YouTube TV in Tense Negotiations as Streaming Profits Grow

As of November 13, 2025, Disney and YouTube TV, owned by Alphabet (formerly Google), are engaged in ongoing negotiations. According to Disney executive Johnston, the talks are "live" and the two media giants are "ready to go as long as they want to."

The negotiations come as Disney reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financials. The company's streaming profits grew, with Disney+ adding 3.8 million subscribers during the quarter. Disney also announced plans to invest $1 billion more in content in 2026 compared to 2025.

The timing of the negotiations is noteworthy, as just yesterday, sources indicated the talks had become more productive in recent days. The discussions come amid a debate over the power of legacy media like Disney, with some experts arguing it has "lost some of its real punch in terms of marketplace strength." However, Disney's Johnston dismissed this view as an "exaggeration."

Disney CEO Bob Iger and Johnston are set to host a conference call on November 13th to discuss the company's quarterly and annual results, where the ongoing negotiations with YouTube TV will likely be a key topic of discussion.