General Hospital spoilers and updates reveal that GH fans already had interruptions due to the World Series, but another disruption might affect some viewers at the end of October. If you watch the soap on YouTube TV, you might miss new episodes beginning October 30 due to Disney’s carriage dispute.
Carriage Disputes Have Been More Frequent
Carriage disputes have been emerging as companies aim to negotiate new agreements with YouTube TV before their existing licensing contracts come to an end.
Disney has recently found itself in a conflict with the Google-owned service, and it has started informing viewers that they might lose access to their channels if a new deal isn’t finalized.
As reported by Variety, Disney’s current distribution agreement with YouTube TV is scheduled to expire at 12 a.m. ET on October 30.
If an agreement cannot be reached, all of Disney’s networks will cease to be available on the platform. This means that the estimated 10 million+ subscribers of the service will no longer have access to Disney’s content.
General Hospital Won’t Be Available On YouTube TV If A Deal Is Not Reached
For fans of soap operas, this implies that General Hospital will not be available for streaming on YouTube TV, and mirrors the one made by FOX prior to their new agreement.
According to Disney, the problem lies in Google’s efforts to coerce them into signing a contract that would force them to accept carriage fees that are below the market rate.
Google has been charged with leveraging YouTube TV’s dominance as the largest internet pay-TV provider in the U.S. to corner companies into unfavorable deals.
These claims contribute to Televisa Univision’s assertion that they were unable to come to terms with Google. As a result, their networks have gone dark on the platform, and customers have lost access to their DVR recordings of the programming.
YouTube TV’s Side Of The Story
According to their blog, YouTube TV states: “We have been negotiating in good faith to reach a fair deal with Disney for their content on YouTube TV.
Sadly, Disney is suggesting expensive economic terms that would increase prices for YouTube TV users and limit their options. But all while favoring Disney’s own live TV services – such as Hulu + Live TV and, shortly, Fubo.
If we cannot come to an agreement, we will need to remove Disney’s content from YouTube TV. And if it stays unavailable for a prolonged period, we will provide subscribers with a $20 credit.”
Here’s How Fans Of The ABC Soap Would Be Affected
If Disney and Google fail to come to an agreement by October 30, and no extension is arranged, here’s what will happen. Viewers of General Hospital who rely on YouTube TV will be unable to watch the soap live on that platform or record it.
Fans who have cut the cord and lack access to broadcast or another streaming TV service can still catch the soap on Hulu with a subscription to the streaming platform.
Just a reminder, if you are subscribed to the Disney+ on Hulu bundle or the Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle, you can only view GH through the Hulu app or website. It is not accessible on Disney+.
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with GH right now. Come back here often for General Hospital spoilers, news, and updates.
