Google and Disney made good on their contract disputes late last Friday night, bringing back stations like ABC and ESPN to YouTube TV in time for college sports and Monday Night Football. Now, Google is offering some users who cancelled their service during the blackout a massive discount to return to their cable TV alternative.
As shared on Reddit by r/sdiori and others, YouTube TV is offering some users a $60 promotional discount on their first month back when they re-sign up for the service. That’s a pretty massive discount, especially compared to the (manual) $20 credit offered to active subscribers, though it’s similar with the (unrelated to the Disney outage) promotional discount handed out to random users earlier this month that knocked $10 off their monthly plan over six months.
It’s not particularly clear how widespread this deal is; while some users in the comments noted they received the same offer, others who cancelled — presumably during the Disney blackout — have yet to receive the same email. Those who didn’t end their subscription also seem to be on the outside of this offer looking in, inadvertently punishing some of Google’s most loyal YouTube TV fans.
A whopping 72% off your first month back might sound like a massive offer (and it is), but it’s also likely one Google feels it has to make. Earlier this month, the blackout caused nearly 1-in-4 YouTube TV subscribers to either cancel or consider cancelling their service. Considering two of Google’s main competitors in this space — Hulu + Live TV and Fubo — are owned by Disney itself, it’s not particularly surprising that YouTube TV would want to try and win those users back, even with a deal in place.
While Disney-owned stations are back on the air for YouTube TV subscribers, that’s not to say everything’s wrapped up. Many Disney-owned movies still appear unavailable for rent on platforms like YouTube and Google TV, and Google Play remains on the outside looking in when it comes to Movies Anywhere.
More on YouTube TV:
- YouTube TV and Disney reach ‘multi-year’ deal with ESPN, ABC, more channels now live
- YouTube TV packages likely on the way, renewed Disney deal hints
- YouTube TV sends out $20 credit for lost Disney content: How to redeem
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