Disney-YouTube TV Standoff: A Blow to ABC's Ratings
The Disney-YouTube TV standoff is causing a stir in the TV industry, and it seems to be taking a toll on ABC's ratings.
The dispute between Disney and YouTube TV has left millions of subscribers in the dark, and the consequences are becoming evident. On October 31, ABC, ESPN, and other Disney channels went dark on YouTube TV, affecting approximately 10 million subscribers. This blackout may have had a significant impact on the networks' ratings, particularly for two of ABC's biggest shows.
Monday Night Football (MNF), a staple of the network, averaged 16.37 million viewers on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, which is a significant drop from the 20.17 million viewer average for other MNF simulcasts this season. This decline could be attributed to the less-than-exciting game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys, which featured two sub-.500 teams. However, the Cowboys are typically one of the NFL's biggest draws, so this might be an anomaly.
Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), on the other hand, saw a decline in viewers on Tuesday, with 6.33 million viewers, marking the show's first decline of the season after six straight weeks of audience growth. This is a notable drop from the 6.74 million viewers on October 28, and a 10% decrease among adults 18-49. However, Disney notes that live streaming of DWTS on Disney+ was higher than usual on Tuesday, suggesting that some blacked-out viewers may have turned to the streamer to watch the show.
The controversy surrounding the Disney-YouTube TV standoff has sparked differing opinions. Some viewers may have been turned off by the lack of access to their favorite shows, while others may have found alternative ways to watch them. The impact on ratings is a clear indication of the importance of carriage agreements between networks and streaming services. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these disputes are resolved and how they affect the viewing experience for consumers.
