Disney CEO Bob Iger not asked about YouTube TV-ESPN dispute on ‘MNF’
Now two weeks into the lingering YouTube TV-ESPN dispute, Bob Iger finally gave antsy subscribers the answer they’ve been waiting for: He’s impartial to the tush push.
The Disney CEO joined the ESPN2 “ManningCast” during the first half of the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Monday Night Football” win over the Green Bay Packers, where he was strikingly not explicitly asked to comment on the ongoing streaming stalemate between Disney and Google’s YouTube TV.
🎬 Get Free Netflix Logins
Claim your free working Netflix accounts for streaming in HD! Limited slots available for active users only.
- No subscription required
- Works on mobile, PC & smart TV
- Updated login details daily
ESPN, ABC, and other Disney-owned channels were removed from YouTube TV — the fourth-largest TV distributor in the U.S. — amid an ugly carriage dispute roughly two weeks ago, thwarting millions of viewers from watching marquee NFL and college matchups.
Football fans were outraged by the segment — which lasted less than 10 minutes and largely centered around Iger’s lifetime support of the Packers — and lambasted the Disney CEO, as well as Peyton and Eli Manning, for dancing around the multi-million-dollar elephant in the room.
“The first topic with Bob Iger during the Peyton and Eli Eagles vs Packers Monday Night Football broadcast should be about the ESPN/YouTube TV deal,” one fan wrote on X.
“Love the ManningCast but this is pathetic!”
Said another: “If Bob Iger speaks on [ESPN] #MondayNightFootball during the #ManningCast, but 10,000,000 [YouTube TV] users didn’t get to see it, did he really appear?
“Also, who cares to hear what he has to say?” the fan added. “I love the Manning Cast, but this is the most irrelevant guest nobody watching cares to hear from.”
Eli Manning did open up the discussion with a question about watching sports on TV, though it was far too ambiguous to elicit a genuine answer.
“How are we doing?” Eli asked simply.
Iger didn’t bite.
“Considering the fact that you’re sitting on couches and watching football,” he said, “you’re doing alright.”
YouTube contests that Disney is charging far too high a price in its licensing agreement, claiming the company “used the threat of a blackout on YouTube TV as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices on our customers.”
If Disney continues the blackout for an extended period of time, or if the parties cannot come to terms on a new deal — their previous agreement expired on Oct. 31 — YouTube TV announced it will offer subscribers a $20 credit.
How to watch ESPN and ABC for free without YouTube TV
There are a few other live TV streaming services offering great deals and channels that YouTube TV customers no longer have access to.
DIRECTV offers a free 5-day trial covering all the affected channels with plans starting at just $49.99/month for your first month. That unlocks NFL, NBA, NHL, and college football across ESPN, ABC, and more, plus regional sports networks in most markets, all for one price.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full subscription and just want to catch a night of sports on ESPN, Sling TV is an excellent alternative due to the unmatched flexibility it offers with plans that include one-day passes. Sling Orange Day Passes are priced at $4.99, and you’ll get 24 hours of access to all Sling TV Orange has to offer, including ESPN and ESPN2.
Let’s be honest—no matter how stressful the day gets, a good viral video can instantly lift your mood. Whether it’s a funny pet doing something silly, a heartwarming moment between strangers, or a wild dance challenge, viral videos are what keep the internet fun and alive.