YouTube TV is driving a hard bargain with Disney, and has leverage since it's backed by Google. But it's also a powerhouse in its own right.

Disney claims to have offered YouTube TV a deal that “would cost less overall than the terms of our recently expired license,” with programming packages “that would provide tremendous flexibility for YouTube TV and greater choice and value for its customers.

The release of the memo to ESPN employees is the latest twist in the protracted stand-off between the distributor and content company.

On Friday, Nov. 7 three high-ranking Disney executives, Disney Entertainment co-chairmen Dana Walden and Alan Bergman, along with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, issued a memo to employees regarding its standoff with YouTube TV.

YouTube pulled more than 20 Disney-owned channels including ESPN and ABC right before Halloween after Google and Disney couldn't come to an agreement. At the time, YouTube TV claimed that it ""will not agree to terms that disadvantage our members while benefiting Disney’s own live TV products."

Disney's fight with YouTube TV could hurt the Mouse House in a way it doesn't harm Google. But ESPN is a prize asset.

Google’s battle with Disney over YouTube TV is only getting started, and Google just rejected Disney’s request to temporarily restore ABC to the platform so that US viewers can access coverage of elections taking place today (November 4).

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