YouTube and YouTube Music users encounter missing songs due to SESAC licensing dispute

A large number of songs have been removed from YouTube and YouTube Music in the US due to a licensing dispute with SESAC. Users encounter error messages when trying to play affected songs, which come from songwriters and publishers represented by SESAC. YouTube says its music license agreement with SESAC expired without renewal conditions being agreed upon despite their best efforts at negotiations. YouTube is in active conversations with SESAC hoping to reach a new deal as soon as possible.