YouTube TV is facing contract disputes with a major broadcast television network — again.
Just one month after Fox channels nearly disappeared from the streaming platform, NBCUniversal has warned that its channels may soon be leaving YouTube TV.
Unless NBCU and YouTube TV reach a deal by Tuesday, Sept. 30, channels including NBC, Telemundo, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, and USA Network could soon go dark.
“Google, with its $3 trillion market cap, already controls what Americans see online through search and ads — now it wants to control what we watch,” NBCU said in a statement. “YouTube TV has refused the best rates and terms in the market, demanding preferential treatment and seeking an unfair advantage over competitors to dominate the video marketplace — all under the false pretense of fighting for the consumer.”
NBC channels could soon disappear from YouTube TV.ASSOCIATED PRESS
The statement continued: “The result: YouTube TV customers will lose access to NBCUniversal’s premium programming, including Sunday Night Football, NBA, Big Ten Football, WWE, Premier League, Saturday Night Live, The Voice, The Real Housewives, and much more.”
On the flip side, YouTube said in a statement that NBCU is “asking us to pay more than what they charge consumers for the same content on Peacock, which would mean less flexibility and higher prices for our subscribers.”
If NBC channels become unavailable for an extended period of time, YouTube TV subscribers will be offered a $10 credit.
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The threat of lost channels is nothing new for YouTube TV subscribers. Last month, the platform reached a deal just in time to prevent losing Fox channels, and the same happened with CBS stations in February. Some viewers are getting fed up with the uncertainty.
“Wtf is YouTubeTV on?? Every two weeks they are about to lose a major sports channel,” one person quipped via X.
The official YouTube X account responded to the viewer, writing, “Totally get where you’re coming from. Our current agreement with NBCU is approaching its renewal date & we’re in active negotiations to continue carrying their content.”
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