YouTube TV and Paramount Global, nonetheless haggling over a brand new distribution deal, have reached a short-term extension to let the web TV service proceed carrying CBS and greater than 20 different networks — for now.
The businesses are sparring over monetary phrases, with Paramount in search of a fee hike. Their present deal expired at 11 p.m. ET on Feb. 13.
On Thursday night shortly after that deadline handed, YouTube TV stated in a post on X, “We’ve reached a short-term extension with Paramount to maintain their content material on YouTube TV. Subscribers proceed to have entry to Paramount channels, together with CBS. We admire your persistence as we proceed to barter in your behalf.” A Paramount rep confirmed the short-term deal extension with YouTube.
YouTube TV is the most important broadband-delivered subscription TV service within the U.S. with greater than 8 million prospects, forward of rivals like Hulu + Stay TV and Dish’s Sling TV.
The channels prone to going darkish on YouTube TV embody CBS stations nationwide, CBS Sports activities Community, BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, TV Land, Paramount Community, CMT and VH1. As well as, YouTube TV prospects would lose entry to recorded Paramount content material in addition to add-on subscriptions to Paramount+ with Showtime and BET+ if the businesses can’t attain a long-term settlement.
Paramount started alerting customers to the potential blackout on Wednesday. The corporate says it supplies “a few of the most-watched programming in YouTube TV households.” In such carriage disputes, programmers will attempt to achieve leverage in negotiations by publicizing the spat and urging viewers to voice their displeasure with the pay-TV service in query — which is what Paramount has finished right here, organising an internet site, keepparamount.com, which features a hyperlink to contact YouTube TV buyer help.
Paramount, which is within the midst of closing a $8 billion deal to merge with Skydance Media, has alleged that YouTube TV “is making an attempt to strain Paramount to conform to unfavorable and one-sided phrases” and that “YouTube TV is prioritizing their very own pursuits over a good settlement.” The media firm claims it has supplied renewal phrases to YouTube TV to proceed carrying its broadcast and cable networks “at a good worth.”
YouTube, for its half, stated it was “working onerous to succeed in a good settlement with Paramount that permits us to maintain their channels, together with CBS and CBS Sports activities, on YouTube TV with out passing on extra prices to our subscribers.”
YouTube TV has advised prospects that if Paramount’s content material is “unavailable for an prolonged time period,” they are going to be capable to declare an $8 credit score at tv.youtube.com. YouTube additionally identified that customers can watch Paramount exhibits and films by signing up for Paramount+, which begins at $7.99/month.
YouTube TV hiked its baseline price by $10 per month efficient Jan. 13, 2025, rising from $72.99 to $82.99 monthly.
Such programming standoffs have been a characteristic of the pay-TV biz for years, however YouTube TV has largely managed to keep away from blackouts. In 2021, YouTube TV had a two-day blackout of ESPN and different Disney channels earlier than the events reached an settlement.
Inside the previous yr, Paramount reduce new multiyear offers with the 2 largest U.S. cable operators — Comcast in January, and Charter Communications last May — with each encompassing rights to supply Paramount+ as a part of their providers.
