YouTube TV vs NBCUniversal: 8M Subscribers at Risk as Carriage Deal Expires
YouTube TV and NBCUniversal are at loggerheads over a carriage agreement set to expire on Tuesday. This standoff could leave YouTube TV's 8 million subscribers without access to popular NBCUniversal content, including Sunday Night Football and The Voice.
At risk are several NBC shows, such as Sunday Night Football, NBA games, Big Ten Football, WWE, Premier League, Saturday Night Live, The Voice, and The Real Housewives. Broadcast networks NBC and Telemundo, along with cable networks like Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, and USA Network, could also be impacted.
YouTube TV has offered its subscribers a $10 credit if NBCUniversal content remains unavailable for an extended period. This comes as a precaution, as YouTube TV's carriage contract with Disney is due to expire in October, following a previous dispute in 2021.
The disagreement stems from NBCUniversal's demand for higher prices than what consumers pay on Peacock, according to YouTube. Meanwhile, NBCUniversal alleges that YouTube TV is seeking preferential treatment and an unfair advantage.
If a new distribution agreement is not reached, YouTube TV subscribers may lose access to NBC channels. This could significantly impact YouTube TV's growth trajectory, as it is projected to become the top pay-TV distributor by 2026. The ball is now in NBCUniversal's court to prevent this potential blackout.
