NBC warns customers it may go dark on YouTube TV

NBCUniversal on Thursday warned customers that its networks may be dropped from YouTube TV if the two parties cannot reach a new distribution agreement by Sept. 30.Why it matters: NBCU rarely leverages consumer campaigns to negotiate pay-TV distribution fights. The escalation speaks to the challenges it says it's facing trying to negotiate with YouTube TV. NBC channels that would be impacted include its broadcast networks NBC and Telemundo, as well as cable networks such as Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network and others. What they're saying: "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. ""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."The other side: While YouTube said in a statement it's committed to reaching a deal with NBCU by Sept. 30, it said the price was too high."NBCUniversal 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," it said."If their content is unavailable for an extended period of time, we'll offer our subscribers a $10 credit."Zoom out: This is the third major pay-TV dispute that has been made public between a national content provider and YouTube TV over the past few months. In August, ahead of football season, YouTube TV threatened to drop Fox Corp. channels. The two sides ultimately came to an agreement days later.Earlier this month, TelevisaUnivision, one of two major Spanish-language broadcasters in the U.S., unveiled a new consumer ad campaign warning customers that YouTube TV planned to remove Univision from its core offering and move it to a Spanish-language package at an extra cost.Of note: YouTube TV is one of the largest pay-TV providers in the U.S., with more than 8 million customers.What to watch: If NBCU and YouTube TV fail to come to an agreement, both of the country's largest Spanish-language broadcasters — Univision and NBCU's Telemundo — could be made inaccessible to customers on YouTube TV at the same time.Editor's note: This story was updated with comment from YouTube.

Comments

World news

Carter interception, TD run key in Lions’ win

Global News

MTG names her one positive to come from the shutdown: the end to ‘taxpayer-funded weather modification’ that isn’t really happening

about 7 hours ago

Two arrested over two separate rape allegations

The i Paper

Comments

Similar News

Lenny Kravitz to star in NBC's 'Sunday Night Basketball' opening

Trump unleashes new FCC threat on NBC in fat-shaming Al Sharpton post that name-checks ‘Tawana Brawley hoax’

NBC launches attack ads against YouTube over streaming negotiations

World news

Carter interception, TD run key in Lions’ win

Israel identifies remains of another hostage handed over by Hamas

Kremlin pitches £6,000,000,000 ‘peace bridge’ between Russia and America

Harper Lee’s short stories are charming – but what if she never wanted them published?

The five best poetry books of all time, according to Hollie McNish

Afghan and Pakistani delegations head to Doha for crisis talks

'I was forced to watch my wife be gang raped by seven men - it was three hours of hell'

Budget airliner hurtles towards sea at 300mph seconds after take off

Skeletal woman 'locked in bedroom for 27 YEARS' utters three chilling words when found

Where the 'most beautiful girl in world' is now after viral fame and controversy

Chinese Nobel laureate and physicist Chen Ning Yang dies aged 103

Ohtani rewrites history to send Dodgers to World Series

After Zelenskyy meeting, Trump calls on Ukraine and Russia to 'stop where they are' and end the war

Lions win fifth straight, eliminate Elks

The China spy case debacle shows governments have few secrets worth knowing

I’m a tour guide – banning loudspeakers can’t come soon enough

How to save your soil after the dry summer, according to an RHS expert

Gen Z protests against corruption and inequality are shaking Morocco. Here's what to know

Heavy security after deadly violence in Kenya as thousands turn out to mourn former PM Odinga

Mexican artisans turn clay into Trees of Life that are celebrated worldwide

Deadly floods in Mexico another sign of need for improved severe weather warnings

Hamas returns remains of 10th Israeli hostage from Gaza

The female scientists who finally found an answer to endometriosis wait times

‘We’re not communists’: One club’s fight for English rugby’s soul

I moved to the Tuscan village that pays people €20k to live there

Three easy and flavourful Indian recipes, including creamy chicken curry

Stephen Mangan: ‘We don’t live for ever – my mum’s death taught me that when I was young’

I’m 69 and struggling to pay bills – I was cheated when my pension was frozen

Reeves is doom and gloom but her messy Budget may be ‘hated’ Starmer’s only hope

The 14 best new children’s books for autumn 2025

The monarchy is stronger now Andrew and Fergie are banished

Three ways Newcastle’s new director of football will change transfer plans

'Putin is afraid,' says Zelenskyy - as Tomahawk missiles not ruled out

How an old suitcase revealed a hidden family fortune, lost under Nazi rule

Trump only one who can force Putin to negotiating table, Finnish president tells BBC

The Spritzes and Carbonaras That Ate Italy

The Indonesian Free-Food Program That Has Sickened Thousands

Bombers win ugly to keep playoff hopes alive

Bombers edge Riders in ‘ugly win’ to move closer to playoff spot

Kelowna City spends millions on downtown land to bring longtime hotel vision to reality

Cheat the Week: Perry and Trudeau’s kiss fuels romance rumours

Convenience store worker bought a lotto ticket on her way to break. It ended with her much richer

Navy holding two prisoners who survived US strike on alleged drug sub in Caribbean: report

Pennsylvania teen dies from bacterial meningitis months before graduation

MTG names her one positive to come from the shutdown: the end to ‘taxpayer-funded weather modification’ that isn’t really happening

Two arrested over two separate rape allegations

‘Holy grail’ cancer test finds signs before symptoms appear

From barracks to palace: Soldiers who led military coups to become state leaders

Bombers beat Riders on late Castillo field goal

Knights take first game in their OHL Rivalry Week series with decisive victory in Kitchener

Seattle Mariners take 3-2 lead in ALCS

Our 2025 guide to the best treadmills in Canada for every fitness level

Springer leaves Game 5 after being hit by pitch

Cheat the Week: Trump hails ‘new dawn’ as Hamas releases final hostages

Hamas continues efforts to return bodies of hostages under ceasefire deal

Trump ends sentence of controversial lying ex-congressman

Royal wreckage: What exactly has Prince Andrew lost?

Trump admits it's possible he's being 'played' by Putin over Ukraine

Trump Backs Off Suggestion to Give Tomahawks to Ukraine, Again Deferring to Putin

Trump commutes ex-GOP congressman George Santos’ 7-year prison sentence