Starting from February 13, 2025, a huge setback awaits YouTube TV subscribers. A deadlock in negotiations between Google-owned YouTube TV and Paramount Global has some hit channels set to become non-existent. What follows is an analysis of affected channels, why a deadlock, and what subscribers will have to endure in the near future.
The channels in question
If the negotiations fail, more than 20 channels owned by Paramount will become unavailable on YouTube TV. They include:
- CBS
- CBS Sports Network
- Comedy Central
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- VH1
- CMT
- TV Land
- Smithsonian Channel
- BET
- Nick Jr.
- The CW
Local CBS affiliates in several of the country’s biggest cities—New York, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, and Tampa Bay—are also expected to be impacted. This would result in a massive loss of content for viewers who tune in to watch these channels for news, sports, and entertainment.
The nature of the dispute
The central problem is the renegotiation of a new carriage deal. Paramount charged YouTube TV with trying to have “unfavorable and one-sided terms” imposed in bargaining. YouTube replied that it was trying to get a fair deal without charging additional subscribers. The streaming service recently raised its per-month price by $10 to $82.99, citing rising content cost as the reason.
Both sides asserted that they too wish to reach agreement; however, nothing has as yet been agreed on before the deadline. In the event channels go dark, it not only would be lost to viewers to gain access to live content, but also the stored content on such channels from DVRs.
Impact on subscribers
For YouTube TV’s more than 8 million subscribers, the disappearance of Paramount channels would be worrisome. The company guaranteed that if there is no deal and the channels become dark for a prolonged time, they will offer impacted subscribers an $8 credit. Subscribers can obtain this credit by going to the YouTube TV website.
Subscribers of bundled services or add-ons like Paramount+ with Showtime or BET+ will also be impacted. If the channels are removed from YouTube TV, customers may have to re-subscribe to the services separately.
Historical context of carriage disputes
This is not the first such occurrence in streaming service history. Carriage disputes arise when platforms and content providers cannot agree on channel distribution terms. In 2021, YouTube TV encountered a similar issue with Disney channels but was able to resolve it after only two days of blackout.
Such conflicts are usually accompanied by public relations drills in which both accuse each other of the negotiations failure. In the way this current situation is developing, both YouTube and Paramount have retaliated by informing their subscribers of their stand in clear terms and inviting them to convey their issues with their service providers personally.
What lies ahead?
While negotiations extend beyond February 14, the outcome remains unclear. Each side has expressed that they are negotiating in good faith and hope to have some resolution within the near term. Yet in the event of no agreement shortly following this deadline, viewers will likely be forced to find alternate means of viewing or subscription sources such as Paramount+ if they hope to watch their favorite networks and TV programs.
In short, as YouTube TV subscribers wait in anticipation of possible loss of programming because of this contractual impasse with Paramount Global, it reminds us of the complexity inherent in streaming agreements and of the necessity of such channels in bringing forth varied content. In the process of negotiation, both sides are pressured by their viewers to make a quick deal.
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