YouTube TV & Paramount Sign Multi-Year Deal; Blackout Averted

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

YouTube TV announced late last night that it has reached a multi-year agreement to continue carrying Paramount Global-owned channels, including CBS, Nickelodeon and CBS Sports Network.

“Members, we’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying Paramount content on YouTube TV. That means you still have access to channels like CBS, CBS Sports, and Nickelodeon. Add-ons like Paramount+ with Showtime and BET+ also remain uninterrupted,” the live streaming service said on its X page.

The two companies appeared headed for a channel blackout on Thursday after YouTube TV issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was unable to reach a new agreement with Paramount. The old pact was set to expire at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday.

“After February 13, 2025, all Paramount content, including CBS and CBS Sports, will be unavailable on YouTube TV,” the streaming service said on Wednesday.

However, YouTube TV and Paramount signed a short-term deal on Thursday night and then reached the multi-year agreement last night.

The list of channels that will remain on YouTube TV include CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, BET, MTV, MTV2, CBS Sports Network, Paramount Network, CMT, Nick Jr., TV Land, VH1, Smithsonian Channel. YouTube TV has a complete list of the channels here.

The new deal means that YouTube TV subscribers will not miss next month’s CBS broadcasts of the March Madness college basketball tournament.

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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered  television for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.