YouTube TV Could Lose NBC Channels In 5 Days: Report

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

YouTube TV could lose the NBC-operated suite of channels in five days due to a carriage dispute, according to a report from CNBC’s Alex Sherman. The channels include NBC affiliates, MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Bravo and others.

Sherman writes in his newsletter that the current pact between the companies is scheduled to expire at the end of the month. YouTube TV, which has become the leading live streaming service with close to 10 million subscribers, seems ready to flex its muscles by demanding a lower rate to carry the NBC networks, the report says.

“But this one feels a little different. YouTube TV, at 10 million, is getting to be a major player in the distribution game – and it wants to be treated as such. That means, it wants lower rates for NBCU’s networks,” Sherman writes.

The report says NBC executives are torn about the potential blackout because they believe YouTube (the free streaming service) hurts the value of their basic cable networks because it takes away viewers with free content. Consequently, any damage to YouTube as a streaming entity, via a YouTube TV blackout, ultimately helps the NBC channels.

Sports fans who subscribe to YouTube TV would certainly disagree. NBC carries college football and the NFL’s Sunday night games, among other sports.

There’s no word yet from either NBC or YouTube TV on the CNBC report. But YouTube TV execs may be a bit busy now. Sherman says the streamer’s carriage pact with Disney is also scheduled to expire soon, although not until near the end of October.

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