YouTube and NBC (National Broadcasting Company) have been negotiating for quite some time regarding YouTube carrying NBC’s content on YouTube TV. Here’s an update for the YouTube TV viewers about YouTube’s ongoing negotiations with NBC Universal.
YouTube says that they know people love watching Sunday Night Football, spending their weeknights with Jimmy Fallon, and binge watching Law and Order SVU. That’s why YouTube has been working to renew their deal with NBCUniversal to continue carrying their content on YouTube TV. Since the agreement expires on Thursday, September 30 2021 and both the parties haven’t been able to reach an equitable agreement, hence, YouTube wanted to give the people an early heads up so that they understand their choices.
“Our ask is that NBCU treats YouTube TV like any other TV provider. In other words, for the duration of our agreement, YouTube TV seeks the same rates that services of a similar size get from NBCU so we can continue offering YouTube TV to members at a competitive and fair price. If NBCU offers us equitable terms, we’ll renew our agreement with them. However, if we are unable to reach a deal by Thursday, the NBCU lineup of channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV and we will decrease our monthly price by $10, from $64.99 to $54.99” says YouTube.
People can also sign up for NBC’s own direct-to-consumer streaming service, Peacock, which is offered for $4.99/month. NBCU content such as Sunday Night Football can be continued watching there.
YouTube would love every member to continue to stay with their YouTube TV service, but they too understand if a member chooses to pause or cancel their membership. “We want to make YouTube TV flexible, so members can pause or cancel anytime. We will give you updates as negotiations continue.” says YouTube.
For YouTube NBCU is an important partner and the outcome of discontinuation of NBCU’s content isn’t something that they want. However, YouTube is still in active conversations with NBCU and they are hopeful to get past this impasse to keep their content available on YouTube TV.
