Will YouTube TV Subscribers Lose Access to Paramount Content?
By Movieguide® Contributor
Paramount Global and YouTube TV haven’t been able to reach programming agreements, which means channels like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS may soon “go dark” on the streamer.
“We have made a series of fair offers to continue our long-standing relationship with Google’s YouTube TV, providing subscribers access to the full array of Paramount’s entertainment, news and sports programming,” a Paramount spokesperson told Deadline.
They continued, “YouTube TV is attempting to pressure Paramount to agree to one-sided terms, and these non-market demands may lead to an avoidable loss of Paramount’s networks.”
Paramount has, however, reach renewal agreements with other distributors. According to Deadline, YouTube TV does not sound “optimistic,” noting that the streamer will refund customers $8 for lapsed Paramount content and suggest they sign up for Paramount+.
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In an internal memo, Paramount’s team said, “tonight we will begin warning subscribers that Google may drop all Paramount channels, in addition to Paramount+ and BET+ from YouTube Primetime Channels, when our contract expires on February 13. Many of you, your families and friends may be YouTube TV subscribers, so please feel free to share a link to KeepParamount.com, which will be updated with relevant news and information.”
YouTube TV defended its side, and although talks are ongoing, it seems unlikely the companies will reach an agreement.
“We’ve been working hard to reach a fair agreement with Paramount that allows us to keep their channels, including CBS and CBS Sports, on YouTube TV without passing on additional costs to our subscribers,” the company said. “Unfortunately, despite our good faith negotiations, we haven’t been successful yet. We understand how disappointing and disruptive it is to lose channels you enjoy on YouTube TV, so here’s what you need to know: After February 13, 2025, all Paramount content, including CBS and CBS Sports, will be unavailable on YouTube TV.”
Paramount also told CNN “Paramount has a long track record of successfully and amicably renewing partnerships with every major distributor, including several in recent months, and we will continue our efforts to reach a new agreement with YouTube TV.”
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