YouTube TV, NBCUniversal stare down blackout over – Business News
NBCUniversal and YouTube TV are in a fierce battle over carriage charges – and the impasse may pressure well-liked packages like “Sunday Night Football” and “Saturday Night Live” to go darkish for purchasers subsequent week.
The clock is rapidly counting down to an settlement deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 30. If the 2 sides can’t attain a deal, YouTube TV’s roughly 8 million subscribers may additionally lose entry to prime packages like NBA, WWE, “The Voice” and “The Real Housewives.”
NBCUniversal is arguing that YouTube TV, which is owned by Google, is demanding absurdly discounted carriage charges, whereas the large pay-TV distributor has claimed the steep carriage charges would pressure them to hike costs.
The impasse may pressure well-liked packages like “Sunday Night Football” to go darkish for purchasers subsequent week. AP
“Google, with its $3 trillion market cap, already controls what Americans see online through search and ads – now it wants to control what we watch,” an NBCUniversal spokesperson informed The Post.
“YouTube TV has refused the best rates and terms in the market, demanding preferential treatment and seeking an unfair advantage over competitors to dominate the video marketplace – all under the false pretense of fighting for the consumer.”
The company stated it’s going to begin operating messages for YouTube TV subscribers to warn them of the potential content material blackout.
“NBCUniversal is asking us to pay more than what they charge consumers for the same content on Peacock, which would mean less flexibility and higher prices for our subscribers,” a YouTube TV spokesperson informed The Post.
The TV distributor added that it’s “committed to working with NBCUniversal to reach a fair deal” forward of the deadline early subsequent week.
The blackout would additionally embrace NBC programming like NBA, WWE, “The Voice” and “The Real Housewives.” Trae Patton/NBC
Should the blackout happen and final “for an extended period of time,” YouTube stated it’s going to offer subscribers a $10 credit.
YouTube TV has claimed the steep carriage charges would pressure them to hike costs. NBAE through Getty Images
The loss of NBCUniversal programming can be a large dent in YouTube TV’s choices.
“Sunday Night Football” is primetime TV’s most-watched program. If the blackout lasts for 3 weeks, clients would additionally miss out on the return of the NBA on NBC.
