Paramount and YouTube dispute may lead to channel removals on YouTube TV

A major dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount Global has escalated, threatening to remove more than 20 popular channels from the streaming service, including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Network. If an agreement is not reached, the blackout could take effect as early as Thursday, February 13.

Additional channels at risk include CBS Sports Network, CMT, Nick Jr., Smithsonian Channel, TV Land, and VH1. Furthermore, Paramount’s streaming services, Paramount+ and BET+, could also be pulled from YouTube TV’s Primetime Channels.

Local CBS stations also at risk
The dispute also extends to local CBS stations, which could go dark nationwide. Several stations under the CBS News and Stations division in major US cities such as New York (WLNY), Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tampa Bay could also be affected.

Should the blackout proceed, YouTube TV subscribers will lose their DVR recordings of Paramount content.

Paramount accuses YouTube TV of Unfair Tactics
A Paramount spokesperson accused YouTube TV of pushing “one-sided terms,” stating:

"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 on YouTube TV, in addition to the removal of Paramount+ and BET+ from YouTube’s Primetime Channels, on February 13."

Paramount Global maintains that it has put forward “a series of fair offers” and highlighted its long-standing track record of successfully renewing partnerships with other major distributors.

"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."

The company also emphasized its importance to YouTube TV subscribers, particularly with CBS, which it called “America’s most-watched network”, and the hit series Yellowstone, which remains a top-rated cable program.

YouTube TV Defends Its Position
In response, YouTube TV stated that it is working to reach a fair agreement but does not want to pass additional costs onto its subscribers.

"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. Unfortunately, despite our good faith negotiations, we haven’t been successful yet."

Despite the impasse, YouTube TV remains "hopeful" that a deal can still be reached.

"Paramount is an important partner for us, and as you can imagine, this is not the outcome that we want. We’re still in active conversations with Paramount and are hopeful we can come to an agreement to keep their content available on YouTube TV."

Subscriber Compensation in Case of Blackout
YouTube TV has assured subscribers that if Paramount’s channels remain unavailable for an extended period, affected users will be eligible for a $8 credit via tv.youtube.com. It also reminded customers that they can still access Paramount content directly via Paramount+, which starts at $7.99 per month.

Ongoing Struggles in Pay-TV Industry
This dispute comes just weeks after YouTube TV increased its base price from $72.99 to $82.99 per month, effective January 13, 2025.

Like other pay-TV providers, YouTube TV has previously faced similar carriage disputes. In 2021, the platform suffered a two-day blackout of Disney channels before a last-minute agreement was reached. That same year, NBCUniversal and YouTube TV nearly parted ways before striking a short-term extension that led to a long-term deal.

Paramount Calls for Fair Recognition of Its Content
In a memo to employees, Paramount Global’s co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins reiterated the company’s commitment to securing a fair deal:

"We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement [with YouTube] that fairly recognizes the full power of our brands and popular programming."

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