NBCU, YouTube TV Reach ShortTerm Deal Extension to Avert Blackout Todd SpanglerOctober 1, 2025 at 12:06 AM 0 Courtesy of NBC Google and NBCUniversal inked a shortterm extension on their existing carriage deal for YouTube TV, keeping the networks on the service for now as the sides work to hammer out...
- - NBCU, YouTube TV Reach Short-Term Deal Extension to Avert Blackout
Todd SpanglerOctober 1, 2025 at 12:06 AM
0
Courtesy of NBC
Google and NBCUniversal inked a short-term extension on their existing carriage deal for YouTube TV, keeping the networks on the service for now as the sides work to hammer out final terms. The announcement came just after their previous pact expired Sept. 30 at midnight ET.
"We've reached a short-term extension to avoid disruption to our service while we work toward a new agreement with NBCUniversal," a Google spokesperson said. "We appreciate our subscribers' patience while we negotiate on their behalf."
More from Variety
Univision Goes Dark on YouTube TV
'Happy's Place': Reba McEntire, JoAnna Garcia Swisher to Reunite in Season 2 of NBC Comedy
NBCUniversal Could Be Headed for YouTube TV Blackout
NBCU last week started warning YouTube TV subs they they might lose access to its networks. Google has claimed that the media company "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." If NBCU programming content is "unavailable for an extended period of time," YouTube TV subscribers will be eligible to receive a $10 credit, Google said in a message on its customer-support site.
At risk of going dark YouTube TV as a result of the dispute have been NBC shows including "Saturday Night Live," "The Voice," "Law & Order," "Chicago Fire," "Today" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" as well as NFL and college football and more, plus cable channels like Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC and USA.
Earlier Tuesday evening, YouTube TV dropped Univision and other TelevisaUnivision networks after the sides were unable to come to terms on a contract renewal. The previous YouTube TV carriage agreement with TelevisaUnivision expired Sept. 30 as well. YouTube TV is offering affected subscribers a $6 credit or refund with the TelevisaUnivision blackout.
The affected NBCU channels include those that are set to be spun off into Versant, the new company that will house its cable TV properties (with the exception of Bravo). The channels are: NBC local stations; MSNBC; USA; Bravo; Golf Channel; CNBC; Oxygen True Crime; E!; Cozi; Syfy; American Crimes; NBC News Now; and Telemundo and Universo. Also affected are regional sports networks NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports California.
YouTube TV had an estimated 9.5 million customers as of the end of 2024, according to research firm MoffettNathanson — making it the biggest internet-delivered pay TV provider in the U.S.
Google has been embroiled in YouTube TV distribution deal disputes with other big programmers this year. After contentious deal talks, YouTube TV and Paramount Global (now Paramount Skydance) renewed their agreement to carry CBS stations nationwide and more than 20 other channels in February. And Fox Corp. and YouTube TV reached a renewal in August 2025 after a public back-and-forth.
And four years ago, Google and NBCU had tangled over YouTube TV: In 2021, NBCU's distribution deal for YouTube TV expired but the companies quickly worked out a long-term pact.
Justin Connolly, former head of distribution at Disney, joined YouTube as VP, global head of media this spring. Disney sued YouTube and Connolly, alleging breach of contract and seeking to block his employment at Google, but a California state court rejected Disney's request. According to Disney's lawsuit, the media company's contract for YouTube TV is up for renewal soon.
Pictured top: NBC's "Chicago Fire"
Best of Variety
What's Coming to Disney+ in October 2025
What's Coming to Netflix in October 2025
Oscar Predictions: Paul Thomas Anderson's Overdue Narrative Takes Center Stage With 'One Battle After Another' as 'Anemone' Makes NYFF Debut
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: ShowBiz MAG
Full Article on Source: ShowBiz MAG
#LALifestyle #USCelebrities