YouTube TV and Paramount have reached a temporary agreement, averting a potential blackout of CBS channels on the streaming service just before key sporting events like March Madness and the Masters. The deal ensures that CBS-affiliated channels will remain available to YouTube TV subscribers.
The contract between YouTube TV and Paramount was set to expire at midnight Thursday, with the two parties unable to reach an agreement on terms for continuing the carriage deal. However, in a statement, YouTube TV announced it had secured a “short-term extension” with Paramount, allowing its content, including CBS channels, to remain available.
The dispute between the two companies focused on fair pricing and revenue sharing. YouTube TV claimed it was working hard to reach an agreement that would keep Paramount channels accessible without passing additional costs onto subscribers. In contrast, Paramount stated that YouTube TV’s priorities were shifting towards their own interests rather than a mutually beneficial arrangement.
As part of the deal, YouTube TV has offered $8 credits to its subscribers if the dispute leads to an extended blackout. This marks the second major carriage dispute between a TV provider and network conglomerate in six months. The previous incident involved Disney channels going dark on DirecTV, while another dispute between Disney and Charter Communications lasted nearly two weeks before resolving.
YouTube TV has recently increased its monthly subscription fee twice since April 2023, with the current price set at $82.99 per month. The streaming service boasts over eight million subscribers.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/youtube-tv-paramount-reach-temporary-agreement-after-threatened-blackout-on-cbs-channels-202428857.html