Paramount Global is warning of a looming carriage impasse with YouTube TV, which could result in channels such as CBS, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central going dark for millions of subscribers. The dispute centers around the terms of their contract, with Paramount claiming that Google is unwilling to agree to reasonable rates.
In an internal memo, Paramount Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins informed employees that they would begin warning subscribers about the potential loss of Paramount channels if a deal is not reached. YouTube TV has also announced that it plans to refund customers $8 for any lost programming and encourage them to sign up for its own streaming service, Paramount+.
The dispute highlights the challenges faced by pay-TV providers in the era of cord-cutting, where programmers like Paramount are struggling to scale their direct-to-consumer services while maintaining lucrative carriage deals. A similar dispute between Disney and Charter Communications has already had significant repercussions.
As a result of the potential blackout, some YouTube TV subscribers have taken to social media to express their support for Paramount, vowing to drop the service if the channels are removed. The impact on viewers who rely on these channels is expected to be significant, with many warning that they will switch to alternative services or cancel their subscriptions altogether.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/02/youtube-tv-paramount-global-carriage-fight-cbs-yellowstone-1236287593