Paramount Global is warning subscribers of Google-owned YouTube TV that a forthcoming expiration of its distribution agreement may result in the loss of 23 channels on that platform.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Paramount confirmed to The Desk via e-mail that the company’s carriage agreement with Google and YouTube is expiring on February 13. Unless a new agreement is reached between Paramount and YouTube TV, subscribers of the streaming cable-like service will lose access to a number of local and national channels, the spokesperson said.
Some of the channels that would be affected by a dispute include Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, TV Land, Pop TV, Smithsonian Network and CBS Sports Network. Additionally, local TV stations owned by CBS would also be affected, including those in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, San Francisco and Sacramento, among other places.
“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,” Paramount said in a statement late Wednesday evening. “Paramount has become an essential partner with a leading portfolio of channels among YouTube TV households, including CBS — America’s most-watched network — and hit franchises like Paramount Network’s Yellowstone, the top entertainment show on cable.”
Paramount accused Google and YouTube of attempting to pressure the media company into accepting “one-sided terms” it described as “non-market demands,” adding that their insistence “may lead to an avoidable loss of Paramount’s networks on YouTube TV.” The company also said YouTube’s distribution of some subscription products like Paramount Plus, Showtime and BET Plus would also be affected, with customers unable to access those services on YouTube TV or the streaming marketplace YouTube Primetime Channels.
Paramount intends to inform customers through their television and digital properties about the forthcoming dispute by the end of Wednesday, according to a memo written by the company’s co-CEOs and obtained by The Desk.
“We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement that fairly recognizes the full power of our brands and popular programming,” the co-CEO — George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins — wrote on Wednesday.
Most shows offered by Paramount on CBS and its cable networks are available through the streaming service Paramount Plus, which also includes a live stream of local CBS stations and affiliates in its premium tier. Paramount-owned local channels and national cable networks are also offered on other cable-like services, including DirecTV Stream, Hulu with Live TV and Fubo. Some Paramount-owned channels like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV and TV Land are also available through the wallet-friendly streaming service Philo, which offers a seven-day free trial.
