Paramount Global Alerts YouTube TV Subscribers

Paramount Global is informing YouTube TV subscribers that over 20 channels, including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon, may be removed from the service as early as Thursday, February 13.

Channels at Risk

Additional Paramount channels facing potential removal from YouTube TV include CBS Sports Network, Paramount Network, CMT, Nick Jr., Smithsonian Channel, TV Land, and VH1. Furthermore, this dispute could also affect the availability of Paramount+ and BET+ subscription services on YouTube TV’s Primetime Channels.

Impact on Local CBS Stations

If an agreement is not reached, CBS stations across the nation will be dropped from YouTube TV. This includes 10 local stations under the CBS News and Stations division in cities like Atlanta (WUPA), Boston (WSBK), Dallas-Fort Worth (KTXA), New York (WLNY), Philadelphia (WPSG), Pittsburgh (WPCW), Sacramento (KMAX), San Francisco (KPYX), Seattle (KSTW), and Tampa Bay (WTOG).

DVR Recordings at Risk

Should a blackout occur, YouTube TV customers will also lose their DVR recordings of Paramount content.

Paramount’s Position

A spokesperson for Paramount stated, “YouTube TV is trying to pressure us into accepting one-sided terms, and these unreasonable demands could lead to the unnecessary loss of Paramount’s networks on YouTube TV, along with the removal of Paramount+ and BET+ from YouTube’s Primetime Channels on February 13.”

YouTube’s Response

In a blog post, YouTube expressed, “We’ve been diligently working to secure a fair agreement with Paramount that allows us to retain their channels, including CBS and CBS Sports, on YouTube TV without imposing additional costs on our subscribers. Unfortunately, despite our good faith negotiations, we have not yet succeeded.” They added, “Paramount is a vital partner for us, and this is not the outcome we desire. We are still actively engaged in discussions with Paramount and remain hopeful for a resolution that keeps their content available on YouTube TV.”

Subscriber Compensation

YouTube has stated that if an agreement with Paramount cannot be reached and their content remains unavailable for an extended period, YouTube TV subscribers will be eligible for an $8 credit at tv.youtube.com. Additionally, users can access Paramount shows and movies by subscribing to Paramount+, starting at $7.99/month.

Price Increase Context

This carriage dispute has escalated following YouTube TV’s recent price increase of $10/month, effective January 13, 2025, raising the monthly fee from $72.99 to $82.99.

Paramount’s Commitment

According to a Paramount representative, “We have made several reasonable offers to maintain our long-standing relationship with Google’s YouTube TV, ensuring subscribers have access to the full range of Paramount’s entertainment, news, and sports programming. Paramount has become an essential partner with a leading portfolio of channels among YouTube TV households, including CBS — America’s most-watched network — and popular franchises like Yellowstone on Paramount Network, the top entertainment show on cable.”

Future Negotiations

Paramount asserts that it has a “long history of successfully and amicably renewing partnerships with every major distributor” and is committed to “continuing our efforts to reach a new agreement with YouTube TV.”

YouTube TV’s Subscriber Base

Launched in February 2017, YouTube TV boasts over 8 million subscribers, making it the largest internet-delivered pay-TV service in the U.S.

Internal Communication at Paramount

In a memo addressing the YouTube TV situation, Paramount Global co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins emphasized their commitment to “modernizing and broadening our relationships with distributors to create mutually beneficial value — advancing not only our business but also transforming the industry to better serve audiences.”

Hope for Resolution

The CEOs expressed optimism, stating, “We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement with YouTube that fairly acknowledges the full strength of our brands and popular programming. Thank you for your hard work, support, and dedication to our audiences and partners. We will keep you updated as this situation evolves in the coming days.”

Communication with Subscribers

The co-CEOs also noted, “Many of you, your families, and friends may be YouTube TV subscribers, so please feel free to share a link to KeepParamount.com, which will be updated with relevant news and information.”

Historical Context of Disputes

Like many pay-TV providers, YouTube TV has faced contract disputes with programmers in the past. In 2021, it experienced a two-day blackout of Disney channels before reaching an agreement. That same year, NBCUniversal’s distribution deal with YouTube TV expired, but the companies managed to negotiate a short-term extension before finalizing a long-term agreement.