YouTube TV Could Lose NBCUniversal Programming If Deal Isn't Reached by Thursday

By Dave Sebastian

YouTube TV is at risk of losing access to shows like "Law and Order SVU" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," as well as Sunday Night Football games, if it is unable to strike a content deal with Comcast Corp.'s NBCUniversal.

The agreement with NBCUniversal ends Thursday. NBCUniversal has also done its own marketing push to notify YouTube TV subscribers that they could soon lose access to programming.

YouTube TV lets subscribers watch dozens of live-TV channels online for a monthly fee. YouTube, which is part of Google parent Alphabet Inc., said it is having active conversations with NBCUniversal.

"We haven't yet been able to reach an equitable agreement," YouTube said Sunday.

NBCUniversal said it is seeking "fair rates" from Google for YouTube TV's continued carriage of programming portfolio. "Google is refusing to make a deal at these fair rates and is willing to withhold entertainment, news and sports programming from their paying customers," NBCUniversal said.

YouTube said it is asking NBCUniversal to give it the same rates that services of a similar size would get. "Our ask is that NBCU treats YouTube TV like any other TV provider," YouTube said.

If the companies aren't able to reach a deal by Thursday, the NBCUniversal channel lineup won't be available on YouTube TV, and YouTube TV will lower its monthly subscription price by $10 to $54.99 while the content remains off its platform, it said.

Write to Dave Sebastian at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 27, 2021 10:52 ET (14:52 GMT)

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