CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and other Paramount Global channels may soon no longer be available for YouTube TV customers because of the continuous discord between the two parties over the contract terms. Regardless of their efforts to come to terms, the disagreement between the negotiating parties which has already lasted for several weeks is still not resolved yet, and therefore this has set panic among subscribers who are fans of these networks for watching live sports, news, and entertainment.
Why YouTube TV and Paramount Global Are Clashing
The argument between YouTube TV and the Management of Paramount Global originates from the diverging opinions on the financial terms and pricing of the licensing agreements. Youtube TV is being reproached by Paramount Global for putting pressure on them to accept unfair conditions, whereas Youtube TV on its part exposes that it is transparently negotiating with these partners with the sole aim of keeping the channels available for its customers…
YouTube TV has officially informed that they are trying to extend their partnership with Paramount Global so that they can continue providing their channels. Nevertheless, they have made demands that we consider to be unjust to our subscribers. We will inform you of the progress of the negotiations.”
Conversely, the Paramount Global administration has also voiced its dissatisfaction with the Youtube TV stand, thus declaring: “We have been negotiating in good faith to ensure continued access to our programming, but YouTube TV’s proposed terms undervalue the content we provide. We hope to reach an agreement that is fair to both parties and beneficial to subscribers.”
How This Affects YouTube TV Subscribers
If YouTube TV and Paramount don’t come to terms, subscribers will no longer be able to watch channels, the possession of which belongs to Paramount. These channels include the following:
- CBS (including local CBS affiliates and CBS Sports)
- BET
- Comedy Central
- MTV
- Nickelodeon
- Paramount Network
- Smithsonian Channel
- Showtime (if included in a premium package)
Furthermore, prior recordings of the DVR service from these types of channels will be irretrievably gone, as a result, the subscribers will no longer be able to access old content from providers such as CBS, MTV, or other Paramount networks.
Possible Subscriber Compensation
In the face of potential customer dissatisfaction after the loss of the searched channels, YouTube TV has communicated a bonus plan worth $8 for affected users that the content remains off-air for an extended period. This strategy is consistent with past negotiation tactics when YouTube TV offered discounts to subscribers when channels were temporarily unavailable due to contract negotiations.
What’s Next?
Both YouTube TV and Paramount Global have until the end of the current contract term to come to an understanding. Not reaching an arrangement, Paramount becomes a matter, which could be removed from YouTube TV as early as this week.
Those who input the thought that their favorite cable would be lost for might want to start using to another platform such as:
- Hulu + Live TV (which still carries Paramount Global channels)
- FuboTV
- DirectTV Stream
- Paramount+ (for direct access to CBS and Paramount-owned content)
Final Thoughts
This scenario is a classic example of the most persistent problems that exist between streaming services and the content producers, mainly on the one part, the increased costs and competition in the sector that turned the discussions into a sort of battle. At the moment, YouTube TV subscribers should wait for further updates to the agreement because the two companies are still in the process of talking.
Would your loyalty to YouTube TV be shaken if Paramount channels were no longer included? Share your thoughts in the comments.
