YouTube TV and Paramount Global, still haggling over a new distribution deal, have reached a short-term extension to let the internet TV service continue carrying CBS and more than 20 other networks — for now.
The companies are sparring over financial terms, with Paramount seeking a rate hike. Their existing deal expired at 11 p.m. ET on Feb. 13.
On Thursday evening shortly after that deadline passed, YouTube TV said in a post on X, “We’ve reached a short-term extension with Paramount to keep their content on YouTube TV. Subscribers continue to have access to Paramount channels, including CBS. We appreciate your patience as we continue to negotiate on your behalf.” A Paramount rep confirmed the short-term deal extension with YouTube.
YouTube TV is the largest broadband-delivered subscription TV service in the U.S. with more than 8 million customers, ahead of rivals like Hulu + Live TV and Dish’s Sling TV.
The channels at risk of going dark on YouTube TV include CBS stations nationwide, CBS Sports Network, BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, TV Land, Paramount Network, CMT and VH1. In addition, YouTube TV customers would lose access to recorded Paramount content as well as add-on subscriptions to Paramount+ with Showtime and BET+ if the companies can’t reach a long-term agreement.
Paramount began alerting customers to the potential blackout on Wednesday. The company says it provides “some of the most-watched programming in YouTube TV households.” In such carriage disputes, programmers will try to gain leverage in negotiations by publicizing the spat and urging viewers to voice their displeasure with the pay-TV service in question — which is what Paramount has done here, setting up a website, keepparamount.com, which includes a link to contact YouTube TV customer support.
Paramount, which is in the midst of closing a $8 billion deal to merge with Skydance Media, has alleged that YouTube TV “is attempting to pressure Paramount to agree to unfavorable and one-sided terms” and that “YouTube TV is prioritizing their own interests over a fair agreement.” The media company claims it has offered renewal terms to YouTube TV to continue carrying its broadcast and cable networks “at a fair price.”
YouTube, for its part, said it was “working hard to reach a fair agreement with Paramount that allows us to keep their channels, including CBS and CBS Sports, on YouTube TV without passing on additional costs to our subscribers.”
YouTube TV has told customers that if Paramount’s content is “unavailable for an extended period of time,” they will be able to claim an $8 credit at tv.youtube.com. YouTube also pointed out that users can watch Paramount shows and movies by signing up for Paramount+, which starts at $7.99/month.
YouTube TV hiked its baseline price by $10 per month effective Jan. 13, 2025, rising from $72.99 to $82.99 per month.
Such programming standoffs have been a feature of the pay-TV biz for years, but YouTube TV has largely managed to steer clear of blackouts. In 2021, YouTube TV had a two-day blackout of ESPN and other Disney channels before the parties reached an agreement.
Within the past year, Paramount cut new multiyear deals with the two biggest U.S. cable operators — Comcast in January, and Charter Communications last May — with both encompassing rights to offer Paramount+ as part of their services.