YouTube TV And Paramount Global At Odds On Carriage Renewal; CBS, Nickelodeon And Other Networks Could Go Dark For Millions

deadline.com:

Paramount Global is warning of a looming carriage impasse with YouTube TV, meaning channels like CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and others could go dark Thursday for millions of subscribers. “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,” a spokesperson for Paramount said in a statement provided to Deadline.

The statement goes on to note that Paramount has reached renewals with multiple distributors in recent months. Streaming outlets Paramount+ and BET+ could also be removed from YouTube’s channel store, Paramount said. “YouTube TV is attempting to pressure Paramount to agree to one-sided terms, and these non-market demands may lead to an avoidable loss of Paramount’s networks,” the statement added.

Paramount Co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins, who are already trying to steer the company through a delicate period as it looks to close an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, communicated the situation to employees in a memo. (Read the memo in full below.) In a blog post, YouTube TV did not sound especially optimistic about a last-minute reprieve.

It said it planned to refund customers $8 for an anticipated lapse in Paramount programming and also suggested that subscribers sign up for Paramount+, which carries a range of the company’s shows. “We’ve been 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,” the post said, noting that talks are ongoing. “Unfortunately, despite our good faith