NBCUniversal, YouTubeTV reach long-term agreement
Covers cable channels being spun off to Versant, is relaunching NBCSN
A day after reaching a short-term extension to stay on Google’s YouTubeTV, NBCUniversal announced a new long-term deal, which includes NBC, its owned stations, Bravo, Telemundo, and the soon-to-be spun-off cable channels to Versant: CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, SyFy, and others. Also included are NBC’s four regional sports network channels in the areas that receive them.
“Our new agreement with Google is a clear win for both our business and our viewers – underscoring the enduring value of our must-see shows, films, sports, and live events while expanding our reach to even more audiences,” said Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution & partnerships at NBCUniversal. “We’ve secured long-term access to our full portfolio of broadcast and cable networks on YouTube TV, and we’re advancing our Peacock strategy with an upcoming launch on YouTube Primetime Channels and ongoing presence on Google TV. This agreement positions us for continued growth and reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment to fans across platforms.”
The deal also includes the relaunch of the NBC Sports Network, or NBCSN, as the channel will be available to YouTubeTV subscribers. Originally known as Outdoor Life Network and later Versus, NBCSN shuttered in 2021 after NBCUniversal lost the NHL. NBCSN will also be available to cable and satellite distributors on specialized tiers, marking the first time a shuttered cable channel has been re-launched – a notable development at a time when cord-cutting is rampant globally, with numerous kids and family-oriented specialty cable channels shuttering in Canada last month.
Little has been revealed about the new NBCSN, but it is expected to carry Peacock’s live sports programming. Despite being a cable channel, NBCSN will not be spun off to Versant.
Peacock will now be available to YouTubeTV subscribers as an add-on option, and as noted above, will be made available on Google and YouTube as part of their Primetime Channels feature, which has Paramount+, Starz, HBO Max, and NFL Sunday Ticket. Google wanted to “ingest” Peacock into their platform, but it was apparently off the table.
This comes after YouTubeTV couldn’t reach an agreement with Spanish-language broadcaster TelevisaUnivision. On Tuesday night, Univision and UniMas programming vanished from the platform (and completely from their channel listings), including local stations WGBO and WXFT. Also gone is Galavision, which is also owned by TelevisaUnivision. There is no timetable for their return.
“Google’s actions are especially tone-deaf and egregious on the eve of a potential government shutdown, disregarding the appeals of government officials and Hispanic organizations who urged them to keep Univision on the main bundle,” Univision said, as a U.S. government shutdown took effect Wednesday morning. “To add insult to injury, YouTube TV chose to take this step during Hispanic Heritage Month — an act that is deeply insensitive and offensive.”
YouTubeTV countered TelevisaUnivision has earned revenue from its YouTube channel, generating millions in ad revenue from billions of views, and felt it shouldn’t be paying more for its content.