YouTube TV, the streaming service owned by internet giant Google, has secured a new distribution contract with media giant Paramount Global, sparing its subscribers from losing access to CBS Sports and 21 other networks.
The new multi-year deal comes two days after the pair struck a short-term contract to keep the channels on YouTube TV while negotiations continued.
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A Paramount spokesperson said: “We are pleased to announce a renewed Paramount-Google agreement for the continued carriage of Paramount’s leading portfolio of entertainment, news and sports networks across YouTube TV’s platform.
“The multi-year deal also features an expanded streaming relationship, with the ongoing inclusion of Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and BET+ among YouTube Primetime Channels and providing Google the right to make Paramount+ available to qualifying YouTube TV customers.
“We look forward to extending our long-standing partnership and giving audiences greater access to their favorite programming.”
Paramount initially announced last week that its contract with YouTube would expire by 11pm Eastern Time Thursday (February 12) if a new carriage agreement was not reached, meaning all networks under the Paramount umbrella would become unavailable.
The channels at risk of being pulled included CBS stations nationwide, CBS Sports Network, BET, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, TV Land, CMT, and VH1.
However, shortly before the deadline, YouTube TV announced a short-term extension to keep the networks on its service.
The companies were sparring over the financial terms of the new contract, with Paramount seeking a higher rate and accusing YouTube TV of “attempting to pressure Paramount to agree to unfavorable and one-sided terms.”
YouTube TV said it would offer subscribers an $8 credit if the dispute keeps Paramount channels off the service for an extended period.
YouTube TV recently increased its monthly subscription fee from $72.99 to $82.99, the streaming service’s second increase since April 2023.
Launched eight years ago, the streaming service has become a major player, becoming the fourth-largest multi-channel distributor in the US behind Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, and DirecTV.
Meanwhile, YouTube has expanded its content partnership with North American basketball league NBA in India.
The new deal will see NBA games and marquee events live-streamed in India on the NBA’s global YouTube channel through the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Coverage will include weekly regular-season games, NBA All-Star 2025, a selection of NBA Playoff games, and the 2025 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV.
It will also see some NBA games and events live-streamed across the channels of top YouTube creators.
Sunny Malik, NBA India’s business head of global partnerships and media, said: “Expanding our collaboration with YouTube to livestream NBA games and events in India reflects our commitment to making the excitement of NBA basketball more accessible to the millions of fans across the country.
“YouTube’s significant reach and innovative, localized offerings will help us better engage fans nationwide and deepen their connection with their favorite NBA teams and players.”
