NBCuniversal and Google have reached a mitigation distribution agreement to maintain NBC and NBCU’s other network suites on YouTube TV.
In addition to the current NBCU Slate, under the renewal of the YouTube TV contract, the streaming service will be carried a newly renewed NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). NBCU said the new NBCSN, which will be launched later this fall, “complete the notable sports properties presented all year round on the NBC Broadcast Network.” The company previously closed NBCSN in 2021.
The agreement announcement on Thursday came after the company’s previous contract expired on September 30th. The parties reached a short-term extension to bring out the final details. YouTube TV is the largest internet pay television service in the United States, with an estimated 9.5 million customers at the end of 2024, according to research firm Moffettnathanson.
The deal is based on NBC, Bravo, CNBC, Golf Channel, E! We continue to carry YouTube TV with a complete portfolio of NBCuniversal’s network, including True Crime, MSNBC, USA, Syfy, Telemundo, Univero and more. The company’s cable network (except Bravo) will be part of Versant Spin-off, a transaction scheduled to end by the end of 2025.
Additionally, the NBCU-Google deal calls for Peacock to be available in the coming months as a subscription via the YouTube Primetime channel, the platform’s third-party subscription offering (independent on YouTube TV). The company has also signed a multi-year extension to Peacock availability across Google’s Android platform, including Google Play and Google TV.
Before companies could win deal renewals, Google had insisted that NBCU “urges us to pay more than what consumers charge for the same content on Peacock.”
Separately, YouTube TV dropped the network owned by Univision and other Televisaunivision on Tuesday evening after the Google and Hispanic Media giants were unable to meet the conditions with carriage updates. Their previous agreement also expired on September 30th.
“The new agreement with Google is a clear victory for both business and audiences. We will expand our reach to even more audiences while highlighting the enduring value of must-see shows, films, sports and live events.” “We have secured long-term access to the full portfolio of YouTube TV’s broadcast and cable networks. We are moving forward with our Peacock strategy with upcoming launches on the YouTube Primetime channel and our continued presence on Google TV. This agreement reflects our commitment to providing exceptional entertainment to fans across the platform.”
Justin Connolly, global head of media and sports for YouTube, commented: “The deal is based on a long-standing partnership with NBCU, recognizing the importance of addressing the evolving media landscape and ensuring audiences have access to where and how they want to see it.
Other elements of NBCU-Google trading include:
A long-term agreement on short format clips, highlights and shows from NBCU’s premium programming on YouTube. An extension of the agreement that allows Universal Pictures home entertainment movies and TV shows to be purchased or rented on Google TV, YouTube TV, YouTube, and NBCuniversal Global TV Distribution’s library film that allows you to stream via YouTube Premium subscription VOD and ad-supported VOD via YouTube free primetime content.
