Across Thursday (2/13), talk of a potential carriage fee impasse between YouTube TV and Paramount Global escalated, with each company expressing their views on the terms of a new agreement publicly with their respective consumers.
At 8pm Eastern, a “blackout” by law of most of the CBS News and Stations’ parents channels was prevented — for now.
In a statement, YouTube said, “We’ve reached a short term extension as we work toward a deal with Paramount to keep their content on YouTube TV. YouTube TV subscribers continue to have access to Paramount channels, including CBS, and any recordings that are in their Library. We appreciate your patience as we continued to negotiate on your behalf. We also value Paramount’s partnership and willingness to work towards an agreement.”
As of 9am Friday (2/14), Paramount Global had not updated its KeepParamount.com/youtubetv microsite.
As RBR+TVBR first reported on Thursday, the current carriage fee arrangement between YouTube TV — now home to NFL Sunday Ticket — and Paramount Global was scheduled to conclude yesterday evening. YouTube posted on Wednesday that 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.”
That’s a common refrain among MVPDs, rather than reduce expenses or executive compensation. And, as has become common in retransmission fee disputes, YouTube TV fingerpointed at Paramount Global as the party creating the potential impasse.
The temporary extension of Paramount’s YouTube TV agreement may not have been easily reached. As of late Thursday, YouTube TV was informing its customers that they would get an $8 credit off of their monthly bill and directed them to subscription sign-up information for Paramount+ at $7.99 per month, allowing them to continue accessing the channels YouTube TV couldn’t agree on a fair value for.
Some 24 cable TV channels are involved, including BET, Nickelodeon, CMT, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount. Digital multicast networks Dabl and Comet TV could also be yanked.
All local TV stations owned by and or affiliated with CBS are also affected, according to YouTube TV. Additionally, so are select siblings to CBS network O&Os in a handful of markets:
In at least one market, local affiliates were caught off guard. That was the case at Gray Media’s WDBJ-7 in Roanoke-Lynchburg, which shared a statement from CBS on Thursday morning with its audience.
“Unfortunately, YouTube TV has yet to renew its contract to provide you with all your favorite CBS programs and your local CBS affiliate on its service,” the network said. “CBS is committed to an agreement that will benefit YouTube TV customers. We hope that YouTube TV will reconsider this avoidable disruption in service so that our viewers can continue to watch their favorite programming.”
When it comes to virtual MVPDs, Paramount Global handles the carriage agreements for all CBS stations, including its affiliates.
And, while WDBJ is not listed above, Gray Media’s local management in Roanoke was on the offensive. “CBS does not own WDBJ, so we aren’t involved in whatever negotiation is taking place between CBS and YouTube,” the station said. “In fact, we found out about this dispute just about the same time our viewers did. Regardless, to continue watching WDBJ, you might consider switching providers.”
WDBJ is directing any impacted consumers to the DIRECTV Stream and a “skinny bundle” via Comcast’s Xfinity service. A WDBJ staff member noted, “I know switching is a pain but many of our employees [including me] are YouTubeTV subscribers, and we are looking for other options.”
For now, seeking those options may be put on pause. For how long is another matter.
