Negotiations between YouTube TV and NBCUniversal have broken down over distribution fees for Comcast-owned network shows, potentially leading to the removal of popular programs like "Sunday Night Football" and "America's Got Talent" from YouTube TV as early as Tuesday if no new deal is reached.
Reuters reports that these talks reflect YouTube's growing dominance as the leading video service provider in the U.S. Losing YouTube TV carriage could reduce affiliate revenue and subscriber numbers for traditional media companies, with no guarantee that viewers will switch to their standalone streaming apps.
An NBCUniversal spokesperson accused YouTube TV of rejecting competitive rates and seeking preferential treatment to dominate the market, claiming it’s under the guise of consumer advocacy.
YouTube TV countered that NBCUniversal is charging more for content than it does on Peacock and offered subscribers a $10 credit if NBC content is unavailable for an extended period.