Google (Alphabet's YouTube TV) and Comcast's NBCUniversal have indeed reached a long-term distribution agreement, ensuring continued access to NBCUniversal channels and programming on YouTube TV for its approximately 10 million subscribers.
The deal follows tense negotiations that nearly led to a blackout, with a short-term extension signed on September 30, 2025, to bridge the gap. The prior contract expired on that date, putting popular content at immediate risk of disappearing.
The agreement secures NBC's broadcast network, cable channels (like USA Network and MSNBC), and key shows, including live sports and entertainment staples. Financial details weren't disclosed, but industry reports estimate YouTube TV previously paid around $10 per subscriber per month for NBCUniversal content.
The deal keeps a wide array of NBCUniversal programming available, with a focus on high-viewership hits:
- Sunday Night Football: NBC's flagship NFL broadcast, the most-watched primetime TV program in the U.S., featuring games like the upcoming New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills matchup.
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- America's Got Talent: The long-running talent competition show, a cornerstone of NBC's summer and fall lineup.
- Other notable programming: The Voice, Saturday Night Live (premiering its new season on October 4, 2025), and news like NBC Nightly News.
- Sports beyond NFL: English Premier League soccer, NASCAR, PGA Tour golf, Big Ten college football (e.g., Ohio State vs. Minnesota), and upcoming NBA games returning to NBC in October 2025.Without the agreement, subscribers—especially in markets like Philadelphia, where NBC Sports Philadelphia covers local teams (Phillies playoffs, Eagles season)—would have lost access to these, prompting warnings from both sides.
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Talks stalled over carriage fees (the rates YouTube TV pays to distribute NBC content) and bundling rights: NBCUniversal sought higher fees aligned with deals for other distributors like Amazon Prime Video Channels and wanted to protect Peacock (their 2020-launched streaming service) by limiting "direct ingestion"—where YouTube TV could pull exclusive Peacock content directly, bypassing subscriber data collection and ad sales on Peacock.
YouTube TV's Stance: They argued NBCUniversal's demands exceeded what Peacock charges individual consumers (around $5.99–$11.99/month), potentially raising prices for YouTube TV users.