YouTube TV, Paramount reach deal over CBS, Nickelodeon, more channels

• YouTube TV and Paramount have reached a long-term agreement that ensures 8 million subscribers retain access to CBS, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon and other popular channels. The deal resolves a dispute over carriage fees and prevents potential channel blackouts.
• The agreement secures continued access to Paramount’s channels. Channels include Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and BET+, as part of YouTube TV’s Primetime Channels lineup.
• The deal strengthens Google’s streaming strategy by expanding its partnership with Paramount. It ensures subscribers have uninterrupted access to entertainment, sports and news programming.

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YouTube TV and Paramount have reached a long-term agreement, ensuring that over 8 million YouTube TV subscribers will continue to have access to popular channels. These channels include CBS, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV.

Negotiations between the two companies have become tense in recent weeks. Paramount warned that its networks could go dark on YouTube TV due to a dispute over carriage fees. TV providers pay broadcasters carriage fees in exchange for carrying their programming.

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These disputes have become more common in recent years. Providers like DirecTV and Dish Network often engage in standoffs that result in temporary channel blackouts for subscribers.

What does the new agreement include?

Both companies confirmed the deal over the weekend. YouTube TV, which is owned by Google, announced in a blog post that the agreement secures continued access to Paramount’s channels, including CBS, CBS Sports and Nickelodeon.

“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying Paramount channels,” the statement read. “With this agreement, YouTube TV will continue to offer 100+ channels and add-ons, including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and will enable more user choice in the future.”

Paramount also confirmed the deal, calling it a “multi-year agreement” that expands its streaming partnership with Google.

The agreement allows YouTube TV to continue offering Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and BET+ as part of its Primetime Channels lineup.

Google will also have the right to make Paramount+ available to qualifying YouTube TV customers.

How did the dispute unfold?

On Feb. 13, YouTube TV and Paramount reached a short-term extension to prevent immediate blackouts while they continued negotiations. However, it remained uncertain how long that extension would last or if the two companies could reach a long-term resolution.

Had the deal fallen through, YouTube TV subscribers could have lost access to major networks, including CBS. The loss could disrupt local news, live sports and entertainment programming.

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What does this mean for subscribers?

The new agreement ensures that YouTube TV customers will not experience service disruptions. They will continue to have access to Paramount’s full range of channels, including its streaming services, without needing to seek alternative providers.

For Google, the deal strengthens its streaming strategy by keeping Paramount content available on YouTube TV while expanding its ability to integrate Paramount+ into its offerings.

With carriage disputes becoming more frequent, agreements like this highlight the ongoing negotiations between streaming and broadcast giants as they navigate the evolving media landscape.