After warnings that Paramount content material was about to vanish from Google’s pay TV service YouTube TV, the businesses introduced late Saturday that they’d reached a deal that averts any disruption to channel availability.
These bulletins didn’t embrace many specifics concerning the settlement, however a press release from a Paramount spokesperson mentioned it consists of “an expanded streaming relationship.” So not solely will YouTube Primetime Channels proceed to supply streaming companies Paramount+, with Showtime and BET+ as add-ons, however Google additionally will get “the best to make Paramount+ out there to qualifying YouTube TV prospects.”
YouTube TV isn’t any stranger to high-profile contract disputes with media corporations, together with Disney. In its personal announcement, Google mentioned, “We’re completely happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to proceed carrying Paramount channels, together with CBS, CBS Sports activities, Nickelodeon and extra … To our subscribers, we respect your endurance whereas we negotiated in your behalf.”
The corporate had warned in an earlier weblog put up that each one Paramount content material, together with CBS and CBS Sports activities, would disappear from YouTube TV on February 13. There was a short-term deadline extension when the businesses gave the impression to be near a deal.
On the time, Google mentioned it was “combating for an settlement that avoids passing alongside further prices and gives [subscribers] extra flexibility in the way you watch your favourite sports activities and exhibits.” (Pay TV suppliers have reportedly been combating for extra versatile methods to bundle channels, notably on the fundamental tiers of their companies.)
In the meantime, Paramount co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins despatched staff an inner memo describing Google as “unwilling to comply with cheap phrases in keeping with the market, selecting to jeopardize the leisure expertise on the expense of shoppers.”
“The truth is, you may’t have a profitable video product with out Paramount, one of many main media households in TV viewing,” the CEOs mentioned.
