You May No Longer Have Access to CBS and CBS Sports, Along with Paramount’s Other Channels, Through YouTube TV Starting Today, February 13<\/p>\n
YouTube TV users will no longer have access to CBS, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and VH1 due to a budget disagreement between YouTube and Paramount. In an announcement, YouTube revealed that it is currently engaged in negotiations with Paramount to negotiate a new agreement that avoids passing on additional costs to its users. The company stated it is “fighting for an agreement that avoids passing along additional costs” to its users, suggesting that it cannot agree on a financial deal that works for both parties and provides users with more flexibility in how they watch their favorite sports and shows.<\/p>\n
In addition to CBS and CBS Sports, the affected channels include Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and VH1. Several add-ons for YouTube TV, such as Paramount+ with Showtime, will no longer be available. YouTube introduced Paramount’s channels to its lineup in 2020, when YouTube TV still cost $50 a month. Currently, the live TV streaming service costs $70 a month for the first half-year and $83 a month thereafter.<\/p>\n
YouTube has informed its users that if it cannot reach a deal with Paramount, and the company’s content becomes unavailable for an extended period, it will provide $8 in credit. Additionally, the company has urged viewers who want continued access to the networks’ shows to sign up for Paramount+, which costs at least $8 a month.<\/p>\n
Paramount has started warning its subscribers that they will not be able to access its stations through YouTube TV until a new agreement is reached. The company has even published a website to inform its subscribers about the situation, stating that it has made a series of fair offers to keep the channels on the service. “YouTube TV is attempting to pressure Paramount to agree to one-sided terms, and these non-market demands may lead to an avoidable loss of Paramount’s networks on YouTube TV, in addition to the removal of Paramount+ and BET+ from YouTube’s Primetime Channels, on February 13,” a Paramount spokesperson told Engadget. “Paramount has a long track record of successfully and amicably renewing partnerships with every major distributor, including several in recent months, and we will continue our efforts to reach a new agreement with YouTube TV,” they also said.<\/p>\n