YouTube TV, Paramount agree to short-term deal extension to avoid CBS blackout
YouTube TV and Paramount have agreed to a short-term deal extension to avoid a blackout of CBS, YouTube announced late Thursday.
Paramount wanted a rate hike. Their existing deal expired at 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 13.
"We’ve reached a short-term extension with Paramount to keep their content on YouTube TV," YouTube TV wrote in a post on X Thursday night
"Subscribers continue to have access to Paramount channels, including CBS. We appreciate your patience as we continue to negotiate on your behalf.”
Why was the potential blackout slated?
YouTube emphasized in a blog post it had been attempting to reach an agreement "that avoids passing along additional costs" to its subscribers.
Paramount said in its statement that YouTube TV was trying to "pressure" them to "agree to one-sided terms."
In a blog post published Wednesday, YouTube said it has been "working hard to reach a fair agreement with Paramount." If completed, YouTube TV will keep Paramount-owned channels − including CBS and CBS Sports − without any additional costs to its subscribers, the post reads.
"We understand how disappointing and disruptive it is to lose channels you enjoy on YouTube TV," the Google-owned company said.
In a statement obtained by Paste BN, a Paramount spokesperson said the company made a "series of fair offers to continue our long-standing relationship with Google’s YouTube TV."
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for Paste BN. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.