YouTube TV and NBCuniversal announced a new distribution agreement on Thursday, avoiding a blackout that could have interrupted programming routines for millions of customers.
The previous pact expired earlier this week, but both companies agreed to continue talking. They were motivated to ensure an agreement without provoking the base of the Ira of YouTube TV of almost 10 million customers.
Nbcuniversal assured transport for its entire television channel portfolio, including NBC, CNBC and Telemundo in Spanish. In addition, the company will launch a new channel, NBC Sports Network, this fall and will join the YouTube TV alignment. The agreement also makes universal television movies and programs available for YouTube consumers on request.
“This agreement is based on our long -standing association with NBCU while adding the evolutionary media panorama and recognizes the importance of making the content available where and how viewers want to see it,” said Justin Connolly, global head of YouTube media and sports, in a statement.
Both Google and Nbcuniversal YouTube entered negotiations with considerable leverage.
Nbcuniversal has a popular networks portfolio, including the stations owned by NBC. NBC also has lasting schedule shows, including “The Voice”, “Law & Order: SVU”, not to mention Marquee Sports, including “Sunday Night Football” and the winter Olympic Games next year in Milan, Italy.
YouTube has grown dramatically in recent years and is now located as the main video supplier of the country, according to Nielsen. Its video site reaches more than 120 million active users, and YouTube TV, which offers traditional networks, including NBC, CBS and Bravo, is now located among the three main payment television companies in the Nation, along with Charter Spectrum and Comcast, owner of NBCuniversal.
Neither youtube tv nor nbcuniversal disseminated financial terms.
The soft resolution occurred after a start of potholes. At the end of last week, Nbcuniversal began looking in battle after the tense negotiations with the TV YouTube team, led by Connolly, a former Walt Disney Executive Co. high -ranking that jumped to YouTube earlier this year, which caused a failed Disney demand to try to keep it.
Nbcuniversal launched a messaging campaign designed to highlight Google's domain. Last year, YouTube generated $ 54.2 billion in revenue, only surpassed by Walt Disney Co., according to the Moffettnathanson research firm.
Earlier this week, conversations between San Bruno and Nbcuniversal streamer became more productive, according to a person close to the situation that was not authorized to comment.
YouTube TV retreated its previous demand to bend the programming created for Peacock, the NBCuniversal incipient transmission service on the YouTube platform as part of its customer packages at no additional cost.
On the other hand, Nbcuniversal wanted to follow a pattern established in August, when the Comcast company reached an agreement with Amazon that allows Peacock to offer the main video customers for $ 16.99 additional per month. As part of their announcement, the two companies said that Peacock would eventually be available as a subscription through the YouTube star schedule channels.
“This agreement positions us for continuous growth and reflects our commitment to offer exceptional entertainment to fans on all platforms,” said Matt Schnaars, president of distribution of platforms and paartnerships of NBCuniversal.
The agreement occurred two days after YouTube TV left the channels owned by the Spanish Transmission Company, Televisaunivision. These two parts have been in a confrontation on rates and distribution terms.
Some members of the Congress, including Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OHIO), have denounced the situation, pointing out the importance of Univision for the Spanish-speaking public. Moreno has asked Google to answer his questions.
Last month, YouTube TV established a dispute with Fox Corp. by Rupert Murdoch, maintaining its channels, including Fox News, on the platform.
It is said that the YouTube distribution agreement with Disney expires at the end of this month, removing another potential struggle.
