NBCUniversal-YouTube TV carriage dispute could darken SNL, Sunday Night Football
With a Tuesday deadline looming, NBCUniversal and YouTube TV remain at an impasse over carriage fees, risking a blackout of top NBCU programming for about 8 million subscribers.
A carriage dispute between NBCUniversal and Google-owned YouTube TV over content-licensing fees could force NBCU's marquee programs, including Saturday Night Live and Sunday Night Football, off the air for YouTube TV's roughly eight million subscribers if a deal is not reached by Tuesday, Sept. 30.
At issue are carriage terms and pricing. NBCUniversal says YouTube TV is seeking deeply discounted rates accompanied by preferential treatment that would distort market terms. YouTube TV counters that NBCUniversal is asking for terms that would raise prices and reduce flexibility for subscribers.
If the stalemate persists, viewers could lose access to NBCUniversal's slate, including NBA coverage, WWE programs, The Voice, and Real Housewives, in addition to the network's primetime staples. The blackout would remove a core portion of NBCU’s live-television lineup from YouTube TV, which could redraw subscriber choices as advertisers weigh disruption and reach.
YouTube TV has said that if the blackout lasts an extended period, it would offer subscribers a $10 credit.
The potential blackout would hit a deep lineup; Sunday Night Football is primetime TV's most-watched program. If the outage extends for about three weeks, viewers would miss the NBA on NBC when the league returns.
NBCUniversal has signaled it will alert subscribers about the risk of a blackout as talks continue, while defending its stance that the company must secure fair terms and sustainable pricing for its programming.
Industry observers note that the dispute underscores ongoing tensions between traditional pay-TV distributors and digital platforms over pricing, bundling, and the future of live content in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
With the deadline looming, both sides say they remain engaged in talks and are hopeful of reaching an agreement that preserves access to NBCUniversal’s programming on YouTube TV. If no deal is struck by Tuesday, millions could face disruption to a slate that includes sports, late-night, and reality programming, a scenario that would reshape the streaming landscape for the service’s subscribers.