YouTube TV and NBC came to an agreement in September 2023 after a brief blackout

YouTube TV and NBCUniversal reached a carriage agreement on September 4, 2023, ending a three-day blackout that removed NBC, CNBC, USA Network, Bravo, E! Entertainment, Oxygen, and the Spanish-language channels Telemundo and Universo from YouTube TV. The deal restored these channels to the service, though the specific financial terms were not disclosed publicly.

The dispute centered on how much YouTube TV would pay NBCUniversal to carry its channels. These negotiations happen regularly in the television industry—networks and streaming services must agree on fees and terms every few years. When talks break down, channels go dark until both sides reach a settlement. This particular blackout affected YouTube TV subscribers during the U.S. Open tennis tournament and the start of the NFL season, making it visible to a large audience.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV and NBCUniversal agreed to a new carriage deal in September 2023 that restored NBC and seven other channels after a three-day blackout.
  • The blackout removed major networks including NBC, CNBC, USA Network, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, Telemundo, and Universo from YouTube TV temporarily.
  • These disputes happen because streaming services and networks must negotiate fees and terms regularly, and disagreements can result in temporary channel removals.
  • YouTube TV subscribers did not lose their service entirely—only the NBCUniversal channels were affected during the blackout.

What channels were affected by the blackout

The blackout removed eight NBCUniversal channels from YouTube TV: NBC, CNBC, USA Network, Bravo, E! Entertainment, Oxygen, Telemundo, and Universo. These channels cover news, sports, entertainment, and Spanish-language programming. For YouTube TV subscribers, this meant losing access to live broadcasts, on-demand content, and DVR recordings from these networks.

NBC is the most visible of these channels because it carries major sports events, late-night talk shows, and primetime programming. The timing of the blackout—during the U.S. Open and the NFL season—made the outage particularly noticeable to viewers who relied on YouTube TV for sports coverage. Subscribers could still watch other channels on the service; only NBCUniversal's portfolio was affected.

Why carriage disputes happen between networks and streaming services

Carriage agreements are contracts that allow a streaming service or cable provider to carry a network's channels. These agreements expire and must be renegotiated periodically. During negotiations, the network and the service must agree on how much the service will pay to carry the channels, what content is included, and other terms.

Networks want higher fees because they generate revenue from advertising and licensing. Streaming services want lower fees to keep their subscription prices competitive. When the two sides cannot agree, the network can pull its channels as leverage to force a settlement. YouTube TV and other services have experienced multiple blackouts over the years with different networks—this is a recurring part of how the television industry operates.

How the agreement affects YouTube TV subscribers

After the September 2023 agreement, YouTube TV subscribers regained access to all eight NBCUniversal channels. The service did not raise its subscription price as a result of the deal, though YouTube TV's pricing has changed at other times for different reasons. Subscribers who had recorded content from these channels during the blackout were able to access their DVR recordings once the channels returned.

The agreement also restored on-demand content from NBCUniversal. Subscribers could resume watching shows and movies from these networks' libraries. For most viewers, the return of these channels meant they could watch NBC's primetime schedule, sports broadcasts, and cable programming without interruption going forward.

What happens during a carriage blackout

When a carriage dispute occurs, the affected channels go dark on the service when ready. YouTube TV subscribers cannot watch live broadcasts or access on-demand content from those networks. The YouTube TV app shows the channels as unavailable, and any scheduled DVR recordings from those channels fail to record.

Subscribers retain their YouTube TV account and can watch all other channels normally. The service does not automatically refund subscribers for the blackout period, though some services have offered credits in past disputes. YouTube TV did not announce a credit for the September 2023 blackout. Subscribers who wanted to watch NBCUniversal content during the blackout had to use other methods, such as the NBC app or website if they had cable login credentials, or wait for the dispute to resolve.

How often do these disputes happen

Carriage disputes occur regularly in the television industry. YouTube TV has experienced blackouts with other networks in the past, and other streaming services and cable providers face similar situations. The frequency depends on how many major networks are renegotiating their agreements at any given time. Some disputes last hours, while others stretch for days or weeks.

The September 2023 YouTube TV and NBCUniversal blackout was relatively short—three days—compared to some other disputes in the industry. Networks and services usually reach agreements before major events or holidays when viewership is high, because both sides have financial incentive to resolve the dispute quickly. The timing of this blackout during the U.S. Open and NFL season suggests negotiations were ongoing but took longer than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did YouTube TV subscribers get a refund during the blackout?

YouTube TV did not announce a credit or refund for the three-day September 2023 blackout. Some streaming services and cable providers have offered credits in past disputes, but YouTube TV did not do so in this case. Subscribers who felt the outage warranted compensation could contact YouTube TV customer support to discuss their specific situation.

Can I watch NBC content another way if YouTube TV has a blackout?

Yes. You can watch NBC and other NBCUniversal channels through the NBC app or NBC.com if you have cable login credentials from another provider. You can also purchase individual shows or movies through services like Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video. During the September 2023 blackout, these were the main alternatives for YouTube TV subscribers.

Will YouTube TV's price go up because of this agreement?

YouTube TV did not raise its subscription price following the September 2023 agreement with NBCUniversal. However, YouTube TV's pricing has changed at other times for various reasons. The company announces price changes separately, so you would see a notification if a rate increase was coming.

What happens to my DVR recordings if channels go dark?

Recordings made before the blackout remain in your DVR library and become accessible again once the channels return. New recordings cannot be made while the channels are unavailable. If you had scheduled recordings during the blackout period, those recordings failed to capture.

Are other YouTube TV channels still available during a network blackout?

Yes. When NBCUniversal channels went dark in September 2023, all other channels on YouTube TV remained available. Only the eight affected NBCUniversal networks were unavailable. Your YouTube TV service continued to work normally for everything else.