YouTube TV removed NBC channels in September 2022 and has not restored them
YouTube TV dropped NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC in September 2022 after a contract dispute with Comcast. The channels went dark on September 30, 2022, and remain unavailable on the platform. YouTube TV did not restore them, and no agreement has been announced since the initial blackout.
The dispute centered on carriage fees — what YouTube TV pays Comcast to carry the channels. Comcast wanted higher fees; YouTube TV refused to meet the price. When negotiations stalled, Comcast pulled the channels. This type of dispute happens regularly in cable and streaming television, but it means subscribers lost access to live NBC broadcasts, Today, NBC Nightly News, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live, and sports programming that aired on NBC.
Key Takeaways
- NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC disappeared from YouTube TV on September 30, 2022, due to a contract disagreement over carriage fees between YouTube and Comcast.
- YouTube TV subscribers who want to watch NBC programming must use a different service or pay for NBC's standalone streaming app, Peacock.
- Comcast-owned channels including USA Network, Bravo, E!, and Oxygen also left YouTube TV at the same time.
- Carriage disputes like this one are common in streaming television and can last months or years without resolution.
Which channels left YouTube TV along with NBC
When Comcast pulled its channels, the blackout included more than just NBC. CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, and the Golf Channel all went dark on the same day. Peacock, Comcast's streaming service, also became unavailable through YouTube TV.
For viewers who relied on YouTube TV for cable news, this meant losing access to Morning Joe, The Rachel Maddow Show, and live CNBC market coverage. Sports fans lost access to some NHL games and other events that aired on USA Network. Reality television viewers lost Bravo programming including The Real Housewives franchises and Below Deck.
How to watch NBC programming without YouTube TV
If you had YouTube TV specifically to watch NBC, you have three main options: switch to a different streaming service that carries NBC, watch on Peacock, or watch on NBC.com with a cable login from another provider.
Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream all carry NBC. Each charges a different monthly fee and includes different channel packages. Hulu with Live TV costs the most but includes on-demand Hulu content alongside the live channels. Sling TV is cheaper but carries fewer channels overall. Fubo focuses on sports and entertainment. DirecTV Stream is the most expensive option but has the largest channel selection.
Peacock, Comcast's streaming service, carries some NBC programming. The free tier includes clips and some shows; the paid tier ($5.99 or $11.99 per month) includes live NBC feeds, Today, and full episodes of NBC shows. You can also watch NBC.com with a cable login from Hulu with Live TV, Sling, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream.
Why carriage disputes happen and how long they usually last
Carriage disputes occur because streaming services and cable networks disagree on fees. Networks like NBC want higher payments per subscriber; streaming services want to keep costs low to stay competitive on price. When neither side will move, the network pulls its channels until an agreement is reached.
These disputes can last weeks, months, or even years. YouTube TV has had carriage disputes with other networks before — it lost Fox channels briefly in 2021, and Roku TV lost Disney channels for several months in 2022. The length of the blackout depends on how far apart the two sides are on price and how much pressure subscribers place on both companies to settle.
In the NBC case, no settlement has been reached more than two years after the blackout began. This suggests the gap between what Comcast is asking and what YouTube TV is willing to pay remains large.
What YouTube TV said about the NBC dispute
YouTube TV released a statement when the channels went dark, saying it was "disappointed" that Comcast was pulling channels and that the company wanted to reach a deal. YouTube TV said it had offered Comcast a "competitive rate" but that Comcast wanted more than YouTube TV could afford while keeping its service price reasonable for subscribers.
YouTube TV has not announced any new negotiations or progress toward a settlement since 2022. The company has not indicated whether it plans to continue trying to restore NBC or has moved on to other priorities.
Comparing streaming services that still carry NBC
| Service | Monthly Cost | Includes NBC | Other Major Networks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu with Live TV | $76.99 | Yes | ABC, CBS, Fox, ESPN, Disney Channel |
| Sling TV | $40 (Orange) or $40 (Blue) | No (Orange only has cable news) | ESPN, CNN, Fox News, AMC |
| Fubo | $79.99 | Yes | Fox, CBS, ESPN, Bravo, USA Network |
| DirecTV Stream | $79.99 to $149.99 | Yes | All major networks |
| Peacock (paid tier) | $5.99 or $11.99 | Yes (live feeds and some shows) | None (Peacock is NBC-owned) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will NBC ever come back to YouTube TV?
It is possible but not certain. YouTube TV and Comcast would need to reach a new carriage agreement. No timeline has been announced, and the fact that no deal was reached in over two years suggests the two companies remain far apart on price. Subscribers who need NBC should plan to use a different service rather than wait for a resolution.
Can I get a refund from YouTube TV for losing NBC?
YouTube TV did not offer refunds when NBC left. The company's terms of service allow it to change channel lineups without compensation. You can cancel YouTube TV at any time without penalty if you no longer want the service.
Does Peacock have all NBC shows?
Peacock has live NBC feeds on the paid tier and carries most NBC shows, but not all programming is available. Some shows are exclusive to cable or have delayed streaming. Check Peacock's app to see whether the specific show you want is included before you subscribe.
If I switch to Hulu with Live TV, will I lose anything YouTube TV had?
Hulu with Live TV carries most major broadcast and cable networks, but the channel lineup is different from YouTube TV's. You will gain NBC and some other channels but may lose regional sports networks or niche cable channels depending on your location. Compare the full channel list for your area before switching.
Why is Peacock so cheap compared to YouTube TV?
Peacock is owned by Comcast and uses it to promote other Comcast services. YouTube TV is an independent service that pays carriage fees to every network it carries. Peacock's lower price reflects that it does not pay itself carriage fees and uses the service to build customer loyalty to Comcast's ecosystem.