YouTube TV and NBC are back in agreement as of January 2025
YouTube TV and NBCUniversal reached a new carriage agreement in January 2025, ending a blackout that had removed NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, and Peacock from YouTube TV since December 2024. The agreement restored all NBC-owned channels and the Peacock streaming service to YouTube TV subscribers at no additional cost.
The blackout lasted roughly three weeks and affected millions of YouTube TV subscribers during the holiday season. Both sides had been negotiating over fees and terms, a common dispute in the streaming television industry. The new deal reflects the ongoing tension between streaming services and traditional broadcasters over how much YouTube TV pays to carry their content.
Key Takeaways
- NBC channels and Peacock returned to YouTube TV in January 2025 after a three-week blackout that began in December 2024.
- The blackout removed NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, E!, and Oxygen from YouTube TV, affecting access to live sports, news, and entertainment programming.
- YouTube TV subscribers did not pay extra to restore Peacock access as part of the new agreement.
- Carriage disputes like this one happen regularly between streaming services and broadcasters over licensing fees and contract terms.
Which channels and services came back
The agreement restored NBC's full portfolio of channels to YouTube TV. This includes the main NBC broadcast network, plus cable channels CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, E!, and Oxygen. Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, also returned to YouTube TV's platform.
For YouTube TV subscribers, this meant regaining access to NBC's live sports coverage, including NFL games, Sunday Night Football, and coverage of major events. MSNBC and CNBC returned with their news and business programming. Entertainment channels like Bravo and E! came back with their regular schedules.
Peacock's return was significant because YouTube TV had previously offered Peacock as an add-on subscription. Under the new agreement, YouTube TV subscribers with the standard plan regained access to Peacock's ad-supported tier at no extra charge.
What caused the blackout in the first place
YouTube TV and NBCUniversal could not agree on the terms of their carriage contract before the previous deal expired in December 2024. Carriage disputes happen when a streaming service and a broadcaster disagree over licensing fees — how much YouTube TV pays NBCUniversal to carry their channels — or other contract terms.
These negotiations are standard in the television industry, but they sometimes result in blackouts when neither side reaches a deal before the important date. Subscribers lose access to the channels while negotiations continue. The December 2024 blackout was one of several carriage disputes YouTube TV has faced in recent years with major broadcasters.
Both YouTube TV and NBCUniversal have strong incentives to reach agreement quickly because blackouts hurt both sides: YouTube TV loses subscribers who switch to competitors, and broadcasters lose advertising revenue from lost viewership.
How carriage disputes affect your viewing
When YouTube TV and a broadcaster cannot agree on contract terms, the affected channels go dark on the platform. Subscribers cannot watch those channels live or access their on-demand content through YouTube TV. If you were watching NBC's Sunday Night Football or MSNBC's news coverage, that programming became unavailable.
Carriage disputes typically last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how far apart the two sides are on fees and terms. During a blackout, you have limited options: you can switch to a different streaming service that carries the channels, use an antenna to watch broadcast channels like NBC, or wait for the dispute to resolve.
YouTube TV subscribers can check the YouTube TV website or app to see which channels are currently available. If a blackout occurs in the future, YouTube TV usually displays a notice explaining which channels are affected and why.
Why these disputes keep happening
Streaming services like YouTube TV pay broadcasters fees to carry their channels. As streaming grows and cable declines, broadcasters want higher fees because they are losing traditional cable revenue. Streaming services want to keep fees low to stay competitive and keep subscriber costs down. This fundamental disagreement leads to regular disputes.
YouTube TV has faced carriage blackouts with other major broadcasters, including Disney (which owns ABC, ESPN, and FX channels) and Warner Bros. Discovery (which owns CNN, HBO, and other channels). These disputes are not unique to NBC — they reflect how the entire television industry is restructuring as viewers shift from cable to streaming.
The outcome usually favors whoever has more leverage. If a broadcaster owns channels that many subscribers watch, they can demand higher fees. If a streaming service has enough subscribers to threaten a broadcaster's ad revenue, it gains negotiating power. The January 2025 agreement suggests both YouTube TV and NBCUniversal found middle ground.
What this means for your YouTube TV subscription
If you subscribe to YouTube TV, the agreement means you have uninterrupted access to NBC channels and Peacock again. Your subscription cost did not change as a result of the new deal, though YouTube TV's base price has increased over time for reasons unrelated to individual carriage agreements.
Future carriage disputes may occur with other broadcasters. YouTube TV publishes notices when blackouts happen, so check your account or the YouTube TV website if you suddenly cannot find a channel you normally watch. You can also contact YouTube TV support to confirm whether a blackout is in effect.
The agreement does not may provide that future disputes will be resolved as quickly. Some blackouts last longer than others depending on how far apart the two sides are on terms. Having a backup way to watch important programming — such as an antenna for broadcast channels or a second streaming service — can help if another blackout occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund for the time NBC channels were blacked out?
YouTube TV does not automatically refund subscribers for blackout periods. However, you can contact YouTube TV support to request a credit if you feel the blackout significantly affected your service. YouTube TV has offered credits in past disputes, but this is handled case by case.
Will this happen again with other channels?
Yes. Carriage disputes are common in streaming television. YouTube TV has experienced blackouts with Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and other broadcasters. Future disputes may occur as contracts expire and both sides renegotiate terms.
What should I do if another blackout happens?
Check the YouTube TV app or website for a notice explaining which channels are affected. If you need to watch blacked-out channels, consider using an antenna for broadcast networks, switching to another streaming service temporarily, or contacting YouTube TV support for options.
Does the agreement include any price increase for YouTube TV?
The January 2025 agreement did not trigger a price increase. YouTube TV's subscription cost is set by YouTube and changes independently of individual carriage deals with broadcasters.