• Paramount's channels, including CBS and Nickelodeon, will be unavailable on YouTube TV starting Thursday.
• YouTube TV cites ongoing negotiations while Paramount claims they are being pressured into unfair terms.
• If the channels remain offline for an extended period, YouTube will issue subscribers an $8 credit.

Media giant Paramount Global has announced that its channels—including CBS, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon—will no longer be accessible on YouTube TV beginning Thursday, as the two companies have failed to finalize a contract renewal. The dispute has arisen amid accusations from Paramount that YouTube TV is trying to impose "one-sided terms" and "non-market demands" to keep its programming available to subscribers.

According to Channel News Asia, the service warned that all Paramount content—including networks such as CBS Sports, MTV, and Comedy Central—would become 'unavailable' shortly. The ongoing negotiations have been described as an attempt by YouTube TV to sidestep fair pricing agreements. A spokesperson from Paramount stated, “We have made a series of fair offers to continue our long-standing relationship."

YouTube, owned by Alphabet, maintains its commitment to negotiations, stating, "If we can't reach an agreement...we'll offer subscribers an $8 credit." This decision reflects a growing trend in the media landscape, where conflicts over carriage fees—payments to broadcasters for programming rights—have increasingly led to content blackouts, as seen previously in disputes involving Forbes and other services.

This standoff follows YouTube TV’s recent price jump to $82.99 per month, which had already concerned many of its over 8 million subscribers. The contract expiration has also raised fears of a repeat of past disputes with other media giants, leading to blackouts of popular channels, leaving many viewers frustrated.

For more insights, visit the full articles on Channel News Asia, Forbes, and CBS News.