YouTube TV to keep NBCUniversal channels after companies settle contract dispute

YouTube TV subscribers will continue to have access to NBCUniversal channels after the two companies resolved a contract dispute that nearly led to more than a dozen channels dropping from the Google-owned live TV service.

“We are thrilled to have reached a deal with YouTube TV and can continue to offer our full network portfolio, without interruption,” NBCUniversal said in a statement Saturday. 

YouTube TV will continue to offer more than 85 networks for $64.99.

In a Saturday blog post, YouTube said it appreciated "NBCUniversal’s willingness to work toward an agreement." 

YouTube TV told subscribers in a Sept. 28 email that it would drop NBCUniversal channels – including Bravo, E!, Oxygen, CNBC, Syfy, The Golf Channel, and various NBC Sports channels – if the agreement wasn’t renewed, and the monthly price for YouTube TV would drop from $64.99 to $54.99. 

"Our ask is that NBCU treats YouTube TV like any other distributor," YouTube TV said in its email. 

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NBCUniversal in turn set up a website warning fans that YouTube TV may drop its channels. A spokesperson later said the company did not want to involve its fans in the dispute, but “felt obligated to let them know what was at stake.” 

The previous contract between the companies expired Sept. 30. They agreed to a short-term extension to continue talks.

The standoff is the latest in a series of carriage disputes between TV providers and media companies. In August, Dish and Sinclair were engaged in a contract battle before finally agreeing to a new deal. Dish Network announced in July that it was bringing HBO and Cinemax back to Dish TV customers after reaching a deal with WarnerMedia.