Saturday, August 15, 2026

Google, NBCUniversal Deadlocked Over YouTube TV Rates

  • NBCUniversal’s content may disappear from YouTube TV if the two sides cannot come to an agreement on the rate paid by Google.
  • The current deal expires on Thursday.
Design: Alex Brooks

A standoff between Google and NBCUniversal could leave fans of the NFL, golf, and other sports scrambling for alternative ways to watch as soon as this weekend.

The two sides have been unable to agree on the price Google should pay going forward to continue carrying NBCUniversal’s content on YouTube TV. 

The Comcast-owned network’s channels could be removed from YouTube TV if a new deal is not reached when the current one expires Thursday. That includes NBC, CNBC, GOLF Channel, and its regional sports networks.

  • Google said it would lower the monthly cost of YouTube TV from $64.99 to $54.99 while NBCUniversal’s content is unavailable on the platform. The service has over 3 million subscribers. 
  • Google’s parent Alphabet earned $7 billion from YouTube ads in the second quarter but does not separately report YouTube TV’s revenue.
  • NBCU’s Peacock had 54 million subscribers as of June 30, though only around 3 million are believed to be paying for a $9.99 per-month ad-free subscription. The service lost $363 million in the second quarter, with $122 million in revenue.

NBCUniversal has sought to put consumer pressure on Google: The network ran banners on its YouTube TV NFL broadcasts and other channels on Sunday, directing customers to a website to contact Google over the dispute.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers majority owner Mark Walter and team executive Jeannie Buss in attendance at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit

In Sudden $12.5B Lakers Sale, Big Questions Remain

Why did Mark Walter flip the NBA’s crown jewel in 10 months?
Exclusive

NFL’s Tom Brady Rules Are Back and Now Apply to Troy Aikman, Too

Aikman was involved in the Dolphins’ GM and coach hires this offseason.

Why Jeff Bezos Remains on the NFL Ownership Sidelines

FSG announced the Liverpool deal Friday.
Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; The Chicago Bears logo in the end zone before an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Bears Call Indiana Stadium Plans Their ‘Sole Focus’

Bears chairman on Illinois: “Hope is not a strategy.”
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBA Owners ‘Stunned’ by Lakers Sale, Knicks’ $67M Run, WTA Sex Testing Starts

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Mar 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Lakers Join Sixers, Knicks, Spurs Atop NBA’s National TV Slate

The Thunder, meanwhile, will play 30 national TV games this season.
Exclusive
August 13, 2026

Jimmy Traina, Sal Licata, John Jastremski Joining Media Start-Up

Traina left Sports Illustrated earlier this week.
Nov 24, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; A detailed view of the ESPN Monday Night Football touchdown Pylon on the field at Levi's Stadium.
August 13, 2026

ESPN Kicks Off Increased NFL Preseason Presence After Equity Deal

The ESPN app has 12 out-of-market preseason broadcasts.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Mar 15, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; FS1 announcer Jason Benetti during the game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Washington State Cougars at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
August 13, 2026

Jason Benetti Will Call NBA Games for NBC This Season

Benetti will supplement NBC’s roster, not replace any of its NBA voices.
August 12, 2026

ESPN Boosting Coverage of PGA Tour Playoffs

The move comes after a trial run in January.
ESPN personality Pat McAfee, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump during the Patriot Games held at Spire Academy, Aug. 11, 2026, in Geneva, Ohio.
Opinion
August 12, 2026

Critics Can No Longer Claim ESPN Is ‘Woke’

ESPN stars and executives had a significant presence at the Patriot Games.
Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; The NFL shield logo on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
August 12, 2026

NFL Faces AI Accusations Over ‘Move the Sticks’ Podcast Feed

The podcast posted a new episode hosted by an unidentified voice.