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Thursday, April 17, 2025

NBCUniversal, YouTube TV Avert Blackout For Now

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Comcast has a lot of moving parts lately, with NBCUniversal agreeing to a “short” extension with YouTube TV and Xfinity dropping MSG Networks.

It was reported earlier this week that Comcast-owned NBCU’s channels could be removed from YouTube TV if a new deal was not reached by midnight Eastern time on Thursday. 

After the standoff, the pair agreed to a last-minute extension in which YouTube TV will continue streaming NBCUniversal-owned shows, sports channels, and regional sports networks while negotiations carry on.

  • NBCUniversal was reportedly looking for a higher rate to its channels on YouTube TV, as well as push Peacock Premium as a mandatory add-on for subscribers.
  • YouTube TV was prepared to lower its price from $64.99 to $54.99 per month if it lost NBCU content. The service has over 3 million subscribers.

It’s not clear how long the extension will last.

Comcast also announced it would drop MSG Networks from its Xfinity cable lineup. Fans of the New York Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, and New Jersey Devils will no longer have access to games through the provider.

MSG released a scathing statement that said Comcast pulled the plug to “try to force us to accept terms they’d never agree to for their own regional sports networks.”

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