• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

YouTube TV Faces CBS Blackout As March Madness, Masters Loom

The heightening dispute between CBS parent company Paramount and the Google-owned YouTube TV has implications beyond an ordinary carriage negotiation.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel

The bumpy transition into a streaming-led media industry could leave many viewers without March Madness and the Masters this spring.

Paramount-owned channels, including CBS on broadcast and the CBS Sports Network, are set to go dark Thursday on YouTube TV, the fourth-largest U.S. pay-TV provider with more than eight million subscribers. The sides have been unable to reach a new carriage agreement, and the dispute is escalating just weeks before a key moment in the annual sports calendar for CBS with the two high-profile events upcoming.

“Paramount is an important partner for us and as you can imagine, this is not the outcome we want,” YouTube TV said in a blog post. “We’re still in active conversations with Paramount and are hopeful we can come to an agreement to keep their content available.”

The blackout is due to go into effect at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday.

The contract battle also arrived just weeks after YouTube TV raised its prices by $10 per month to $82.99. YouTube said it would give its customers an $8 credit if the Paramount content “is unavailable for an extended period of time,” though there were no immediate specifics on how long it would take to trigger that offer.

In its own specially created web page, Paramount touted the popularity of its programming among YouTube TV subscribers. 

“YouTube TV is prioritizing their own interests over a fair agreement,” the company said. 

Pivot Points

The carriage dispute arrives at a delicate time for both companies, in addition to the top-tier sports content now at risk. Paramount is attempting to finalize an $8 billion merger with Skydance, a deal in the works since last summer that has gone through numerous twists and turns—including an aborted rival bid from media executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. 

That Paramount merger is now attempting to close in the midst of a new White House administration led by U.S. President Donald Trump that is placing unprecedented levels of pressure on many media outlets. 

The Google-owned YouTube TV, meanwhile, is still attempting to position itself as a more nimble and affordable option than traditional cable or satellite TV. That effort, however, is growing more difficult between the escalating costs and other carriage issues. It’s had other fractious negotiations with programmers in recent years, including one in 2021 with ESPN parent Disney that saw that company’s channels briefly pulled from the service.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Zion Williamson
breaking

Zion Williamson Accused of Rape and Abuse in Lawsuit

The woman says their relationship began when he was at Duke in 2018.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
May 28, 2025

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Pacers and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.
May 30, 2025

Panthers-Oilers Rematch Could Be Big in Canada. Will U.S. Ratings Dip?

Likely viewership declines in the U.S. are countered by robust Canadian audiences.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Around the Horn
May 23, 2025

Behind the Scenes of Around the Horn’s Final Days

FOS followed Tony Reali at the penultimate taping of the ESPN icon.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
May 22, 2025

NBC Eyes MLB Rights, Looks to Own Sunday Nights Year-Round

The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.
May 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers’s WNBA Debut Delivers 121% Ratings Bump on Ion

Friday’s doubleheader averaged 612,000 viewers.