UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES – 2019/07/18: Comcast sign logo in the wall of a building at Universal Studios. (Photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Roberto Machado Noa | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Alphabet’sGoogleand Comcast-ownedNBCUniversalhavereached a multi-yearagreementtokeepNBCshowssuch as “Sunday Night Football” and “America’s Got Talent” onYouTubeTV, wrapping up a difficult negotiation.
YouTubeTV, one of the biggest pay-TVdistributors in the U.S., will carryNBCUniversal’s full portfolio of networks such as NBC and CNBC under the deal, according to a statement from the companies on Thursday.
YouTube, which is also a unit of Alphabet, will also offerNBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service through its Primetime Channels, a marketplace where users can subscribe to third-party streaming services through theYouTubeapp.
“This deal builds on our longstanding partnership with NBCU while addressing the evolving media landscape and recognizing the importance of making content available where and how viewers want to watch it,” said Justin Connolly, global head of media and sports atYouTube.
Theagreementincludes a multi-year extension of Peacock’s availability acrossGoogle’s Android platforms, includingGooglePlay andGoogleTV.
YouTubenow accounts for the largest share ofTVviewing in the U.S., ahead of streaming rival Netflixand traditional media companies such as Disney, according to analytics firm Nielsen.
Talks withNBCUniversalhad stalled earlier over the rates thatYouTubeTVwill pay to carry itsshows.
The two companies agreed to ashort-term contract extensionon Wednesday, averting a blackout and ensuringYouTubeTVsubscribers retained access toNBCUniversalprogramming while negotiations continued.
YouTubeTVranks among the four largest U.S. pay-TVdistributors, and Alphabet’s deep pockets have recently given the video platform leverage over Paramount Skydanceand Fox Corpin carriage talks, according to media firms and analysts.
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