UPDATE: Just before the current carriage agreement expired, a post on YouTube TV's X account announced that Google and Paramount had reached "a short-term extension" to keep Paramount's channels and content available on the Google platform.
Negotiations will continue between both parties, but this means that, for now, YouTube TV customers will continue to have access to networks such as CBS, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon.
However, it is important to note that it is unclear how long this "short-term extension" will last, and when questioned by their X followers, Team YouTube said they would "share more updates as we have them."
The service has promised that, if Paramount content does disappear at a later date, credits will be distributed to affected customers, in line with what YouTube TV communicated ahead of the potential Paramount content blackout.
Our original story about the impending loss of content (published on Feb. 13) continues below.
If you were hoping to watch "Yellowjackets" season 3 via YouTube TV from tomorrow, you might need to grab a separate Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription ASAP.
That's because Google and Paramount are currently in the middle of a content distribution disagreement, which could see YouTube TV users losing access to Paramount content and CBS channels after today (February 13, 2025). It's important to note that this change will also affect DVRs, meaning any Paramount content you may have recorded will be removed, too.
This news was communicated to YouTube TV customers via email (h/t AndroidPolice.com), and an update has also been shared on a section of the YouTube TV help center. It reads: "If we're unable to come to an agreement with Paramount by February 13, 2025, their content will become unavailable on YouTube TV.
"It's our goal to restore Paramount content to YouTube TV, but if we can't reach an agreement and their content is unavailable for an extended period of time, we'll offer our subscribers an $8 credit. You can claim this credit at tv.youtube.com."
If you're an Entertainment Plus customer, Google has explained that you'll automatically receive a $10 discount off the bundle for each billing cycle where Paramount content remains unavailable.
Similarly, if you have Paramount+ with Showtime or BET+, you won't be billed for your subscription, and you'll receive an automatic refund on your last charge account.
If and when Paramount content returns, any user subscribed to Paramount's content via YouTube will have their subscription restored automatically.
However, if you pay for Primetime Channels via an alternative platform or by the following billing partners — Apple, Frontier, Google Play Billing, Verizon, and Wow — you will need to manually resubscribe.
Which channels could YouTube TV lose?
Google has shared a list of affected channels, networks, and YouTube TV plans and add-ons that will be affected. You can find that list below.
National channels
- BET
- BET Her
- CBS
- CBS Sports Network
- CMT
- Comedy Central
- Comet TV
- Dabl
- MTV
- MTV Classic
- MTV2
- MYNetwork TV
- NewsNation
- Nick Jr.
- Nick Toons
- Nickelodeon
- Paramount
- Pop
- Smithsonian Channel
- Start TV
- Teen Nick
- TR3s: MTV, Musica y Mas
- TV Land
- VH1
Local Stations
- Atlanta 69 (WUPA)
- Boston TV38 (WSBK)
- Dallas-Fort Worth KTXA
- New York (WLNYDT)
- Philadelphia 57 (WPSG)
- Pittsburgh KDKA+ (WPCW)
- Sacramento KMAX 31 (KMAX)
- San Francisco KPIX+ (KPYX)
- Seattle 11 (KSTW)
- Tampa Bay 44 (WTOG)
Affected plans & add-ons
- Base plan
- Spanish plan
- BET+
- Entertainment plus
- Paramount+ with Showtime
- Spanish plus
Will Paramount content return to YouTube TV?
Possibly. That same YouTube TV support page reads: "We're still in active conversations with Paramount, and we hope to come to an agreement with them as soon as possible."
In December 2021, Google and Disney failed to come to a similar agreement which meant Disney-owned channels like ABC and ESPN briefly disappeared from the service. However, the two companies subsequently reached an agreement a couple of days later, and Disney programming was soon restored.
Hopefully, Paramount and Google will manage to reach an agreement soon, and any potential content blackout won't last long.
How to watch Paramount content in the meantime
If you need to find a new way to stream Paramount's movies and shows, you can subscribe to Paramount Plus directly.
The service currently offers two plans: the $7.99/month, ad-supported Paramount Plus Essential plan, or the $12.99/month Paramount Plus with Showtime plan. Yearly subscriptions are also available.
The latter option eliminates ads, allows you full access to Showtime Originals, and the ability to download movies and shows and to stream CBS live.
If you pick up a subscription and want to know what you need to watch, be sure to look over our round-up of the best movies and shows to stream on Paramount Plus.
