NBCUniversal threatens to pull channels from YouTube TV if deal isn't reached

A Peacock sideline reporter holds a microphone with the NBC Peacock logo during Michigan State's football game against Washington on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.

NBCUniversal (NBCU) programming may be removed from YouTube TV if an agreement cannot be met by the end of September.

NBCU and Google, YouTube TV's parent company, have until Tuesday, Sept. 30, to reach a new contractual agreement to keep NBCU programming on the streaming service, according to Google. The two companies are butting heads on financial terms and rates.

NBCU claims Google has "refused the best rates and terms in the market," which could result in the former pulling its programming from YouTube TV, according to an NBCU statement provided to USA TODAY.

"Google, with its $3 trillion market cap, already controls what Americans see online through search and ads – now it wants to control what we watch," the NBCU statement continued.

This is the second time a media company's programming has been close to leaving YouTube TV recently. In August, Fox and Google went back and forth, with the former threatening to pull its channels. Ultimately, the two companies came to an agreement to keep all Fox content on the streaming service.

Google to offer $10 credit if NBCU content is removed

Google disputes NBCU's claims.

"NBCUniversal is asking us to pay more than what they charge consumers for the same content on Peacock, which would mean less flexibility and higher prices for our subscribers," Google said in a statement on the YouTube Official Blog..

Google told YouTube TV customers that if NBCU content is made unavailable on the streaming platform, customers will receive a $10 YouTube TV credit, per the statement.

What NBCU programming could be removed from YouTube TV?

NBCU programming that could be removed from YouTube TV, if a new agreement is not met, includes: