Google and NBCUniversal Secure Long-Term Partnership to Keep Popular Shows on YouTube TV
Mexico city – Alphabet’s Google and Comcast-owned NBCUniversal have reached a landmark multi-year agreement that ensures beloved NBC programming, including fan favorites like Sunday Night Football and America’s Got Talent, will remain available on YouTube TV.
The deal, announced on Thursday, not only preserves access for millions of viewers but also sets a positive example of how major media and technology companies can adapt to the rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
The new agreement ensures that YouTube TV, one of the largest pay-TV distributors in the United States, will continue to feature NBCUniversal’s entire portfolio of networks. These include household names like NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, and Telemundo, providing subscribers with uninterrupted access to news, sports, and entertainment.
For audiences who rely on YouTube TV as their primary television service, this outcome reinforces the platform’s growing role as a reliable hub for traditional and digital content.
Alongside channel access, the partnership deepens integration between Google and NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock. Viewers will be able to subscribe to Peacock directly through YouTube’s Primetime Channels marketplace, giving them seamless access to on-demand shows, movies, and live sports.
This move reflects the growing trend of making streaming services more convenient and accessible under a single umbrella, allowing audiences to choose content in ways that best fit their lifestyles.
Justin Connolly, global head of media and sports at YouTube, emphasized the importance of the deal by noting that it builds on a longstanding partnership while keeping pace with modern viewing habits. “This agreement recognizes the importance of making content available where and how viewers want to watch it,” he said.
A particularly significant element of the deal is the extended availability of Peacock across Google’s platforms. Users of Google Play and Google TV will continue to enjoy easy access to Peacock’s programming, strengthening ties between one of the world’s largest tech companies and one of the most recognized names in entertainment.
The timing of this agreement is crucial, as the U.S. television industry undergoes major transformation. According to Nielsen, YouTube has now become the largest platform for TV viewing in the United States, surpassing both Netflix and traditional media companies such as Disney. By securing NBCUniversal’s content, YouTube TV strengthens its position among the top four U.S. pay-TV distributors while also offering subscribers a comprehensive mix of streaming and live television.
Though negotiations were tense at points, the successful resolution highlights the importance of collaboration in the media sector. Talks had temporarily stalled over carriage fees, but both companies ultimately recognized the long-term value of working together. A short-term extension earlier in the week prevented a blackout and ensured subscribers did not lose access to NBC programming while final details were ironed out. This careful management underscores both companies’ commitment to putting consumers first.
Industry analysts note that Google’s financial strength and YouTube TV’s growing subscriber base give it strong leverage in future negotiations with other media companies, such as Paramount Skydance and Fox Corporation. For NBCUniversal, the deal ensures its programming remains available to millions of digital-first households, expanding its reach at a time when more viewers are shifting from cable to streaming platforms.
Overall, this agreement signals a win-win outcome. Viewers can continue enjoying the shows they love without disruption, YouTube TV secures its reputation as a dependable service for live and on-demand content, and NBCUniversal ensures its programming remains at the center of America’s evolving media habits. In an era where media partnerships are constantly tested, Google and NBCUniversal’s long-term pact stands out as a positive step toward stability, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
