YouTube TV subscribers get to keep their NBCU channels for now. NBCUniversal has agreed to a “short extension” while the talks continue.
In a statement to The Streamable, a NBC spokesperson said: “NBCUniversal and YouTube TV have agreed to a short extension while parties continue talks. NBCUniversal will not go dark on YouTube TV at midnight eastern tonight.”
This means that users will still be able to watch more than 14 NBC-owned networks, including all local NBC affiliates and NBC Sports RSNs.
Had the deal fallen apart tonight, YouTube TV offered to drop the price of its service to $54.99 a month.
What Channels Were Threatened?
The channels tangled in the conflict included all NBC local affiliates, as well as Bravo, CNBC, E!, Golf Channel, MSNBC, NBC Sports Network, Oxygen, Syfy, Telemundo, Universal Kids, Universo, and USA Network.
Also at issue were local NBC Sports RSNs — including NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and NBC Sports Washington.
Alternatives to YouTube TV
The threat of lost channels may have pushed some YouTube TV subscribers to consider other services. If this applies to you, we can walk you through the closest alternatives. Each has its pros and cons. We’ll provide a quick overview of each.
Closest YouTube TV Alternatives
-
Hulu Live TV
This is probably the closest one-to-one comparison to YouTube TV. You’ll get access to up to 0 channels.
Hulu Live TV also provides a phenomenal on-demand library of original titles, including “The Handmaid's Tale,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “Palm Springs,” “PEN15,” “Shrill,” and a great rotating library of blockbuster movies. If you bundle Hulu Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+, you’ll save $7/month. With a free trial, this is an easy choice.
Hulu includes a cloud DVR with 50 hours of capacity, though you can’t fast-forward through commercials. You can upgrade to the Enhanced Cloud DVR for $10/month. That provides 200 hours of storage space and you can skip ads.
Key takeaway: Comparable channel lineup with great, exclusive originals on demand.
Full breakdown: Hulu Live TV vs. YouTube TV ►
-
Fubo
Billing itself as a sports-lover’s dream, fuboTV includes free 4K broadcasts (unlike YouTube TV), and a ton of flexible sports add-ons. FuboTV can give you as many as 151 channels. You would lose access to AMC, Cartoon Network, CNN, TBS, TNT, truTV, and WE tv, however. You do get a free trial with fuboTV, so it’s also an easy one to try.
FuboTV provides a 250-hour cloud DVR. For another $5/month, you can upgrade to a 1,000-hour DVR.
Key takeaway: Sports options galore with free 4K.
Full breakdown: fuboTV vs. YouTube TV ►
-
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM can get expensive quickly, but that might be worth it for access to as many as 213 channels, including more regional sports networks than any other service. There are four tiers of service available, so you can tailor your choices.
DIRECTV STREAM does not offer NFL RedZone or NFL Network, however.
DIRECTV STREAM’s included DVR only provides 20 hours of cloud storage. You can upgrade to Unlimited Storage for $10/month.
Key takeaway: The most channels available to stream, the best Regional Sports Network options.
Full breakdown: DIRECTV STREAM vs. YouTube TV ►
-
Sling TV
Sling TV has the most flexible channel packages available, allowing users to save a lot of money. The service offers two separate channel packages for $35 or a combo of the two for just $50. Sling TV does not offer ABC, CBS, Telemundo, The CW, and Univision. But you can get Fox and NBC in select markets.
You can add NFL RedZone to Sling TV.
Sling TV includes 50 hours of recording space with each subscription. For $5/month, you can have up to 200 hours of recording space.
Key takeaway: Save money with skinnier bundles.
Full breakdown: Sling TV vs. YouTube TV ►
The Push for Peacock
Some analysts believe that NBCUniversal picked this fight in order to get YouTube TV to add Peacock as part of a YouTube TV bundle. It’s understandable the company wants more subscribers to its streaming platform, but you cannot watch your local NBC affiliate or live channels like MSNBC or CNBC on Peacock. If you do try the service, you will get access to WWE events and some excellent movies and exclusive original series.