NBCUniversal and YouTubeTV reach agreement to avoid dropped channels

After YouTube TV and NBCUniversal announced a “short” extension on Thursday to keep more than a dozen channels on the live TV service, YouTube TV and NBCUniversal say they have finalized a deal — meaning NBC-owned channels will stay put on YouTube TV.

“We’re thrilled to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying the full NBCUniversal portfolio of channels,” according to a Saturday update to YouTube’s blog. “That means you won’t lose access to any of their channels, and YouTube TV will continue to offer 85+ networks for $64.99. We appreciate NBCUniversal’s willingness to work toward an agreement, and we also appreciate your patience as we negotiated with them on your behalf.”

With a deal reached just days after it looked as though the channels could get dropped, YouTube TV users will still have access to a dozen-plus channels that include:

• NBC
• Bravo
• CNBC
• E!
• Golf Channel
• MSNBC
• Oxygen
• SYFY
• Telemundo
• The Olympic Channel
• Universal Kids
• Universo
• USA Network

Plus, regional sports networks:

• NBC Sports Bay Area
• NBC Sports Boston
• NBC Sports California
• NBC Sports Chicago
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• NBC Sports Washington
• SNY

YouTube TV had said that should the service lose the channels, it would have lowered its prices by $10 per month. But with a deal reached, the price will stay the same — and YouTube TV users will still be able to find their TV within one app without needing to subscribe elsewhere to get coverage from NBC-owned properties.