Univision Disappears from YouTube TV: What Viewers Need to Know

Attractive New York TV Market in Spotlight as Google Drops Univision from YouTube TV

YouTube TV Drops TelevisaUnivision Channels in New York Market: What You Need to Know

In a significant move impacting the New York television market, Google’s YouTube TV has removed Univision’s local TV stations and other TelevisaUnivision networks. This came after both parties failed to reach a new agreement on contract renewal. TelevisaUnivision, a giant in Spanish-language broadcasting, expressed disappointment, and Google announced possible credits for affected subscribers.

Google Responds to Contract Disputes and Potential Viewer Impact

Google has offered a $6 credit or refund to YouTube TV’s Spanish Base subscribers if TelevisaUnivision’s programming remains unavailable for an extended duration. This measure, however, might not offset the loss experienced by viewers who rely on this content for daily news, sports, and entertainment.

Univision’s Market Presence and the Impact on YouTube Viewership

TelevisaUnivision boasts an impressive viewership base of over 160 million subscribers globally. Despite their substantial online presence and ad revenue on YouTube, their contribution to YouTube TV’s live subscription service remains minimal, according to Google’s spokesperson. Consequently, the content has been removed from YouTube TV.

ViX: An Alternative for Streaming TelevisaUnivision Content

YouTube encourages viewers to continue enjoying TelevisaUnivision content through their YouTube channels or the company’s streaming platform, ViX. This shift may prompt many viewers to explore streaming options outside of traditional cable bundles.

TelevisaUnivision’s Dialogue on “Hispanic Tax” and Viewer Accessibility

TelevisaUnivision has strongly criticized Google for allegedly imposing an “18 percent Hispanic Tax,” arguing that the removal of Univision from the basic bundle is discriminatory. They claim these actions disproportionately burden Hispanic viewers by forcing them to pay an additional fee for access to crucial Spanish-language programming.

Continued Negotiations with Other Major Network Providers

The dispute with TelevisaUnivision coincides with Google’s ongoing negotiations with NBCUniversal, whose YouTube TV contract is set to expire soon. The industry is closely watching these negotiations, given their potential to affect viewership statistics and subscription dynamics.

Other Networks Affected By the Dispute

Aside from Univision, a suite of TelevisaUnivision channels, including UniMas, TUDN, Galavision, and others, are also impacted by this removal. Previous recordings of these channels available on YouTube TV DVR have also been deleted, according to the platform.

• UniMas
• TUDN
• Galavision
• FOROtv
• De Película and De Película Clásico
• Bandamax
• Telehit and Telehit Música
• tlnovelas

The unfolding scenario highlights the challenges faced by digital platforms and content providers in navigating complex negotiations and contract renewals, impacting consumer access and choice.