YouTube TV this week added 10 new local CW affiliates to its streaming service. This expansion brings more hyper-local content to subscribers across the U.S., focusing on markets that have long clamored for broader access to The CW’s mix of nostalgic sitcoms, superhero sagas, and original programming.
The new channels on YouTube TV, all CW affiliates operating as digital subchannels or low-power stations, will roll out immediately for eligible users in their respective Designated Market Areas (DMAs). YouTube TV, which already boasts over 85 channels including major networks and sports packages, continues to invest in local broadcasting to compete with rivals like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.
The full list of newly added CW affiliates includes:
- WWTI-DT2 (Watertown, NY)
- WGCW (Albany, GA)
- WABI-DT2 (Bangor, ME)
- WCJB-DT2 (Gainesville, FL)
- WTWO-DT2 (Terre Haute, IN)
- WNBJ-LD2 (Jackson, TN)
- WVFX-DT2 (Clarksburg, WV)
- WTVY-DT3 (Dothan, AL)
- WSVW (Harrisonburg, VA)
- KALB-DT3 (Alexandria, LA)
This all comes as YouTube TV is facing a possible contract dispute with Disney and could lose Disney owned channels next week.
The core issue revolves around negotiations over programming rates. YouTube TV, with its approximately 10 million subscribers, is pushing for more favorable terms, leveraging its scale to argue for cost reductions. Disney, however, views the proposed terms as unfair, accusing YouTube’s parent company, Google, of prioritizing profits over customer experience. The media giant contends that YouTube TV’s demands could lead to higher prices for subscribers or reduced choices, while also benefiting Disney’s competing live TV services, such as Hulu + Live TV and the soon-to-launch Fubo.
In response, YouTube TV has expressed its commitment to negotiating in good faith, emphasizing its desire to secure a deal that fairly compensates Disney without burdening subscribers with excessive costs. Should negotiations fail, YouTube TV has promised to remove Disney’s content from its platform and offer subscribers a $20 credit if the blackout persists for an extended period. This approach mirrors its recent strategy with NBCUniversal, where a temporary extension paved the way for a finalized agreement days later, averting a blackout.
Cord Cutters News first warned about this contract fight a few months ago.
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