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Roku, Google Battle It Out Over YouTube TV App, But What Does It Mean For Viewers?
04/30/21 AT 1:19 PM
Roku (ROKU) has removed Google’s YouTubeTV from its channel store after the two companies failed to come to a distribution agreement.
The agreement between the two companies expired on Friday, and without a deal being reached, new subscribers will not see the YouTube TV app return until Google and Roku come to a new terms agreement, The Verge reported.
Roku spokesperson Dallas Lawrence told USA Today that the company was “disappointed” that Google allowed the contract to lapse, saying, “It is well past time for Google to embrace the principles that have made streaming so popular for millions of users by giving consumers control of their streaming experience, by embracing fair competition and by ceasing anticompetitive practices.”
Roku plans to email customers about the removal of YouTube TV.
In a blog post published Friday, Google claims the company wanted to renew its deal with Roku under current conditions, but Roku sought to renegotiate a separate deal expiring in December involving its main YouTube app. Despite our best efforts to come to an agreement in the best interests of our mutual users, Roku terminated our deal in bad faith amidst our negotiation, reads the statement. Unfortunately, Roku has often engaged in this tactic with other streaming providers.
Earlier this week, Roku warned its users recent negotiations over YouTube TV had broken down over unfair terms from Google that the company believed could harm its users.
USA TODAY
Roku has warned owners of its devices who subscribe to YouTube TV that they might lose access to the app, citing unfair terms from Google.
According to a copy of the email sent to users and obtained by USA TODAY, the media streaming player told users recent negotiations with Google to carry YouTube TV, which the internet giant owns
, broke down because Roku cannot accept Google’s unfair terms as we believe they could harm our users.
The email also says Roku remains committed to reach a deal to retain access to YouTube TV.
In a separate statement, Roku spokesperson Dallas Lawrence told USA TODAY that Google is trying to force Roku to accept terms that will hurt the platform and its users.
Roku is buying the content library of Quibi, the short-lived streaming service, to bulk up its own free ad-supported channel. Quibi, short for quick bites,