NBCUniversal networks will remain on YouTube TV through a long-term distribution agreement with Google; a significant change to March Madness could be on the way in 2026-27; and Dodgers president/CEO Stan Kasten discusses RSNs. Plus news on the NHL on ESPN, Alec Martinez, Religion of Sports and Tony Reali.
NBCUniversal, Google reach long-term distribution agreement
NBCUniversal and Google have reached a long-term distribution agreement that grants subscribers continued access to the NBCU portfolio of networks via YouTube TV, it was announced Thursday. The deal covers all of the current NBCU networks, including those like CNBC, Golf Channel and USA Network that are set to be spun off into the new venture Versant. While the majority of NBCUniversal cable networks will be spun off into Versant upon the close of that transaction, NBCU will continue leading advertising sales and distribution for a few years following the split.
It also includes the new version of NBCSN, which NBCUniversal is going to be re-launching this fall.
As part of the deal, Peacock will be available through YouTube Primetime Channels in the coming months, creating another avenue through which users can sign up to view programming from the streamer. The NBCUniversal-owned platform, which has 41 million subscribers per a recent quarterly earnings report, is also available through the Amazon Channels feature on Prime Video. There had been several reports indicating that YouTube TV seeking to “ingest” Peacock within its app had presumably been holding up the negotiations. NBCUniversal and YouTube TV previously reached a short-term extension early Wednesday morning that prevented a service disruption amid negotiations on the larger agreement.
Matt Schnaars, president of platform distribution and partnerships at NBCUniversal, called the deal “a clear win for both our business and our viewers” in a statement.
NCAA March Madness reportedly moving towards 76-team expansion
The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments could expand to a 76-team field as soon as the 2027 editions, Ross Dellenger of On3 reported Thursday. There had been previous discussions to expand the tournament in time for this coming season, but those were put on hold.
Under the 76-team format, the play-in games (now known as the “First Four”) would take place over two days with 24 teams playing 12 games at two locations. The ensuing first round of the tournament would continue to feature 64 teams. An agreement to implement these changes has not yet been finalized.
The “First Four” has been airing under truTV under the current media rights contract with Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Dellenger reported that plans “could change through the course of continuing talks with TV partners Warner Bros. Discovery and CBS.” During the initial expansion discussions earlier this year, NCAA president Charlie Baker said in May that there had been “good conversations” with CBS Sports and TNT Sports about potentially adding more games to the tournament.
Prior to the start of a 68-team format in 2011, March Madness had not expanded since 1985 when it doubled its field to 64 teams.
Kasten: Dodgers will be ‘active participant’ in MLB local rights solution
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said that the team will be an ‘active participant’ in finding the best solution for Major League Baseball as it seeks a nationalized local television product. In an interview with Alex Sherman of CNBC, Kasten said that the league’s plan to pooling its local rights and create a centralized solution could lead to a “terrific new era” for fans, eradicating blackouts and allowing fans to see every game no matter their location.
While there is ambiguity regarding the future of regional sports networks amid cord cutting and diminished revenues, the Dodgers are an exception — boasting a 25-year deal with then-Time Warner Cable reportedly worth a total of $8.35 billion.
Unlike the Yankees, who own their RSN and were able to strike a digital side-deal with Amazon Prime Video, the Dodgers are unable to sell their own digital rights. “No, we would not be able to do that because we have a great partnership with Charter, and with Major League Baseball,” Kasten said when asked about the possibility. “Both of them have rules and rights. We’ll work alongside both of them to get the best thing for our customers, the best thing for our fans.” MLB and Charter last month announced a SportsNetLA+ direct-to-consumer streaming service available through the MLB app and league website.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred recently said at the Front Office Sports “Tuned In” Summit that he expects the league to have the availability of broadcast rights for all 30 clubs ahead of the expiration of its national deals in 2028.
Plus: NHL on ESPN, Alec Martinez, Religion of Sports, Tony Reali
- ESPN has signed former NHL defenseman P.K. Subban to a multiyear contract extension, under which he will continue working as a studio analyst. In addition, ESPN announced Thursday that former NHL forward T.J. Oshie is joining the network as a game and studio analyst during the season.
- Alec Martinez is returning to the Vegas Golden Knights as a television analyst for select games this season, it was announced by the team on Wednesday. Martinez, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, made his debut on Wednesday night on pregame, intermission and postgame reports.
- Religion of Sports, the production company founded by Gotham Chopra, Tom Brady and Michael Strahan, is developing a gameshow based on the “Immaculate Grid” game owned by Sports Reference, according to a report by Rick Porter of The Hollywood Reporter. The project does not currently have an outlet and is in “its early stages,” but it would presumably include a mix of sports fans, athletes and celebrities.
- Tony Reali, the former host of “Around the Horn” on ESPN, has launched “The Real Ones,” which he describes on his LinkedIn page as being “a new digital-first network where sports, life, and heart collide.” In job descriptions for the brand, Reali mentioned flagship shows (YouTube, Substack and podcast), the details of which are currently unknown.
