Google is facing pushback over its plan to move Univision off YouTube TV’s core lineup.
Starting Sept. 30, Univision will no longer be part of the $82.99 base package. Instead, it will be placed in a Spanish-language tier that costs an extra $14.99 a month.
Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr sent a letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai urging him to reconsider. “This is one of the many reasons that I am concerned about Google’s apparent plan to eliminate Univision from YouTube TV Live’s basic television package,” Carr wrote.
Carr noted that Univision is the leading Spanish-language network and a vital news source for Georgia’s growing Hispanic population, now nearly 11%. He stressed that in many U.S. cities, Univision ranks as the No. 1 or No. 2 station for local news, regardless of language.
“Consumers, in particular Hispanic households, expect Univision to be among the core television networks available in general market pay television subscriptions,” Carr said, adding that YouTube TV’s decision runs against industry standards.
Carr warned that YouTube TV’s dominance in the streaming market — with about 50% share — comes with a responsibility to act fairly. He argued that pulling Univision from the base package could harm Hispanic households’ access to essential information.
TelevisaUnivision CEO Daniel Alegre echoed that concern, telling FOX Business the move comes ahead of pivotal elections, when Hispanic voters are a growing force.
YouTube, however, defended the change. “While we value our partnership with them, our carriage renewal discussions are based on viewer consumption and pricing, and any suggestion to the contrary is false,” the company said.