Roku and Google Reach Deal to Keep YouTube & YouTube TV Available

Roku and Google Reach Agreement on YouTube and YouTube TV

Following several months of contentious contract negotiations, Roku announced this morning that a new agreement has been reached with Google. This resolution ensures the continued availability of both YouTube and YouTube TV on the Roku platform.

The specific terms of the deal were not disclosed by Roku, although it was confirmed to be a multi-year extension encompassing both services.

Data Access and Allegations

For both Roku and Google users, the details of the agreement remain unclear, particularly regarding which party prevailed in the negotiations and the implications for Google’s access to Roku user data.

During the dispute, Roku publicly voiced concerns about Google’s alleged demands for increased access to customer data, characterizing these requests as exceeding industry norms. Roku asserted that Google sought a greater volume of user data than it provided to other partners.

Threats of Hardware Restrictions

Roku also claimed that Google threatened to impose stricter hardware specifications for YouTube TV, potentially rendering access unavailable on Roku’s more affordable devices. This action would have effectively excluded users of lower-end Roku players from the service.

These are significant accusations, and it is reasonable for customers to expect transparency regarding the outcome of the data-sharing discussions.

Content Prioritization and User Preferences

Determining the resolution of Roku’s other claims may prove simpler. Roku alleged that Google desired preferential placement of YouTube content within Roku’s search results.

Furthermore, Google reportedly sought to override user-defined default settings within the YouTube app. For instance, if a Roku user initiated a voice search for music while YouTube was open, Google wanted YouTube Music to be the default player, even if the user had previously selected Pandora as their preferred music service. The effectiveness of these changes should be readily apparent once the new agreements are implemented.

Public Disclosure and Negotiation Tactics

Roku strategically brought the details of the negotiations into the public domain, aiming to strengthen its position. In October, the company warned customers that negotiations had stalled, potentially leading to the removal of YouTube TV from the platform.

Google's Response

Google refuted Roku’s claims, labeling them as “baseless” and denying any requests for excessive user data access or interference with Roku’s search functionality.

The company also suggested that Roku was leveraging these allegations – which carried potential antitrust implications – as a tactic to renegotiate a separate agreement concerning the core YouTube app. Considering the new agreement now covers both services, it is plausible that Roku achieved success in this regard.

A statement from a Roku spokesperson regarding the new deal was released.

A Google spokesperson also provided a statement:

Google refrained from commenting on the specifics of the data-sharing agreements within the new contract, reiterating its previous denials of Roku’s allegations.