YouTube TV's alleged exclusion of faith-based programming has drawn scrutiny from FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who sent a formal inquiry to Google and YouTube leadership on March 7. The investigation stems from complaints by Great American Media about their networks being denied carriage on the platform.

The controversy centers on YouTube TV's current limited religious programming offerings, with UP Faith & Family available only as an optional add-on while networks like Great American Family remain excluded despite their presence on other streaming and cable services.

YouTube TV maintains their channel selection process is based purely on business factors including:

• User demand
• Operational costs
• Licensing agreements
• Financial considerations

The company explicitly denies any discrimination against religious content, though Commissioner Carr seeks to determine if there's evidence of systematic exclusion in practice.

The timing is particularly significant as:

• Google faces an ongoing antitrust case from the Justice Department
• Great American Media's leadership has notable political connections
• Questions of digital censorship remain prominent in public discourse

The FCC investigation could potentially lead to:

• Mandatory changes in YouTube TV's channel partnership approach
• Expanded faith-based programming offerings
• Further examination of content selection practices across streaming services

While the immediate impact remains uncertain, this inquiry highlights growing tensions between traditional media channels, streaming platforms, and regulatory oversight in the evolving digital entertainment landscape.

Related Articles

Previous Articles