Own A Roku? YouTube TV Is Leaving Soon. Here’s What You Need To Know

If you are a Roku customer, you may be losing access to YouTube next month as a corporate spat between Roku and Google continues without resolution.

For the better part of this year, Roku and Google have been locked in an acrimonious war of words. It all started in April when Roku customers received an email notifying them that they may no longer be able to use YouTube TV because of a conflict with Google over a contract dispute.

In the message, Roku accused its partner of "unfair and anti-competitive requirements" for data sharing that it found unacceptable. In response, Google accused Roku of terminating their deal “in bad faith.”

As of press time, negotiations for a renewed contract are still underway between Google and Roku as the fate of YouTube TV for Roku customers hangs in the balance.

Here are the facts you should know about the dispute and what it may mean for you:

It's A Battle Over Data Access And Preferential Treatment

As mentioned in their letter, Roku has accused Google of abusing its market position to force it into accepting contract terms that are lopsided in their favor.

On Oct. 21, Roku released a statement to update users on the status of their discussions with Google. In it, the company accused Google of "blatant retaliation and monopoly conduct" and also of seeking unfair concessions on ad revenue and actively discriminating against Roku despite their deal.

Specifically, Roku alleged that Google had pushed it to preference YouTube over other content providers. In addition, it added that Google was “demanding search, voice, and data features that they do not insist on from other streaming platforms.”

Google insisted that these claims were “baseless," but CNBC reported that the company did in fact insist that “a dedicated shelf for YT search results is a must.”

Roku Users May Lose Access To YouTube TV After Dec. 9

Anyone who purchases a Roku TV in the future may be the most impacted by the company’s tussle with Google.

During an earnings call on Nov. 4, Roku Senior Vice President Scott Rosenberg said that there was no update to talks with Google about a new contract. He added that the goal of talks with Google was to ensure the best possible experience for users more than it was about money.

"One thing I will say is, as we said before, it's not about the money, it's about our ability to create the best possible experience for our customers," said Rosenberg. He added that Roku's "goal is to land it in a way that's positive for Roku and for our customers."

The comment on its surface is a positive message to customers that Roku would not be compromising on its sticking points in talks with Google.

The initial contract between the two was set to expire in December, but YouTube TV access could be lost to new users by Dec. 9. Access will not be lost to existing subscribers to either YouTube TV or the main YouTube app on Roku however, something both Google and Roku attested to in their initial emails to customers from April.

That said, if you want to keep that access, you cannot delete either app. If you do, there will not be the option of redownloading it since Roku has already removed YouTube TV from its app store. If you already deleted it, Google says that casting YouTube from a mobile device to a Roku TV remains an option.

Roku vs. Google Is Getting Congress' Attention

In accusing Google of abusing its market power, Roku indirectly called on Congress to get involved.

“Google’s actions are designed to stifle competition and harm consumers which is why there is broad bipartisan support in Congress today to reign in monopoly abuses,” Roku said in a statement on Oct. 21.

It appears Congress was listening and lawmakers are taking positions on the dispute.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn, said that Roku's allegations that Google demanded special treatment "highlights why we need new laws to prevent them [dominant tech platforms] from abusing their power as gatekeepers."

“For too long, dominant platforms have leveraged their power to preference their products over those of smaller online businesses,” Klobuchar posted on Twitter in October.

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., also sided with Roku. On Twitter, Cicilline said that Google’s behavior was why Congress needed to act soon to curb the power of Big Tech.

“We cannot allow Big Tech to continue to throw its weight around, bully other businesses, and harm consumers. This must end,” said Cicilline.