Did YouTube TV Censor Christian Programming?

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is demanding answers from Google after claims that YouTube has censored a faith-based television network, Great American Media, from its paid YouTube TV platform.

The network, which offers faith-based and family-friendly content, says YouTube TV refuses to carry its channel, despite being available on major services like Comcast, Cox, and Hulu.

Carr pointed out that Great American Family (GAF), part of Great American Media, is one of the fastest-growing channels in cable TV, yet YouTube TV has excluded it from its lineup.

GAF’s President, Bill Abbott, argues that most of the country is looking for content that differs from Hollywood’s objectionable offerings, adding that they’ve seen a decline in award show ratings due to a disconnect with audience sensibilities.

“I think the majority of the country is looking for something quite different,” Abbott said when speaking with CBN News. “And you look at the awards show ratings, for example, and how far down they have been over the years, and it’s because they’ve totally gone off the rails in terms of what the offering is, and it’s out of touch with the sensibility of the majority of the country.”

Allegations have arisen over YouTube TV discriminating against faith-based programming with Carr noting that the platform features channels with sex, violence, and profanity while lacking faith-based content.

In a letter written by Carr to YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan, as well as Sundar Pichai, the owner of Alphabet which owns YouTube through Google, he stated, “[In] the c]ase of YouTube TV, concerns have been raised alleging that your company has a policy (secret or otherwise) that discriminates against faith-based programming.”

Doug Deason, chair of Great American Media, added to the chorus of criticism, calling out YouTube TV for its liberal bias, with most of its news channels leaning left and excluding key conservative voices.

“Among YouTube TV’s 17 news channels, 12 lean liberal, while only four carry a conservative perspective. Critically, YouTube TV does not include key conservative voices like OAN or Salem News, further narrowing the marketplace of ideas,” Deason stated.

The FCC is pressing for answers, emphasizing that these allegations come at a time when censorship is on the rise, and although the FCC’s authority over YouTube is limited, Carr acknowledged that independent programmers often file complaints when platforms refuse to carry their channels.

In response, a YouTube spokesperson issued a statement that the company’s decisions as to whom they host on their platform is based on factors like user demand, costs, and financial terms, and they have no policy prohibiting religious content.

Speaking to The Verge, the spokesperson said, “We welcome the opportunity to brief the FCC on YouTube TV’s subscription service and the strategic business decisions we make based on factors like user demand, operational cost, and financial terms, and to reiterate that we do not have any policies that prohibit religious content.”

Despite not being on YouTube TV, Great American Family is rapidly growing, increasing its viewership by 19% in 2024 alone, as well as becoming a Top 25 channel in 2024.

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