President Donald Trump has appealed to Google, urging the company to restore access to Univision on the YouTube TV platform. This request comes after Univision’s channels were dropped by YouTube TV due to a failure to reach a new carriage agreement. Trump expressed that the absence of Univision, a leading Spanish-language broadcaster in the U.S., could negatively affect Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump’s Advocacy for Univision
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “this is VERY BAD for Republicans in the upcoming Midterms.” He appealed to Google for fairness, asking them to reinstate Univision on their platform. This marks another instance of Trump exerting public pressure on major media companies.
YouTube’s Position
YouTube responded, indicating that they are willing to negotiate a new agreement that reflects Univision’s performance on YouTube TV. However, until such a deal is reached, Univision’s content will remain unavailable. The company cited unrealistic demands from TelevisaUnivision as a reason for the lack of a new carriage deal.
Importance of Univision in Politics
Univision has framed the situation not just as a business dispute but as a political issue. They have garnered support from various lawmakers and now have the backing of the president. Daniel Alegre, CEO of TelevisaUnivision, expressed gratitude to Trump for acknowledging the network’s influence and the significance of Hispanic voters.
- TelevisaUnivision boasts over 160 million subscribers.
- The network has generated billions of views across YouTube.
- Hispanic voters played a critical role in Trump’s past campaigns.
Strategic Timing and Financial Settlements
The timing of Trump’s appeal is notable. Recently, YouTube reached a settlement concerning a lawsuit filed by Trump after he was suspended by various social media platforms post-January 6, 2021. As part of the agreement, YouTube will pay $22 million to the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall.
Trump’s relationship with Univision has evolved, as the network now appears to adopt a more centrist stance. Both entities share a vested interest in maintaining an influential partnership, especially as the midterm elections approach.
