The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is probing YouTube TV over claims regarding the potential discrimination against religious content. The inquiry stems from a letter written by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., addressing a complaint that alleges the platform has been actively marginalizing faith-based programming. This complaint centers around Great American Family, a network celebrated for its wholesome family and Christian-centered shows, which YouTube TV has opted not to carry.
In Carr’s communication, dated March 7, he highlighted that while Great American Family is available on numerous other platforms, including Comcast, Hulu, and FuboTV, it remains absent from the list of options on YouTube TV. This exclusion has led to questions about the criteria used by YouTube TV in determining which channels are included in its lineup. Carr noted, “[T]hese allegations of faith-based discrimination come at a time when American public discourse has experienced an unprecedented surge in censorship,” emphasizing the current climate of digital censorship where individuals often feel stifled for merely sharing their views.
Despite the FCC’s limited authority over YouTube TV—established in 2017—Carr mentioned that regulatory efforts could evolve to encompass virtual multichannel video programming distributors. This change may shed light on broader regulatory questions facing the FCC. He pointed out that independent channels frequently raise complaints when their content is not picked up by major services, indicating a need for clarity surrounding the issue.
In a response to Carr’s inquiry, a representative from YouTube expressed a willingness to discuss the platform’s business strategies and the rationale behind their network selections. The spokesperson noted that YouTube does not maintain any policies that restrict religious material and is open to explaining how user demand and business costs factor into their decision-making.
Great American Family, which has garnered over 101,000 subscribers on YouTube, was established to provide an alternative to established networks, positioning itself against Hallmark and partnering with Pure Flix in 2023 to launch a new streaming service called Great American Pure Flix. Notably, the network has seen impressive growth, countering industry trends with a reported 19% rise in household viewership last November and a significant increase in its audience demographic.
Bill Abbott, Great American Family’s CEO, has previously made headlines following his departure from Crown Media, the parent organization of Hallmark, amid its shift to include more inclusive content. He emphasizes the network’s commitment to showcasing traditional values—a stance that he believes distinguishes Great American Family from mainstream offerings, which he argues often misrepresents faith and family.
Abbott had articulated in earlier interviews how important it is for their content to resonate with central values, stating, “In ‘mainstream’ entertainment, the portrayal of faith, family, and country is often dismissive, caricatured or outright derisive.” As this ongoing conversation between regulatory bodies and tech giants unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how it affects the relationship between streaming services and faith-based networks.
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