FCC Investigates Google, YouTube for Alleged Religious Programming Discrimination

The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is investigating YouTube TV over allegations of discrimination against faith-based programming, specifically regarding the exclusion of the Great American Family channel. Great American Media claims that YouTube TV marginalizes its content while it is available on other platforms like Comcast and Hulu. In his letter to Google’s leadership, Carr highlighted concerns over censorship in public discourse and questioned whether YouTube has discriminatory policies against faith-based channels. He acknowledged that while the FCC currently has limited authority over virtual multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) like YouTube TV, there are calls for expanding regulatory oversight. The investigation could have significant implications for the regulatory framework governing digital platforms and the balance of power between government and tech companies. YouTube responded, indicating its readiness to provide information regarding its business decisions based on user demand and operational factors.