Football fans, brace yourselves: YouTube TV subscribers could lose access to Fox channels this week, right as the NFL and college football seasons get underway.
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Both YouTube TV (owned by Google) and Fox confirmed Monday evening that their carriage agreement could expire on August 27th at 5PM ET, putting channels like Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Sports, and the Big Ten Network at risk. In some regions where Fox also owns local affiliates, the blackout could even affect live NFL broadcasts.
The timing isn’t accidental. Sports rights are one of the biggest bargaining chips in TV deals, and with Week 1 of the NFL around the corner, plus Texas vs. Ohio State kicking off college football this Saturday, leverage is at its peak.
The dispute? As always, money.
YouTube TV says Fox is demanding “far higher” payments than other networks with similar content. Fox counters that Google is using its market power to force unfavorable terms, “prioritizing their own interests over a fair agreement for customers.”
Adding another layer: Fox just launched Fox One, its new direct-to-consumer streaming package. For now, it’s bundled into existing pay TV subscriptions at no extra cost, but its presence complicates negotiations. If Fox content disappears from YouTube TV’s 9.4 million subscribers, Fox One could suddenly look like a convenient alternative.
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To soften the blow, YouTube TV says it will offer a $10 monthly credit if Fox programming is unavailable “for an extended period.” In other words, this isn’t just about channel lineups, it’s a preview of how the streaming wars are reshaping sports, news, and the TV experience as we know it.