Thursday announcement from YouTube states that the company has come to an agreement with Fox to continue a partnership.
FOX News is going to continue to be available on YouTube TV, alongside other news channels, as the streaming platform also partners with ABC, CBS, NBC, and ABC News. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
YouTube TV and Fox announced that they reached a deal to renew their carriage agreement on Thursday. After announcing a short-term deal to keep Fox on the platform on Wednesday, YouTube stated in a blog post that the two companies came to a long-term agreement.
“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Fox to keep their content on YouTube TV, preserve the value of our service for our subscribers and offer more flexibility in the future,” YouTube stated. “This means that Fox channels, including the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports, remain available for our subscribers along with 100+ channels and football fans will not miss any of the action this weekend.”
Leading up to this agreement, Fox was pushing for its audience to speak out against the ending of the partnership, sending its readership to a keepfox.com. This website urged YouTube TV customers to contact YouTube TV and express their interest in continuing the partnership. Now that the two platforms have come to a deal, the page showcases a short statement.
“GOOD NEWS, YouTube TV CUSTOMERS,” the website states. “FOX and YouTube TV signed an agreement for FOX networks, including FOX News Channel, FOX Sports, FS1, Big Ten Network, and all FOX Local Stations”.
YouTube TV customers can continue to access live sports games through Fox channels, just in time for NFL and college football seasons. They will also have the option to access Fox content through a direct-to-customer streaming service called FOX One, which was launched last week and costs $19.99 per month with a seven-day free trial or $199.99 a year.
YouTube TV subscribers won’t have to worry about missing key college football games and other Fox content after the two sides struck a deal yesterday. “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached an agreement with Fox to keep their content on YouTube TV,” the Alphabet-owned company wrote on its blog.
Earlier this week, YouTube TV warned subscribers that they could lose access to Fox content including the start of the NFL season and a key college football game between top-ranked Texas and Utah. The standoff was over money, of course, with YouTube TV saying Fox demanded more of it than rival stations with comparable offerings.
That has now been resolved with a “renewal of the full portfolio of Fox networks, including Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Weather, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes, Big Ten Network, the Fox network and all Fox Local Stations,” Fox said in its own press release.
Such disputes are not unusual and often happen ahead of key sporting events, allowing stations like Fox to ratchet up the pressure on cable operators and live streaming services. In the past, YouTube TV has lost access to local Fox stations that carry regional sports, though usually disputes are extended and resolved before they get that far.
Fox has a bit more leverage now, having recently launched the Fox One streaming service that includes all NFL and MLB games aired on Fox networks, for $20 per month or $200 per year. YouTube TV also exclusively offers NFL Sunday Ticket that broadcasts NFL games produced by Fox and CBS that aren’t available on local affiliates as an add-on starting at $85 per month. That package was never impacted by the standoff.
According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Detroit sports fans may be in for a rude awakening this week. YouTube TV and Fox are locked in a contract dispute, and if a deal isn’t reached by Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. ET, subscribers could lose access to Fox channels, including Fox Sports, BTN, and local Detroit station Fox 2 (WJBK).
That’s not just politics and cable news at risk. It means Detroit Lions, Tigers, Michigan, and Michigan State games could disappear from YouTube TV screens just as the fall sports calendar heats up.
What’s at Stake for Detroit Fans
The Lions open their season Sept. 7 against the Packers on CBS, but their Week 2 home matchup vs. the Bears is scheduled for Fox. In fact, 8 of Detroit’s 16 regular-season games are currently slated for Fox broadcasts, plus a potential Week 18 flex game.
Michigan State fans could also be in trouble, the Spartans’ season opener against Western Michigan (FS1) and their Week 3 game vs. Youngstown State (BTN) would be impacted. Michigan football faces a similar scenario, with its Week 3 game vs. Central Michigan and the Nov. 29 showdown with Ohio State both scheduled for Fox channels.
And baseball fans? The Detroit Tigers vs. Royals game on Aug. 30 is set for exclusive Fox coverage, with the ALDS and ALCS also belonging to Fox, a nightmare if the Tigers make a playoff run.
Why It’s Happening
YouTube TV says Fox is demanding higher fees than other providers, while Fox insists its content justifies the price. If the sides can’t reach a deal, Fox channels will be removed.
YouTube TV has promised a $10 credit if the blackout lasts “an extended period,” but that won’t replace live games.
What You Can Do
If you’re a YouTube TV subscriber and don’t want to miss Detroit sports:
FuboTV still carries all Fox networks.
The Fox One app offers a 7-day free trial, then $19.99/month.
Traditional cable and satellite providers still carry Fox as part of standard packages.
Until Wednesday’s deadline, fans are left waiting, and hoping.