YouTube TV threatens to drop Fox over carrier dispute
YouTube TV is warning subscribers they could soon lose access to Fox News, Fox Sports and Fox Broadcast network if the two sides do not reach a deal on carrier fees in the coming days.
In a note to subscribers Monday, the Google-owned service notified its customers it is approaching its renewal date with Fox and is in active negotiations to continue carrying the media conglomerate's news, sports and entertainment offerings.
"Our priority is to reach a deal that’s fair for both sides, as well as our subscribers," the message said. "We want to be transparent about these discussions: if we are unable to reach an agreement with Fox by August 27, 2025, their content may become unavailable. If this happens, this will impact channels like the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports, as well as any Library recordings you have from these channels."
YouTube TV said if an agreement is not reached and Fox content "becomes unavailable for an extended period of time," the company will offer its subscribers a $10 credit.
Fox, in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday, similarly indicated it "remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with Google’s YouTube TV."
"We are disappointed that Google continually exploits its outsized influence by proposing terms that are out of step with the marketplace," the company said. "We are alerting Fox viewers who are YouTube TV subscribers that they could lose access to much of their favorite news, sports, entertainment and local station programming unless Google engages in a meaningful way soon."
The dispute comes just days before the kickoff of Week 1 of the college football season and less than two weeks before NFL Week 1 games are scheduled to be broadcast on the Rupert Murdoch-owned network.
YouTube TV, which has an estimated 10 million subscribers, has emerged in recent years as a leading replacement for the cable bundle, as more consumers cut cable in favor of streaming services for news, sports and entertainment.
Fox, like other traditional media companies, earlier this summer rolled out a direct-to-consumer streaming platform called "Fox One," which YouTube TV mentioned in its note is an option for viewers should a deal between the two sides not be reached.
A standard YouTube TV plan costs just more than $80 per month and grants access to each of the major broadcast and cable networks. A subscription to Fox One is currently priced at $19.99 per month.
