Google-owned YouTube TV is in a dispute with Fox Corporation that could see millions of subscribers lose access to Fox channels, including Fox News, Fox Sports, and local Fox stations. The companies are negotiating a renewal agreement, but stress over rising carriage fees has brought the talks to the brink of a blackout.
With the deal set to expire Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. ET, both sides are publicly trading statements while warning customers of what’s at stake.
Is YouTube TV dropping Fox News?
YouTube TV confirmed in a blog post and subscriber email that Fox channels may go dark if the companies fail to reach a new agreement. “Our goal is to keep Fox content, including channels like the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports on YouTube TV,” the service said in a statement. “We hope to reach a deal, but we want to be transparent that if we’re unable to reach an agreement by August 27, their content may become unavailable.” (via Variety)
The streaming platform argues that Fox is demanding higher fees than competitors with similar offerings. “Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive,” YouTube said, stressing that it does not want to pass those extra costs onto subscribers.
If Fox channels are pulled, YouTube TV plans to issue a $10 credit to users. Subscribers could still watch Fox content through Fox’s own streaming options, such as Fox One.
Why is Keep Fox trending?
Fox Corporation has launched a proactive campaign to rally its viewers and pressure YouTube into a deal. The company created the website KeepFox.com, which lays out its side of the argument and warns subscribers that they could miss major sporting events.
This public strategy is a key reason “#KeepFox” is trending. Fox’s statement expresses disappointment, claiming Google “continually exploits its outsized influence by proposing terms that are out of step with the marketplace.” By directing viewers to the site, Fox is leveraging its audience to gain negotiating leverage, highlighting the potential loss of the NFL on Fox, college football, and MLB playoffs.
For now, millions of YouTube TV subscribers wait to see if the service will strike a last-minute deal with Fox or if they’ll wake up without some of their most-watched channels.
