With millions of viewers at stake and major sporting events looming, YouTube TV and Fox Corp. push talks forward after a last-minute deal prevents disruption for subscribers.
In a dramatic turn of events, YouTube TV and Fox Corp. narrowly avoided a blackout on Wednesday by agreeing to a short-term extension of their carriage deal. The agreement, reached just as the deadline loomed at 5 p.m. ET, gives both sides more time to iron out a new long-term contract for the Fox broadcast network, Fox News, and other Fox-owned linear channels.
For YouTube TV’s 8 million subscribers, the extension comes as a sigh of relief. Without it, millions risked losing access to must-watch content, including Saturday’s much-anticipated college football clash between Texas and Ohio State—one of the season’s biggest games.
“YouTube TV subscribers deserve uninterrupted access to their favorite channels,” the company wrote in a blog post, assuring customers that negotiations are ongoing. “We are committed to advocating on behalf of our subscribers as we work toward a fair deal.”
The impasse between the streaming giant and Fox escalated earlier this week, drawing national attention. Even FCC Chairman Brendan Carr weighed in on the dispute—despite the agency having no direct authority in such negotiations.
“Google removing Fox channels from YouTube TV would be a terrible outcome,” Carr warned in a post on X. “Millions of Americans are relying on YouTube to resolve this dispute so they can keep watching the news and sports they want – including this week’s Big Game: Texas @ Ohio State. Get a deal done Google!”
YouTube TV responded in kind, trying to strike a lighter note while reassuring fans:
“We love football too @brendancarrfcc! We’re working hard to negotiate a deal that’s fair to Fox, our valued subscribers and all of our partners. Stay tuned.”
The high-stakes talks come at a critical time for sports fans. Beyond Saturday’s college football spectacle, the NFL season is just weeks away, with the MLB playoffs and the World Series following close behind. Any blackout could leave subscribers stranded during some of the year’s most-watched broadcasts.
Since its launch just eight years ago, YouTube TV has grown into one of the nation’s largest pay-TV providers. But with growth has come higher costs: the service has raised prices twice in the past two years, citing escalating programming fees. Still, it continues to innovate with features like Multiview and exclusive access to the NFL Sunday Ticket at discounted rates.
For now, the lights stay on. But subscribers will be watching closely—not just their favorite teams, but also the tense negotiations playing out behind the scenes.