A potential loss of access to all FOX-branded cable television channels and FOX Television Stations properties for those who subscribe to YouTube TV has been prevented — officially.
A long-term retransmission consent agreement was announced on Thursday evening by YouTube. On social media platform X, the Google-owned vMVPD said, “We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal with Fox to keep their content on YouTube TV. This means that Fox channels, including the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports, remain available, and football fans will not miss any of the action this weekend.”
YouTube TV and FOX on Wednesday were able to reach a temporary short-term accord preventing a “blackout” of the channels. That would have happened at 5pm Eastern, had no agreement been approved.
On the YouTube TV official blog, it explained why YouTube TV is sparring with Fox ahead of the short-term accord reached Wednesday that “we are in active and ongoing negotiations to continue carrying their content. Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive. Our priority is to reach a deal that reflects the value of their content and is fair for both sides without passing on additional costs to our subscribers.”
The tussle is particularly notable because of comments made on the social media platform X from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, siding with Fox on the matter.
“Google removing Fox channels from YouTube TV would be a terrible outcome,” he posted. “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!”
That’s just happened.
And, Carr is thrilled. “I’m very pleased that Google and Fox have now reached a deal,” he posted on X Thursday evening. “This is great news for college football fans and avoids blackouts. Enjoy the games this weekend!”
