Google-owned YouTube has warned that it may be forced to drop Fox channels from its live streaming service YouTube TV if a new agreement is not reached with Fox Corporation by Wednesday.
In a blog post published Monday, YouTube said the dispute could result in the loss of major Fox outlets, including the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports.
The company has been in negotiations with Fox but said both sides have failed to reach a deal ahead of the renewal deadline. Subscribers were also notified by email about the potential blackout.
“Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive,” YouTube wrote. “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.”
If no deal is finalised by 5 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, the Fox channels will no longer be available on YouTube TV. The platform pays broadcasters like Fox to carry their programming, and a blackout could affect advertisers as well as millions of viewers who rely on YouTube TV for live Fox content.
Fox responded in a statement, saying it remained committed to striking a fair agreement but accused Google of using its market dominance to propose terms “out of step with the marketplace.”
The standoff is the latest in a series of contract disputes between content providers and streaming distributors, as viewers continue to abandon traditional cable. Earlier this year, Paramount Global warned YouTube TV customers that more than 20 channels, including CBS, MTV and Nickelodeon, could be dropped before a last-minute multi-year deal was secured.
YouTube TV currently charges $82.99 a month for a base plan that includes more than 100 live channels and unlimited cloud DVR. YouTube said partnerships with networks such as Fox are key to offering a wide range of programming.
Should Fox channels go offline for a prolonged period, YouTube said it would issue subscribers a $10 credit. It also noted that viewers could still access Fox content through the company’s streaming platform, Fox One.
The dispute comes as YouTube strengthens its dominance in the streaming industry, recently surpassing Netflix in audience engagement.
Google has not disclosed official subscriber figures for YouTube TV, but in February 2024, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan confirmed the platform had over 8 million subscribers. Independent estimates from MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson place that figure at roughly 9.4 million paying users.
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