NEW YORK — Fox channels could soon be pulled from YouTube TV if the two sides don’t strike a new content usage deal on Wednesday, potentially leaving subscribers of the Google-owned streaming service without Week 1 of some college football games and other content.
That’s because the current carriage agreement between YouTube TV and Fox is coming up for renewal. And if it’s 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, FOX channels like Fox Sports, Business, and News won’t be available on the platform until 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
In a blog post on Monday , YouTube said FOX is “asking for payments that are significantly higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive.” The company added that it hopes to reach an agreement that is “fair to both parties without imposing additional costs on our subscribers.”
If Fox content becomes unavailable on YouTube TV for an “extended period,” YouTube also noted that it will give members a $10 credit. YouTube TV’s base plan — which currently boasts access to over 100 live channels — costs $82.99 per month in the region.
A Google spokesperson had no further comment when reached by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Fox said Wednesday that it was “disappointed that Google continues to use its vast influence to propose terms that are not market-appropriate.” The broadcasting giant added that it remained committed to the deal, but warned viewers that they could potentially lose access to Fox programming on YouTube TV “unless Google engages in a meaningful way soon.”
Fox directed subscribers to keepfox.com, a website that notes that in addition to Fox Sports, Business and News, YouTube TV may no longer carry FS1 and the Big Ten Network, which is majority owned by FOX, if a deal is not reached.
Brendan Karl, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is also at odds — appearing to specifically target Google. He called on the tech company to “get a deal done” on social media on Tuesday.
“Google removing YouTube TV from YouTube TV would be a terrible outcome,” Carr wrote on X. “Millions of Americans rely on YouTube to resolve this dispute so they can continue to watch the news and sports they want, including this week’s big game: Texas @ Ohio State.”
