YouTube TV reaches a “short-term extension” to keep Fox channels on the platform

The current transport agreement between Youtube TV and Fox initially faced a deadline on Wednesday afternoon-with YouTube previously warning that networks like Fox Sports, Business and News would become unavailable on its streaming platform if the two parties do not reach a new agreement at 5 p.m. he.

This would have left YouTube television customers without week 1 of certain university football matches and other Fox broadcast programs. But shortly after, the trunk reached 5 pm on Wednesday, Youtube said he was able to “prevent disturbances” when she continued to work towards a new agreement.

“We are committed to pleading on behalf of our subscribers while we are working on a fair agreement and will keep you informed of our progress,” said YouTube in a brief update announcing the extension.

A Fox spokesperson had no addition comments, but confirmed that the broadcast giant had accepted the short-term extension. It was not immediately clear how long the extension lasts.

In a statement earlier Wednesday, Fox said it was “disappointed that Google continuously exploits its disproportionate influence by offering terms that are out of step with the market”. Fox has also directed subscribers to a site called keepfox.com for more information and to call YouTube to reach an agreement.

In addition to Fox Sports, Business and News, Keepfox.com notes that YouTube TV may no longer transport FS1 and Big Ten Network (which belongs to the majority by Fox) if an agreement is not concluded.

Meanwhile, in a blog post earlier this week, YouTube said that Fox “asked for much higher payments than partners with comparable content offers.” The company added that it hoped to conclude an agreement “just for both parties” without “transmitting additional costs to our subscribers”.

If Fox content becomes unavailable on Youtube TV “for a long period”, YouTube also noted that it would offer members a $ 10 credit. The basic youtube TV – which currently has access to more than 100 live channels – costs $ 82.99 per month.

Brendan Carr, president of the Federal Communications Commission, also participated in the dispute leading to the deadline of Wednesday – while seeming to target Google in particular. He called on the technological company to “conclude an agreement” in an article on social networks.

“Google Removing Youtube TV Fox channels would be a terrible result,” wrote Carr in an article on Tuesday on X. “Millions of Americans count on YouTube to solve this dispute so that they can continue to watch the news and the sports they want – including the great game of this week: Texas @ Ohio State.”

From sporting events to reward emissions, live programming which was once reserved for broadcasting has made its way in the world of streaming over the years – while more and more consumers have abandoned traditional cable or satellite subscriptions for the content they can connect. But the renewal of transport agreements can also mean tense contractual negotiations – sometimes resulting in disturbances of the services.

YouTube TV has already been on this road. In 2021, the YouTube television subscribers briefly lost access to all Disney content on the platform, including networks like ESPN and local ABC stations, after a breach of the contract between the two companies. This breakdown lasted less than two days, the companies having finally reached an agreement.

Beyond the agreements with YouTube TV and others, Fox launched its own streaming platform last week. “Fox One”, which has a starting price of $ 19.99 per month.