On August 29, YouTube and Fox announced a new distribution deal that ensures Fox News, Fox Sports, and other Fox channels will remain available on YouTube TV. The agreement follows tense negotiations that previously raised concerns about potential service disruptions for millions of subscribers.
In a statement shared with CNBC, YouTube confirmed:
“We’re pleased to have reached a deal that preserves the value of our service for our subscribers.”
Both companies declined to reveal the financial terms. Earlier this week, YouTube said Fox was seeking fees “significantly higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive.”
Adding pressure to the talks, Fox recently launched Fox One, an independent streaming service priced at $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually. This move was widely seen as a strategic effort to strengthen Fox’s bargaining position with distributors like YouTube.
Before the deal was finalized, YouTube warned that it might remove Fox channels — including Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports — starting 5 p.m. ET on August 27. This would have meant YouTube TV subscribers missing a highly anticipated college football matchup between Texas and Ohio State, as well as the start of the NFL season in early September.
Brendan Carr, Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), expressed satisfaction that the two sides reached an agreement:
“This is great news for college football fans and avoids blackouts. Enjoy the games this weekend!”
YouTube TV currently boasts 9.4 million subscribers and offers more than 100 live TV channels at a base price of $82.99 per month. According to Nielsen, YouTube captured over 13% of total TV watch time in the U.S. in July, reinforcing its leadership in audience engagement.
In addition to college football and NFL coverage, Fox holds broadcast rights for Major League Baseball (MLB) games and the World Series, which is set to begin in late October.
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