YouTube TV has started warning subscribers that they may lose access to a variety of Fox channels, and as early as this week. As the channels are now subject to a dispute, they will only remain available on YouTube TV if YouTube and Fox can agree a new deal.
The affected channels include the main Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports. If a new deal is not agreed in time, these channels and others could be removed from the service’s lineup as early as 5 PM ET tomorrow (Aug. 27).
In addition to the live channels, YouTube TV subscribers would also lose access to any related on demand programming, as well as any Fox content they have already recorded and saved to their library.
Here’s the full list of channels that could be removed from YouTube TV this week:
- BTN
- FOX
- FOX Business
- Fox Deportes
- FOX News
- FOX Soccer Plus
- FOX SOUL
- FOX Sports 1
- FOX Sports 1 4K
- FOX Sports 2
- FOX Weather
- KTVU Plus
- LiveNOW from FOX
Losing these channels won’t only affect those subscribed to the base live TV package, but also those paying for the following add-ons:
- 4K Plus
- Sports Plus
- Spanish Plus
- Fox Nation
“Our current agreement with Fox is approaching its renewal date, and we are in active negotiations to continue carrying their content. Our priority is to reach a deal that’s fair for both sides and allows us to preserve the value of our service,” YouTube said.
While negotiations are ongoing, a major issue appears to be the price YouTube would pay for the affected channels in the future.
“Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive,” YouTube added.
Assuming the deadline passes without a deal in place, and subscribers do lose access to the channels for an extended period of time, YouTube says it will be providing YouTube TV subscribers with a $10 credit.
The timing of this dispute is interesting for a variety of reasons. YouTube TV subscribers not only face the possibility of losing these channels ahead of the start of football season, but also days after the launch of the new Fox One streaming service.
Priced at $19.99/mo, Fox One is home to everything Fox, including all of the live channels affected by this dispute.
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