Less than two weeks before the 2025 NFL season kicks off, Fox and YouTube TV are in a carriage dispute that threatens a network blackout on the Google-owned service within days.
YouTube TV posted a statement today that says Fox’s “content may become unavailable on YouTube TV as early as August 27, 2025 at 5 PM ET.”
“While Fox remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with Google’s YouTube TV, we are disappointed that Google continually exploits its outsized influence by proposing terms that are out of step with the marketplace,” the network posted today. “We are alerting Fox viewers who are YouTube TV subscribers that they could lose access to much of their favorite news, sports, entertainment and local station programming unless Google engages in a meaningful way soon.”
YouTube TV’s statement reads in part: “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. … We’re committed to continuing to work with Fox to reach an agreement, but if their content becomes unavailable for an extended period of time, we’ll offer our subscribers a $10 credit.
YouTube TV listed which channels would be blocked if the standoff continues. They include Fox, its sports channels, Fox News and Fox Business along with streamer Fox Nation and some add-ons. See the service’s full statement below.
Fox Sports is set to launch its 2025 NFL coverage with a brace of games on Sunday, September 7. The slate includes such premier matchups as San Francisco 49ers at the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants at the Washington Commanders.
Back in February, YouTube TV and what was then Paramount Global reached a carriage deal that averted a blackout of CBS and 22 other networks. This week’s situation recalls 2019, when CBS stations went dark on satcaster DirecTV weeks before the start of the NFL regular season.
Here is the full statement from YouTube TV:
Our current agreement with Fox is approaching its renewal date and we are in active and ongoing negotiations to continue carrying their content. Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive. 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.
We want to be transparent about these discussions: if we are unable to reach a new agreement by 5:00 PM ET on August 27, 2025, Fox channels including Fox Sports, Business, and News would become unavailable on YouTube TV. Content from these channels saved in your library would also become unavailable at this time.
We are working diligently with the team at Fox to reach an agreement. We know this uncertainty is frustrating, and if Fox content becomes unavailable for an extended period of time, we will provide our members with a $10 credit. In the meantime, in the event that Fox content becomes unavailable, you will still be able to watch their shows and sports by signing up for Fox One.
We value our partnership with Fox and will continue our discussions toward reaching a deal that keeps their content on YouTube TV.
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