The first games of football season loom, and with them, the high-profile contract renegotiations for the stations and streamers that air them. Last night, Fox and YouTube TV fired off dueling statements indicating they were at loggerheads on their latest deal renewal. The way Fox tells it on an attack-ad-style microsite: “Google is attempting to use its market power to pressure Fox to agree to unfavorable and one-sided terms, prioritizing their own interests over a fair agreement for its customer.” And per a statement on YouTube TV’s blog: “Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive.” If the icy standoff doesn’t thaw by 5 p.m. ET on August 27, Fox’s local channels, Fox Sports, Fox News, Fox Business, and the Big Ten Network could all go dark. Quelle drama!
In a TV universe largely shaped by streaming, it’s only the latest such carriage dispute for YouTube TV, which previously wrestled with Paramount over a similar renewal in February, before the parties agreed to another multi-year deal. In light of this Fox predicament, YouTube TV has promised viewers a $10 credit if the Fox channels go dark for an extended period of time. (YouTube TV subscriptions cost $83 per month.)
One likely roadblock in the talks? Fox just launched its own new streaming service, Fox One, that will feature all the NFL games that air on Fox local affiliates. Hopefully Fox and YouTube TV patch things up soon: Taylor Swift might be wearing a rock at some games, after all.
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The carriage dispute could result in Fox disappearing from the service entirely — just in time for football season.
