The YouTube logo, seen here in front of its building in San Bruno, Calif. in March of 2018. YouTube TV will drop all FOX content Wednesday at 5 p.m. EDT unless the two companies reach a content deal. File Photo by EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Google warned that broadcasts of Fox channels will be pulled from its YouTube TV service if the two sides can’t reach a deal on carriage price.
YouTube TV, owned by Google, posted a blog Monday in which it says if it and Fox can’t come to an agreement by 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday, channels such as Fox Business, Fox News and Fox Sports will become unavailable on its platform.
This would also mean any content saved by YouTube TV customers from FOX will also be locked out.
The blog noted that its current agreement with Fox is close to its renewal date and that the two entertainment entities are in negotiations. However, YouTube alleged that “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,” the blog continued.
YouTube TV then further explained that should it and Fox not come to a deal, and Fox content become “unavailable for an extended period of time,” it will give its members a $10 credit.
Anyone still looking to watch Fox programming at that point would need to sign 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,” the blog concluded.
Fox has also posted about the situation online. On the undated “keepFOX.com” site, the company purports that it has proposed “a fair, comprehensive deal to continue our relationship with YouTube TV.”
“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 customers,” the post adds.
Fox then cautions that should it be dropped, YouTube TV viewers would lose tentpole content such as any NFL games or college football it carries, as well as all the shows on Fox News.
“Act now and tell YouTube TV you don’t want to lose these channels,” the post says, then provides a direct link to Google Support’s YouTube TV Help page where viewers can express their issues.
