YouTube TV strikes deal with Fox to keep channels online

A 3D-printed YouTube icon, 25 October, 2017.
Reuters

YouTube TV and Fox have reached a distribution agreement that will keep Fox News, Fox Sports and other Fox channels available to subscribers, the companies confirmed on Thursday.

Alphabet-owned YouTube and Fox did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

The agreement follows tense negotiations earlier this week, with Fox seeking higher payments than those received by other content providers. On Wednesday, YouTube had announced a temporary extension to avoid an immediate blackout while talks continued.

This marks the latest in a series of carriage disputes involving YouTube TV. In February, the platform reached a deal with Paramount Global to keep channels such as CBS, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, after failed talks briefly threatened their removal.

The potential loss of Fox channels drew political attention. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr warned of the impact on viewers.

“Millions of Americans are relying on YouTube to resolve this dispute so they can keep watching the news and sports they want—including this week’s Big Game: Texas @ Ohio State,” Carr wrote on X. “Get a deal done Google!”

Both companies said the new deal ensures uninterrupted access to Fox programming on YouTube TV, which remains one of the largest online streaming bundles in the United States.

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