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Google– The YouTube that owned it said on Monday it could potentially remove channels such as Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News and Fox Sports from its television streaming platform. Fox Co., Ltd.
The update date with YouTube TV with Fox came on Wednesday, and while the two companies were in ongoing negotiations, they were unable to reach the deal, the YouTube team wrote in a blog post. The company also emailed YouTube TV subscribers about a potential dropout with Fox.
“Fox wants to pay far higher than what a partner with comparable content offerings receive,” YouTube wrote on its blog. “Our priority is to reach a transaction that reflects the value of the content and is fair to both parties without giving subscribers any additional costs.”
According to Google Company, if YouTube is unable to reach a new agreement by 5pm on Wednesday, the Fox channel will not be possible on YouTube TV. YouTube pays for broadcast stations like Fox and carries channels. Blackout could affect advertisers and millions of viewers who cut codes to stream different channels on YouTube TV.
“While Fox is still committed to reaching a fair agreement with Google’s YouTube TV, we are disappointed that Google continues to leverage its distinctive influence by proposing staged terms with the market,” the media company said in a statement.
FOX standoffs represent the latest contract disputes between content companies and distribution networks as viewers increasingly gutter cables.
In February, Paramount Global notified YouTube TV subscribers that more than 20 channels, including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon, could go dark on the service if the two didn’t reach a deal. Shortly afterwards, YouTube TV and Paramount announced a multi-year distribution agreement.
The YouTube TV basic plan is $82.99 per month and includes over 100 live channels and an unlimited cloud DVR. YouTube says a key part of its commitment to users is partnering with content providers like Fox, which “can carry a variety of channels.”
If Fox goes offline for a long period of time, YouTube will provide members with $10 credits, Google Company writes. The blog also says users can view Fox content by signing up to Fox One, Fox’s streaming service.
YouTube recently surpassed Netflix, which has a market capitalization of $515 billion, as the top streaming platform in terms of audience engagement. Although Google does not provide an official YouTube TV subscriber number, in a letter in February 2024, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced that the service has over 8 million subscribers. Moffettnathanson principal analyst Michael Nathanson estimates that YouTube TV has around 9.4 million paying subscribers.
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