Fox and YouTube TV reached a settlement in September 2023 after a carriage dispute that had blacked out Fox channels for YouTube TV subscribers
In May 2023, Fox pulled its broadcast channels—including Fox, FS1, and Fox News—from YouTube TV after the two companies could not agree on contract terms. YouTube TV subscribers in affected markets lost access to live sports, news, and entertainment programming for nearly four months. The blackout ended on September 13, 2023, when Fox and YouTube TV announced they had reached a new carriage agreement, restoring all Fox-owned channels to the platform.
The dispute centered on the fees YouTube TV would pay Fox for the right to carry its channels. Fox sought higher rates; YouTube TV resisted, citing the rising cost of live TV streaming. Neither company disclosed the final terms of the settlement, but the agreement allowed YouTube TV to continue offering Fox channels as part of its standard package.
Key Takeaways
- Fox removed its channels from YouTube TV in May 2023 over a contract disagreement about carriage fees.
- The blackout lasted nearly four months and affected access to Fox, FS1, Fox News, and other Fox-owned networks.
- YouTube TV and Fox reached a settlement on September 13, 2023, restoring all Fox channels to the service.
- The final contract terms were not made public, but the agreement allowed YouTube TV subscribers to regain access to Fox programming.
Why Fox and YouTube TV Disagreed
Carriage disputes happen regularly in the pay-TV industry. A network like Fox owns channels and licenses them to distributors—cable companies, satellite providers, and streaming services like YouTube TV. The distributor pays the network a fee per subscriber to carry those channels. When the contract expires, the two sides negotiate a new rate.
Fox wanted YouTube TV to pay more per subscriber. YouTube TV argued that the cost of live TV streaming was already high and that raising rates would force the company to increase its monthly subscription price for all users. This disagreement left YouTube TV unable to offer Fox channels while negotiations continued.
During the blackout, YouTube TV subscribers could not watch live Fox broadcasts, sports events on FS1, or Fox News programming. YouTube TV offered a temporary $15 monthly credit to affected subscribers as compensation, but the credit did not restore access to the channels themselves.
How the Settlement Worked
On September 13, 2023, both companies announced they had reached a new carriage agreement. Fox channels returned to YouTube TV when ready. The settlement allowed YouTube TV to continue offering Fox programming without interruption going forward, though the exact financial terms remained confidential.
Carriage disputes typically end one of three ways: the distributor and network agree on new rates, the network stays off the platform indefinitely, or the distributor removes the network from its service. In this case, both Fox and YouTube TV had incentive to settle. Fox needed the distribution revenue; YouTube TV needed the channels to remain competitive with cable and other streaming services.
What YouTube TV Subscribers Experienced During the Blackout
When Fox pulled its channels in May 2023, YouTube TV subscribers lost access to live broadcasts of NFL games on Fox, MLB games on FS1, college sports, and news programming on Fox News. The blackout affected subscribers in all markets where YouTube TV operated.
YouTube TV offered a $15 monthly credit to subscribers for each month the blackout continued, but this did not restore channel access. Some subscribers chose to pause or cancel their YouTube TV subscriptions during the dispute and switch to cable, satellite, or other streaming services temporarily. After the settlement, those who had canceled could resubscribe and regain access to the full channel lineup.
Other Carriage Disputes Involving YouTube TV
The Fox dispute was not YouTube TV's first carriage blackout. In 2022, YouTube TV lost access to Roku channels after a contract disagreement. In 2021, the service briefly lost access to Disney-owned channels including ESPN and ABC. These disputes are common in the streaming TV industry as networks and distributors negotiate rates.
YouTube TV has generally resolved these disputes within weeks to a few months. The Fox blackout was one of the longest, lasting nearly four months. Each dispute highlights the tension between rising content costs and the price YouTube TV charges subscribers—currently around $73 per month for the base package.
How Carriage Disputes Affect Streaming TV Pricing
When networks demand higher carriage fees, streaming services like YouTube TV face a choice: pay more and raise subscription prices, or refuse and lose the channels. Over time, rising carriage fees have pushed YouTube TV's monthly cost higher. The service launched in 2017 at $35 per month; by 2023, the base package cost more than double that amount.
Networks argue they deserve higher fees because their content—live sports, news, and entertainment—drives subscriber demand. Streaming services argue that bundling many channels into one package is less profitable than cable's model, so they cannot absorb unlimited fee increases. This tension will likely produce more disputes as networks continue seeking higher rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did YouTube TV subscribers get refunded for the blackout period?
YouTube TV offered a $15 monthly credit for each month the blackout lasted, but this was a credit rather than a full refund. Subscribers who felt the credit was insufficient could cancel their service without penalty during the blackout period.
Are Fox channels still on YouTube TV after the settlement?
Yes. Fox, FS1, Fox News, and other Fox-owned channels returned to YouTube TV on September 13, 2023, and remain part of the service's standard package. The settlement included a new long-term carriage agreement between the two companies.
Could this happen again with other networks?
Yes. Carriage disputes are common in the streaming TV industry. YouTube TV has experienced blackouts with Disney, Roku, and other networks in recent years. As networks seek higher fees, more disputes are likely.
Why don't YouTube TV and Fox just agree on rates without blackouts?
Both sides use the threat of a blackout as leverage in negotiations. Networks threaten to pull channels to pressure distributors into paying more; distributors threaten to remove channels to pressure networks into accepting lower rates. Blackouts happen when neither side backs down before the contract expires.