Fox and YouTube TV reached a new carriage agreement in September 2024
Fox and YouTube TV ended their dispute and signed a new carriage agreement that restored Fox-owned channels to the YouTube TV service. The agreement went into effect on September 12, 2024, after a blackout that lasted about five months. During the blackout, YouTube TV subscribers lost access to Fox broadcast stations, Fox News, Fox Business, FS1, and other Fox-owned networks in their local markets.
The new deal covers Fox's broadcast stations in major markets, cable news and sports channels, and regional sports networks. YouTube TV subscribers regained these channels automatically once the agreement took effect—no action was required on your part. The terms of the agreement, including any price changes or new channel additions, were not publicly disclosed by either company.
Key Takeaways
- Fox channels returned to YouTube TV on September 12, 2024, after a five-month blackout that began in April 2024.
- The restored channels include local Fox broadcast stations, Fox News, Fox Business, FS1, and regional sports networks in your area.
- YouTube TV subscribers did not need to take any action—channels were restored automatically once the agreement was signed.
- Carriage disputes between streaming services and content owners happen regularly and can result in temporary channel blackouts.
What happened during the blackout
The dispute began on April 8, 2024, when Fox and YouTube TV failed to reach a new carriage agreement before the previous one expired. YouTube TV removed all Fox-owned channels from the service, affecting millions of subscribers who relied on the platform for local news, sports, and entertainment programming.
During the blackout, YouTube TV offered affected subscribers a $15 monthly credit to their account as compensation. Subscribers could still watch some Fox content through the Fox Now app if they had cable or streaming login credentials, but this was not a complete replacement for the channels on YouTube TV itself.
Why carriage disputes happen between streaming services and networks
Carriage disputes occur when a streaming service and a content owner cannot agree on the price the service will pay to carry the network's channels. Fox owns valuable content—local broadcast stations, news networks, and sports programming—that draws viewers to YouTube TV. YouTube TV wants to keep subscription costs reasonable, while Fox wants to maximize revenue from its content.
These negotiations happen behind closed doors, and neither side typically reveals the financial terms. The public only sees the result: either an agreement is reached and channels stay on air, or negotiations break down and channels go dark. Blackouts can last days, weeks, or months depending on how far apart the two sides are on price and contract terms.
What channels were affected by the blackout
The blackout removed the following Fox-owned channels from YouTube TV:
- Local Fox broadcast stations in your market (the specific stations depend on where you live)
- Fox News
- Fox Business Network
- FS1 (Fox Sports 1)
- Fox Deportes
- Regional sports networks owned by Fox in select markets
YouTube TV subscribers in markets without a local Fox station were not affected by the loss of broadcast channels, but they still lost access to the cable networks listed above. The impact varied depending on your location and which sports teams broadcast on Fox's regional networks in your area.
How to check if your channels are back
If you are a YouTube TV subscriber, open the YouTube TV app or website and navigate to your channel guide. Search for "Fox" or look for Fox News, FS1, or your local Fox station in the channel list. These channels should now appear in your guide with full access to live and on-demand content.
If you do not see Fox channels in your guide, try signing out of YouTube TV completely and signing back in. This forces the app to refresh your channel lineup. If channels still do not appear after signing back in, contact YouTube TV support through the app or website—this would indicate a technical issue rather than a carriage problem.
What to expect from future carriage disputes
Carriage disputes between YouTube TV and major networks will likely happen again. YouTube TV carries channels from many different owners—Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, and others—and each one negotiates separately. When any of these negotiations stall, blackouts can occur.
If you depend on specific channels for news, sports, or other programming, keep in mind that YouTube TV blackouts are a real possibility during contract renewal periods. Some subscribers choose to keep a cable subscription or a second streaming service as backup for channels that matter most to them. Others accept blackouts as an occasional trade-off for the lower cost of streaming compared to traditional cable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did YouTube TV raise its price because of the new Fox agreement?
YouTube TV did not announce a price increase tied to the Fox agreement. However, YouTube TV's base subscription price has increased several times over the years for various reasons. Check your YouTube TV account or the official YouTube TV website for current pricing in your area.
Will I lose Fox channels again if YouTube TV and Fox disagree in the future?
It is possible. Carriage disputes happen regularly in the streaming industry. When a contract is up for renewal, there is always a chance negotiations could break down again. This is one reason some viewers keep multiple streaming services or maintain a cable subscription.
Can I watch Fox content another way if YouTube TV loses the channels again?
Yes. You can watch Fox News and FS1 through the Fox Now app if you have cable or another streaming login. Local Fox stations often stream their newscasts on their own websites or apps. However, these alternatives do not replace having the channels integrated into YouTube TV's guide.
Why does YouTube TV not just pay whatever Fox asks?
YouTube TV sets its subscription price based on the total cost of all the channels it carries. If it paid more for Fox channels, it would either have to raise prices for all subscribers or cut other channels. The company tries to balance content costs with keeping the service affordable.
How long do these blackouts usually last?
Blackout length varies widely. Some disputes resolve in days, while others last weeks or months. The Fox blackout in 2024 lasted about five months, which is longer than many disputes but not unusual for negotiations involving major networks and large streaming services.