Fox and YouTube TV reached a carriage agreement in May 2023
Fox and YouTube TV settled their contract dispute in May 2023 after Fox channels went dark on the platform for about five days. The agreement restored Fox-owned channels including Fox broadcast network, FS1, Fox News, and regional Fox Sports channels to YouTube TV. Both sides kept the financial terms private, but the deal allowed YouTube TV to continue carrying these channels without interruption going forward.
The dispute started when their previous contract expired on May 1, 2023. Fox had demanded higher fees and wanted YouTube TV to bundle its channels differently. YouTube TV initially refused and removed the channels, affecting roughly 4 million YouTube TV subscribers who lost access to live sports, news, and entertainment programming during the blackout.
Key Takeaways
- Fox channels returned to YouTube TV on May 6, 2023, after a five-day blackout ended the contract dispute.
- The settlement covers Fox broadcast, Fox News, FS1, and regional Fox Sports channels that YouTube TV subscribers can now watch.
- YouTube TV subscribers did not receive refunds or credits for the five days their service was incomplete, though some complained to YouTube about the outage.
- Both companies kept the financial details of the agreement confidential, so the exact fee increase or terms remain unknown.
Which Fox channels came back to YouTube TV
The settlement restored the main Fox broadcast network, which carries primetime shows, sports events like NFL games, and awards shows. Fox News returned, along with FS1 (Fox Sports 1), which shows college football, college basketball, and other sports programming. Regional Fox Sports channels that serve specific metropolitan areas also came back, allowing subscribers in those markets to watch local sports.
Fox Deportes, the Spanish-language sports channel, was also included in the agreement. However, some Fox-owned cable networks like FX and National Geographic remained separate from this particular contract, so their status on YouTube TV depends on different agreements between those specific channels and YouTube TV.
What caused the blackout in the first place
Fox's previous carriage agreement with YouTube TV expired on May 1, 2023. Carriage agreements are contracts that determine whether a TV provider can carry a network's channels and at what cost. When the two sides could not agree on new terms, Fox removed its channels from the platform rather than allow YouTube TV to carry them without a signed deal.
Fox wanted higher fees per subscriber and reportedly sought changes to how YouTube TV packaged its channels. YouTube TV resisted the fee increase, arguing that it would force them to raise prices for customers. The standoff lasted five days before both sides reached a compromise. This type of dispute happens periodically in the TV industry when contracts expire and neither side wants to back down when ready.
Whether YouTube TV subscribers got compensation
YouTube TV did not automatically refund or credit subscribers for the five-day blackout. Some subscribers contacted YouTube TV support to request credits, and individual cases may have been handled differently depending on the customer service representative and the subscriber's account history. However, there was no blanket refund or credit issued to all affected users.
This is typical for carriage disputes in the streaming and cable TV industry. Providers generally do not compensate customers for temporary channel outages caused by contract negotiations, even when the outage lasts several days. If you were a YouTube TV subscriber during the May 2023 blackout and believe you should have received a credit, you can contact YouTube TV support to discuss your specific situation.
How this settlement affects your YouTube TV service going forward
With the settlement in place, YouTube TV subscribers can continue watching Fox channels without interruption. The agreement does not specify an end date that has been made public, so the channels should remain available as long as both companies continue to honor the contract. However, like all carriage agreements, this one will eventually expire and require renegotiation.
The settlement does not change your YouTube TV subscription price directly, though YouTube TV's overall costs may shift over time as the company negotiates with various networks. The company has raised its base subscription price multiple times since 2020, citing rising costs from networks and content providers. Whether this Fox agreement contributed to any future price increases is not publicly known.
Similar disputes that have affected YouTube TV before
YouTube TV has experienced several carriage disputes since its launch in 2017. In 2022, YouTube TV lost access to Roku devices for several months due to a separate contract dispute between YouTube and Roku. In 2021, Disney-owned channels including ESPN, ABC, and Disney Channel went dark briefly during negotiations. These disputes are not unique to YouTube TV—traditional cable and satellite providers face similar blackouts when contracts expire.
Each dispute follows a similar pattern: a contract expires, the two sides disagree on terms, channels go dark, and eventually one side concedes or both sides compromise. The length of the blackout depends on how far apart the two sides are on fees and other terms. Subscribers typically have little recourse during these disputes beyond switching to a competitor or waiting for the channels to return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Fox on YouTube TV right now?
Yes. Fox channels including the Fox broadcast network, Fox News, FS1, and regional Fox Sports channels are available on YouTube TV as of the May 2023 settlement. You can watch them as part of your regular YouTube TV subscription without any additional cost or separate package.
What happens if Fox and YouTube TV have another dispute?
If their contract expires again and they cannot reach a new agreement, Fox channels would go dark on YouTube TV just as they did in May 2023. There is no way to prevent this from happening, though both sides have incentive to avoid another blackout since it damages their reputation with customers.
Did YouTube TV's price go up because of this settlement?
YouTube TV has not publicly stated that this specific Fox agreement caused a price increase. However, the company has raised its base subscription price several times since 2020, citing rising costs from networks. Whether this Fox deal contributed to those increases is unknown since both companies kept the financial terms confidential.
Can I get a refund for the days Fox was not available?
YouTube TV did not issue automatic refunds or credits for the May 2023 blackout. Some subscribers who contacted customer support may have received individual credits, but there was no blanket compensation. If you were affected and want to request a credit, contact YouTube TV support directly.
Are other Fox channels like FX included in this settlement?
This settlement covers Fox broadcast, Fox News, FS1, and regional Fox Sports channels. Other Fox-owned networks like FX, FXX, and National Geographic have separate carriage agreements with YouTube TV, so their availability depends on those individual contracts rather than this Fox Sports settlement.