Key Takeaways
- Alphabet-owned YouTube TV refrained from shutting off Fox programming as contract talks continue.
- Earlier this week, the streaming service threatened to stop providing Fox Sports and other programming unless a deal was reached.
- YouTube TV said the two sides agreed to a short-term extension.
Football fans will still have games broadcast on Fox (FOXA) available to watch on YouTube TV, at least for now.
YouTube TV, which is part of Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Google, said it has struck a temporary deal with Fox to continue to provide programming as the two sides negotiate a new contract.
On Tuesday, YouTube TV announced that without an agreement by 5:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, it would stop offering all Fox products, including Fox Sports, just as the college football and National Football League seasons began. Among others, Fox will be televising the biggest college football game of the week, No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State, at noon ET Saturday.
However, at the deadline, YouTube TV posted that it had “reached a short-term extension with Fox to prevent disruption to YouTube TV subscribers as we continue to work on a new agreement.” It did not specify how long that extension would last.
YouTube TV has argued that Fox is “asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive,” while Fox has contended that the service is asking for terms that are “out of step with the marketplace.”
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