Time has run out for Fox and YouTube TV to strike a deal to keep Fox’s channels on the streaming platform, but the two companies have agreed to a short-term fix.
YouTube TV, which is owned and operated by its parent company Alphabet (Google), provided an update on Monday, Aug. 25, saying that they had yet to make a deal to keep the Fox channels on their platform.
However, when the deadline passed at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, YouTube TV announced on social media that the company had come to a short-term deal with Fox to keep its channels on the air.
“Update: We’ve reached a short-term extension with Fox to prevent disruption to our subscribers while we work on a new agreement. We’re committed to advocating on behalf of our members and will keep you posted on our progress,” YouTube TV said in a statement.
Those channels include Fox News, Fox Business and Fox Sports channels. For Detroit-area customers, that would also include WJBK-TV (Fox-2) and the Big Ten Network, whose removal would’ve come just as the college football season is about to kick off.
YouTube TV also said it would give its customers a $10 credit if Fox channels were taken off the platform “for an extended period of time,” but with the two sides coming to a temporary deal, that seems to be off the table for now.
Are Lions games impacted if YouTube TV drops Fox?
Yes. For now it appears a short-term resolution has been reached, but if that deal passes, it would impact almost all levels of football.
The Detroit Lions open their season on Sunday, Sept. 7, with a matchup against the Green Bay Packers that airs on CBS, but their following game (Sunday, Sept. 14 against the Chicago Bears) is scheduled to be on Fox. Those with YouTube TV would not be able to watch the game if a deal was not agreed to.
In fact, eight of their 16 already-scheduled regular-season games are tagged for a Fox broadcast, with their Week 18 matchup against the Bears not yet having an assigned broadcaster.
It would also likely impacted Michigan State’s upcoming season opener against Western Michigan, which is scheduled to air on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET Friday, Aug. 26. The Spartans’ Week 3 matchup against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13 could’ve also been affected, as that game is scheduled to air on the Big Ten Network.
Michigan football would’ve been affected, as well, though not immediately. The Wolverines’ Week 3 game against Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 13 is also scheduled to be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network, while their Nov. 29 matchup against Ohio State is set to air on Fox.
And it wouldn’t just be football games that would be immediately impacted by the drop.
For example, the Detroit Tigers are scheduled to play the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, Aug. 30, with the game set for an exclusive Fox broadcast. Additionally, the American League Division and Championship Series in October will both be broadcasted on Fox networks, which could involve the Tigers should they make a deep playoff run this season.
If you pay for a traditional cable or satellite package, or use a streaming service other than YouTube TV, you shouldn’t be impacted by this dispute. But if you’re a YouTube TV customer, keep an eye out to see if a long-term deal is agreed to.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: YouTube TV and Fox reach short-term deal to keep Lions, Tigers and college football on air
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
