Football season is nearly here, which means kickoff, tailgates — and, once again, a major carriage dispute that could affect fans' ability to watch the games.
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This year, the standoff is between YouTube TV and Fox. Their agreement is set to expire on August 27, raising the possibility that Fox programming could vanish from the streaming service right before the first big weekend of college football.
In an email to subscribers Monday, YouTube TV warned of the potential blackout.
"[I]f we are unable to reach an agreement with Fox by August 27, 2025, their content may become unavailable," the company wrote. "If this happens, this will impact channels like the Fox Broadcast Network, Fox News, and Fox Sports, as well as any Library recordings you have from these channels."
YouTube TV added that customers would receive a $10 credit if the dispute drags on for an "extended period of time," though the company did not define what qualifies as extended.
The timing could prove costly for fans. Fox's NFL coverage does not begin until Sept. 7, but the network carries a marquee college football matchup just days before — Texas at Ohio State on Saturday, Aug. 30, at noon ET.
Losing access to that game would frustrate many viewers, particularly in Big Ten and SEC markets where both programs have strong followings.
Fox's NFL slate heats up in Week 2 with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LIX. That game will be among the biggest of the early season, putting further pressure on both sides to resolve the standoff before football's biggest draws arrive.
Carriage disputes are nothing new for fans. Virtually every season begins with at least one negotiation going down to the wire, with providers and networks trading public statements while subscribers are left in limbo.
For now, YouTube TV customers are being told to prepare for the possibility of losing Fox channels by next week. Whether the blackout actually happens will depend on whether the two sides can strike a deal before football takes center stage.
