A Recurring Problem with Streaming

Carrier disputes used to be an exclusive problem for the cable TV world, but they have become just as frustrating for those of us who have cut the cord. It’s an unfortunate reality of the live TV streaming world. Just this past week, we saw a prime example of this with the very public negotiation between YouTube TV and FOX.

A Familiar Stand-Off

This was a classic carriage dispute. The contract between Google's YouTube TV and FOX was set to expire, threatening to black out all FOX-owned channels for YouTube TV's more than nine million subscribers. Both companies took to their blogs and social media to plead their case, with YouTube TV saying FOX was asking for excessive payments, and FOX countering that Google was using its "outsized influence" to force unfavorable terms.

The Resolution

Thankfully, this particular dispute ended well. Just before the deadline, the two companies agreed to a short-term extension, which prevented any loss of programming. They then quickly reached a permanent, long-term deal that will keep the entire FOX channel portfolio on YouTube TV. This means channels like FOX News, FS1, FS2, and the Big Ten Network, as well as the local broadcast FOX station, will remain available. While the financial terms were not disclosed, both sides were clearly motivated to reach a deal before the start of the college and professional football seasons.

The resolution of this dispute is a good reminder that, while we have more control over our content now, streaming live television services are still subject to the same business negotiations as their cable predecessors. It's a pain, but a necessary evil to keep the channels we want available. My Streaming Life is built on flexibility and choice, and while these disputes can be annoying, it's reassuring that a solution was found and no games were missed.