YouTube TV and Fox reach deal to keep Fox channels on platform

YouTube TV and Fox Corp. reached an agreement Thursday that will keep Fox’s broadcast, sports and news channels on the Google owned streaming service, averting a blackout that threatened to interrupt coverage of major college football games this weekend and the start of the NFL season. The deal, announced by YouTube TV in a blog post and subscriber emails, follows a last minute extension after the previous carriage agreement was set to expire Wednesday at 5 p.m. Eastern.

YouTube TV said in its announcement, "We are happy to share that we have reached a deal with Fox to keep their content on YouTube TV," adding that the agreement preserves access to channels including the Fox broadcast network, Fox News Channel and Fox Sports, along with subscribers’ existing recordings and applicable add ons. Fox confirmed the renewal in a separate statement but did not disclose financial terms.

The standoff centered on carriage fees. YouTube TV told customers Fox was seeking payments "far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive," and said it would not seek to pass such increases on to subscribers. Fox countered that Google was using its market power to press for...