Earlier this week YouTube TV announced that they will be dropping Sinclair Owned Fox Sports Networks on February 29th. Now YouTube has announced that Sicnair and Google have reached a short term extension to keep Fox RSNs on YouTube TV.
If the negotiation falls through, this would be the 3rd major live TV streaming service to drop Fox Regional Sports Networks since Sinclair bought them for just over $10 billion last year. This would mean that Hulu and AT&T TV NOW would be the only live TV streaming services that offer Fox RSNs.
Here is the statement YouTube TV just posted online:
Negotiations are still underway! In the meantime, we’ve agreed to a temporary extension. FOX RSNs and YES Network are still available on YT TV while we work to reach an agreement. We’ll send out an update as soon as we have more info on a resolution.
Here is the original announcement:
We purchase rights from Sinclair to distribute content to you. Despite our best efforts, we’ve been unable to reach an agreement with Sinclair. As a result, we will no longer offer FOX Regional Sports Networks, including YES Network, beginning February 29th.
— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) February 27, 2020
The negotiation seems to be over the Fox Regional Sports Networks only. Sinclair owned locals will remain on YouTube TV.
“We do not take this decision lightly. This is a reflection of the rising cost of sports content. You may have noticed several other TV services have also decided to remove Fox Regional Sports Networks from their lineups,” YouTube TV said in a statement on Twitter when the announcement was made that the channels would be leaving the streaming service.
This news comes after Sling TV and fuboTV have also recently dropped Sinclair’s newly acquired Fox Regional Sports Networks. Both Sling TV and fuboTV pointed to the high costs of Fox Regional Sports Networks compared to the relatively low viewership.
We’ll be keeping an eye on updates from YouTube TV and Sinclair and will be back with details when we learn more.
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