YouTube TV said it will drop Fox regional sports networks, which are owned by Sinclair, after earlier this year negotiating an extension for the channels.
Earlier this year, Google’s live streaming TV service extended its carriage agreement with the Fox RSNs through the end of the NBA, MLB and NHL seasons. Now that the seasons are over, YouTube TV said the Fox RSNs will no longer be available starting Oct. 1.
“This was a difficult decision made after months of negotiations. We hope we can bring FOX RSNs back in the future. We thank you for your membership as we work to make YouTube TV the best streaming experience. You will receive an email today if you are impacted by this change,” the company tweeted.
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YouTube TV said that subscribers who are impacted will also no longer have access to Library recordings from the FOX RSNs.
To bring you 85+ channels, we periodically renegotiate contracts with content owners. In February, we announced we had negotiated an extension with Sinclair to continue providing FOX Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) through the end of MLB, NHL and NBA seasons.
— YouTube TV (@YouTubeTV) September 29, 2020
"While we are disappointed that YouTube will discontinue carriage of the RSNs, we remain in discussions in an effort to find a mutually acceptable path to returning the RSNs to YouTube TV," said Barry Faber, president of distribution and network relations at Sinclair, in a statement. "We intend to keep the public informed as to the progress of these discussions so that YouTube TV subscribers can make informed decisions regarding how to view the extremely popular programming carried on these RSNs."
In March, Sinclair confirmed that YouTube TV would continue to carry 19 of its 21 Fox RSNs including Fox Sports Arizona, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports North, Fox Sports Ohio, Fox Sports San Diego, Fox Sports South, Fox Sports Southwest, Fox Sports Southeast, Fox Sports Sun and SportsTime Ohio.
“We value our ongoing relationship with YouTube TV, however, we are deeply disappointed with its decision to not carry certain RSNs. We offered competitive market terms but, ultimately, YouTube TV declined,” said David Gibber, senior vice president and general counsel of Sinclair, in a statement. “We encourage YouTube TV subscribers who value these RSNs to turn to other streaming services or their local cable or satellite provider for continued access, or to directly contact YouTube TV with feedback.”
This article has been updated to include a statement from Sinclair.