A looming blackout could pull FOX, FS1, and the Big Ten Network from YouTube TV right as college football kicks off.
College football fans are staring down a new opponent this week, and it's not on the field. FOX Sports and YouTube TV are locked in a standoff that could see millions lose access to key channels just days before kickoff. The timing could not be worse, with FOX scheduled to broadcast some of Week 1's biggest matchups.
The first flashpoint comes Friday night, when Baylor faces Auburn in Waco, a marquee nonconference showdown set for FOX. One day later, the stakes rise even higher as Texas travels to Columbus to battle Ohio State, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft on the call. Losing those broadcasts would deal a major blow to fans relying on YouTube TV.
It's not just the games. Big Noon Kickoff, FOX's signature pregame show, is also caught in the crossfire. The show has become a staple for fans across the country, adding even more urgency to the negotiations.
YouTube TV stated it will pull FOX-owned channels if no deal is reached by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, less than 48 hours before Baylor-Auburn kicks off. Fans now wait anxiously as two giants dig in over pricing, leaving college football in the middle.
If ever there was a time for compromise, this is it, because no fan should have to miss kickoff over corporate disputes.