YouTube TV-Sinclair flap leads to the loss of Fox RSNs and YES Network
What you need to know
- Sinclair wants more money for the rights to some of its channels.
- YouTube TV doesn't want to pay more money.
- You, the consumer, will lose out.
Just because you're the largest live TV streaming service in the United States doesn't mean you're not still subject to the usual market shenanigans.
YouTube TV today sent out emails to subscribers annoying that it's "been unable to reach an agreement with Sinclair to continue to carry the FOX Regional Sports Networks and YES Network."
That means that as of Feb. 29, those channels will no longer be available to YouTube TV subscribers. (At least not until Sinclair and YouTube TV reach a new agreement.)
YouTube TV in a Twitter thread noted what we all know — this is always about money. Sinclair wants more for the rights to carry content, and YouTube TV didn't want to pay.
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.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 (@YouTubeTV) February 27, 2020February 27, 2020
Here's the full text of the email:
The precise impact on you as a consumer will depend on where you live. For instance: I live in Florida, and so I'll expect to lose Fox Sports Sun and Fox Sports Florida. But I don't actually have the YES Network here. The exact channels you'll lose will vary from region to region.
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