Google's YouTube Locks in Fox Deal Just in Time for NFL Weekend

Google (GOOGL)-owned YouTube has reached an agreement with Fox (FOXA), ensuring YouTube TV subscribers retain access to Fox channels just in time for a packed NFL weekend. The deal avoided a potential blackout that would have cut off millions of YouTube TV subscribers from Fox News, Fox Sports, and other Fox channels.Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. For context, the NFL (National Football League) is the most-watched sports league in the U.S., and Fox holds key broadcast rights for marquee games, including Sunday matchups and playoff coverage. YouTube-Fox Last Minute Deal Yesterday's deal between Google and Fox followed tense negotiations and blackout warnings. On Wednesday, YouTube announced a short-term extension to give both sides more time to finalize a new distribution agreement. Earlier in the week, YouTube had been in talks with Fox, which was pushing for higher payments than those received by comparable content providers. YouTube TV, however, stressed that any deal should reflect Fox's value without raising costs for subscribers. The blackout, which was set to begin at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, would have affected millions of subscribers nationwide and coincided with the start of the college football season and the lead-up to the NFL kickoff. Regulatory Pressure The dispute between YouTube TV and Fox also drew the attention of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who warned that pulling Fox channels from YouTube TV would be "a terrible outcome." Earlier in the week, Carr posted on X, noting that millions of Americans rely on YouTube to resolve the dispute and keep access to their favorite news and sports programs. He pressed the company, saying, "Get a deal done, Google!" Are Google Shares a Good Buy? Overall, Wall Street analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on GOOGL stock based on 26 Buys and nine Holds assigned in the past three months. The average GOOGL price target of $216.97 per share implies a 2.52% upside potential. See more GOOGL analyst ratings Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue