YouTube TV vs. Fox: Would a Blackout Mean No Fox Games On the NFL Sunday Ticket?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Gary, Fox yesterday said it would pull its programming, including local and national channels, from YouTube TV if the two companies don’t sign a new carriage pact. YouTube TV said the deadline for a new deal is Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET.

Update: Dispute Over. Fox & YouTube TV Sign New Deal

Several readers have asked me if a Fox blackout would affect the NFL Sunday Ticket. YouTube carries the Ticket as an exclusive on YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels and the package includes Fox and CBS Sunday afternoon games.

That might seem like the Fox games on the Ticket would be in jeopardy during a YouTube blackout of Fox. But that is not the case. The out-of-market Fox broadcasts would still be available to watch on the Sunday Ticket even though YouTube would be in a dispute with the network. The reason why is because Google, the owner of YouTube, has a deal directly with the NFL to carry the Sunday Ticket; that supersedes any carriage dispute that might occur with Fox or CBS.

So, no worries. If you subscribe to the NFL Sunday Ticket, you will still be able to watch all out-of-market games regardless of whether there’s a blackout between YouTube and Fox.

However, the games that air on your local Fox affiliate – which are not part of the NFL Sunday Ticket – would be blacked out if YouTube and Fox don’t sign a new deal by the first Sunday (September 7, 2025) of the 2025 regular season. That would affect your Multiview display of games (which can include local and national NFL games) as well as watching the local Fox affiliate separately. YouTube TV subscribers would not be able to see the local Fox broadcasts whether they subscribed to the Ticket or not.

This is exactly how it played out during the years when DIRECTV carried the Sunday Ticket; carriage disputes did not affect the out-of-market games. (Yes, I’ve written about this before.) I also double checked yesterday with a Fox spokeswoman who confirmed to me that the Fox out-of-market games on the Sunday Ticket would not be blacked out on YouTube.

Gary, I hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Please consider making a donation to The TV Answer Man site here at the Buy Me a Coffee site. Any donation size is appreciated and will help me continue to provide these articles to you.

Have a Question? Ask The TV Answer Man!
Have a question about a favorite show, streaming service or new TV product? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message