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FOX RSN Battleground

FOX RSN Battleground

YouTube TV rebuffs Sinclair's price increases

October 5, 2020

This past week, YouTube TV announced that it was dropping all FOX Regional Sports Networks (RSNs). This isn't the first time the live TV streaming service has done been forced into a corner to do so, and it probably won't be the last. But with Sinclair's somewhat disingenuous response, the bear in the room was left out of the messaging: Sinclair wants more money, and Google isn't willing to budge. This week, we take a look into what this battle over costs might mean for YouTube TV's pricing and alternative ways to watch FOX RSNs.

Streamer's Spotlight: YouTube TV and Sinclair Duke It Out

The recent news that YouTube TV dropped Sinclair's FOX RSNs is something we've seen increasingly in the era of live TV streaming. Traditional broadcast rights holders are increasingly running up against the live TV streaming alternative sources like Sling TV and YouTube, where priorities are consistently in conflict. Let's review what happened, and what you can do about it.

Sinclair Wants More Money

On September 29,

Cord Cutters News

reported that YouTube TV was dropping its Sinclair-owned FOX RSNs. According to YouTube TV, this was "a difficult decision made after months of negotiations". Meanwhile, Sinclair responded the next day stating that they'll continue to work with YouTube TV to bring FOX RSNs back.

Neither side mentioned the obvious issue at play: Sinclair, recognizing that people are fleeing traditional cable and into the waiting arms of live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, wants YouTube TV charge more per customer.

The problem? That would require YouTube TV to raise its price, yet again. The company already increased prices up to $64.99 per year in 2020. That price increase sent a shockwave through the customer base and industry and put YouTube TV on the higher-end of the pricing spectrum among its competitors. With all likelihood, Google fully understands that another price increase anytime soon would be devastating, especially with other competitors still crowding the market.

YouTube TV Is Likely Not the Only Service in Play

While all eyes are on the YTTV/Sinclair battle, it's important to note that Google's service isn't the only one that offers FOX RSNs. At present, they're also available on several other live TV streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV Now. Although different services have contracts in place at different times, if Sinclair is trying to get YouTube TV to increase prices, we should expect it's going to do the same with its other contracts, as well.

Which Channels Did YouTube TV Drop?

Every FOX RSN, SportsTime Ohio, and YES Network.

Alternatives for FOX Sports RSNs

If you were tied to FOX Sports RSNs, there are alternative options. As stated, Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV Now both carry Sinclair's networks. For specific channels, we recommend you head over to our Flixed.io website and use the

Cord-Cutter Express

tool to find out which live TV streaming service offers FOX RSNs in your area.