Auburn–Baylor Blackout Drama Averts Last-Minute Crisis

A tense showdown between Fox and YouTube TV nearly left sports fans in the dark. With key college-football matchups on the line, the industry braced for a potential blackout. But just in time, a deal kept the screens alive—at least for now, FanRecap is reporting.

Earlier this week, YouTube TV warned its millions of users that they could lose access to an array of Fox-owned channels—local affiliates, Fox News, Fox Weather, and Fox Sports—if a new carriage agreement wasn’t reached by Wednesday, August 27.

For college-football fans, the warning rang especially loud. Aside from the Auburn-Baylor game, other events were also at risk. The “Big Noon” showdown set for Saturday, August 30, when No. 1 Texas travels to face No. 3 Ohio State—a game with heavy playoff stakes—and Iowa’s season opener against Albany, scheduled for 5 p.m. Central on Fox Sports 1—a locally significant matchup, even if neither is an SEC team.

Fortunately, late Tuesday—around 4 p.m. Central—both sides struck a short-term extension. The result: Fox networks will remain available to YouTube TV subscribers while the parties work toward a long-term resolution.

This agreement offers relief—though only for now. “It’s a stop-gap, not a solution,” FanRecap notes, framing the deal as temporary. Still, it ensures fans won’t miss this weekend’s action.

Negotiation showdowns like this are becoming common. Viewers, caught in the crossfire, just want to watch games—not follow the corporate drama. With college football in full gear, both Fox and YouTube TV know the stakes are high—and the next flashpoint may be just around the corner.