CLEVELAND, Ohio -- YouTube TV subscribers will not able to watch Cavaliers games on Fox Sports Ohio or Indians games on SportsTime Ohio starting Feb. 29.
The cable replacement service made the announcement Thursday, saying it hasn’t been able to reach a deal with Sinclair Broadcast Group, the owner of the Fox-branded regional sports networks which include the television homes of Cleveland’s NBA and MLB teams, in addition to the Cincinnati Reds and Columbus Blue Jackets.
“We do not take this decision lightly," the company tweeted. “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.”
The statement is a reference to Sling and fuboTV. Sling dropped the networks last summer, while fuboTV followed suit in January.
Sinclair, which purchased the sports channels from Disney for $10.6 billion back in August, blamed the impasse on YouTube TV and said it offered to reduce its carriage fee.
“We offered YouTube TV the best terms under which their competitors carry our Regional Sports Networks. Unfortunately, they alone decided to drop these channels citing ‘rising costs’ despite our offer to actually lower the fees they pay us,” a Sinclair spokesman said in a statement to media outlets including CNET.
“We also offered to continue negotiating under a short-term extension so that their subscribers could continue to watch their favorite hometown teams. They’ve not yet responded to this offer. Given the ease with which YouTube TV subscribers can drop the service and switch providers, we are surprised that they’ve chosen this course.”
Among live TV streaming services, Fox Sports Ohio and SportsTime Ohio remain available on Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV Now’s Max plan. The networks are also on most traditional cable systems in the area, with Dish, which owns Sling, the notable exception.
More Life + Culture stories:
Clevelanders Joe & Anthony Russo to appear on ‘The Simpsons’ Avengers-inspired episode this Sunday
Chipotle is hoping third time’s a charm with its new Queso Blanco
Why didn’t Ohio City Galley work?
21 things to do in Cleveland the weekend of Feb. 27-March 1
Silverspot Cinema takes fresh approach to service, menu (photos)
Planted Flag Brewing sets opening date
Dear Annie: Retired woman fears insomnia could lead to dementia
Today’s famous birthdays list for February 27, 2020 includes celebrities Kate Mara, Josh Groban
Subscribe to our free To Do Cleveland newsletter
Cut through the noise with our expert picks and recommendations for restaurants, bars, concerts, nightlife, movies, festivals, family fun, theatrical performances, art exhibitions and more with To Do Cleveland, delivered every Thursday to your inbox. SIGN UP NOW