Most Americans find themselves unwinding after work and on the weekends with their favorite television shows. But this relaxing endeavor has become a little less stress-free over the past few years. Streaming services and cable providers regularly drop the channels and series we love over heated contract disputes. And now, one popular TV provider is prepared to cut every Fox channel—including Fox, Fox Sports, and Fox News—as soon as tomorrow. Read on to find out if you're at risk of losing some of your go-to shows.
READ THIS NEXT: If You Have This Popular TV Provider, Prepare to Lose 15 Channels.
Most Americans are still watching cable television.
From Netflix to Peacock, there are so many different steaming options for viewers these days. But not everyone has made the switch to streaming. According to a recent study from the Leichtman Research Group, at least 71 percent of U.S. households still have a subscription to a cable or satellite television service. And a 2022 survey from CableTV.com found that up to 39 percent of cable viewers say they have kept this service in order to watch live sports, news, and entertainment events.
If you fall into that group, you probably are well aware of the frustration that comes with suddenly losing the channels you rely on. Unfortunately, subscribers of one service are now facing some serious cuts.
One popular TV provider may drop Fox channels tomorrow.
ShutterstockDepending on which cable service you use, you might be without some of your favorite shows soon. Altice is planning to drop Fox's networks from its Optimum cable service, Variety reported on Oct. 13. According to the magazine, the two companies have been locked in a renewal battle for the past several weeks.
A person familiar with the matter told Variety that both Altice and Fox remain "materially apart" on terms of a new agreement, but their current contact is set to end at midnight on Friday.
Millions of subscribers could lose Fox's networks.
ShutterstockFox has launched the website KeepFox.com, which is advising customers to push Altice into keeping its channels. "Optimum may drop Fox," the broadcast company states on the website. In a statement to Variety, Fox Corp. said that it "remains committed to reaching a reaching a fair agreement with Altice" in order for Optimum to continue to distribute its broadcasts. But if Altice and Fox do not reach an agreement before their current contact expires, a blackout could occur.
"This means Optimum subscribers would lose access to the MLB playoffs on Fox and FS1, the World Series, NFL on Fox, College Football on Fox Sports, Fox News, hit shows like The Masked Singer and 9-1-1, local news, and more," Fox Corp. told the magazine.
According to Variety, approximately 2.5 million subscribers could be impacted. Altice operates throughout various parts of the U.S., but most of its customers reside in the New York City area.
But Altice says Fox is trying to raise rates unreasonably.
Altice told Variety that discussions with Fox are still ongoing, but it is accusing the broadcast company of unreasonable demands. "Optimum is committed to keeping our customers connected to the TV content they love, and we are currently in active negotiations with Fox Networks to continue carrying its suite of channels at a reasonable rate that reflects the best interest of our customers," the company said. "Unfortunately, Fox Networks is demanding unprecedented and excessive fee increases that would raise TV bills. We are working hard to reach a fair deal for our customers and to avoid any disruption."
For its part, Fox is fighting back against Altice's claims. "Despite our best efforts for months, we regret that Altice continues to demand special treatment and reject marketplace terms, compelling us to alert our loyal viewers of a potential blackout of all Fox channels by Optimum," Fox Corp. told Variety in its statement.
