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YouTube TV, Sinclair reach temporary agreement to keep sports on platform

(Logo: Sinclair Broadcast Group/Handout, Graphic: The Desk)

YouTube TV and the Sinclair Broadcasting Group have reached a temporary agreement that extends the availability of around two dozen regional sports networks on the streaming service.

The announcement was made late Friday evening mere hours before a contract between the two companies was set to expire.

Earlier in the week, YouTube TV warned customers it would remove 21 Fox Sports-branded regional sports network and the YES Network on February 29, saying it was unable to reach an agreement with Sinclair that would have allowed it to continue offering the channels to customers.

Sinclair said it had offered to charge YouTube TV less money for the right to offer customers the channels and gave YouTube TV the option to extend its current agreement in time for the start of baseball season.

Late Friday, both sides agreed to that extension. A spokesperson for YouTube TV, owned by Google, said more details on a potential timeline over the channels would be offered at a later date.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 10 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting.
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