Fans of Gutfeld! can breathe a sigh of relief. Just hours before a potential blackout that would have pulled Fox News and its late-night TV hit off YouTube TV, the two sides reached a short-term extension to keep the channel live. That means Greg Gutfeld’s loyal audience won’t have to miss a single monologue, panel debate, or off-the-wall punchline ... for now.
The contract between YouTube TV and Fox was set to expire on Wednesday, August 27, at 5 p.m. ET., threatening to cut off access not only to Fox News but also FS1, FS2, and local Fox affiliates. For sports fans, the blackout would have been disastrous with college football and the NFL season kicking off soon. But for late-night viewers, the real gut punch would have been losing Gutfeld!, a show that has consistently delivered some of cable’s highest ratings in the 10 p.m. slot.
“We have reached a short-term extension with Fox to prevent disruption to YouTube TV subscribers as we continue to work on a new agreement,” YouTube said late on Wednesday. “We are committed to advocating on behalf of our subscribers as we work toward a fair deal and will keep you updated on our progress.”
While the extension is good news for Gutfeld! fans, it doesn't guarantee the late-night show will stick around YouTube TV forever. The details of Fox's agreement with YouTube TV weren't publicized, so it's possible fans will be right back in the same spot in a matter of months.
A blackout may be the only thing that can slow down Gutfeld. The self-proclaimed new king of late-night has routinely outperformed the likes of Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers in television ratings, and his viewership on Fox News is only growing. Even California Governor Gavin Newsom couldn't help but take notice.
This near miss also highlights just how much late-night TV has changed. At a time when Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Kimmel fight for shrinking broadcast audiences, Gutfeld! has proven it can dominate cable. The network hosts have been able to pivot to YouTube and social media to expand their audience and keep viewers engaged. Gutfeld, meanwhile, heavily relies on fans tuning into Fox News. A blackout on YouTube TV would have been a setback not just for Fox News but for one of late-night’s biggest stars. Instead, the extension keeps Gutfeld in the conversation, right where he wants to be.
This isn't the first time YouTube TV's contract negotiations have put a late-night TV show at risk of losing part of its audience. Earlier this year, tense contract talks with Paramount almost kept The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from subscribers before a deal was finally reached. 2021 saw NBCUniversal have its problems with the service, possibly forcing viewers to miss The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Avoiding a blackout at the start of the football season, and keeping Gutfeld’s nightly commentary on the air, is a win for subscribers. So while Fox and YouTube TV may still have plenty to argue about, Gutfeld! fans can sit back, turn on Fox News, and enjoy the show without interruption.