Fubo released a public notice regarding its ongoing conflict with NBCUniversal concerning access to NBC's key channels. On Friday, NBCUniversal's channels vanished from Fubo's platform for both live broadcasts and on-demand viewing. Viewers attempting to access NBC material encountered a notice stating that efforts were underway to restore the channel, with ongoing talks with NBCUniversal and optimism for a quick resolution.
In its latest update, Fubo indicated that it has pursued sincere discussions with NBCUniversal to extend their content distribution contract. The streaming provider noted that NBCUniversal's proposed conditions would negatively affect its user base, and it has rejected those stipulations.
According to Fubo's announcement, NBCUniversal plans to transfer certain cable channels to a new entity named Versant starting January 1, 2026. Even though these channels may not justify the expense for Fubo's audience, the service proposed carrying them for 12 months. However, NBCUniversal is pushing for a long-term commitment extending beyond the period when Versant assumes ownership, effectively requiring Fubo users to fund the new venture.
Fubo's message further charged NBCUniversal with favoritism toward competitors, as it permits YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video to incorporate Peacock features, a privilege denied to Fubo. Fubo's blog entry from the previous day highlighted that NBCUniversal's stipulations for rates and bundling were substantially higher than deals provided to rival platforms.
An NBCUniversal representative responded to Engadget, stating that Fubo opted to remove the content even though the offers matched those accepted by many other providers. This behavior aligns with Fubo's history of eliminating various channels in recent years, resulting in reduced options for its subscribers. The spokesperson referenced more than ten significant channel removals in the last five years, such as those from Discovery and AMC. A complete roster of unavailable channels on Fubo is accessible via this resource.