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The year 2025 appears marked by escalating conflicts between television distributors, including a recent impasse between the streaming platform Fubo and NBCUniversal that resulted in the removal of all NBCUniversal channels from Fubo. Networks such as NBC, USA Network, Telemundo, and Bravo became unavailable on Fubo as of 5 p.m. ET on November 21, 2025, with no estimated timeline for restoration.
Fubo communicated to subscribers that it supports user choice in selecting providers for desired content. However, NBCUniversal proposed rates and bundling conditions far exceeding those extended to competitors, according to Fubo. An NBCUniversal representative countered that Fubo opted to eliminate their content despite receiving identical terms accepted by numerous other providers. This aligns with Fubo's pattern of removing various networks in prior years, depriving viewers of programming, such as the Warner channels dropped in 2024.
As talks between the two entities proceed, viewers may miss key broadcasts, including a midweek NBA matchup this week, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Thanksgiving Bengals-Ravens football contest, a fresh installment of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on Bravo, and additional fare.
Fubo is notifying users via email that a $15 bill adjustment will occur beginning around December 1. For those relying on Fubo and seeking solutions during this NBCUniversal outage, details on the affected channels and alternative access points are outlined below.
NBC-operated or affiliated channels currently absent from Fubo include NBC, USA Network, Telemundo, Bravo, MSNBC, and others under NBCUniversal's umbrella.
According to Fubo, the channels were removed due to an unresolved conflict concerning their established content distribution contract.
Details on the reinstatement of NBCUniversal's channels remain unavailable, as the companies' negotiations persist.
Fubo informed members that should NBCUniversal content stay unavailable for a prolonged time, a direct $15 credit will post to accounts. A team member at Engadget who uses Fubo confirmed receipt of an email stating the credit will apply automatically during December billing.
Considering a shift away from Fubo? Viable alternatives encompass Peacock, DirecTV, and Hulu + Live TV. Key options are detailed as follows:
Peacock's ad-supported tier, priced at $11 per month, provides streaming of live NBC sports and events, such as the upcoming Thanksgiving football matchup and Sunday Night Football, alongside extensive archives of series and films, featuring classics like Parks and Recreation and The Office, the complete Bravo catalog, and beyond.
An upgrade to the $17 monthly ad-free plan adds full live streaming of local NBC stations beyond sports and events, plus offline download capabilities for certain content.
Subscribers to Walmart+ receive complimentary Peacock Premium (or Paramount+ Essential) as part of their membership. Walmart+ runs $12.99 monthly or $98 annually, with a current promotion offering 50% off the yearly option for $49, unlocking Peacock access plus benefits like five months of free Apple Music, Cinemark theater discounts, complimentary Walmart shipping and delivery, fuel savings, and more.
Peacock boasts diverse originals, including the Emmy-winning reality show The Traitors, along with Poker Face and Twisted Metal. It features a vast collection of NBC and Bravo programs, numerous films, and live sports coverage like the 2026 Super Bowl and Winter Olympics.
Standard Peacock Premium costs $10.99 monthly, while Premium Plus without ads is $16.99, but Walmart+ provides the ad-supported version at no extra charge—a solid value for those temporarily without NBC access.
DirecTV, recognized by Engadget as the top contract-free cable option, delivers a wide array of live channels, encompassing NBC, Bravo, MSNBC, and full NBCUniversal selections, enabling viewing of countless live sports events, television programs, and similar content through a standard plan. Currently, new sign-ups qualify for a $20 discount on the initial month, plus at least $10 monthly reductions for the first 24 months on Choice, Ultimate, or Premier packages—totaling more than $250 in savings. Package specifics are available online.
DirecTV also offers a complimentary five-day trial to sample the service.
Engadget rates Hulu + Live TV as the premier live TV streaming choice for those with Disney+ or Hulu accounts, thanks to bundled inclusion of the ad-supported base tiers of those services and ESPN+ at no added fee. It further supplies comprehensive live TV with channels like NBC, Bravo, and others. The service starts at $89.99 monthly, ensuring steady access to preferred NBC programming and athletics. For those anticipating a brief Fubo-NBC conflict, a no-cost three-day trial is available.
Additional perks encompass unlimited DVR capacity, multi-device streaming, and more.
Fubo prohibits subscription pauses, requiring full cancellation for any modifications.