Michigan State football: 2025 schedule and key games
Michigan State football’s schedule and key games for the 2025 season.
Editor’s note: YouTube TV on Wednesday, Aug. 27, said it reached a “short-term extension with Fox to avoid service disruption for YouTube TV subscribers while we work on a new agreement. We’re committed to advocating on behalf of our members as we work toward a fair deal and will keep you posted on our progress.”
Time is running out on a potential deal between Fox and YouTube TV, which could have a massive impact on how you stream Detroit sports.
YouTube TV, which is owned and operated by its parent company Alphabet (Google), provided an update Monday, Aug. 25 about negotiations with Fox, saying that an agreement has yet to be reached to keep Fox channels on their streaming service.
If the two sides can’t come to a deal by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Aug. 27, YouTube TV will remove all Fox-affiliated channels from its platform, including Fox News, Fox Business and Fox Sports channels. For Detroit-area customers, that would also include WJBK-TV (Fox-2) and the Big Ten Network, whose removal would come just as the college football season is about to kick off.
“Fox is asking for payments that are far higher than what partners with comparable content offerings receive. Our priority is to reach a deal that reflects the value of their content and is fair for both sides without passing on additional costs to our subscribers,” YouTube TV said in a statement.
YouTube TV also said it would give its customers a $10 credit if Fox channels are taken off the platform “for an extended period of time.”
Are Lions games impacted if YouTube TV drops Fox?
Yes. The Detroit Lions open their season on Sunday, Sept. 7 with a matchup against the Green Bay Packers that airs on CBS, but their following game (Sunday, Sept. 14 against the Chicago Bears) is scheduled to be on Fox. Those with YouTube TV would not be able to watch the game if a deal is not agreed to.
In fact, eight of their 16 already-scheduled regular-season games are tagged for a Fox broadcast, with their Week 18 matchup against the Bears not yet having an assigned broadcaster.
It would also likely affect Michigan State’s upcoming season opener against Western Michigan, which is scheduled to air on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET Friday, Aug. 29. The Spartans’ Week 3 matchup against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13 could also be affected, as that game is scheduled to air on the Big Ten Network.
Michigan football would be affected, as well, though not immediately. The Wolverines‘ Week 3 game against Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 13 is also scheduled to be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network, while their Nov. 29 matchup against Ohio State is set to air on Fox.
And it wouldn’t just be football games that would be immediately impacted by the drop.
The Detroit Tigers are scheduled to play the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, Aug. 30, with the game set for an exclusive Fox broadcast. Additionally, the American League Division and Championship Series in October will both be broadcasted on Fox networks, which could involve the Tigers should they make a deep playoff run this season.
If you pay for a traditional cable or satellite package, or use a streaming service other than YouTube TV, you shouldn’t be impacted by this dispute. But if you’re a YouTube TV customer, here’s a guide for how to get your Detroit sports back.
Streaming options other than YouTube TV
A few TV streaming services should still carry the Fox channels through the fall should YouTube TV drop Fox, including Fubo, which carries the full lineup of Fox channels.
The Fox One app, which is currently offering a 7-day free trial, is also an option for those who want to keep their YouTube TV subscriptions but still want to access Fox channels. That’ll run you $19.99 per month (or $199.99 per year) after your trial expires.
And if the constant carriage disputes between streamers and broadcasters makes you want to throw your laptop out the window, plenty of cable and satellite providers can offer you a package with Fox channels included.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com