YouTube TV this week confirmed that at 11:59 pm today it will be dropping the AZ Family channel from its lineup. This channel is the new home to Phoenix Suns NBA games that air in market. The channel is owned by Gray Television who has been unable to reach a deal to keep the channel on YouTube TV. Now that it is being dropped Suns fans will need to find a new service like Fubo to watch their games until the channel is restored to YouTube TV.
“We are disappointed that YouTube TV has come to this decision, as we have done everything in our power to reach a market-based agreement. The good news is that you have options. Arizona’s Family is available on providers like Cox, Fubo, DIRECTV, and DISH, as well as free over-the-air with an antenna. To let YouTube TV know that you want to keep your access to Arizona’s Family, open the YouTube TV app or visit YouTube TV on a web browser, select your profile picture, and then click Send Feedback.” Gray Televisions’ AZ Family TV station said in a statement on its website.
This fight only impacts KTVK all other Gray Television stations will remain on YouTube TV. For example, in the same market with KTVK is KPHO, a local CBS affiliate. KPHO’s deal with YouTube TV is managed by Paramount, which oversees all CBS local TV station’s contracts with YouTube TV.
Independent TV stations like KTVK, owned by Gray Television, need to strike their own contracts with YouTube TV. Now, for some reason, Gray Television has been unable to work out a deal with YouTube TV, resulting in this channel being removed.
KTVK is still available on Fubo and free over the air with an antenna for cord cutters.