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Fubo TV’s ongoing carriage dispute with NBCUniversal has entered its seventh week, leaving many sports and entertainment lovers frustrated as key NBC channels — including NBC, Bravo, USA Network, Syfy, Telemundo, and regional NBC Sports affiliates — remain unavailable on the platform.
The blackout began Nov. 21, 2025, after negotiations between Fubo and NBCU broke down over complex pricing, packaging and digital integration issues.
How to watch NBC content during the blackout
Despite the ongoing Fubo blackout, fans can still access NBC programming through official, reputable platforms, including one free option:
DIRECTV
- Offers a five-day free trial and a $40 discount on the first paid month.
- Includes NBC and NBCU cable networks across various tiers:
- Entertainment: $69.99/month
- Choice (most popular for sports): $84.99/month
- Ultimate: $109.99/month
- Premiere: $159.99/month
Peacock (by NBCUniversal)
- No free trial currently available.
- Offers live and on-demand NBC shows, news, and sports—including NFL, Premier League, and PGA Tour coverage.
- Subscription starts at $7.99/month or $79.99/year.
The dispute explained
At the heart of the dispute is NBCU’s insistence on tying Fubo to a multi-year bundle that includes cable networks soon to be moved into a new entity called Versant in January. Fubo offered to carry these channels for only one year—just long enough to run through the current season—but NBCU refused to budge.
Additionally, Fubo accuses NBCU of discriminatory tactics: the media giant allows competitors such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video to integrate Peacock into their platforms, yet has blocked the same integration for Fubo. This leverage, combined with NBCU’s request that Fubo include expensive non-sports channels in its low-cost “Fubo Sports” bundle, has driven up costs for subscribers without adding value.
What this means for Fubo viewers
As of Jan. 5, 2026, affected viewers still cannot access:
- Local NBC affiliates
- National NBCU cable networks (Bravo, USA, Syfy, CNBC, MSNBC and E!)
- Telemundo channels
- Regional NBC Sports networks
These blackouts exclude big-name programming such as Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer on USA Network and national news outlets like MSNBC, all of which are staples in sports and entertainment streaming.
Watch NBC content for free on DIRECTV
Fubo’s response
Fubo has responded decisively: subscribers received an automatic $15 credit during the December billing cycle and, effective Jan. 1, 2026, the Pro and Elite plans have been discounted by roughly 11-15%. Pro now starts at $73.99 (down from $84.99) and Elite at $83.99 (from $94.99). The company emphasizes its commitment to a competitively priced, sports-focused streaming service, and even warns that it may continue without NBCU content if an agreement isn’t reached.
Why the disagreement persists
- NBCU plans to spin off several cable channels into Versant in early 2026, but seeks long-term carriage commitments beyond that date.
- They have requested that Fubo include non-sports networks in its sports-focused bundles while denying Peacock integration rights.
- Fubo maintains that these terms lack justification and would unfairly inflate costs for their subscribers.
Watch NBC content for free on DIRECTV
What’s next?
Both parties claim willingness to negotiate. Fubo insists it is bargaining in good faith and remains open to reinstating NBCU channels—just not under “egregious” terms. NBCU, on the other hand, says Fubo refused market-standard terms already accepted by hundreds of distributors. If neither side changes course, the blackout could extend past the Versant launch.
More details on the best NBC streaming alternatives for Fubo users
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV, which also gives customers a free trial, offers four packages if you continue with the service after your trial ends: Entertainment for $69.99; Choice for $84.99; Ultimate for $109.99; and Premiere for $159.99. Choice offers the most channels for sports enthusiasts.
About Peacock
Peacock features movies, hit television shows and current NBC programming. It also offers sports coverage for multiple events, including NFL, Big Ten football, Premier League soccer, PGA Tour and more. Catch all the action for $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually.
