YouTube TV Inks Deal With Pro-Trump Outlet OAN as Contract for Fox News Is Set to Expire
YouTube inked a deal to launch Herring Networks’ right-wing One America News (OAN) on YouTube TV in the fourth quarter of 2025. News of the agreement to carry OAN comes just hours before YouTube TV’s current agreement with Fox Corp. to carry Fox News and other networks is set to expire — and may results in Fox’s channels going dark on the internet TV service.
YouTube TV, with an estimated 9.5 million subscribers as of the end of 2024, is set to become the single biggest distributor of OAN. In 2022, OAN was dropped by DirecTV and Verizon Fios, which had been the only two big pay-TV providers that offered the network.
In addition to OAN, YouTube TV will add Herring’s A Wealth of Entertainment (AWE) channel, which “delivers original vicarious living programming” featuring “awe-inspiring travel destinations, outrageous cars, amazing homes and much more,” according to the company. Both OAN and AWE will join YouTube TV’s base package lineup, which currently costs $82.99 per month.
OAN has built a brand as perhaps the most avid of the pro-Trump TV outlets. OAN has regularly pushed conspiracy theories floated by Trump and his supporters, including that the 2020 presidential was rigged in favor of President Biden. Last year, OAN reached a settlement with voting-technology firm Smartmatic, which sued the network for defamation and accused it of falsely reporting that Smartmatic’s voting machines were somehow involved in switching votes from Trump to Biden in the 2020 election. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, the current YouTube TV distribution agreement with Fox Corp. expires Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. ET. YouTube has said it is attempting to reach a deal renewal with Fox Corp. and said, “Our priority is to reach a deal that’s fair for both sides and allows us to preserve the value of our service.” YouTube TV says subscribers will be eligible to receive a $10 credit if Fox’s content is unavailable “for an extended period of time” as a result of the contract fight. (Fox News also has been sued by Smartmatic over the network’s 2020 election claims; in 2023, Fox Corp. agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a similar defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.)
Regarding the pact with Herring Networks, Justin Connolly, VP, global head of media at YouTube — formerly head of distribution at Disney — said in a statement: “Our goal has always been to provide our subscribers with a wide range of content, which is why we’re excited to bring One America News to YouTube TV. This partnership gives One America News access to our growing audience, while also giving our subscribers even more choice when it comes to news and entertainment.”
Richard Levine, president of distribution for OAN and AWE, added, “We’re excited to bring OAN and AWE to YouTube TV’s ever-growing community of subscribers. This partnership makes it easier than ever for viewers nationwide to connect with our networks — from in-depth news reporting to inspiring entertainment. We’re delighted to be part of the YouTube TV channel lineup.”
In January 2025, OAN completed building out a new broadcast studio in California for the launch of “The Matt Gaetz Show,” hosted by the four-time former Florida congressman. Gaetz joined OAN after he withdrew as Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney general.
Additionally, according to Herring Networks, OAN expanded its presence in Washington, D.C., securing office studio space at the Pentagon for daily live reports. The network says it currently produces 16 hours of live news coverage every weekday, featuring live updates from the White House, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, in addition to national and international news reports.
YouTube TV, with an estimated 9.5 million subscribers as of the end of 2024, is set to become the single biggest distributor of OAN. In 2022, OAN was dropped by DirecTV and Verizon Fios, which had been the only two big pay-TV providers that offered the network.
In addition to OAN, YouTube TV will add Herring’s A Wealth of Entertainment (AWE) channel, which “delivers original vicarious living programming” featuring “awe-inspiring travel destinations, outrageous cars, amazing homes and much more,” according to the company. Both OAN and AWE will join YouTube TV’s base package lineup, which currently costs $82.99 per month.
OAN has built a brand as perhaps the most avid of the pro-Trump TV outlets. OAN has regularly pushed conspiracy theories floated by Trump and his supporters, including that the 2020 presidential was rigged in favor of President Biden. Last year, OAN reached a settlement with voting-technology firm Smartmatic, which sued the network for defamation and accused it of falsely reporting that Smartmatic’s voting machines were somehow involved in switching votes from Trump to Biden in the 2020 election. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, the current YouTube TV distribution agreement with Fox Corp. expires Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. ET. YouTube has said it is attempting to reach a deal renewal with Fox Corp. and said, “Our priority is to reach a deal that’s fair for both sides and allows us to preserve the value of our service.” YouTube TV says subscribers will be eligible to receive a $10 credit if Fox’s content is unavailable “for an extended period of time” as a result of the contract fight. (Fox News also has been sued by Smartmatic over the network’s 2020 election claims; in 2023, Fox Corp. agreed to pay $787.5 million to settle a similar defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.)
Regarding the pact with Herring Networks, Justin Connolly, VP, global head of media at YouTube — formerly head of distribution at Disney — said in a statement: “Our goal has always been to provide our subscribers with a wide range of content, which is why we’re excited to bring One America News to YouTube TV. This partnership gives One America News access to our growing audience, while also giving our subscribers even more choice when it comes to news and entertainment.”
Richard Levine, president of distribution for OAN and AWE, added, “We’re excited to bring OAN and AWE to YouTube TV’s ever-growing community of subscribers. This partnership makes it easier than ever for viewers nationwide to connect with our networks — from in-depth news reporting to inspiring entertainment. We’re delighted to be part of the YouTube TV channel lineup.”
In January 2025, OAN completed building out a new broadcast studio in California for the launch of “The Matt Gaetz Show,” hosted by the four-time former Florida congressman. Gaetz joined OAN after he withdrew as Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney general.
Additionally, according to Herring Networks, OAN expanded its presence in Washington, D.C., securing office studio space at the Pentagon for daily live reports. The network says it currently produces 16 hours of live news coverage every weekday, featuring live updates from the White House, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, in addition to national and international news reports.