The dispute between Fubo TV and NBCUniversal has entered its seventh week, causing significant frustration among fans of sports and entertainment programming nationwide. Since November 21, 2025, viewers subscribing to Fubo have been unable to access numerous popular NBC channels, including NBC itself, Bravo, USA Network, Syfy, Telemundo, and several regional NBC Sports networks. This blackout disrupts the viewing of essential sports events, news, and entertainment shows that many rely on Fubo for streaming. The disagreement, rooted in complex negotiations over pricing, channel bundling, and digital integration, continues to impact viewers and has sparked a broader discussion about the future of carriage agreements in the streaming era.
How to Access NBC Content During the Fubo Blackout
Despite the ongoing dispute, passionate viewers eager to watch NBC’s programming still have options. Several reputable platforms offer access to NBC content, although some may involve costs or limited trial periods. The most notable alternatives include DIRECTV and Peacock, each with its own benefits and restrictions.
Watching NBC on DIRECTV
One of the most accessible options for viewers is DIRECTV, which provides a mix of packages that include NBC and other NBCU cable networks. Currently, DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial, allowing users to test the service before committing. Additionally, a promotional $40 discount is available on the first paid month, making it a cost-effective short-term solution.
DIRECTV’s channel packages are designed to cater to different viewer preferences, especially sports fans. The available options include:
- Entertainment package — priced at $69.99/month, covering a broad range of general entertainment channels.
- Choice package — at $84.99/month, this tier is tailored for sports enthusiasts, including access to NBC’s sports programming.
- Ultimate package — more comprehensive, costing $109.99/month.
- Premiere package — the most extensive, at $159.99/month, offering premium channels and content.
Through DIRECTV, viewers can access a combination of live, local, and cable channels, ensuring access to NBC content normally unavailable via Fubo during the blackout.
The NBCUniversal-Owned Peacock
Peacock, NBCUniversal’s own streaming platform, remains a viable way to watch NBC shows, news, and sports without the restrictions experienced on Fubo. While the platform does not currently offer a free trial, it provides a range of content for a modest monthly fee — starting at $7.99 — or an annual subscription priced at $79.99.
Peacock features a diverse lineup, including:
This service provides a flexible option, allowing fans to stay connected to NBC content without waiting for negotiations to resolve.
The Root Causes of the Dispute
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The conflict centers around NBCUniversal’s strategy to reorganize its cable channel assets and negotiate distribution agreements with streaming services like Fubo. At the core of the disagreement is NBCU’s insistence on long-term contracts tied to a broader channel bundle, which currently includes channels that are slated to move into a new entity named Versant early in 2026.
NBCU is seeking multi-year commitments for these channels, which Fubo has resisted, offering only to carry them for a single season. NBCU’s preference for long-term deals is driven by its plan to spin off several cable channels into Versant, but they want assurances that their distribution rights will remain intact beyond the transition period.
Adding further tension, Fubo accuses NBCU of discriminatory practices. NBCU allows its competitors—such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video—to integrate Peacock into their platforms, but has refused to permit Fubo the same access. This differential treatment not only unfairly hampers Fubo’s competitiveness but also influences consumer costs. NBCU has also requested that Fubo bundle non-sports channels, which are expensive, into its low-cost “Fubo Sports” package, pushing subscription prices upward without providing additional value to viewers.
Impacts on Fubo Subscribers
As of early January 2026, Fubo subscribers remain unable to access key NBC-related content, including:
- Local NBC affiliates
- National NBCU cable channels such as Bravo, USA Network, Syfy, CNBC, MSNBC, and E!
- Telemundo channels
- Regional NBC Sports networks
The blackout affects popular programming like Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer coverage on USA Network, and major news broadcasts from MSNBC. These are mainstays for many viewers, and their absence from Fubo has driven interest in alternative services.
To help users navigate this issue, DIRECTV remains a popular choice, offering access to many of these channels through its service for a fee. Peacock also provides a solution for those willing to pay for streaming NBC content directly.
Fubo’s Response to the Standoff
In response to the ongoing blackout, Fubo has taken steps to mitigate customer dissatisfaction. During the December billing cycle, Fubo credited affected subscribers with an automatic $15 rebate, acknowledging the inconvenience. Moreover, starting January 1, 2026, the company announced reductions in its Pro and Elite plans, with prices dropping roughly 11-15%. The Pro plan now costs $73.99 (down from $84.99), while the Elite plan is priced at $83.99 (from $94.99).
Fubo emphasizes its commitment to providing a competitively priced, sports-centric streaming experience. The company has also made clear that it might continue to exclude NBCU content if negotiations remain unresolved, signaling a possible persistent or prolonged blackout if the dispute persists.
Understanding the Dispute’s Underlying Issues
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Several factors contribute to the ongoing stalemate between Fubo and NBCU:
- NBCU’s plan to spin off several cable channels into Versant in early 2026, and their desire for long-term, multi-year carriage agreements beyond the transition.
- The requirement that Fubo include non-sports channels in its sports bundles, which NBCU argues are necessary for a comprehensive offering but which Fubo contends inflate costs unfairly.
- Discontent over NBCU’s refusal to grant Fubo the same rights to integrate Peacock that other competitors enjoy, creating an uneven playing field.
NBCU contends that these terms are necessary for its future plans, while Fubo sees them as unjustified demands that increase costs for subscribers without corresponding benefits.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Both sides claim they are open to negotiations, although progress remains uncertain. Fubo maintains that it is negotiating in good faith but refuses to accept what it describes as “egregious” terms. NBCUniversal counters that Fubo has refused market-standard agreements that many other distributors have already signed, raising questions about whether a resolution is imminent.
The prolonged nature of this dispute raises the possibility of an extended blackout, potentially spilling over into the launch of Versant. If negotiations do not advance, viewers could face persistent disruptions in accessing NBCU content on Fubo throughout the first half of 2026.
Alternatives for NBC Content in the Interim
In addition to DIRECTV and Peacock, viewers can explore other streaming options to access NBC content. For sports fans, services like Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV also carry NBC channels in certain markets, though availability varies. It’s crucial for viewers to check local channel listings and streaming rights to determine which service best suits their needs during this ongoing dispute.
In the meantime, keeping an eye on official announcements from both parties may provide updates on potential resolutions. For now, consumers are advised to consider these alternative pathways to ensure uninterrupted access to their favorite NBC programming.
