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This was a localized YouTube TV channel-feed problem reported on February 10–12, 2025—not a confirmed nationwide outage. Viewers in several U.S. markets reported missing or inaccessible local feeds from CBS, Telemundo and The CW. Some CBS stations appeared to return while the fix was still rolling out.
What happened?
Reports published on February 12, 2025 described YouTube TV subscribers losing access to selected local station feeds in multiple markets. The affected networks reportedly included Telemundo, CBS and The CW.
This did not appear to remove every affiliate nationwide. The problem varied by market and station, which meant that one subscriber could lose a local channel while another continued watching the same network. YouTube TV’s local lineup depends on the subscriber’s home ZIP code and market; see its official availability guide.
The original report used the phrase “free channels,” but that wording needs context. These may be free-to-air broadcast stations or free ad-supported channels in other settings, yet access through YouTube TV generally requires a paid membership.
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Which stations were reportedly affected?
The station identifiers listed in contemporary reporting were:
- KOTV-DT
- KQCW-DT
- KXGN
- WNOL-DT
- KGWN
- WTVR-DT
- KXLH
- WWTV
- WFQX-DT2
- WDNI
A station appearing on this list does not prove that every viewer in its coverage area lost service. Availability can depend on the subscriber’s registered home area, current location and the particular feed YouTube TV was distributing. The list comes from the contemporary Android Central report.
Was YouTube TV fixing the problem?
The evidence at the time was mixed:
- A Google community manager acknowledged that YouTube TV was aware of channel problems.
- Some users said CBS feeds had begun working again.
- A YouTube TV community representative reportedly indicated that the issue had been fixed for at least some users.
- The public issue notice had not yet been updated to confirm that every affected feed was restored.
The most accurate description is that a fix appeared to be rolling out. It is not accurate to say the entire outage was officially and immediately resolved.
Update: is this outage still happening?
Available evidence through August 18, 2026 does not establish that the February 2025 incident is still ongoing. It should be treated as a historical, market-specific channel-feed problem rather than a current YouTube TV outage. A separate 2026 report about freezing and buffering should not be merged with this incident.
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How to tell whether your problem is the same issue
Before assuming YouTube TV has lost a local station, check the scope of the failure:
- Try the channel on another device. Test a phone, web browser or second TV. If it fails everywhere, a platform or feed problem is more likely.
- Check the guide and playback separately. A channel may be missing from the guide, appear in search but fail to play, or work live while recordings are unavailable.
- Confirm the Google account. Make sure the device is signed in to the account that holds the YouTube TV membership.
- Check home-area and location information. Traveling subscribers can see different local channels. Do not change the home area simply to force a station to appear; inaccurate location information can create larger eligibility problems.
- Restart the app and device. This can help with a device-specific failure, but it will not restore an unavailable source feed.
- Install pending updates. Update both the YouTube TV app and the device software.
- Sign out and back in. Use this only after the simpler checks fail.
For current service notices and account-specific assistance, use YouTube TV Help or the YouTube TV Help Center.
Outage, affiliate change or carriage dispute?
A missing local station does not automatically mean YouTube TV is involved in a contract dispute. Carriage disputes usually involve an explicit rights announcement and broader channel removal. The February 2025 reports instead pointed to selected local feeds, with some stations returning before a complete official confirmation was posted.
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It could also be an affiliate change or a location mismatch. A network brand does not guarantee access to every local affiliate, and Telemundo and CW stations can have different local ownership and distribution arrangements from their national network brands.
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- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
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- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
What can you watch while a local feed is unavailable?
Use the station’s own service
Check the affected station’s website or mobile app first. Depending on the market, it may offer live news, clips or another stream. Network-owned free news services can also help, but they may not carry the same local feed or full broadcast schedule.
Use an antenna
An over-the-air antenna is often the most independent backup for local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW or Telemundo broadcasts. Check your address with AntennaWeb before buying one.
Reception depends on distance from transmission towers, terrain, building materials and antenna placement. An indoor antenna may perform poorly in an apartment with dense walls or metal construction, while some locations require an attic or outdoor installation. An antenna also does not replace cable networks or most regional sports channels.
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Consider another live-TV provider carefully
A second paid service can provide redundancy, but it is usually poor value for a short-lived outage. Another provider may carry a different local affiliate, impose different DVR or simultaneous-stream limits, lack regional sports, or have its own carriage disputes.
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- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Switching makes more sense when a provider repeatedly fails to carry channels you need—not simply because of a one-day platform incident. Compare local affiliates, required networks, DVR rules, sports availability, regular pricing and cancellation terms before changing services.
Why the original “free channels” wording is misleading
There are three different ideas that can be confused:
- Local broadcast channels: stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, The CW, Telemundo and other networks.
- Free ad-supported channels: internet-delivered channels that may be available without a YouTube TV subscription.
- YouTube TV channels: channels included for eligible subscribers under a paid plan, subject to market and location rules.
Calling the affected feeds “free” does not mean a non-subscriber could automatically watch them through YouTube TV. The relevant question is whether the local station is available in the subscriber’s market and whether its feed is working.
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The February 2025 incident was best understood as a market-by-market availability problem affecting selected CBS, Telemundo and CW feeds. Some channels appeared to return, but complete official resolution was not immediately confirmed. If a local station is missing now, test multiple devices, verify your account and location, consult YouTube TV support, and use the station’s own stream or an appropriately checked antenna as a backup.
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