After a long winter hiatus that lasted through the end of 2025, the One Chicago franchise finally returned to NBC on January 7, 2026. However, while the return of Chicago Med, Fire, and P.D. should be a cause for celebration, a significant portion of the fanbase is finding themselves locked out of the new episodes.
The reason behind this “invisible wall” isn’t a technical glitch, but a high-stakes corporate standoff that has left thousands of viewers in the dark.
The FuboTV Carriage Dispute
The primary reason many fans can’t watch the new episodes live is a carriage dispute between NBCUniversal and FuboTV.
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What Happened: On November 21, 2025, all NBCUniversal channels NBC, USA Network, và Bravo—were removed from Fubo’s lineup after the two companies failed to reach a new contract agreement.
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The Impact: Since One Chicago was on its winter break when the channels were pulled, many fans didn’t notice the change until the winter premieres aired last week. Now, subscribers who rely on Fubo as their primary cable alternative are unable to watch their favorite shows live on Wednesday nights.
The Streaming “Next-Day” Delay
For fans without cable or Fubo, the struggle often involves the Peacock transition. While Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for the franchise, the platform’s release schedule can be frustrating for those used to “live” social media discussions:
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Next-Day Only: Unless you have a Peacock Premium Plus subscription that includes a live feed of your local NBC station, new episodes do not drop on the app until 6:00 AM ET on Thursday mornings.
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The Social Media Minefield: For die-hard fans, this 12-hour delay means staying off X (Twitter), TikTok, and Reddit to avoid major spoilers regarding the new Chief Pascal’s secrets or the fallout from the latest Chicago P.D. cliffhanger.
How to Watch (Alternatives for 2026)
If you are currently blocked by the Fubo dispute, here are the most reliable ways to catch up on Season 14 of Fire, Season 11 of Med, and Season 13 of P.D.:
| Method | Availability | Best For |
| Peacock | Next day (Thursdays) | Catching up at your own pace. |
| Hulu + Live TV | Live on Wednesdays | Fans who want to keep a cable-like experience. |
| YouTube TV | Live on Wednesdays | High-quality live streaming without the Fubo headache. |
| NBC App | Next day (with login) | Viewers with a different participating cable provider. |
What’s Next?
The timing of this lockout is particularly painful for fans. With rumors of a massive city-wide crossover brewing for later in the 2026 season and the Winter Olympics (starting February 6) set to cause another hiatus, fans are desperate to see every minute of the January run.
Negotiations between Fubo and NBCUniversal are ongoing, but until a deal is struck, many “One Chicago” fans will have to find a new way to visit Firehouse 51.
