Verizon Fios customers in markets across the country have been facing blackouts of local Cox-owned channels as the two companies have been unable to agree to terms for a carriage deal.
First reported by local news in Pittsburgh and Boston and shared in a report from Awful Announcing, the blackout has been affecting customers since the carriage deal expired on December 15. The channels impacted are WFXT, a Fox affiliate in Boston, and WPXI, an NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh. That means that Patriots fans and Steelers fans who watch TV with Verizon Fios have already missed two weeks of NFL games during the fight for playoff spots.
“We’re extremely disappointed that Verizon/Fios may pull our station from its lineup, which will harm Pittsburgh audiences and local journalism to the benefit of this telecom giant,” said Kevin Hayes, vice president and general manager of WPXI, the NBC affiliate in Pittsburgh.
“We are actively working to reach a fair agreement that puts our customers first,” Verizon said in a statement ahead of the blackout, shared by The Trib. “Unfortunately, Cox Media Group has yet to agree to reasonable terms. We are fighting to keep costs down for our customers while ensuring they have access to the NFL, college football, and NBA content they love. We will continue to work toward a reasonable agreement on their behalf.”
While customers wait for the channels to be restored, Pittsburgh customers can watch NBC content on Peacock, and Boston customers can use Fox One for Fox coverage.