Verizon Fios customers in Pittsburgh will soon lose access to the channel offering coverage of the Penguins and the Pirates. The company announced that it will be dropping AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh after a contract for the network ended on September 30, 2020.
“At Fios TV, we want our customers to see the best content on channels they love,” Verizon said in a statement. “When content deals expire, we have to negotiate with content providers to be able to continue to carry their channels. As we have been unable to reach a reasonable agreement with AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, we will be temporarily unable to provide their programming after that date.”
Verizon and AT&T negotiations have centered around the price AT&T is asking for Verizon to carry its channels. Verizon says AT&T is asking for a “significant increase” to the rates they’ve been paying.
“Additionally, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh is unwilling to provide a guarantee to fair market rates with respect to other distributors, including the ones they own. Rest assured, we understand that you enjoy AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh content, and we are working hard to reach a deal that will allow you to keep enjoying the programming you love.”
With the NHL season potentially starting in December of this year or January 2020, there’s a chance that Verizon customers in the area will miss out on Penguins coverage if a new deal can’t be made.
Those looking for another option for watching AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh can stream it on AT&T TV Now.