Correction: Verizon will now keep these channels in its more expensive TV packages. Here is the updated story:
Verizon Fios customers will soon see a notable shift in their TV channel lineups, as the company has announced plans to remove four popular channels—Disney Jr, Disney XD, FX Movie Channel, and National Geographic Wild—from various packages starting April 14, 2025. The decision, affecting a wide range of Fios TV plans, has sparked conversations about the evolving landscape of television and what it means for subscribers. Here’s a deep dive into the changes and what customers can do next, all of this according to a new Verizon notice.
Disney Jr, a staple for family-oriented programming, will vanish from several packages, including Custom TV’s Action & Entertainment, Home & Family, Infotainment & Drama, Lifestyle & Reality, and Essentials tiers. It’s also exiting Fios TV Enhanced, Essentials, Extreme HD, Preferred HD, Premier, Prime HD, and Select HD plans. The channel, known for shows like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Puppy Dog Pals, has been a go-to for households with young children, making its removal a potential blow to parents relying on it for educational entertainment.
Disney XD, aimed at older kids and tweens with action-packed series like Star Wars Resistance and Big Hero 6: The Series, faces a broader cut. It’s being dropped from the same Custom TV packages as Disney Jr—Action & Entertainment, Home & Family, Infotainment & Drama, Lifestyle & Reality, and Essentials—plus Enhanced, Essentials, Extreme HD, Preferred HD, Premier, Prime HD, Free La Conexión, Mundo, and Mundo Total plans. This extensive pruning suggests a strategic pivot, possibly reflecting shifts in viewership or licensing agreements with Disney.
FX Movie Channel, a hub for cinematic reruns and classic films, will also disappear from an array of packages: Custom TV’s Action & Entertainment, Infotainment & Drama, Kids & Pop, Lifestyle & Reality, News & Variety, Sports & News, and Entertainment tiers, as well as Enhanced, Essentials, Extreme HD, Preferred HD, Premier, Prime HD, Select HD, and More Fios TV. Its removal could disappoint movie buffs who enjoyed its curated lineup, especially as streaming alternatives continue to dominate the film-watching space.
Rounding out the cuts is National Geographic Wild, a channel celebrated for its wildlife documentaries and nature programming. It’s being axed from Custom TV’s Home & Family, Infotainment & Drama, Kids & Pop, Lifestyle & Reality, News & Variety, Essentials, Sports & More, and News & Info packages, along with Fios TV Custom, Essentials, Extreme HD, Premier, Select HD, and More Fios TV plans. For viewers hooked on shows like The Incredible Dr. Pol or Wild Africa, this change might push them toward streaming platforms like Disney+ or National Geographic’s own app.
Verizon hasn’t detailed the reasoning behind these removals, but industry watchers speculate it could tie to rising carriage fees, declining linear TV viewership, or a push to streamline offerings as cord-cutting accelerates. The affected channels span demographics—kids, movie fans, and nature enthusiasts—hinting at a broader reevaluation of Fios TV’s value proposition.
For impacted subscribers, Verizon is offering options. Customers can log into My Verizon at https://secure.verizon.com/signin to explore alternative packages that might retain these channels or adjust their plans entirely. Another route is calling 800-VERIZON (800-837-4966) to speak with a representative who can tailor a solution—perhaps upgrading to a higher-tier package or bundling with streaming services.
As the April 14 deadline nears, Fios users face a choice: adapt to the new lineup, seek alternatives, or reconsider their TV habits altogether and switch to streaming with Diseny+ for most of this content. With streaming giants like Disney+ already housing much of this content, the cuts might accelerate a shift away from traditional TV. For now, Verizon’s move underscores a pivotal moment in how we consume entertainment—one where flexibility and foresight could keep subscribers ahead of the curve.
Both Verizon and Disney have not replied to our requests for comment at the time of this publishing.
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