With Cox, FOX 25 in Retrans Dispute with Verizon FiOS

Cox Media Group is currently in a dispute for retransmission fees with Verizon FiOS, which effects WFXT-TV FOX 25 in Boston.

The existing agreement with Verizon FiOS to carry FOX 25 has expired, and if no deal is reached by 3am on Thursday, November 27, 2014 (which is Thanksgiving,) FOX 25 could potentially be pulled from the FiOS lineup.

Both Cox and Verizon are blaming each other for the dispute, which Verizon says is over a steep increase in carriage fees.

"Despite what you may be hearing from the new owner, Cox Media Group, Verizon has no intentions of dropping [WFXT-TV]."

In a further statement, Verizon says that "Over the past seven years we always enjoyed a good relationship with the previous owners, securing agreements without even the hint of removing the channel. Unfortunately, Cox is now threatening to remove these channel(s) from the FiOS TV lineup over its demands for millions of dollars more in fees, something they have done in other markets. As a result, customers in the Boston, MA and Providence, RI viewing areas may no longer be able to view the FOX channels on or after 11:59 pm on November 26, 2014."

Verizon continued "we hope Cox Media will work with Verizon to make sure that the FOX channels continue to be part of FiOS TV, without any customer interruption. However, if these channels become unavailable customers using Verizon Wireless can access NFL games being shown on the FOX channel in the Boston and Providence markets on their smart phones via the NFL Mobile app. Customers who have the More Everywhere plan receive NFL Mobile as a part of their plan, while all other customers can subscribe for $4.99 per month. Other NFL programming is also available via the app."

FOX 25 says Verizon is at fault for refusing to pay higher fees "by law, FOX 25 must negotiate carriage agreements with cable companies like Verizon FiOS. Usually, these deals are reached without any disruption to your service. In fact, our company has negotiated dozens of agreements with only the rarest of disruptions. Unfortunately, so far,Verizon FiOS has refused to reach a fair, market-based deal to carry FOX 25."

The money factor is large, and FOX 25 points out to the fact that Verizon pays ESPN over $6 per subscriber monthly "Regardless, we will continue to work hard to try and get a successful outcome to this negotiation so that you do not lose live access to any of your favorite programming, but the ball remains in Verizon's court to step-up like all of their competitors and peers have done."

FOX 25 is urging its viewers to call Verizon to let them know they already pay enough in their bill to watch the station, and asking them to drop FiOS if they drop FOX 25.

"We have carriage agreements with every other cable and satellite company that is carrying FOX 25, including DirecTV and Comcast.  Verizon FiOS, however, insists that it should pay substantially lower rates than what it pays competing video providers.  Naturally, we cannot give away our product for less than it is worth."

As for whether or not a deal happens before Thanksgiving, Verizon says "we will continue working diligently to get a fair deal that minimizes impact to our customers."

FOX 25 adds "regardless, we will continue to work hard to try and get a successful outcome to this negotiation so that you do not lose live access to any of your favorite programming, but the ball remains in Verizon's court to step-up like all of their competitors and peers have done."

 

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