1 Solution
I got 2 emails early this morning about the lack of a contract with WPXI the local NBC affiliate and see that those several channels and sub channels have been blacked out. If Verizon can’t get a good price from the Pittsburgh affiliate, why not negotiate with a different affiliate or even just negotiate to get the network feed directly? I am more interested in the network content than the local content.
Solved! Go to Correct Answer
Looks like they settled their differences. I got an email at 8:28 pm and the stations are back online. I assume the guide will be updated tomorrow.
I agree. I already called Comcast to switch. Clearly no contingency plan and no concern for Verizon customers. Hello xfinity!
Time to dive feet first into streaming. I’m pretty sure a Hulu+ subscription can deliver WPXI to Verizon internet (only) customers right now while they have their **bleep** match with cox media group. I see little reason to continue paying a premium for tv service and device fees on each TV when I can get the same content over the same wire for much less these days.
agree they need to provide a NBC feed.
UNACCEPTABLE. How do you not carry NBC in Pittsburgh?? Are you trying to drive all the loyal, long-time Verizon customers to be like their twenty-something children and go buy smart tvs and use streaming services? Remember: THIS IS PITTSBURGH, HOME OF THE BOOMERS.
I agree, I do not need WPXI. But I want NBC. Most of the things I watch is on that channel. If they dont fix that asap, I will be switching to Comcast. I am no contract so nothing is holding me back. And my husband is already on me to call and switch because he already has been annoyed with them.
Don't these **bleep** at NBC know we can get their station for nothing? Sometimes I don't understand where these so called exes. get their brains.
Might be time to start shopping for another provider.
I am more than a little displeased with this situation. I already am paying for services that mean nothing to me like the Spanish channels. If this is a financial decision between two parties like Verizon and Cox Media, why can't Verizon have a menu where subscribers pay for only the channels they want, like NBC ? I would be more than happy to pay for the channels I want. I hope that the parties can settle this soon, or I will be making changes in my cable provider.
It's apparent that neither side is concerned about the subscribers. Will we be getting a reduction of our monthly bill since we're paying for the service that's not being provided?
I spoke to a Verizon representative yesterday via Verizon Fios chat to make a formal complaint and raised that very question. I was provided with a $10 credit for this month and told if an agreement was not met shortly they would “surely” provide some kind of compensation.
Verizon has no issue raising consumer prices drastically once “new customer” contracts expire. So I couldn’t care less that the same is happening to them.
They sure are able to teach their customer service reps how to negotiate but the upper management can’t with their vendors
Exactly! They removed 4 channels and no mention of a discount! They removed the gameshow network last year and no discount then either! When their costs go down, so should our bill!
Quick update: So anyone who wants to cut the Verizon TV service in response to this can spend the next three weeks trying out alternatives while this all gets sorted out.
It is absolutely ridiculous that Verizon does not carry NBC a main station. That is one of the only stations some people watch. I will be switching services if this issue is not resolved soon.
You people don't seem to understand. Most of you are saying your ready to switch providers. If Verizon gives in, what do you think is going to happen when Comcast contract is up? NBC will pull the same thing and you will end up paying a higher bill. Then you'll be ready to switch providers again. If they can't come to terms, then just switch your input to antenna and watch for free anyway. I did it to watch the Bridgestone classic hockey game yesterday.
Agree. A couple additional points - this is Verizon vs Cox Media not NBC so the increase fee is for the local affiliate. Cox was essentially bought out by Apollo Global Mgmt. The intent was for Apollo to increase revenue by increasing affiliate fees hence the issue we are dealing with.
you also point out the flaw in this - it can be free for most of us with an had antennae. In addition, there are other alternatives namely streaming services that bypasses the local affiliates. I have no issue losing WPXI but I do have an issue losing NBC content
Verizon and Cox are apparently oblivious that this pricing model will be to the detriment of both companies. It is an antiquated solution, to a rapidly changing landscape. To use an aforementioned analogy, this is like Blockbuster pulling rentals from their shelves over a dispute with the movie distributors and thereby encouraging the same customer of both to look for alternatives that exclude both parties from the value chain.
Sounds like you have one foot out the door with the antennae.
if I don’t have WPXI back on my tv by Friday I’m leaving FIOS. I just switched out my cell phone from Verizon after 13 years, don’t try me FIOS.
Why then are we not getting a reduction in our monthly fees? We lose a significant and substantial channel and continue to pay the same amount? I think not. Too many other great television options out there at significantly lower costs.
So do those of us with active Verizon FIOS contracts that included all local stations get compensated or reduced rates now that Verizon is not honoring our contract to include all local networks? They are not honoring their end of the contract.
I understand that their cost for the stations will increase and agree that that should be something that could increase prices when a contract is renewed or for someone new who does not have a contract, but I am not getting the service I paid for. I can not cancel the contract "Without Penalty" but they can make any changes they want - doesn't sound fair to me.
This is not the removal of a small cable station but one of the four Major Networks with no advanced warning or contingency plan for their customers. Unacceptable!
If there is no positive solution to this, I will not be renewing my FIOS or WIRELESS contracts. There are two many other providers and services available.
Joe
I want wpxi back. Make it happen. Cable companies charge us a fortune for their service and now we can’t get the channels we pay for. Verizon...you have enough money. Make a deal happen.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
