Verizon FiOS customers will now be able to create their own customized TV package, the company said Tuesday, with channel packs divided into seven different genres like kids, news and sports.
And it’s that last option that has folks like ESPN up in arms.
“Media reports about Verizon’s new contemplated bundles describe packages that would not be authorized by our existing agreements,” the Washington Post quoted ESPN as saying in a statement. “Among other issues, our contracts clearly provide that neither ESPN nor ESPN2 may be distributed in a separate sports package.”
Verizon FiOS’ $54.99 custom TV package comes with a base of 35 channels, including some—but not all—national networks and local stations, as well as popular cable offerings CNN, Food Network, and HGTV. Two genre packs of 10-17 channels each are included in that base rate.
Additional packs can be added for $10 each, but cannot be bought by themselves.
With its custom TV offering, Verizon FiOS is breaking ranks with other pay TV providers to become to first to allow their subscribers to personalize their plans, even if not in a full de-bundle.
READ MORE: Variety
Tags: