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Michigan Xfinity customers were abruptly disconnected from E.W. Scripps’ company-owned stations on Tuesday evening, March 31, amid a dispute between the two companies.
Xfinity and E.W. Scripps Co. failed to reach an agreement, and their contract expired, leading Xfinity users to lose access to E.W. Scripps Co. stations on Tuesday, March 31, Xfinity said in a March 31 email to customers.
“We know unexpected changes to your channel lineup can be frustrating,” the email stated. “Scripps has refused our reasonable offers and is making demands that would significantly increase what you pay for TV service. Thanks for your patience as we work to keep your TV package affordable. If we reach a new agreement and the channels are restored to your lineup, we’ll email you again.”
E.W. Scripps Co., in a statement to the Detroit Free Press, said that Comcast disrupted customers’ access, and its affected channels are still accessible online, via streaming apps and other cable and satellite services.
“Comcast has removed Scripps local stations from its Xfinity service in 19 markets, cutting off viewers from essential local news, weather and fan-favorite sports that Scripps stations provide Xfinity customers daily,” the statement read.
In metro Detroit, Xfinity customers were disconnected from WXYZ-TV Channel 7 and WMYD, the stations said in March 31 Facebook posts.
West Michigan Xfinity customers lost access to WXMI FOX 17 West Michigan, the station said on its website.
In mid-Michigan, Xfinity customers lost access to WSYM Fox 47, the station said on its website.
However, customers can keep watching by connecting an antenna to their television or tuning in via streaming or satellite platforms, the stations said.
Here’s what to know about the Xfinity and E.W. Scripps Company dispute in Michigan.
What Michigan channels were affected?
Michigan Xfinity customers lost access to the following channels:
- WXYZ Channel 7 – Detroit
- WMYD – Detroit
- FOX 17 WXMI – Grand Rapids
- WSYM-TV FOX 47 – Lansing
How can you still watch interrupted channels?
If you have lost access to the impacted channels on Xfinity, there are still other ways to tune in.
By purchasing an antenna to connect to your TV, you can still watch the channels currently interrupted on Xfinity without paying an extra cost.
You can also watch the interrupted channels via TabloTV, DIRECTV or YouTube TV for WXYZ Channel 7 and WMYD in the Detroit area, the stations said.
In west Michigan and mid-Michigan, Xfinity customers can watch FOX 17 WXMI and WSYM-TV FOX 47 via YouTube TV, DIRECTV, or other streaming, cable and satellite services, in addition to an antenna, according to the stations.
What are the companies saying?
In a March 31 email to customers, Xfinity said E.W. Scripps Co. was at fault for the dispute that led to interrupted channels.
“Our contract with E.W. Scripps Company has expired,” the Xfinity email stated. “Scripps is a local broadcasting group that owns many TV stations across the country. Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach a new agreement. This means that some of your local channels and On Demand content are currently unavailable with Xfinity. To see which channels are affected in your area, visit xfinity.com/facts.”
“We know unexpected changes to your channel lineup can be frustrating,” the email continued. “Scripps has refused our reasonable offers and is making demands that would significantly increase what you pay for TV service. Thanks for your patience as we work to keep your TV package affordable. If we reach a new agreement and the channels are restored to your lineup, we’ll email you again.”
E.W. Scripps Co. blamed Comcast for the dispute in an April 1 statement to the Detroit Free Press.
“Comcast has removed Scripps local stations from its Xfinity service in 19 markets, cutting off viewers from essential local news, weather and fan-favorite sports that Scripps stations provide Xfinity customers daily,” the statement read. “Scripps takes our public service responsibility to serve our communities seriously. Our stations provide on-the-ground reporting, real-time severe weather updates and live sports coverage that keep people safe and connected to what matters most in their daily lives.”
“Scripps has been negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that reflects this value and is fair for both parties and viewers,” the statement continued. “We hope Comcast recognizes the critical value we play for our communities and restores our stations’ signals so we can continue to serve their customers. Until then, Xfinity customers can still find our local news and sports programming for free over-the-air, on our station websites, streaming apps and on other locally available cable and satellite providers.”
“Our mission is to connect our communities with accessible local news, weather, live sports and entertainment programming. Comcast’s tactics won’t change our commitment to that,” the E.W. Scripps Co. statement concluded.
What is E.W. Scripps Co.?
E.W. Scripps Co. is a television broadcasting company based in Cincinnati, according to its website.
What is Xfinity?
Xfinity, or Comcast Cable Communications, is a cable and streaming television, internet, telephone and home security service provider, a subsidiary of Comcast Corp., a global media and technology company based in Philadelphia, according to its website.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
