Jade Carter
Carrier’s contract with Scripps expired, leaving viewers to look for other options for viewing.
Xfinity subscribers of WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) woke up Wednesday to what looked like an April Fool’s prank.
“This channel is unavailable,” a message on their screens read.
It was not an April Fool’s prank.
“Our contract with Scripps, the owner of this channel, has expired,” the on-screen Xfinity message read. “Scripps has refused our reasonable offers, and their demands would significantly increase the price you pay. Thank you for your patience as we work to keep your channels affordable.”
WXYZ and Detroit’s WYMD-TV (Channel 20) are part of an Xfinity blackout across 19 Scripps markets. Comcast’s agreement with Scripps expired at 5:59 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, March 31, according to Xfinity. In the Miami area, the Florida Panthers-Ottawa Senators game was cut off for viewers mid-broadcast.
In a statement, Scripps said, “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.
The message popped up on the screens of Metro Detroit Comcast ABC viewers on Tuesday night who were expecting to watch the primetime line-up of “Will Trent” and “High Potential.”
“Scripps has been negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that reflects this value and is fair for both parties and viewers. 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.”
On WXYZ’s website, a story pointed toward other options for viewers to watch the channel: via an antenna, via streaming apps or on other broadcast services.
On Facebook, the station apologized to viewers for the inconvenience.
“We apologize for the disruption of service for Comcast Xfinity subscribers,” the station wrote, asking those experiencing a blackout to contact Comcast at 1-800-934-6489.
Correction: This story is updated to note the correct time that the Comcast-Scripps contract expired.
