Verizon FiOS customers could find themselves without WHP CBS 21, WLYH CW 15 and MyNetwork 21.2 at midnight tonight, according to both FiOS and owner of the television channels Newport Television.
The current contract allowing FiOS to carry the channels expires today and a new agreement has not yet been reached. Should an agreement not be reached, FiOS customers may find it hardest to watch the ongoing NFL playoffs.
"Should Newport decide to remove its programming from the FiOS lineup and our customers, the WHP and WLYH signals are free over the air with a digital antenna," said Director of Verizon Media Relations John Bonomo. "Plus, FiOS TV offers CBS and CW programming on demand and all of the channels stream some of their programming on their own websites.
"For football fans, Verizon Wireless, through its agreement with the NFL, makes NFL programming available on select mobile devices."
Stand off
Unfortunately, the standoff doesn't appear to be headed for an agreement.
"Based on the current status of those discussions, we do not believe Verizon FiOS will be carrying either WHP CBS 21 or WLYH CW 15 after January 12th, 2012," reads a statement on the WHP CBS 21 website.
The statement also asks FiOS customers to call the cable provider to demand the channels and threaten canceling their service.
Bonomo, meanwhile, said the cable provider has been fair in its offers.
"Verizon has repeatedly offered Newport fair fees consistent with the marketplace, but so far Newport has refused our offers," he said.
