Media Giants Balk at New Verizon TV Bundles

The simmering struggle over the familiar bundle of cable-television channels broke into open warfare as owners of some of the most popular channels accused Verizon Communications of violating contracts in its bid to offer slimmer, cheaper packages of pay TV.

NBCUniversal and Fox joined ESPN in saying Verizon’s offering violates the agreements under which they supply the company with NFL football, Major League Baseball games and hit shows like Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise. The dispute creates a cloud of uncertainty over Verizon’s new packages, which launched April 19 and start at $55 a month. The plans let subscribers sign up for a smaller package of channels from broadcasters like ABC and Fox and then add packs of specialized programming like sports or children's TV.