Resistance to Verizon FiOS Promotion

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Disney and Fox took another swipe at Verizon, informing the telecommunications company that they would not run a commercial for FiOS’s new cable package on some of their channels. Disney, Fox and NBCUniversal objected this week to the FiOS cable package, which offers a slimmer version of basic cable. The product, called FiOS Custom TV, made its debut on April 19. A Verizon spokeswoman, Deidre Hart, said Disney told the company that it would not run ads for FiOS Custom TV on local stations, including WABC, A&E and ESPN Radio in New York (NY) and the ABC affiliate in Philadelphia (PA). Likewise, Fox will not run the ad on its New York affiliate, WNYW, and on the sports cable channel YES, Hart said. The FiOS ad began airing on April 22 on local broadcast stations.

“This anticompetitive tactic is only hurting consumers,” Hart said. “As we’ve been saying, FiOS Custom TV is a product consumers want, and it’s all about consumer choice. We believe we are allowed to offer consumers and small businesses this choice and flexibility under our existing contracts.” A Fox spokesman said that the company preferred “to keep our commercial discussions confidential.” Disney declined to comment.


Resistance to Verizon FiOS Promotion Verizon Says Disney, Fox Refusing to Run Ads For Its New TV Service (Wall Street Journal)