50 Cent has urged Verizon customers to switch providers after a blackout removed STARZ programming from the company’s Fios TV service, threatening access to shows including Power.
The rapper and television executive criticised Verizon and chief executive Dan Schulman in an Instagram post, directing particular concern at viewers in New York and New Jersey.
He warned fans that they could miss STARZ programmes including Power and its spin-offs, which are produced by his G-Unit Film & Television banner.
The dispute follows the failure of negotiations between STARZ and Verizon over a new distribution agreement. STARZ said customers could also lose access to Outlander, P-Valley, S.W.A.T.: Exiles, the upcoming Fightland and its film library.
STARZ president Alison Hoffman criticised the blackout, saying the dispute could restrict access to programming serving women and under-represented audiences.
Verizon said STARZ had chosen to remove its premium channels from the Fios line-up while making the service available directly to consumers at a lower price.
A Verizon spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that STARZ has chosen to remove its premium channels from the Verizon Fios TV lineup. While STARZ is currently selling its service direct to consumers for as low as $2.50 a month, they are demanding Verizon customers pay double that amount for access to the same content.”
The company added: “Verizon proudly offers a rich, diverse array of programming across our platform, and our focus remains on protecting our customers and delivering content at a fair value. We remain open to reaching a sensible resolution to restore these channels.”
The spokesperson also accused STARZ of using “baseless claims” to distract from what Verizon described as a fair contract negotiation.
