Audio Video News

Pay-TV bundles bulging with never-watched channels have been the bane of consumer groups. They’ve long supported the concept of à la carte cable, which would let subscribers buy just the channels they want. Verizon’s FiOS Custom TV package isn’t exactly à la carte—but it does put the typical pay-TV bundle on a drastic diet. And that “skinny” package, as some call it, is making some networks very unhappy.

Custom TV starts with a core bundle of 35 basic broadcast and cable channels for $55. You then pick two out of seven add-on Channel Packs at no extra charge, plus additional ones for $10 each. The add-ons are arranged in themes: Lifestyle, Entertainment, News & Info, Pop Culture, Kids, Sports, and Sports Plus.

The New York TV stations of Fox- and Disney-owned ABC, as well as Disney’s ESPN Radio, refused to air Verizon ads touting the skinny bundle, though ABC affiliates in a few other cities acquiesced. Disney, Fox, and NBCUniversal say the skinny bundle violates their programming contracts with the telco-TV operator.

“Disney’s anti-competitive tactic is only hurting the consumer,” Verizon shot back. “From our perspective, there is no dispute.”