- Verizon users in Boston are locked out of several big channels
- It’s the result of a contract dispute that’s still unresolved
- Now, Verizon has issued a $10.99 refund to affected customers
Normally, you’d like to think that your TV service is more or less reliable – after all, if you’re paying for channels, you expect to be able to watch them. Yet that’s proved to be anything but the case for thousands of Verizon customers in Boston – and after a month of channel blackouts, they’re finally being issued a refund.
The problems started on December 15, 2025, when a dispute erupted between Verizon Fios and Cox Media Group, which carried some channels for Verizon users. After the contract between the two companies expired, they were unable to reach an agreement on a new deal, meaning access to some programming from Fox and NBC was halted. The result was that Verizon customers missed out on swaths of programming, including NFL broadcasts, among other things.
The affected channels vary by city, but they include WFXT (FOX, Charge!, Laff) in Boston, MA and Providence, RI. In Pittsburgh, PA, WPXI (NBC, MeTV, Laff, Pittsburgh Cable News Channel) is unavailable.
In an extraordinary statement to its users (via Boston.com), Verizon said that it “has exhausted all options to get Cox to play fair on behalf of our customers.” Both sides are blaming the other: Verizon says Cox is asking for too much money, while Cox says Verizon has turned down multiple offers from the company.
As a consequence, Verizon is issuing $10.99 in credit to each user “to show affected customers we have their back.” Boston.com reports that this is intended to “cover the costs of other platforms and services, where the content on the blackout channels is available.” If you’re eligible for the refund, Verizon will reach out to you this week to let you know how to redeem the offer.
No resolution in sight
There’s no doubt that this is a painful move for Verizon. Not only is it having to cough up credit for large numbers of affected customers, it’s still unable to resolve the dispute that lies at the heart of this ongoing matter. That’s a bad look for any TV provider.
But it’s an even more painful situation for Verizon’s Boston-based customers, who have missed out on some key TV moments since the blackout came into effect – including the New England Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl.
That game is due to take place on February 8, and local fans of the team will be hoping Verizon can settle the dispute before then. If not, they’ll have to find other ways to watch the game.
With no resolution in sight, it’s unknown how much longer Bostonians will be locked out of the affected TV channels. If you’re affected and want to know how you can catch the Super Bowl, our guide has got you covered.
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alexblake.techradar@gmail.com (Alex Blake)
