- Verizon users in Boston are locked out of several major channels
- It is the result of a contract dispute that remains unresolved
- Now, Verizon has issued a $10.99 refund to affected customers
Normally, you’d like to think your TV service is more or less reliable – if you’re paying for channels, you expect to be able to watch them after all. Yet that’s proven to be anything but the case for thousands of Verizon customers in Boston — and after a month of channel outages, they’re finally getting a refund.
The problems started on December 15, 2025, when a dispute arose between Verizon Fios and Cox Media Group, which carried some channels to Verizon users. After the contract between the two companies expired, they were unable to agree on a new agreement, meaning that access to some programs from Fox and NBC was stopped. The result was that Verizon customers missed out on a number of programs, including NFL broadcasts, among others.
Affected channels vary by city, but include WFXT (FOX, Charge!, Laff) in Boston, MA and Providence, RI. In Pittsburgh, PA, WPXI (NBC, MeTV, Laff, Pittsburgh Cable News Channel) is not available.
In an extraordinary statement to its users (via Boston.com), Verizon said it “has exhausted all options to get Cox to play fair on behalf of our customers.” Both sides blame the other: Verizon says Cox is asking for too much money, while Cox says Verizon has rejected multiple offers from the company.
As a consequence, Verizon is issuing $10.99 in credit to each user “to show affected customers that we have their backs.” 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 contact you this week to let you know how to redeem the offer.
No resolution in sight
There is no doubt that this is a painful move for Verizon. Not only does it have to cough up the credit for a large number of affected customers, it is still unable to resolve the dispute at the heart of this ongoing case. It’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 television moments since the blackout went into effect — including the New England Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl.
That game is set to take place on February 8, and local fans of the team will be hoping that Verizon can settle the dispute before then. If not, they will have to find other ways to watch the game.
With no resolution in sight, it remains to be seen how much longer Bostonians will be locked out of the affected TV channels. If you’re affected and want to know how to catch the Super Bowl, our guide has you covered.
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