Comcast Xfinity and Scripps Dispute Over NHL Coverage Sparks Industry Concerns Comcast Xfinity and The E.W. Scripps Company entered a dispute over regional NHL broadcasting rights, leading to the blackout of several Scripps-owned stations on Tuesday night. The conflict arose after the two parties failed to reach a new agreement, with Scripps demanding that Comcast carry stations airing local NHL games as a condition for carrying other Scripps stations nationwide. The blackout affected stations that broadcast games for the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and San Jose Sharks, with Xfinity users in affected areas losing access to live broadcasts during key matchups. At the time of the blackout, Xfinity only carried stations airing Florida Panthers games, including WHDT-TV in West Palm Beach and WSFL-TV in Miami Dade and Broward counties. Both stations went dark during a Panthers game, highlighting the immediate impact of the dispute. Scripps also requested that Comcast carry a station broadcasting Nashville Predators games starting next season, though the Las Vegas market, home to the Vegas Golden Knights, was excluded from Xfinity’s service area. Scripps emphasized its commitment to negotiating in good faith, stating it aimed to reach a fair agreement for both parties and viewers. Meanwhile, an Xfinity employee noted the company was working to restore programming under “fair pricing, terms, and conditions for customers.” The dispute has raised concerns about the potential consequences for local TV news, with Fox warning that the exclusion of live sports from distribution could lead to the decline of local news, akin to the obsolescence of print newspapers. Fox also called for reevaluating the antitrust exemption granted to professional sports leagues under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.#fox #espn #nfl_network #comcast_xfinity #the_ew_scripps_company
WXYZ-TV Blacked Out for Comcast Xfinity Users Due to Carrier Dispute A blackout of WXYZ-TV and other Scripps-owned channels affected Comcast Xfinity users across 19 markets, including Detroit and Miami, as the carrier’s contract with Scripps expired on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The outage began at 5:59 p.m. Eastern time, leaving viewers unable to access their favorite programming. A message on affected screens read, “This channel is unavailable,” with an explanation from Xfinity stating that the contract with Scripps had expired and that the carrier’s negotiations had stalled. The message added, “Scripps has refused our reasonable offers, and their demands would significantly increase the price you pay. Thank you for your patience as we work to keep your channels affordable.” The blackout disrupted programming for thousands of subscribers, including those in Metro Detroit who were expecting to watch primetime shows like “Will Trent” and “High Potential.” In Miami, the Florida Panthers-Ottawa Senators game was cut off mid-broadcast, leaving fans in suspense. The incident highlighted the broader impact of the dispute, which affected 19 Scripps markets, including stations such as WYMD-TV (Channel 20) in Detroit. The outage underscored the reliance of millions of viewers on cable providers for live sports and news coverage. Scripps, the owner of the affected channels, issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to public service. The company noted, “Scripps takes our public service responsibility to serve our communities seriously. Our stations provide on-the-ground reporting, real-time severe weather updates, and live sports coverage that keep people safe and connected to what matters most in their daily lives.#comcast_xfinity #scripps #wxyz_tv #wydm_tv #florida_panthers_ottawa_senators_game
Detroit Tigers Announce TV Channels for 2026 Season The Detroit Tigers have released details about the television channels where fans can watch their games during the 2026 season. The information was shared by sideline reporter Daniella Bruce, who provided specifics about the distribution agreements for the new Detroit SportsNet network. The announcement comes just over 24 hours before the team’s regular season opener against the San Diego Padres. Comcast/Xfinity subscribers will be able to stream the Tigers on channel 1253. DirecTV users can access the games on channel 663-3 or via the DirecTV stream 663. U-verse customers will find the Tigers on channel 1739. For Charter/Spectrum viewers, the available channels vary by location. In areas such as Alpena, Detroit, Duluth-Superior, Flint-Saginaw, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Traverse City, the Tigers will be broadcast on channel 213. Livonia residents can tune in to channel 291, while viewers in Ft. Wayne, Green Bay-Appleton, and Toledo will have access to channel 307 or 1307. Spectrum App users in certain regions can watch the games on channel 436. Bruce noted that additional information about other providers will be released on Thursday morning. The first game of the season is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, when the Tigers face the Padres in San Diego. The announcement was accompanied by other updates, including details about new food items for the season and a preview of the team’s redesigned uniforms and premium seating options. However, the primary focus of the article remains on the television distribution plan, which aims to ensure fans across Metro Detroit can follow the team’s progress throughout the 2026 season.#detroit_tigers #san_diego_padres #detroit_sportsnet #daniella_bruce #comcast_xfinity
