Xfinity ABC affiliate Denver7 and other E.W. Scripps Company-owned channels after their contract expired, leaving viewers with nothing but blue screens.
The cable provider, owned by media giant Comcast, said Scripps’ demands would have raised TV prices significantly for subscribers.
“Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to reach a new agreement,” the company posted on its website.
The following Colorado stations have been impacted:
- Colorado Springs-Pueblo – KOAA: NBC, Court TV HD, Grit
- Denver – KCDO: IND, Grit
- Denver – KMGH: ABC, Laff TV, ION Mystery
- Denver – KPXC: Bounce TV HD, ION+
In an email statement to The Post, a Scripps spokesperson said Comcast has removed their local stations from its Xfinity service in 19 markets, cutting off viewers from “essential local news, weather and fan-favorite sports that Scripps stations provide Xfinity customers daily.”
“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,” the company added.
“Scripps has been negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that reflects this value and is fair for both parties and viewers. We hope Comcast recognizes the critical value we play for our communities and restores our stations’ signals so we can continue to serve their customers.”
In a statement to The Post, Comcast said, “Scripps is demanding all of our customers pay for sporting events that only a very small number of them will watch. Our intention is to provide our customers with these stations, and we are working very hard to reach a fair agreement with Scripps.”
Scripps owns and operates nationwide in the Comcast footprint, and they’ve acquired the rights to show games for four professional hockey teams, including the Utah Mammoth, the Nashville Predators, the and the .
Xfinity customers can still find Scripps’ local news and sports programming for free over-the-air, on its station websites, streaming apps and on other locally available cable and satellite providers.
This isn’t the first time Xfinity has removed channels over contract disputes. Previously, the company pulled Bally Sports regional networks, which were before returning, as well as through Imagicomm and channels.
According to the company, programming changes happen.
“We pay other media companies, like TV station owners and operators, networks, and streaming companies, to bring their content to you. We negotiate regularly for top programming at affordable prices. When an agreement with a programmer ends and we cannot reach a new agreement thatap fair for our customers, it can mean that their content is no longer available through Xfinity,” the company posted on its website.
