ESPN sues Verizon over cord cutting packaging

ESPN has issued a lawsuit against telco Verizon, alleging it has breached its contract with its pared down packages, which are available with no annual contract and are aimed at cord cutters.

Disney-owned sports channel ESPN is objecting to Verizon placing its channesl outside of its core bundle. It has started legal proceedings alleging breach of contract.

It had already issues a statement saying Verizon could not, contractually, remove ESPN and ESPN 2 from the main pack.

Verizon offers pay TV services and has unveiled a new selection of channel packages. A base pack is available with extra channels, or genre-specific sub-packages, added thereafter.

ESPN said in a statement: “ESPN is at the forefront of embracing innovative ways to deliver high-quality content and value to consumers on multiple platforms, but that must be done in compliance with our agreements. We simply ask that Verizon abide by the terms of our contracts.”

The likes of Fox and NBCUniversal have echoed those sentiments, and said the new flexible packages contravene their carriage deals with the telco.

“Consumers have spoken loud and clear that they want choice and the industry should be focused on what the consumer wants and giving them what they want,” A Verizon spokesman told Reuters.