American Television Alliance Statement on Potential Upcoming Deltavision Media TV Blackout Impacting Verizon Customers

Subscribers Set to Lose World Cup Coverage and Key Local Programming as Deadline Approaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Television Alliance (ATVA) released a statement in response to Deltavision Media’s decision to hold its WSYT FOX affiliate and MyNetworkTV station in Syracuse, N.Y. for ransom while demanding one of the most egregious retransmission consent fee increases Verizon has ever seen, for programming that is free over the air.

“Deltavision Media is a new player in broadcasting, but it’s already trying to score a financial goal while kicking consumers out of the game,” said ATVA spokesman Hunter Wilson. “Ahead of a critical contract deadline next week, Deltavision Media is threatening a TV blackout that would impact FIFA World Cup 2026 programming, demanding exorbitant retransmission fees with no concern for the thousands of families who are excited to watch their favorite match. Holding the world’s biggest sporting event hostage is no way to introduce yourself to the business.”

Deltavision Media, a Mississippi-based regional media company launched in August 2025, has proven to be an uncooperative negotiating partner, delaying its initial proposal and then demanding staggering rate increases – even compared to the already-inflated standards typical of Big Broadcaster retransmission consent demands.

The TV blackout could impact nearly 20,000 Verizon customers in the Syracuse, N.Y. market, jeopardizing their access to regular programs, news, and most critically, coverage of the FIFA World Cup on FOX – one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet.

For decades, broadcasters have been charging cable and satellite providers and their customers to access local stations, forcing the removal of channels from TV lineups and blacking out content until TV providers agree to pay more. When blackouts finally end, consumers get their programming back, but often at a higher cost.

Since 2010, broadcasters have levied more than 2,500 TV blackouts and increased retransmission consent fees by an overwhelming 2,000 percent. American consumers continue to pay the price for outdated regulations that allow broadcasters to weaponize TV blackouts, deliberately targeting live sports, local news and other popular TV.

ATVA stands ready to work with Congress to modernize dated regulations that turn sizable profits for broadcasters at the expense of consumers. To learn more about outdated broadcast regulations and their impact on the American consumer, visit https://americantelevisionalliance.org/about-the-issue/.

###