Pittsburgh Steelers face off against Ravens as Verizon dispute leaves fans without access
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they prepare to battle the Baltimore Ravens in a crucial Week 18 matchup. This showdown not only determines the champion of the AFC North but also decides which team will advance to the playoffs, while the losing side sees their season come to a sudden end. Scheduled for Sunday Night Football, the game is set to kick off at 8:20 P.M. ET and is expected to capture the attention of the entire NFL community.
Local Broadcast Disruptions
While the excitement builds for this pivotal game, not all fans will be able to tune in. The broadcast will be available locally on WPXI, but a contract dispute between Cox Media Group, the owner of WPXI, and Verizon has left many fans in the dark. Customers using Verizon Fios have been unable to access WPXI for several weeks, meaning they will miss out on this highly anticipated contest.
Kevin Hayes, the general manager of WPXI, expressed deep concern over the situation. “WPXI-TV is proud of our commitment to investing in high-quality local news and investigative journalism. The latest actions of Verizon/Fios threaten those investments and hurt consumers who rely on us for local news, weather, and a robust slate of sports and other popular entertainment programming,” he stated. Hayes went on to call for Verizon to reconsider its approach, emphasizing that the company should not hold its customers hostage in a dispute that undermines local journalism and community service.
Ongoing Negotiations
The contract between Cox Media Group and Verizon expired in December, and negotiations to reach a new agreement have yet to bear fruit. As fans gear up for what promises to be a thrilling encounter on the field, many are left frustrated by the inability to watch their team in action due to issues beyond their control. The unfolding drama not only impacts viewership but also highlights the broader implications of media rights disputes in the sports landscape.
As the Steelers and Ravens prepare to clash, the anticipation is palpable, yet the frustration of fans reflects a critical moment in which the excitement of the game collides with the realities of access and broadcast rights.
