Verizon, Cablevision drop Tennis Channel as US Open action begins

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) FiOS TV customers who also happen to be tennis fans were aced out of some coverage of the U.S. Open starting Sunday as yet another carriage fee dispute between a programmer and pay-TV operator reared its head.

The Tennis Channel also pulled its signal from Cablevision (NYSE: CVC); a spokesman for the MSO, Jim Maiella, said the channel is seeking "significantly higher" fees for its programming after its in its negotiations.

Viewers can still watch much of the action on CBS and ESPN and can also watch action online.

Multichannel News said Verizon is continuing to negotiate with the Tennis Channel for a new deal, but whether the two companies can reach a deal before the end of the Grand Slam event on Sept. 11 remains unknown.

For more:
- see this Bloomberg article
- see this MCN article