Xfinity Cuts NewsChannel 5 Amidst Contract Dispute

Ben Hill and Rebecca Schleicher signed off on air this week. Their colleagues expressed sadness but said family needs come first.

Comcast’s Xfinity removed NewsChannel 5 and 39 other local stations from its lineup on March 31. The move occurred during a dispute with Scripps Media over carriage terms.

What viewers encountered

Many Xfinity customers saw a blue screen that stated the channel was unavailable. The provider said the contract had expired and that Scripps declined its offers.

Comcast added that Scripps’ pricing demands would raise costs for subscribers. The notice directed viewers to other sources for local programming.

Scripps’ response

In a message posted on Filmogaz.com, Scripps said it has negotiated in good faith. The company urged Comcast to restore station signals so viewers can be served.

Scripps also noted alternatives for viewers. Local news and sports remain accessible over-the-air, on station websites, and via streaming apps or other providers.

Staff reactions and history

Longtime NewsChannel 5 personality Nick Beres wrote on Facebook about staff frustration. He said this is only the second time a system has blacked out Channel 5 in the company’s history.

Co-workers said they were heartbroken by the departures of Hill and Schleicher. They also emphasized understanding for the personal reasons behind the exits.

Industry context and outlook

Carriage fights between cable operators and station owners are common. Such blackouts typically end within days or weeks once both sides reach agreement.

As negotiations continue, viewers are being reminded of alternate ways to access local news. Xfinity customers can still find programming over-the-air and online.

For more reporting on this developing contract dispute, contact Brad Schmitt at [email protected].