50 Cent Starts Beef With Verizon Over Starz Blackout

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has a new beef and this time, it’s with Verizon.

The hip-hop mogul called out Verizon CEO Dan Schulman as a dispute over licensing fees cut off Fios customers’ access to Starz, home to 50 Cent’s Power universe and Fightland.

“New beef alert,” the mogul wrote on Instagram Sept. 30.

“If you’re in NY or NJ you won’t be able to see the POWER universe or other shows I produce for STARZ because this s–t head Dan Schulman decided there is no need for diversity. He said no one watches, Starz in NY, or NJ.”

Verizon blasted back. The company said it supports diverse programming and accused Starz of trying to squeeze it for higher fees that would increase customer bills.

The blackout took effect on Thursday, Oct. 1, after a previous licensing agreement expired at midnight without a renewal, TheWrap reported. As a result, Fios subscribers lost access to Starz channels, Starz On Demand and the Starz app through their Verizon subscription.

Fios offers internet, telephone and television services in parts of nine states and Washington, D.C., according to Verizon’s website. Those states are Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

So what caused the blackout? That depends on which side you ask.

In a statement provided to Urban Hollywood 411, Starz Networks President Alison Hoffman accused Verizon of failing to work toward a deal.

“Despite extensive efforts by Starz to reach a renewal agreement and preserve uninterrupted access for Verizon Fios customers, Verizon has chosen to remove Starz,” Hoffman said. “Verizon has mischaracterized our position, shown an unwillingness to negotiate and has been unproductive in progressing towards a mutually beneficial outcome.”

Starz described the dispute as a loss of choice for viewers, particularly audiences looking for programming centered on communities of color, like the Power franchise, Fightland, P-Valley and S.W.A.T. Exiles.

Hoffman also pointed to Starz’s position as an independent entertainment company in an industry increasingly dominated by media and tech giants.

“Verizon’s decision to drop Starz deprives its customers of access to a unique slate of programming that cannot be found anywhere else and leaves viewers with fewer choices,” she said.

Verizon offered a different account. In a statement issued just before the blackout, the company said negotiations were ongoing and accused Starz of misleading its viewers in a quest for higher rates.

“Verizon is committed to offering a wide variety of diverse programming across our lineup, while also protecting our viewers from unjustified price increases,” the company said. “Starz is attempting to use public pressure to force higher rates on our customers which would directly drive up monthly bills for the families we serve.”

Hoffman said Starz remains ready to reach an agreement that restores access for Fios customers.