Starz petitions the FCC to help with Altice negotiations

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Altice networks dropped the Starz channels on Jan. 1 due to failed contract negotiations.

Outlander fans are still angry that the Altice networks, including Optimum, dropped the Starz network on New Year’s Day. Altice puts the blame on Starz, while Starz continues to put the blame on Altice. Regardless of fault, the discussions over contracts and options are still ongoing and now Starz is taking the dispute to the FCC.

As of Jan. 19, Starz filed two petitions with the FCC in an attempt to come to some sort of negotiations. The attempt is to get Starz back on Altice by force, along with Starz Encore and Movieplex. These would be for the 30-day notice period the FCC rules set. Starz also wants the cable company to respond to its customers’ complaints and correct the “misleading and false disclosures” about the deletion of the channel.

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Altice has responded to say that the “claims are without merit,” and will file their own response within the coming days or weeks. The cable company is of the view that since Starz has its own subscription service, there’s no need to charge all customers to carry the channel on its own network. Starz CEO, Chris Albrecht, previously stated that while it has a subscription option, not everyone wants to sign up and watch that way. Some customers just want to watch through their cable channel and should have that option. Altice’s view is that the majority of customers don’t watch the channel, so don’t understand why they should be forced into offering it.

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Outlander fans have shared Albrecht’s view. They want to watch through their TV, which can be more reliable than the internet.

Altice customers are also angry that they haven’t been offered a refund after the channel was removed. Some customers called and were able to negotiate a refund, but others have been completely ignored. Starz wants Altice to either restore the service or offer a refund for the customers affected.

A resolution is still possible, but Albrecht says that it will take time. For now, fans can continue to send their emails, tweets and correspondence directly to companies under the Altice umbrella.

Next: Where does Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat's body really lie?

Were you affected by Altice’s decisions? Have you gone straight to Starz instead? Share your thoughts below.

Follow Claire and Jamie on Twitter for more updates between Starz and Altice.

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