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ESPN Blesses New Lineup From Verizon

ESPN, which sued Verizon last year after being excluded from a new basic-cable package, voiced its pleasure over changes announced Friday to the channel lineup.

Verizon’s FiOS Custom TV service shifted some channels that are basic-cable mainstays — such as ESPN, Lifetime, TBS and USA Network — to category-specific tiers like lifestyle, entertainment, news and sports.

At the time, ESPN called the creation of Custom TV a “unilateral decision” and said Verizon had breached its contract with the Walt Disney Company, which owns the sports television giant.

The revamped Custom TV now offers two plans: Essentials and Sports & More, which includes ESPN, ESPN2 and Fox Sports 1, as well as TNT, Cartoon Network and CNBC.