Millions of households across Metro Detroit can finally tune back into their local news and favorite primetime shows. This follows a new Xfinity Scripps deal that officially ended a month-long programming blackout on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
The agreement between Comcast and the E.W. Scripps Company restores access to WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) and WMYD-TV (Channel 20), ending a standoff that left many viewers without access to major local sports and news events.
Why WXYZ and WYMD were unavailable in Detroit
The dispute began when the previous contract expired at 5:59 p.m. on March 31, 2026. It was centered on “carriage fees,” the price cable providers pay broadcasters to carry their signals.
For 35 days, Xfinity customers saw on-screen messages stating that Scripps had not accepted reasonable offers, while Scripps maintained it was seeking fair market value for its content. As a result, Detroit residents lost direct cable access to ABC’s primetime programming and local emergency weather updates.
The blackout was especially difficult for sports fans, who missed Game 7 of the Detroit Pistons’ first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, which aired on ABC.
What is the impact of the Xfinity Scripps deal?
Although the Pistons’ subsequent games will air on NBC and Prime Video, the agreement ensures Xfinity subscribers will have uninterrupted access to the upcoming NBA Finals, which will be broadcast exclusively on ABC.
The Xfinity Scripps agreement also affects customer billing. Comcast has confirmed that customers who pay an itemized Broadcast TV Fee will receive a credit on their bills for the lost programming.
These credits, ranging from $1.70 to $9.62, began appearing on statements as of May 1. Customers on newer all-in pricing tiers, such as TV Core or TV Select, will not receive these credits because their packages do not itemize the broadcast fee.
Beyond Detroit, the agreement has national implications, affecting 40 Scripps-owned stations across the country, including 19 “Big Four” affiliates. In a statement, WXYZ thanked viewers for their patience and said they “look forward to serving viewers once again on the Xfinity service with local news, weather, live sports, and entertainment.”
Detroit viewers can now access Channel 7 again. However, ongoing industry tensions suggest this may not be the last blackout they experience.