50 Cent took to Twitter and Instagram to take on cable giant AT&T for “racism,” saying that the company was trying to prevent “urban-friendly” programs from making it onto its lineup, including 50 Cent’s “Power.”
“Change your cable package from AT&T to anything else,” Jackson wrote of AT&T’s rumored plans to drop Starz. “It’s 2015 and these people are still racist. They are dropping all channels that are considered urban friendly.”
Although both AT&T and Starz have refused to comment on their contract, it does expire at the end of the month, leaving the future in doubt.
However, AT&T did come forward to deny the allegations of racism being an issue in the negotiations for Starz’ new contract, saying, “Starz and their paid talent can spin up whatever they like, but the bottom line is we’re NOT going to negotiate a deal that is bad for customers. In these negotiations, our customers are all that matter to us.”
Starz also came forward to say, “Starz has enjoyed a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with AT&T until now. We are hopeful AT&T will negotiate in good faith and that we will reach a fair agreement.”
Starz did note, however, that it would lose “millions” of viewers should negotiations with AT&T fall through.