50 Cent NEW BEEF ALERT — Verizon CEO Cuts STARZ / POWER Off NY+NJ Fios
50 Cent IG "New beef alert" after Verizon Fios dropped STARZ Wed night — POWER universe dark for NY/NJ. Calls out CEO Dan Schulman on diversity. STARZ Alison Hoffman blames Verizon; Verizon says talks ongoing. CONFIRMED blackout + public beef (AllHipHop + Variety/PR Newswire).
50 Cent publicly opened a "New beef alert" on Verizon CEO Dan Schulman after Verizon Fios removed STARZ channels, on-demand, and app access when the carriage agreement expired Wednesday night, Oct 1 2026 desks reported.
In an Instagram post quoted by AllHipHop (Nolan Strong, Oct 1 ~10:01 AM ET), 50 Cent wrote that NY and NJ viewers "won't be able to see the POWER universe or other shows I produce for STARZ because this shit head Dan Schulman decided there is no need for diversity. He said no one watches, STARZ in NY, or NJ." He also plugged Street Fighter (Oct 16).
The blackout is not limited to those two states — it hits Verizon Fios customers who received STARZ through the provider. STARZ Networks President Alison Hoffman blamed Verizon in a statement carried by Variety, Deadline/TV News Check, and a STARZ PR Newswire release: "Despite extensive efforts by STARZ to reach a renewal agreement and preserve uninterrupted access for Verizon Fios customers, Verizon has chosen to remove STARZ. Verizon has mischaracterized our position, shown an unwillingness to negotiate and has been unproductive in progressing towards a mutually beneficial outcome." Hoffman said STARZ stands ready to restore service under a fair deal and noted Power universe titles among the lost slate.
Verizon, in Variety's earlier report, said it remained "actively engaged in constructive discussions," called STARZ's public warnings an unnecessary pressure tactic, and accused STARZ of pushing higher rates that would raise customer bills. By late Wednesday both sides had failed to renew and STARZ went dark on Fios.
50's exclusive STARZ talent deal ended in 2022, but G-Unit Film & Television still produces projects there, including Fightland and continuing Power franchise installments — which is why the blackout lands as a producer/audience stakes fight, not soft fluff.
Verification: CONFIRMED carriage blackout + dual statements (Variety / PR Newswire / Deadline) + CONFIRMED 50 Cent public callout (AllHipHop quoting IG). This is a business carriage beef with real POWER cut stakes — distinct from TrapHop's Sep 30 50 Cent / Diddy prison-tablet troll card.