Verizon cites "very low viewership" as reason for removal

American telecommunications company Verizon sent out an email message to subscribers of its FiOS television service this week to inform subscribers that it will drop the Funimation Channel from the service "on, or after March 15." The message cited "very low viewership" as the reason for the drop.

The channel remains available on AT&T U-Verse, Xfinity, Charter, and several other smaller cable operators.

Funimation's network manager Amanda Nanawa provided ANN with the following statement:

We appreciate the outpouring of support from the FUNimation Channel nation regarding this sudden notice. After learning of Verizon FiOS TV's decision, we are discussing our options to maintain FUNimation Channel's presence on their platform. We promise to keep our legion of fans posted through our website and social media pages and encourage our fans to call Verizon FiOS TV to voice their opinion.

Thanks to jlaking, Scott VonSchilling, Matt F., and others for the news tip.