ESPN sued Verizon today to stop it from offering TV bundles that don't include ESPN channels.

ESPN is one of several content providers that say Verizon's new customizable TV bundles for FiOS customers violate programming contracts. The bundles let customers choose whether to get a package that includes channels such as ESPN and ESPN2 instead of requiring all customers to get the sports channels. While Verizon says it is allowed to offer the channels in this way, ESPN said that its "contracts clearly provide that neither ESPN nor ESPN2 may be distributed in a separate sports package.”

ESPN's lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, says ESPN "seeks specifically to enforce Defendant’s contractual obligations to Plaintiff, to enjoin Defendant from unfairly depriving Plaintiff of the benefit of its bargain, and to require Defendant to pay damages to Plaintiff in an amount consistent with (but not limited to) relevant provisions in the parties’ agreements."

Here's a copy of the lawsuit.

"ESPN is at the forefront of embracing innovative ways to deliver high-quality content and value to consumers on multiple platforms, but that must be done in compliance with our agreements. We simply ask that Verizon abide by the terms of our contracts," ESPN said in a statement provided to Ars.

"An ESPN spokesperson added that the disagreement was not primarily about money, but about sending a message that cable partners can't 'unilaterally change deals' without permission," The Washington Post reported.

When contacted by Ars, a Verizon spokesperson said, "Consumers have spoken loud and clear that they want choice, and the industry should be focused on giving consumers what they want. We are well within our rights under our agreements to offer our customers these choices."

The Custom TV bundles have been on sale since April 19. They aren't necessarily cheaper than Verizon's other TV packages, but these give customers a choice of what types of channels to buy. A standalone TV package that costs $55 a month gives customers 34 channels plus the choice of two channel packs. The channel packs come in varieties such as "sports," "news and information," "lifestyle," and "entertainment." Two channel packs are included in the base price, while additional ones cost another $10 per month.