"Very low viewership" is being blamed for a decision by cable provider Verizon FIOS to remove the Muslim-oriented Bridges Television from its lineup starting March 15.

The decision removes Bridges from 4 million FIOS subscriber homes throughout the country, a spokeswoman said. Verizon also is pulling the Funimation channel, which offers anime programming, for the same reason.

Bridges, which started in 2004 near Buffalo, was created to provide programming for Middle East and South Asian audiences while also trying to enhance the image of Muslims in America. It airs programs such as "Democracy Now" with Amy Goodman and a weekly discussion show hosted by Arab American Institute President James Zogby.

The network's greatest attention, however, came as a result of tragedy when founder Muzzammil "Mo" Hassan murdered his wife by stabbing her more than 40 times with a pair of hunting knives, and beheading her in February 2009.

The attack was considered an honor killing, but Hassan claimed it was he who was the battered spouse and that the murder was the result of years of abuse he claims to have suffered.

He was convicted last year and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.