Charter Communications Adding SportsNet LA On Tuesday
As AT&T’s merger with DirecTV remains hanging the balance and awaiting approval, Charter Communications is pushing forward with their deal to purchase Time Warner Cable and thus provided SportsNet LA to its customers.
It was announced beginning Tuesday, June 9, SportsNet LA will be available on Charter Spectrum TV Select, Charter’s most widely subscribed tier of service. The channel listings are as follows, 44 SD/ 789 HD in Los Angeles, 44 SD/773 HD in San Luis Obispo, and 44 SD in Porterville.
SportsNet LA landing in the homes of Charter customers is the first significant step since Time Warner provided the Los Angeles Dodgers 24/7 network over the air on KDOC down the stretch of the 2014 season. “We’re thrilled that Dodger fans will now be able to watch SportsNet LA’s 24/7 Dodger programming on Charter’s systems,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement.
“SportsNet LA continues to deliver unparalleled coverage of the Dodgers and we hope other providers come on board soon so all fans can enjoy the network’s first-rate programming.” With Charter becoming the first significant pay-TV provider to add SportsNet LA to its lineup, the hope remains other will soon follow suit.
Largely viewed as the domino that needs to fall in order to pave the way for more agreements to be reached, DirecTV has remained steadfast in their refusal to accept the asking price for TWC’s regional sports network. A recent statement released by the satellite company expressed a continued hope for compromise from the Dodgers and Time Warner.
With the TV impasse lingering on, fans have turned out in droves as the Dodgers announced they exceeded 3 million in ticket sales prior to Opening Day and by the earliest date in franchise history. Additionally, the Dodgers became the first team this season to reach 1 million in home attendance and set attendance records at their Camelback Ranch Spring Training facility this year.
Part owner Magic Johnson recently caused a mimi stir when he said the Dodgers’ brand hasn’t been hurt by the lucrative TV deal with Time Warner. While other carriers continue to holdout, it’s important to recognize any progress made is encouraging. After all, “The Dodgers are an iconic franchise and part of the fabric of the community,” as president and CEO of Charter Communications Tom Rutledge said.
[divide]Andrew Friedman On Trading Juan Uribe
Finally! The thing is the only cable option available in my area is Charter, which is what I have. Time Warner was not an option since they don’t serve my area. Now that Charter bought TWC, I hope Charter gets the other TW channels too such as the Pac-12 Network so I can watch my Trojans. Still so glad this is a step in the right direction now I can actually watch the Dodgers. Doesn’t make sense in TWC kept telling viewers to switch to them when they can’t even serve many areas in LA.
Magic should ponder this: what if, during his playing days, a tv deal was struck where most of LA couldn’t listen to Chick call the Lakers’ games……He was a jackass to toe the company line on this one…..