With the Los Angeles Dodgers more than two weeks into the 2016 season, which is Vin Scully’s final in the broadcast booth, Time Warner Cable continues to receive pushback from several providers in regards to carrier rights for SportsNet LA.
TWC recently approached AT&T/DirecTV and other cable/satellite providers with a lowered asking price to carry SportsNet LA, which was still met with opposition. Time Warner revised their offer, extending another olive branch — in the form of a six-year contract agreement.
Again, TWC was turned away. Days prior to the Dodgers facing the San Diego Padres to open the season, TWC spokesperson Andrew Fegyversei confirmed to DodgerBlue.com that short- and long-term deals were rejected, and so too was binding arbitration.
With the impasse now in its third season, Congresswoman Janice Hahn of the 44th district in California wrote letters to Time Warner Cable and AT&T requesting a joint meeting in effort to find a resolution, Hahn explained on her website:
Today, Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-44) sent letters to both Time Warner Cable and AT&T, the parent company of DirecTV, requesting a joint meeting in her San Pedro office to discuss a resolution to the ongoing Dodgers TV blackout.
“This blackout has gone on far too long,” said Congresswoman Hahn. “Fans are frustrated and they want to know that both sides are working toward a resolution. I am working hard to bring everyone to the table and get our Dodgers back on Los Angeles televisions.”
In August 2014, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti asked the Federal Communications Commission to review the stalemate. There was hope the merger between AT&T and DirecTV would be enough to end the impasse, but there’s been little, if any, traction gained.
At present time, SportsNet LA is available to Bright House Networks, Charter Communications and TWC subscribers.
