It has been three years since the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a record television rights-contract with Time Warner Cable to form SportsNet LA, a channel that is solely dedicated to the organization.
However in the time since its inception, distribution of SportsNet LA has faced constant pushback from other providers. There was hope a merger between AT&T-DirecTV would signal an end to the impasse, but it’s now on the verge of entering a fourth season.
Last November, the United States justice department filed a lawsuit against AT&T-DirecTV, alleging they were the ringleaders in colluding against Spectrum and distribution of SportsNet LA.
As that hangs in the balance, it is unlikely the Dodgers’ exclusive network will gain wider distribution by Opening Day of the 2017 season, according to Edvard Pettersson of Bloomburg:
Charter said in a statement that it doesn’t expect any other pay-TV distributors to carry SportsNet LA by opening day of baseball season this year.
DirecTV is remaining firm in their stance against adding SportsNet LA to their programming, citing a previous deal struck with the Los Angeles Lakers, who also have an exclusive network that is operated by Spectrum:
DirecTV says it refused to pay top dollar for Time Warner Cable Inc.’s Los Angeles Dodgers channel because it had been “burned” earlier overpaying to air Lakers games, not because it was conspiring with others to get an edge on a competitor.
A hearing is set for March 13 when a judge will decide whether the lawsuit will move forward. DirecTV declined to enter binding arbitration with TWC last year. Spectrum submitted short- and long-term contracts offers to providers prior to the 2016 season, but to no avail.
In April, 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. DirecTV rejected Hahn’s request.
The Dodgers are set to begin the 2017 season on Monday, April 3 against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Though, SportsNet LA is slated to carry 16 Spring Training games.
