MLB could pay them a rights fee. Or they could continue to collect the rights fees from Comcast, as I presume they'll still be under contract to show the Astros games. This is just for the interim period and for dish/dtv subscribers who don't get CSN. They will get either a simulcast, or the road team feed on MLB TV.
I find it funny that Crane says something like this when he is the one who was holding everything up to begin with.
I would hope CSN would do everything in their power to keep the games off of MLB network through the court.
CSN-Houston has the broadcast rights with no carriage deals in place for other providers(for which I do blame Crane!). Giving the games away for free will not help get any carriage deals in place. Why would Direct TV/Dish/ATT/TWC even negotiate with CSN if they are able to show Astros games on MLB-TV in the blackout area?
It's unlikely that they are going to be still trying to negotiate carriage deals under the current structure in April. CSN is almost certain to have imploded or been restructured by then. This coming week likely starts that process in motion.
Agreed. It's up to the Rockets to try to find solutions for their fans if they want to do that. That's not Crane's job.
Exactly!! I hope this is not allowed. A solution must be reached. Hopefully the judge in the bankruptcy case makes some kind of ruling next week that allows long term carriage deals to be negotiated and put in place. I personally believe the judge will just keep kicking the can down the road but I hope I am wrong.
When was the last time Comcast paid the broadcast rights fees to the Astros? I havent completey followed this, so my apologies if this is incorrect, but hasn't it come out that Comcast has breached the contract by failing to pay right fees since about July of 2013? If so, you're hoping Comcast gets to maintain exclusive rights to broadcast Astros game without having to pay for them? At the same time screwing over Astros fans, while reaping an unpaid for windfall?
I thought that is what the Rockets are trying to do as the lead negotiators. Surely they are looking at carriage deals, buyouts, etc.... anything to make something happen. I would have no problem if CSN implodes but as long as they are here, Crane should not be able to get the games on MLB-TV as it would undermine the whole deal.
No they have not been paid there fees but it is Crane who has blocked any carriage deals that would allowed CSN to make money to pay the fees. I could not care less for Comcast or the Astros. I want to watch the Rockets and the Astros owner is the one who has blocked that from happening. I want some kind of deal to get done and what Crane is trying to do will not help under the current situation. Now if the judge rules next week everything could change.
Technically, the Rockets and Comcast are the ones that created the current situation. Had they not filed suit to block the Astros' from leaving when their rights fees were not paid, everyone would be on TV right now.
No, it wouldn't. By that point, CSN is either gone, or they're paying rights fees to show games. If the other carriers still won't carry CSN, the Astros will have their games available on MLB. Not sure if the Rockets will have a contingency plan in place, as they've been rooting for the CSN thing to work out.
We could go round and round about who is more to blame. There is some truth in all of it. You blame the Rockets and CSN that the Astros aren't on the air and I blame Crane. I see no need to rehash a big debate where I doubt I will sway your opinion and I know you will not sway mine. Let's just all hope something comes out of the hearing next week that starts the ball rolling for us all to be able to enjoy the teams we want to watch!! Peace!!!!
What exactly do you expect the judge to do? He has two motions before him. A motion to dismiss the bankruptcy and put all parties to their rights under the contract and a motion to appoint a trustee. That's it. The judge cannot force the parties to agree to long term deals that they don't want. I personally expect the case to get dismissed and the contract blows up. That would have happened months ago had Comcast not tried an end around the partnership agreement with an involuntary bankruptcy petition.
It isn't that other carriers won't carry CSN H. The carriers don't want to pay the price Crane is still demanding . Some have offered to air CSN H alacarte which at MLB Extra innings is without a revenue stream. If carriers can quiet subscribers clamoring for Astros games to have them on their system without paying anything to the Astros, that's a win for the carriers. The carriers want it to be alacarte no one within CSN H wanted that. So if CSN H blows up, all of you Crane supporters with or without access to CSN H are going to be cool paying MLB a few hundred dollars a season to get MLB Extra Innings? And have no Rockets coverage ? Jim Crane is a bumbling idiot
