Local broadcasts are a major, major source of money and the league isn't gonna do anything that would undercut the importance of local network deals. On top of that many fans (myself included) would cut cable entirely if i had access to Astros and Rockets games. Most casual fans wouldn't pay the price however and it would certainly be a net loss compared to what they are making in the current format.
How could not blacking out the games on extra innings allow you (or anyone) to cut cable and watch the games? You still have to have cable, to purchase mlb extra innings And I know you can get it on the net, but it would be easy for them to block that (although in reality, that is very easy to bypass anyway)
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/07/even-under-chapter-11-red-ink-keeps-piling-up-for-csn-houston/
Related food for thought...interesting comments: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FCC-Poised-to-Act-on-Regional-Sports-Blackouts-Prices-129772
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur has returned the Jim Crane-Drayton McLane-Comcast civil lawsuit to state court. Details to follow.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/492098312682479616">July 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Isgur stayed the remand order until Aug. 25 while Comcast and McLane decide if they will appeal to U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/492099503462178817">July 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Houston attorney Chip Babcock, who represents McLane, said an appeal to Hughes is likely.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/492099633284268032">July 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/07/comcast-rockets-and-astros-file-dueling-secret-motions/ Comcast, Rockets and Astros file dueling secret motions Posted on July 28, 2014 | By David Barron With less than two weeks remaining before what could be a defining hearing in the Comcast SportsNet Houston bankruptcy case, Comcast, the Astros and the Rockets acknowledged Monday that they have substantial differences – with Comcast on one side, the teams on the other – over how efforts to reorganize the network should proceed. But they don’t want anybody to know what those differences are. Both sides filed motions Monday with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur seeking to file under seal their latest legal documents in the case, which entered its 11th month this weekend. First up was Comcast, which asked Isgur to seal from public view an “Emergency Motion for an Order Protecting the Comcast-Appointed Directors of the Debtor’s General Partner from the Teams’ and Potential Purchaser’s Abuse of Bankruptcy Process in View of Directors’ Fiduciary Rules.” Isgur granted that request. Later Monday, the Astros and Rockets filed with Isgur an “Emergency Motion for Leave to File Under Seal the Objection of the Rockets and the Astros to Comcast’s Emergency Motion for an Order Protecting the Comcast-Appointed Directors of the Debtor’s General Partner.” If you’re counting, the Astros and Rockets win the verbiage count, 32-30. Monday’s paper trail is the latest in the continuing dispute over what apparently is the Astros’ and Rockets’ efforts to reorganize CSN Houston with a new investor that is not Comcast – and that, in fact, is very likely a Comcast competitor such as DirecTV, AT&T or both. Based on the title of its motion, Comcast apparently believes that the Astros and Rockets are not playing fair with the two Comcast-appointed directors on the four-member CSN Houston board, who have a fiduciary responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the bankrupt company in addition to whatever responsibilities they owe to Comcast in their corporate positions there. What are those points of conflict? We don’t know. They apparently were discussed during the portion of a July 2 hearing that Isgur closed to the public. Comcast wants to include details of that hearing in its motion, and so it asked Isgur for permission to file the motion under seal, which the judge granted. “… The information that Comcast seeks to seal is limited to information which, if disclosed, would not only provide an unfair advantage to competitors but also hinder the ongoing reorganization efforts of the debtor,” Comcast attorneys said. For their part, the Astros and Rockets apparently do not believe that Comcast’s motion is warranted; thus, their objection. However, since their objection also apparently will include information from the closed July 2 hearing, the teams also wish to file their objection under seal. Got that? Riveting stuff, isn’t it? Judge Isgur has set Aug. 7 for the next status conference in the CSN Houston case. Presumably, attorneys on that date or beforehand may disclose their plans to reorganize the network out of bankruptcy. Comcast earlier declined to enter a stalking horse bid for the network, reversing an early statement that it would do so, but it also apparently has objections to the proposed bidder or bidders. Details on the proposed bidder or bidders have been … wait for it … sealed under court order. By the way, even those these dueling emergency motions have lengthy titles, I think the lawyers can still up their game. After all, these two motion subjets combined do not come anywhere near equaling what apparently is the longest song title in history: “Regretting What I Said to You When You Called Me 11:00 On a Friday Morning to Tell Me that at 1:00 Friday Afternoon You’re Gonna Leave Your Office, Go Downstairs, Hail a Cab to Go Out to the Airport to Catch a Plane to Go Skiing in the Alps for Two Weeks, Not that I Wanted to Go With You, I Wasn’t Able to Leave Town, I’m Not a Very Good Skier, I Couldn’t Expect You to Pay My Way, But After Going Out With You for Three Years I DON’T Like Surprises!!” by Christine Lavin. But, then again, there’s always tomorrow.
David Barron: Rockets & Astros say they are “now very close” to an agreement to reorganize Houston Regional Sports Network partnership. Details to come.
If then. As of right now, Comcast has no interest in any reorganization plan that the Astros and Rockets have worked on. Competing interests at this point. We'll see. Judge Igsur has given indications to the parties that he is not interested in delaying any further so he may render a decision that expedites the process to the detriment of Comcast.
Best case scenario is CSN the channel staying and Comcast going. Good for the Houstonians with jobs there and the great programming they provide IMO.
I totally agree! The talent at the station is just fine, and there would be continuity. I love that idea! And I love the idea they'd get to keep their jobs and Comcast could go pound sand.
This is rich: Wasn't this one of Comcast's chief complaints, that the Astros weren't looking out for the network but for themselves?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Summarizing today’s filings: (1). Rockets & Astros say they are close to deal to restructure the bankrupt partnership that owns CSN Houston.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494222308232294402">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(2). A buyer or buyer wants the four-member Houston Regional Sports Network board to approve its purchase offer by Thursday.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494222426914299905">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(3). We don’t know who buyer is, but Comcast presumes it is a competitor – most likely, although no one will say, DirecTV or AT&T or both.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494222637950726144">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(4). If it is one of those two companies, carriage agreements for the network on those services could be forthcoming soon.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494222750374846465">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(5). However, reorganization could mean a different name, programming and talent for the network that is now called CSN Houston.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494222837763149825">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(6). While the teams are good with the offer, Comcast has questions. It believes the process is moving too quickly and in unfair fashion.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494222955895726080">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(7). Comcast has 2 members on 4-member Houston Regional Sports Network board, and it says the proposed deal places them “in harm’s way.”</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494223128482938881">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(8). Teams say if Comcast wanted to buy net, it could have done so. They say Comcast wants to scare off buyer & get net at a bargain price.</p>— David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/494223585259429890">July 29, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
