CSN

Hence they'll probably just buy the damn network and clog this up again.

 

I'd love to read that contract to see if there's any contractual obligation to pay the rates for an in-market acquisition. The work-a-round might be, while clunky and confusing, to let Time Warner operate as a standalone name in this market.

Comcast might be best served to agree to approve the sale in exchange for a more favorable rate as a carrier .

 

Or with Crane out of the picture, offer reasonable rates to get other providers onboard.

 

Eh, with the upcoming merger, I don't think they care all that much about striking deals... they just don't want to lose the channel to a competitor.

 

As Major pointed out getting locked in to the money pit rates for 18 more years is a big issue. And I highly doubt Comcast wouldn't want to expand coverage since their current ad sponsors are grumbling.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>AT&amp;T Teleholdings and DirecTV Sports Networks are bidders for CSN Houston, according to Chapter 11 plan just filed with bankruptcy court.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497229667581980672">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It appears that CSN Houston ownership split will be 40% for AT&amp;T, 60% for DirecTV Sports Networks.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497232962916589568">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Equity interests In network owned by the teams and Comcast &quot;shall be irrevocably canceled and terminated,&quot; according to agreement.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497233197483032576">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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To clear something up, Comcast will still carry the channel regardless am I correct?

 

So what's the bottom line Thursday?

A. The judge says "yes, good plan" and that's it?

or

B. Judge gives Comcast a chance to bid?

 

Tomorrow is a status conference. The plan was just filed. The plan will be set for a confirmation hearing and I expect that Comcast will object and it will be heavily litigated. And yes...Comcast will likely have an opportunity to bid.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Reorganization plan does not state this specifically, but CSN Houston under this plan apparently would become Root Sports Houston.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497239755340251136">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Wait so will someone please clarify? Will Comcast still carry the channel or will they lose it with this new deal?

 

Nevermind, Barron answered it.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/CivilBall">@CivilBall</a> No. The Comcast carriage agreement likely will continue.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497243549578960896">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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http://t.co/K65bpPHA5E

According to this article, the teams are getting new media rights deals. Id feel better about this being successful in obtaining approval from Concast had this included buy in from Comcast and some sort of agreement to reset the current rate Comcast is currently paying.

This is likely why Comcast wants to move slower which means to be involved in the negotiations or counter offer

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lawyers filed another 62-page document overnight with more details on the CSN Houston reorganization plan. Details forthcoming.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497351941308309504">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Teams say the new plan will triple household coverage of Houston Regional Sports Network in Houston. DirecTV has 21% of DMA, U-verse 22.7%.</p>&mdash; David Barron (@dfbarron) <a href="https://twitter.com/dfbarron/statuses/497352516003438593">August 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I don't think that is accurate information

 

Wouldn't this be a tad over doubling the coverage.

 

Isn't the Comcast coverage around 40%? If so, is that entire 40% in Houston? Otherwise, I don't see how this could triple the coverage.