This is the model that works? It has worked so well in Portland. It worked so well in Cleveland that the Indians just sold their channel to Fox. The fact is that it has worked extremely well in the northeast and not much of anywhere else.
If only he knew as much about economics and the system as our resident BBS expert. This goes back to my original position on the providers: PLAN AHEAD. You've known about this for over two years. Contracts don't last forever. Move channels like FSSW to the "sports tier" in Houston and SAVE customers money on the basic tier. Or cut it altogether. Whatever the per subscriber fee is for FSSW, it's WAY above its actual present value to the Houston audience. I'm not saying they have to add CSN Houston in its place, but if they're so worried about every dollar ("defend families", LOL) they add to subscriber costs, why not manage negotiations just as tightly with their current clients? Then why agree to any deals under the new pricing structure? YOU opened up the can of worms by relenting. Now you're trying to put toothpaste back in the tube and hold Houston hostage in the process. In the big picture, I really think the government needs to get involved. Even if CSN Houston gets resolved, it's clear this is going to keep happening everywhere. The teams/networks aren't going to stop negotiating new deals because they have clear precedent. Meanwhile, the providers are trying to go back in time and undo a trend they set in motion. I don't see what fixes this (long-term) until there's some sort of intervention and established structure.
Copy and paste this and tweet it! (Make sure your twitter isn't on private). @ whoever has a lot of followers and is from Houston Code: Please RT @BunBTrillOG @slimthugga @chamillionaire @anniseparker @SteveFranchise3 @trae Petition for CSN - Houston http://www.change.org/petitions/csn-houston-houston-astros-houston-rockets-uverse-dishnetwork-et-al-provide-csn-houston-on-local-networks-3
It isn't like they have willy billy been making deals everywhere. They did it in NY and LA. They have not agreed to it in six years in Portland and they aren't agreeing to it here. As for the "bad economics," maybe it would be for CSN, but for Comcast itself, not so much. There are roughly 1.26 cable homes in Houston that do not have Comcast. At an average bill of $100 per month, if you get 10% of them to switch, that's $1.2 million per month in additional revenues for Comcast. This also ignores people who may be looking to switch from Comcast to somebody else but do not do so in part due to CSN. As for government intervention, you would have to do some mental gymnastics in order to find a way for the government to force a business into a contract with another business and have it square with the Contract Clause to the Constitution. They may be able to provide some amount of pressure through the FCC, but I don't think they can force a deal.
I signed the petition. I hope it goes through. Does anyone know if Brownsville TX is considered a "blackout" location for Houston Rockets League Pass coverage?
DirecTV has a free preview of league pass this week. If you know someone in Brownsville with DirecTV ask them if they can get the Rockets.
the system is broken!!! you can't have every major sports team from ncaa, nba, mlb, etc... have their own channel. Instead, the NBA should follow the NFL's example (with a twist) and show every non-network (ESPN/TNT/ABC) game on NBA TV. Do what the NFL does on Sunday's which is to use regional mapping to ensure every game is on. Effectively this is what happens now with the regional networks but they are a hodgepodge of crap with no NBA centralized presentation or control. NBA TV value would sky rocket as would the NBA brand. It would also be best for the league and grow the brand. It could be done by utilizing simulcasting regionally with the current providers until all contracts expire and it is NBA TV exclusively.
Just wanted to say that I have Dish and I got to watch the Rockets game on NBA TV last night!* The team looked GREAT and the crowd was really into it! *It was a replay of Game 7 from the 1994 Finals
I don't care what the team/network reps. think is a fair market value. A few considerations could cut through all the BS: 1) If they truly are in for the long haul, the above indicates they will recoup any short-term, less than optimal fees. 2) If the product is any good it will strengthen the teams position for future negotiations. Why not agree to a short-term "bargain" (from the team's perspective) and let the chips fall where they may for the future. If all goes as they say, they will be able to negotiate a higher fee just as the Indians have in the preceding quote. 3) And last, but certainly not least... as naive as it sounds, these people must not have watched "Miracle on 34th Street" recently, if ever. Fans/customers have long memories for being treated well. And for not being treated well, as well. Fair market value is what all the "other" guys in town are doing. Why not be the exception and play by rules the fans will appreciate. You won't lose in the long run. As fans we aren't privy to all the details that both sides claim is unreasonable. And I know that basic figures have been written about. But it's the fleshing out, the calculations that could be presented that are in obvious disagreement. AGAIN, I invite all sides to post their case here to fans. Prove to us how you will lose money, not how you will just make LESS. Unfortunately, it's like the statement that is made on the TV show "60 Minutes" sometimes: "XXX was invited to appear for an interview but declined our invitation." ALL sides insist, "Oh, we really care about the fans!" Yeah, right. What you've done so far amounts to thumbing your collective noses at the fans. Period.
I found out yesterday that Consolidated Communications is the only provider in "Deep East Texas" that offers Comcast Sports Houston.
FYI, I am getting tonight's game on direct tv on NBA TV feed. You guys might want to check this. It is usually blacked out for me.
The game is on tv yessssssssss!!!!! On DIRECTV NBATV!!!! Yes!!!! Feeling optimistic that a deal is close
