You are probably right, but csn won't cave for a long time. Ratings for these games are gonna be bad anyway, so it isn't like they are losing huge ad dollars here, not in comparison to what they want in rights fees. If the Rockets are able to sign a second big time star next offseason, that would put some legit pressure on, otherwise I think we are looking at at least a couple of more years
<object id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=fw1000&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=9051896&parentId=9051946&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site=" ></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed id="otvPlayer" width="400" height="268" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/static/flash/embeddedPlayer/swf/otvEmLoader.swf?version=fw1000&station=ktrk§ion=&mediaId=9051896&parentId=9051946&cdnRoot=http://cdn.abclocal.go.com&webRoot=http://abclocal.go.com&configPath=/util/&site="></embed></object> "Hardball off the field: Astros, Rockets, Dynamo still not on TV, unless you have Comcast" ..... "It's terrible for the fans. We really want to get these games on TV and we're very concerned about. We work on it every day. It's not good. And we feel it'll get worked out relatively soon," Crane said. ... Crane says he switched to Comcast, too, even though he's optimistic about a deal. "There's been communication today, there was last night. We're still trying to cut a deal that works for the Astros, the Rockets, and Comcast long-term," said Crane. In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Comcast SportsNet Houston told us, "We continue to work day and night until this is resolved, but fans should recognize that they hold more power than they realize. We urge all fans to call their television providers and demand the network. At the least, fans should demand a reduction in their monthly bills as many are paying the same amount as last year, except now they are not getting to watch the Astros, Rockets and Dynamo." We did reach out to representatives from DirecTV, Dish Network, and AT&T for their comments on the negotiations, but only DirecTV responded, saying in part, "We too want to enable any Astros fans to have CSN Houston. If the Astros and Comcast will agree to make the channel available only to those customers who want to pay for it or make it more reasonable for all of our customers, we can have an agreement completed very soon."
This remains a disingenius argument from CSN. I have an issue asking for a bill reduction when I receive the exact same channels I always have. Since I'm forced to watch AL baseball either way, maybe I'll just start following the Rangers... They're a better product anyway and I don't have to grovel to see their games on tv.
You realize the Rockets have a financial interest in getting this deal done and getting a bigger media footprint than they've ever had, right?
And if the Rockets allowed their broadcast rights be determined by an MLB franchise, then eff Alexander for being stupid as well. If you're going to blame one team, you have to blame both. I blame everyone.
You do realize rockets season is about over. Playoffs will be televised in hopefully standard channels (except for nba tv). So f the stros and block it again. I agree
Houstonians pay for the stadium therefore time to move on and put these back in local broadcast or Houstonians just need to stop helping them pay for stadiums
You know Houston will always help pay for a new stadium, right? Big business takes local governments by the balls because someone else is always willing to offer them a deal.
Common misconception. Tourists mostly pay for the stadium. There is a tax on hotels and rental cares that goes directly for sports complexes in Houston.
So what's this about Toyota center Construction began in July 2001, and the new arena was officially opened in September 2003. The total costs were $235 million, with the city of Houston paying the majority, and the Rockets paying for enhancements. Toyota paid $100 million for the naming rights.
According to the agreement signed, the city of Houston bought the land for the arena and an adjoining parking garage,[46] which was near the George R. Brown Convention Center,[47] and paid for it by selling bonds and borrowing $30 million.[48][49] Morris Architects, designed the 750,000-square-foot (70,000 m2) building, and Hunt Construction was contracted to build the arena.[50] A building formerly owned by Houston Lighting and Power Company was demolished to make way for the arena, and two streets were closed for the duration of the construction.[51] A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 31, 2001,[52] and construction continued for 26 months.[51] At the request of Alexander, the arena was built 32 feet (9.8 m) below street level, so fans would not have to walk up stairs to reach their seats.[50] To sink the arena, $12 million was spent to excavate 31,500 cubic yards of dirt over four months,[51] which was the largest excavation in Houston history.[53] Concrete was poured for the foundation throughout the summer of 2002, and structural work began in October. The roof was set on in December, as work continued inside, with a peak workforce of 650. In September 2003, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the official opening of the arena.[51] The total cost of construction was $235 million, with the city paying $182 million, and the Rockets adding $43 million for additions and enhancements.[54]
The money was spent originally by the city but the tax goes directly to pay off that debt. Houston Sports Authority handles that. http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/Misctax/Hotel.aspx
The City of Houston collects the tax, therefore they pay. Of course they took out bonds, they needed millions of dollars. They use taxes to pay back those bonds.
This. The cable/satellite companies didn't take anything away. The Astros/Rockets/Dynamo took their content away. I have nothing nice to say to you about this comment.
