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Lakers New Regional TV Network - NOW ON THE AIR

257K views 2K replies 152 participants last post by  TheRatPatrol 
#1 ·
Ok so I'm a life long Laker fan since the late 80's and as most of us know the Lakers signed a new multi Billion dollar deal with Time Warner Cable that will last 20 to possibly 25 years. The new regional network channels will be in HD and 1 in Spanish.

My understanding is that even though it's an exclusive deal with TWC that due to FCC rules they have to offer the new regional network channels to their competitors like Directv.From what I read in press release articles that the new channels will be available to people in LA,OC,Socal,SD, and even Las Vegas.

The network I think will be called Time Warner Cable Sports Net and is suppose to launch on 10/01/12 according to their website.

Links:

http://twcsportsnet.com/
http://www.twcdeportes.com/

Press Release:

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/120510_twc_release.html

The channel is suppose to also carry programming for the WNBA LA Sparks and MLS LA Galaxy.

My main concern here is do you guys see the possibility of bad contract negotiations between Directv & TWC over how much they should be getting charged to carry this new regional sports channels?
 
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#1,882 ·
"kb24sd" said:
Not surprised but the D* IOS app hasn't been updated yet and will probably take 24 hours.

When I searched on my Iphone 5 all that comes up is the upcoming games on NBA League Pass.
Do you see any other provider yet? I have a feeling this is going to take a month or two. The have to integrate some systems I think to validate subscriptions.
 
#1,884 ·
inkahauts said:
Well its not in the regular package, which may be the big win that DIRECTV was after.... I don't think any of the other providers don't have both in all the same packages do they?

That means instead of paying the expected 3.95 per sub, they may only be paying more like 2 a sub for anyone not also getting the Spanish version. That would be a huge difference.
DirecTv caved...

********************
http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...et-ct-lakers-directv-20121115,0,4036775.story

Per the agreement, DirecTV is making SportsNet and Deportes available to all its subscribers. DirecTV initially wanted to put the channel on a specialty tier that subscribers would have to request to see. Time Warner Cable was greatly opposed to that approach because it would limit revenue from subscription fees and advertisers.
********************

So, SoCal DirecTv subs, each one of them, will have to pay at least 2 dollars a month to watch a mediocre basketball team, while still not being able to watch the Cardinal.

Go figure.
 
#1,885 ·
inkahauts said:
Do you see any other provider yet? I have a feeling this is going to take a month or two. The have to integrate some systems I think to validate subscriptions.
Are you talking about the streaming service through their website and the IOS & Android app?I'm not sure if this feature is exclusive to TWC customers only, which would suck and at the same time wouldn't surprise me since TWC owns & maintains the channel.But ever since they added other TV providers when you click on the "watch live" link on their website the only provider listed for this feature is TWC.

I was just talking about when you go into the D* IOS and search for anything with "Lakers".It does not see TWC SportsNet or TWC Deportes programming.

A few weeks ago when the channel was being tested on D* people where posting pics of shows like Backstage Lakers and Lakers Compacto showing up when you did a search in the D* IOS app.
 
#1,888 ·
fleckrj said:
This thread had been so much fun to watch for the past several months. What am I going to do now? :eek2:
Revive the PAC-12 thread! :D
 
#1,890 ·
"Gloria_Chavez" said:
DirecTv caved...

********************
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-lakers-directv-20121115,0,4036775.story

Per the agreement, DirecTV is making SportsNet and Deportes available to all its subscribers. DirecTV initially wanted to put the channel on a specialty tier that subscribers would have to request to see. Time Warner Cable was greatly opposed to that approach because it would limit revenue from subscription fees and advertisers.
********************

So, SoCal DirecTv subs, each one of them, will have to pay at least 2 dollars a month to watch a mediocre basketball team, while still not being able to watch the Cardinal.

Go figure.
Story very much appears to be incorrect.

I'm going by what's actually happening right now. No one has been able to pull in the Spanish channel that I know of with choice. Be interesting to see if that changes.

Plus we will never know for sure because one of the problems that was rumored to be going on was how much they have to pay for people that were in the Lakers market but not the Los Angeles market. Who knows How that turned out.

There's no way anyone can truly say one caved over the other. But the fact that I cannot tune into the Spanish channel right now and because it says that I am not subscribed to a package that it is in tells me that DirecTV won at least part of this negotiation.

And please missing a small percentage of football and basketball games from a few colleges is not all the same as missing three quarters of the season for a pro team. All the college games will be on national broadcast tons more than any local professional sports team.

And really mediocre? I'm bitter to about not having Pac 12 too. Lord knows I want that channel I am sick and tired of having to set it up and stream it and not be able to record the games. Extremely inconvenient However you're not going to hear me call all the different sports teams mediocre Just because I don't care about the other colleges.
 
#1,891 ·
"kb24sd" said:
Are you talking about the streaming service through their website and the IOS & Android app?I'm not sure if this feature is exclusive to TWC customers only, which would suck and at the same time wouldn't surprise me since TWC owns & maintains the channel.But ever since they added other TV providers when you click on the "watch live" link on their website the only provider listed for this feature is TWC.

I was just talking about when you go into the D* IOS and search for anything with "Lakers".It does not see TWC SportsNet or TWC Deportes programming.

A few weeks ago when the channel was being tested on D* people where posting pics of shows like Backstage Lakers and Lakers Compacto showing up when you did a search in the D* IOS app.
Yeah I'm talking about the streaming. Satracer indicated he believes streamings included but likely will take a while to get set up. I really think it's all about getting it set up I think everybody's going to have it at some point.
 
#1,894 ·
"Joe Spears" said:
Deportes requires a base programming package of MAS ULTRA or higher.

http://support.directv.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3942/~/twc-sportsnet-update
As it absolutely should be. Definitely looks like DirecTV won that part assuming it was part of the issue. I'm still waiting for anybody else to chime in on whether or not any of the other providers have been able to put that in a special Spanish package or is it available to everyone. I know everything I've seen said that all the other providers are carrying it in the same base package is English Channel
 
#1,895 ·
Sea bass said:
Silly question, do you think the Lakers channel picture quality will look better on DIRECTV vs. TWC? I hear cable has dropout issues. I ask because this channel looks fantastic on my 55" Toshiba!
Watching TWCSN feeds on DirecTV and Time Warner Cable simultaneously side by side. The difference in picture quality is obviously noticeable. The D* picture is much crisper, while the Cable feed is much "softer", not to mention the pixelation that occurs about once a minute or so.

I also did a side by side of TWC Deportes, but since they were showing old wrestling footage in SD, they both looked kind of "soft".

Glad D* finally got this channel. Now I can cancel TWC (Cable), which I had for about a month and a half now. Good thing TWC did not have any commitments and allowed me to go month to month.
 
#1,896 ·
Well, I was 4 days off on my prediction and for that I beg forgiveness. I had actually heard the two parties were extremely close to a deal over last weekend and was surprised it wasn't done under my original prediction.

The reality is that this is a bad deal for consumers in the long run even though in the short run I'm sure many of you think this is wonderful. Your bills will go up in February higher than normal. That is a fact. This will give other sports teams the idea of doing the same thing, perhaps the Dodgers and who knows next.

In places like Los Angeles and New York, RSN fees alone will top $15.00 within a year or two (in NYC, they are likely there). It is unsustainable. For the very many people that live in these areas that do not care for sports, they are now saddled with a higher fee. My mother is one such person. She does not care for sports, is on a fixed income, her bill is going up signficantly as a result of this and other programmer fees that she doesn't care for.

Now, some people will make the argument that there are tons of channels that we pay for that we don't want. This is true, but everything is relative. That Sci Fi channel you don't watch costs about $.02, that Lakers channel you don't watch costs $4.00. This is why that argument doesn't hold water when the finances are put to the test.

My prediction is Pac 12 is unlikely in the short term, but maybe in 2013. CS Houston, forget about it. I could be wildly wrong on both of them, but with the Astros a pathetic team and the Rockets not great either, it's not likely. The Pac 12 has it's own issues, their ownership being one of them and the other the likely SEC network coming down the road. As good as the Pac 12 is, it's not he SEC. It's not the Big Ten. There is only so many dollars to go around and only so much bandwidth capacity. When you have to pick and choose, the Pac 12 is going to come in behind those players.

For those that wanted the Lakers channel, as I said you would get it. There was NEVER a doubt, but remember with every action there is a reaction and your good news isn't good news for everyone. The piper has to be paid and he will come knocking in about a month or two.
 
#1,897 ·
inkahauts your on the "choice" monthly D* plan ?

So has it been confirmed that if you are out of the Lakers DMA zone and aren't in at least the "Choice Ultimate" monthly package and want the channel just for the related programming and Laker shows that you will need to be subscribed to or add on D*'s "sports pack" to get the channel?
 
#1,898 ·
Gloria_Chavez said:
DirecTv caved...

********************
http://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...et-ct-lakers-directv-20121115,0,4036775.story

Per the agreement, DirecTV is making SportsNet and Deportes available to all its subscribers. DirecTV initially wanted to put the channel on a specialty tier that subscribers would have to request to see. Time Warner Cable was greatly opposed to that approach because it would limit revenue from subscription fees and advertisers.
********************

So, SoCal DirecTv subs, each one of them, will have to pay at least 2 dollars a month to watch a mediocre basketball team, while still not being able to watch the Cardinal.

Go figure.
It's a negotiation, both sides had to give something up. If you are going to use the word "caved", then you need to properly use it for both. Neither side got what they wanted outright. DTV was never going to get it on a specialty tier and everyone knew that, including them. That was posturing, but their point was correct in every sense of the word. As you point out, now most (not EVERY) sub will pay for it in So. Cal. Those with their Entertainment package will not pay for it because it doesn't carry that RSN.

On the flip side, DTV surely got some rate relief elsewhere. The details may not come out in public, but within a week or so the industry will truly know who caved and who didn't. People talk.
 
#1,899 ·
ChicagoBlue said:
Well, I was 4 days off on my prediction and for that I beg forgiveness. I had actually heard the two parties were extremely close to a deal over last weekend and was surprised it wasn't done under my original prediction.

The reality is that this is a bad deal for consumers in the long run even though in the short run I'm sure many of you think this is wonderful. Your bills will go up in February higher than normal. That is a fact. This will give other sports teams the idea of doing the same thing, perhaps the Dodgers and who knows next.

In places like Los Angeles and New York, RSN fees alone will top $15.00 within a year or two (in NYC, they are likely there). It is unsustainable. For the very many people that live in these areas that do not care for sports, they are now saddled with a higher fee. My mother is one such person. She does not care for sports, is on a fixed income, her bill is going up signficantly as a result of this and other programmer fees that she doesn't care for.

Now, some people will make the argument that there are tons of channels that we pay for that we don't want. This is true, but everything is relative. That Sci Fi channel you don't watch costs about $.02, that Lakers channel you don't watch costs $4.00. This is why that argument doesn't hold water when the finances are put to the test.

My prediction is Pac 12 is unlikely in the short term, but maybe in 2013. CS Houston, forget about it. I could be wildly wrong on both of them, but with the Astros a pathetic team and the Rockets not great either, it's not likely. The Pac 12 has it's own issues, their ownership being one of them and the other the likely SEC network coming down the road. As good as the Pac 12 is, it's not he SEC. It's not the Big Ten. There is only so many dollars to go around and only so much bandwidth capacity. When you have to pick and choose, the Pac 12 is going to come in behind those players.

For those that wanted the Lakers channel, as I said you would get it. There was NEVER a doubt, but remember with every action there is a reaction and your good news isn't good news for everyone. The piper has to be paid and he will come knocking in about a month or two.
Sorry, but it looks to me like you are somewhat wrong in terms of how much this is costing directv. The spanish channel is not included in all the same packages as the english channel, which means they likely will not be paying that 4 for all the subs in the market, as that price was for both channels.

Yes it will cost us more, but it will be very interesting to see what happens next. I suspect there are several sports channels that aren't going to be very happy the next time their contracts are up, like speed, etc..

And I wonder what changes may be coming to packages and pricing in feb. Do NOT blame any price increases that are abnormal on just this channel. I am sure Viacom will have more of a hand in that then this channel. Not ot mention all the other things that where reupped this year, like cbs, etc, and possibly discovery and so on...

And I suspect that all the college channels will be a la cart here on out, or in a college sports channel package, or just not be on directv. I think at the moment, that is their hard line in the sand. I suspect big 10 will be very unhappy at the next negotiations.
 
#1,900 ·
kb24sd said:
:goodjob:

Trust me you won't regret this move.

This is coming from a customer who had U-Verse for 3 years before making the mistake of switching to D* this past June.

Also AT&T announced they are spending $14 billion to upgrade & improve U-Verse's infrastructure and services and will offer 75MB DSL download speeds by the end of 2014.

Source:

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/atandt-to-invest-usd-14-bln-in-network-expansion--906732
There is a reason why Dan York left Uverse as the President of Uverse's content strategy to go work for DTV as Exec VP for DTV. I know you were in love with Uverse for a brief 12 minutes in the last few weeks, but they are what they are. Uverse has many quality issues depending on where you from their delivery hubs. They have issues with concurrency of HD streams and their own content issues to deal with.

Uverse and Fios both stopped their buildouts for a reason, they are losing their shirts in the video business. The cost to buildout the service to each home is enormous and not worth the investment on a per subscriber basis. This is one reason why they have stopped, it makes no sense. They can mask those costs with their other services, but in pure video terms its an expensive proposition that doesn't pay off.
 
#1,901 ·
kb24sd said:
inkahauts your on the "choice" monthly D* plan ?

So has it been confirmed that if you are out of the Lakers DMA zone and aren't in at least the "Choice Ultimate" monthly package and want the channel just for the related programming and Laker shows that you will need to be subscribed to or add on D*'s "sports pack" to get the channel?
I have extra, but that's not needed. And the release did say it depended on market though, so if you are outside of the Lakers market, you will need the sports package.
 
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