By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –@tvanswerman
DIRECTV has signed a multi-year deal with Charter’s Spectrum Networks to continue carrying their two LA-based regional sports networks, SportsNet LA and Spectrum SportsNet, the TV homes of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Lakers respectively. The deal covers DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream and U-verse.
In addition, Spectrum is allowing DIRECTV to offer the channels to fewer customers. This is a switch for the RSN industry which traditionally has forced TV providers to include their channels in most, if not all, plans to reach more viewers. Channels are paid by the number of subscribers who have access to them, not by the number who actually watch.
However, Spectrum says in a press release that it has to acknowledge the pay TV industry is changing due to cord cutting and that pay TV operators need more flexibility in packaging and pricing.
“While viewing habits continue to shift, it’s clear that regular season professional sports programming remains extremely popular…that said…the model for RSNs needs to evolve to reflect the realities of the marketplace,” Spectrum Networks senior vice president Dan Finnerty said in a press release.
DIRECTV and DIRECTV Stream have already excluded the two LA-based RSNs from their least expensive plan, Entertainment. But a company spokesman says this new agreement with Spectrum will create “even more opportunities” to only provide the channels to subscribers who want them. He did not elaborate.
To amplify Charter’s new position on RSNs, Sports Business Journal reports that its Spectrum TV service will soon split its expanded basic Select plan into two: One package, called Spectrum TV Select Plus, will include RSNs, while Spectrum Select Signature will not include them. The latter plan will be around $10 cheaper, SBJ writes.
The new plans are expected to be rolled out to new customers in the third quarter.
