By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.
Former editor of 4 TV magazines. Author of TV Dot Com.

Comcast has announced this afternoon that it has signed a new carriage agreement with MASN, the regional TV home of the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. However, the cable operator will move the channel from its $60 a month Popular TV plan to its $80 a month Ultimate TV plan, a move predicted here last month.

“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with MASN to continue carrying its networks and making them available on our Ultimate TV level of service before MLB’s Opening Day,” Comcast said in a statement. “We appreciate MASN working with us to find a solution to maintain MASN and MASN2 on our platform that also provides our customers with a choice.”

MASN has yet to issue a statement, but the move to the Ultimate TV package will likely mean that fewer Comcast viewers would have access to the channel, which means that MASN’s carriage fees could be reduced. (See this article on why Comcast wants MASN in a higher tier.)

Comcast did not provide more details today but it’s likely that the regional sports fee for the Popular TV plan will be reduced with the removal of MASN. The plan still includes the Monumental Sports Network, the regional TV home of the Washington Wizards and Capitals.

The TV Answer Man will continue to monitor this situation and report back here if we get more information.

Update: A Comcast spokeswoman tells The TV Answer Man that Popular TV customers in the MASN market can keep the channel by subscribing to the Ultimate TV plan. But Comcast will not charge them the additional $20 a month for the first three months. In months four to six, there will be a $10 additional charge. After the first six months, the regular $20 additional fee will go into effect.

Have a question about new TV technologies? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.