VERSUS-DirecTV Fight Could See End in RSN Battles
November 20, 2009 1 Comment
John Ourand of SportsBusinessJournal Reports:
Comcast and DirecTV are engaged in a series of RSN carriage battles that potentially could help the Comcast-owned Versus secure a deal with the satellite operator within the next several months.
DirecTV is carrying four of Comcast’s RSNs out of contract. Meanwhile, Comcast’s deals with three Liberty Media RSNs expire at the end of the year, about the same time DirecTV is expected to take control of Liberty’s regional networks.
Given the way cable operators and programmers typically conduct business, it’s not a stretch to believe that Comcast will agree to renew Liberty’s RSNs if DirecTV agrees to carry Versus. But DirecTV can only make a deal like this when it gets control of Liberty’s RSNs, which is expected to happen in the next 30-60 days.
“Any time companies of that size with so many varied parts of business get into discussions, those discussions carry a wide range of issues,” said media consultant Neal Pilson. “Given the degree of skill, experience and expertise executives at Comcast and DirecTV have, I’d be astonished if Versus carriage did not find its way onto the agenda.”
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Any update??? News on whether or not an agreement has been reached. As the Stanley Cup playoffs draw closer, hockey fans are growing increasingly apprehensive.