According to Benny Evangelista of the San Francisco Chronicle, Comcast and NBC officials wouldn’t comment directly on Dish’s statement, although sources familiar with the negotiations said Comcast is asking for an increase of less than 10 percent.
The idea that a certain region of the country may not be able to see their favorite professional sports team(s) is appalling and frankly, embarrassing. Sports more than anything else is a business, but that shouldn’t come at the cost of viewership.
In a five-year stretch that has seen the San Francisco Giants win the World Series three times, the Warriors become championship contenders after decades of ineptitude, the Kings re-build their once storied brand, the A’s become competitive on a yearly basis and the Sharks continuing to chase the Stanley Cup, this is quite possibly the worst time for this disagreement to happen.
Even if you’re not a Dish Network subscriber, this should hit home. For an area so entrenched in their culture, one that undoubtedly includes their sports teams, this is shameful. Can you imagine not seeing a Stephen Curry triple-double, a Madison Bumgarner gem or Sharks overtime win because negotiations went south?
This isn’t Dish Network’s first time having trouble with larger regions, as Boston and even the Big Ten Network have had trouble with them in the past. Dish has dropped CSN Boston’s channel, which displays the level of care for such negotiations if a deal isn’t made.
The two sides have one week to reach some type of agreement, and despite their difference of opinions a deal could still very much happen. But, in 2015, the fact these negotiations are even taking place and going down to the wire show how much of a business sports has become.
The tactics for both sides is understandable, but that doesn’t make them any less disappointing. For a region bestowed with a myriad of competitive franchises, these negotiations hit home for not only fans of these teams but fans of high quality entertainment as well.
For Warriors fans, the grim reality that their 10-2, first place team won’t be able to be seen is troubling. There’s still time to make this possibility moot, but for now, the end is near. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the new regime will go dark as of December 1.
Let’s hope the splashes continue for those with Dish Network.
To voice your opinion on the matter, you can call 1-844-I-WANT-CSN or visit www.iwantcsnba.com and www.iwantcsnca.com.
I am not clear how if I am not a dish customer this impacts me? I happened to drop dish a month and half ago since I got a deal from Comcast that was too good to pass up. After having dish for 8 years it would be horrible not being able to see Warriors games, especially this team but I am not sure what connection the author is trying to make that non-dish subscribers should be concerned??