Oregon Legislature Could Hold Hearing On Comcast RSN's Carriage Impasse:
CSN Northwest, Cable Home Of NBA Blazers, Lacks Deals With DirecTV, Dish, Charter
The Oregon legislature may be stepping onto the court in the contest for Comcast SportsNet Northwest to gain carriage.
According to a report in The Oregonian, the Consumer Protection Committee of the Oregon House of Representatives is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Feb. 24 at 3:30 p.m. (PT) to discuss the lack of accessibility for Portland Trail Blazers games to video subscribers.
The NBA team has a long-term contract with the Comcast-owned regional sports network, which this year schedules 60 of the squad's games on the channel. Although CSN Northwest has deals with a number of area providers, including Comcast and Verizon FiOS, it has not been able to conclude contracts with the two leading DBS providers, DirecTV and Dish Network, as well as Charter Communications, which like the Blazers is held by Paul Allen.
The Oregonian reports that the committee will invite officials from cable and satellite systems and the Blazers to testify.
A Comcast SportsNet spokesman said: "Unfortunately, DirecTV has decided not to carry Comcast SportsNet Northwest. So, we welcome any effort that could help us gain full distribution."
The spokesman noted that CSN NW has deals with 11 carriers in the area, agreements that are reflective that the "price is in line with the value of the network.
Comcast and DirecTV have been stuck in neutral on a number of carriage situations, involving national sports service Versus, as well as regional sports networks owned by both parties.