Magic Johnson Believes Dodgers Will Be On TV Next Season
TWC was unable to strike deals with other providers, causing the Dodgers to be seen only by those with TWC. In the end, TWC was able to strike a deal with KDOC to air the Dodgers final six games of the season. Despite its’ efforts to make a deal, DirecTV and others would not budge in their negotiations.
According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, Dodger owner Magic Johnson sees something being done before next season:
I think we’re going to be on TV next season,” Johnson said Sunday. “I really do.”
With pending mergers for both TWC and DirecTV with Comcast and AT&T, respectively, a deal could be done now that the regular season is over. The playoffs begin Friday and those games will be nationally televised. SportsNet LA will run pre-game and postgame shows coinciding with the Dodger postseason games.
Johnson tried to take matters into his own hands with the negotiations, which he also discussed:
I asked them, ‘Can we do anything to make this deal happen because our fans are suffering?’” Johnson said. “They felt they had a good proposal on the table. They did respond, so I give DirecTV credit.”
While the Dodgers led the league in attendance this season, their television numbers were lower than ever. Fans were forced to wait for games that were nationally televised with ESPN or Fox Sports 1. On the field, it did not affect the players as the team won its’ second straight National League West title.
The Dodgers, their fans and TWC hope they can strike a deal this off-season to bring the broadcasts to everyone.
I’m a Dodger fan who happens to live in Las Vegas. For some reason, Las Vegas, in the opinion of SportsNetLA is considered LOCAL and all the games we used to get via Fox are no longer available. My provider, Century Link isn’t even in the discussion with SportsNetLA. Further more, the product (Dodger Baseball) is not for sale in Las Vegas. Even if I was willing to pay, I cannot.
Spent the summer listining to the radio. Sure hope something can be done for next year.
Steve/Las Vegas
The TV deal by twc is pure greed
It was a shame that Dodgers fans had to wait until the final game of the season to root for our team via the television. This season has the potential to be the best since 1988, yet we did not have the opportunity to bond with our team from home. I never heard Yasiel’s voice until Wednesday! Never saw a post game interview until the end of September! Could not chat with friends on Facebook while watching the game all season!! Please get it together next season and don’t cause us to miss out again!
Don’t hold your breath. The Astros & Yankees have been waiting for 2 years. Time/Warner is everything wrong with American corporations. Greed greed greed!