Cable Merger Getting Over the Hump - Will Charter Sell SportsNet LA to Direct TV?

A major hurdle to the merger between Charter and Time Warner has now been crossed.  Per Diane Bartz at Reuters, "Justice Dept approves Charter’s acquisition of Time Warner Cable with conditions."

The U.S. Justice Department on Monday approved Charter Communications Inc's proposed purchase of Time Warner Cable Inc and Bright House networks, which would create the second-largest broadband provider and third-largest video-provider.

Following the deal, the merged company will be called New Charter. Under terms, New Charter agreed to refrain from telling its content providers that they cannot also sell shows online, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Furthermore, we learned today, via Meg James at the LA Times, that the FCC has recommended approval of the deal.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler has recommended approval of Charter Communications' $78-billion acquisition of Time Warner Cable, subject to several conditions aimed at increasing the number of homes with high-speed Internet connections.

The other hurdle is the California PUC - who also recommended approval a few weeks ago.  So, it seems likely that it's smooth sailing for the marriage.

As I've written before, once the merger closes I suspect we'll see some real movement to expand coverage of SportsNet LA, but there is one thing I didn't see coming.  Per a tweet by LA Times sports reporter Bill Shaikin, Charter might look to sell SportsNet LA to Direct TV:

Charter-TWC merger expected to close next month. Then Charter can try to sell SportsNet LA to DirecTV: https://t.co/g5JvA1oelW #dodgers

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 25, 2016

I don't know if this is mere speculation or a rumor that is finally coming to light, but it is something I never considered.

As you may know, Direct TV, through its parent company AT&T, already directly controls several Regional Sports Networks (RSN).  Teams already under the finger of the company include the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and the Houston Astros.  So, adding the Dodgers could be a natural fit.  Unfortunately, several things might have to happen for this to come to fruition - like a bankruptcy filing. Although, maybe a discounted sale price to Direct TV is already fixed into the merger value, so Charter might not need to go through that process.  On the other hand, I think it's clear that the size of the contract the Dodgers received is way too high (as evidenced by a FanGraphs story today), and some renegotiation will be necessary.  Hence, a forced renegotiation of that contract through the bankruptcy courts.

Either way, the next few months should be interesting for Dodgers fans.  We will likely know very soon if we will all get the Dodgers on all our television sets before the end of the season.

UPDATE:  It has come to my attention that SportsNet LA isn't actually owned by Time Warner.  In fact, it's owned by the Dodgers under a company they formed called American Media Productions (press release here).

The Los Angeles Dodgers ownership group created American Media Productions, LLC (AMP) in December 2012 to launch a new Los Angeles Dodgers regional sports network. Today, AMP announced its plans for SportsNet LA, the new regional television home for the Los ngeles Dodgers beginning with the 2014 Major League Baseball season. In addition to being the exclusive local home for all of the Dodger games, SportsNet LA will provide comprehensive behind-the-scenes Dodger programming, featuring more insights, analysis and commentary about the team than ever available before.

Time Warner Cable (TWC) has agreed to be SportsNet LA’s charter distributor, and will carry the new network for its customers throughout Southern California and Hawaii under a long-term affiliation deal. In addition, in return for agreeing to make payments over the life of the deal, TWC will be the exclusive advertising and affiliate sales agent for the new network and will have certain branding and programing rights with respect to the network. TWC will also provide certain non-game production and technical services to AMP.

So, what Time Warner would be selling, if that's the route they choose to go, is the right to be the distributor of the network and the sales agent for advertising on the channel. 

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Blog Kiosk: 4/25/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Scully and Don Mattingley's Return

No doubt Yasiel Puig is having fun again after a tumultuous season last year.  After Saturdays victory against the Rockies he somehow found himself standing among a throng of teens in formal wear.  It is prom season in America and Puig, obviously curios about the occasion, joined the revelry had by the student of ChatfieldHigh School of Littleton, Colorado.  He had the crashed the party and fortunately shared a couple pics on twitter for us to enjoy.

Featured above some of the kids with Puig in the middle (twitter link here).  Below, he poses with members of the high school Baseball team (twitter link here).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  On this day in 1976 Rick Monday saved the American flag from a couple of protesters in the outfield at Dodger Stadium.  The incident was immortalized in the photo seen on the right.
• Happy Birthday, JP Howell!
• Via Jacob Unruh at News OK, "OKC Dodgers: Herges talks talented pitching staff."

2016 Topps Now - Kenta Maeda #35 - Makes History: 1 Earned Run in First 20 IP

What else can be said that already hasn't about Kenta Maeda?

So, instead of words Topps decided to offer another 2016 Topps Now card to highlight his achievements so far. A couple weeks ago they created their first Maeda Topps Now card, and now they have a second.  Check out pics of the front and the reverse of card #35 featuring Kenta making history in this post.  Since 1913 there have been 76 pitchers to start their MLB careers with four straight quality starts, but the Japanese star is the only one to have allowed just a single earned run during that stretch.  Go here to order.  You only have until tomorrow morning to add it to your collection.

Marlins Series Starts on Monday - Autograph Appearances, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Miami Marlins.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. 

The Miami Cuban Dog will be available for this homestand at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features a quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog topped with smoked ham, pulled roasted pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickle chips.

I will update this post with more information should it arrive.  So, be sure to check back.

The second 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Justin Turner on the cover (see on right), will be available at Dodger Stadium. Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand and one in October, 13 issues total. It will be distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. 

---------------

Monday, April 25th at 7:10 PM
 RHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Ross Stripling
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Clayton Kershaw bobblehead.  See it on the left.

Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday will throw the ceremonial first pitch. It is the 40th anniversary of the iconic moment on April 25, 1976 at Dodger Stadium in which Monday, then a member of the Chicago Cubs, rescued an American flag that was about to be burned on the center field grass by protestors. Monday will have the flag from this day with him for pregame ceremonies. Kevin Massey will perform the national anthem. Massey is currently starring in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig's Magnificent Throw

Yasiel Puig's throw to nail Trevor Story at third base yesterday was so shocking these fans forgot how to spell his name, (watch it here if you haven't seen it yet) but the Cuban sensation had a different explanation for the flub.  He wrote on twitter:

What happened, guys? Too much cerveza? Hahaha I love my fans

As for the throw, Puig had this to say.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"If I can't do it with my bat and I can't do it with my glove, I'll do it with my arm," said Puig. "I have to do something to help my team. I just try to throw to the base and my teammates do the rest."

Photo above via Puig on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1958 Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run and Pee Wee Reese played his 2000th career game. Also, in 1999 Cardinal third baseman Fernando Tatis hit two grand slams in the same game in one inning against the Dodgers - the first and only player to do it.  He hit both grand slams against Chan Ho Park.
• YouTube: Get inspired listening to Steve Sax on Conrad's Corner.  (Link Here)

An Invitation Game to Circumvent Blue Laws - Let's Play Some Sunday Baseball

Once upon a time it was illegal to have any fun on Sundays.  It was the day of prayer and reverence, and folks throughout America were required to abstain from leisurely activity.  This even included a restriction on professional Baseball teams playing a game on that day. 

How crazy is that, right?

It's hard to imagine a Sunday afternoon in the middle of summer without Baseball.  They go hand in hand, and I dare say that if not for the melding of the two it would be that much harder to get up the next day for the start of the work week.  I think that we as a country and culture need Sunday Baseball, and from what I understand Baseball owners needed it too.