If you’re a Dodgers fan, be prepared to pay.
Everyone knew when Time Warner inked an $8 billion TV deal with the Dodgers that the money would have to come from somewhere. So customers of Time Warner may have to pay up to $8 extra for it, via NY Post
The No. 2 cable company is tasked with persuading other pay-TV providers to carry the new regional sports channel in Los Angeles, where it just rammed through two other pricey sports deals.
Time Warner Cable has yet to start negotiations for the Dodgers network, named SportsNet LA, and already several pay-TV providers are balking at the expected asking price, sources said.
For the Dodgers channel, Time Warner Cable is expected to ask for $5 a month per subscriber, a fee that would escalate to $8 over five years, said a source with direct knowledge of the company.
This will affect baseball and non-baseball fans alike, who will see an increase in their cable bill to finance the 25 year mega-deal between the cable provider and the LA team starting next year.
To put the $8 angle in perspective, regional NY sports channel YES Network, which broadcasts Yankees and Nets games charges customers an additional $3.