Yesterday, the Dodgers and Time Warner Cable have officially announced their plans to create a regional sports network known as SportsNet LA that will showcase Dodger games and other team-based programming.
Starting in 2014, American Media Productions, a 2012 creation of the Dodgers ownership group will run the new sports network as a limited partnership.
“The launch of the new regional sports network is a historic development for the Dodgers and our passionate fans,” according to Stan Kasten, CEO of the Dodgers. “Our commitment from day one has been to build the Dodgers into the best team possible, both on and off the field. Our fans deserve the best — the best players, the best baseball and the best experience — whether that’s at the newly renovated Dodger Stadium or on television.”
So far no financial details have been discussed by the team nor American Media Productions, but sources predict that over 25 years the deal will bring the team $7 billion to $8 billion. As for additional charges to rates for Time Warner Cable customers carrying the network in Hawaii and Southern California has not yet been confirmed.
“The Dodgers have one of the most passionate and loyal audiences in sports, and we look forward to helping deliver this new network to their fans,” according to David Rone, president of Time Warner Cable Sports. “This deal, like our Lakers’ deal, furthers our efforts to attain greater certainty and control over local and regional sports programming costs.”
Like Haute Living Los Angeles? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingLA. Want Haute Living Los Angeles delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.
