Good news for sports fans that subscribe to DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM. Spectrum has signed a new contract with DIRECTV that will give the satellite and streaming service more flexibility in how it offers Spectrum SportsNet.
This deal means Spectrum SportsNet, which offers Lakers games, and Spectrum SportsNet LA, which offers Dodgers games, will continue to be offered by DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and U-verse customers throughout Southern and Central California, portions of Nevada including Las Vegas, as well as Hawaii
“While viewing habits continue to shift, it’s clear that regular season professional sports programming remains extremely popular with a core base of traditional cable, satellite, and OTT customers,” said Dan Finnerty, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Spectrum Networks. “That said, given these customers represent a relatively small percentage of the overall video subscriber base, and recognizing the marked increase in direct-to-consumer choices, the model for RSNs needs to evolve to reflect the realities of the current marketplace. With this agreement, we are taking a step to shift the business model so that customers have more control.”
“DIRECTV continues to believe in the power of local sports, while also recognizing the demands of the many homes we serve with other diverse programming interests,” said Rob Thun, chief content officer of DIRECTV. “This agreement with Spectrum Networks achieves three key objectives – putting consumers first, recognizing local value, and enabling both parties to extend their relationship with long-term, mutual benefits.”
With this move, DIRECTV will have the option to move Spectrum-owned RSNs out of their base packages. This is something Spectrum is doing on its own TV packages.
In the 3rd quarter of 2023, Spectrum TV customers will have the option to pick a Spectrum Select Plus plan with RSNs or a Spectrum Select Signature plan without the local RSN. In the past, even the basic cable TV packages from Spectrum included RSNs helping Bally Sports and others be able to subsidize the RSNs.
Spectrum says they will only make these new packages available to new customers or customers looking to change their programming package. So if you want to get this cheaper package, you will have to ask for it.
Spectrum is hoping these cheaper packages will help keep customers who are looking at cutting the cord. Many cord cutting services no longer offer RSNs helping them keep their price low. This helps cord cutting services attract subscribers who do not watch sports or at least sports offered on local RSNs.
With this move, DIRECTV could be the next major TV provider to move RSNs out of their base packages. It is unknown exactly how DIRECTV plans to use this new freedom, but it could let them move these RSNs to new packages offering cheaper options for DIRECTV customers.
For now, what we are seeing is cable TV is finally moving to lower the cost of TV in order to fight off the growth of cord cutting.