Charter Communications, the owner of the Spectrum SportsNet channels that broadcast Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers games, is scaling back its original programming on those channels. While live game coverage will remain unaffected, the company is canceling the show “Behind the Sport” and reducing new episodes of “Backstage: Dodgers” and “Backstage: Lakers” to once a month.
This move comes as the regional sports network (RSN) industry faces significant challenges due to cord-cutting and evolving viewer habits. As more consumers abandon traditional cable and satellite television for streaming services, the financial model that underpins RSNs – where subscribers pay for channels regardless of whether they watch them – is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
The decision to cut back on original programming reflects a broader trend in the RSN landscape. Many teams launched dedicated channels to provide 24/7 access to their fans, but viewership data indicates that most viewers primarily tune in for live games.
The RSN industry has been facing turmoil in recent years. Diamond Sports Group, the nation’s largest owner of RSNs, has been in bankruptcy court for over a year. Warner Bros. Discovery also exited the RSN business last year, shedding its four regional sports networks.
Charter’s SportsNet channels, acquired through the company’s purchase of Time Warner Cable in 2016, are unique in that they are the only RSNs operated by the company. Despite Charter’s financial stability, the company faces challenges with its expensive contracts with the Dodgers ($8.35 billion) and the Lakers ($3 billion).
While Dodgers executive vice president Lon Rosen has assured fans that SportsNet LA is not at risk, the situation with the Lakers remains less certain. Charter could potentially pressure the Lakers to renegotiate their contract at a lower rate, similar to what Diamond Sports Group has done with other teams, or risk the channel facing financial difficulties.
This development highlights the ongoing challenges and uncertainties in the sports media landscape. As viewing habits change and streaming services gain prominence, the future of regional sports networks and the distribution of local sports content remain in flux.