The CEO of Comcast wants to see an industry debate on whether cable subscribers or just fans should absorb the cost of sports networks. "I think it's time to call for a dialogue--a serious dialogue on
this subject," says Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, adding that his company would participate without pre-conditions. "There's a lot at stake and it's accelerating, and it's the moment right now," he says.
The pressure to cut a deal has never been higher as the result of network launches by professional sports leagues and college associations--even the Olympic Committee is considering it. "Who pays for
that channel, and is that going to be all viewers or those who are sports fans?" Roberts asks. Comcast pushed into sports programming long ago--raising an issue that has soured relations between cable
operators and sports programmers. More operators want to create sports tiers to take pricing pressure off expanded basic service, thus reducing regulatory pressure. Last week, Federal Communications
Commission chairman Kevin Martin called expanded basic a "tying" arrangement.
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