Cablevision subs that turned into Game 1 of
the NLCS in certain makets were greeted with
this message yesterday. The dispute with FOX
means Game 2 of NLCS will not air on some
FOX channels carried by Cablevision
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Some Cablevision customers will continue to be blacked out of FOX programming, including Game 2 of the NLCS between the Giants and Phillies tonight over a bitter carriage dispute. Even though the sides continued to meet today, no progress was made toward resolution. The affected channels and markets are FOX 5 (WNYW) in New York and FOX 29 (WTXF) in Philadelphia. Also impacted is My9 (WWOR) in New York (a MyNetworkTV affiliate licensed to Secaucus, NJ) who is also blacked out, but it does not affect MLB or NFL coverage.
(For more on the NFL see Giants-Lions and Eagles-Falcons Caught in Cablevision's Battle with News Corp on The Biz of Football)
Game 1 of the NLCS was the first key sports content to be blacked out over the dispute. Game 2 of the NLCS between the Giants and Phillies is set to air at 8:00 pm ET on FOX meaning customers that would access the game through the affected channels on Cablevision will need to catch the game elsewhere, such as DirecTV.
A short statement by FOX released at 3:40pm ET laid out where matters are at, from their perspective.
"The parties had several discussions again today but no material progress was made and we continue to remain far apart. However, both sides agreed to continue talking tomorrow."
Cablevision was much more harsh in a statement that followed shortly after, laying blame at FOX' feet.
"The longer this shameful News Corp. blackout of the NFL and Major League Baseball continues, the more obvious it becomes to everyone, including political leaders of both parties, that binding arbitration is the fastest and fairest way to return Fox programming to Cablevision customers," said Charles Schueler, Cablevision’s executive vice president of communications.
In terms of how this might impact Major League Baseball, according to sources who wished to speak off-record, should any postseason games not be carried, the league would lose no broadcast revenues.
 Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey, as well as a contributor to FanGraphs and Forbes SportsMoney. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.
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The parties had several discussions again today but no material progress was made and we continue to remain far apart. However, both sides agreed to continue talking tomorrow
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