Time Warner Cable signed its first non-affiliated carriage deal for its TWC SportsNet and TWC Deportes regional sports networks that launched Wednesday. Charter signed a multi-year deal to carry the networks by Oct. 31, which is when the RSNs are scheduled to carry their first live regular-season Los Angeles Lakers game. Charter is the fifth largest distributor in the L.A. market, with about 293,000 subscribers.
The coming week is a big one for TWC Sports, as it tries to solidify carriage for its networks in Los Angeles before the Lakers start their new season. The Lakers opening game against Dallas next Tuesday will be carried on TNT. Their Wednesday game against the Blazers will only be available on TWC SportsNet and TWC Deportes in the Los Angeles market. (NBA TV will carry the Wednesday game nationally, but it will be blacked out in Los Angeles.)
The channels now are certain to be carried on Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Charter by the beginning of the season. Five of the biggest distributors in Los Angeles, DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon, AT&T and Cox, still have not signed a deal for the channels, though all five still are talking. The English-language channel will be available to Charter's Los Angeles-area customers on channels 215 (SD) and 787 (HD). TWC Deportes will be available on channels 216 (SD) and 788 (HD).
