Blazers, Magic Continue to Fight Through TV Challenges

Trail Blazers Looking For Wider Distribution In Oregon

Comcast SportsNet Northwest, which holds the TV rights to 55 Trail Blazers games this season, cancelled “at least two interviews” with local media in Oregon this week when it “realized that those interviews would include pressing questions about its decision to not sell the programming" to satellite and cable operators beyond Comcast, according to John Canzano of the Portland OREGONIAN. Canzano wrote Trail Blazers Owner Paul Allen should “issue a directive to get a distribution deal done or lose the rights to televise his teams.” There would “be no [CSN Northwest] without the Blazers.” Canzano: “The bigger punishment for both entities will come in the form of a natural apathy once fans accept that nobody was looking out for them in this deal” (Portland OREGONIAN, 11/7).

BRIGHT EYES: With FSN Florida, which has the rights to 35 Magic games this season, and Bright House Networks yet to come to terms on a carriage deal, in Orlando, Mike Thomas writes, “It is beyond belief that the Magic, which has a long-standing relationship with both entities, didn’t understand all of this when it cut a deal with Fox.” While Magic COO Alex Martins said through a team spokesperson that "assurances" a carriage deal would be reached "came from Fox,” Thomas adds, “That the Magic are trying to put the blame for this on Bright House is beyond galling. This was an orchestrated ploy to make millions in profits for the Magic and Fox at the expense of Bright House customers” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/8).

JAZZ STATION: In Salt Lake City, Tom Wharton reports Simmons Media Group-owned KZN-AM The Zone, which does not own the rights to Jazz games, "has been told by the NBA to stop promoting” its Jazz pre-and postgame shows. Jazz flagship station KFNZ-AM “could face similar restrictions because it offers pre- and postgame commentary on Utah’s top college teams.” Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment President Randy Rigby “believes The Zone will comply.” Rigby: “It’s not a major issue. It’s protection of name rights” (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 11/8).