Cablevision, YES Reportedly Near Renewal Of Affiliation Deal

Cablevision and YES Network have been involved in a "series of intense, yet private, negotiations to renew their affiliation deal," and the companies are "on the cusp of crafting a renewal that will keep YES on Cablevision for several more years,” according to sources cited by John Ourand in this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The talks were a "marked contrast to the public and acrimonious talks the last time the two negotiated such a deal.” Cablevision has been carrying YES “without a contract since March 31, when the previous four-year deal expired,” and the sources insisted that Cablevision customers are “not in danger of losing YES Network from their channel lineup.” Ourand notes YES in the past month “has cut several deals, including one with Verizon that includes video-on-demand rights to replay games and highlights.” The net also has “cut several national deals, which are unique to the [RSN], and shows the national power of the Yankees brand.” The Cablevision deal is the “most intriguing, particularly given the contrast in negotiating style from earlier this decade.” Cablevision, “upset about the nearly $2 per subscriber per month price tag YES was seeking,” opted to “go the entire 2002 [MLB] season without the channel” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/20 issue).