In surprising news, Spectrum Networks announced a carriage agreement to launch the Los Angeles Dodgers award-winning regional sports network—Spectrum SportsNet LA—to AT&T video subscribers beginning on Wednesday. With the agreement, AT&T TV, DIRECTV, U-verse TV and AT&T TV NOW customers in Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii will finally gain access to SportsNet LA’s live game coverage once the new MLB season is cleared to begin.
Before the resolution, the impasse between Spectrum and AT&T lasted nearly seven years.
SportsNet LA’s current programming includes a full slate of exclusive original shows and studio programming, as well as marquee games from recent years.
“This agreement underscores our commitment to provide all Dodgers fans the opportunity to enjoy our award-winning programming and live game coverage,” said Dan Finnerty, Senior Vice President, Spectrum Networks. “Working together with AT&T, we were able to reach an agreement to offer the region’s most popular teams to local fans across AT&T’s video platforms.”
Once the MLB and NBA seasons resume, customers will be able to enjoy the full slate of live Dodgers and Lakers’ games across all AT&T’s video platforms.
“Our city has the best sports fans in the world, and they want to enjoy all of the excitement and tradition that Dodger games bring to Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti. “I’m very pleased that Spectrum Sports and AT&T have reached this agreement, which will bring Dodger games into the homes of AT&T TV, DIRECTV, U-verse TV and AT&T TV NOW customers when the season begins and give more Angelenos the chance to cheer for our favorite team all the way to the World Series.”
Added Stan Kasten, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers, “As anxious as we all are for the ongoing pandemic to end and for the 2020 season to begin, we now have even more reason to be excited because this agreement will make Dodger baseball games and programming available for our fans on Spectrum, AT&T TV, DIRECTV, U-verse TV, and AT&T TV NOW. I want to thank AT&T and Spectrum Networks for coming together on this agreement. We are eager to get this season started once it is deemed safe to do so everywhere.”
With the MLB season on hold, fans of the Dodgers can stay connected to their team and relive some of the great Dodgers moments—both recent and historic—with the network’s extensive lineup of classic games and original programming.
Dodgers games on SportsNet LA will be called by Joe Davis and Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser, with Nomar Garciaparra filling in as analyst, and veteran broadcaster Tim Neverett filling in for Joe Davis when needed. Dodgers reporter Alanna Rizzo will serve as field reporter for SportsNet LA, while also contributing to the network’s live and original programming.
The network’s pregame studio programming begins with “Leadoff LA,” airing one-hour prior to every game, followed by the Emmy Award-winning show, “Access SportsNet: Dodgers.” Both programs feature player interviews, team highlights and in-depth analysis. “Access SportsNet: Dodgers” postgame coverage offers complete highlights of that night’s game, postgame interviews from the Dodgers clubhouse, and in-depth analysis from SportsNet LA’s expert studio team.
(Jon Chapper furnished the information provided in this report)
