Indians on ONN?

[TvPat]

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Word is ONN, the state's cable network, has made very serious inquiries about landing the Indians' new TV contract. ONN General Manager Tom Griesdorn won't comment on his network's interest in the Indians. Since 2002, the Indians have had an exclusive local TV deal with FSN Ohio, but that contract recently expired. Buzz also continues to build that Channel 3 is pushing hard to air some Indians games on free TV next season.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/roger_brown/index.ssf?/base/sports/113170561737600.xml&coll=2

What does this mean for satellite customers? It could mean more Indians games on satellite. Or it could mean ONN on DirecTV and Dish in Ohio, much like Turner South is carried in Georgia. ONN is distributed by satellite and is not owned by the cable companies, so there would not be a situation like Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

[jpdublin]

If ONN lands Tribe games we would have to put some serious pressure on Directv/Dish Network to carry ONN for Ohio. I have my doubts that Directv would carry ONN. I also can't imagine FSN being outbid from ONN during contract talks, but I'm also surprised to see Hockey on OLN???

[nakedeye]

If Onn is distrobuted via sat as opposed to an in house fiber/t3 feed then directv and dish are able to carry it. the reason the comcast sports net philly is not avial on sat is that is is fiber fed throught philly. they do not rebraodcast it via sat to each of thier distrbution stations. there is a loop hole in the law allowing them to hold back. I belive however that is suppoed to be or has changed.

[Robbiee19]

Well is looks like it happened. CH 43 got the free OTA part, but D* doesn't carry that channel down here for us. Time Warner Cable got the other part, which is the biggest part. Under the terms of the deal, Time Warner would broadcast 130 games on an existing network or new network owned by the Indians. Knowing D* us Tribe fans will be left out down here in Columbus, so the Tribe just cut out a part of their market. Brilliant!

[TvPat]

Looks like it's official. Time Warner and the Indians are teaming up to start a yet unamed RSN. At first it will not be 24/7, much like the Royals RSTN or MASN.

The article says they intend to negotiate with the satellite companies. My only concern is that Time Warner has been consolidating their presense in this area by buying other cable operators such as Adelphia. They have also been trading systems in Comcast dominated areas such as Philadelphia for systems in Cleveland and other parts of Ohio. If they gain much more market dominance in Ohio they could be in position in to use the same loophole as Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

Complete article at:
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1135676223153060.xml&coll=2

[Robbiee19]

I feel thats the big problem. They are negotiating with the satellite companies and if involves Time Warner you know it will not go smooth. D* will see it as a tool for us to buy the baseball package too. I could see them making custmers do that to get the channels.

[TvPat]

RSN's have exclusive rights in their home terratory. If DirecTV does not carry the new channel, it will still be blacked out on MLB Extra Innings.