Comcast SportsNet, Charter Cable Strike Distribution Deal For Blazers Games

Charter Cable customers will now be able to watch Portland Trail Blazers games on Comcast SportsNet Northwest after the two sides announced a distribution deal on Wednesday. Charter will begin carrying CSNNW on Sept. 17.

Charter and Comcast SportsNet Northwest (CSNNW) today announced the completion of a distribution agreement for Charter to launch CSNNW to Charter customers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

CSNNW, home of the NBA Portland Trail Blazers, and provider of extensive coverage of the University of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers, as well as other popular northwest sports programming, will be available to Charter's customers on Expanded Basic Digital service beginning September 17 on digital channel 427 and in HD on channel 827.

Frank Antonovich, vice president and general manager for Charter's operations in the northwest said, "As the exclusive cable provider in most areas for Comcast SportsNet Northwest in Charter's Oregon and Washington service areas, we're pleased that our customers will now enjoy watching the Blazers games, and all the other quality sports programming the network provides."

"We are delighted that Comcast SportsNet Northwest will be available to Charter customers," said Larry Eldridge, general manager of Comcast SportsNet Northwest. "This comes just as we ramp up our Trail Blazers and Ducks and Beavers collegiate programming into the fall."

"This is terrific news for our fan base," said Trail Blazers President & CEO Chris McGowan. "Some of our biggest fans are Charter customers and we're thrilled that they'll be able to watch much more Trail Blazers basketball beginning this season."

Allan Brettman of The Oregonian reports...

A Charter official said rates would not increase as a result of the agreement.

...

But two key satellite companies in the region -- Direct TV and Dish Network --remain out of the Comcast SportsNet network fold, meaning many customers still won't have an option to see games.

"We are continually tying to have that dialogue with both providers," Eldridge said.

"It's unlikely we would come to an agreement any time soon," DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said, declining to comment further.

A representative for Dish Network couldn't be reached Wednesday.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter