http://http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/10678116p-11596678c.html
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Wow! thats more then I thought. Im impressed. This is GREAT!! The Maloofs deserve a standing O for this!!!
:give a standing O:
John Thomas will be on with the Rise Guys this morning in the 7am hour. He might be bringing somebody from Comcast with him in studio.
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[font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Deal puts every Kings game on TV
The agreement is part of Comcast Cable's new sports network.
By J. Freedom du Lac and Clint Swett -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, September 9, 2004
For the first time in franchise history, every Kings preseason and regular-season game will be televised to Sacramento-area viewers under a new deal reached between the Kings and Comcast Cable.
The agreement calls for Comcast to launch a 24-hour regional sports network that features the Kings as the centerpiece, augmented by the Monarchs and other as-yet-determined programming.
Financial terms were not disclosed Wednesday, but it's a 10-year deal - a detail that may put increasingly anxious Kings fans at ease over the team's future in Sacramento, where talks on a new arena have crumbled.
It's unclear whether the contract includes an escape clause that would allow the Kings to back out of its commitment to Comcast.
The programming will be part of Comcast's expanded basic cable package, meaning there will be no extra cost to watch the games.
The all-sports network - whose formation represents a major offensive by Comcast in the pitched battle for cable and satellite customers - does not yet have a channel position, a start date or even a name.
But it does have plans to broadcast 58 NBA games during the Kings' 2004-05 season, several in high-definition.
The balance of the schedule - 32 games in all - will be carried by a combination of national cable networks (ESPN, TNT) and the Kings' local over-the-air affiliate, Channel 10 (KXTV).
"That's incredible," said Mark Thorpe, a Yolo County high school teacher and longtime Kings fan. "That's great for the Sacramento sports fan. It's about time."
Last season, with the Kings' deal with Fox Sports Net having expired, fans fretted over the team's spartan TV schedule, which featured 51 of 82 regular-season games.
Now, they'll be able to see the team 90 times on TV from October through April.
And you'll have to forgive previously beleaguered Maloof Sports & Entertainment executives for suddenly strutting around wearing mission-accomplished grins - even if the Comcast deal does end the Maloof Sports plan to launch a regional network of its own.
"The goal has always been to get the most possible games to the most possible fans," said John Thomas, president of Maloof Sports, which owns the Kings and Monarchs. "To say that we're really thrilled would be an understatement."
Thomas joked that the expansive TV offering would "bring the team into the 1990s."
The new network will be available to more than 770,000 Comcast subscribers from Chico to Fresno, further cementing the Kings brand throughout the Central Valley. The Kings already have radio deals in the Valley.
The channel could also give Comcast a competitive advantage in the high-stakes, high-intensity fight for customers with the likes of DirecTV, DISH Network and SureWest Broadband.
"We think it puts Comcast in position to be the provider of choice," said Joseph Gamble, the regional vice president for Comcast who brokered the deal.
Gamble said the new network will be available to competing companies, though he declined to say how much Comcast would charge for the programming.
No matter the price, cable analyst Jimmy Schaeffler speculated that Comcast's competitors would likely be inclined to buy the new sports package to keep core customers happy. But, he added, those companies might charge extra.
"Sports fans typically have a higher income demographic and are very important to all multichannel providers," said Schaeffler, an analyst with The Carmel Group. "They are one of the most passionate niche fans, and passionate people pay for things, whether it's adult programming or sports programming."
That was echoed by Comcast competitors in the area.
Frontier Communications, which expects to start cable TV service in Elk Grove next year, would be interested in buying the new sports network, said spokesman Rob Warden. "The customer base would be very interested, and we wouldn't want to ignore them," he said.
Likewise, Fred Arcuri, chief operating officer of SureWest - which competes with Comcast in Roseville, as well as in Elk Grove and parts of Sacramento - said the company also would be open to negotiation.
As would DirecTV.
"It's no secret how popular the Kings are," said Bob Marsocci, a spokesman for the satellite provider. "We would do everything we could to see that we would get an agreement that's fair and equitable."
Chris Woods, a Sacramento legislative consultant and DirecTV subscriber, said he's confident the satellite company will reach a deal to carry the new Comcast channel.
"I can't imagine the Maloofs shutting out a portion of their audience," he said.
If no deal occurred, though, Woods said he wouldn't switch to his old cable carrier. "We're happy with DirecTV - and to be honest, I don't know if (new Kings center) Greg Ostertag is enough reason to go back to Comcast."
The agreement was finalized Sunday night after a 73-day negotiation period and is scheduled to be announced officially today.
Comcast will pay the Kings a rights fee for the games, but Maloof Sports will control in-game advertising inventory and income.
Comcast will get the advertising revenue during half-hour pregame and postgame shows airing on the network.
What else airs on the Comcast sports channel literally remains to be seen.
Comcast has launched similar networks in other markets - including Chicago, Washington, D.C.-Baltimore and Philadelphia, where the cable company is based.
But in those cities, there are multiple pro franchises and major college programs.
Comcast's Gamble said the company would explore the possibility of programming minor league, high school and collegiate sports, including teams from California State University, Sacramento; the University of California, Davis; California State University, Fresno; and the University of Nevada, Reno. Some national Comcast programming might also be available.
"I don't expect you'll see 24-hour fishing shows," Gamble said, scoffing at the notion that there isn't enough programming to sustain a regional sports network in Central California.
The Carmel Group's Schaeffler questioned whether the channel could prosper with just one major-league team. But he added that Comcast's participation puts the odds at about 50-50.
"Comcast does their homework and they have people who execute really well," he said.
Kings cable deal
* The 10-year pact calls for 58 preseason and regular-season games to be carried this season on a newly formed Comcast regional sports network.
* Thirty-two other games will be shown on TNT, ESPN and Channel 10.
* The new regional network will be carried on Comcast Cable systems from Chico to Fresno. It will be offered for sale to other carriers, including SureWest Broadband, Charter Communications and DirecTV.
* The regional network also will carry Sacramento Monarchs games. Comcast will explore carrying River Cats baseball games as well as Sacramento State; UC Davis; University of Nevada, Reno; and Fresno State athletics.
About the Writer
---------------------------
The Bee's J. Freedom du Lac can be reached at (916) 321-1115 or jdulac@sacbee.com. [/font][/font]
================================
Wow! thats more then I thought. Im impressed. This is GREAT!! The Maloofs deserve a standing O for this!!!
:give a standing O:
John Thomas will be on with the Rise Guys this morning in the 7am hour. He might be bringing somebody from Comcast with him in studio.
--------------
[font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Deal puts every Kings game on TV
The agreement is part of Comcast Cable's new sports network.
By J. Freedom du Lac and Clint Swett -- Bee Staff Writers
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, September 9, 2004
For the first time in franchise history, every Kings preseason and regular-season game will be televised to Sacramento-area viewers under a new deal reached between the Kings and Comcast Cable.
The agreement calls for Comcast to launch a 24-hour regional sports network that features the Kings as the centerpiece, augmented by the Monarchs and other as-yet-determined programming.
Financial terms were not disclosed Wednesday, but it's a 10-year deal - a detail that may put increasingly anxious Kings fans at ease over the team's future in Sacramento, where talks on a new arena have crumbled.
It's unclear whether the contract includes an escape clause that would allow the Kings to back out of its commitment to Comcast.
The programming will be part of Comcast's expanded basic cable package, meaning there will be no extra cost to watch the games.
The all-sports network - whose formation represents a major offensive by Comcast in the pitched battle for cable and satellite customers - does not yet have a channel position, a start date or even a name.
But it does have plans to broadcast 58 NBA games during the Kings' 2004-05 season, several in high-definition.
The balance of the schedule - 32 games in all - will be carried by a combination of national cable networks (ESPN, TNT) and the Kings' local over-the-air affiliate, Channel 10 (KXTV).
"That's incredible," said Mark Thorpe, a Yolo County high school teacher and longtime Kings fan. "That's great for the Sacramento sports fan. It's about time."
Last season, with the Kings' deal with Fox Sports Net having expired, fans fretted over the team's spartan TV schedule, which featured 51 of 82 regular-season games.
Now, they'll be able to see the team 90 times on TV from October through April.
And you'll have to forgive previously beleaguered Maloof Sports & Entertainment executives for suddenly strutting around wearing mission-accomplished grins - even if the Comcast deal does end the Maloof Sports plan to launch a regional network of its own.
"The goal has always been to get the most possible games to the most possible fans," said John Thomas, president of Maloof Sports, which owns the Kings and Monarchs. "To say that we're really thrilled would be an understatement."
Thomas joked that the expansive TV offering would "bring the team into the 1990s."
The new network will be available to more than 770,000 Comcast subscribers from Chico to Fresno, further cementing the Kings brand throughout the Central Valley. The Kings already have radio deals in the Valley.
The channel could also give Comcast a competitive advantage in the high-stakes, high-intensity fight for customers with the likes of DirecTV, DISH Network and SureWest Broadband.
"We think it puts Comcast in position to be the provider of choice," said Joseph Gamble, the regional vice president for Comcast who brokered the deal.
Gamble said the new network will be available to competing companies, though he declined to say how much Comcast would charge for the programming.
No matter the price, cable analyst Jimmy Schaeffler speculated that Comcast's competitors would likely be inclined to buy the new sports package to keep core customers happy. But, he added, those companies might charge extra.
"Sports fans typically have a higher income demographic and are very important to all multichannel providers," said Schaeffler, an analyst with The Carmel Group. "They are one of the most passionate niche fans, and passionate people pay for things, whether it's adult programming or sports programming."
That was echoed by Comcast competitors in the area.
Frontier Communications, which expects to start cable TV service in Elk Grove next year, would be interested in buying the new sports network, said spokesman Rob Warden. "The customer base would be very interested, and we wouldn't want to ignore them," he said.
Likewise, Fred Arcuri, chief operating officer of SureWest - which competes with Comcast in Roseville, as well as in Elk Grove and parts of Sacramento - said the company also would be open to negotiation.
As would DirecTV.
"It's no secret how popular the Kings are," said Bob Marsocci, a spokesman for the satellite provider. "We would do everything we could to see that we would get an agreement that's fair and equitable."
Chris Woods, a Sacramento legislative consultant and DirecTV subscriber, said he's confident the satellite company will reach a deal to carry the new Comcast channel.
"I can't imagine the Maloofs shutting out a portion of their audience," he said.
If no deal occurred, though, Woods said he wouldn't switch to his old cable carrier. "We're happy with DirecTV - and to be honest, I don't know if (new Kings center) Greg Ostertag is enough reason to go back to Comcast."
The agreement was finalized Sunday night after a 73-day negotiation period and is scheduled to be announced officially today.
Comcast will pay the Kings a rights fee for the games, but Maloof Sports will control in-game advertising inventory and income.
Comcast will get the advertising revenue during half-hour pregame and postgame shows airing on the network.
What else airs on the Comcast sports channel literally remains to be seen.
Comcast has launched similar networks in other markets - including Chicago, Washington, D.C.-Baltimore and Philadelphia, where the cable company is based.
But in those cities, there are multiple pro franchises and major college programs.
Comcast's Gamble said the company would explore the possibility of programming minor league, high school and collegiate sports, including teams from California State University, Sacramento; the University of California, Davis; California State University, Fresno; and the University of Nevada, Reno. Some national Comcast programming might also be available.
"I don't expect you'll see 24-hour fishing shows," Gamble said, scoffing at the notion that there isn't enough programming to sustain a regional sports network in Central California.
The Carmel Group's Schaeffler questioned whether the channel could prosper with just one major-league team. But he added that Comcast's participation puts the odds at about 50-50.
"Comcast does their homework and they have people who execute really well," he said.
Kings cable deal
* The 10-year pact calls for 58 preseason and regular-season games to be carried this season on a newly formed Comcast regional sports network.
* Thirty-two other games will be shown on TNT, ESPN and Channel 10.
* The new regional network will be carried on Comcast Cable systems from Chico to Fresno. It will be offered for sale to other carriers, including SureWest Broadband, Charter Communications and DirecTV.
* The regional network also will carry Sacramento Monarchs games. Comcast will explore carrying River Cats baseball games as well as Sacramento State; UC Davis; University of Nevada, Reno; and Fresno State athletics.
About the Writer
---------------------------
The Bee's J. Freedom du Lac can be reached at (916) 321-1115 or jdulac@sacbee.com. [/font][/font]
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