Dodgers formally announce new channel

Time Warner Cable will carry the all-Dodgers channel, to be called SportsNet LA, and become the main distributor in a long-term deal that is worth about $7 billion, according to news reports. Games will be televised beginning in the 2014 season. The agreement is a huge loss for Fox Sports, which has the TV rights through 2013, and it's already raising concerns among cable operators about the escalating costs of sports programming. Time Warner Cable subscribers are almost certain to see their bills increase as a result of the Dodger deal. From press release:

Time Warner Cable has agreed to be SportsNet LA's charter distributor, and will carry the new network for its customers throughout Southern California and Hawaii under a long-term affiliation deal. In addition, in return for agreeing to make payments over the life of the deal, TWC will be the exclusive advertising and affiliate sales agent for the new network and will have certain branding and programing rights with respect to the network. TWC will also provide certain non-game production and technical services to AMP.