SportsNet LA cuts back on Dodgers spring broadcasts
SportsNet LA will broadcast 16 spring games for the Dodgers, down from 31 in 2014.
Two years after launching SportsNet LA, the Dodgers-owned cable channel has essentially cut its spring training broadcast schedule in half.
SportsNet LA announced Friday it would air 16 games this spring, down from 31 last spring and 22 in 2014, the year the channel debuted.
As the stalemate between Time Warner Cable and other cable and satellite providers enters its third year, SportsNet LA remains off the air in a majority of Southern California homes. TWC has sustained losses reported at more than $100 million per year and has cut jobs and programs.
The Dodgers are the only team whose games air on SportsNet LA. In the absence of spring games, the daytime SportsNet LA schedule consists largely of repeat programming.
TWC spokesman Andrew Fegyveresi said the decision to limit spring broadcasts primarily to night and weekend games is not a cost-cutting measure.
“Not at all,” he said. “It’s a reaction based on viewership for weekday afternoon games.”
Fox Sports West will air 31 Angels spring games.
Follow Bill Shaikin on Twitter: @BillShaikin
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