Comcast SportsNet Houston

Comcast SportsNet Houston (or CSN Houston) is an upcoming regional sports network that will serve the Houston, Texas market, scheduled to launch in 2012. It will be the exclusive home of the NBA's Houston Rockets beginning with the 2012-2013 NBA season and the MLB's Houston Astros beginning in the 2013 MLB season ^[2] and will be majority owned by both teams. ^[1]

History

The initial idea of a team-owned regional sports network was first proposed in 1999. It was former Rockets president George Postolos who floated the idea with Fox, who passed on the offer. The Rockets then teamed up with the Astros in 2003 to jointly launch an RSN. The first order of business was to sever ties with Fox Sports Houston, which led to a 20 month court battle. The settlement with Fox led to a new deal with the network valued at $600 million over 10-15 years. However, this contract contained a clause allowing the teams to bail on the contract and negotiate with other networks starting in late 2009. The Astros/Rockets group held talks with Comcast, DirecTV, and AT&T. Continuation of the Astros and Rockets broadcasts on Fox Sports Houston was on the table as the network offered $1.2 billion over 10 years. However, it was ownership in a regional sports network that the two teams wanted. This led to the teams agreeing to a $1 billion contract with Comcast, which included a 77.5% ownership in the network.^[1][3]

References