Bright House, Fox Sports Florida Ink Carriage Pact
RSN Launches On Operator’s Central Florida System
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 1/1/2009 5:25:00 AM
Fox Cable Networks and Bright House Networks have reached a multiyear accord for the operator to carry Fox Sports Florida in the central part of the
SunshineState
. The pact, terms of which were not disclosed, was reached on New Year’s Eve, resulting in Fox Sports Florida making a New Year’s Day debut on Bright House’s channel 50 in the central
Florida
regions, which erves more than 925,000 customers in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties.
For subscribers who already receive Bright House's digital cable, there's no extra cost. Those with standard cable need a digital-tuner box -- $6.95 per month -- to receive the FSN channel. With that box, subscribers will also receive Bright House Sports Network, the PEG channel, NASA TV (in
BrevardCounty
) and Telemundo.
The first live game telecast is the National Basketball Association Orlando Magic hosting the Miami Heat on Jan 2 at 7 p.m. Additionally, the agreement provides for distribution of Fox Sports Florida’s high definition-telecasts on the operator’s HD Channel 1000, including enhanced games for the Magic, Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays and select Pac-10 and Big 12 football and Pac-10 and ACC basketball games. Prior to last season the Magic sold rights to 38 games to FS Florida believing a Bright House distribution deal would be consummated. However, those negotiations did not yield a pact, which also impacted the Magic’s first six telecasts on the regional this season. Sun Sports,
Florida
’s other statewide RSN, also presents Magic telecasts. “We have worked hard to reach an agreement that works best for all of our customers, which has always been our goal,” said J. Christian Fenger, president of Bright House Networks Central Florida Division, in a statement. “Fox Sports Florida is a strong addition to our lineup and will complement our already significant array of sports programming. We are very happy to make this happen.” “This is a banner day for sports fans in
Central Florida
,” added Cathy Weeden, senior vice president, general manager of Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports. “Bright House customers now have the opportunity to see Fox Sports Florida’s award-winning coverage of their hometown teams, including all 77 Orlando Magic games offered on Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports each season. We thank Bright House Networks for working so diligently with us to make this launch a reality and just in time for the new year.”
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