Cable-TV business are still charging clients for sports channels even as the coronavirus pandemic forces the suspension of all significant sports leagues.
ARS TECHNICA
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The continued charges include regional sports network (RSN) costs, which often add nearly $10 to client expenses in exchange for access to live, local professional and college sports broadcasts. But RSN charges are simply one piece of the puzzle, as nationwide sports broadcasts on channels like ABC, ESPN, Fox, and NBC represent some percentage of the package charges paid by TV customers.
Comcast told Ars today that “any refunds will be identified when the NBA, NHL, and MLB announce the strategy for their seasons, consisting of the variety of games that will be played, and of course we will pass those refunds or other modifications along to our consumers.”
As Comcast’s declaration noted, the leagues themselves haven’t made decisions about whether they’ll complete their seasons. If the leagues wind up replaying most or all canceled games, they aren’t