The D.C. Council on Tuesday moved toforce Comcast to air Washington Nationals’ games, embroiling the government in a game of chicken with the cable giant and threatening to black out cable programming for all D.C. Comcast subscribers.
Legislators unanimously adopted a resolution requiring all cable companies to air the team’s games, putting the government in the middle of a legal, financial and rhetorical battle between Comcast and Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos. Whether the action means anything is up for debate, but proponents hope it will force Comcast to the negotiating table, protect the District’s investment and shore up the Nationals’ fan base. “I don’t really have an interest in Mr. Angelos or Comcast in the sense of favoring one over the other,” said Ward 2 Council Member Jack Evans, who co-introduced the resolution. “I’m trying to get something to happen here.”
A Comcast executive said the resolution will have no “legal effect as local government efforts to mandate programming are clearly impermissible under federal law.”
“We share the council’s frustration with the current situation but believe that its decision to adopt this legislation may only prolong the unfortunate dispute that is keeping the Nationals off of local cable television,” David L. Cohen, Comcast executive vice president, said in a statement.
The bill cites the District’s $611 million investment in the team as a “public interest,” and therefore requires that all cable providers air Nationals’ broadcasts. Comcast, the only area provider without an agreement with Angelos to show the games, must start negotiations with the city within five days of the resolution taking effect. If the company declines to talk, or if it fails to comply with the resolution’s ultimate requirement, the city could terminate the franchise agreement, council members said. There are more than 100,000 Comcast subscribers in D.C. “The city has made an investment,” said Ward 5 Council Member Vincent Orange. “We need to make sure we reap the benefits.”
Council Member David Catania said the resolution appeared lopsided, favoring Angelos over Comcast. If no deal is struck, he said the council should consider taking financial action against the Orioles’ owner.
More from resolution
» Stadium construction depends on baseball-tied revenue streams.
» Broadcasts are “vital components of building and maintaining interest” in the franchise.
» Failure of cable operators to broadcast games “jeopardizes the realization of projected revenue.”
