Community Corner

Issue: Is Watching Padres on TV Worth Public Playing Hardball With Cable?

Time Warner Cable subscribers won't be able to see San Diego's team this season unless a miracle happens.

More than a month into the season, the Padres have had winning streaks and losing skids. But even if they crawl out of fourth place in the National League West, the ballclub can count on batting .000 for a fifth of TV viewers in San Diego County.

Time Warner Cable subscribers won’t be able to see San Diego’s team this season unless a miracle happens and Fox Sports San Diego relents on its charges or Time Warner antes up.

Perhaps 185,000 households can’t see Padres telecasts, and city officials have failed to bring the sides closer together.

“The most effective way to encourage Time Warner to carry Padres broadcasts is for Time Warner customers to demand it,” San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith wrote. “An organized effort by Time Warner customers could do wonders. Consumers have alternatives to Time Warner.”

Should viewers pull their triggers and fire Time Warner?  Does the public care enough about watching Bud Black’s crew to install other means of watching the tube?  Who do you most blame for the stalemate? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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