Shedding Tiers

(From Sports Business Daily)

NEWSDAY's STEVE ZIPAY reports that OLN is on EXPANDED DIGITAL BASIC in 90% of its U.S. distribution of 64 MILLION HOMES, "but not in CABLEVISION HOUSEHOLDS on LONG ISLAND, BROOKLYN, THE BRONX, WESTCHESTER and NORTHERN NEW JERSEY."

AN OLN SPOKESPERSON said, "In markets where OLN is offered on A DIGITAL SPORTS TIER, which includes CABLEVISION, we are required through our contracts to BLACK OUT THE GAMES. We are working with our affiliates on the situation. We believe OLN should be included on EXPANDED BASIC, NOT A SPORTS TIER."

MEDIAWEEK notes that COX COMMUNICATIONS' PHOENIX SYSTEM is also SUBJECT TO THE BLACKOUT RULES.

OLN is "likely to use THE THREAT OF A BLACKOUT in order to win TOTAL ANALOG CARRIAGE."