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Lanon Wee

Charter to Introduce Lower-Cost Cable Package Without Sports Network Content

On Monday, Charter Communications announced a revised cable TV package that gives customers the option of selecting a more budget-friendly bundle that excludes sports programming. This switch-up comes in response to regional sports channels struggling with cord-cutting and streaming services. Diamond Sports Group, the owner of the majority of these networks, recently filed for bankruptcy. The availability of the new packages will roll out on a market-by-market basis during the third quarter. Charter Communications is bringing about a change to its cable TV packages, particularly those related to sports networks. In an effort to respond to the increasing number of people choosing streaming services over traditional cable packages, the company announced Monday its plans to introduce a two-tier cable package system that will enable customers to pick either a costlier, sports-inclusive option or a less expensive, sports-free selection. The move is responding to the financial struggle of regional sports networks, Diamond Sports Group included, which has resulted in some networks adopting direct-to-consumer streaming models - expensive for customers, but not enough to end the lucrative pay-TV format. Charter, who owns two regional networks, is planning to let customers access these specific networks through streaming apps for free. The two packages (Spectrum Select Plus with sports programming, and Spectrum Select Signature with sports programming excluded) will be made available in the third quarter, on a market-by-market basis. The company noted that, historically, distributors like them are obliged to pay for the rights to sports content and make it available to over 80% of the subscribers, even if they never watch it. Therefore, the new two-tier system will benefit both sports lovers and non-sports viewers as they can freely select the option they are more interested in. To support the sports networks' efforts, Charter and DirecTV agreed a new distribution agreement that will allow the latter to provide their customers with cheaper and more flexible alternatives.

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