Dodgers, Time Warner Cable sign TV deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Time Warner Cable announced Monday they have agreed to form a new regional cable television network called SportsNet LA. Under the estimated $7 billion deal, telecasts of Dodgers games will anchor the network's programming when it debuts in 2014, pending approval from Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Times reported. The team's local broadcasts will continue to be shown on Fox Sports through the coming season. "The launch of the new regional sports network is a historic development for the Dodgers and our passionate fans," Dodgers Chief Executive Officer Stan Kasten said. "Our commitment from day one has been to build the Dodgers into the best team possible, both on and off the field." The costly deal is likely to add $5 per month to bills of customers of cable and satellite providers that carry the channel, whether they watch sports or not. That could trigger legislation to protect consumers, analysts told the Times. From UPI