Comcast customers will be unable to watch Yankees games on the YES Network until both sides agree on subscription fees.
The New York Yankees' opening day game was postponed until Tuesday at 1:00 pm, but some fans were still not be able to watch the game on television.
A dispute between Comcast and the YES Network, which broadcasts 127 regular season Yankees games, has led to the channel being blacked out for customers. A deal has not yet been reached, even with the extra day for negotiations.
Connecticut U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal spoke with Comcast and YES officials over the weekend. "There is no end to the impasse in sight," he said.
More than 80 Connecticut communities are in Comcast's service area, and will be unable to watch Yankees games on the YES Network until both sides are able to agree on subscription fees.
Stephen Nessen, a reporter for WNYC, reported that YES has some of the highest fees for broadcast rights. Comcast asserted that not enough people watch the channel to make the cost worth it. YES argued that it is the most watched regional sports network in the country.
"For companies of this size – and profitability – to be putting consumers in this position does a disservice to the men and women who faithfully paid their cable bills," said Blumenthal.
The YES Network launched a campaign encouraging subscribers to pressure Comcast to bring back the sports channel. Connecticut customers can watch a limited number of Yankees games. Some games will be nationally broadcast on ESPN and FS1. In addition, 21 games will be broadcast over-the-air on WCTX in Connecticut.
