BendBroadband has become the latest distributor to reach a deal to carry Comcast SportsNet Northwest.
The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, will place the regional sports network on BendBroadband’s channel 40 as soon as today, according to the parties. BendBroadband will also offer CSN Northwest content -- including live coverage of the National Basketball Association Portland Trail Blazers, University of Oregon Ducks action and National Hockey League fare -- that is available in high-definition on channel 640.
The agreement with BendBroadband follows recent distribution pacts with Wave Broadband with Country Cablevision, Monroe Telephone and Canby Telecom. All told, the RSN has pacts with eight providers, including parent Comcast and Verizon’s FiOS TV, serving some 250 communities in Oregon and Washington.
Still, the service, which is contracted to present 55 Blazers games, 33 in high-definition during the 2008-09 NBA season, has holes in its distribution lineup: DirecTV, Dish Network, Charter Communications and other smaller providers in its territory have yet to conclude carriage contracts.
“Central Oregon is a real sports mecca and we have always had a passionate Oregon Duck and Blazer fan base in our area,” said BendBroadband vice president of business operations John Farwell in a statement. "We're delighted to be able to offer our subscribers this wide variety of U of O sporting events and a large slate of Blazer games, with many of those in high-definition."
Noted CSN Northwest general manager David Manougian: “With the start of an exciting Trail Blazers season, Comcast SportsNet’s distribution continues to rapidly increase, and we welcome sports fans in the Bend, Redmond, and Sisters areas served by BendBroadband to our audience.”
