Industry sources have indicated Comcast is unlikely to cave. Comcast didn’t budge with Bally Sports this summer. An agreement came only when Bally Sports accepted Comcast’s offer to be placed on its highest tier, which is called “Ultimate TV.” That deal included 15 regional sports networks. Comcast also put Root Sports Northwest, which broadcasts the Seattle Mariners, and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), which broadcasts the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, on that tier in recent years.
CHSN’s argument, in part, points to now-defunct NBC Sports Chicago’s placement on Comcast’s middle tier, called “Popular TV.” Marquee Sports Network, which broadcasts the Chicago Cubs, is also on the middle tier.