Portland Trail Blazers extend controversial CSN broadcast deal but streaming options on way

Paul Allen and the Portland Trail Blazers have been trying to carve out a television niche for themselves for the better part of the last fifteen years. They’re hoping that their renewed broadcast contract with Comcast SportsNet Northwest will let them put down some roots (but not the Root Sports kind).

The Blazers and CSN Northwest agreed to a four-year extension that keeps what has been a controversial partnership intact for at least a while longer. The original deal gave CSN exclusive rights through 2017 but the new deal means Portland fans will have to tune in to them through at least 2020-2021.

The extension comes as a bit of a shock to some, as CSN does not currently have distribution agreements with satellite providers such as DirecTV or Dish Network, which has caused many Trail Blazers fans to miss out on broadcasts. As of right now, Comcast reaches only 55 percent of the Portland media market.

According to Joe Freeman at The Oregonian, the team was working on a potential side deal that would have switched broadcasting partners to a combination between local broadcaster KPTV and an internet streaming partner, which would have basically given anyone anywhere the chance to watch games. According to Portland media member John Canzano, Twitter was one of, if not the options considered. Ultimately, the deal fell through.

Trail Blazers had talks w @twitter about streaming all games. Ran into a tricky issue… more at noon @750TheGame

— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) July 6, 2016

At that point the franchise looked at regional broadcaster ROOT Sports, which is owned by DirecTV, but owner Paul Allen reportedly nixed the deal for not having enough reach.

As a sneaky little side note, the reason ROOT’s reach is in question is because their deal with Comcast is ending soon, and if it isn’t renewed it only puts ROOT in 33 percent of Portland households. One can only wonder if Comcast was playing both sides on that negotiation.

So as you can imagine, many fans aren’t too pleased that the Blazers are sticking with what has been a very limited option for audiences. Some were so enraged there was even talk of a team boycott.

The Blazers, however, tried to build in some new additions to the Comcast deal that they hope will appease fans and make it easier for people to watch games even if they don’t have cable.

NBA reporter Chris Haines says the new deal includes a worldwide streaming option for select games that will be begin in the 2017-2018 season.

#Blazers reach TV deal extension with CSN Northwest, per sources. New agreement to include select game streaming options for 2017-18 season.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 6, 2016

Meanwhile, Blazers’ in-house writer Casey Holdahl says the team is working to stream games in the Pacific Northwest without any blackouts.

If you have a PS4, PS3, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast or Roku, you can stream games on Sony Vue in the Portland area, NO BLACKOUTS

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) July 6, 2016

Just heard back about Sony Vue availabilityL Games on Sony Vue available to EVERYONE in Oregon AND Washington.

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) July 6, 2016

As for Portland fans with a satellite dish? They’re still SOL unless Comcast and the providers work out a deal, which doesn’t sound very likely for the time being.

David Preschlack saying on @johncanzanobft CSNNW has offered same terms/conditions to satellite as what's been accepted by other partners

— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) July 6, 2016

So what’s the conclusion for Trail Blazers fans? If you’ve got cable, make sure Comcast SportsNet is in your package. If you’re a cord cutter, consider Sony Vue. If you’re a satelitte subscriber…have fun at the bars that carry the games, I guess.

[Oregon Live/Blazers Edge]