TWC SportsNet LA Dodger Viewing Party

In the weeks before the Dodgers and Diamondbacks opened the 2014 season in Australia, I received an e-mail from Amy over at Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA.  The e-mail was an invitation to a viewing party at the Time Warner Cable studios.  At 1:00 am and 7:00 pm on Saturday March 22nd invited guests, SportsNet LA executives, and SportsNet LA on-air talent would be watching the Dodgers take on the Diamondbacks.

Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, I RSVP'd to the event and anxiously waited for Saturday to arrive.  When I arrived that Saturday morning, the first thing I noticed was the event was fully catered.  Burgers, Dodger Dogs, salads, chicken, cookies, water, soft drinks and beers.  I'm sure i'm forgetting some items but SportsNet LA really went all out.  There were other bloggers, members of the press, and executives waiting for the game to start.  WIFI was provided so everyone could be active on the blogs and social media.

Since Orel Hershiser and John Hartung hosted the pre-game show, once the game started they came out to the viewing area and mingled with everyone.  The staff at SportsNet LA also provided tours of their studios.  We were taken to see the SportsNet LA Dodgers set and the TWC SportsNet Lakers set.  I must say these studios look much larger on TV!  The Dodgers beat the DBacks 3-1 in game one and after being at the studios from 1:00 am to 5:00 am, I drove home and passed out!

I decided to return for the 7:00 pm game and was glad I did.  Since there would be a post-game show after this game, we got to see the studio with all the lights and graphics turned on.  Also, Nomar Garciaparra was part of the pre and post-game shows so he came out to great everyone in attendance for the second game.  I was able to get his autograph on a Dodger Stadium baseball card.  Of course, the best news was that the Dodgers beat the DBacks for the second game in a row.

It was great way to view the first two games of the season and TWC SportsNet LA were excellent hosts.  Take a look at my pictures below.  You will be able to notice right away how different the studio looks when it is lit up.

SportsNet LA Baseball

I Need My Dodgers SportsNet LA tshirt and Hoodie Neck Pillow

Nomar Garciaparra autograph

True to the Blue!

SportsNet LA Has Launched: Upcoming Programming

Photo Credit: Jerod Harris/Getty Images

Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA has officially launched and has two days of programming under its belt.  They have broadcast both Dodger cactus league games and have also aired their first "Timeless Dodgers" game.  On Wednesday night, they aired Yasiel Puig's debut game.  Additionally, they have a couple more "Timeless Dodgers" games scheduled to broadcast.

On Saturday March 1, 2014, at 4:00 p.m., SportsNet LA will air Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS.  This game is highlighted by Mike Scioscia's game tying 2-run home run off Dwight Gooden in the 9th inning and Kirk Gibson's game winning home run in the top of the 12th inning.

On Thursday March 6, 2014, at 8:00 p.m. the "Timeless Dodgers" game will be Yankees at Dodgers from 7/30/13.  This game is highlighted by Andre Ethier stealing second base and then scoring on a Mark Ellis walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th.

For those of you without Time Warner Cable don't forget to use #ineedmydodgers on instagram, facebook, and twitter to let your provider know you want SportsNet LA.

Follow me on twitter @TrueToTheBlue81

True to the Blue!

Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA Launches in 13 Days

In just under two weeks, Time Warner Cable will launch the Dodgers network.  Officially called Time Warner Cable SportsNet LA, the new channel will begin on Tuesday February 25, 2014.  The network has already announced that they will air every spring training game, except for two split squad games.  Additionally, nightly during spring training, SportsNet LA will air Access SportsNet: Dodgers at 7:00pm pacific time.

Access SportsNet: Dodgers will deliver an hour of comprehensive coverage of the team.  This coverage will include behind-the-scenes access and will provide fans with all the latest information.  There have been no official announcements from other cable/satellite providers announcing they have picked up SportsNet LA.  To contact you local provider and voice your opinion go check out ineedmydodgers.com and let your voice be heard.  Also, don't forget to check out their FAQ tab at the top right corner of the website.  Last but not least don't forget to use #ineedmydodgers when using twitter, instagram and/or facebook.

True to the Blue!

Dodger Broadcasting Changes - Steve Lyons and Eric Collins Will Not Return

According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the announcing team of Eric Collins and Steve Lyons will not return for the 2014 season.  Collins and Lyons call all Dodger road games outside California and Arizona.  Collins just completed his fifth season as a Dodger broadcaster and Lyons has worked on Dodgers television for nine years.

I will not return with the Dodgers in any role in '14. Shattered, but not broken. I still LOVE this team.
— Steve Lyons (@SteveLyons12) October 12, 2013

According to Shaikin team officials have not confirmed the decision to let Collins go.  Beginning next season, the Dodgers broadcast rights belong to Time Warner Cable.  Much like their deal with the Lakers, Time Warner will create a regional sports network around Dodger programming.  Programming schedules and new broadcasters will be announced in the off season.  Rick Monday, Charley Steiner, Fernando Valenzuela, Pepe Yniguez, and Jaime Jarrin are all expected to return in 2014.

Time Warner Cable SportsNet recently announced the addition of Byron Scott and Luke Walton have joined the network's on-air team.  They will both be part of Lakes pre- and post-game shows.  Scott played 10 years in a Lakers uniform winning three NBA titles with the Lakers and Walton wore the purple and gold for 9 seasons winning two NBA titles along the way.

TWC SportsNet has done really well hiring former Lakers players for their broadcasts.  I hope they do the same when it comes to their Dodgers broadcasts.  I'm not sure what his contract status is with Fox Sports, but I would like to see Eric Karros be part of Dodger broadcasts.

True to the Blue!

Time Warner Cable to Launch New Dodger Channel

Bloomberg News, linked here , and the Los Angeles Times, linked here, is reporting the Dodgers and Time Warner Cable have agreed to terms on a deal that will grant Time Warner Cable to broadcast Dodger games.  The current broacast rights are owned by Fox News Corp and expire after the 2013 season. 

According to Bloomberg:

"An announcement of the agreement is imminent, although no deal has been signed yet, said the people, who asked not to be named because the decision isn’t yet public. The games will be carried on a new regional sports network developed by Guggenheim Partners, which bought the Dodgers for $2.15 billion last year. Time Warner Cable will be a partner in the project and won’t own the television rights outright, the people said."

According to the LA Times:

"The Dodgers’ deal is expected to be finalized and announced Thursday. The team has not yet submitted the deal to Major League Baseball for approval, but the control of the channel is expected to rest with the Dodgers’ owners rather than with Time Warner."

True to the Blue!