[Bambi]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Washington, D.C. (December 9, 2014) - DIRECTV subs, if you want the satcaster to add SportsNet LA and other new regional sports channels such as the Pac 12 Network or the Longhorn Network you may have a long time to wait.

In fact, perhaps forever.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that DIRECTV CFO Patrick Doyle today dashed the hopes of regional sports fans in a presentation to the UBS Global Media conference in New York. Addressing his company's decision to refrain from adding SportsNet LA, the new home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Doyle said: "I think you will see more of that."

In the last year or so, DIRECTV, which was once considered the industry's sports leader, has railed against rising programming costs, particularly in the sports category. Consequently, the satcaster has not added Sports Net LA or the Pac 12 Network or the Longhorn Network.

Doyle claimed that subscriber defections caused by the absence of the sports channels are "negligible," according to the Hollywood Reporter.

"We see very little downside (to not carrying such networks)," he added. "The SEC Network was added in the summer to satisfy the ABC/ESPN family."

Doyle has previously warned that DIRECTV may decide to carry fewer channels to reduce programming costs. But it appears that the company's decision not to add SportsNet LA and the Pac 12 Network has provided more evidence that the strategy is correct, at least in its estimation.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Doyle said that sports channels and independent channels are the most likely to be dropped in the future to keep costs down.

Makes sense after the dismal ratings for the SEC Network.

Makes very little sense to add any more. The market is oversaturated.