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News continues to flood in today. It's not good news, it's not bad news, it's just...there. Thursday marked an update in the CSN Houston bankruptcy case, where the Astros and Jim Crane were to update the court with its progress on seeking carriage deals.
It seems safe to say that there's been no progress, which is bad news for big-talking Crane, who said he'd have a deal done in 30 days. Failing to deliver had consequences, as it appears the Rockets will take over as lead negotiator in the matter.
Rockets attorney Alan Gover says Rockets will take over as lead negotiator for the network.
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
And more from Barron on the deal:
Attorneys also say that the Rockets have made a formal bid to buy network. That bid has not been submitted yet to the court.
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
Gover wants next status conference to be set for Jan. 7.
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
Gover says Astros and Rockets agree that Rockets should proceed as lead negotiator.
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
Gover says change making change to Rockets as lead negotiator will take place immediately if the court approves,
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
What does this mean? In the short term, it's good news. This means that an arbiter will not be appointed in order to negotiate carriage deals. Instead, the Rockets will do so. It's also interesting that the Rockets are trying to buy the network. If they buy out Crane and CSN, could they make it profitable? Would the Astros stick around if they get a flat fee from the Rockets?
Lots left to sort through from this hearing, but putting the Rockets as lead negotiators is a step forward and a move to get both teams back on TV, which is something we can all get behind.
UPDATE:
Here's a statement from the Astros, through Barron's Twitter feed. Bear with us:
Astros statement: "We have been engaged in negotiations with two major players and holding weekly meetings with the Rockets and Comcast ...
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
"to keep them appraised of the discussions. Comcast recently expressed concern with the Astros negotiating for the network ...
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
"these discussions. We do not want there to be any question as to whether our lawsuit against Comcast has any bearing on the results ...
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
"of the negotiations with the other carriers. We are confident in what we have done to this point and we have handled this exactly
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
"as Judge Isgur has requested and in the best interest of the network. Our interests are aligned with the Rockets in that we both want
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
"our fans to view our games. As we have done throughout this entire process, we will both continue to work tirelessly toward getting
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
"the games on TV for all of our fans." End of statement from Astros general counsel Giles Kibbe.
— David Barron (@dfbarron) December 12, 2013
