Cox viewers can finally watch Dodgers on SportsNet LA after long blackout

When the Dodgers created SportsNet LA in 2013, Cox Communications declined to pay the carriage fees required to carry the channel, resulting in a blackout that lasted 4,560 days for Cox subscribers. The stalemate was resolved after Charter Communications purchased Cox, allowing the network to be added to Cox’s channel lineup. Fans in the Dodgers’ broadcast area can now watch the team on SportsNet LA on Channel 63 in Orange County, Channel 54 in Palos Verdes, Channel 36 in Santa Barbara and Channel 50 in Las Vegas.

The dispute had stemmed from cable providers’ resistance to the $5-per-subscriber monthly fee demanded for the baseball channel. The acquisition by Charter, which operates under the Spectrum brand, effectively nullified Cox’s previous refusal. Dodgers players, including Justin Turner, have called the resolution long overdue.