Comcast SportsNet Ends Their Relationship With Ravens

CSN Mid-Atlantic has been one of the most important outlets for the Ravens since the year 2010. Reports from several reliable sources indicate that this regional sports network will no longer carry the weekly in-season programs and the preseason games of Ravens.

The conclusion of Ravens relationship with Comcast SportsNet means that the football team will have to look for a new television partner. Reports say that the officials from the football team have already begun their search for a new television partner.

In a recent interview, the President of the Ravens, Dick Cass said, “Comcast SportsNet has changed the focus of its programming to concentrate on the Washington market. We will continue to have a strong TV presence in that market, which will include an airing of preseason games and weekly television shows, and we expect to announce a new partnership in the near future.”

CSN, which is a part of the NBC sport group, has played a key role in expanding the popularity of the football team among Baltimore and Washington television viewers. CSN even helped Ravens to cultivate their core Baltimore base. CSN is available in both Washington and Baltimore markets.

The network programming of CSN included the broadcast of preseason games of Ravens and three other major programs such as Ravens Report, Ravens Wired, and Unscripted. These programs offered a detailed analysis on the football games of Ravens and a lot more to the viewers.

However, the preseason games of Ravens and all these shows are also aired on WBAL-TV and on WJLA-TV in Washington. Reports indicate that WBAL-TV is planning to continue their arrangements with the Ravens.

Cass said, “Some of the people who live in that (Washington) market are as close as 20 miles to the stadium. We have a lot of fans in Frederick County, for example, which is part of the Washington TV market but at the same time is part of the Ravens’ exclusive marketing territory.”

On the other hand, a recent statement from a Comcast SportsNet spokesman noted, “CSN Mid-Atlantic’s media rights agreement with the Baltimore Ravens will not be renewed. CSN and the team enjoyed a great relationship, but the partnership no longer aligns with the network’s business strategy. CSN values the Baltimore market and looks forward to continuing to provide the region’s fans with exclusive sports coverage, including Ravens news, analysis and opinion.”