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m Robot: Fixing double-redirect -"Fox Sports West and Fox Sports Prime Ticket" +"Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket"
Splitting pages with expanded content, network deserves its own page as it has its own programming with its own teams and Fox never intended it to be just an overflow feed
Tag: Removed redirect
Line 1: Line 1:
{{About|the current regional sports network|the regional sports network that used the name from 1985-1994|Fox Sports West}}
#REDIRECT [[Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket]]

{{Infobox television channel
| name = Prime Ticket
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| logo_caption =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| type = [[Regional sports network]]
| country = [[United States]]
| area = [[Southern California]]<br>[[Las Vegas Valley]]<br>[[Hawaii]]<br>Nationwide (via satellite)
| network = [[Fox Sports Networks]]
| slogan =
| headquarters = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| language = [[English language|English]]<br>[[Spanish language|Spanish]] (via [[Second audio program|SAP]])
| languages =
| picture_format = [[720p]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br>[[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])
| owner = [[Diamond Sports Group]]
| parent = [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] and [[Entertainment Studios]]
| key_people =
| sister_channels = [[Fox Sports West]]
| founded =
| founder =
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1997|01|27}}
| replaced = [[SportsChannel Los Angeles]]
| closed_date =
| replaced_by =
| former_names = Fox Sports West 2 (1997–2000)<br>Fox Sports Net West 2 (2000–04)<br>FSN West 2 (2004–06)
| sat_serv_1 = [[DirecTV]]
| sat_chan_1 = 693
| cable_serv_1 = [[Charter Spectrum]]
| cable_chan_1 = 321 or 738 (Southern California)<br>1228 (Hawaii)
| cable_serv_2 = [[Cox Communications]]
| cable_chan_2 = 1050 (Las Vegas)<br>1063 (Orange County)<br>1054 (Palos Verdes)<br>1036 (Santa Barbara)
| cable_serv_3 = [[Hawaiian Telcom]]
| cable_chan_3 = 82 (SD)/ 1082 (HD)
| cable_serv_4 = Available from other select cable providers
| cable_chan_4 = Consult your local cable provider
| iptv_serv_1 = [[AT&T U-verse]]
| iptv_chan_1 = 1774
| online_serv_1 = [[AT&T TV]]
| online_chan_1 = 693
| availability_note =
| website = {{URL|https://www.foxsports.com/west}}
| webcast = {{URL|https://www.foxsportsgo.com/}}
| child =
| embed_header =
| embedded =
}}

'''Prime Ticket''' is an [[United States|American]] [[regional sports network]] owned by [[Diamond Sports Group]], a joint venture between [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] and [[Entertainment Studios]], and operated as part of [[Fox Sports Networks]], along with its [[sister network]] [[Fox Sports West]]. The channel broadcasts regional coverage of professional and collegiate sports events in [[California]], focusing primarily on teams based in the [[Greater Los Angeles area]]. Prime Ticket is available on [[cable television|cable]] providers throughout [[Southern California]], the [[Las Vegas Valley]] and [[Hawaii]]; it is also available nationwide on [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] via [[DirecTV]].

==History==

===Beginnings===
{{Main|Fox Sports West}}
The original Prime Ticket (currently Fox Sports West) was launched on October 19, 1985 and became one of the leading regional sports networks in the United States. Rival network [[SportsChannel Los Angeles]] ceased operations on December 31, 1992, which would eventually create a need for a new regional sports network.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Larry |title=SportsChannel L.A. Quits on Dec. 31 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-06-sp-1428-story.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=6 November 1992}}</ref> After SportsChannel's closure, Prime Ticket acquired the broadcast rights to the [[Los Angeles Angels]] and [[Los Angeles Clippers]] which had previously broadcast on SportsChannel.<ref>{{cite news|title=Angels, Prime Ticket Sign a Five-Year Deal : Baseball: Station will carry 20 home games in 1993. Dodgers might not have cable contract this year.|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-01-15/sports/sp-1395_1_prime-ticket|author=Larry Stewart|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|publisher=Times Mirror Company|date=January 15, 1993|access-date=April 12, 2015}}</ref> However, the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] opted to not to make a deal with Prime Ticket, instead staying off cable for the next four seasons. The network would retain the Prime Ticket name until it was rebranded in 1994 as Prime Sports West and later then Fox Sports West in 1996 when it joined Fox Sports Net.<ref>{{cite news|title=FOX SPORTS NET DEBUTS ON NOV. 1|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23361533.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191036/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23361533.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Columbian]]|publisher=Columbian Publishing Company|via=HighBeam Research|date=September 13, 1996|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref>

===Fox Sports West 2===
On January 27, 1997, Fox Sports Net launched an additional channel, '''Fox Sports West 2''', to provide the broadcast of 40 Los Angeles Dodgers games. The Dodgers had not had any local cable broadcasts of their games since the 1992 season. Additionally, Los Angeles Clippers and [[Anaheim Ducks]] games were moved from Fox Sports West, as well as [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] and [[USC Trojans men's basketball|USC]] basketball games that were not part of Fox's existing [[Pac10]] package. Other new programming included coverage of other college sports at UCLA and USC, high school basketball and football, and [[horse racing]] from [[Santa Anita Park|Santa Anita]] and [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]]<ref>{{cite news|title=ANOTHER FOX SPORTS OUTLET? IT'S YOUR CALL : THE 4TH ANNUAL BEST AND WORST OF THE L.A. SPORTS MEDIA SPORTS ANCHORS/REPORTERS.(SPORTS)|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83852045.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164407/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83852045.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|via=HighBeam Research|date=January 17, 1997|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Larry |title=A SPLITTING HEADACHE : Spinoff Fox Sports West 2 Creates More Problems for Cable Operators |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-27-sp-22545-story.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=27 January 1997}}</ref> Initially Fox Sports West 2 did not have widespread cable coverage, leading to many complaints and a failed lawsuit by the Ducks seeking to return their games back on Fox Sports West.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Larry |title=Mighty Ducks to Stay on Fox Sports West 2 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-27-sp-32914-story.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=27 February 1997}}</ref>Four months after it launched the new network had secured deals to reach 1.1 million subscribers, representing less than one-forth the coverage of its parent network.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Larry |title=Fox Sports West 2 Adds 650,000 Homes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-14-sp-58750-story.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=14 May 1997}}</ref>

In 2000, Fox Sports West 2 was rebranded as '''Fox Sports Net West 2''', as part of a collective brand modification of the FSN networks under the "Fox Sports Net" banner. In 2004, this was shortened to '''FSN West 2'''.

===The Return of Prime Ticket===
[[File:FSNWest & Prime Ticket Logo.png|thumb|right|200px|Logos for Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket, used from 2009 to 2012.]]
On April 3, 2006, FSN West 2 rebranded as '''FSN Prime Ticket''' (later shortened to simply '''Prime Ticket'''), beginning with the Dodgers season opener against the [[Atlanta Braves]] at [[Dodger Stadium]]. The change was primarily made as a response to preception of viewers that Fox Sports 2 was a an inferior network. The network adopted a new philosophy to concentrate more on local originally-produced content (such as the [[documentary film|documentary]] series ''Before the Bigs'' and ''In My Own Words'', and team-themed ''Insider'' shows) and less on supplemental national programming provided by Fox Sports Net.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Larry |title=FSN Prime Ticket Joins Name Game |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-03-sp-tvcol3-story.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=3 March 2006}}</ref> FSN West reverted to the Fox Sports West moniker in 2008.

On June 20, 2011, Commissioner of Baseball [[Bud Selig]] rejected a proposed contract extension between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Prime Ticket, citing concerns that the deal was structured in a way that most of the proceeds would end up being assigned to beleaguered Dodgers owner [[Frank McCourt (executive)|Frank McCourt]] and not the team's operations.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 20, 2011|title=Commish: TV deal not in Dodgers' best interests|url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110620&content_id=20770860&vkey=news_la&c_id=la|website=MLB.com}}</ref> Both Fox Sports West and the Dodgers were involved in separate lawsuits over the team's broadcast rights as well as the sale of the club.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 16, 2011|title=Dodgers sue Fox Sports over alleged interference in team's sale|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]]|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/16/sports/la-sp-1117-mccourt-dodgers-fox-20111117}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=September 28, 2011|title=FOX Sports reportedly sues Dodgers|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/FOX-Sports-sues-Los-Angeles-Dodgers-over-proposed-TV-rights-sale-092811|website=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]}}</ref> On January 10, 2012, Fox and the Dodgers reached a settlement in court, clearing the way for the sale of the team.<ref>{{cite news|date=January 12, 2012|title=Settlement with Fox removes obstacle to sale of Dodgers[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/dodgers/story/2012-01-11/fox-media-rights-lawsuit-settled/52493636/1|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]}}</ref> Fox's exclusive negotiating period with the Dodgers expired on November 30, 2012 – leaving the team open to competing offers.<ref>{{cite news|date=November 25, 2012|title=Dodgers, Fox Sports talking $6-billion TV deal|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|publisher=Tribune Publishing|department=Dodgers Now|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-fox-sports-6-billion-tv-deal-20121125,0,4821671.story}}</ref> In January 2013, [[Time Warner Cable]] signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, establishing a new team-specific channel known as [[SportsNet LA]].

In 2014, Prime Ticket began broadcasting [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] games via [[Fox Sports Arizona]] for viewers in the Las Vegas Valley.

===The Future===
On December 14, 2017, as part of a merger between both companies, [[The Walt Disney Company]] announced plans to acquire all 22 regional Fox Sports networks from [[21st Century Fox]], including Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket. However, on June 27, 2018, the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] ordered their divestment under antitrust grounds, citing Disney's ownership of [[ESPN]]. On May 3, 2019, [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] and [[Entertainment Studios]] (through their joint venture, [[Diamond Sports Group|Diamond Holdings]]) bought [[Fox Sports Networks]] from [[The Walt Disney Company]] for $10.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|title=Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-disney-regional-sports-network-deal-1203204685/|access-date=2019-05-05|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> The deal closed on August 22, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 August 2019|title=Sinclair completes acquisition of regional sports networks from Disney|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-08-23/sinclair-completes-acquisition-of-regional-sports-networks-from-Disney|access-date=23 August 2019|publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref>

In November 2020, Sinclair announced an agreement with casino operator [[Bally's Corporation]] to serve as new [[naming rights]] partner for the FSN channels. Sinclair announced the new Bally Sports branding for the channels in January 2021, with Prime Ticket becoming '''Bally Sports SoCal'''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balderston|first=Michael|date=2021-01-27|title=Sinclair, Bally Reveal Bally Sports Rebrand for RSNs|url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/sinclair-bally-reveal-bally-sports-rebrand|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-28|website=TVTechnology|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Farewell, Fox Sports West. Hello, Bally Sports|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-11-18/fox-sports-west-bally-sports-prime-ticket|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Programming==

===Overflow coverage===
In the Los Angeles market, in the case of scheduling conflicts, Prime Ticket will move a scheduled telecast of an Clippers or Ducks game to [[KCOP-TV]] (Channel 13), the local [[MyNetworkTV]] owned-and-operated station and sister station to the two networks. Select Ducks games are also shown on Fox Sports West.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ducks Announce 2020-21 Television Schedule |url=https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/ducks-announce-2020-21-television-schedule/c-320202094 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> Those KCOP Clippers nad Ducks telecasts may also be streamed via the [[Fox Sports Go]] application for those outside of the Los Angeles DMA; Prior to the 2016-17 season, Ducks games were not streamed on the application, as Fox Sports and the National Hockey League did not come to a streaming rights agreement until the summer of 2016.

===Courtside View===
Prime Ticket provides an alternate feed known as "Courtside View" during select Ducks and Kings home telecasts aired on Fox Sports West; the feature provides distinct camera angles and does not incorporate commentary, providing a broadcast simulating the experience of a spectator at the arena.

==Notable on-air staff==

===Current===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[John Ahlers]] – [[Anaheim Ducks]] play-by-play announcer
* [[Chauncey Billups]] – Los Angeles Clippers analyst
* Kent French — ''Ducks Live'' host
* [[Brian Hayward]] – Anaheim Ducks commentator and ''Duck Live'' analyst
* [[Guy Hebert]] — ''Ducks Live'' analyst
* [[Mike Hill (sportscaster)|Mike Hill]] — ''Clippers Live'' host
* [[Don MacLean (basketball)|Don MacLean]] – ''Clippers Live'' analyst (former UCLA basketball commentator)
* [[Corey Maggette]] — ''Clippers Live'' analyst
* Jaime Maggio — Los Angeles Clippers sideline reporter (fil-in)
* [[José Mota (baseball)|José Mota]] – Los Angeles Angels commentator and reporter, ''Angels Live'' analyst
* [[Mike Pomeranz]] — ''Ducks Live'' host (rotating)
* Kristina Pink – Los Angeles Clippers sideline reporter
* [[Brian Sieman]] – Los Angeles Clippers announcer
* [[Jeanne Zelasko]] — ''Clippers Live'' host (rotating)
{{div col end}}

===Former===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Michael Cage]] – ''Clippers Live'' analyst, former USC commentator and former analyst for ''Lakers Live'' and ''Bruins Live''
* [[Eric Collins (sportscaster)|Eric Collins]] – Dodgers road announcer (games east of Arizona) and ''Dodgers Live'' anchor
* [[Carolyn Hughes]] – ''Dodgers Dugout'' (2005)
* [[Marques Johnson]] – [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]] basketball commentator and (2007) ''Trojans Live'' March Madness analyst
* [[Eric Karros]] – Dodgers postseason studio analyst (2003)
* [[Kevin Kennedy (baseball)|Kevin Kennedy]] – Major League Baseball analyst
* [[Steve Lyons (baseball)|Steve Lyons]] – [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] road commentator and Dodgers Live analyst
* [[Bill Macdonald]] – baseball, basketball, football and hockey announcer
* [[Adrian Garcia Marquez]] – ''Dodgers Live'' reporter
* [[Chris McGee]] – ''Clippers Live'' reporter, and high school football announcer
* [[Marty McSorley]] – NHL analyst (2006)
* [[Rick Monday]] – Dodgers play-by-play announcer and ''Dugout'' analyst
* [[Petros Papadakis]] – [[USC Trojans|USC]] football analyst and Pac-12 football commentator
* [[Steve Physioc]] – Los Angeles Angels and Pac-12 basketball announcer
* [[Ross Porter (American broadcaster)|Ross Porter]] – Dodgers play-by-play announcer
* [[Lindsay Rhodes]] – sideline reporter, and anchor of ''Trojans Live'' and ''Southern California Sports Report''
* [[Vin Scully]] – [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] announcer (2005–2013, retired)
* [[Charley Steiner]] – Dodgers road announcer
* [[Matt Stevens (quarterback)|Matt Stevens]] – [[UCLA Bruins|UCLA]] football analyst
* [[Paul Sunderland]] – Pac-12, Big West and Lakers basketball announcer
* [[Barry Tompkins]] – Pac-12 football and basketball announcer
* [[Jim Watson (sportscaster)|Jim Watson]] – Pac-12 and LA Galaxy announcer, sideline reporter, and anchor of "Dodgers Live" and "Dodgers Dugout"
* [[Paul Westphal]] – NBA analyst, USC basketball commentator
* [[Van Earl Wright]] – anchor of ''Southern California Sports Report'', ''Dodgers Dugout'' (2004) and Kings "Break the Ice" (2004)
{{div col end}}

==Out of Market Carriage==
===San Diego County===
{{Main|Fox Sports San Diego}}

Fox Sports West maintains widespread cable carriage in [[San Diego County, California|San Diego County]]. However, the two major providers in the area, [[Time Warner Cable]] and [[Cox Communications]], have refused to carry Prime Ticket since its launch in 1997; both cable providers claim that the network has asked for carriage fees they deemed to be too expensive for carriage on their expanded basic tiers. However, Prime Ticket was carried on some former systems that Time Warner Cable acquired in 2006 from [[Adelphia Communications Corporation|Adelphia Communications]]. Adelphia had added the channel to their lineup in 2001.

On March 17, 2012, as part of a contract signed with FSN to acquire the local cable rights to the [[San Diego Padres]], Fox Sports Networks created a separate regional network for the San Diego market, [[Fox Sports San Diego]].<ref name=FSSDLaunch>{{cite web|title=Fox Sports San Diego to launch in March|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/feb/16/new-fox-sports-san-diego-launch-around-march-5/|author=Jay Posner|newspaper=[[U-T San Diego]]|date=February 16, 2012|access-date=February 20, 2012}}</ref> Despite that channel's launch, Fox Sports West remains available on cable providers in the San Diego area; however, Fox Sports San Diego carries some programming (including most live sporting events) from Prime Ticket, which essentially makes striking any carriage agreement for that channel unnecessary.

===Las Vegas Valley===
{{Main|AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain}}

Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket maintains widespread cable carriage in the [[Las Vegas Valley]].
On May 23, 2017, it was announced that [[AT&T SportsNet]] had acquired the [[regional sports network|RSN]] rights to the [[Vegas Golden Knights]] to televise broadcast games in [[Southern Nevada]] on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain which started in the [[2017-18 NHL season|2017-2018 NHL Season]].

Because the Vegas Golden Knights hold territorial rights for all of Southern Nevada, [[Anaheim Ducks]] and [[Los Angeles Kings]] games are [[blackout (broadcasting)|blacked out]] in the Las Vegas Valley on Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket regardless of the cable or satellite provider, requiring a subscription to the [[NHL Center Ice]] [[out-of-market sports package]] to view those telecasts. All other sports programming, with the exception of Ducks and Kings hockey games carried on Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket, is available in Southern Nevada.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.foxsports.com/west}}

{{Fox Sports Networks}}
{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Anaheim Ducks}}
{{Los Angeles Clippers}}
{{Los Angeles Dodgers}}
{{Los Angeles Sparks navbox}}
{{SBGI}}
{{NHL on Fox}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime Ticket}}
[[Category:Fox Sports Networks]]
[[Category:Television stations in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1997]]
[[Category:West Coast Conference]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in California]]

Revision as of 21:14, 14 March 2021

This article is about the current regional sports network. For the regional sports network that used the name from 1985-1994, see Fox Sports West.
Prime Ticket
TypeRegional sports network
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaSouthern California
Las Vegas Valley
Hawaii
Nationwide (via satellite)
NetworkFox Sports Networks
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California
Programming
Language(s)English
Spanish (via SAP)
Picture format720p (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerDiamond Sports Group
ParentSinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios
Sister channelsFox Sports West
History
LaunchedJanuary 27, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-01-27)
ReplacedSportsChannel Los Angeles
Former namesFox Sports West 2 (1997–2000)
Fox Sports Net West 2 (2000–04)
FSN West 2 (2004–06)
Links
Webcastwww.foxsportsgo.com
Websitewww.foxsports.com/west
Availability
Streaming media
AT&T TV693

Prime Ticket is an American regional sports network owned by Diamond Sports Group, a joint venture between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios, and operated as part of Fox Sports Networks, along with its sister network Fox Sports West. The channel broadcasts regional coverage of professional and collegiate sports events in California, focusing primarily on teams based in the Greater Los Angeles area. Prime Ticket is available on cable providers throughout Southern California, the Las Vegas Valley and Hawaii; it is also available nationwide on satellite via DirecTV.

History

Beginnings

Main article: Fox Sports West

The original Prime Ticket (currently Fox Sports West) was launched on October 19, 1985 and became one of the leading regional sports networks in the United States. Rival network SportsChannel Los Angeles ceased operations on December 31, 1992, which would eventually create a need for a new regional sports network.[1] After SportsChannel's closure, Prime Ticket acquired the broadcast rights to the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Clippers which had previously broadcast on SportsChannel.[2] However, the Los Angeles Dodgers opted to not to make a deal with Prime Ticket, instead staying off cable for the next four seasons. The network would retain the Prime Ticket name until it was rebranded in 1994 as Prime Sports West and later then Fox Sports West in 1996 when it joined Fox Sports Net.[3]

Fox Sports West 2

On January 27, 1997, Fox Sports Net launched an additional channel, Fox Sports West 2, to provide the broadcast of 40 Los Angeles Dodgers games. The Dodgers had not had any local cable broadcasts of their games since the 1992 season. Additionally, Los Angeles Clippers and Anaheim Ducks games were moved from Fox Sports West, as well as UCLA and USC basketball games that were not part of Fox's existing Pac10 package. Other new programming included coverage of other college sports at UCLA and USC, high school basketball and football, and horse racing from Santa Anita and Hollywood Park[4][5] Initially Fox Sports West 2 did not have widespread cable coverage, leading to many complaints and a failed lawsuit by the Ducks seeking to return their games back on Fox Sports West.[6]Four months after it launched the new network had secured deals to reach 1.1 million subscribers, representing less than one-forth the coverage of its parent network.[7]

In 2000, Fox Sports West 2 was rebranded as Fox Sports Net West 2, as part of a collective brand modification of the FSN networks under the "Fox Sports Net" banner. In 2004, this was shortened to FSN West 2.

The Return of Prime Ticket

Logos for Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket, used from 2009 to 2012.

On April 3, 2006, FSN West 2 rebranded as FSN Prime Ticket (later shortened to simply Prime Ticket), beginning with the Dodgers season opener against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The change was primarily made as a response to preception of viewers that Fox Sports 2 was a an inferior network. The network adopted a new philosophy to concentrate more on local originally-produced content (such as the documentary series Before the Bigs and In My Own Words, and team-themed Insider shows) and less on supplemental national programming provided by Fox Sports Net.[8] FSN West reverted to the Fox Sports West moniker in 2008.

On June 20, 2011, Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig rejected a proposed contract extension between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Prime Ticket, citing concerns that the deal was structured in a way that most of the proceeds would end up being assigned to beleaguered Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and not the team's operations.[9] Both Fox Sports West and the Dodgers were involved in separate lawsuits over the team's broadcast rights as well as the sale of the club.[10][11] On January 10, 2012, Fox and the Dodgers reached a settlement in court, clearing the way for the sale of the team.[12] Fox's exclusive negotiating period with the Dodgers expired on November 30, 2012 – leaving the team open to competing offers.[13] In January 2013, Time Warner Cable signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, establishing a new team-specific channel known as SportsNet LA.

In 2014, Prime Ticket began broadcasting Arizona Diamondbacks games via Fox Sports Arizona for viewers in the Las Vegas Valley.

The Future

On December 14, 2017, as part of a merger between both companies, The Walt Disney Company announced plans to acquire all 22 regional Fox Sports networks from 21st Century Fox, including Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket. However, on June 27, 2018, the Justice Department ordered their divestment under antitrust grounds, citing Disney's ownership of ESPN. On May 3, 2019, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios (through their joint venture, Diamond Holdings) bought Fox Sports Networks from The Walt Disney Company for $10.6 billion.[14] The deal closed on August 22, 2019.[15]

In November 2020, Sinclair announced an agreement with casino operator Bally's Corporation to serve as new naming rights partner for the FSN channels. Sinclair announced the new Bally Sports branding for the channels in January 2021, with Prime Ticket becoming Bally Sports SoCal.[16][17]

Programming

Overflow coverage

In the Los Angeles market, in the case of scheduling conflicts, Prime Ticket will move a scheduled telecast of an Clippers or Ducks game to KCOP-TV (Channel 13), the local MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated station and sister station to the two networks. Select Ducks games are also shown on Fox Sports West.[18] Those KCOP Clippers nad Ducks telecasts may also be streamed via the Fox Sports Go application for those outside of the Los Angeles DMA; Prior to the 2016-17 season, Ducks games were not streamed on the application, as Fox Sports and the National Hockey League did not come to a streaming rights agreement until the summer of 2016.

Courtside View

Prime Ticket provides an alternate feed known as "Courtside View" during select Ducks and Kings home telecasts aired on Fox Sports West; the feature provides distinct camera angles and does not incorporate commentary, providing a broadcast simulating the experience of a spectator at the arena.

Notable on-air staff

Current

Former

Out of Market Carriage

San Diego County

Main article: Fox Sports San Diego

Fox Sports West maintains widespread cable carriage in San Diego County. However, the two major providers in the area, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications, have refused to carry Prime Ticket since its launch in 1997; both cable providers claim that the network has asked for carriage fees they deemed to be too expensive for carriage on their expanded basic tiers. However, Prime Ticket was carried on some former systems that Time Warner Cable acquired in 2006 from Adelphia Communications. Adelphia had added the channel to their lineup in 2001.

On March 17, 2012, as part of a contract signed with FSN to acquire the local cable rights to the San Diego Padres, Fox Sports Networks created a separate regional network for the San Diego market, Fox Sports San Diego.[19] Despite that channel's launch, Fox Sports West remains available on cable providers in the San Diego area; however, Fox Sports San Diego carries some programming (including most live sporting events) from Prime Ticket, which essentially makes striking any carriage agreement for that channel unnecessary.

Las Vegas Valley

Main article: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain

Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket maintains widespread cable carriage in the Las Vegas Valley. On May 23, 2017, it was announced that AT&T SportsNet had acquired the RSN rights to the Vegas Golden Knights to televise broadcast games in Southern Nevada on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain which started in the 2017-2018 NHL Season.

Because the Vegas Golden Knights hold territorial rights for all of Southern Nevada, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings games are blacked out in the Las Vegas Valley on Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket regardless of the cable or satellite provider, requiring a subscription to the NHL Center Ice out-of-market sports package to view those telecasts. All other sports programming, with the exception of Ducks and Kings hockey games carried on Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket, is available in Southern Nevada.

References

  1. ^ Stewart, Larry (6 November 1992). "SportsChannel L.A. Quits on Dec. 31". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  2. ^ Larry Stewart (January 15, 1993). "Angels, Prime Ticket Sign a Five-Year Deal : Baseball: Station will carry 20 home games in 1993. Dodgers might not have cable contract this year". Los Angeles Times. Times Mirror Company. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  3. ^ "FOX SPORTS NET DEBUTS ON NOV. 1". The Columbian. Columbian Publishing Company. Associated Press. September 13, 1996. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
  4. ^ "ANOTHER FOX SPORTS OUTLET? IT'S YOUR CALL : THE 4TH ANNUAL BEST AND WORST OF THE L.A. SPORTS MEDIA SPORTS ANCHORS/REPORTERS.(SPORTS)". Los Angeles Daily News. January 17, 1997. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015 – via HighBeam Research.
  5. ^ Stewart, Larry (27 January 1997). "A SPLITTING HEADACHE : Spinoff Fox Sports West 2 Creates More Problems for Cable Operators". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  6. ^ Stewart, Larry (27 February 1997). "Mighty Ducks to Stay on Fox Sports West 2". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  7. ^ Stewart, Larry (14 May 1997). "Fox Sports West 2 Adds 650,000 Homes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  8. ^ Stewart, Larry (3 March 2006). "FSN Prime Ticket Joins Name Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Commish: TV deal not in Dodgers' best interests". MLB.com. June 20, 2011.
  10. ^ "Dodgers sue Fox Sports over alleged interference in team's sale". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. November 16, 2011.
  11. ^ "FOX Sports reportedly sues Dodgers". Fox Sports. September 28, 2011.
  12. ^ "Settlement with Fox removes obstacle to sale of Dodgers[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/dodgers/story/2012-01-11/fox-media-rights-lawsuit-settled/52493636/1". USA Today. Gannett Company. January 12, 2012.
  13. ^ "Dodgers, Fox Sports talking $6-billion TV deal". Dodgers Now. Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. November 25, 2012.
  14. ^ Littleton, Cynthia. "Sinclair Clinches Disney-Regional Sports Networks Deal, Byron Allen Joins as Partner". Variety. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  15. ^ "Sinclair completes acquisition of regional sports networks from Disney". Bloomberg. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  16. ^ Balderston, Michael (2021-01-27). "Sinclair, Bally Reveal Bally Sports Rebrand for RSNs". TVTechnology. Retrieved 2021-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Farewell, Fox Sports West. Hello, Bally Sports". Los Angeles Times. 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2021-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Ducks Announce 2020-21 Television Schedule". NHL.com.
  19. ^ Jay Posner (February 16, 2012). "Fox Sports San Diego to launch in March". U-T San Diego. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
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