Beneath the surface, the real motivation by Comcast is to conjure enough demand to force the other cable systems (Charter, Suddenlink) to carry CSNCA throughout the rest of Northern and Central California. The Sharks are asking shocked and angry consumers to call their cable systems to request the channel. We've seen this movie before, and we know how it usually ends.
While two networks will have their schedules freed up, there remain a few chances for conflicts. I studied the recently released, tentative 2010 A's schedule, and compared it to the Kings' and Sharks' schedules. Here's what I found:
- 10/1/09 - Sharks @ Avs, Opening Night, 7 p.m. on Versus against A's @ M's, 7:10 p.m. on CSNCA. No conflict.
- 10/3/09 - A's-Angels @ 1:05, Sharks-Kings @ 7:30. No conflict.
- 4/6/10 - A's-M's TBD (7:05), Sharks-Flames @ 6:30, Spurs-Kings @ 7:00. Use of the Plus channel will be required.
- 4/8/10 - A's-M's TBD (12:35), Canucks-Sharks @ 7:30 on CSNCA-HD, Clippers-Kings @ 7:00. Probably no A's conflict.
- 4/10/10 - A's-Angels TBD, Coyotes-Sharks @ 7:30 on CSNCA-Plus, Mavs-Kings @ 7:00. If the Angels choose to make this one of their Saturday evening games, there will be a conflict. If it's a day game, it'll be blacked out because of Fox Saturday exclusivity.
- 4/12/10 - A's-M's TBD (7:05), Rockets-Kings @ 7:00. Use of the Plus channel will be required.
- 4/13/10 - A's-M's TBD (7:05), Kings-Lakers @ 7:30. Use of the Plus channel may be required if Kings game is not carried nationally.
