• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

Cable Companies Issuing $1B in Refunds from Leagues, RSNs

Rays
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Pay-TV providers like AT&T, Verizon and Charter Communications could be paying out as much as $1.1 billion in refunds and credits to their subscribers, as the companies still charged sports programming fees while the COVID-19 outbreak put a stop to thousands of events. 

Rebates to subscribers come after months of cable providers collecting insurance settlements and refunds from leagues and regional sports networks.

Show Me The Money:

  • Verizon was the first of its competitors to announce rebates on bills.
  • Charter will credit at least $218 million back to subscribers at an estimated $14 each.
  • In addition to bill credits, Dish Network Corp. will be giving free replacement sports coverage to affected subscribers. 
  • AT&T customers who paid for RSN coverage from April to July will be given “courtesy adjustments” based on the full amount the company retrieves from the sports networks. 

Cord-cutting continues: The pandemic could lead more consumers to cut the cord, adding to the challenges cable companies are facing. 

  • By the end of 2020, as many as 6.6 million households are likely to cut the cord, according to research firm eMarketer. 
  • Only 77.6 million subscribers will keep paying for cable, a 7.5% drop year-over-year — the highest one-year drop on record. 
  • Since 2014, 23% of households have cut the cord. 

By 2024, eMarketer estimates that an additional 15.4 million households will cut the cord, with more than one-third of all households being off of pay TV.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.

U.S. Open TV Ratings Down 8% After Rain Delay, Underdog Winner

NBC and Peacock averaged 5.4 million viewers for Sunday’s final round.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
patrick_mahomes

Super Bowl TV Viewership Sinks 8%

CBS Sports’ telecast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs averaged 91.629 million viewers, down 8%.
person_playing_cricket
December 23, 2020

Prominent Tech Execs Line Up to Back Cricket Growth In the U.S.

More than 20 investors have now bought into American Cricket Enterprise, parent company oMajor League Cricket.
man_riding_stationary_bike
December 28, 2020

Connected Fitness Company Echelon Lands $65 Million Investment

The funding came from Goldman Sachs and North Castle Partners, who now own controlling interests in the company.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
woman_holding_hockey_stick
December 23, 2020

NBC to Air NWHL Finals, Adds to Banner Year for Women’s Sports

It will be the first time professional women’s hockey games are shown live on a major national cable network in the U.S.
antetokounmpo_dribbling_basketball
December 23, 2020

‘Giannis Effect’ Felt by Bucks Following Record-Breaking Extension

Since he was drafted in 2013, the Bucks’ valuation has jumped from No. 30 in the league at $312 million to No. 19 at $1.58 billion.
December 22, 2020

Adam Silver Says NBA Expansion is ‘Manifest Destiny of the League’

“It’s sort of the manifest destiny of the league that you expand at some point,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Monday.
December 22, 2020

Adidas Partners With Jerry Lorenzo, Fear of God Brand

Lorenzo will lead creative and business strategy for Adidas basketball globally, and launch a Fear of God athletics sub-brand.