Overview

• The Yankees-controlled YES Network’s short-term carriage deal with Comcast expires at month’s end, reviving a parity fight over YES being pushed to a premium tier while Comcast-part-owned SNY remains on expanded basic.
• Comcast has been moving RSNs to higher-priced packages nationwide, with Chicago’s Marquee Sports Network slated for the Ultimate tier on Oct. 1, underscoring the broader strategy at issue in New York.
• FCC chair Brendan Carr previously urged a quick, favorable resolution in March, a public push that preceded a temporary agreement to keep YES on a cheaper tier through the season.
• Front Office Sports reports Carr’s influence has broadened across media disputes, citing his role in recent distribution talks and his high-profile engagement with the Yankees and YES Network.
• Awful Announcing reports Disney suspended Jimmy Kimmel shortly after Carr criticized him and stations preempted the show, with observers linking the decision to sensitivity around regulatory approval for Disney’s pending NFL deal.