The Padres, 4SD, and FOX

For the past decade or so, channel 4SD (which stands for 4 San Diego) has been the official home of the San Diego Padres, with up to 140 games being aired on the network (the rest being on FOX, ESPN, TBS, or the MLB Network). The network also airs some events from SDSU and USD, and talks about the Chargers (those rights are with KFMB, the CBS affiliate).

This year is the last in a 10-year contract that Cox Communications (who owns 4SD) has with the Padres. The contract is the reason why 140 Padres games air ONLY on 4SD, although KUSI did air some until 2003, and why 4SD's headquarters and main studios are inside Petco Park. As of now, the only ways to watch the channel in San Diego are through Cox and Time Warner Cable, who also provide the station in Las Vegas and the Imperial Valley, respectively. There is no way to see the games in either San Diego or the Imperial Valley on Satellite (Dish AND DirecTV) or AT&T's U-Verse, which is in San Diego (this is due to a now-closed loophole, which let Cox stay exclusive to cable for so long).

When I'm in San Diego, for school, I often have in a way Cox Cable, but when I'm back home in the Imperial Valley with my family, we have Dish Network, and thus have NO WAY to watch the Padres on Dish (the only way to see them is through FOX). There are reports that Cox is not planning on renewing the agreement with the Padres and that FOX (who operate the Fox Sports Net stations) wants the Padres, which would mean the creation of a new network. Right now, it's all a mystery, but one can ask, What if? Here are some possibilities:

1. The Padres get a new agreement with Cox: While I like Cox's coverage of the Padres (they have Dick Enberg AND Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn), the fact that they're not on Dish is annoying (I only get FSN West, and I don't watch it AT ALL.) and a HUGE disadvantage. Preferably, if this were to occur, the Padres might force them to put the channel on Satellite.
2. The Padres go to FOX: If this were to occur, then FSN would create a new network (something like Fox Sports San Diego) which would be dedicated to presenting the games alongside the usual FSN programs. This channel, like the other FSN stations, would be presented not only on cable, but also on satellite. It might also give KSWB, the FOX affiliate in San Diego, a chance to air some Padres games, aside from the MLB on FOX. In addition, it might finally get rid of FSN West and Prime Ticket from the regions.
   
3. The Padres go to Time Warner: The OTHER Cable company in San Diego might try to get the Padres, since they already have acquired the rights to present the Lakers in the future over in LA. If they were to do that, it might give them the chance to get The Mtn. (which airs SDSU games), a channel only on COX and DirecTV.
4. The Padres go to a local station: The least likely of them all, but still a probability. The Padres have a rich history of airing on the local stations, having aired on all five English major stations (What are now KGTV, KNSD, and KSWB, XETV, KFMB, and KUSI) at several points in time, some of them under their older call signs.

And that's about it. Preferably, I would like Cox to stay with the Padres, but at the very least put the channel on Dish Network. Either that or go to FOX. And as for those who wonder why I can't just go to DirecTV and get MLB Extra Innings, it's pointless since it will still blackout the game in the Imperial Valley.

And before I forget, Happy Easter!
Joel Garcia
2011