Cable Advisory Committee is being formed to evaluate Bordentown Township’s contract with Comcast Cable before it expires in January 2007.
By: William Wichert
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP Baseball season kicked off last week, but township residents will have to wait indefinitely before being able to catch the New York Yankees game on TV without paying a premium price for it.
This absence of the Bronx Bombers from basic cable packages may soon turn out to be one of the issues raised by the municipality’s Cable Advisory Committee, which is being formed to evaluate the township’s contract with Comcast Cable before it expires in January 2007. Cable customers currently have to pay an extra $149 to get Yankees games.
The committee, which is still in need of volunteers, would examine whether or not Comcast has met the terms of the existing contract as well as look at what residents’ needs should be addressed in the renewed contract, said Township Administrator Leonard Klepner.
"It’s a process that involves a kind of long-term grinding out of what public concerns are," said Mr. Klepner. "There are services that can be negotiated into the new contract."
One service that may be demanded, but not included in the new contract, is the games on the Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network, which officials say several residents have been looking for.
Township Committeeman Bill Morelli said between 20 and 30 residents told him during his campaign last fall that they were upset at how the YES Network was not included in their Comcast cable packages. Many of these residents had recently moved from north of Bordentown Township, he said.
"If you’re in Mercer County, you’re a Yankees fan," said Mr. Morelli. "If you’re in Burlington County, you’re forced to be a (Philadelphia) Phillies fan."
But according to representatives of the cable company and Major League Baseball, location is the key.
Tim Howard, supervisor of the payment center for Comcast of Burlington County, said the YES network is only offered in northern New Jersey. Cable subscribers can watch Phillies games on Comcast SportsNet, Channel 8 in the basic cable package of $12.10, or pay an additional $149 for the "MLB Extra Innings" package, which features most Yankees games during the season.
"There’s no options (for Burlington County residents) with the Yankees," said Mr. Howard.
Township residents cannot subscribe to the YES Network because they live in a "territory" of the Phillies, prohibiting other baseball teams from broadcasting their games in this area, said Adriana Arcia of the marketing and communications department of Major League Baseball.
"Essentially, every ZIP code belongs to one team," said Ms. Arcia. "Within a team’s territory, it has the right to make any broadcasting deals they see fit." She said the Bordentown ZIP code, 08505, is not in Yankees territory.
Sid Morginstin, a member of the Cable Advisory Committee, said the group will most likely address the need to watch Yankees games without paying a higher, premium price, but he is not confident any change will come of it.
"We’re on the wrong side of Crosswicks Creek," said Mr. Morginstin, who has served on previous cable advisory committees in the township. "As far as I understand it, that’s the way it is."
To volunteer on the Cable Advisory Committee, contact Angel Sauro at 298-2800, ext. 2109, for more information.