DirecTV serves notice to Comcast

DirecTV says Comcast wants fee increases of between 25-40% to carry two of its regional sports networks and is prepared to go to court to try and get the price down.

The satellite provider has given notice that it intends to file for arbitration in the dispute over what it will cost to keep the Comcast Sportsnet channels from the New England and San Francisco areas in its programming lineup, Reuters reported.

The two companies are business partners and also adversaries: Comcast is the No. 1 cable operator in the U.S.; DirecTV the largest satellite provider.

Some 2 million DirecTV subscribers could be affected if an agreement can't be reached. Comcast Sportsnet New England is the home of Boston Celtics telecasts while Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area currently carries the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, Golden State Warriors and San Jose Sharks.

A spokesman for the regional sports network told Reuters the Athletics and Sharks are in talks to shift their programming to a Comcast Sportsnet based in Sacramento, Calif.

DirecTV said it may continue to negotiate on terms with Comcast during a two-week cooling off period. Programming must remain on air during that time. After two weeks there is a formal demand for arbitration which includes a final offer.