Sports fans are starting to sweat the two-week stalemate between CBS and Time Warner Cable.
The bitter battle over programming fees — the longest blackout of a major broadcast network ever — has already caused fans to miss some preseason NFL games and the PGA golf championship.
With both sides prepared to ride it out for a few more weeks, the potential loss of CBS' US Open tennis coverage and regular-season NFL games pose an even bigger threat.
The USTA acknowledged yesterday that it's working on contingency plans to make its marquee tennis event available elsewhere if the nasty spat disrupts coverage.
AP
The Time Warner Cable-CBS blackout could claim the US Open—and the beginning of the season for the Jets and their perennially disappointed fans.
"We are exploring ways for our fans in New York to see the Open," USTA Executive Director Gordon Smith told SportsBusiness Journal.
CBS is scheduled to air US Open coverage starting Aug. 31. The network has been off the air in 3 million Time Warner Cable homes in New York and other major markets since Aug. 2
In the past, CBS has shifted tennis coverage to other networks due to rain delays or if games overlap with the network's evening news. The USTA also streams a live feed of its games at www.usopen.org.
Many customers may not care whether US Open champion Serena Williams defends her title at the Grand Slam tournament.
But there will be an outcry from rabid football fans if they miss games when the regular NFL season starts Sept. 8.
The NFL is staying mum on whether it is doing any contingency planning. A spokesman said the league is hopeful for a resolution.
According to network sources, the league in the past has tried to strong-arm broadcasters embroiled in blackout disputes into letting it stream games on NFL.com.
The tactic has met with major resistance from networks that pay billions to carry football games and consider it a key leverage point in their negotiations with pay-TV distributors.
"The NFL will get very nervous, but that is the risk they take by getting such big rights fees," said one source. "They know the NFL is leverage."
As CBS chief Les Moonves said, "No other franchise delivers ratings the way an NFL game does."
At least one media buyer said his clients are keeping their fingers crossed that the blackout ends before football begins and are keeping their money with CBS — at least for the moment.
"We're holding for the time being," the buyer said.
CBS will have to dole out so-called make-goods to Madison Avenue if the games don't appear. A typical NFL game can bring in as much as $25 million in ad revenue.
As the chances of missed sporting events rise, so does the pressure to end the dispute.
Yesterday, influential media analyst Rich Greenfield of BTIG urged the Federal Communications Commission to get off the sidelines and get involved in ending the blackout. The FCC has so far declined to intervene.
In New York, there have also been calls to review Time Warner Cable's franchise agreement in an effort to apply pressure.
Sources say talks between Time Warner Cable and CBS are showing slight momentum after a prolonged standoff.
catkinson@nypost.com
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