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Lakers update fans on broadcast impasse

Portland's Nicolas Batum drives to the basket against Lakers center Dwight Howard as Metta World Peace goes for the block from behind Wednesday night in a game unseen by DirecTV and Cox cable subscribers.
(Don Ryan / Associated Press)
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Late Wednesday night the Lakers sent a message to fans via email and their website.

Dear Lakers Fans, Tonight marks our first regular season game on Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes, our new local TV homes. In addition to Lakers games, these networks have live daily Lakers shows including the social media-driven “#LakeShow,” a weekly behind-the-scenes documentary show called “Backstage: Lakers,” classic Lakers programming, expert analysis from Lakers legends and much more. We want all fans to enjoy this immersive Lakers experience and were excited last week to announce that AT&T; U-verse, Charter and Verizon FiOS joined Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable as providers of Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes. We are delighted to start the season on our new TV homes and excited for all that they will bring to Lakers fans. Unfortunately, as we tip off tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers, DirecTV and Cox have elected not to carry the new networks. We are disappointed but thrilled that, through our new partners at AT&T;, Bright House Networks, Charter, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS, their consumers and our fans will have choices to follow us on and off the court. If you have already reached out through www.iwantmylakers.com or 855 4 MY LAKERS to tell your provider that you want to watch the Lakers on Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Cable Deportes, we thank you. Each fan is an important part of this process, so please continue to make your voices heard. Sincerely, The Los Angeles Lakers

Time Warner Cable is still in negotiations with DirecTV and Cox. Customers of those providers in Los Angeles hoping to catch the game on NBA League Pass found Wednesday night’s game blacked out locally.

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The silver lining for die-hard fans, the Lakers didn’t play particularly well, losing to the Trail Blazers, 116-106.

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