Time Warner Cable launches Lakers networks in Los Angeles to contain rising sports costs

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - A few months ago, Time Warner Cable Inc. was crying foul at the high price it had to pay to air Knicks and Rangers games in New York. Now, the shoe is on the other foot.

The nation's No. 4 TV distributor bought the regional TV rights for the Los Angeles Lakers and pro soccer's LA Galaxy last year for an estimated $3 billion over 20 years. It's launching two new channels based on those rights on Monday. To help pay for them, it is demanding payment from other TV distributors like Dish Network Corp. and DirecTV.

Now it has to convince them the price is right.

It hasn't secured deals yet with either Dish or DirecTV and likely won't until the regular season starts on Oct. 30.