Time Warner Cable is attempting to distance itself from speculation that the company will take a $1 billion loss on SportsNet LA, first reported by the New York Post.

TWC did not comment for the original story, which claimed:

… the market rate for [SportsNet LA] is more likely $3 per subscriber per month, meaning the charge will be almost $1 billion when adjusted over the life of the contract or in the region of $700 million in present-day terms.

Wednesday, Time Warner released the following statement to the Los Angeles News Group: “We want all Dodger fans to have access to SportsNet LA. Despite our repeated attempts, other providers are unwilling to engage in any discussions. If Dodger fans want to enjoy SportsNet LA this season, we encourage them to switch to a provider that carries the network.”

Executives from the Dodgers and TWC are banking on a proposed merger between Time Warner and Comcast making SportsNet LA available to approximately 350,000 Charter Cable customers in Southern California. The FCC recently delayed its review of the merger — for the second time — which all but assured the Dodgers’ TV blackout over 70 percent of Southern California will last past Opening Day.

Game 1 is April 6, when the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres.