Comcast and Bally Sports have marked a significant milestone with a new carriage agreement that reinstates regional sports networks for eager viewers just in time for the onset of August. This development is a boon for avid sports fans and follows months of intense negotiations between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports.
Reinstating Local Sports Broadcasts
The freshly inked deal revives Bally Sports channels, ensuring that subscribers to Xfinity’s "Ultimate TV" package—the most premium offering from Comcast—can tune into live, local broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games. For those contemplating an upgrade to this tier, Comcast sweetens the pot with a three-month trial period free of charge, leading up to a $20 monthly fee after August 30.
The restoration does more than just reestablish access; it represents a crucial victory for Diamond Sports amidst its protracted Chapter 11 restructuring, which has stretched on for sixteen months. The channels were originally pulled in early May due to negotiation standoffs, causing a fair degree of consternation among local sports aficionados. A confirmation hearing, set for July 29 and 30, was subsequently postponed, possibly to accommodate the finalization of this pivotal agreement.
Strategic Triumph in Restructuring Efforts
The significance of this agreement is not lost on Diamond Sports Group. “Entering a new carriage agreement with Comcast, our third largest distributor, is a critical step forward in our restructuring effort, and we are pleased that fans will again be able to access broadcasts of their local teams through Xfinity,” said Diamond CEO David Preschlack.
Preschlack further emphasized the urgency in securing further deals to solidify their distribution network. “With certainty on our distribution, we are focused on finalizing an agreement with the NHL and resolving our ongoing negotiations with the NBA. We are mindful that time is of the essence with basketball and hockey seasons fast approaching, and once agreements with our team and league partners are complete, we intend to move expeditiously to present a plan of reorganization to the court,” he added.
A Broader Impact on Local Markets
Comcast's influence is notably vast in markets that are home to prominent MLB teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins. The renewed availability of Bally Sports channels on Comcast arrives at an opportune moment, closely preceding the upcoming basketball and hockey seasons.
However, the access landscape remains varied. Bally Sports has a streaming app that offers an in-market option for Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers fans, which provides a flexible solution for following their favorite teams. In contrast, Braves and Twins fans have fewer options for catching live broadcasts, highlighting the varying degrees of broadcast accessibility across different regions.
It’s worth noting that Diamond holds linear rights to twelve MLB teams, underscoring their significance in the sports broadcasting realm. With the new agreement in place, they now pivot toward sealing critical agreements for NBA and NHL digital rights, a move that would further stabilize their operations and expand their broadcast capabilities.
This pivotal agreement not only marks the return of beloved sports broadcasts to many homes but also represents a broader strategic maneuver in the context of Diamond Sports’ ongoing restructuring campaign. As the fall sports season approaches, fans can look forward to a seamless viewing experience, fortified by this crucial carriage deal.