Comcast and Bally Sports Strike New Carriage Agreement
In a significant development for sports fans, Comcast and Bally Sports have finalized a new carriage agreement that will see the return of regional sports networks to Comcast viewers just in time for the start of August. This deal marks the end of a months-long hiatus that began when the Bally Sports channels were pulled from Comcast in early May amid protracted negotiations.
The agreement, reached between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, ensures that subscribers to Xfinity’s Ultimate TV package, the most premium cable offering, will regain access to live, local broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games. For sports enthusiasts considering an upgrade, Comcast is providing a three-month trial period at no additional cost if they subscribe by August 30, after which the service will transition to a $20 monthly fee.
Critical Victory for Diamond Sports Group
The restoration of Bally Sports channels is particularly noteworthy within the context of Diamond Sports Group's ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring process, which has been underway for the past sixteen months. The company is keen on securing new digital-rights agreements with the NBA and NHL as part of its broader recovery strategy.
David Preschlack, CEO of Diamond Sports Group, emphasized the importance of this new deal, stating, “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.”
Preschlack also highlighted the company's focus on upcoming negotiations, adding, “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.”
Regional Impact and Fan Access
The return of Bally Sports channels via Comcast also brings renewed access just in time for the upcoming basketball and hockey seasons. This is especially relevant in major markets where Comcast operates and where MLB teams like the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins have a strong fan base.
While Bally Sports’ streaming app provides an in-market option for fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers to watch games, Braves and Twins fans face limited choices due to the absence of a dedicated streaming app. Diamond Sports Group holds linear broadcast rights to twelve MLB teams, making the carriage agreement pivotal for a significantly broad audience.
Postponed Hearing and Strategic Moves
The lengthy and complex negotiations initially led to the postponement of a confirmation hearing that was scheduled for late July. The successful reaching of a new carriage agreement with Comcast alleviates some uncertainty for Diamond Sports Group as it navigates its restructuring path.
As Diamond and Comcast move forward with their renewed partnership, sports fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can continue to follow their favorite local teams. The collaboration paves the way for Diamond Sports Group to now focus on finalizing deals with the NBA and NHL, marking a promising step towards exiting Chapter 11.
The sports broadcasting landscape is complicated, often fraught with negotiations that impact viewers directly. The agreement between Comcast and Bally Sports serves as a reminder of the intricate balancing act required to maintain continuous sports coverage. Fans, for now at least, can look forward to uninterrupted access to a wide array of live sports, spanning baseball, basketball, and hockey seasons.