Comcast and Bally Sports Reach New Agreement
Comcast and Bally Sports have announced a new carriage agreement that will see the return of regional sports networks to Comcast viewers just in time for the beginning of August. This agreement ends a months-long standoff that saw the channels pulled from Comcast's lineup in early May.
The deal, struck between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, brings renewed access to Bally Sports channels for enthusiasts who want to follow live broadcasts of Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL) games. However, this perk is exclusive to those who subscribe to Xfinity’s "Ultimate TV," the most premium cable package offered by Comcast.
For fans contemplating an upgrade to this tier, Comcast is providing an enticing offer: a three-month trial period at no additional cost. Post-trial, the service will transition to a $20 monthly fee, encouraging fans to act by August 30 to take advantage of the promotion.
Renewed Broadcasting and Upcoming Seasons
The restoration of Bally Sports channels is timely, coinciding with the upcoming basketball and hockey seasons. This is particularly crucial for Diamond Sports, which has been embroiled in a Chapter 11 restructuring process for sixteen months. The successful carriage agreement with Comcast allows Diamond Sports to focus its efforts on securing new digital rights agreements with both the NBA and NHL.
“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 in a statement. This sentiment underscores the importance of the deal not only for fans but also for the company's strategic future.
Implications for MLB Fans
Comcast's extensive market presence includes areas home to several MLB teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins. For fans of these teams, the return of Bally Sports channels means more opportunities to catch live, local games. Specifically, fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers can benefit from Bally Sports’ streaming app, which offers an in-market option to watch games.
However, the landscape is less favorable for Braves and Twins fans, who face limited options as Bally Sports' streaming app remains unavailable in their markets. It remains to be seen if future negotiations will broaden access to these essential streaming services.
Strategic Moves and Future Plans
Diamond Sports holds linear rights to twelve MLB teams, making renewed access to Bally Sports channels via Comcast a significant stride in maintaining their viewership base. “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,” added Preschlack. This reveals Diamond’s clear roadmap for emerging from its restructuring phase and stabilizing its business operations.
In conclusion, this new carriage agreement between Comcast and Bally Sports marks a pivotal development for sports broadcasting, ensuring that fans have access to their favorite teams’ games as new seasons approach. Both companies stand to benefit from this renewed partnership, paving the way for future negotiations and strategic expansions in the digital rights landscape.