This August, Comcast subscribers will once again have access to Bally Sports channels thanks to a newly inked carriage agreement. The deal, forged between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, comes after months-long negotiations and just in time for the upcoming basketball and hockey seasons.
Key Details of the Agreement
Sports enthusiasts who subscribe to Xfinity’s "Ultimate TV" package, Comcast’s most premium offering, will be the beneficiaries of this agreement. They will have access to live, local broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games. Comcast is sweetening the deal by offering a three-month trial period free of charge for those who upgrade to the tier by August 30. Following the trial, the service will transition to a $20 monthly fee.
The return of Bally Sports channels marks a significant win for Diamond Sports Group amidst their Chapter 11 restructuring, now sixteen months in. "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. The channels had been pulled off the air in early May due to the prolonged negotiations.
Impact on Various Markets
Comcast has a substantial presence in markets with MLB teams including the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins. Fans in these areas will be particularly pleased with this development.
The Bally Sports streaming app offers in-market streaming options for Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers fans. However, Braves and Twins fans continue to face fewer choices for catching live broadcasts due to the current unavailability of Bally Sports’ streaming app in their regions. Overall, Diamond Sports Group holds linear rights to twelve MLB teams.
Strategic Moves and Future Plans
For Diamond Sports, this agreement is not just about restoring channels; it's also a part of a broader strategy to secure new digital-rights agreements with the NBA and NHL. "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," Preschlack added. This step is expected to be crucial as they navigate their ongoing restructuring process.
Timeline and Negotiations
The prolonged discussions between Comcast and Diamond led to a confirmation hearing initially scheduled for July 29 and 30 being postponed. Now, with the agreement in place, both entities look forward to delivering quality sports content to dedicated fans who have eagerly awaited the return of their favorite regional sports networks.
This renewed collaboration between Comcast and Bally Sports couldn’t have come at a better time. As the summer winds down and sports fans gear up for the upcoming seasons, the timing of this deal ensures they won’t miss a moment of the action.