Comcast and Diamond Sports Group Strike New Deal to Restore Bally Sports Channels
In a significant development for sports fans, Comcast and Diamond Sports Group have finalized a new carriage agreement that brings Bally Sports regional networks back to viewers just as the August sports calendar heats up. The channels, which were previously pulled in early May due to extended negotiations, will once again be accessible to Comcast subscribers through the company's highest tier cable package, "Ultimate TV."
This strategic move is particularly notable for enthusiasts of Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL), who can now catch live, local broadcasts. Subscribers who upgrade to the "Ultimate TV" package by August 30 will benefit from a three-month trial period at no cost, transitioning to a $20 monthly fee thereafter.
The return of Bally Sports channels comes as a result of negotiations that held the industry in suspense for months and even forced the postponement of a confirmation hearing originally set for July 29 and 30. According to Diamond CEO David Preschlack, this new agreement is a crucial achievement for the company, which is currently undergoing Chapter 11 restructuring.
"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 stated. He further commented on the company’s future plans, "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."
The restored channels are a boon for sports communities in several major markets, as Comcast services areas home to several MLB teams including the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins. Fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers will also continue to have the option of watching games via Bally Sports’ streaming app. However, the app's absence for Braves and Twins fans means they have fewer choices for catching live broadcasts.
Renewed access to Bally Sports channels comes just in time to spark excitement for the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons. While the channels promise to deliver live broadcasts of local games, Diamond Sports Group is setting its sights on securing new digital-rights agreements with both the NBA and NHL to enhance their service offerings further.
It is worth noting that Diamond holds linear rights to twelve MLB teams, making this agreement pivotal not just for fans, but for the sustaining of these broadcasts during pivotal sports seasons. As a company under the strain of ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring for the past sixteen months, securing distribution agreements with key partners like Comcast could be instrumental in their recovery efforts.
This renewed deal with Comcast, which is Diamond’s third largest distributor, underscores the importance of robust partnerships in delivering quality sports content to fans across the nation. As both basketball and hockey seasons rapidly approach, sports enthusiasts can take solace in knowing that Diamond Sports Group is focused on bringing consistent and accessible coverage to their screens.
With the discussions for rights agreements with the NBA and NHL progressing, the sports world is on the cusp of yet another season of thrilling live performances and local team loyalty, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the return of their favorite sports broadcasts.