Comcast and Bally Sports Strike Deal to Restore Regional Sports Networks
In a move that will delight sports fans, Comcast has reached a new carriage agreement with Bally Sports, allowing the regional sports networks to return to viewers just in time for the start of August. The renewed access comes more than two months after the channels were pulled due to protracted negotiations.
Details of the Agreement
The restoration of Bally Sports channels was facilitated by a new carriage deal between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, the Sinclair Broadcast subsidiary. Comcast subscribers to Xfinity’s "Ultimate TV," the company’s most premium cable package, will once again have access to live local broadcasts of Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL) games.
To entice customers, Comcast is offering a lucrative deal for those willing to upgrade to this tier by August 30. Subscribers will receive a three-month trial period free of charge, after which the service will transition to a $20 monthly fee.
A Victory for Diamond Sports
This new agreement is a significant step forward for Diamond Sports as it navigates its Chapter 11 restructuring, now in its sixteenth month. Diamond CEO David Preschlack expressed his satisfaction with the development, 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 emphasized the importance of finalizing agreements with other major sports leagues. “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.
The Impact on Regional Sports Viewers
For Comcast’s broad market base, which includes MLB teams like the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins, this development ensures uninterrupted access to their favorite local broadcasts. Fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers have the added benefit of Bally Sports’ streaming app, which offers an in-market option to watch games.
However, Braves and Twins fans face fewer choices due to the absence of Bally Sports’ streaming app, making the access through Comcast even more crucial. Overall, Diamond currently holds linear rights to twelve MLB teams, making this deal significant for a wide portion of the baseball audience.
Looking Forward to Basketball and Hockey Seasons
The timing of this agreement couldn't be better, as it arrives just ahead of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons. With the assurance of distribution through Xfinity, Diamond Sports can now pivot its focus towards securing new digital-rights agreements with both the NBA and NHL, further solidifying its foothold in the sports broadcasting landscape.
The return of Bally Sports channels will be eagerly anticipated by fans who have been without their local sports broadcasts since early May. As the company works through its restructuring process, the new carriage agreement with Comcast marks a pivotal victory and a hopeful step towards the future stability of regional sports broadcasting.