Comcast and Bally Sports Strike New Carriage Agreement
In an important development for sports fans, Comcast and Bally Sports have announced a new carriage agreement that reintroduces the regional sports networks to viewers. This agreement comes just in time for the start of August, ensuring that fans won't miss upcoming live broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games.
The new carriage deal, struck between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, marks a significant milestone. It allows subscribers of Xfinity’s "Ultimate TV," the company’s most premium cable package, to access live and local broadcasts of their favorite teams. This is a pivotal win for Diamond Sports Group, which is currently navigating Chapter 11 restructuring. The agreement provides much-needed stability for both the company and its viewership base.
Free Trial for Upgraded Subscribers
To entice customers, Comcast is offering a three-month free trial for those upgrading to the "Ultimate TV" tier by August 30. After the trial period, the service will transition to a $20 monthly fee. This initiative is expected to attract a significant number of sports enthusiasts eager to regain access to Bally Sports channels, which were pulled in early May due to protracted negotiations between Comcast and Diamond.
The lengthy negotiations not only led to the removal of the channels but also resulted in a postponed confirmation hearing initially scheduled for July 29 and 30. This new agreement is seen as a crucial step forward in Diamond's restructuring process, which has now been ongoing for sixteen months.
CEO Comments on the New Agreement
“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. “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.
Expanded Access for Baseball Fans
The restoration of Bally Sports channels comes just in time for the MLB season. Comcast is prevalent in markets home to teams like the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins. While fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers can also utilize Bally Sports’ streaming app to watch games, Braves and Twins fans face fewer options due to the absence of the app.
Diamond Sports Group currently holds linear rights to twelve MLB teams, and its renewed access through Comcast is likely to reinvigorate the fan base just as the basketball and hockey seasons approach.
Future Plans for Diamond Sports Group
With this significant carriage agreement secure, Diamond Sports Group is now aiming to finalize new digital-rights agreements with both the NBA and NHL. These deals are crucial as the basketball and hockey seasons draw near. "We are mindful that time is of the essence with basketball and hockey seasons fast approaching," Preschlack stated, underscoring the urgency of these new agreements.
By sealing these deals, Diamond hopes to maintain its stronghold in sports broadcasting and continue serving fans' needs despite its ongoing restructuring efforts. The success of this new deal with Comcast is a testament to the company’s resilience and commitment to its viewership.
The collaboration between Comcast and Bally Sports ensures that sports enthusiasts across various markets will once again be able to follow their favorite teams and remain engaged with the excitement of live sports broadcasts. For now, this agreement brings a welcome return to normalcy for fans who have been eagerly awaiting the return of Bally Sports channels.