Comcast and Bally Sports announced a new carriage agreement that will reinstate the regional sports networks for viewers just in time for the beginning of August sports. This deal comes after prolonged negotiations and will be a welcome relief for fans eager to follow their local MLB, NBA, and NHL teams.
The agreement, struck between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group, resolves the previous impasse that started in early May and ensures that subscribers to Xfinity's "Ultimate TV," the most premium cable package from Comcast, will again have access to Bally Sports channels. The restoration comes with a promotional incentive where Comcast is offering a three-month trial period free of charge for those who upgrade to the package by August 30. Afterward, the service will revert to a $20 monthly fee.
A Deal in the Nick of Time
The timing of this deal couldn’t be better for fans keen to catch the upcoming baseball races, as well as the soon-to-begin basketball and hockey seasons. “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 negotiations had initially led to a confirmation hearing being scheduled for July 29 and 30, which was eventually postponed. The final agreement marks a significant victory in Diamond’s ongoing Chapter 11 restructuring, which has been in progress for sixteen months. The company aims to leverage this momentum to secure new digital rights agreements with both 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.
Markets and Opportunities
Comcast is prominent in several key markets that are home to notable MLB teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins. For fans in these regions, the return of Bally Sports channels means they will not miss any action from their favorite local teams. Bally Sports’ streaming app further enhances viewing options for fans, offering in-market streaming for Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers fans.
However, fans of the Braves and Twins face fewer choices for catching live broadcasts due to the unavailability of Bally Sports’ streaming app for these teams. Diamond currently holds linear rights to broadcasts of twelve MLB teams, and this carriage renewal via Comcast ensures that fans won’t have to scramble for alternative viewing options as the sports calendar heats up.
Looking to the Future
With this significant hurdle cleared, Diamond Sports Group can now focus on sealing crucial agreements with the NBA and NHL, whose seasons are rapidly approaching. The company’s restructuring efforts aim to solidify these relationships to ensure continuous viewership without interruptions. This new agreement with Comcast not only restores access to local sports for millions of fans but underscores the importance of collaborative partnerships in the sports broadcast industry.
As we head into the heart of the sports year, this development assures fans that they will have the ability to follow their beloved local teams without further disruption. The sports world will be watching closely as Diamond Sports Group continues its restructuring efforts and aims to secure its future in the rapidly evolving landscape of sports media.