After months of negotiations, Comcast and Bally Sports have finally reached a new carriage deal that will put an end to the blackout of Bally Sports channels. This agreement comes as a relief to baseball fans who have been unable to watch their local teams for an extended period of time. The deal, which covers 15 regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports Group, the bankrupt operator of Bally Sports channels, will allow fans to once again enjoy live, local MLB, NBA, and NHL games.
Xfinity’s „Ultimate TV“ Package Offers Access to Bally Sports Channels
In order to access the Bally Sports channels, Comcast customers will need to subscribe to Xfinity’s „Ultimate TV“ package, which is the most expensive cable package offered by the company. Customers who upgrade to this package by August 30th will be able to enjoy a three-month trial period for free. After the trial period, the package will cost an additional $20 per month. This move by Comcast is seen as a way to incentivize customers to upgrade to a higher-tier package, potentially boosting their revenue.
Comcast’s Strategy in Negotiations
During the negotiations, Comcast had pushed for Bally Sports channels to be placed on a higher tier, which would have limited the channels‘ reach significantly. This move was likely a strategic one aimed at increasing the value of the higher-tier packages and encouraging customers to upgrade. The fact that Diamond eventually agreed to Comcast’s terms suggests the importance of Comcast in Diamond’s efforts to emerge from bankruptcy. Diamond, which has been in Chapter 11 restructuring for 16 months, saw the agreement with Comcast as a critical step forward in their restructuring efforts.
With the agreement between Comcast and Diamond in place, Diamond is now looking to strike new digital-rights deals with the NBA and the NHL. This could have implications for fans of the 12 MLB teams for which Diamond holds linear rights. Comcast is particularly prevalent in markets where teams like the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins play. Fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers already have access to Bally Sports‘ streaming app as an in-market option. However, fans of the Braves and Twins, two teams that could potentially make it to the postseason, were left without this option until now.
Diamond CEO David Preschlack expressed his satisfaction with the new agreement in a statement, noting that securing a deal with Comcast, their third-largest distributor, was a critical step forward in their restructuring effort. He also mentioned that with certainty on their distribution, Diamond is now focused on finalizing an agreement with the NHL and resolving their ongoing negotiations with the NBA. This signals a positive development for Diamond as they continue to navigate their bankruptcy restructuring process.
The agreement between Comcast and Bally Sports marks the end of a long blackout period for fans and opens up new possibilities for accessing live sports content. The implications of this deal extend beyond cable packages, potentially impacting digital rights agreements and the viewing experience for fans. This development represents a significant milestone in the ongoing restructuring efforts of Diamond Sports Group and highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in the media industry.
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