After months of blackout, Comcast and Bally Sports channels have finally come to an agreement. This new carriage deal was announced on Monday, allowing baseball fans to enjoy watching their local teams starting this Thursday. The agreement applies to the 15 regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports Group, the bankrupt operator of Bally Sports channels.
Fans who are subscribed to Xfinity’s “Ultimate TV,” its most expensive cable package, will now have access to live, local MLB, NBA, and NHL games. Those who upgrade to the “Ultimate TV” package before August 30th can even enjoy a three-month trial period for free. After the trial period, there will be an additional $20 charge per month.
Comcast had pulled Diamond Sports Group channels off the air back in May due to disagreements over contract terms. The main issue in negotiations was Comcast’s desire to place Bally Sports channels on a higher tier, limiting the number of viewers. However, Diamond Sports Group eventually gave in, possibly due to Comcast’s significance in the company’s hopes to emerge from bankruptcy.
Impact on Diamond’s Restructuring
Diamond Sports Group, 16 months into Chapter 11 restructuring, had a confirmation hearing scheduled but requested more time during a recent status conference. With the Comcast deal in place, Diamond now aims to strike new digital-rights deals with the NBA and the NHL. The company holds linear rights to 12 MLB teams, with Comcast being most prevalent in markets where teams like the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Miami Marlins play.
Streaming Options for Fans
Fans of teams like the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers have the option to access Bally Sports’ streaming app as an in-market alternative. However, fans of the Braves and Twins do not have this option, even though both teams are potential postseason contenders.
In response to the agreement with Comcast, Diamond CEO David Preschlack stated, “Entering a new carriage agreement with Comcast, our third-largest distributor, is a critical step forward in our restructuring effort. We are pleased that fans will again be able to access broadcasts of their local teams through Xfinity.”
Future Negotiations
Now that Comcast is secured as a partner, Diamond is focusing on finalizing an agreement with the NHL and resolving ongoing negotiations with the NBA. This new deal marks a turning point for both companies as they strive to provide fans with access to live sports content.
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