Comcast and Diamond Sports Group Reach Carriage Deal, Ending Blackout
In a significant move for sports fans and the broadcasting industry, Comcast and Diamond Sports Group have reached a new carriage deal, bringing an end to the months-long blackout of Bally Sports channels for Comcast customers. This agreement marks a crucial development in Diamond Sports Group's ongoing restructuring efforts.
The blackout, which began when Diamond Sports Group pulled their channels off the air at the start of May, left many fans unable to watch their favorite local teams. The resolution of this situation is a welcome change, especially for Comcast customers who can once again access Bally Sports channels starting at the beginning of August.
Diamond Sports Group, the owner of 15 regional sports networks under the Bally Sports banner, has been navigating bankruptcy proceedings under Chapter 11 for the past 16 months. The company's CEO, David Preschlack, emphasized the importance of this new carriage deal as a critical step forward. “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,” he said.
For Xfinity customers, this means the chance to watch live, local MLB, NBA, and NHL games, especially if they subscribe to the "Ultimate TV" package. This package includes a free three-month trial, after which it costs an additional $20 per month. Customers have until August 30 to upgrade to this package.
Comcast has a strong presence in markets such as Atlanta, Minnesota, Detroit, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Miami. This means significant market reach for the Bally Sports networks. Fans of the Marlins, Rays, Royals, and Tigers will now have the convenience of viewing games through the Bally Sports streaming app. However, fans of the Braves and Twins will need to rely on broadcast channels for their local game coverage.
While this new deal addresses the distribution of Bally Sports channels to Comcast customers, Diamond Sports Group is also focused on finalizing agreements with the NHL and resolving ongoing negotiations with the NBA. “With certainty on our distribution, we are focused on finalizing an agreement with the NHL and resolving our ongoing negotiations with the NBA,” Preschlack noted. He underscored the urgency of these negotiations, given the impending basketball and hockey seasons: “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."
Currently, Diamond Sports Group holds linear rights to 12 Major League Baseball teams, which further highlights the importance of their agreements with distributors like Comcast. As the company works to navigate through its financial restructuring, securing distribution agreements stands as a pivotal element in maintaining its broad sports broadcasting footprint.
Fans and industry insiders will be watching closely as Diamond Sports Group continues its efforts to stabilize and restructure. For now, the new carriage deal with Comcast provides much-needed relief to sports fans eager to follow their local teams. The resolution indicates a positive step towards the company’s broader goals and signals potential stability in sports broadcasting markets significantly influenced by the presence of Bally Sports channels.