Comcast customers can rejoice as the sports blackout that left many fans in the dark has finally come to an end. Comcast and Diamond Sports Group have reached a new carriage deal, reinstating access to Bally Sports channels for eager fans just in time for the upcoming sports seasons. The resolution ends a months-long blackout that began in May, leaving fans without access to their favorite local sports broadcasts.
A New Beginning for Fans
This new agreement, effective at the beginning of August, restores the Bally Sports channels to Xfinity subscribers, allowing them to catch live, local games across MLB, NBA, and NHL. David Preschlack, the CEO of Diamond Sports Group, expressed his satisfaction with the new agreement, commenting, "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."
Comcast's presence is strong in markets such as Atlanta, Minnesota, Detroit, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Miami, where fans have anxiously awaited the return of their sports channels. Subscribers to Xfinity's "Ultimate TV" package can now enjoy comprehensive coverage of games, including those broadcast on Bally Sports' regional networks.
Access and Options
Diamond Sports Group, under the Bally Sports banner, owns 15 regional sports networks, providing in-market viewing options for MLB teams like the Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, and Detroit Tigers through the Bally Sports streaming app. Fans of teams such as the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins will need to rely on broadcast channels for local game coverage. This ensures that regardless of the medium, fans can stay connected to their favorite local teams.
Xfinity customers currently not subscribed to the "Ultimate TV" package have until August 30 to upgrade their service. The package includes a three-month free trial period, which then transitions to an additional $20 per month fee after the trial concludes.
Financial and Strategic Moves
This deal comes at a critical time for Diamond Sports Group, which has been navigating bankruptcy proceedings under Chapter 11 for the past 16 months. The blackout that began in May was part of a broader strategic maneuver to reorganize and stabilize the company's finances. Preschlack emphasized the importance of securing the deal with Comcast, stating, "With certainty on our distribution, we are focused on finalizing an agreement with the NHL and resolving our ongoing negotiations with the NBA."
Diamond Sports Group is committed to finalizing agreements with team and league partners, ensuring broadcasts for the coming seasons of basketball and hockey. Preschlack highlighted the urgency of these negotiations, noting, "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." The new deal with Comcast is a pivotal development in this ongoing restructuring effort.
Looking Forward
The company holds linear rights to 12 Major League Baseball teams, and securing the new carriage deal helps strengthen their position as they navigate their financial restructuring. The ongoing commitment to providing quality sports broadcasts is evident, despite the financial challenges faced by Diamond Sports Group.
For fans, this development means a return to normalcy and the ability to watch their favorite local teams once again. As the summer transitions into the fall, sports enthusiasts can look forward to a seamless viewing experience, whether via the traditional broadcast channels or the convenient Bally Sports streaming app.
By securing the new carriage agreement with Comcast, Diamond Sports Group takes a significant step forward in its restructuring journey, ensuring that fans won’t miss a moment of the action in the upcoming seasons. The focus now shifts to finalizing critical agreements with the NHL and NBA, working towards a future where all shareholders, from the leagues to the fans, benefit.