Bally Sports regional channels, which air local games for MLB, NBA, and NHL teams, are set to return to Comcast cable TV customers on August 1st. This comes after Diamond Sports, the owner of Bally Sports, reached a deal with Comcast. The networks had gone dark for Comcast customers on May 1st, causing fans of 11 MLB teams to be affected. This agreement is a crucial step forward in Diamond Sports’ restructuring effort, as it has been working on securing contracts with various pay TV providers.
The deal with Comcast also ensures the survival of Diamond Sports, which filed for bankruptcy last March. The company has also reached carriage deals with Charter Communications, DirecTV, and Fubo. However, negotiations with the NHL and NBA are still ongoing. The leagues have expressed concerns over Diamond Sports’ future, questioning whether the company can put together a viable business plan ahead of the upcoming NBA and NHL seasons this fall.
The negotiations between Diamond Sports and Comcast had broken down in May due to a dispute over terms. Specifically, the disagreement was about how quickly Comcast could shift the sports networks into a tiered model, where customers would have to opt into packages that include the channels at a higher rate. The deal reached on Monday allows Comcast to offer Diamond Sports networks on these tiers outside of the broader cable package.
This agreement comes at a time when pay TV companies like Comcast are losing customers to cheaper streaming options. Comcast recently reported a loss of 419,000 domestic cable customers in the second quarter. Regional sports networks, once a lucrative business, have been hit hard by customers leaving the cable bundle.
In conclusion, the return of Bally Sports regional channels to Comcast cable TV customers is a positive development for fans of MLB, NBA, and NHL teams. The deal with Comcast is a crucial step for Diamond Sports’ restructuring efforts and ensures the survival of the company. However, negotiations with the NHL and NBA are still ongoing, and the leagues have expressed concerns over Diamond Sports’ future. This agreement also highlights the challenges faced by pay TV companies as customers continue to opt for streaming options.
