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Bally Sports networks to return to Comcast subscribers after deal is reached
SOUTHPORT, Conn. (AP) — Most Comcast subscribers will be able to watch their favorite sports teams again after the company reached a deal with its distributor.
Comcast and Diamond Sports announced Monday that 15 regional sports networks will be available Thursday after being blacked out for three months. Bally Sports networks were no longer available to Comcast subscribers on May 1 due to a contract dispute.
Under the agreement, subscribers to Comcast’s Xfinity Ultimate TV package will gain access to Bally RSNs. Additionally, Xfinity Ultimate TV customers will be able to stream Bally content on the Bally Sports app.
Comcast is Diamond Sports’ third-largest distributor. Diamond Sports has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Texas since filing for protection last March. It has a reorganization plan before the court, but the details are still being worked out.
“Certainly in our distribution, we are focused on finalizing a deal with the NHL and resolving our ongoing negotiations with the NBA,” said David Preschlack, CEO of Diamond Sports. “We are aware that time is of the essence with the basketball and hockey seasons quickly approaching.”
The baseball teams affected by the blackout were the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels.
“We are grateful to Diamond Sports for working with us to come up with a solution that brings the Bally Sports RSNs back to our Ultimate TV customers in a way that reflects the changing video marketplace for local sports,” said Greg Rigdon, president of content acquisition at Comcast, in a statement. “We look forward to making these networks available on August 1 so customers can watch their favorite teams again.”
Financial terms of the deal with Comcast were not disclosed.
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