Comcast and Bally Sports Reach New Carriage Deal, Ending Blackout for Fans
- Comcast and Bally Sports have reached an agreement to carry Bally Sports channels starting in August.
- The deal represents a significant partnership in the regional sports broadcasting sector.
- Viewers can expect enhanced access to sports programming available through Comcast services.
Comcast's prolonged blackout of Bally Sports channels is set to conclude as the two entities announced a new carriage agreement on Monday. This deal will enable baseball enthusiasts to watch their local teams starting Thursday, coinciding with the beginning of August. The agreement covers 15 regional sports networks owned by Diamond Sports Group, which is currently navigating bankruptcy. Fans will need to subscribe to Xfinity's "Ultimate TV" package to access live broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games. Xfinity customers who upgrade to the "Ultimate TV" package by August 30 will receive a three-month trial at no cost, after which the service will incur an additional $20 monthly fee. The blackout began in May when Comcast removed Diamond Sports Group channels due to a contract dispute, primarily over Comcast's proposal to place Bally Sports channels on a higher tier, limiting their accessibility. The resolution of this deal is crucial for Diamond Sports Group, which is 16 months into Chapter 11 restructuring. The company had a confirmation hearing scheduled but requested additional time as negotiations with Comcast progressed. With this agreement in place, Diamond aims to secure new digital rights deals with the NBA and NHL, as it holds linear rights to 12 MLB teams, including those in key markets like Atlanta and Minnesota. Diamond CEO David Preschlack emphasized the importance of this agreement in their restructuring efforts, expressing optimism about finalizing deals with the NHL and NBA as the seasons approach. The company plans to swiftly present a reorganization plan to the court once these agreements are finalized.