Comcast and Diamond Sports Group Reach Agreement to Restore Bally Sports Channels

In a significant development for sports fans, Diamond Sports Group and Comcast announced a deal on Monday that will restore access to 15 Bally-branded channels for Xfinity subscribers, effective August 1. This agreement comes after a three-month stalemate that left many viewers without access to MLB, NBA, and NHL games. However, the restoration comes with a price increase, as customers will now need to subscribe to the Ultimate TV package, which costs an additional $20 per month compared to the previous Digital Basic package. The deal resolves a dispute that began on May 1, which affected fans of several Major League Baseball teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds, among others. Since early May, Comcast subscribers in 12 MLB markets have been seeking alternative ways to watch their teams, making this agreement a welcome relief for many. To ease the transition, Comcast is offering a free three-month trial for the Ultimate TV package. This agreement unfolds against the backdrop of Diamond Sports Group's ongoing 17-month bankruptcy process, which has raised concerns about the company's future. Earlier this year, Diamond appeared to be heading toward liquidation by the end of 2024, but a recent investment from Amazon has provided a glimmer of hope for the company's viability. Despite this, skepticism remains, particularly from Major League Baseball, as bankruptcy proceedings continue to face delays and uncertainties. Under the new agreement, Xfinity Ultimate TV customers will also have the ability to stream content from Diamond’s regional sports networks through the Bally Sports app, using their Xfinity credentials for authentication.