Comcast vs. Bally Sports: Are They Close to Ending the Blackout?

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow on X.

TV Answer Man, we have now been without our Bally Sports channel for a month. Is there any progress in the negotiations? Are they close to ending the blackout? We want to watch the Twins! — Carl, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Carl, Comcast on May 1 lost the Bally Sports regional sports networks when the cable operator could not reach a new carriage agreement with their owner, Diamond Sports.

Diamond Sports has said the major obstacle in the talks is that Comcast wants to move the Bally Sports channels to a more expensive programming package. That would force subscribers to pay more to watch them, but it would also mean reduced carriage fees for Diamond Sports because the company is paid based on the number of subscribers who have access to its programming.

Comcast, which has moved a handful of RSNs to a higher tier in the last year, including MASN in March, says this is beneficial for its customers because those who subscribe to the lower tier get a reduced regional sports fee (or eliminated fee) when the channel is moved. Of course, Comcast also benefits by paying reduced carriage fees to the RSN.

So, are Comcast and Diamond Sports close to bridging this divide? Answer: Apparently not. A Diamond Sports attorney yesterday told a Texas bankruptcy judge that the companies are “at an impasse,” according to a Minneapolis Star-Tribune article. (Diamond Sports declared bankruptcy in March 2023 and is seeking to reorganize as a profitable unit later this year.)

“Based on Comcast’s intransigence to negotiate off their current position,” Joe Graham, a Diamond Sports attorney, told the court. “The company has little choice but to explore alternatives to Comcast.”

Diamond Sports noted in court that it’s renewing its carriage agreement with Fubo, but did not elaborate on what those ‘alternatives’ might be besides the streamer. But the company has been without carriage deals with YouTube TV and Hulu Live for a few years and it could try to renew interest there.

The Bally Sports blackout is affecting Comcast subscribers in such markets as Minnesota, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and St. Louis, among others.

Peter, hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

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The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.