Headline: Bally Sports Free Pass Prompts Questions About Streaming RightsHeadline: Bally Sports Free Pass Prompts Questions About Streaming Rights Author: Phillip Swann Segment 1: * Discusses the Marlins’ decision to offer free Bally Sports Plus streaming due to the Comcast blackout. Segment 2: * Explains why other teams, like the Twins, are not offering similar promotions. * Highlights that Bally Sports only has streaming rights to five MLB teams, including the Marlins. Segment 3: * Mentions Diamond Sports’ unsuccessful attempt to secure streaming rights for other teams in its portfolio. * Explains that MLB and the teams have been hesitant to grant streaming rights due to Diamond Sports’ financial challenges. Segment 4: * Indicates that if Diamond Sports had acquired the streaming rights, fans in Comcast markets could have used Bally Sports Plus to watch their team’s games. Conclusion: * The TV Answer Guy provides a clear explanation of why more teams are not offering free streaming subscriptions, emphasizing the specific rights agreements in place.
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X.
TV Answer Man, I see the Miami Marlins are giving away a sub to Bally Sports Plus due to the Comcast blackout. Why don’t more teams do this, like the Twins?! –Roger, Duluth, Minnesota.
Roger, Comcast lost the regional sports networks to Bally Sports on May 1 due to a transportation dispute. At this time, there are no indications of an imminent settlement. That’s why the Miami Marlins have decided to offer the Bally Sports Plus standalone streaming service for free for two months. The offer, valid until July 31, 2024, would allow Marlins fans in the Miami market to watch the team’s games without a cable, satellite or livestream subscription. After the two-month promotional period, the regular subscription price of $19.99 per month would apply unless fans cancel. (You can learn more about the offer here.)
The promotion has prompted some Comcast subscribers in the Bally Sports markets to ask The TV Answer Man why their local teams aren’t offering the same free two-month pass to Bally Sports Plus. It’s a good question, but there is also a good answer.
Diamond Sports, which owns the Bally Sports RSNs (regional sports networks), only has the streaming rights to five MLB teams: the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. Consequently, it would make no sense for the Twins to offer a free sub to Bally Sports Plus, as the app does not have the team’s games available via streaming. (Bally Sports does have the cable/satellite rights to the Twins.) The same goes for the Braves and Cardinals and other Bally Sports teams in markets where Comcast also offers cable TV services.
The irony here is that Diamond Sports tried to secure streaming rights for the other teams it carries (Braves, Cardinals, Guardians, Twins, Reds, Angels and Rangers), but was rejected. MLB and the teams have been reluctant to provide the streaming rights, in part because of Diamond Sports’ continued activities attempted bankruptcy reorganization. However, if they had sold the streaming rights, their fans in the Comcast markets could now subscribe to Bally Sports Plus to watch their games.
Roger, I hope that helps. Enjoy watching and stay safe!
The TV Answer Guy is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has been covering the TV technology scene for more than thirty years. He reports on the latest news and answers your questions about new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. View Phillip Swann’s biography here.
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