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This has turned into a real mess … looks like they are close to one-year deals with the NBA & NHL … nothing firm for MLB. A Bloomberg article quoted a Sinclair Attorney who believes Diamond Sports will be shut down by the end of 2024. In doing so, their tv deals with MLB would be terminated.
I assume MLB will not comment on what comes next (‘24 and beyond) until they have a definitive agreement with Diamond Sports.
As we have discussed some time ago, uncertainty about the revenue stream would be a factor for Cardinals ownership this winter. The orgs that seem to have endless money from somewhere might have an open field as to the top FAs.
Not a major surprise. What is on the other side remains unclear.
Bankrupt broadcaster Bally Sports plans to drop regional sports broadcasts, possibly in September 2024 as part of a wind down, according to reports, a move that would force two local pro franchises – the Cardinals and Blues – to seek alternatives. https://t.co/sOskTNzIYn
— St. Louis Business Journal (@stlouisbiz) November 29, 2023
It won’t matter who carries these games. If they don’t start winning a few of them no one will bother tuning in and viewership will look just like all of the empty seats at the ballpark last season.
I can’t say I blame you, Bling. We get two separate monthly bills from AT&T. The cable TV and internet bill is a bit over $200 and an additional cell phone bill runs right at $100. That’s $3600 a year for TV, phone and something that I never had any use for until about a dozen years ago. At any rate, it’s brutal. Our power or gas bill rarely runs over $250 a month.
From the St. Louis Business Journal article linked to above:
“…Diamond Sports Group revealed in bankruptcy filings that its St. Louis subsidiary, Bally Sports Midwest, which broadcasts and streams Cardinals and Blues games via television and its app, posted a net loss of $13.8 million for the nine months ended Sept. 30. In 2022, it reported a profit of $2.5 million, the filing said.”
I do have a cetain advantage 1TD. My wife would never tell me what cable, internet and cell phone costs because she loves me and does not want me falling over dead. But we are cutting everything to get the monthly nut down to size for retirement. So no more bundle. No cable, the phones will not have unlimited data, and she was looking into different internet options. I think we have Hulu and Brit Box streaming and that’s it. Dumped the P-D subscription and everything except TCN and one finace related site. I have been looking into VPNs and what that might do for me as a Cardinals fan, but streaming is up in the air too, I think.
Bling, thank you for staying with us through your belt-tightening and refocus on the necessities. Your challenge is not uncommon.
Bling,
You might want to take a look at just having YouTube TV. It has a whole lot of what a regular cable package would have for about 1/2 the cost then fill in around the edges with Hulu, MGM+, Prime, HBO, Starz, Peacock etc on a month to month basis depending on which platform has stuff you currently want to watch.
I didn’t even know YouTube TV was a thing until one of my sons pointed it out to me…
I wrote this article four years ago and the concepts are the same today.
Since then, I dumped Spectrum completely (when their internet only offering went up to $84.99 per month). I moved to Frontier fiber for $39.99 per month to go with my Hulu+ for programming.
Thanks Z and Brian. I will see if we have looked into those options. One thing that can factor in is our technology is dated. We have a Roku to do streaming because our TV is 12 years old and not smart. That set up works fine for what we are doing right now. I did put an antenna up in the attic recently, and run the cable down, but I keep forgetting to get one of my kids to get it hooked up and the remote set up. I figure I have watched a lifetime’s worth of TV already so its low priority.
The Roku is only a few years old, and we are already streaming Hulu. I am thinking I will want Cardinals system MiLB games for sure, as it is inexpensive. I will see what the situation with streaming Cardinals games looks like as the season approaches. Based on some preliminary research last year, it might fit the budget. If not, there is KMOX and Gamecast.
Interesting side story in which smart money guy Mark Cuban discusses the crumbling RSN model as part of his motivation to sell the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.
Years ago, Cuban wanted to buy into MLB, but the Selig clan was so worried he would upset their golden goose they blackballed him.
If they had to, MLB would step in during the season to take over telecasts, but it will be much more orderly if Sinclair/Diamond/Bally can hold on through the 2024 season.
Diamond (Bally Sports) is nearing a deal with MLB to keep their regional sports networks in place through 2024. That and the other latest developments in the federal bankruptcy case that goes to the heart of RSNs in a world of more and more streaming: https://t.co/C8uwy7Tjdn
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) December 16, 2023
This might be a different situation than what is happening with Diamond/Bally’s but still interesting.
Mariners To Take 100 Percent Control Of Root Sports Northwest Network https://t.co/SgIj34DoF5 pic.twitter.com/9fyykHZxcR
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 16, 2023
Fubo is a great alternative to cable – tons of sports and more other cable programming for under 100 a month
Amazon, Diamond Sports Discussing Potential Streaming Deal https://t.co/tc9k4tRxYU pic.twitter.com/EHstocEIak
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 19, 2023
Now, that is very interesting. I am curious if MLB wants Amazon playing in their sandbox or whether they want the rights for themselves. As always, it will probably come down to what makes MLB the most money…
Not sure how I feel about this…
Amazon is reportedly in talks to invest in the bankrupt RSN operator Diamond Sports Group.
DSG carries games through its Bally Sports channels for more than 40 teams — and a deal with Amazon would eventually put those broadcasts on Prime Video.
MORE » https://t.co/LI2y2zGCd0 pic.twitter.com/eYTERfZntt
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 18, 2023
As a current subscriber to Amazon Prime Video, I would be ok with games streaming on their platform.
But whatever happens, the biggest thing that needs to come from this is for blackouts to end.Many may not know that for the last two seasons about 20 Yankees games were streamed on Amazon Prime Video. However, the telecasts originate from the regular RSN, YES Network, and are only viewable in the Yankees designated territory. So the rules are same as today, with the games just in an additional place.
And even if all the Bally contracts are blown up, they don’t cover the majority of MLB teams. I wish I had more confidence the blackouts will end, but there are so many open questions about the future.
An interesting development for sure. Let’s say Amazon gets a deal done with Diamond Sports. Questions:
– MLB and Diamond Sports were discussing completing 2024 with RSN’s then parting ways. This was due to Diamond Sports cash flow situation. Assume this approach would be modified if Diamond now has an additional and more certain stream of cash inflows. Agree?
– Does MLB have any ability to block or does the existing agreement with Diamond Sports allow the provider to remarket the product without consent of MLB or the teams involved?
– Do Yankee fans have to pay Amazon additional fees to view games streamed? For example, Amazon charges approximately an extra $15 per month if you want access to PBS Masterpiece Theater shows. Assume that they would want some additional fees for access to all Cardinal games broadcast by Bally.
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