Formerly known as WCCO II...
Sinclair(Bally's Sport) nearing a deal for NBA streaming rights for direct to consumer offering
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Slim Tubby
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Don't forget Spectrum. You could watch the North Stars in the evening and then travel the world with Emanuelle after 10:00pm.
short ornery norwegian
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a little more drama in bankruptcy court. there was a hearing this week for the Judge to approve the new naming-rights agreement with FanDuel. and then it got a little heated. From Awful Announcing:
Bally Sports Regional Networks plans to retain TV rights to the Miami Marlins, in addition to the Atlanta Braves, when the media company emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a lawyer for MLB disclosed today at a virtual court hearing called to discuss the proposed FanDuel naming rights sponsorship to replace Bally Sports. The judge approved that deal despite concerns expressed by MLB.
So it came as a relief to MLB when Diamond said it would only keep the Braves heading into 2025, though that was only for the teams covered by the Chapter 11. Five teams–the Marlins, the Kansas City Royals, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Cincinnati Reds–are in joint ventures with Diamond and are not covered by the Chapter 11. So Diamond’s decisions whether to keep those arrangements are not subject to the approval of the court. An agreement to go forward with the Marlins had not been previously disclosed while the broadcast future of the four other JV teams are not set.
MLB’s lawyer, James Bromley, also disclosed the league will object to Diamond keeping the Braves contract when the Chapter 11 approval hearing is scheduled next month.
MLB also called last week’s motion by Diamond to approve the FanDuel deal an “ambush” because the league had not been given the term sheet to review how these games will be produced in tandem with FanDuel sports betting information.
Judge Chris Lopez expressed surprise that MLB was still objecting to matters before the court.
“I thought MLB wanted out?” Lopez asked. Bromley replied, “We want out.” To which Lopez replied, “Then what’s the issue?” To which Bromley retorted, “The debtors plan of reorganization currently anticipates the assumption of the Atlanta Braves executory contract, which we will be opposing, as well as the continued, a continued relationship with the Miami Marlins with respect to a non bankrupt JV entity, therefore the reorganized entities are going to have access to and televise, if the plan is confirmed, Major League Baseball content. So that’s not out..”
Joe Graham, a lawyer for Diamond, replied on the concerns over gambling integration into MLB broadcasts that Diamond would adhere to all league rules.
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with the Judge approving the naming rights deal, Bally Sports North will become the FanDuel Sports Network North as soon as Monday, Oct. 21.
Bally Sports Regional Networks plans to retain TV rights to the Miami Marlins, in addition to the Atlanta Braves, when the media company emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a lawyer for MLB disclosed today at a virtual court hearing called to discuss the proposed FanDuel naming rights sponsorship to replace Bally Sports. The judge approved that deal despite concerns expressed by MLB.
So it came as a relief to MLB when Diamond said it would only keep the Braves heading into 2025, though that was only for the teams covered by the Chapter 11. Five teams–the Marlins, the Kansas City Royals, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Cincinnati Reds–are in joint ventures with Diamond and are not covered by the Chapter 11. So Diamond’s decisions whether to keep those arrangements are not subject to the approval of the court. An agreement to go forward with the Marlins had not been previously disclosed while the broadcast future of the four other JV teams are not set.
MLB’s lawyer, James Bromley, also disclosed the league will object to Diamond keeping the Braves contract when the Chapter 11 approval hearing is scheduled next month.
MLB also called last week’s motion by Diamond to approve the FanDuel deal an “ambush” because the league had not been given the term sheet to review how these games will be produced in tandem with FanDuel sports betting information.
Judge Chris Lopez expressed surprise that MLB was still objecting to matters before the court.
“I thought MLB wanted out?” Lopez asked. Bromley replied, “We want out.” To which Lopez replied, “Then what’s the issue?” To which Bromley retorted, “The debtors plan of reorganization currently anticipates the assumption of the Atlanta Braves executory contract, which we will be opposing, as well as the continued, a continued relationship with the Miami Marlins with respect to a non bankrupt JV entity, therefore the reorganized entities are going to have access to and televise, if the plan is confirmed, Major League Baseball content. So that’s not out..”
Joe Graham, a lawyer for Diamond, replied on the concerns over gambling integration into MLB broadcasts that Diamond would adhere to all league rules.
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with the Judge approving the naming rights deal, Bally Sports North will become the FanDuel Sports Network North as soon as Monday, Oct. 21.
short ornery norwegian
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FWIW - yes, the channel formerly known as Bally Sports North is now officially
FanDuel Sports Network North.
I was checking the Sports TV listings in the Strib to see what local channel the Vikings game was on. (ch 9). I saw the Timberwolves game was listed as being on FDSN and I had to stop and think for a moment before it sunk in.
FanDuel Sports Network North.
I was checking the Sports TV listings in the Strib to see what local channel the Vikings game was on. (ch 9). I saw the Timberwolves game was listed as being on FDSN and I had to stop and think for a moment before it sunk in.
short ornery norwegian
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quick update - the St. Louis Cardinals will sign a new deal with Diamond Sports/FanDuel. from The Athletic:
The St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most prominent franchises in Diamond Sports Group’s broadcasting portfolio, plan to continue to be televised by the company on a renegotiated multiyear deal.
The Cardinals are taking a pay reduction of roughly 25 percent in 2025 compared to what their prior deal called for, but their games will newly be available in market via a direct-to-consumer streaming product, allowing more fans to watch.
At least for now, three teams are publicly expected to return to Diamond: the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins and now, the Cardinals. But it’s not yet clear what will happen with five others: the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays.
The Cardinals are now in a group of more than one-third of MLB’s 30 teams that has likely taken TV rights-fee pay cuts in the last two years amidst cord-cutting and Diamond’s woes.
Diamond Sports Group is hoping a federal judge will confirm its plan to emerge from bankruptcy next week in a hearing that begins Nov. 14 and could possibly run over to Nov. 15.
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according to article, Cards were getting $75-million a year from Diamond under old deal. a 25% cut would bring that to $56.3-millon.
also - parties in the Diamond bankruptcy court case were required to file any objections by this week. as of Tuesday, three were filed, including one from the U.S. Trustee, the arm of the U.S. Department of Justice that oversees bankruptcy cases. The U.S. Trustee is arguing that Diamond is asking for releases that are too broad. MLB is also expected to file an objection.
The St. Louis Cardinals, one of the most prominent franchises in Diamond Sports Group’s broadcasting portfolio, plan to continue to be televised by the company on a renegotiated multiyear deal.
The Cardinals are taking a pay reduction of roughly 25 percent in 2025 compared to what their prior deal called for, but their games will newly be available in market via a direct-to-consumer streaming product, allowing more fans to watch.
At least for now, three teams are publicly expected to return to Diamond: the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins and now, the Cardinals. But it’s not yet clear what will happen with five others: the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays.
The Cardinals are now in a group of more than one-third of MLB’s 30 teams that has likely taken TV rights-fee pay cuts in the last two years amidst cord-cutting and Diamond’s woes.
Diamond Sports Group is hoping a federal judge will confirm its plan to emerge from bankruptcy next week in a hearing that begins Nov. 14 and could possibly run over to Nov. 15.
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according to article, Cards were getting $75-million a year from Diamond under old deal. a 25% cut would bring that to $56.3-millon.
also - parties in the Diamond bankruptcy court case were required to file any objections by this week. as of Tuesday, three were filed, including one from the U.S. Trustee, the arm of the U.S. Department of Justice that oversees bankruptcy cases. The U.S. Trustee is arguing that Diamond is asking for releases that are too broad. MLB is also expected to file an objection.
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and yes, MLB has filed a formal objection to Diamond's bankruptcy reorganization plan. From ESPN:
Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves formally filed an objection to Diamond Sports Group's reorganization plan on Friday, citing, among other things, a lack of information to corroborate the viability of the company's projections.
In a motion filed in Houston bankruptcy court, MLB and the Braves wrote they possess "grave concerns that, if the plan is confirmed, there is a substantial likelihood that the debtors will find themselves once again in financial distress and/or bankruptcy court in the near future."
Diamond, approaching 20 months in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is scheduled to begin its confirmation hearing next Thursday, during which a federal judge will determine whether to approve the operator's go-forward plan.
MLB and the Braves cited a lack of clarity on that deal among its concerns in Friday's objection, writing that Diamond's "refusal to produce information concerning the proposed commercial lynchpin of the go-forward business plan as to [direct-to-consumer] subscribers, a subscriber base that the debtors estimate in the financial projections to grow by hundreds of percentage points between now and the end of 2027, by itself justifies a finding that the debtors cannot meet their feasibility burden."
MLB and the Braves added that Diamond has "consistently failed to produce" information about its new distribution agreements to allow for cross-examination in the linear-cable space and that they should not be "compelled to partner with a business that does not have a realistic roadmap to future operations."
Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves formally filed an objection to Diamond Sports Group's reorganization plan on Friday, citing, among other things, a lack of information to corroborate the viability of the company's projections.
In a motion filed in Houston bankruptcy court, MLB and the Braves wrote they possess "grave concerns that, if the plan is confirmed, there is a substantial likelihood that the debtors will find themselves once again in financial distress and/or bankruptcy court in the near future."
Diamond, approaching 20 months in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is scheduled to begin its confirmation hearing next Thursday, during which a federal judge will determine whether to approve the operator's go-forward plan.
MLB and the Braves cited a lack of clarity on that deal among its concerns in Friday's objection, writing that Diamond's "refusal to produce information concerning the proposed commercial lynchpin of the go-forward business plan as to [direct-to-consumer] subscribers, a subscriber base that the debtors estimate in the financial projections to grow by hundreds of percentage points between now and the end of 2027, by itself justifies a finding that the debtors cannot meet their feasibility burden."
MLB and the Braves added that Diamond has "consistently failed to produce" information about its new distribution agreements to allow for cross-examination in the linear-cable space and that they should not be "compelled to partner with a business that does not have a realistic roadmap to future operations."
short ornery norwegian
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The Cincinnati Reds announced they will leave Diamond Sports. from The Athletic:
The Cincinnati Reds are leaving Diamond Sports Group and will need a new television home for 2025, according to a court filing Friday evening.
The Reds and Diamond, which operates FanDuel branded regional sports networks, agreed to part ways after they could not reach a renegotiated deal. The Reds agreed to sell their stake in FanDuel Sports Network Ohio for $1, per the filing. The station will continue to broadcast the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA and the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the Reds would join the ranks of six other teams whose games will be broadcast and produced by Major League Baseball itself in 2025, or whether the Reds will pursue other options. The Reds declined comment.
With the Reds’ departure, the broadcasting future of four MLB teams that were carried by Diamond last year remains unknown, with a major court date looming in six days: the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays. Diamond has said it intends to walk away from those clubs unless they accept revised deals.
A potential two-day hearing to determine Diamond’s future is set to begin on Thursday.
The Cincinnati Reds are leaving Diamond Sports Group and will need a new television home for 2025, according to a court filing Friday evening.
The Reds and Diamond, which operates FanDuel branded regional sports networks, agreed to part ways after they could not reach a renegotiated deal. The Reds agreed to sell their stake in FanDuel Sports Network Ohio for $1, per the filing. The station will continue to broadcast the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA and the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the Reds would join the ranks of six other teams whose games will be broadcast and produced by Major League Baseball itself in 2025, or whether the Reds will pursue other options. The Reds declined comment.
With the Reds’ departure, the broadcasting future of four MLB teams that were carried by Diamond last year remains unknown, with a major court date looming in six days: the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays. Diamond has said it intends to walk away from those clubs unless they accept revised deals.
A potential two-day hearing to determine Diamond’s future is set to begin on Thursday.
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hmmm - FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) will offer a per-game rate to stream NBA and NHL games this season. From ESPN:
The nation's largest owner of regional sports networks (RSNs) will offer single-game pricing for NBA and NHL games beginning next month.
Diamond Sports Group, which owns 16 RSNs, announced Tuesday that the option will be available on its direct-to-consumer streaming package starting Dec. 5.
Viewers will have the option for single games at $6.99, as well as the chance to sign up for monthly or season pass subscriptions.
A final hearing on Diamond's bankruptcy reorganization plan is scheduled for Thursday. Diamond Sports has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas since it filed for protection in March 2023. The company said in a financial filing last year that it had debt of $8.67 billion.
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Would you pay $7 to stream one Wolves or Wild game? Maybe if you were travelling and that was the only way to watch?
The nation's largest owner of regional sports networks (RSNs) will offer single-game pricing for NBA and NHL games beginning next month.
Diamond Sports Group, which owns 16 RSNs, announced Tuesday that the option will be available on its direct-to-consumer streaming package starting Dec. 5.
Viewers will have the option for single games at $6.99, as well as the chance to sign up for monthly or season pass subscriptions.
A final hearing on Diamond's bankruptcy reorganization plan is scheduled for Thursday. Diamond Sports has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas since it filed for protection in March 2023. The company said in a financial filing last year that it had debt of $8.67 billion.
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Would you pay $7 to stream one Wolves or Wild game? Maybe if you were travelling and that was the only way to watch?
Does this mean that the wolves games that I'm paying for as a part of my Xfinity channel subscription will no longer be available unless I buy a Fan Duel streaming package?
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nope. If you get the Wolves on cable, you're fine. the per-game rate is a new option for people who don't get the Wolves on cable, and are reluctant to shell out for a month or a full season on the streaming package.
FWIW - if you live in-market, and want to sign up for the streaming package, it's currently $19.99 a month or $107.99 for the season.
so, if you're a casual fan, and you want to see the Wolves play the Celtics, you can pay for one game. or not. it's your choice.
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more news on the day before the final Diamond bankruptcy court hearing begins.
two more MLB teams re-up with Diamond/FanDuel - and FanDuel stikes deal to allow games to be streamed - for an additional charge - on Amazon.
from The Athletic:
In a filing Wednesday, Diamond, which runs the FanDuel Sports Network channels, said it had reached revised agreements with the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers. Those clubs were televised by Diamond previously, but before Wednesday, it was unclear whether they would be returning. They make a group of six along with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals as teams going back to Diamond in 2025.
A person briefed on discussions between the Kansas City Royals and Diamond said talk of a return remained ongoing.
With the other deals in place, MLB and the Braves also withdrew an objection to Diamond’s plan they had filed on Friday.
Diamond’s confirmation hearing, which might take two days, is set to begin Thursday morning in federal bankruptcy court in Houston. After 20 months, Judge Chris Lopez is expected to rule on whether Diamond has a viable business plan to escape Chapter 11 status.
The Cardinals newly granted in-market streaming rights to Diamond, as did the Angels. Diamond already had those rights for the Marlins, Rays and Tigers. That means those teams can be watched via a standalone subscription Diamond will sell via its own platform and also through Amazon Prime (but at additional cost on top of Prime’s standard fee).
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(more on the Amazon deal)
Diamond Sports Group, parent company of the FanDuel Sports Network, announced a multi-year agreement with Amazon Prime on Wednesday. The agreement allows fans to access FanDuel Sports Network through an add-on subscription via Prime Video for customers residing in each team's designated geographic area.
(note - The Amazon deal covers all teams broadcast by FanDuel - including the Wolves and Wild. and note the part about "designated geographic area - in other words, if you're a Wolves fan living in Florida, you cannot get the games through Amazon.)
two more MLB teams re-up with Diamond/FanDuel - and FanDuel stikes deal to allow games to be streamed - for an additional charge - on Amazon.
from The Athletic:
In a filing Wednesday, Diamond, which runs the FanDuel Sports Network channels, said it had reached revised agreements with the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers. Those clubs were televised by Diamond previously, but before Wednesday, it was unclear whether they would be returning. They make a group of six along with the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals as teams going back to Diamond in 2025.
A person briefed on discussions between the Kansas City Royals and Diamond said talk of a return remained ongoing.
With the other deals in place, MLB and the Braves also withdrew an objection to Diamond’s plan they had filed on Friday.
Diamond’s confirmation hearing, which might take two days, is set to begin Thursday morning in federal bankruptcy court in Houston. After 20 months, Judge Chris Lopez is expected to rule on whether Diamond has a viable business plan to escape Chapter 11 status.
The Cardinals newly granted in-market streaming rights to Diamond, as did the Angels. Diamond already had those rights for the Marlins, Rays and Tigers. That means those teams can be watched via a standalone subscription Diamond will sell via its own platform and also through Amazon Prime (but at additional cost on top of Prime’s standard fee).
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(more on the Amazon deal)
Diamond Sports Group, parent company of the FanDuel Sports Network, announced a multi-year agreement with Amazon Prime on Wednesday. The agreement allows fans to access FanDuel Sports Network through an add-on subscription via Prime Video for customers residing in each team's designated geographic area.
(note - The Amazon deal covers all teams broadcast by FanDuel - including the Wolves and Wild. and note the part about "designated geographic area - in other words, if you're a Wolves fan living in Florida, you cannot get the games through Amazon.)
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It's official - and it didn't take long - Diamond Sports has emerged from bankrupcty. from ESPN:
Diamond Sports Group, the largest regional-sports-network operator in the United States, received approval to emerge from bankruptcy Thursday on the 20-month anniversary of it filing for Chapter 11. Judge Christopher Lopez, presiding in the Southern District of Texas, approved the company's reorganization plan in court, saying it is "compliant with every provision under the law."
Diamond announced in a subsequent release that it "expects to complete the restructuring process in the coming weeks, after satisfying customary conditions."
Diamond, which recently ran broadcasts under the name Bally Sports, currently possesses the linear-cable and digital-streaming rights for a combined 27 MLB, NBA and NHL teams. The company recently agreed to a new naming-rights deal with FanDuel, as well as a commercial agreement with Amazon that will eventually allow subscribers to also watch Diamond's RSNs locally through Prime Video. Those deals -- along with agreements with the company's largest distributors, most notably Comcast -- helped get Diamond past the finish line.
(you can look forward to continue watching the Wolves and Wild on FanDuel Sports Network for the foreseeable future. but as cord-cutting continues, more change in the broadcast world is inevitable.)
Diamond Sports Group, the largest regional-sports-network operator in the United States, received approval to emerge from bankruptcy Thursday on the 20-month anniversary of it filing for Chapter 11. Judge Christopher Lopez, presiding in the Southern District of Texas, approved the company's reorganization plan in court, saying it is "compliant with every provision under the law."
Diamond announced in a subsequent release that it "expects to complete the restructuring process in the coming weeks, after satisfying customary conditions."
Diamond, which recently ran broadcasts under the name Bally Sports, currently possesses the linear-cable and digital-streaming rights for a combined 27 MLB, NBA and NHL teams. The company recently agreed to a new naming-rights deal with FanDuel, as well as a commercial agreement with Amazon that will eventually allow subscribers to also watch Diamond's RSNs locally through Prime Video. Those deals -- along with agreements with the company's largest distributors, most notably Comcast -- helped get Diamond past the finish line.
(you can look forward to continue watching the Wolves and Wild on FanDuel Sports Network for the foreseeable future. but as cord-cutting continues, more change in the broadcast world is inevitable.)
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quick update - the Cincinnati Reds announced that they will have their games produced and distributed through MLB in 2025, making 7 teams now in the MLB umbrella. Presumably, the Reds will also roll out a streaming option as part of the deal.
the one team still at question is the KC Royals. as of yesterday, KC is still reportedly talking to Diamond Sports about a new contract - presumably at a lower rights fee.
long-term, MLB still wants to put together a national streaming package - modeled after the MLS deal with Apple TV+. But - to make it work, MLB would need to have the rights to at least half the teams or more. Right now, they have 7. At this point, we don't know the duration of the deals between Diamond and its MLB teams, but I have seen 2028 mentioned as a key date for MLB TV contracts up for renewal.
in any case, the status quo for the next several years looks like the Twins through MLB with a streaming package. after that - we will have to wait and see. meanwhile, the Wolves and Wild will be on FanDuel for at least this season and possibly longer.
the one team still at question is the KC Royals. as of yesterday, KC is still reportedly talking to Diamond Sports about a new contract - presumably at a lower rights fee.
long-term, MLB still wants to put together a national streaming package - modeled after the MLS deal with Apple TV+. But - to make it work, MLB would need to have the rights to at least half the teams or more. Right now, they have 7. At this point, we don't know the duration of the deals between Diamond and its MLB teams, but I have seen 2028 mentioned as a key date for MLB TV contracts up for renewal.
in any case, the status quo for the next several years looks like the Twins through MLB with a streaming package. after that - we will have to wait and see. meanwhile, the Wolves and Wild will be on FanDuel for at least this season and possibly longer.