Bally’s Sports+

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[puckhead]

Bally Sports owner misses $140 million payment, could file for bankruptcy

Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, missed a $140 million interest payment on Wednesday.

arizonasports.com

 

[Covert Rain]

When Bally's launched many said it was make or break for them by going with an independent subscription service. Many investors were urging them to work out their differences with streaming services.

 

[Covert Rain]

Ballys missed its debt payment. Next up if they fail to pay the leagues the rights will revert back to the respective leagues. Basically they have 30 days which means they are definitely headed for Bankruptcy.

They are saying it’s likely Amazon or Hulu would bid for rights for local games.

Either works for me for Sins games.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Ballys missed its debt payment. Next up if they fail to pay the leagues the rights will revert back to the respective leagues. Basically they have 30 days which means they are definitely headed for Bankruptcy.

They are saying it’s likely Amazon or Hulu would bid for rights for local games.

Either works for me for Sins games.

Yup that would save me $20 a month

 

[SunsTzu]

Ballys missed its debt payment. Next up if they fail to pay the leagues the rights will revert back to the respective leagues. Basically they have 30 days which means they are definitely headed for Bankruptcy.

They are saying it’s likely Amazon or Hulu would bid for rights for local games.

Either works for me for Sins games.

If we can add in the end to archaic regional blackout rules this would be the best possible outcome.

 

[Covert Rain]

If we can add in the end to archaic regional blackout rules this would be the best possible outcome.

Well, the rights revert back to the leagues, but their blackout rules would still apply. So, those games still won't end up on MLB or NBA TVs channels for their respective local markets. So, the local rights to those would have to still be sold to say an Amazon or Hulu for example. Having said that? I agree. These blackout rules need to go.

 

[SunsTzu]

Well, the rights revert back to the leagues, but their blackout rules would still apply. So, those games still won't end up on MLB or NBA TVs channels for their respective local markets. So, the local rights to those would have to still be sold to say an Amazon or Hulu for example. Having said that? I agree. These blackout rules need to go.

Here is what the MLB Commissioner said last week regarding blackouts:

• "Blackouts are the kind of opposite side of the coin of reach. We need to deliver [the] product to fans who want to watch on platforms that they customarily use at a realistic price. That is our No. 1 priority."

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred talks blackouts, the Athletics moving to Las Vegas, small-market Padres and more

Manfred hit a series of hot topics on the first day of spring training

www.cbssports.com

I'm fairly confident the NBA will have a similar opinion. Blackouts just don't make sense in the modern broadcasting market and I don't think they'll survive in future negotiations. When you consider how easy it is to get any game for free from numerous streaming sites it really makes no sense to restrict the paid service.

 

[puckhead]

It really has been fascinating to watch this all happen in real time. We're witnessing the end of cable/sat supremacy, the dilution of formerly unshakeable entertainment options, the reality wall meets the 'grow forever' mentality of the pro leagues, etc., all bundled into one package that few are paying close attention to.

The next few years will be rocky for the affected leagues and I'll be curious to see who ends up on top and whether or not the end product suffers. The top players are used to contracts going one direction, but that model just isn't sustainable anymore.

Reminds me a little of what happened to the music industry early in the Internet age. In a way, pirated streams are the new Napster. The difference is you need an actual live broadcast to be produced in order to pirate, and those are expensive.

 

[Covert Rain]

Here is what the MLB Commissioner said last week regarding blackouts:

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred talks blackouts, the Athletics moving to Las Vegas, small-market Padres and more

Manfred hit a series of hot topics on the first day of spring training

www.cbssports.com

I'm fairly confident the NBA will have a similar opinion. Blackouts just don't make sense in the modern broadcasting market and I don't think they'll survive in future negotiations. When you consider how easy it is to get any game for free from numerous streaming sites it really makes no sense to restrict the paid service.

There was a bill that was talked about being drafted by a member of Congress at one point to address blackouts but I don't think it went anywhere.

 

[SeattleCardinal]

More problems for RSNs

Warner Bros. Discovery tells teams it is leaving RSN business

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[TigToad]

Bally’s can’t die fast enough.

 

[95pro]

What’s with the shippy feed tonight at bulls.

 

[jf-08]

What’s with the shippy feed tonight at bulls.

Yeah it's been lousy

 

[puckhead]

A nice video discussing the current state of affairs with the RSN's and Bally's by name.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media