Comcast, Diamond Sports Contract Expires Tonight; Where to Watch Bally Sports Channels if Your Cable Drops Your Team?

Diamond Sports Group’s negotiating team is going to earn some overtime pay at this rate. The owner of 18 Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) is sorting out its carriage deals with major cable and satellite distributors as a necessary step in its bankruptcy reorganization plan, and its negotiation with Comcast is up next. The current carriage deal between the two sides expires on April 30, and according to a report from Sportico, they’re “far apart” on some key issues. That could lead to Comcast blacking out Bally Sports channels as early as 12 midnight ET and running until a new deal is reached. But, if you are an Xfinity cable subscriber, have no fear as The Streamable will let you know how to watch your favorite teams without interruption if that happens.

Key Details:

• Diamond and Comcast are trying to determine the best way to shift Bally Sports channels to a higher cable tier.
• Diamond has already agreed to carriage deals with DIRECTV and Charter Communications.
• If Bally Sports channels go dark for Comcast customers, fans can stream the channels on DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, or Bally Sports+.

The sticking point for Diamond and Comcast seems to be which tier of Xfinity TV will carry Bally Sports channels. Comcast appears to want to move the channels to its Ultimate subscription tier immediately, whereas Diamond is seeking a more gradual transition of the channels from the base level to a more expensive plan.

It’s likely that a deal will ultimately get done, though the possibility of the two sides not reaching an agreement today is high. That would likely lead to a temporary blackout, knocking the channels off of Comcast’s airwaves for however long it takes to get a new deal done. Diamond has agreed to multi-year deals with both Charter Communications — owners of Comcast’s chief cable rival Spectrum — and DIRECTV in recent weeks. Alongside Comcast, these three providers make up roughly 81% of the total audience of Bally Sports channels.

If Diamond cannot reach a new, long-term deal with Comcast, it could have a harder time winning support for its reorganization plan from its creditors; a necessary step to exit bankruptcy. Diamond recently received approval to extend the period in which it solicits support for its reorg plan until November, though it could wrap up proceedings as soon as June if the company gets approval for the plan from all of its creditors; a deal with Comcast will undoubtedly be vital in winning that approval.

Where Can You Watch Bally Sports Channels if Comcast Loses Them?

There are two live TV streaming partners that allow viewers to watch Bally Sports RSNs, as well as the Bally Sports+ streaming service that does not require a cable subscription. Find out which is the best for you below, as we compare the pros and cons of each!

DIRECTV STREAM offers Bally Sports channels in its CHOICE package ($108.99 per month). The streamer comes with a five-day free trial, and sports fans will love the availability of national sports channels like ESPN and TNT, as well as broadcast networks like ABC for watching the NBA and NHL playoffs. DIRECTV STREAM’s CHOICE lineup also includes FS1, FS2, NFL Network, and a host of other sports channels, as well as free access to streamers like Max and STARZ for three months when you sign up.

Fubo also offers Bally Sports channels, which fans can find housed in the streamer’s base Pro plan ($91.98 per month including RSN fees). It also comes with a free trial, though the length of that free period varies depending on what time of month you signed up. You don’t get quite as many extras as you do with DIRECTV STREAM, but Fubo is still a great choice for watching Bally Sports channels if Comcast loses them.

Bally Sports+ is Diamond’s in-house streaming platform. It costs $19.99 per month and will allow you to stream Bally Sports content in the areas where those channels are available on TV. The big caveat with Bally Sports+ is that currently, it doesn’t have a huge inventory of live games. That’s because the streamer only holds the rights to stream five MLB teams, the only league currently in its regular season. Fans of the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays will find their teams on Bally Sports+, but the rest of the teams appearing on Bally Sports channels have not sold their digital rights to the streamer.

Bally Sports+ is a capable platform, but considering that no NBA or NHL games will appear there until this fall and that only five MLB teams are available, the two options above will be best for a majority of viewers.