As bankruptcy looms for the Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks, MLB is reportedly planning to stream games for free for fan bases affected by a potential lapse in coverage.
According to a report from The New York Post, Diamond Sports Group — owner of the Bally Sports-branded channels — will likely file bankruptcy later this week, and utilize the filing as a way to get out of contracts with the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Should that happen, MLB will offer fans in those specific markets a way to stream the broadcasts free of charge, likely on the MLB.tv platform. While offering the games for free in the meantime, MLB would continue to negotiate with cable providers to return the clubs back to traditional linear television outlets.
Diamond Sports Group has admitted it has not paid its monthly rights fee to the Diamondbacks as part of a plan to ensure financial “flexibility” as bankruptcy proceedings look likelier and likelier.
The Reds, Guardians, Padres, and Diamondbacks aren’t the only franchises with television questions as Opening Day approaches. After Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would exit the regional sports network business by ending its AT&T SportsNet channels, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, and Colorado Rockies have yet to announce where their games will be broadcast in 2023.
While the Bally Sports channels look to get out from under some of its MLB contracts, the outlets plan to continue broadcasting the NBA and NHL franchises they currently hold the rights to through the end of the regular season and the first round of each sport’s playoffs.
According to The Post, MLB recently unsuccessfully attempted to reacquire control of the local television rights of the 14 franchises that air on Bally Sports channels.
