FanDuel-branded regional sports networks are now available as an add-on subscription through Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service. The new offering is priced at $19.99 per month and allows fans of teams that play in markets with the RSNs to access live game broadcasts for local teams and several live events without a traditional cable television subscription. The launch further broadens the availability of FanDuel Sports Network channels on cable, satellite and virtual multichannel video programming distributors (vMVPDs).
“We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to serve our teams and viewers,” Eric Ratchman, president of distribution and business development for Main Street Sports Group, said in a statement. “This relationship with Prime Video gives fans another way to watch their favorite local teams and underscores the essential role our distribution partners play in driving our future growth. We’re excited to offer a seamless and convenient way to stay in the game.”
As Diamond Sports Group was seeking to present a restructuring support agreement for approval amid Ch. 11 bankruptcy proceedings, it reached a deal with Amazon to take a minority investment in the company and become its streaming partner. The investment itself was reportedly $115 million for 15% ownership as the primary partner for Diamond, according to a report by Brad Adgate for Forbes. Diamond Sports Group said that the deal provided “a framework for a reorganization plan” to allow Diamond to successfully emerge from bankruptcy and continue operations.
The company officially exited Ch. 11 bankruptcy last month with a “significantly deleveraged balance sheet” and a new name as Main Street Sports Group. As the MLB season approaches, the company is currently slated to air local telecasts for nine teams on its FanDuel-branded regional sports networks. Diamond initially acquired the 21 RSNs from The Walt Disney Company for $9.6 billion after the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice required Disney to divest these assets in its acquisition of Twenty-First Century Fox.
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