(Stock image via Pixabay, Graphic by The Desk)
Netflix is in the running to score two National Football League (NFL) games that would be played on Christmas Day, according to a report published late Thursday evening.
The report, from former Sports Business Journal reporter John Ourand (now at Puck), cites Netflix’s continued discussions with the NFL as a major reason why the regular season schedule was not released this week as anticipated.
The league began informing key stakeholders this week that the schedule for the 2024-25 season would be unveiled on May 15. Immediately, industry analysts and football fans alike speculated — with some reason — that the delay was due to the NFL working out various details of its Christmas Day games, including who will broadcast them to a national audience.
On Wednesday, retired football player Boomer Esiason floated the idea of Netflix landing at least one of the Christmas Day...
Netflix is in the running to score two National Football League (NFL) games that would be played on Christmas Day, according to a report published late Thursday evening.
The report, from former Sports Business Journal reporter John Ourand (now at Puck), cites Netflix’s continued discussions with the NFL as a major reason why the regular season schedule was not released this week as anticipated.
The league began informing key stakeholders this week that the schedule for the 2024-25 season would be unveiled on May 15. Immediately, industry analysts and football fans alike speculated — with some reason — that the delay was due to the NFL working out various details of its Christmas Day games, including who will broadcast them to a national audience.
On Wednesday, retired football player Boomer Esiason floated the idea of Netflix landing at least one of the Christmas Day...
- 5/10/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
(Stock image via Pexels/Graphic by The Desk)
Football fans who want to watch every Monday night game will have to subscribe to a cable-like service for the privilege this year.
The Walt Disney Company intends to simulcast fewer “Monday Night Football” games on ABC, relegating most games to ESPN on an exclusive basis, according to a report from esteemed sports journalist John Ourand.
Last year, Disney decided to place more Monday Night Football games on ABC in order to offset the availability of fewer scripted and reality-based programming due to twin Hollywood strikes that ground television production to a halt.
Prior to the strikes, Disney said it would simulcast around five Monday Night Football games between ESPN and ABC. Another two games were set to broadcast exclusively on ABC while ESPN aired another game under the same Monday Night Football banner.
The number of games simulcast between the two...
Football fans who want to watch every Monday night game will have to subscribe to a cable-like service for the privilege this year.
The Walt Disney Company intends to simulcast fewer “Monday Night Football” games on ABC, relegating most games to ESPN on an exclusive basis, according to a report from esteemed sports journalist John Ourand.
Last year, Disney decided to place more Monday Night Football games on ABC in order to offset the availability of fewer scripted and reality-based programming due to twin Hollywood strikes that ground television production to a halt.
Prior to the strikes, Disney said it would simulcast around five Monday Night Football games between ESPN and ABC. Another two games were set to broadcast exclusively on ABC while ESPN aired another game under the same Monday Night Football banner.
The number of games simulcast between the two...
- 5/3/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
The carriage agreement is an important part of Diamond’s bankruptcy reorganization plan, but it’s not done locking up major TV providers.
Diamond Sports Group is ticking off boxes as it heads toward the end of its bankruptcy proceedings. The company owns and operates 18 Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs), and has been attempting to work out a viable plan for leaving the shelter of Chapter 11 protections since March 2023. Puck News reporter John Ourand reports that this week, Diamond has agreed to a new carriage deal with Directv that will keep Bally Sports channels available to subscribers of the satellite service for multiple years to come, which will be critical in convincing its creditors to approve its bankruptcy reorganization plan.
Key Facts: Directv, Comcast and Charter account for 81% of the audience of Bally Sports channels. Diamond’s carriage deal with Comcast expires April 30. Directv houses Bally Sports channels on...
Diamond Sports Group is ticking off boxes as it heads toward the end of its bankruptcy proceedings. The company owns and operates 18 Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs), and has been attempting to work out a viable plan for leaving the shelter of Chapter 11 protections since March 2023. Puck News reporter John Ourand reports that this week, Diamond has agreed to a new carriage deal with Directv that will keep Bally Sports channels available to subscribers of the satellite service for multiple years to come, which will be critical in convincing its creditors to approve its bankruptcy reorganization plan.
Key Facts: Directv, Comcast and Charter account for 81% of the audience of Bally Sports channels. Diamond’s carriage deal with Comcast expires April 30. Directv houses Bally Sports channels on...
- 4/29/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Ourand reports that ESPN/ABC will indeed have a smaller package of games than they did under the terms of their last broadcast deal.
The NBA appears to be ready to commit to another decade of broadcasting on ABC and ESPN. John Ourand of Puck News reports this week that a deal between ESPN and the NBA for broadcast rights to the league beginning in the 2025-26 season is very close, and that while nothing has been signed yet, ESPN will likely keep itself in a good position to launch two new streaming products in the next two years by keeping one of its most important sports partners in the fold.
Key Details: Ourand says the NBA has “essentially come to terms” on a deal with ESPN. ESPN/ABC will get a smaller package of games in the deal, but will get exclusive rights to the NBA Finals. Warner Bros. Discovery...
The NBA appears to be ready to commit to another decade of broadcasting on ABC and ESPN. John Ourand of Puck News reports this week that a deal between ESPN and the NBA for broadcast rights to the league beginning in the 2025-26 season is very close, and that while nothing has been signed yet, ESPN will likely keep itself in a good position to launch two new streaming products in the next two years by keeping one of its most important sports partners in the fold.
Key Details: Ourand says the NBA has “essentially come to terms” on a deal with ESPN. ESPN/ABC will get a smaller package of games in the deal, but will get exclusive rights to the NBA Finals. Warner Bros. Discovery...
- 4/26/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The NBA is looking to triple its revenues in its next national broadcasting deal. Which streaming partners will help it achieve that goal?
The NBA wants to get paid. The league’s current broadcasting rights deal expires following the 2024-25 season, and reports indicate it wants to make anywhere from double to triple the $24 billion it makes from its current broadcasting partners ESPN and TNT. In early 2023, reports surfaced that the league wanted to create a new package of games that will be sold exclusively to a streaming service, which gained further credence when it was reported that ESPN and TNT wanted to buy smaller packages of games in the next deal. When considering the league’s goals in growing its audience, increasing revenue, and being available to as many viewers as possible, it seems that Amazon’s Prime Video is the ideal streaming partner to purchase a new package of games.
The NBA wants to get paid. The league’s current broadcasting rights deal expires following the 2024-25 season, and reports indicate it wants to make anywhere from double to triple the $24 billion it makes from its current broadcasting partners ESPN and TNT. In early 2023, reports surfaced that the league wanted to create a new package of games that will be sold exclusively to a streaming service, which gained further credence when it was reported that ESPN and TNT wanted to buy smaller packages of games in the next deal. When considering the league’s goals in growing its audience, increasing revenue, and being available to as many viewers as possible, it seems that Amazon’s Prime Video is the ideal streaming partner to purchase a new package of games.
- 3/25/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
In an interview, Amazon’s sports chief Jay Marine called playoff rights an ‘important’ part of the company’s potential NBA bid.
Is a deal between the NBA and Amazon already a slam dunk? Nothing is set in stone yet, particularly as the league’s exclusive negotiating window with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery for its next broadcast deal doesn’t even start until March. But once that window concludes other suitors will be able to join the fray, and Disney and Wbd have both made it known they’re going to pursue smaller packages of NBA games when their current broadcast deal expires after the 2024-25 season.
A new report indicates Amazon wants playoff rights in any package of games it gets from the NBA. Currently, all NBA playoff games are shown on ESPN or TNT. Another report states Netflix is interested in making a documentary about the NBA,...
Is a deal between the NBA and Amazon already a slam dunk? Nothing is set in stone yet, particularly as the league’s exclusive negotiating window with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery for its next broadcast deal doesn’t even start until March. But once that window concludes other suitors will be able to join the fray, and Disney and Wbd have both made it known they’re going to pursue smaller packages of NBA games when their current broadcast deal expires after the 2024-25 season.
A new report indicates Amazon wants playoff rights in any package of games it gets from the NBA. Currently, all NBA playoff games are shown on ESPN or TNT. Another report states Netflix is interested in making a documentary about the NBA,...
- 11/21/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The company has resisted live sports streaming for years, but the NBA’s in-season tournament could be exactly what it needs to get its foot in the door.
Everything is aligning for the NBA to have a major presence in streaming in its next broadcasting agreement. Apple TV+, Max, Peacock and Prime Video are all potential streaming partners for the league, but what about Netflix, which at 247.15 million global users is the world’s largest streaming service by far?
Netflix may have interest in the NBA’s new in-season tournament. The streamer has discussed creating a new docuseries about the tournament to help promote it. An exclusive package of event-based games appeals to Netflix more than simply getting a percentage of standard NBA regular season contests. Stream NBA games on the Bleacher Report add-on with Max now $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid...
Everything is aligning for the NBA to have a major presence in streaming in its next broadcasting agreement. Apple TV+, Max, Peacock and Prime Video are all potential streaming partners for the league, but what about Netflix, which at 247.15 million global users is the world’s largest streaming service by far?
Netflix may have interest in the NBA’s new in-season tournament. The streamer has discussed creating a new docuseries about the tournament to help promote it. An exclusive package of event-based games appeals to Netflix more than simply getting a percentage of standard NBA regular season contests. Stream NBA games on the Bleacher Report add-on with Max now $9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com
Get 20% Off Your Next Year of Max When Pre-Paid...
- 11/14/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Bally Sports regional sports networks will keep their NBA teams through the end of this season, at which time those rights will revert back to the league.
The NBA is staying on Bally Sports regional sports networks for the rest of the 2023-24 season. That’s according to reporting from Sports Business Journal's John Ourand which states the the reached a deal with Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) whose details were partially unveiled in a bankruptcy court meeting on Monday.
The new deal will keep NBA teams partnered with their respective Bally Sports regional sports network and streaming on Bally Sports+ for the rest of the NBA regular season. After the 2023-24 season, those rights will revert back to the NBA. Under the previous agreement, the rights did not revert until the end of the 2024-25 season. The NHL may agree to a similar deal in the coming weeks. The NBA...
The NBA is staying on Bally Sports regional sports networks for the rest of the 2023-24 season. That’s according to reporting from Sports Business Journal's John Ourand which states the the reached a deal with Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) whose details were partially unveiled in a bankruptcy court meeting on Monday.
The new deal will keep NBA teams partnered with their respective Bally Sports regional sports network and streaming on Bally Sports+ for the rest of the NBA regular season. After the 2023-24 season, those rights will revert back to the NBA. Under the previous agreement, the rights did not revert until the end of the 2024-25 season. The NHL may agree to a similar deal in the coming weeks. The NBA...
- 11/6/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
E.W. Scripps says that Vegas Golden Knights ratings have risen 135% over major cable broadcasts of the team in 2022.
Viva, Las Vegas! That’s what E.W. Scripps executives are likely singing these days, as the company assumed responsibility for broadcasting in-market Vegas Golden Knights games following the team’s departure from its former regional sports network home AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Scripps first won the rights to broadcast the Golden Knights to Vegas-area fans in May of this year. The company reports ratings for the first five Golden Knights games on broadcast channels are up 135% over cable last year. The Knights have also launched an in-market streaming service titled KnightTime+. Sign Up $6.99+ / month knighttimeplus.com Where Are Vegas Golden Knights Games Broadcast This Season?
The Golden Knights made the switch from cable to broadcast in May, when it announced a deal with Scripps to air games on Kmcc...
Viva, Las Vegas! That’s what E.W. Scripps executives are likely singing these days, as the company assumed responsibility for broadcasting in-market Vegas Golden Knights games following the team’s departure from its former regional sports network home AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
Scripps first won the rights to broadcast the Golden Knights to Vegas-area fans in May of this year. The company reports ratings for the first five Golden Knights games on broadcast channels are up 135% over cable last year. The Knights have also launched an in-market streaming service titled KnightTime+. Sign Up $6.99+ / month knighttimeplus.com Where Are Vegas Golden Knights Games Broadcast This Season?
The Golden Knights made the switch from cable to broadcast in May, when it announced a deal with Scripps to air games on Kmcc...
- 11/2/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
A product like NFL Sunday Ticket has the potential to be so much more than it currently is. But an insistence from the league on maintaining a premium price for Sunday Ticket has hamstrung providers, and it could be one of the biggest reasons that YouTube TV is reportedly struggling to attract users to the out-of-market games package in its first year on that service.
Directv Chief Content Officer Rob Thun says his company never even engaged on talks to renew its former deal for NFL Sunday Ticket. Thun says Directv would be losing $1.5 billion per season if it had kept Sunday Ticket at the rate YouTube TV is now paying for it. YouTube TV reportedly has around 1.3 million subscribers for NFL Sunday Ticket; estimates have suggested the company would need 4.5 million just to break even on its deal with the NFL. Sign Up $349+ / year tv.youtube.com Sunday Scaries...
Directv Chief Content Officer Rob Thun says his company never even engaged on talks to renew its former deal for NFL Sunday Ticket. Thun says Directv would be losing $1.5 billion per season if it had kept Sunday Ticket at the rate YouTube TV is now paying for it. YouTube TV reportedly has around 1.3 million subscribers for NFL Sunday Ticket; estimates have suggested the company would need 4.5 million just to break even on its deal with the NFL. Sign Up $349+ / year tv.youtube.com Sunday Scaries...
- 10/23/2023
- by D Satin
- The Streamable
The sports broadcasting landscape in the United States could look very different one week from now. Diamond Sports Group (Dsg), the embattled broadcaster responsible for 19 Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) and the Bally Sports+ streaming service could be facing the end of its run as a partner with the NBA.
7-Day Free Trial $19.99 / month ballysports.com
Diamond has two pivotal hurdles to clear before the month is out. First, its debt reorganization plan is due in bankruptcy court by Sept. 30. If its timeliness in paying NBA teams is any indication, Dsg will likely be able to submit this plan on time. John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that the company paid both the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans on Sept. 1, which the league took as a good sign. However, it has more rights payments due to teams on Oct. 1 and Nov. 1. Dsg currently has the local broadcasting rights to 15 NBA teams,...
7-Day Free Trial $19.99 / month ballysports.com
Diamond has two pivotal hurdles to clear before the month is out. First, its debt reorganization plan is due in bankruptcy court by Sept. 30. If its timeliness in paying NBA teams is any indication, Dsg will likely be able to submit this plan on time. John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that the company paid both the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans on Sept. 1, which the league took as a good sign. However, it has more rights payments due to teams on Oct. 1 and Nov. 1. Dsg currently has the local broadcasting rights to 15 NBA teams,...
- 9/26/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) may have an unexpected ally in their continuing strikes against Hollywood producers: cable providers. John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reports that several cable executives are hopping mad about Disney’s plan to air significantly more “Monday Night Football” games on ABC this season than originally scheduled.
The industry’s top executives are meeting this week in New York for what’s called “Diversity Week,” an annual gathering of cable brass to discuss the state of the business. Several cable representatives spoke on background to Ourand about Disney’s plans to cover gaps in programming left by the writer/actor strike, which are ruffling some feathers, to say the least.
“This whole double-dipping on the backs of distributors is just ridiculous,” one pay-tv executive said. “This is not going to endear the Walt Disney Co.
The industry’s top executives are meeting this week in New York for what’s called “Diversity Week,” an annual gathering of cable brass to discuss the state of the business. Several cable representatives spoke on background to Ourand about Disney’s plans to cover gaps in programming left by the writer/actor strike, which are ruffling some feathers, to say the least.
“This whole double-dipping on the backs of distributors is just ridiculous,” one pay-tv executive said. “This is not going to endear the Walt Disney Co.
- 9/19/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
ABC viewers will be getting a very hefty dose of “Monday Night Football” this year. The channel was originally scheduled to air seven total “Mnf” games in the 2023 season, with four of those being exclusive to ABC. But Sports Business Journal's John Ourand is reporting that the NFL and Disney are adding 10 more games to the “Mnf” slate for ABC this season, all of which will be simulcast on ESPN.
The change reduces the number of ESPN-exclusive “Mnf” games to three. ESPN+ will also get an exclusive game, but the rest will be available to watch without a cable subscription on an over-the-air broadcast channel. This will mark the first time in years that so many “Monday Night Football” games will be available on ABC in a season.
Ourand reports that the move is being made to help Disney fill programming slots that are currently vacant on ABC thanks to the ongoing writer/actor strike.
The change reduces the number of ESPN-exclusive “Mnf” games to three. ESPN+ will also get an exclusive game, but the rest will be available to watch without a cable subscription on an over-the-air broadcast channel. This will mark the first time in years that so many “Monday Night Football” games will be available on ABC in a season.
Ourand reports that the move is being made to help Disney fill programming slots that are currently vacant on ABC thanks to the ongoing writer/actor strike.
- 9/18/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Are cracks already starting to appear in the façade of the NFL’s relationship with YouTube TV? That may indeed be the case, as Sports Business Journal's John Ourand reports that the two sides are feuding over the distribution of NFL Sunday Ticket in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Usvi).
This is the first season that YouTube TV holds the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket in the United States. Directv was the previous rights holder, having been home to the package of out-of-market games since its inception in 1994. Ourand reports that since YouTube TV won’t be ready to launch NFL Sunday Ticket in Puerto Rico and the Usvi until November, the league wants to use Directv to distribute the package until then.
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Save $50 off any Sunday Ticket package if you sign up before Sept. 19.
YouTube TV is less than enthused...
This is the first season that YouTube TV holds the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket in the United States. Directv was the previous rights holder, having been home to the package of out-of-market games since its inception in 1994. Ourand reports that since YouTube TV won’t be ready to launch NFL Sunday Ticket in Puerto Rico and the Usvi until November, the league wants to use Directv to distribute the package until then.
Sign Up $349+ / month tv.youtube.com
Save $50 off any Sunday Ticket package if you sign up before Sept. 19.
YouTube TV is less than enthused...
- 9/6/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The good news is that Disney and Spectrum are still talking. That’s according to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, who says that talks have elevated to the highest level, as Disney CEO Bob Iger and Charter president Chris Winfrey spoke over the phone this past weekend about the carriage dispute that’s erupted between their companies.
The dispute has led 19 Disney-owned networks to be dropped from Spectrum cable plans across the country, including ABC, ESPN, FX, and more. Talks are ongoing, but with the college football season having already started and the NFL kicking off this week, both sides risk fans losing out on must-watch games if a deal can’t be reached soon.
As of now, it appears Spectrum has more leverage than cable providers have had in past carriage disputes. That’s because the pay-tv provider seems ready to make good on the threat to leave cable...
The dispute has led 19 Disney-owned networks to be dropped from Spectrum cable plans across the country, including ABC, ESPN, FX, and more. Talks are ongoing, but with the college football season having already started and the NFL kicking off this week, both sides risk fans losing out on must-watch games if a deal can’t be reached soon.
As of now, it appears Spectrum has more leverage than cable providers have had in past carriage disputes. That’s because the pay-tv provider seems ready to make good on the threat to leave cable...
- 9/5/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
We already knew that Warner Bros. Discovery was ready to take its ball and go home, but it still has some details to iron out first. In February, the company told the sports teams it was partnered with that it was planning to exit the regional sports network (Rsn) business, and began working with those teams to ensure fans didn’t lose access to their games at any point.
Fast forwarding to late August, much has been done. The Utah Jazz and Vegas Golden Knights have both agreed to deals with local broadcast channels in their respective markets for the upcoming season, leaving the Colorado Rockies as the only team on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal has provided an update on where Wbd stands in its goal to be completely done with its RSNs by the end of this year. Wbd currently owns 29% of Root Sports Northwest,...
Fast forwarding to late August, much has been done. The Utah Jazz and Vegas Golden Knights have both agreed to deals with local broadcast channels in their respective markets for the upcoming season, leaving the Colorado Rockies as the only team on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain.
John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal has provided an update on where Wbd stands in its goal to be completely done with its RSNs by the end of this year. Wbd currently owns 29% of Root Sports Northwest,...
- 8/28/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The NBA may have found itself a reliable partner for streaming games locally. According to a report from John Ourand at the Sports Business Journal, the league is partnering with independent video firm Kiswe to launch an in-market streaming service for the Utah Jazz that will be ready in time for the 2023-24 season.
Details about the new streaming platform, including price, subscription options and shoulder programming will be announced in the next month. The Jazz announced that an in-market streaming option was coming this year when the team left its former regional sports network (Rsn) home AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain in favor of Kjzz, a Sinclair-owned broadcast channel that is available in every home in Utah with an over-the-air antenna.
The Jazz are the second team that Kiswe will partner with to offer NBA games this season. The Phoenix Suns were the first to partner with the tech company,...
Details about the new streaming platform, including price, subscription options and shoulder programming will be announced in the next month. The Jazz announced that an in-market streaming option was coming this year when the team left its former regional sports network (Rsn) home AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain in favor of Kjzz, a Sinclair-owned broadcast channel that is available in every home in Utah with an over-the-air antenna.
The Jazz are the second team that Kiswe will partner with to offer NBA games this season. The Phoenix Suns were the first to partner with the tech company,...
- 8/11/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Cord cutting hasn’t slowed down one iota in 2023. According to data from Nielsen, as reported by Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, 3.1 million customers have dropped a cable, satellite, or live TV streaming subscription between January and August of this year.
The numbers have had an effect on even the most evergreen channels. ESPN has not been immune, either; the channel that 78% of cable viewers rated as a “must-have” in September of last year has fallen behind FS1 in terms of carriage by pay-tv customers. Nielsen’s numbers have FS1 in 71.375 million homes, whereas ESPN is now in 71.321 million.
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Both channels have lost over 2.5M viewers this year, as cord-cutting is affecting all the major sports channels. The Turner Networks TBS and TNT have shed over 3M customers each, and while sports-specific channels like NFL Network and MLB Network have lost fewer viewers, the...
The numbers have had an effect on even the most evergreen channels. ESPN has not been immune, either; the channel that 78% of cable viewers rated as a “must-have” in September of last year has fallen behind FS1 in terms of carriage by pay-tv customers. Nielsen’s numbers have FS1 in 71.375 million homes, whereas ESPN is now in 71.321 million.
Sign Up Now $9.99 / month espnplus.com
Both channels have lost over 2.5M viewers this year, as cord-cutting is affecting all the major sports channels. The Turner Networks TBS and TNT have shed over 3M customers each, and while sports-specific channels like NFL Network and MLB Network have lost fewer viewers, the...
- 8/2/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The theft of Lionel Messi from European soccer leagues to play in Major League Soccer was a huge coup for Inter Miami Cf, which secured his rights in early June. Messi made his debut this past weekend, scoring the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in Leagues Cup play against Mexico’s Cruz Azul.
Apple and Mls officials likely couldn’t have been more thrilled with the outcome, which was seen by viewers in the United States exclusively on Apple TV’s streaming platform Mls Season Pass. A new report by Sports Business Journal's John Ourand and Alex Silverman describes how pleased both sides have been with their partnership in general so far, and where there is room for improvement in the relationship.
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Apple and Mls executives met last week to discuss the progress of the 10-year broadcasting agreement through the first four months of the season.
Apple and Mls officials likely couldn’t have been more thrilled with the outcome, which was seen by viewers in the United States exclusively on Apple TV’s streaming platform Mls Season Pass. A new report by Sports Business Journal's John Ourand and Alex Silverman describes how pleased both sides have been with their partnership in general so far, and where there is room for improvement in the relationship.
Sign Up $12.99+ / month apple.com
Apple and Mls executives met last week to discuss the progress of the 10-year broadcasting agreement through the first four months of the season.
- 7/24/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The Arizona Diamondbacks are departing from Bally Sports Arizona. John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reports that while a U.S. bankruptcy court hearing to officially settle the matter of the Diamondbacks’ rights was pushed from Monday, July 17 to Tuesday, July 18, the team was not able to reach a new agreement with Bally Sports’ parent company Diamond Sports Group (Dsg). When the hearing does take place, it is expected that Dsg will file to reject the team’s contract.
MLB will then take over broadcasts of the team’s games, as it did in May for the San Diego Padres. The league filed a statement with bankruptcy court Judge Christopher Lopez last week declaring that it was ready to do so, having made arrangements with local cable providers to ensure no interruptions in Diamondbacks broadcasts. It’s also likely that MLB will make Diamondbacks games available to stream locally...
MLB will then take over broadcasts of the team’s games, as it did in May for the San Diego Padres. The league filed a statement with bankruptcy court Judge Christopher Lopez last week declaring that it was ready to do so, having made arrangements with local cable providers to ensure no interruptions in Diamondbacks broadcasts. It’s also likely that MLB will make Diamondbacks games available to stream locally...
- 7/18/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Bally Sports Arizona may not have any teams’ games left to broadcast by the end of business on Monday. The channel will lose broadcasts of Phoenix Suns games in starting with the 2023-24 NBA season, as its new broadcasting deal with Gray Television — first announced in late April — has become official, according to Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand.
Starting this fall, Suns’ games will air on local broadcast channels throughout the state of Arizona. This means that in-market users will no longer need a cable or satellite subscription to watch the team’s regular season games. This spring, the independent streaming company Kiswe was contracted to produce a streaming service for Suns as well, and has been awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Diamond Sports Group — Bally Sports Arizona’s parent company — and the Suns to go ahead with those plans.
Ourand reports that Bally Sports Arizona could not...
Starting this fall, Suns’ games will air on local broadcast channels throughout the state of Arizona. This means that in-market users will no longer need a cable or satellite subscription to watch the team’s regular season games. This spring, the independent streaming company Kiswe was contracted to produce a streaming service for Suns as well, and has been awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Diamond Sports Group — Bally Sports Arizona’s parent company — and the Suns to go ahead with those plans.
Ourand reports that Bally Sports Arizona could not...
- 7/14/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal is pretty used to publishing big scoops by now. Ourand was the first to report earlier this week that Spectrum, the second-largest cable provider in the United States, would soon begin offering new subscription plans that did not force users to pay for regional sports networks (RSNs).
That report was confirmed by Spectrum and its parent company Charter Communications on Tuesday. Charter announced via press release that sometime in the third quarter of this year, it would relaunch its Spectrum TV Select service in certain markets. Users will have two options: Spectrum Select Plus, which will carry RSNs, and Spectrum Select Signature, which will exclude RSNs in favor of a lower price point.
The rollout of this change will not be uniform, as Spectrum does not have the right to offer cable packages without RSNs in every market yet. Often, carriage contracts between...
That report was confirmed by Spectrum and its parent company Charter Communications on Tuesday. Charter announced via press release that sometime in the third quarter of this year, it would relaunch its Spectrum TV Select service in certain markets. Users will have two options: Spectrum Select Plus, which will carry RSNs, and Spectrum Select Signature, which will exclude RSNs in favor of a lower price point.
The rollout of this change will not be uniform, as Spectrum does not have the right to offer cable packages without RSNs in every market yet. Often, carriage contracts between...
- 7/11/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Despite the fact that Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) has surprisingly been able to hang onto the broadcast rights for all but one of the Major League Baseball teams that it entered bankruptcy proceedings with, things have taken a turn against the beleaguered company as Spectrum is planning to introduce a new subscription plan that will not include regional sports networks (RSNs).
Spectrum — which is owned by Charter — is the second-largest cable company in the United States and the Sports Business Journal's John Ourand is reporting that the provider will launch a lower-cost subscription package that doesn’t feature RSNs sometime this quarter. Not only could this dramatically limit the reach of the Bally Sports channels owned by Dsg, but in turn, it could lead to a significant reduction in carriage fees owed to the company. Channel owners receive a contractually specified amount of money for every cable customer who has access to their channels,...
Spectrum — which is owned by Charter — is the second-largest cable company in the United States and the Sports Business Journal's John Ourand is reporting that the provider will launch a lower-cost subscription package that doesn’t feature RSNs sometime this quarter. Not only could this dramatically limit the reach of the Bally Sports channels owned by Dsg, but in turn, it could lead to a significant reduction in carriage fees owed to the company. Channel owners receive a contractually specified amount of money for every cable customer who has access to their channels,...
- 7/10/2023
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
The green flag is waving, but Amazon appears reticent to step on the gas. That’s according to a report from Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, who says that the auto racing league is still waiting to finalize its next broadcasting/streaming deal because of a slowdown in talks with the e-commerce giant.
Amazon is reportedly interested in streaming a midseason package of races from NASCAR’s Cup series, its top level of competition. But the company is being cautious with how it allocates its money for Prime Video, as Ourand says it wants to bid on an NBA package once that league’s broadcasting agreements expire after 2024-25. The NBA is reportedly looking to sell a streaming-only bundle of games in its next deal, and Amazon already has a relationship with the league, as Prime Video streamed more than 80 games in Brazil last season.
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Amazon is reportedly interested in streaming a midseason package of races from NASCAR’s Cup series, its top level of competition. But the company is being cautious with how it allocates its money for Prime Video, as Ourand says it wants to bid on an NBA package once that league’s broadcasting agreements expire after 2024-25. The NBA is reportedly looking to sell a streaming-only bundle of games in its next deal, and Amazon already has a relationship with the league, as Prime Video streamed more than 80 games in Brazil last season.
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- 6/27/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The news that Sinclair Broadcasting Group (Sbg) is picking up any live sports rights may come as a shock to some fans. One of Sinclair’s subsidiaries Diamond Sports Group is in a fight for its life in bankruptcy court, as it tries to keep its collection of 19 regional sports networks (RSNs) afloat.
But the newest team to head to a Sinclair-owned channel won’t be making use of any RSNs; in fact, just the opposite. John Ourand at the Sports Business Journal reports that the Utah Jazz will move local broadcasting of their games to Sinclair’s Kjzz, which extends its coverage throughout the state of Utah. Jazz games had previously been shown on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, an Rsn owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
As part of the agreement, Sinclair will partner with the Jazz to launch an in-market streaming option. The arrangement sounds quite similar to...
But the newest team to head to a Sinclair-owned channel won’t be making use of any RSNs; in fact, just the opposite. John Ourand at the Sports Business Journal reports that the Utah Jazz will move local broadcasting of their games to Sinclair’s Kjzz, which extends its coverage throughout the state of Utah. Jazz games had previously been shown on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, an Rsn owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
As part of the agreement, Sinclair will partner with the Jazz to launch an in-market streaming option. The arrangement sounds quite similar to...
- 6/20/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Things have been quiet for a few weeks on the Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) bankruptcy proceedings front. The relative calm was upset this week, as John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal reported on Monday that the MLB’s San Diego Padres are the latest team not to receive a scheduled rights payment from Dsg.
The Padres join Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins as teams that have aired their games on Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs), but have not been paid the full amount by Dsg on time. A hearing has been set for May 31 so the judge in the case can rule on what the fair market value of the deals between those teams and Dsg is, but Ourand’s reporting indicates that there may finally be a little willingness on Diamond’s part to relinquish some of the rights it holds.
The Padres join Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins as teams that have aired their games on Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs), but have not been paid the full amount by Dsg on time. A hearing has been set for May 31 so the judge in the case can rule on what the fair market value of the deals between those teams and Dsg is, but Ourand’s reporting indicates that there may finally be a little willingness on Diamond’s part to relinquish some of the rights it holds.
- 5/23/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Could NASCAR’s lower circuit be heading exclusively to a streaming platform? According to Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand, it could be coming during the league’s next media rights deal.
According to Ourand, NASCAR “appears likely” to move Xfinity Series races exclusively to a streaming platform in lieu of airing them on linear channels like FS1 and USA Network. While Ourand says nothing is concrete yet, his sources indicate a few handshake deals will be in place before July 4, marking the next phase of NASCAR’s media rights. The Streamable previously reported on NASCAR's desire to include a streaming entity into their next media rights deal — and it looks like a top suitor has emerged.
Currently, Fox and NBC Universal own the broadcast rights to both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series races, but Amazon Prime Video, not Peacock is rumored to be in play for the streaming packages.
According to Ourand, NASCAR “appears likely” to move Xfinity Series races exclusively to a streaming platform in lieu of airing them on linear channels like FS1 and USA Network. While Ourand says nothing is concrete yet, his sources indicate a few handshake deals will be in place before July 4, marking the next phase of NASCAR’s media rights. The Streamable previously reported on NASCAR's desire to include a streaming entity into their next media rights deal — and it looks like a top suitor has emerged.
Currently, Fox and NBC Universal own the broadcast rights to both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series races, but Amazon Prime Video, not Peacock is rumored to be in play for the streaming packages.
- 5/22/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
The E.W. Scripps Company’s latest sports acquisition is a big one — and it could be a harbinger for the future of the company.
According to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, Scripps and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights have agreed on a multiyear broadcasting deal for the team’s local broadcasts. The deal allows Scripps to broadcast all Golden Knights games that aren’t in nationally-exclusive windows on ESPN, TNT, or TBS. The games will air on Kmcc, a Scripps channel that currently airs Ion programming. Dave Goucher and Shane Hnidy will continue to be the team’s on-air voices.
Scripps also has a direct-to-consumer (Dtc) streaming solution in the works, but there has been no news on that front. Scripps promises all plans should be ready by next season.
Slowly but surely, Scripps has found its way into sports broadcasting. In April, the company reached a deal with...
According to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, Scripps and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights have agreed on a multiyear broadcasting deal for the team’s local broadcasts. The deal allows Scripps to broadcast all Golden Knights games that aren’t in nationally-exclusive windows on ESPN, TNT, or TBS. The games will air on Kmcc, a Scripps channel that currently airs Ion programming. Dave Goucher and Shane Hnidy will continue to be the team’s on-air voices.
Scripps also has a direct-to-consumer (Dtc) streaming solution in the works, but there has been no news on that front. Scripps promises all plans should be ready by next season.
Slowly but surely, Scripps has found its way into sports broadcasting. In April, the company reached a deal with...
- 5/5/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
In the bottom of the 9th, Diamond Sports pulled out a clutch hit to keep the Cincinnati Reds’ broadcast rights away from the MLB — for now.
According to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) was able to make its rights payments to the Reds within the extended grace period to retain the ability to broadcast games on Bally Sports Ohio, the team’s longtime TV home. Had Diamond missed the payment, the team and MLB would’ve stepped in and broadcast the games themselves. The Reds and MLB were more than prepared to take over the games had Diamond not paid up, but at least for now, that won’t be the case.
The latest twist in the Dsg saga has been eventful, to say the least. In recent weeks, the subsidiary of the Sinclair Broadcast Group that operates Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) failed to...
According to Sports Business Journal's John Ourand, Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) was able to make its rights payments to the Reds within the extended grace period to retain the ability to broadcast games on Bally Sports Ohio, the team’s longtime TV home. Had Diamond missed the payment, the team and MLB would’ve stepped in and broadcast the games themselves. The Reds and MLB were more than prepared to take over the games had Diamond not paid up, but at least for now, that won’t be the case.
The latest twist in the Dsg saga has been eventful, to say the least. In recent weeks, the subsidiary of the Sinclair Broadcast Group that operates Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) failed to...
- 5/3/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
Streamers, start your engines! Sports Business Journal's John Ourand is reporting that NASCAR is ready to make a partial jump to streaming, and is looking for a partner to stream a package of its races once its current broadcasting deal with Fox and NBC expires after the 2024 season.
The auto-racing league’s search has just begun, according to Ourand, as its exclusive negotiating window with Fox and NBC ended on Monday, May 1. It has not yet decided how to structure a digital rights package and wants to hear suggestions from potential bidders like Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Google/YouTube before making any final decisions.
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As of now, however, it is unlikely that the Daytona 500, the NASCAR playoffs, or other major events will be included in a streaming package. It’s more likely that NASCAR will attempt to carve out a group of races...
The auto-racing league’s search has just begun, according to Ourand, as its exclusive negotiating window with Fox and NBC ended on Monday, May 1. It has not yet decided how to structure a digital rights package and wants to hear suggestions from potential bidders like Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Google/YouTube before making any final decisions.
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As of now, however, it is unlikely that the Daytona 500, the NASCAR playoffs, or other major events will be included in a streaming package. It’s more likely that NASCAR will attempt to carve out a group of races...
- 5/2/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Update: After a one-day blackout, the NFL Network has returned to Xfinity TV after the NFL reached a deal with Comcast.
“We’ve reached a new agreement with NFL Network and NFL RedZone and are pleased to provide their content to our customers,” a Comcast spokesperson told The Streamable.
Xfinity TV users might be ready for some football, but they’ll have to wait a while to get it. A dispute over carriage fees led Comcast to drop the NFL Network and NFL RedZone channels, as well as any on-demand content from the league on Monday, May 1. In fairness, RedZone only broadcasts during the season, so viewers aren’t missing out on any content there.
A few more details are emerging surrounding the schism between the cable provider and the NFL. Sports Business Journal's John Ourand reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell personally called Comcast CEO Brian Roberts to try...
“We’ve reached a new agreement with NFL Network and NFL RedZone and are pleased to provide their content to our customers,” a Comcast spokesperson told The Streamable.
Xfinity TV users might be ready for some football, but they’ll have to wait a while to get it. A dispute over carriage fees led Comcast to drop the NFL Network and NFL RedZone channels, as well as any on-demand content from the league on Monday, May 1. In fairness, RedZone only broadcasts during the season, so viewers aren’t missing out on any content there.
A few more details are emerging surrounding the schism between the cable provider and the NFL. Sports Business Journal's John Ourand reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell personally called Comcast CEO Brian Roberts to try...
- 5/2/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The NBA playoffs are underway, and that means that if your team is still playing, you’re likely watching ESPN, TNT, or another national network for your playoff basketball needs. Regional sports networks (RSNs) like those from Bally Sports do the heavy broadcasting lifting during the regular season, however, and more than half the league are covered by such channels.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver thinks that relationship needs to be looked at, however. Speaking with Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand at the CAA World Congress of Sports, Silver talked about the decline of cable as a whole, and how the league may not be in business with RSNs for much longer.
“There’s no doubt that…we need to reimagine these relationships,” Silver said. There’s the specific issue in terms of [Diamond Sports Group] with the debt they had and correcting that issue. Then in terms of the fundamentals of the business,...
NBA commissioner Adam Silver thinks that relationship needs to be looked at, however. Speaking with Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand at the CAA World Congress of Sports, Silver talked about the decline of cable as a whole, and how the league may not be in business with RSNs for much longer.
“There’s no doubt that…we need to reimagine these relationships,” Silver said. There’s the specific issue in terms of [Diamond Sports Group] with the debt they had and correcting that issue. Then in terms of the fundamentals of the business,...
- 4/24/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Another week, another MLB team not getting its contractually obligated broadcast rights payment from Diamond Sports Group (Dsg) — which owns and operates 19 regional sports networks (RSNs) under the Bally Sports brand. This week, in fact, two teams have gone begging thanks to missed payments from Dsg; The Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers.
The Rangers joined an emergency motion filed by MLB, the Cleveland Guardians, and Minnesota Twins with the bankruptcy court in which Dsg is currently trying to restructure its $8 billion debt load, according to The Athletic. The motion would force the company to either make the payments it owes to those teams in full, or surrender the broadcast rights to the clubs.
“That ‘there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch’ is a well-recognized, simple, but axiomatic economic principle,” the Rangers said in the motion. “Everyone understands it—everyone, apparently, except [Dsg]. Here, they are getting lunch—using...
The Rangers joined an emergency motion filed by MLB, the Cleveland Guardians, and Minnesota Twins with the bankruptcy court in which Dsg is currently trying to restructure its $8 billion debt load, according to The Athletic. The motion would force the company to either make the payments it owes to those teams in full, or surrender the broadcast rights to the clubs.
“That ‘there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch’ is a well-recognized, simple, but axiomatic economic principle,” the Rangers said in the motion. “Everyone understands it—everyone, apparently, except [Dsg]. Here, they are getting lunch—using...
- 4/19/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
NFL owners might be gearing up to do Prime Video a big favor. That’s according to a report from Sports Business Journal's Ben Fischer and John Ourand, which indicates that the league is considering a proposal that would allow it to flex games in and out of the “Thursday Night Football” window.
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Specifically, the measure would permit the league to move Sunday afternoon games into the Thursday night window in weeks 14-17, though it must give 15 days’ notice. The proposal would also allow teams that played Sunday of the week before to play in a Thursday game twice a year, an increase from the once-a-year that is currently allowed under NFL rules.
Enacting this rule would help the NFL make “Tnf” a more prestigious viewing event, much like “Sunday Night Football” on NBC and Peacock. It would allow the league to swap out games...
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Specifically, the measure would permit the league to move Sunday afternoon games into the Thursday night window in weeks 14-17, though it must give 15 days’ notice. The proposal would also allow teams that played Sunday of the week before to play in a Thursday game twice a year, an increase from the once-a-year that is currently allowed under NFL rules.
Enacting this rule would help the NFL make “Tnf” a more prestigious viewing event, much like “Sunday Night Football” on NBC and Peacock. It would allow the league to swap out games...
- 3/24/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
With all the whirlwind court proceedings surrounding Diamond Sports Group and its Bally Sports regional sports networks (RSNs) currently, it can be easy to forget that a second company is undergoing significant changes with its RSNs.
That second company is Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns majority or minority stakes in AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, and Root Sports Northwest, at least for now. Wbd has informed the teams covered by these RSNs that it is getting out of the business, and that they have until March 31 to reclaim their rights, or the company will liquidate them along with the rest of the RSNs assets in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Two of the teams covered by AT&T SportsNet Southwest have decided not to wait until then, and are taking matters into their own hands, according to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. The MLB’s...
That second company is Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns majority or minority stakes in AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, and Root Sports Northwest, at least for now. Wbd has informed the teams covered by these RSNs that it is getting out of the business, and that they have until March 31 to reclaim their rights, or the company will liquidate them along with the rest of the RSNs assets in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Two of the teams covered by AT&T SportsNet Southwest have decided not to wait until then, and are taking matters into their own hands, according to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. The MLB’s...
- 3/15/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Diamond Sports Group (Dsg), the Sinclair Broadcasting Group subsidiary that owns and operates the group of 19 Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks (RSNs), will file for bankruptcy as soon as March 16, according to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. That will mark the conclusion of the grace period initiated in mid-February when Dsg missed a scheduled interest payment on its debt, and the company will need to have its plan for meeting all its financial obligations in place to receive bankruptcy protections when it files.
Despite this fact, viewers of Bally Sports RSNs shouldn’t expect any big changes initially. Dsg will continue to make broadcast rights payments to the teams and leagues that it does business with, and has only missed one payment to a team thus far — the Arizona Diamondbacks, though that specific contract offers them an automatic grace period to pay before the end of next week.
Despite this fact, viewers of Bally Sports RSNs shouldn’t expect any big changes initially. Dsg will continue to make broadcast rights payments to the teams and leagues that it does business with, and has only missed one payment to a team thus far — the Arizona Diamondbacks, though that specific contract offers them an automatic grace period to pay before the end of next week.
- 3/10/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
ESPN has canceled the linear edition of its journalism-driven news program Outside the Lines.
While the weekly TV series is sunsetting, the Saturday morning news program will continue on as a digital series (including on ESPN’s YouTube channel), and with branded segments on ESPN’s flagship studio show SportsCenter seven days per week. Jeremy Schaap, the anchor of Otl since 2020, will continue to lead the segments.
Sports Business Journal‘s John Ourand first reported the news. No jobs are expected to be lost with the change.
Launched in 1990 as a monthly program, Otl eventually shifted to a daily format. In 2020 the program returned to a weekly cadence on Saturday mornings during the NFL offseason. Anchored by Bob Ley from its inception until his retirement in 2019, the program was known for its tough reporting on issues like the NFL’s concussion crisis, and the USA gymnastics sex abuse scandal.
With...
While the weekly TV series is sunsetting, the Saturday morning news program will continue on as a digital series (including on ESPN’s YouTube channel), and with branded segments on ESPN’s flagship studio show SportsCenter seven days per week. Jeremy Schaap, the anchor of Otl since 2020, will continue to lead the segments.
Sports Business Journal‘s John Ourand first reported the news. No jobs are expected to be lost with the change.
Launched in 1990 as a monthly program, Otl eventually shifted to a daily format. In 2020 the program returned to a weekly cadence on Saturday mornings during the NFL offseason. Anchored by Bob Ley from its inception until his retirement in 2019, the program was known for its tough reporting on issues like the NFL’s concussion crisis, and the USA gymnastics sex abuse scandal.
With...
- 2/3/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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