Bally Sports RSNs Are Reportedly Preparing For Bankruptcy

[Bruce]

The games don't exist via magic for broadcast. If Bally isn't producing the game coverage, the game coverage would need to be produced by others.

Better answer, I missed this when it was announced-

In February, commissioner Rob Manfred said he hoped to launch a national, in-market streaming package in 2025 with about half of the league’s teams. Bringing that to fruition would be a huge deal. Not because it would make a lot of money at the outset, or any money.

Manfred said in February he’d need at least 14 clubs to get it off the ground, a figure that still might leave sales lacking. But if Diamond is still in operation, he probably would have a maximum of only nine.

There are the three teams whose games MLB itself is producing this season: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres.

For now, MLB's streaming plans hinge on Diamond Sports Group's bankruptcy case

If Diamond and its Bally brands survive bankruptcy — and that looks likely — MLB won’t have enough team rights to launch streaming in 2025.

theathletic.com

 

[Bruce]

Also, June 18 is the big Bankruptcy Hearing, so a little over the month to make a deal with Comcast, without them, losing a lot of revenue-

According to Sportico, the three MVPDs (Comcast, Spectrum, DirecTV) account for 81% of total affiliate revenue and collectively, reach 38 million household subscribers. In addition, the three MVPDs account for about 69% of total traditional pay-TV households.

Diamond Sports Negotiating Distribution Agreements As They Reorganize

Diamond Sports, has been busy with retransmission renewal negotiations and a plan to successfully emerge from bankruptcy including a streaming strategy. with Amazon.

www.forbes.com

 

[savarese04]

And around and around we go.....

MLB: Bankruptcy Court Needs to Finally Stop Diamond From Continuing to 'Stumble Through the Restructuring Process' After Its 'Failure' to Secure Comcast Distribution Deal

Loss of Comcast revenue renders Bally Sports RSN operator's restructuring plan 'unconfirmable,' league lawyers say in Tuesday court motion

www.nexttv.com

 

[Bruce]

And around and around we go.....

MLB: Bankruptcy Court Needs to Finally Stop Diamond From Continuing to 'Stumble Through the Restructuring Process' After Its 'Failure' to Secure Comcast Distribution Deal

Loss of Comcast revenue renders Bally Sports RSN operator's restructuring plan 'unconfirmable,' league lawyers say in Tuesday court motion

www.nexttv.com

This link has a little more information, primarily this-

The Amazon investment is “still dependent on, among other things: (1) the Debtors reaching satisfactory go forward arrangements with each of their three largest distributors—Comcast, DirecTV LLC (“DirecTV”) and Charter Communications (“Charter” and together with DirecTV and Comcast, the “Key Distributors”) and (2) the Debtors renewing their telecast rights agreements with NBA and NHL clubs to align with the economics they have assumed in the revenue forecasts underlying the Plan,” MLB wrote.

MLB warns Diamond Sports Group’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan is unfeasible

Major League Baseball warned Diamond Sports Group’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan, scheduled to go to a vote next month, is unfeasible given the regional sports channel company’s May 1 loss of coverage on Comcast systems. Diamond owns the Bally Sports Regional Networks, which televises 12 MLB...

awfulannouncing.com

 

[glrush]

Rob Manfred on Diamond Sports saga: 'There is no plan at this point'

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed skepticism with Diamond Sports' ability to emerge whole out of bankruptcy.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[Bruce]

Rob Manfred on Diamond Sports saga: 'There is no plan at this point'

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed skepticism with Diamond Sports' ability to emerge whole out of bankruptcy.

awfulannouncing.com

Everything in all these articles about Diamond, I have been posting here for about a year now.

The one thing not mentioned, even if Comcast makes a deal, followed by all the sports leagues, Cable/Satellite is still expected to lose about 7 Million subs this year, 8 Million next year, largely from Comcast, Charter and DirecTV, the main 3 providers that carry the RSNs.

That is a lot of per sub fees gone, too many for the majority of the RSNs to endure, they will be in Chapter 7 by then.

And yes, services like YTTV will pick up a lot of subscribers from those leaving the traditional services, but since it does not carry the RSNs, a moot point.

 

[Bruce]

Hearing was set for June 18, now delayed till the end of July, with hopes that it can get deals worked out with Comcast ( who is not budging it seems) the NBA and the NHL, those deals have basically expired.

They are also losing money on the Tiger’s TV contract, since Fox Sports Detroit’s viewing area is largely Comcast territory .

Diamond maintains the rights for 12 baseball teams, but the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers are under contracts that extend only through the 2024 season. Diamond also held the rights for 16 NBA teams and 12 NHL teams, but those deals expired at the end of the 2023-24 seasons.

Diamond Sports' reorg hearing ppd. to late July

Diamond Sports Group's confirmation hearing in which it will essentially be determined whether Diamond will emerge from Chapter 11 reorganization has been postponed.

www.espn.com

 

[Bruce]

More news, not good at all-

In a court filing last night, DSG’s investor-approved budget for between May 18 and August 16th was attached as an exhibit. Over that time period, the budget projects DSG will have net cash flow of negative $46.5 million.
In the budget through mid-August, cash flow from operations comes in at just negative $2.8 million. But adding debt and fees, including $27 million for restructuring professionals, leads to the $46.5 million of negative net cash flow.

So it is still losing money, even after basically restructuring all their debt with Chapter 11.

Before all the lawyers and other costs are added in, because of Bankruptcy, it still losses $2.8 Million in three months.

Then it looks like they are hiding information-

The three leagues complain that they do not have insight into DSG’s financial health, saying they have not been provided the details of distribution deal extensions with Charter, Cox, DirecTV and Fubo. And they further add DSG has been opaque about the status of talks with Comcast, which did not renew its distribution deal with Bally Sports when the contract expired last month. It’s unclear if the budget filed last night assumes a contract renewal with Comcast.

Diamond Sports projects budget deficit of $46.5 million in court filing

Diamond Sports Group claimed a significant budget deficit in a court filing as it still tries to navigate a path out of bankruptcy.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[Bruce]

Diamond does not want to give up the information that they are/or not fiscally stable-

Diamond Sports Group, parent of regional sports channel chain Bally Sports, tonight asked a federal bankruptcy court for an emergency hearing Tuesday because it cannot resolve demands from the NBA, NHL, and MLB for documents like cable distribution agreements and the contract with Amazon Prime Video to stream the RSNs games.

The leagues want details of the distribution contracts with carriers like Fubo, Charter, Cox, and DirecTV, as well as historical information on how financially important Comcast is to DSG. Comcast dropped the RSNs last month after failing to renew.

DSG said in its request that these contracts are protected by confidentiality agreements (in fact the RSN company added in a footnote it cannot even disclose the confidentiality agreements, because, well, they are confidential).

Diamond Sports Group asks for emergency hearing over league demands in bankruptcy case

Diamond Sports Group asked a federal bankruptcy court for an emergency hearing Tuesday because it cannot resolve demands from the NBA, NHL, and MLB.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[Radioguy41]

Diamond does not want to give up the information that they are/or not fiscally stable-

Diamond Sports Group, parent of regional sports channel chain Bally Sports, tonight asked a federal bankruptcy court for an emergency hearing Tuesday because it cannot resolve demands from the NBA, NHL, and MLB for documents like cable distribution agreements and the contract with Amazon Prime Video to stream the RSNs games.

The leagues want details of the distribution contracts with carriers like Fubo, Charter, Cox, and DirecTV, as well as historical information on how financially important Comcast is to DSG. Comcast dropped the RSNs last month after failing to renew.

DSG said in its request that these contracts are protected by confidentiality agreements (in fact the RSN company added in a footnote it cannot even disclose the confidentiality agreements, because, well, they are confidential).

Diamond Sports Group asks for emergency hearing over league demands in bankruptcy case

Diamond Sports Group asked a federal bankruptcy court for an emergency hearing Tuesday because it cannot resolve demands from the NBA, NHL, and MLB.

awfulannouncing.com

Yeah, that's not going to float. Once you're in bankruptcy court confidentiality agreements go out the window. As the saying goes, all will be revealed and if DSG refuses to I suspect the leagues will push for, and the judge will likely agree to, the shutting down of DSG and the liquidation of whatever's left freeing up the leagues to negotiate their own deals or take over the one's already in place.

 

[Bruce]

Yeah, that's not going to float. Once you're in bankruptcy court confidentiality agreements go out the window. As the saying goes, all will be revealed and if DSG refuses to I suspect the leagues will push for, and the judge will likely agree to, the shutting down of DSG and the liquidation of whatever's left freeing up the leagues to negotiate their own deals or take over the one's already in place.

It is almost over, even if they are able to survive until the end of the MLB Season, they still do not have contracts with NBA/NHL Teams for the upcoming season.

Diamond will be the first to fall, other RSNs will soon follow, since the three main providers (DirecTV, Comcast, Charter with a combined, roughly, 36 Million subscribers) that carries the RSNs are losing 5 Million subscribers a year in subscribers.

That is a lot of per sub fees gone every year ( plus the ones who have already left), cannot defeat math.

At the beginning of the year, had about 45-50 Million ( down from 100 Million in 2017) that still receive the RSN and pay the per sub fee and with advertising way down, high Team’s rights fees, they are almost to the point of being unprofitable by the end of next year.

 

[MartyDe]

An RSN , NESN, owned by the Red Sox and Boston Bruins has just announced they will carry 11 Hartford (CT) Yard Goats games. Minor league baseball. I have seen part of a broadcast and noticed a Bally live logo on screen as well as NESN live. What is the function of Bally? Do they provide the remote truck? Just curious.

 

[lordodogg]

An RSN , NESN, owned by the Red Sox and Boston Bruins has just announced they will carry 11 Hartford (CT) Yard Goats games. Minor league baseball. I have seen part of a broadcast and noticed a Bally live logo on screen as well as NESN live. What is the function of Bally? Do they provide the remote truck? Just curious.

Bally Live is a streaming service that has no relation to the Bally RSNs. It’s actually owned by the Bally company that is licensing the name to the RSNs.

 

[Bruce]

Court Hearing is today, just a little more News before it happens-

Comcast and Bally Sports have ended negotiations a move that has resulted in a letter from U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Comcast has ended negotiations with Bally Sports. Senator Smith went on to ask Comcast to return to the negotiation table.

Comcast is the #2 Provider, a little behind Charter, that is a lot of subscribers no longer paying per sub fees to Diamond.

I expect some big news once this hearing is concluded, the most important, that without Comcast, do they take in enough $$$$$ to be profitable.

Comcast Has Reportedly Ended Talks with Bally Sports, Forcing An Emergency Bankruptcy Court Hearing Today | Cord Cutters News

Last month, Comcast dropped the regional sports networks (RSNs) Bally Sports from its lineup. According to Bally Sports, Comcast wanted to move the network to a more expensive package. This move could result in Bally Sports not being able to move forward. Now Comcast and Bally Sports have ended...

cordcuttersnews.com

 

[Bruce]

Yeah, that's not going to float. Once you're in bankruptcy court confidentiality agreements go out the window. As the saying goes, all will be revealed and if DSG refuses to I suspect the leagues will push for, and the judge will likely agree to, the shutting down of DSG and the liquidation of whatever's left freeing up the leagues to negotiate their own deals or take over the one's already in place.

The Judge disagrees with you-

A bankruptcy federal judge declined for now to order Diamond Sports Group to turn over its contracts with cable and digital companies over the protests of a frustrated outside counsel for Major League Baseball.

Judge says Diamond Sports Group doesn't have to turn over contracts to league partners, for now

A bankruptcy judge declined to order Diamond Sports Group to turn over its contracts with cable and digital companies over, angering Major League Baseball.

awfulannouncing.com

 

[zippyfrog]

I am not a bankruptcy expert, but before the judge rules, wouldn't he have to see the numbers to see if the plan is feasible? Maybe not have confidentiality agreements become public, but the judge would need to see them?

 

[Bruce]

I am not a bankruptcy expert, but before the judge rules, wouldn't he have to see the numbers to see if the plan is feasible? Maybe not have confidentiality agreements become public, but the judge would need to see them?

The last plan I seen, was that even out of Chapter 11, they will continue to lose money and burn thru the $500 Million they get from Sinclair, $100 Million from Amazon.

They seem to keep believing/hoping/wishing that streaming will replace those leaving Traditional Providers.

Again, RSNs get very low viewership, 1-3% of Households, MLB, NHL, NBA ratings have been falling for years, not many seem to care if they lose them when dropping or moving to YTTV.

 

[dishdude]

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch! Thieves!

 

[Bruce]

The Judge disagrees with you-

A bankruptcy federal judge declined for now to order Diamond Sports Group to turn over its contracts with cable and digital companies over the protests of a frustrated outside counsel for Major League Baseball.

Judge says Diamond Sports Group doesn't have to turn over contracts to league partners, for now

A bankruptcy judge declined to order Diamond Sports Group to turn over its contracts with cable and digital companies over, angering Major League Baseball.

awfulannouncing.com

He made a decision-

The Houston judge overseeing the bankruptcy restructuring of Diamond Sports Group ruled that the operator of the Bally Sports regional cable channels must disclose sensitive information from its pay TV contracts with its pro-league partners, with some conditions.

“I think they need to see it,” U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Chris Lopez ruled on Friday, declaring that the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball can’t effectively gauge the viability of Diamond without first reviewing firsthand the subsidiary's biggest revenue sources, distribution deals with Charter Communications, DirecTV and Cox Communications.

Judge Lopez had demurred on making such a ruling earlier last week, asking the two sides to work out a compromise. That didn't happen, so he ruled on the matter Friday.

In any event, as Lopez noted, it's all coming to a head on July 29, with Diamond is scheduled to finally present a restructuring plan to the court after what will be 16 months in bankruptcy. Diamond is seemingly out of time to delay the process any further.

Diamond Must Show Sports Leagues Pay TV Contracts Under Conditions, Bankruptcy Judge Rules

‘I think they need to see it,’ Judge Chris Lopez said

www.nexttv.com

 

[Bruce]

Not a big loss compared to Comcast (over 13M subscribers), but it is still 2 Million subscribers ( I have no idea how many are in Bally areas).

Optimum TV, the cable TV service, says it has lost the Bally Sports regional sports networks due to a carriage dispute between the companies.

Now Optimum TV Has Lost the Bally Sports Nets - The TV Answer Man!

By Phillip Swann The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X. Optimum TV, the cable TV service, says it has lost the Bally Sports regional sports networks due to a carriage dispute between the companies. “Despite our best efforts and continued flexibility to reach a fair and reasonable agreement, Diamond...

tvanswerman.com