ESPN eyes local rights as part of strategic partnerships
At a time when there are so many moving pieces in the world of sports streaming, ESPN is looking to expand its reach in the local sports market.
At a time when there are so many moving pieces in the world of sports streaming, ESPN is looking to expand its reach in the local sports market.
“We think we are probably the most profitable RSN they have."
MLB is ready to take the broadcast rights to the Arizona Diamondbacks from Diamond Sports as soon as Tuesday.
"Where we think there’s a fit with our local footprint and league or a series of teams, we’re absolutely ready to do a deal."
The Padres aren't free from Diamond Sports yet, but could be next week.
It's all going to come down to streaming.
Is Diamond going to start dumping teams?
“We see the right live sports as an unparalleled opportunity to drive the value of our linear television streams even higher."
The AT&T SportsNet RSNs are on their last legs.
The Nashville Predators have been on some version of the RSN that's now Bally Sports South since their 1998 beginnings. That relationship is now continuing.
"The global pandemic required all of us to learn new lessons in innovation, resourcefulness, and resilience. MASN is carrying forward some of those lessons."
The Bally Sports networks are only available on DIRECTV STREAM, among live TV streaming services.
"MLB responded by requesting an equity stake in any planned streaming service that featured MLB games, 'a new wrinkle that complicated matters too much to complete on time.'"
"We don’t have any customers calling us on RSNs today. ...We’re not interested in taxing our customers when they don’t watch the channels."
Distribution losses, including with Hulu+Live TV and YouTube TV, played a big role in this write-down.
Sinclair's purchase of the former Fox RSNs from Disney at a $10.6 billion valuation (with $9.6 billion exchanged) had some merit at the time, but those RSNs are facing some dire challenges now.
As per Kevin Kinkead of Crossing Broad, "the NBC Sports Regional Networks are completely doing away with sideline reporters at the end of the season."
On the day of the Cubs' first regular-season game of 2020, Comcast customers in Chicago are finally able to watch Marquee Sports Network.