Sinclair’s DTC plans are necessary, aggressive, and may price fans out
Bally Sports+ is a necessary evolution for RSNs, but it won't all be smooth sailing.
Bally Sports+ is a necessary evolution for RSNs, but it won't all be smooth sailing.
Bally Sports+ is set to launch at $19.99 a month, or $189.99 (a $50 discount) for a full year.
The Bally Sports networks are only available on DIRECTV STREAM, among live TV streaming services.
"Sinclair does not have enough digital rights from enough clubs in order to have a viable direct-to-consumer product."
This is still very early on in the process, but there's still a lot to unpack.
Sinclair paid $9.6 billion for the networks in 2019.
"What we’re trying to do now is work with those RSNs to figure out what type of structure would make sense for an over-the-top product that may not require authentication."
There's a new logo and network market map, too.
You're watching Atlanta Braves baseball on... Bally's Sports South?
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.
The Sinclair Fox Sports regional channels will go dark on Hulu beginning Oct. 23.
Comcast, of course, owns some of these regional sports networks, which makes things even murkier.
Will regional MLB telecasts become too sterile with only one broadcast feed?