Bally Sports Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) broadcast regional MLB, NBA, and NHL games throughout the United States. Due to the high cost of cable and satellite television services, streaming services such as DIRECTV STREAM have emerged as viable sources of live sports. However, the accessibility of Bally Sports RSNs on these streaming platforms has been an issue. In this article, I will also explore whether Bally Sports networks are available on the platform offered by DIRECTV STREAM.
The Streaming Rights for RSNs
Regional sports networks have been a headache that streaming services cannot seem to get rid of. While networks such as ESPN and FS1 have rights deals for national sports, the RSNs have very controlled rights when it comes to streaming. Bally Sports RSNs are owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group after purchasing them from Fox in 2019.
Sinclair has been in dispute with streaming services, including YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV to carry its RSNs. Currently, only two live TV streaming services, DIRECTV STREAM, and fuboTV, offer the Bally Sports channels. This has made it difficult for many fans to follow their local teams without the usual cable or satellite subscription.
Access to Bally Sports on DIRECTV STREAM
Fortunately, customers of the DIRECTV STREAM service have access to Bally Sports RSNs in some locations after a 2020 distribution deal. You can watch Bally Sports if you live in one of these DIRECTV STREAM regions:
- Midwest: Bally Sports Great Lakes, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Southeast, Bally Sports Sun
- West: Bally Sports Arizona, Bally Sports California, Bally Sports Northwest, Bally Sports San Diego, Bally Sports SoCal, Bally Sports Southwest
- Florida: Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun
- New Orleans: Bally Sports New Orleans
Availability is thus determined strictly by where you are. It is advisable to verify the availability of your local Bally Sports channel through DIRECTV STREAM before subscribing.
DIRECTV STREAM Subscription Packages
While DIRECTV STREAM carries Bally Sports RSNs, you have to subscribe to certain packages to access them:
1. Prime Package or above ($89. 99/month) – Offers most of Bally Sports networks along with regional sports.
2. Bally Sports Pass (from $29. 99/month) – Packages all Bally Sports RSNs with optional sports channel options.
3. Premier Package ($149. 99/month) – Most comprehensive package that includes all sports channels in addition to MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, etc.
If you want your local Bally Sports channel, the CHOICE plan is the least expensive. However, the higher tier packages provide more sports than the lower tier packages.
Additional Sports Add-ons
On top of various base packages, DIRECTV STREAM provides premium sports channel add-ons:
- MLB Extra Innings – Watch more games not broadcast in your area
- NBA League Pass – NBA games from teams not in your local area
- NHL Center Ice – NHL games from other regions
- ESPN+ – Digital sports platform for watching games whenever the viewer wants.
Some of the Bally Sports channels are available in the basic packages, but these are extra options for sports channels. But these options attract an additional monthly cost per package.
Conclusion
Finally, it is only DIRECTV STREAM that provides the Bally Sports Regional Sports Networks to live stream local sports. Availability depends on whether they carry your specific Bally Sports channel due to regional rights. DIRECTV STREAM is more costly than other live TV streamers but offers a lifeline in accessing local sports.
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