Bally Sports Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) broadcast MLB, NBA, and NHL games in local markets across the United States. As the price of cable and satellite TV increases, platforms such as DirecTV Stream have emerged as viable ways of watching live sports. However, the presence of RSNs such as Bally Sports in streaming services has been an issue of rights and carriage. This article seeks to answer the following question: does DirecTV Stream offer Bally Sports RSNs?
What is Bally Sports?
Before they were known as Fox Sports Regional Networks, Bally Sports RSNs were purchased from Disney by Diamond Sports Group in 2019. They were then renamed Bally Sports after Diamond teamed up with casino operator Bally’s Corporation in 2021. Currently, Bally Sports channels deliver local coverage of live sporting events from numerous professional teams to audiences in 19 markets in the United States.
Bally Sports RSNs are the only ones allowed to broadcast many MLB, NBA, NHL, and other local team games in their territories. The loss of these would mean the loss of the ability to access live telecasts for satellite, cable, and streaming consumers in those areas.
Why Getting to RSNs is Not Easy for Streamers?
However, RSNs are not as easily accessible as national sports networks like ESPN and TNT which can be accessed on cable, satellite, and streaming services. RSNs have individual carriage contracts with many distributors in each of their respective markets. These networks are now hoping to get the same or even higher rates in new distribution deals with emerging streaming platforms like DirecTV Stream as more people ditch traditional cable for cheaper OTT services.
Still, there is growing resistance from digital platforms that are now resisting any fee hikes related to accessing RSNs or local broadcasts. Some of these carriage disputes have resulted in several blackouts whereby the subscribers are locked out from watching their in-market teams for some time before the parties reach a new deal.
Bally Sports RSNs – Does DirecTV Stream Provide Them?
Regrettably, most of the Bally Sports RSNs are not currently available on DirecTV Stream. They were previously available when the platform was known as AT&T TV Now. However, this access was withdrawn in 2020 due to the failure of negotiations between AT&T and Sinclair Broadcast Group which owns the RSNs.
To date, Bally Sports San Diego is the only Bally Sports RSN that DirecTV has made available for streaming. DirecTV satellite viewers can access it with certain restrictions based on the area. If new agreements are not made, customers in other markets cannot otherwise stream live local broadcasts of teams airing on Bally Sports channels on the DirecTV Stream platform.
What can one do for Bally Sports RSNs other than Stream Teams?
Currently, the only other option to steam Bally Sports is through DirecTV Stream. Other live TV streaming services like fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV have also faced challenges in aggregating most Bally Sports networks. If you wish to stream games aired on these RSNs, you may opt to subscribe to Bally Sports+ for the games.
Bally Sports+ was launched in 2021 as a direct-to-consumer streaming service that allows fans to watch regional games without needing a cable or satellite subscription. Depending on the market, the service offers live games and shows from the local Bally Sports channel. However, the channel packages and accessibility are different in the overall market within the United States of America Supported mobile devices, smart TVs, pricing, and other features are different from Bally Sports+ from other similar streaming services for sports. Visit their website to see if they provide your local Regional Sports Network.
Is it possible for DirecTV Stream to Add Bally Sports Networks in the Future?
Even in the near term, it’s possible that carriage deals could be made for DirecTV Stream to pick up some or all of the Bally Sports RSNs over time. However, in 2022 Sinclair did come to terms with Hulu + Live TV to resolve the issue and make five Bally Sports RSNs that were unavailable for two years. But if there were such significant hurdles in costs and contractual rights that prevented such action, the situation with DirecTV Stream would be no different.
Conclusion
Even streaming providers such as DirecTV are unwilling to pay the increasing costs for local sports networks such as Bally Sports RSNs, meaning that currently, most subscribers cannot watch live broadcasts except in the San Diego area. Other services such as the Bally Sports+ app provide direct streaming capabilities, however they are not without their problems like geolocation restrictions and supported platforms. Perhaps over time, agreements can be made that allow cord-cutters to easily stream local live sports. But in the short term, the situation remains a sick game of cat and mouse between rights holders, distributors, and sports enthusiasts.
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