DSG agrees DirecTV deal but RSNs go dark on Comcast as talks collapse

US regional sports network (RSN) owner and operator Diamond Sports Group (DSG) has agreed a multi-year renewal of its carriage agreement with US national satellite TV distributor DirecTV but negotiations have broken down with media giant Comcast.

The deal with DirectTV ensures that DSG’s range of 18 RSNs under its Bally Sports brand will continue to be broadcast on its services for at least the next two years, going some way to help the beleaguered DSG out of its financial peril.

DirecTV customers with a DirecTV Choice, Ultimate, or Premier package will have access to DSG local broadcasts from the US’ elite National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB) competitions in local jurisdictions where DSG holds direct-to-consumer broadcast rights.

Furthermore, these customers will also soon be able to stream DSG content by linking their DirecTV credentials with the Bally Sports streaming app.

Under the Bally Sports brand, DSG owns 18 RSNs, which, combined, hold the local rights to 37 professional US teams (11 MLB, 15 NBA, and 11 NHL).

Speaking on the new carriage deal, DirecTV chief content officer Rob Thun stated: “DirecTV has always been a sports leader and we continue to see significant opportunity for both our residential and commercial customers in local sports. Sportcal