Diamond Sports Group and DIRECTV have reached a multi-year renewal of their distribution agreement for Diamond’s portfolio of regional sports networks. This means that DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM customers who choose a CHOICE, ULTIMATE, or PREMIER package will continue to have access to live MLB, NBA, and NHL games as well as team content on Diamond’s RSN channels. Customers will also soon be able to stream Diamond’s RSN content by authenticating with their DIRECTV subscription credentials on the Bally Sports app. For customers who do not have access to Diamond’s RSN channels, they can purchase Diamond’s Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) product through DIRECTV to access local DTC content for teams with DTC rights.
David Preschlack, CEO of Diamond, expressed his satisfaction with the extended partnership with DIRECTV, emphasizing the value of providing high-quality local sports telecasts to fans in team markets. He also highlighted the importance of building a strong relationship with DIRECTV and its customers over the years. Rob Thun, Chief Content Officer of DIRECTV, echoed the sentiment, stating that DIRECTV remains committed to providing flexibility, choice, and value to customers, especially in local sports. He emphasized the significance of Diamond’s RSN networks in their live sports offering and looks forward to continuing the partnership.
The agreement with DIRECTV adds to Diamond’s existing distribution agreements with Charter Communications, Inc and Cox Communications. Specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.