Nashville Predators fans were left disappointed when their Bally Sports South feed of Tuesday’s Game 5 of the NHL playoffs series against the Vancouver Canucks was abruptly cut off at 11 p.m. CT. The reason behind this blackout can be attributed to Comcast, which failed to reach an agreement with Diamond Sports Group, the owner of Bally Sports South, to extend their rights deal by the deadline on Tuesday.
Diamond Sports Group expressed disappointment in Comcast’s decision to reject a proposed extension, despite offering terms similar to those agreed upon with larger distributors. However, Comcast chose not to engage in meaningful discussions, leading fans to turn to alternative options such as TBS, Fubo, DirectTV streaming or Bally Sports+ to catch the game.
Comcast defended its position by highlighting its flexibility in accommodating Diamond Sports Group during its bankruptcy proceedings, including providing an extension on the Bally Sports Regional Networks last fall. However, this did not prevent the blackout on Tuesday night. Amazon’s recent minority stake acquisition in Diamond Sports Group aimed to help the regional sports network emerge from bankruptcy but did not prevent it either.
The situation highlighted the challenges faced by fans and companies in the changing landscape of sports broadcasting. Paul Skrbina, a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators for The Tennessean provided insights into the situation and its broader implications for fans and networks.
Despite ongoing negotiations and restructuring efforts, Predators fans were left without access to the game on Tuesday night. This incident serves as a reminder that in today’s digital age it is essential for companies and networks alike to find ways