Predators fans were left in frustration 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, as Diamond Sports Group, the owner of Bally Sports South, and Comcast failed to reach an agreement to extend their rights deal by the deadline on Tuesday.
Despite offering terms similar to those agreed upon with larger distributors, Comcast chose not to engage in meaningful discussions with Diamond Sports Group. As a result, fans had to turn to alternative options such as TBS, Fubo, DirectTV streaming or DirectTV direct-to-home satellite service or Bally Sports+ to catch the game. In a statement, Diamond Sports Group expressed disappointment in Comcast’s decision and emphasized that they were willing to work with the company on an extension but ultimately failed to do so.
Comcast defended its position by highlighting its flexibility in accommodating Diamond Sports Group during its bankruptcy proceedings and providing an extension on the Bally Sports Regional Networks last fall. However, the failure to come to an agreement led to 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 from happening due to ongoing negotiations and restructuring efforts.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by fans and companies in the changing landscape of sports broadcasting as more teams explore streaming options while traditional broadcasters struggle to keep up with these changes. Paul Skrbina, a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators for The Tennessean, provided insights into this issue and how it affects both fans and networks moving forward into future seasons of playoff games.
Overall, this blackout is a reminder that even in today’s digital age where accessibility is key; there are still obstacles that need
