RealGM

After weeks of rumors and negotiations, Amazon has officially entered into an agreement to invest in Diamond Sports Group and become the primary streaming home of live games on Bally Sports.

Diamond announced Wednesday that Amazon Prime Video will become the primary streaming partner of Bally Sports, carrying all of the MLB, NBA and NHL teams to which Diamond has digital rights. While Diamond owns digital rights to all of the NBA and NHL teams carried by Bally Sports, that is the case for only five of 11 Major League Baseball teams.

According to the New York Post, the size of the Amazon investment is $100 million. According to previous reporting in the Post, Amazon was initially set to invest $150 million in a deal that would have included all of the MLB teams.

The Amazon deal is part of a broader restructuring agreement that also includes Diamond settling its litigation with parent company Sinclair, which has agreed to pay a $495 million. Diamond filed suit against Sinclair last year alleging that the company had been draining the division of assets with an eye toward its eventual bankruptcy.

Kent wrote:But does this mean we still have to pay a premium?

I'll be thrilled if it's going to be part of your Prime Video subscription, but I'd think there's a surcharge.

thelead wrote:

Kent wrote:But does this mean we still have to pay a premium?

I'll be thrilled if it's going to be part of your Prime Video subscription, but I'd think there's a surcharge.

They already notified Prime users that ad-free videos will cost a premium starting next month (I think $3 per month). I’m sure this will be another premium too but I doubt it’ll be the $20 a month that Bally’s is charging.

Optimus_Steel wrote:

thelead wrote:

Kent wrote:But does this mean we still have to pay a premium?

I'll be thrilled if it's going to be part of your Prime Video subscription, but I'd think there's a surcharge.

They already notified Prime users that ad-free videos will cost a premium starting next month (I think $3 per month). I’m sure this will be another premium too but I doubt it’ll be the $20 a month that Bally’s is charging.

I would imagine they would offer it for free or a small amount and then increase it over time like they did with Prime Video recently. No indication yet of when it would start but sounds like it could be very soon.

KEY FACTS
Bally Sports currently broadcasts games and pre/post-game coverage for many teams in the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball.

According to a press release from Diamond Sports on Wednesday, Prime Video subscribers will be able to purchase “direct-to-consumer” streaming from all local channels operated by Diamond, which will make Amazon its “primary partner” for streaming access.

It is not clear how much it may cost to view Bally Sports content through Amazon Prime Video, a service that can be accessed through an Amazon Prime subscription or an $8.99 per month standalone Prime Video subscription.

Diamond Sports Group said details about pricing and availability for the new streaming services would be announced at a later date.

eyriq wrote:A $10 discount on the service? Hell yeah. Should get them more subscribers, too. Can't come soon enough.