The regional sports networks are hemorrhaging customers. NBC Universal only had two choices: sell direct to consumer, or sell their remaining four RSNs.
NBCUniversal to stream local sports on Peacock, WSJ reports
-Comcast-owned NBCUniversal plans to add its regional sports channels to its Peacock streaming service as soon as early 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the plans.
The four NBC Sports networks that will be added have local broadcast rights in Boston, Philadelphia and across Northern California, including to games for high-profile teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Celtics and Phillies, the report said.
The games will still be available on television, according to WSJ.
NBCUniversal is still completing details of the plan and the rollout could be delayed. One option executives are discussing is to make the channels available as add-ons in the local markets so that fans there can pay extra to stream games, WSJ reported.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nbcuniversal-stream-local-sports-peacock-192416026.html
more details here:
https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/peacock-nbc-sports-rsn-local-broadcasts-nba-wnba-nhl-mlb/
While details of Comcast’s plans are still to be finalised, it is likely that local broadcasts will be offered as a premium add-on to Peacock subscribers in relevant markets, bolstering its national sports lineup and increasing availability among households who have ‘cut the cord’ and ditched cable.
While Peacock ceded the national rights to the NHL to TNT and ESPN in 2022, and has not renewed its deal with MLB, it has just agreed a US$2.5 billion-a-year contract with the NBA and WNBA from 2025/26.
