Media conglomerate Comcast has recently announced plans to offer monthly credit to all Xfinity customers who can no longer use the Bally Sports Detroit channel.
Comcast revealed they were unable to reach new terms with Sports Group and were ultimately forced to announce that Xfinity users in Michigan would have to live without the channel.
Comcast
Comcast has been one of America’s largest cable providers since the 1960s. During the 90’s, they began offering internet and contour to serve millions of Americans to this day.
In 2010, Comcast decided to rebrand its telecom services as Xfinity. So, its high-speed internet became known as Xfinity Internet, Comcast TV became Xfinity TV, and customers enjoyed all the benefits they did before the change-up.
Xfinity
Despite the rise of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Xfinity remained a popular cable service because it stuck to its roots, continuing to offer sports programming through various channels.
One such channel was Bally Sports Detroit, which offers coverage of local sports teams in the state of Michigan.
Bally Sports Detroit
Xfinity users in Michigan were recently informed that the Bally Sports Detroit channel would no longer be included in their monthly package.
Users who try to switch to channel 201 are now met with a message that reads, “Bally Sports is no longer available.”
Comcast Claims to Have Offered Bally Sports Numerous Options
According to a statement from Xfinity, Bally Sports’ parent company, Diamond Sports Group, entered into bankruptcy. Yet, they tried to offer them options to continue carrying the network.
“The owner of Bally Sports is in bankruptcy proceedings, and we have offered them multiple options to continue carrying their networks. They have declined each one, and we no longer have the rights to continue carrying their content,” said Comcast.
Comcast Tried to Work With Bally Sports
In their statement, Comcast claimed they tried to work with Diamond Sports during the initial stages of their bankruptcy.
“We have been very flexible with Diamond Sports Group for months as they work through their bankruptcy proceedings, providing them with an extension on the Bally Sports Regional Networks last fall and a unilateral right to extend the term for another year, which they opted to not exercise,” wrote Comcast.
Comcast No Longer Has the Rights to Broadcast Bally Sports Detroit
In the end, Comcast announced they no longer had the rights to broadcast Bally Sports Detroit.
“We’d like to continue carrying their networks, but they have declined multiple offers and now we no longer have the rights to this programming.”
Customers Awarded Credit
A message appeared on Xfinity’s channel 201, informing customers that they will receive a “proactive monthly credit.”
Comcast’s statement confirmed this: “We will proactively credit our customers for the costs associated with them — most will automatically receive $8 to $10 per month in credits.”
Diamond Sports Group Fire Back at Comcast
Diamond Sports Group later released its own statement, suggesting that Comcast is to blame for removing Bally Sports from its cable network.
“It’s disappointing that Comcast rejected a proposed extension that would have kept our channels on the air,” they wrote.
Comcast Prevents Fans From Watching Sports, Says Diamond Group
According to Diamond Sports Group, Comcast has ultimately prevented many people in Michigan from watching their favorite sports teams.
Comcast indicated that it intends to pull the signals, preventing fans from watching their favorite local teams,” parent company Diamond Sports Group said in a statement.
Diamond Claims to Have Offered Fair Terms
In their statement, Diamond claimed they offered Comcast fair terms to continue broadcasting, yet they refused to discuss it.
“Comcast has refused to engage in substantive discussions despite Diamond offering terms similar to those reached with much larger distributors of ours,” said Diamond Sports.
Fans Can Watch the Tigers on MLB TV
Detroit Tigers fans were unhappy with the news and will be forced to watch their team on other platforms. MLB.T.V. is one option outside the cable market.
The news comes as the Tigers experience their best start to a season in ten years.
