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FanDuel Sports Network

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Bally Sports Network)
"Bally Sports" redirects here. For the Bally Live sports streaming service owned by Bally's Corporation, see Bally's Corporation § Bally Live.
Not to be confused with FanDuel TV or FanDuel Racing, the horse-racing and sports-betting networks previously known as "TVG" and "TVG2" respectively.
FanDuel Sports Network
TypeRegional sports network group
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaAvailable in most markets
(through regional affiliates)
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format720p (HDTV)
Ownership
ParentDiamond Sports Group
Key peopleAlvin Kwan (SVP, Strategy & Business Operations)
Sister channelsMarquee Sports Network, FanDuel TV
History
LaunchedMarch 31, 2021 (3 years ago) (2021-03-31)
ReplacedFox Sports Networks
Former namesBally Sports (2021–2024)
Links
Websitefanduelsportsnetwork.com
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s)DirecTV Stream, FuboTV

FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) is a group of regional sports networks in the United States owned by Diamond Sports Group. The networks carry regional broadcasts of sporting events from various professional, collegiate, and high school sports teams. Through its owned-and-operated networks and several other affiliates, its programming is available to all or part of at least 33 states.

The networks were formerly known as Fox Sports Networks and operated by News Corporation for most of their existence. They were acquired by Diamond Sports from The Walt Disney Company in 2019, as Disney was required to divest them by the U.S. Department of Justice as a condition of their own acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Diamond Sports was initially established by Sinclair Broadcast Group, with additional equity funding from Allen Media Group. After the takeover, Diamond sold naming rights to the channels to casino operator in Bally's Corporation, resulting in their relaunch as Bally Sports on March 31, 2021.

In 2023, amid the impact of cord-cutting and other upheavals in the market, Diamond Sports Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of the associated reorganization process, Diamond plans to be separated from Sinclair into a standalone company. It has renegotiated contracts with a number of the teams that it broadcasts, and has also ended its contracts with several others (either via missed rights payments or a formal opt-out). In October 2024, it was announced that Diamond would end its agreement with Bally's and enter into a new agreement with online gambling company FanDuel—under which Bally Sports rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network on October 21, 2024.

History

[edit]

Beginnings

[edit]
Main articles: Fox Sports Networks and Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney

The networks of FanDuel Sports Network have a long history, with the origins of several of the networks dating to the 1980s and 1990s, as affiliates of the Prime Network (and to a lesser degree SportsChannel). In 1996, News Corporation and Liberty Media (the owner of Prime Network) announced that the Prime Sports networks would be rebranded under the new "Fox Sports Net" brand;[1] the Prime Sports-branded affiliates were officially relaunched as Fox Sports Net on November 1 of that year.[2][3][4] In 1997, News Corp and Liberty Media also purchased a 40% stake in Cablevision/NBC's SportsChannel networks which led those networks being rebranded as part of Fox Sports Net in early 1998 and bringing the total number of owned or affiliate networks to 18.[5][6][7][8] In the years that followed, a series of other acquisitions and launches of new networks (along with a few closures) resulted in 22 owned and operated networks.

Acquisition by Diamond Sports Group from Disney

[edit]

On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced their intent to acquire 21st Century Fox for $52.4 billion after the spin-off of certain businesses into a new entity (initially dubbed "new Fox", but ultimately named Fox Corporation). While the acquisition was originally slated to include Fox Sports' regional operations (which, presumably, would have been re-aligned with Disney's ESPN division),[9][10] the Justice Department ordered that they be divested within 90 days of the completion of the acquisition due to the concentration of the market that ESPN would hold.[11][12]

Sinclair Broadcast Group was mentioned as the most likely buyer for the other FSN networks, but would need the assistance of a private equity firm to help raise the cash needed for the purchase.[13][14] The group's other sports properties included Stadium—a national sports network distributed via over-the-air digital television and internet streaming (in partnership with the Chicago White Sox's investment arm Silver Chalice), Tennis Channel, as well as Marquee—a then-upcoming RSN devoted to the Chicago Cubs.[15]

On May 3, Sinclair officially announced that via its subsidiary Diamond Sports Group, it had agreed to purchase the networks for $10.6 billion, pending regulatory approval. At the same time, it was also revealed that Allen Media Group would hold an equity stake in the company and serve as a "content partner".[16]

The sale was completed on August 22, 2019 and included 21 of the 22 networks. The networks continued to temporarily use the Fox Sports branding under a transitional license agreement with Fox Corporation; Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley stated that there were plans to eventually rebrand them under either a new name, or to "partner with a brand who wants more exposure". There were also plans to increase non-event programming, and emphasis on sports betting in its programming.[17]

Due to a clause in the original sale,[18] Yankee Global Enterprises had a right of first refusal to purchase Fox's share in YES Network.[19] On August 29, 2019, an investor group including the Yankees, Sinclair, Amazon, and The Blackstone Group purchased Disney's 80% stake in the network for $3.47 billion.[20] Sinclair's share of the network is 20%.[21]

FuboTV dropped the channels in January 2020,[22] and YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV followed in October 2020.[23][24] On November 4, 2020, Sinclair took a $4.23 billion write-down on the FSN purchase.[25]

Rebranding as Bally Sports

[edit]

On November 17, 2020, it was reported by Sportico that Sinclair was considering rebranding the networks via a naming rights agreement, and was reportedly in talks with multiple companies involved in sports betting.[26] The next day, Sinclair announced that it had entered into an agreement with casino operator Bally's Corporation to acquire the naming rights under a 10-year deal. This agreement will include integration of Bally's content on the channels and other Sinclair properties (including its television stations Stadium and Tennis Channel), and a warrant giving Sinclair the option to acquire a 14.9% stake in Bally's Corporation, and up to 24.9% if performance criteria are met.[27]

On January 27, 2021, Sinclair announced that the networks would be rebranded as Bally Sports on March 31.[28] Fox Sports Carolinas and Fox Sports Tennessee were discontinued, with any unique sports programming moved to the Bally Sports South and Southeast channels. To better reflect their target markets, Prime Ticket and SportsTime Ohio were also rebranded as Bally Sports SoCal and Bally Sports Great Lakes, respectively.[29][30]

In preparation for the rebrand, new studio sets were constructed at all of FSN's outlets, while Drive Studio produced a new on-air graphics package built upon its existing work for Marquee. On-air graphics feature a new consistent scorebug in the bottom-left of the screen, which is combined into the ticker. Executive vice president Michael Connelly explained that the setup was designed to eventually allow for the integration of sports betting-related information such as lines and props.[31][32]

Former logo as Bally Sports used from 2021 to 2024.

On Opening Day, the newly rebranded channels aired a joint special, Bally Sports Big Opening Day. It was produced by Stadium, hosted by Michael Kim, Bally Sports SoCal's Kristina Pink and Bally Sports Southeast's Eric Collins, and featured coverage of teams and events across Bally Sports and Sinclair's sports networks.[33]

On June 23, 2022, Bally Sports soft-launched a direct-to-consumer service known as Bally Sports Plus (or Bally Sports+) in selected markets. It launched nationally in the remainder of the networks' footprint on September 26.[34]

Bankruptcy

[edit]
Further information: Diamond Sports Group § Bankruptcy

On February 15, 2023, Diamond Sports Group, the owner of Bally Sports, failed to make a $140 million interest payment, instead opting for a 30-day grace period to make the payment.[35] On March 14, 2023, Diamond Sports Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; its restructuring plan included a proposal for the company to be separated from the Sinclair Broadcast Group into a standalone company.[36]

During its bankruptcy, Diamond has missed payments to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB), the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and to Raycom Sports for its ACC on Regional Sports Networks package and the Orange Bowl for its Orange Bowl Classic men's college basketball tournament.[37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Diamond also entered grace periods for their payments to the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds of MLB, which they eventually made.[44][45]

On May 31, 2023, Diamond officially missed a second payment to the Padres, and the Padres' television rights were returned to Major League Baseball. Because Bally Sports San Diego, which aired Padres games, is a joint venture between the Padres and Diamond it is technically not in bankruptcy. Therefore, this missed payment did not have the same bankruptcy protections that Diamond's other missed payments had.[46][47] On June 1, 2023, after a two-day long hearing, the bankruptcy judge ordered Diamond to pay the other Major League Baseball teams they missed payments to fully within five days.[48] Bally Sports gave up the rights to the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 18, 2023.[49] Furthermore, with Bally Sports Arizona also losing local broadcast rights to both the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury to Gray Television (via KTVK and KPHE-LD, respectively) in April of that year and then the Arizona Coyotes to Scripps Sports (via KASW) in early October, Diamond Sports Group ultimately shut down Bally Sports Arizona on October 21, 2023, becoming the first official casualty of the bankruptcy.[50][51][52] Bally Sports San Diego would shut down next by liquidating assets to the Padres following a settlement made in April 2024.[53] On June 14, 2023, Diamond rejected its contract with Raycom Sports to distribute a package of Atlantic Coast Conference games, freeing Raycom to sell the package to other networks.[54] A month later, Raycom announced that The CW had bought the rights.[55]

On November 6, 2023, Diamond Sports and the National Basketball Association reached a one-year agreement that will result in the contracts for NBA teams airing on Diamond expiring after the 2023–24 NBA season. Across the board, all NBA teams airing on Diamond Sports will receive a 16% reduction in the money they receive from Diamond Sports, but will be able to sell 10 games to local over-the-air networks.[56][39] On December 30, 2023, the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans reached agreements with Gray Television to air 10 over-the-air games in local markets. The games will continue to be produced by Bally Sports.[57][58] On December 20, 2023, Diamond Sports and the National Hockey League reached a similar agreement to the NBA's November 6 deal that will also result in the contracts for all NHL teams airing on Diamond expiring after the 2023–24 NHL season, pending approval by the bankruptcy court.[59]

On January 17, 2024, Diamond Sports announced a restructuring agreement after receiving a minority investment from Amazon, and reaching an agreement with the Sinclair Broadcast Group for a $495 million cash payment to settle an earlier lawsuit. Under the deal, the Bally Sports app was to be folded into Amazon Prime Video. The restructuring would still need to be approved by the bankruptcy court.[60] Diamond Sports Group officially filed its reorganization plan on March 1, 2024. As part of the plan, Diamond would end its naming rights deal with Bally's Corporation.[61]

On May 1, 2024, Comcast and Midco dropped the Bally Sports networks as part of a carriage dispute.[62][63] Optimum did the same on July 1, 2024.[64]

On July 2, Scripps Sports, the sports division of the E. W. Scripps Company, announced a deal with the Florida Panthers, which would put games over the air on WSFL-TV beginning in the 2024–25 season.[65] On July 3, 2024, Diamond Sports Group filed a motion requesting that its contract with the Dallas Stars be terminated.[66] On July 8, the Stars subsequently announced that it would partner with A Parent Media Co. to stream all of its games for free via the team-run streaming service Victory+ beginning in the 2024–25 season.[67] On July 29, 2024, Comcast reached a new carriage agreement, allowing Bally Sports to be carried on the Xfinity "Ultimate TV" tier rather than on the basic service.[68]

On August 23, 2024, Diamond Sports announced it had reached amended regional broadcast agreements with nine NHL teams and thirteen NBA teams through at least the 2024–25 season, including reductions to rights fees; the agreement will expire if Diamond Sports Group's bankruptcy plan is not approved by the court. Diamond also terminated its contracts with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans (with the latter having reached an agreement with Gray Television).[69][70][71] It was later reported that Amazon had pulled out of its planned investment, citing that its value had been lessened by Diamond's loss of rights to multiple teams since the announcement, and that the company was prioritizing its recent investments in national broadcast rights to properties such as the NBA.[72] On August 27, the Anaheim Ducks announced that it would move to KCOP-TV and Victory+.[73]

The Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers' contracts with Diamond expired at the end of their 2024 regular seasons.[74][75][76] On October 8, 2024, MLB Local Media announced that it would assume the rights to the Brewers, Guardians, and Twins beginning in the 2025 season.[77][78] On October 2, 2024, Diamond Sports announced its intention to renegotiate its contracts with the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays. If the teams are unable to agree to a new contract with Diamond, their contract will be rejected. The Atlanta Braves are the only team not affected by the announcement.[79]

Rebranding to FanDuel Sports Network

[edit]

On October 16, 2024, it was revealed in a court filing that Diamond had reached a new sponsorship agreement with FanDuel Group, under which it intends to rebrand Bally Sports as the FanDuel Sports Network (FDSN); on October 18, 2024, Diamond officially announced the rebranding, which took effect October 21.[80][81] Under the agreement, FanDuel will have the option to take a minority equity stake of up to 5% once Diamond Sports exits bankruptcy. The branding will be downplayed within programming related to high school sports.[82][83] The same day, it was reported that the Miami Marlins had successfully renegotiated with Diamond to stay on FDSN.[84]

With the rebranding, the RSNs became an indirect sister to FanDuel TV, a national sports channel (formerly TVG, which focuses on horse racing, mainstream sports studio shows that include discussion of sports betting, and international sports)[85][86] owned directly by FanDuel Group; the agreement also provides options for FanDuel TV to syndicate its original programs (such as Up & Adams with Kay Adams) on FDSN, and FanDuel to resell the FDSN over-the-top service (formerly Bally Sports+) via its platforms.[80] FanDuel president Mike Raffensperger stated that the agreement would "further cement the FanDuel brand with sports fans and provides a unique vehicle to reward our users".[80]

A lawyer representing Major League Baseball stated that the league planned to formally oppose the bankruptcy plan during the confirmation hearings that begin November 14. In particular, MLB had shown concerns over the FanDuel agreement, including the lack of transparency regarding its negotiations, and concerns over league content being directly branded with the name of a sports betting company.[84]

Networks

[edit]

Owned-and-operated

[edit]
Network Region served Formerly
operated as 		Notes
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Michigan
Northwestern Ohio
Northeastern Indiana
Northeast Wisconsin 		Fox Sports Detroit (1997–2021)
Bally Sports Detroit (2021–2024)
FanDuel Sports Network Florida Florida SportsChannel Florida (1987–2000)
Fox Sports Florida (2000–2021)
Bally Sports Florida (2021–2024)
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes Ohio
Northwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern New York
parts of Kentucky & West Virginia 		SportsTime Ohio (2006–2021)
Bally Sports Great Lakes (2021–2024) 		Shares programming with sister network FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana Indiana Fox Sports Indiana (2006–2021)
Bally Sports Indiana (2021–2024) 		Shares programming with sister network FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas 		Fox Sports Kansas City (2008–2021)
Bally Sports Kansas City (2021–2024) 		Kansas City Royals have a minority interest. Shares programming with sister network FanDuel Sports Network Midwest.
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest Missouri
southern Illinois
Iowa
Nebraska 		Prime Sports Midwest (1989–1996)
Fox Sports Midwest (1996–2021)
Bally Sports Midwest (2021–2024) 		St. Louis Cardinals have 30% equity stake. Shares programming with sister networks FanDuel Sports Network Indiana and FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City.
FanDuel Sports Network North Minnesota
Wisconsin
Iowa
North Dakota
South Dakota 		Midwest Sports Channel (1989–2001)
Fox Sports North (2001–2021)
Bally Sports North (2021–2024)
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio Ohio
Kentucky
Eastern Indiana
Northwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern New York
parts of West Virginia 		SportsChannel Ohio (1989–1998)
Fox Sports Ohio (1998–2021)
Bally Sports Ohio (2021–2024) 		Separate subfeeds exist for the Cincinnati and Cleveland markets, with the Cincinnati Reds having partial ownership in the Cincinnati feed of the network from October 2016 to October 2024.
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma Oklahoma Fox Sports Oklahoma (2008–2021)
Bally Sports Oklahoma (2021–2024) 		Carries programming from sister network FanDuel Sports Network Southwest.
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal Southern California
Southern Nevada
Hawaii 		Fox Sports West 2 (1997–2006)
Prime Ticket (2006–2021)
Bally Sports SoCal (2021–2024)
FanDuel Sports Network South Georgia
Alabama
Kentucky
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee 		SportSouth (1990–1996)
Fox Sports South (1996–2021)
Bally Sports South (2021–2024) 		Shares broadcast rights with sister network FanDuel Sports Network Southeast.
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast Georgia
Alabama
Mississippi
South Carolina
Tennessee
Western North Carolina 		Turner South (1999–2006)
SportSouth (2006–2015)
Fox Sports Southeast (2015–2021)
Bally Sports Southeast (2021–2024) 		Shares broadcast rights with sister network FanDuel Sports Network South.
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest Texas
Arkansas
northern Louisiana
parts of New Mexico 		Home Sports Entertainment (1983–1994)
Prime Sports Southwest (1994–1996)
Fox Sports Southwest (1996–2021)
Bally Sports Southwest (2021–2024) 		The Texas Rangers owned a 10% equity stake in the network until October 2024.
FanDuel Sports Network Sun Florida Sunshine Network (1988–2004)
Sun Sports (2004–2015)
Fox Sports Sun (2015–2021)
Bally Sports Sun (2021–2024) 		Shares broadcast rights with sister network FanDuel Sports Network Florida.
FanDuel Sports Network West Southern California
Southern Nevada
Hawaii 		Prime Ticket (1985–1994)
Prime Sports West (1994–1996)
Fox Sports West (1996–2021)
Bally Sports West (2021–2024) 		Los Angeles Angels have 25% equity stake.
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin Wisconsin
western Upper Peninsula of Michigan
eastern Minnesota
northwestern Illinois
Iowa 		Fox Sports Wisconsin (2007–2021)
Bally Sports Wisconsin (2021–2024) 		Carries some programming from sister network FanDuel Sports Network North. Brewers obtained minority interest in 2021.

Affiliates

[edit]
Network Region served Formerly
operated as 		Notes
Marquee Sports Network Northern and Central Illinois
Iowa
Eastern and Central Nebraska
Northern, Western and Central Indiana
Southwestern Michigan
Southeastern Wisconsin 		Co-owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Chicago Cubs.
YES Network New York
North and Central Jersey
Southwestern Connecticut
Northeastern Pennsylvania 		Diamond Sports has minority share. Select programming airs instead on MSG Sportsnet/MSG Network
MSG Sportsnet/MSG Network
Cablevision Sports 3 (1976–1979)
SportsChannel New York (1979–1998)
FSN New York (1998–2008) 		Select programming airs instead on YES Network.

Previously owned-and-operated

[edit]
Network Region served Formerly
operated as 		Notes
Bally Sports Arizona Arizona
New Mexico
Utah
Southern Nevada 		Fox Sports Arizona (1996–1999, 2008–2021)
Fox Sports Net Arizona (1999–2004)
FSN Arizona (2004–2008) 		Shut down services on October 21, 2023 after losing airing rights to Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Arizona Coyotes games throughout 2023.
Bally Sports San Diego San Diego County
Imperial County
Palm Springs Area
Las Vegas Valley
Southern Arizona
Hawaii 		Fox Sports San Diego (2012–2021) San Diego Padres owned a 20% equity stake prior to the team parting ways with the network on May 30, 2023. Carried programming from sister networks Bally Sports SoCal and Bally Sports West. Network was officially liquidated in April 2024 following a settlement with the Padres.
Bally Sports New Orleans Louisiana
East Texas
South Alabama
Southern Mississippi
Florida Panhandle 		Fox Sports New Orleans (2012–2021) Shut down services on October 21, 2024 following Bally Sports' rebrand after Diamond dropped the rights for New Orleans Pelicans games alongside affiliate stations losing airing rights to Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers games in 2024.

Teams by network

[edit]
Network MLB NBA NHL Other Teams from neighboring networks
(Availability may be limited)
FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Detroit Tigers Detroit Pistons Detroit Red Wings Detroit Lions (NFL)* —
FanDuel Sports Network Florida Miami Marlins Orlando Magic - Miami Sharks (MLR) —
FanDuel Sports Network Great Lakes — — — Cleveland Browns (NFL)* Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) (Ohio)
Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) (Ohio)
FanDuel Sports Network Indiana — Indiana Pacers — Indiana Fever (WNBA) Detroit Pistons (NBA) (Detroit)
St. Louis Blues (NHL) (Midwest)
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City Kansas City Royals — — — Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (North)
Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (Oklahoma)
St. Louis Blues (NHL) (Midwest)
FanDuel Sports Network Midwest St. Louis Cardinals — St. Louis Blues — Kansas City Royals (MLB) (Kansas City)
Indiana Pacers (NBA) (Indiana)
Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) (Southeast)
Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) (North)
Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (Oklahoma)
FanDuel Sports Network North — Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Wild Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
Minnesota Vikings (NFL)*		 —
FanDuel Sports Network Ohio — Cleveland Cavaliers Columbus Blue Jackets —
FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma — Oklahoma City Thunder — — Kansas City Royals (MLB) (Kansas City)
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
Texas Rangers (MLB) (Southwest)
FanDuel Sports Network SoCal Los Angeles Angels† Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Kings† Los Angeles Rams (NFL)*
FanDuel Sports Network South Atlanta Braves — Carolina Hurricanes
Nashville Predators		 Atlanta Dream (WNBA) Indiana Pacers (NBA) (Indiana)
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
FanDuel Sports Network Southeast Atlanta Braves Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Memphis Grizzlies		 — Atlanta Dream (WNBA) St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
FanDuel Sports Network Southwest — San Antonio Spurs - Dallas Wings (WNBA) Kansas City Royals (MLB) (Kansas City)
Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) (Southeast)
Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (Oklahoma)
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB) (Midwest)
FanDuel Sports Network Sun Tampa Bay Rays Miami Heat Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)* —
FanDuel Sports Network West Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Clippers† Los Angeles Kings —
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin — Milwaukee Bucks — — Minnesota Wild (NHL) (North)

* Team-related shows and/or game replays only
† Occasional game telecasts

National programming

[edit]

Current

[edit]

Former

[edit]
  • Atlantic Coast Conference telecasts (including college basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball and field hockey; produced by Raycom Sports in tandem with Bally Sports, these telecasts were distributed through separate agreements)
  • Missouri Valley Conference telecasts (including college basketball, soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball and field hockey games; produced by LTN Global Communications in tandem with Bally Sports, distributed exclusively in the Midwest and Southeast)[96]
  • AutoNation Orange Bowl Basketball Classic (produced by Bally Sports)[97]
  • College football games (produced by sister network Stadium and distributed by Bally Sports)[98]
  • College basketball games (produced by Stadium and distributed by Bally Sports)[99]
  • Inside the Association (produced by Stadium)[100]
  • Live on the Line (produced by Stadium)
  • The Rally (produced by Stadium)
  • West Coast Conference Men's and Women's college basketball
[edit]

Direct-to-customer streaming service

[edit]

Formerly named Bally Sports+, FanDuel Sports Network's over-the-top subscription streaming platform offers livestreams and market-specific video-on-demand content from its individual regional networks. In addition to offering live game telecasts from the FanDuel Sports Network regional networks, the service also provides game replays, team-centered studio programs, outdoor programming, and selected programs syndicated to the network's national and regional feeds.

In December 2020, Sinclair announced plans to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming service based around the linear Bally Sports networks. The service was originally targeted for a 2021 launch, though it was delayed due to Bally Sports needing to negotiate over-the-top streaming rights with the teams.[101] Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley stated that the service was meant to target cord cutters, whom the company felt were underserved in the regional sports market.[102]

Bally Sports+ was soft-launched on June 23, 2022, initially available to customers residing in the service areas of Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Detroit, Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Wisconsin, and Bally Sports Florida/Bally Sports Sun —the five markets where Bally Sports was able to negotiate streaming rights to the local MLB team. The service launched three weeks after NESN launched NESN 360, the first DTC streaming service ever offered by an American regional sports network, on June 1.[103][104]

The service—which is sold for $19.99/month or $189.99/year—uses the same infrastructure as the Bally Sports app, and was initially available on smartphones and tablet devices. Due to regional rights restrictions, the service is only available to users in markets serviced by a network owned or affiliated with Bally Sports.[103]

In August 2022, Bally Sports announced that Bally Sports+ would expand to the rest of its markets on September 26, 2022.[105]

After Bally Sports' rabranding in October 2024, Bally Sports+ has been known as simply FanDuel Sports Network, with no "+" included anymore.[106]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FOX GIVES NEW NAME TO SPORTS ALLIANCE: FOX SPORTS NET". Sports Business Journal. July 3, 1996. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  2. ^ R. Thomas Umstead (July 8, 1996). "Liberty Sports regionals will become Fox Sports net". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  3. ^ "FOX SPORTS NET DEBUTS ON NOV. 1". The Columbian. Associated Press. September 13, 1996. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
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  9. ^ Ben Munson (December 6, 2017). "Disney's pursuit of Fox RSNs could be big boost for ESPN". FierceCable. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
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  11. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (June 27, 2018). "Justice Department Approves Disney's Acquisition of 21st Century Fox With Divestiture of Regional Sports Networks". Variety. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  12. ^ "US gives Disney-Fox deal antitrust approval". CNBC. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Wilen, Holden (Oct 3, 2018). "Sinclair Broadcast CEO eyes deal for Fox's regional sports networks". Baltimore Business Journal. American Business Journals. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
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  15. ^ Rosenthal, Phil (13 February 2019). "The Cubs are starting a new TV channel in 2020. Here's what that means for fans". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
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  22. ^ Sinclair's Fox RSNs dropped by FuboTV - Sam Carp, SportsPro, 2 January 2020
  23. ^ YouTube TV Is Dropping Fox Regional Sports Nets, YES Network After Sinclair Standoff - Todd Spangler, Variety, 27 February 2020
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  25. ^ "Sinclair Posts Higher Political Ad Revenue, Takes $4.2B Local Sports Charge". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  26. ^ Feldman, Eben Novy-Williams,Jacob (2020-11-17). "Sinclair Exploring Sale of RSN Naming Rights to Betting Companies". Sportico. Retrieved 2020-11-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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