Twins games will not be available on Comcast after negotiations broke down between the company and Bally Sports’ owner, Diamond Sports, which is in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings.
A message displayed on the Bally Sports channel for Comcast Xfinity customers explained the situation.
“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,” the message read.
The Twins expressed disappointment over the dispute that led to the channel being dropped and fans losing an option to watch games. The team said in a statement that its hands are tied.
“The Twins are disappointed by this massive disruption for our fans who simply want to watch our games. This situation is a business negotiation between Comcast and Bally’s. The Twins have no role or voice in this matter. We are hopeful the two parties are able to come to an agreement as soon as possible.”
Talks between Diamond and Comcast broke down over a disagreement over pricing tiers, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. Comcast has moved several independent regional sports networks to its digital premier tier — a subscription package roughly $20 more than its basic tier, where those networks previously resided — and wants to move all the Bally channels to that tier.
Diamond wants to keep the Bally channels on the basic tier of Comcast’s package. The sides have been negotiating for months after Comcast gave Diamond a six-month extension last fall. The extension expired Tuesday.
In February, a federal bankruptcy court judge in Houston approved a one-year contract between the Twins and Bally Sports North for the 2024 season. Their previous broadcasting contract expired last October.
