Twins games are making a comeback on Comcast’s cable systems, thanks to a new agreement between Comcast and Diamond Sports Group. Starting Thursday, Bally Sports North will once again be available to Comcast Xfinity subscribers as part of the “Ultimate TV” package. This means fans will need to upgrade from the basic “Popular TV” package to catch all the action.
The new tier, which includes popular sports channels like the NFL Network and MLB Network, will cost an additional $20 per month. However, Comcast is sweetening the deal by offering three months free for subscribers who make the switch. This move comes after a three-month blackout of BSN programming on Xfinity and Midco cable systems, leaving many baseball fans in the dark for most of the season.
While the agreement doesn’t include a standalone streaming option, Comcast Xfinity subscribers will once again be able to stream games on the Comcast app. Twins spokesman Dustin Morse expressed gratitude to fans for their patience during the contract negotiations and looks forward to the excitement of the team’s postseason push in the coming months.
Diamond Sports Group has been working hard to secure deals with major distributors, including Charter Communications, DirecTV, Cox Communications, and Fubo. With this latest agreement, all of their biggest distributors are now on board. It remains to be seen if other carriers will follow Comcast’s lead in placing Bally networks on a higher tier to give customers more choice.
This agreement is a crucial step for Diamond in their efforts to recover from last summer’s bankruptcy. It paves the way for Bally networks to enter into new contracts with NBA and NHL teams. As the Twins’ contract with BSN is set to expire in October, the future remains uncertain regarding a new deal for the 2025 season and beyond.
In the meantime, Major League Baseball has offered to produce telecasts for teams that opt not to continue their partnership with Diamond Sports Group. This season, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are already benefiting from MLB-produced broadcasts. As the sports broadcasting landscape continues to evolve, fans can look forward to more options and flexibility in how they consume their favorite teams’ games.
