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Sinclair/Ballys/ESPN/TNT ... broadcasting access, tips and notes

I have only two words to share today: F*CK Spectrum!

OK, a few more words...

As I've shared here before, I have been really happy with the move I made five months ago to finally downgrade my Spectrum subscription to internet only, switching to YouTubeTV for TV service. The 300 Mbps internet service from Spectrum works great--both my wife and I work from home and we're on virtual meetings almost every day, and we use a lot of streaming TV services, including Bally Sports--and the rep gave me what was supposed to be a promotional deal for a year for about $75 per month.

Today I received my bill and the price went up by $7 per month. I called Spectrum immediately and the rep there told me I had no recourse--I'm still getting a promotional deal that discounts my service by $35 per month, but they implemented a companywide rate increase this month. Needless to say, I was not happy with that and was unable to get him to budge.

So, I'm in the market for another high speed internet service provider. Unfortunately, neither Google Fiber or AT&T Fiber are available at my home, so if anyone has other suggestions, please let me know. I don't think I want any option that offers lower than 300 Mbps speed.
 
Spectrum has also started charging a "payment processing fee" to accounts unless they are set up to auto-pay. Yes, you now have to pay an additional $5 if you want them to cash your check or process your online payment.
 
Diamond filed their reorganization with the bankruptcy court today and among its elements is that the Bally brand will go away, with Diamond being able to use it through the end of the 2024 MLB season. We’ll see who the highest bidder ends up being for putting their brand on these RSNs, but we’ll need to get used to a new name next season.
 
perfectstormhits said:
Bally Sports via Amazon Prime?

www.forbes.com

Bally Sports Coming To Amazon Prime Video In Proposed Deal: What To Know

One of the largest regional broadcasters of the NBA, NHL and MLB will stream games directly to Amazon Prime Video as part of a proposed agreement, after years of fans bemoaning about accessibility to local games.
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
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That had been announced previously, although I guess this fills in the details. Unless Amazon was going to just sponsor the existing platform, Prime was the only location for this stuff. It's still unclear what the timing and cost will be.
 
Ok-broadcasting rant here. I just got off the phone trying to talk my 93 yr old father through how to watch the playoff games. He's in Ohio on Spectrum, and trying to explain to him that tonight is on TBS and Monday is on ESPN2 and Thur is back to TBS is just beyond mind boggling. Let's try to make it easy for viewers to find the games-NOT.
 
ksbeecane said:
Ok-broadcasting rant here. I just got off the phone trying to talk my 93 yr old father through how to watch the playoff games. He's in Ohio on Spectrum, and trying to explain to him that tonight is on TBS and Monday is on ESPN2 and Thur is back to TBS is just beyond mind boggling. Let's try to make it easy for viewers to find the games-NOT.
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Be glad you aren't trying to explain how to watch NC Courage NWSL games. We're talking 3 broadcast partners, some of whom have multiple platforms, and a streaming service that didn't exist 3 months ago. Watching anything other than NFL football is complicated these days.
 
Meanwhile Spectrum/Bally has British Basketball League listed on Channel 318 from 4-6:30 followed by Braves Live and MLB.

Happens regularly and usually turns out to be Canes. But really?
 
Elsker said:
Meanwhile Spectrum/Bally has British Basketball League listed on Channel 318 from 4-6:30 followed by Braves Live and MLB.

Happens regularly and usually turns out to be Canes. But really?
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I laugh every time they run promos for the BBL on their stream, trying to position it as something any of their viewers would give a crap about!
 
… and it’s time for that annual tradition: cancelling Bally Sports RSN. See ya in the Fall.
 
Report that FanDuel may be next up after Bally Sports for naming rights to Diamond's regional sports networks...

cordcuttersnews.com

Bally Sports RSNs Are Reportedly Close to a Deal with FanDuel for a New Name | Cord Cutters News

At the end of the 2024 MLB season Bally Sports RSNs will need a new name as their deal with Bally Sports will end. Now, according to a report from Bloomberg, FanDuel is in talks to become the new name of Bally Sports RSNs. Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports, is still […]
cordcuttersnews.com cordcuttersnews.com
 
HeyKurtz said:
Report that FanDuel may be next up after Bally Sports for naming rights to Diamond's regional sports networks...

cordcuttersnews.com

Bally Sports RSNs Are Reportedly Close to a Deal with FanDuel for a New Name | Cord Cutters News

At the end of the 2024 MLB season Bally Sports RSNs will need a new name as their deal with Bally Sports will end. Now, according to a report from Bloomberg, FanDuel is in talks to become the new name of Bally Sports RSNs. Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports, is still […]
cordcuttersnews.com cordcuttersnews.com
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Why not? They already have an ad on basically every single ad break on every single televised sporting event.
 
jeffbear said:
Why not? They already have an ad on basically every single ad break on every single televised sporting event.
Click to expand...
The gambling presence is quite over the top already. I hate it. It’s freaking everywhere. I’m thinking this loosening of the restrictions on gambling is going to result in major issues. If they have money to burn on ads it’s because it’s working for them. Lotsa that money is probably coming from millennials complaining about not being able to afford a house. Guessing the gambling cash flows aren’t helping with that for most.
 
Millennials can't afford housing because businesses are buying housing to sit on them and rent them out for max profits.

Gambling is becoming juggernaut issue, but that's not why most people can't afford large purchases.
 
I mean, there's probably some growth in the amount spent on gambling due to increased access to legal outlets, but let's be real here. Pretty close to the same amount of money was being spent on gambling before there were legal outlets. The cash flow just shifted from off shore sites and bookies to FanDuel and ESPNBet and whatever else.
 
I'm up about $800 betting mostly 5s and 10s since it opened up here in March ( and never did any offshore stuff before) , but I've dialed my activity way down in last few weeks.. don't want to think my luck will continue and get hooked.. and yes, if I never see Kevin Hart on my TV screen again hawking DraftKings it will be too soon.
 
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StormChaserBH said:
I'm up about $800 betting mostly 5s and 10s since it opened up here in March ( and never did any offshore stuff before) , but I've dialed my activity way down in last few weeks.. don't want to think my luck will continue and get hooked.. and yes, if I never see Kevin Hart on my TV screen again hawking DraftKings it will be too soon.
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But his wings got cold
 
For the record, my main gripe about the betting ads other than just the brute force repetition are the ones that obviously use game and social media elements to appeal to younger viewers. That kind of crap is baldly manipulative in way that makes me very uncomfortable. Like the kids say, it gives me the ick
 
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