Draft:2023–24 sports related U.S. television changes

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Due to changes in the television landscape in 2023, there were several major sports related television changes. Two over-the-air television networks, The CW and Ion Television, acquired national sports rights for the first time. The AT&T SportsNet regional sports networks shut down, while the Bally Sports regional sports networks filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Three professional sports teams, the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz of the NBA, and the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, moved their games from regional sports networks to over-the-air networks, and added a direct-to-consumer streaming video option to watch games. Two other teams, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball moved their games from regional sports networks to deals with local cable companies, and also added a direct-to-consumer streaming video option to watch games. Multiple over-the-air networks changed affiliations to allow more flexibility in airing local sports, most notably affiliates of The CW owned by CBS News and Stations.

Timeline[edit]

Changes began in January 2023, when The CW agreed to a three-year broadcast deal with LIV Golf, the upstart professional golf tour financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, marking the first-ever national sports broadcasting contract for the network.[1] On February 14, 2023, the network said its LIV Golf coverage would be carried in 100% of U.S. media markets. However, as existing contracts at the time only obligated CW affiliates to air prime time and Saturday morning E/I programming, some of them declined to carry LIV coverage. Among the refraining stations were the eight CW stations owned by CBS News and Stations, ostensibly due to CBS Sports' longstanding partnership with the competing PGA Tour. In many of the affected markets, LIV coverage would air on a Nexstar-owned station, a subchannel carrying a digital multicast network, or on another station not connected with The CW or Nexstar under a secondary affiliation agreement.[2][3]

On February 24, 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it would leave the RSN business. The company also sent messages to teams it has deals with, notifying them they had until March 31 to reach an agreement to take their rights back or acquire the networks. If no deal was made before the deadline, Warner Bros. Discovery stated that the channels would go into Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. Those teams with deals with Root Sports Northwest are not affected because that channel already is majority-owned by the Seattle Mariners.[4][5][6]

On March 14, 2023, the Diamond Sports Group, a holding company owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group that operates the Bally Sports networks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy,[7] 30 days after they failed to make a $140M interest payment.[8] Diamond’s first-lien lenders will not be affected as part of the restructuring support agreement, however other creditors will convert their debt into equity. Diamond also plans to separate from Sinclair and become an entirely new entity.[9]

On April 20, 2023, Ion Television signed a multi-year deal with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to air a 15-week slate of doubleheader games on Friday nights (branded as WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION), beginning with that year’s regular season. It will be the first national sports broadcast carried by Ion since 2011 and marks the first-ever television contract for Scripps Sports, which was founded by the E. W. Scripps Company in December 2022 to acquire sports events for Ion and the group’s local television stations. The agreement also grants local rights to selected Ion O&Os for games involving regional WNBA teams, which stations may carry in early- or late-evening broadcast windows depending on tip-off time.[10][11][12]

On April 28, 2023, the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association announced they had signed a five-year agreement with Gray Television to replace Bally Sports Arizona as its local television partners.[13] After the announcement, Diamond Sports Group accused the team of breaching its contract and bankruptcy law, stating that the team was making an "improper effort" to "change their broadcasting partner without permitting Diamond to exercise our contractual rights." In response, Suns CEO Josh Bartlestein stated "Diamond's position is totally inaccurate. We are moving forward with this deal and could not be more excited about what it means for our fans and our future."[14][15][16] On May 10, 2023, the bankruptcy judge voided the Suns contract with Gray, ruling that the Suns violated Bally Sports Arizona's contractual right of first refusal. He ordered the parties into arbitration. The Phoenix Mercury's deal was not affected.[17] On July 14, 2023, the deal became official when Diamond declined to match Gray's contract offer.[18]

On May 4, 2023, the Vegas Golden Knights announced an agreement with the E.W. Scripps Company and its newly-established Scripps Sports division, under a multi-year deal beginning in the 2023–24 NHL season. Scripps' Laughlin station KMCC will serve as flagship station of the Golden Knights' television network, with games to be aired by it and other stations in the team's broadcast territory. KMCC is a sister station to Las Vegas ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, which may also air selected Golden Knights games by virtue of the NHL's broadcast television rights with ABC and has previously aired simulcasts of Golden Knights preseason games with ATTSN. An over-the-top (OTT) service will be announced at a later date.[19][20]

On May 5, 2023, CBS News and Stations announced it was exercising its option to disaffiliate from The CW. Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News and Stations, specifically cited opportunities to add live sports as a reason for the disaffiliation.[21]

On May 31, 2023, Diamond Sports Group, owners of Bally Sports, officially missed a second payment to the San Diego Padres, and the Padres' television rights were returned to Major League Baseball.[22][23] Padres games will be available direct-to-consumer on MLB.tv, as well as through channels on select cable providers, including YurView California, in the San Diego area. MLB Network will produce the games with the Padres' regular commentators.[24]

On June 7, 2023, The CW announced it had acquired the rights to the series Inside the NFL for its 47th season, which previously aired via streaming service Paramount+ and previous to that, was cable-exclusive to HBO, then Showtime, bringing the series to broadcast television for the first time. NFL Films will continue to produce the show,[25] with former Steelers safety Ryan Clark as the new host. Channing Crowder, Jay Cutler, Chad Johnson and Chris Long will also join the show as analysts.[26]

On June 20, 2023, the Utah Jazz announced an agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group owned KJZZ-TV for the 2023–24 season, with current team owner Smith Entertainment Group starting a new in-house production division, SEG Media, to produce the telecasts. Sinclair retains the right to carry select telecasts on KUTV, and KUTV will maintain an "official station" relationship with the team, allowing more coverage of the Jazz and its players. The deal will also include a streaming service, which will not involve KJZZ-TV.[27][28][29]

On June 22, 2023, Diamond announced its intention to reject its contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 30, 2023.[30] Diamond and the Arizona Diamondbacks later released a joint statement pushing back the hearing and agreeing to continue Diamond's broadcast of Diamondbacks' games.[31] The contract was officially rejected on July 18. As for the Padres, Major League Baseball took over production.[32]

On July 10, 2023, Charter Communications announced it would begin offering a reduced-cost tier of its Spectrum TV Select cable package that will exclude regional and many national sports networks featured in its standard basic tier (including its own Spectrum Sports channels in areas where Charter also operates an RSN). The Spectrum Select Signature tier—which will gradually launch across most of its footprint beginning in late Summer, alongside the renamed Spectrum Select Plus expanded tier—will be marketed primarily to non-sports fans, and is intended to limit cord-cutting among existing subscribers. The company also plans to launch a subscription streaming service for its Spectrum Sports channels, which will be available at no extra charge to Select Plus subscribers. Concurrently, Charter announces a new carriage agreement with DirecTV for Spectrum SportsNet and SportsNet LA, which lowers the required coverage rates for the two Los Angeles-based networks under terms similar to recent deals that saw the company reduce coverage mandates for owned or third-party regional sports networks carried on its systems (RSNs usually require carriage by at least 80% of a provider's regional subscribers); Charter intends to impose similar provisions for its Spectrum Sports RSNs in future negotiations with other providers, enabling them to reduce programming costs subsidized by their customers.[33][34][35]

On July 13, 2023, it was announced that The CW had acquired the exclusive broadcast rights to 50 Atlantic Coast Conference college football and basketball games each season through 2026–27, with Gray Television's Raycom Sports division, who previously produced syndicated ACC broadcasts, remaining the production partner. The package had been with Fox Sports Net before transitioning to Bally Sports in the 2021 season with the network's ownership transfer.[36]

On July 28, 2023, the network and NASCAR announced a rights deal for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, rights previously spread among several cable and broadcast networks. The deal will encompass the 2025–2031 racing seasons.[37]

On August 31, 2023, the cable networks and TV stations owned by The Walt Disney Company (including ESPN networks, and ABC O&O stations), were dropped from Charter Communications' Spectrum cable systems due to an unresolved carriage dispute. The two companies would announce a new agreement on September 11, one that allowed customers who subscribe to certain Spectrum packages access to the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services (and, when it launches, ESPN's direct-to-consumer service).[38][39] Also on August 31, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced its intent to purchase AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and rebrand it as SportsNet Pittsburgh on October 2, 2023. NESN, which is owned by Penguins owner Fenway Sports Group, will operate the network.[40]

On September 1, 2023, 13 The CW affiliated stations switched to Independent television stations. 8 are owned by CBS News and Stations, while four other Montana-based stations owned by the E. W. Scripps Company who will now air Vegas Golden Knights games.[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] Two other Scripps owned Ion Television stations, KMCC in Las Vegas, and KUPX-TV in Salt Lake City, also switch affiliations to air Golden Knights games.[49][50] The CW found replacements for all of the switching stations except for three in Montana.

On September 12, 2023, Monumental Sports & Entertainment rebranded NBC Sports Washington to Monumental Sports Network. Monumental purchased NBC Sports Washington from NBCUniversal in August 2022. Monumental owns the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics, all of which have television rights agreements with the network.[51][52]


Channel changes[edit]

Market Channel Change
Atlanta, GA WPCH-TV Independent to The CW
WUPA The CW to Independent
Billings, Montana KSVI Mystery to The CW
KTVQ The CW to Independent
Butte, Montana KXLF-TV
Detroit, MI WADL MyNetworkTV (retained as secondary affiliation) to The CW
WKBD-TV The CW to Independent
Great Falls, Montana KRTV The CW to Independent
Missoula, Montana KPAX-TV
Oklahoma City, OK KAUT-TV Independent to The CW
KOCB The CW to Independent
Philadelphia, PA WPHL-TV 17 MyNetworkTV to The CW
WPSG The CW to Independent
Pittsburgh, PA WPNT MyNetworkTV (retained as secondary affiliation) to The CW
WPKD-TV The CW to Independent
Sacramento KQCA MyNetworkTV (retained as secondary affiliation) to The CW
KMAX-TV The CW to Independent
San Francisco–Oakland KRON-TV MyNetworkTV (retained as secondary affiliation) to The CW
KPYX The CW to Independent
Seattle KOMO-DT2 Comet (retained as secondary affiliation) to The CW
KSTW The CW to Independent
Tampa WTTA MyNetworkTV (retained as secondary affiliation) to The CW
WTOG The CW to Independent

References[edit]

  1. ^ Strauss, Ben; Bonesteel, Matt (January 19, 2023). "After a year of streaming, LIV Golf finds a television partner". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Rice, Lynette (February 14, 2023). "LIV Golf Tour Clears 100 Percent Of US Markets (But Not All CW Stations)". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "LIV On CW: Behind Nexstar's Drive To Secure TV Stations For Controversial Golf League," Archived February 25, 2023, at the Wayback Machine from Deadline, 2/24/2023
  4. ^ "Warner Bros. Discovery tells teams it is leaving RSN business". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  5. ^ Weprin, Alex (2023-02-24). "Warner Bros. Discovery Seeks to Exit Regional Sports Networks Business". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  6. ^ "ROOT Sports Northwest says it's not impacted by Warner Bros. Discovery exiting local sports business". The Seattle Times. 2023-02-24. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  7. ^ "Diamond Sports Group Commences Voluntary Chapter 11 Proceedings to Strengthen Balance Sheet". Business Wire (Press release). March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
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  10. ^ "WNBA AND SCRIPPS PARTNER ON MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT SPOTLIGHT GAMES ON ION". The E.W. Scripps Company (Press release). April 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "WNBA partners with Scripps to show Friday night games on ION". ESPN. ESPN Inc. Associated Press. April 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Scripps launches Scripps Sports division to further its sports programming initiatives" (Press release). E. W. Scripps Company. December 15, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023 – via PRNewswire.
  13. ^ Sprung, Shlomo (2023-04-28). "RSN to DTC: Phoenix Suns, Mercury Bringing Games to Local TV for Free". Boardroom. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  14. ^ Weprin, Alex (2023-04-28). "The Phoenix Suns Could Usher In the Future of Regional Sports TV Deals". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  15. ^ Rizzo, Lillian. "Phoenix Suns and Mercury to move games from cable to local network and streaming". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  16. ^ Rankin, Duane (April 28, 2023). "Diamond Sports Group accuses Phoenix Suns of breach of contract in leaving Bally Sports Arizona". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  17. ^ Kaplan, Daniel (May 10, 2023). "Judge voids Suns' media deal with Gray TV amid Diamond Sports bankruptcy proceedings". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  18. ^ Novak, Chris (July 14, 2023). "Phoenix Suns strike deal with Gray Television". Awful Announcing. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "VGK and Scripps Partner on Multi-Year Agreement to Air NHL Team's Games". NHL.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Winslow, George (2023-05-05). "Scripps Inks Multiyear Deal to Air Vegas Golden Knights NHL Games". TVTechnology. Archived from the original on May 5, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
  21. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 5, 2023). "Eight CBS Stations To Ditch CW And Go Independent This Fall". Deadline. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  22. ^ Lafayette, Jon (May 31, 2023). "Diamond Sports Group Pulls Plug on Bally Sports San Diego Padres Games". Next TV. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Ourand, John (May 30, 2023). "SBJ Unpacks: Padres' deal with Bally Sports ends tonight". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  24. ^ Gonzalez, Alden (May 30, 2023). "Diamond Sports Group fails to pay Padres, loses broadcast rights". ESPN. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 7, 2023). "'Revamped' Inside the NFL to Air on The CW During the 2023 Football Season". TVLine. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  26. ^ Manfredi, Lucas; Cobb, Kayla (August 30, 2023). "The CW Taps Super Bowl Champion Ryan Clark As Host for 'Inside the NFL'". TheWrap. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  27. ^ Larsen, Andy (June 20, 2023). "Utah Jazz will air games free, sell streaming packages to fans next season". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  28. ^ Keys, Matthew (June 20, 2023). "Utah Jazz games moving to free broadcast TV". TheDesk.net. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  29. ^ Miller, Ryan (June 20, 2023). "The Utah Jazz will be back on KJZZ next season". KSL-TV. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  30. ^ Frankel, Daniel (June 22, 2023). "Bankrupt Diamond Moves To Cut the MLB's Diamondbacks Loose From Bally Sports Arizona". Next TV. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  31. ^ "D-backs, Diamond Sports push back hearing on TV contract, Bally Sports to continue coverage". June 28, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  32. ^ Mackie, Theo (July 18, 2023). "Diamondbacks games no longer to be carried on Bally Sports; MLB moving them to new outlets". AzCentral. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  33. ^ Lillian Rizzo (July 10, 2023). "Charter will offer a cheaper, sports-lite cable TV option to reflect changing landscape". CNBC. NBCUniversal News Group. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  34. ^ Alex Weprin (July 10, 2023). "Charter Shake-Up: TV Services Split in Regional Sports Network-Related Pivot". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  35. ^ "Charter Communications Announces New, Industry-Leading Distribution Model for Regional Sports Networks". Charter Communications (Press release). July 10, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  36. ^ Maas, Jennifer (July 13, 2023). "The CW Scores Four-Season Rights to 50 ACC College Football and Basketball Games From Raycom, ESPN". Variety.
  37. ^ Long, Dustin (July 28, 2023). "Xfinity races to air on CW Network starting in 2025". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  38. ^ "ESPN, Other Disney Networks & ABC Stations Go Dark On Spectrum Cable Systems In Carriage Fight," from Deadline, 8/31/2023
  39. ^ "Disney, Charter Settle Cable Dispute Hours Before Debut of ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football,’" from Variety, 9/11/2023
  40. ^ "Penguins Announce 'SportsNet Pittsburgh' as Regional Sports Network". NHL.com. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  41. ^ Alex Weprin (May 5, 2023). "CBS-Owned CW Stations Will Go Independent Later This Year". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries.
  42. ^ Mark K. Miller (June 14, 2023). "Nexstar Stations In Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa To Become CW Affils On Sept. 1". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media.
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  45. ^ Announcement video on homepage of WADL website
  46. ^ "The CW Network and Gray Television Expand and Extend Affiliation Partnership". Nexstar.tv (Press release). 2023-08-30. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
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  48. ^ "The CW Network and Sinclair Expand and Extend Affiliation Partnership". Nexstar.tv (Press release). 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  49. ^ "Vegas 34 launches as the official broadcast partner of the Vegas Golden Knights". KTNV. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  50. ^ Urban, Andres (2023-08-26). "Stanley Cup champions stop in Ogden on 'road trip'". Fox 13 Utah. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  51. ^ "NBC Sports Washington is Becoming Monumental Sports Network". Washington Capitals. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  52. ^ Monumental Sports & Entertainment (September 20, 2022). "Monumental Sports & Entertainment Completes Acquisition of NBC Sports Washington" (Press release). Retrieved September 20, 2022.
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