A few weeks ago, we learned that Warner Bros. Discovery will soon shut down AT&T SportsNets that it runs. Now it is being reported that at least one of them may be saved as the Astros and Rockets may buy AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
According to a report from Wall Street Journal, Warner Bros. Discovery has told teams that it plans to get out of the RSNs and shut down AT&T SportsNets. Teams have until the end of March to stick a deal to take back rights, or AT&T Sports Nets will declare bankruptcy as a chapter 7 to shut down.
Now Sports Business Journal is reporting that the Astros and Rockets have started talks to buy AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
According to reports, AT&T Sports Nets has told teams they can take all of their equipment to keep covering games. This will make a deal to buy the network easier.
What is also making AT&T SportsNet Southwest more appealing to these teams vs other markets where other teams are not interested is the fact that the channel has a deal with Comcast and DIRECTV through 2023. Buying the network will allow them to keep access to lucrative TV contracts.
MLB, NBA, and NHL have all announced that they have backup plans to stream games. It is also reported that the affected teams will likely try to resell the rights to their services.
AT&T SportsNets are reportedly working with teams to ensure coverage of the games is not interrupted, but so far, AT&T SportsNet Southwest is the only one we know of that may stay open after Warner Bros. Discovery shut down their RSNs.