One of Bally Sports’ streaming plans is an example of why you should examine the fine print before signing up for a service.
For most of its regions, from Bally Sports West to Bally Sports Southeast, the pricing is fairly standard: $19.99 a month or a discounted annual rate of $189.99. But Bally Sports Southwest is a little screwy. It still cost $19.99 a month, but the price actually goes up when you try to lock in the rate for the year. Its annual rate is $249.99 a month, or about $10 more than you would pay on a monthly basis.
That flies in the face of standard economics, where you get a discount for committing to a longer term of service. When it comes to the Southwest territory, you’re actually penalized for staying with Bally longer. It’s a reminder to carefully look at the terms of services and do the math if you ever sign up for something.
Bally Sports Southwest covers the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs; the MLB’s Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals; the NHL’s Dallas Stars; and the WNBA’s Dallas Wings.
Bally Sports North also has a slight price difference from the norm, but its annual package is $209.99, which is still a discount from the monthly rate.
It’s unclear why there’s such a price discrepancy with the Southwest plan, and why it’s priced to discourage fans from signing on for the year.
The company, owned by Diamond Sports Group, is in the middle of getting its plan to emerge out of bankruptcy approved by the courts. It has struck a deal with Amazon, which is investing $115 million for a stake in the business.
You can check out what the prices look like in your region through the Bally Sports site.
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