Diamond Sports Group, the owner of 16 regional sports networks (RSNs), has reached a multi-year agreement with Prime Video to offer its channels as an add-on subscription. This move will provide fans in 31 states with access to their local teams through the streaming giant.
The deal comes as Diamond Sports navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The company, which carries a hefty $8.67 billion debt load, filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2023. A final hearing on Diamond’s reorganization plan is scheduled for Thursday, per a report from Sports Business Journal.
Prime Video Expands Sports Offerings
Earlier this year, Prime Video announced a minority stake investment in Diamond Sports, signaling its growing interest in the sports streaming market. This latest agreement further expands Prime Video’s sports portfolio, adding to its existing offerings such as NFL Thursday Night Football and exclusive deals with the WNBA and the Seattle Storm. That deal fell apart but now it seems a new deal has been reached to bring the RSNs to Amazon’s Prime Video.
Regional Sports Networks Go Digital
Under the agreement, Diamond Sports’ FanDuel Sports Network RSNs will be available to Prime Video subscribers within each team’s designated geographic area. This provides a new avenue for fans to access local sports content as traditional cable viewership declines.
Potential Lifeline for Diamond Sports
This partnership with Prime Video could be a significant lifeline for Diamond Sports as it attempts to restructure its finances and emerge from bankruptcy. By leveraging Prime Video’s extensive reach and streaming capabilities, Diamond Sports can potentially tap into a wider audience and generate new revenue streams.