D-backs Still In Talks Over TV Deal
Earlier this month, a report surfaced surrounding the Diamondbacks' broadcast situation in 2024. The Athletic's Evan Drellich reported that MLB would continue to produce D-backs broadcasts, in the same fashion it did for the latter half of 2023.
However, that report was not entirely accurate.
According to team President and CEO Derrick Hall, the D-backs are still discussing and weighing options regarding how they will broadcast games in 2024, following their split from Diamond Sports Group and Bally.
“We are still talking to those interested. Other parties where we can look at options. And we have considered over-the-air. We have looked at the possibility of a hybrid, if that would work," Hall said.
Managing Partner Ken Kendrick cited the difficulty in navigating the situation, but emphasized that, although the D-backs have not settled on a solution, fans will be able to see their favorite team on TV in 2024.
"The challenge is on our side of the table, the economics of what the revenue streams that the television will create for us, which is not an insignificant part of our revenue. And there are mobile options and we’re continuing to work them," Kendrick said.
Kendrick likened the situation to "being in a soap opera," where unexpected twists can arise at any time. Being that the D-backs' previous partner in Diamond Sports Group declared bankruptcy, Arizona has had to navigate the bankruptcy court process.
"You tune in today and something is happening, and you tune in tomorrow and something brand new is happening, and that's what goes on in bankruptcy court and we’ve been, since March of last year, our activity has been a part of what we’ve been doing in the local TV RSN landscape has been bankruptcy court-driven, I can assure you it's not a place we would wish to be," Kendrick said.
Although they are in talks with other sources, there is still a possibility of D-backs games being broadcast by MLB in 2024. With plenty of other options to choose from, MLB will serve as somewhat of a backup plan.
“We know we can go on MLB today if we decide to, and they've been very patient, we’ve told them we're continuing to explore other options, and they know we have other options and offers on the table," said Hall, "so again, we're just trying to hammer down what it would look like if we’re on MLB, versus one of those other options, or if there’s a way to do both. I think we’ll have an announcement very soon."
If MLB were to broadcast D-backs games again, Hall said it would look the same as it did in 2023, with a monthly or yearly Diamondbacks-only package available for purchase on MLB.tv. This would prevent local blackout restrictions from hindering fans across the state. D-backs fans outside of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico would continue to have access to D-backs games as part of the out-of-market package.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia's decision to provide free over-the-air access to Suns games is also an idea in the mix of the D-backs' TV situation. Hall noted the possibility of OTA broadcasts being a part of the deal, and mentioned that the team has had communication with the Suns, saying he could envision a partnership with the Suns "down the road."
Regardless, both Hall and Kendrick emphasized that a solution will be in place "soon."
“The most important thing for a fan is are games going to be available on TV like they have been, and the answer is absolutely," said Kendrick, "It’s not whether they will be, it’s what the delivery mechanism behind the scenes will be and whom it will be with. We moved within the season last year to a change, and I think if you're a fan of the D-backs it was pretty seamless. And what we end up doing this year I think will be the same for the fans."
Hall noted that the goal is to have a decision on the TV front by the end of this week, since they would like to be able to televise Spring Training contests. While they still don't know what that will look like exactly, there isn't a "great sense of urgency," but Hall is "convinced" that the D-backs will have something to announce very soon.
"The important thing for a Diamondbacks fan is ‘am I going to get to watch my favorite team on television?’ yes, you are,” Kendrick said.
