Discover Enhanced Flexibility: Comcast Sports and News Bundle Addresses RSN Challenges!

Comcast has made a splash in the sports streaming world. They’ve introduced a new package called Sports and News TV that costs $70 a month. This bundle includes popular sports channels like ESPN and FS1, alongside major news networks such as Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. Local channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, and Univision are also part of the deal.

This move puts Comcast in competition with other services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV. They’ll also be facing the new MySports bundle from DirecTV, which launched recently. This announcement follows the shutdown of Venu Sports and Disney’s investment in Fubo.

John Dixon, Comcast’s Senior Vice President of Entertainment, shared that the company has been working hard to offer better value at different price points for consumers. They’ve previously targeted budget-conscious viewers with options like Now TV, and they’re now focusing on middle-tier packages. They believe Sports and News will fill a gap for many customers.

According to Comcast, this bundle caters to fans who want to catch major sports events. It covers national broadcasts from the most popular pro leagues, like the NBA and NHL, as well as college sports. However, it notably lacks regional sports networks (RSNs) that show local games, which might disappoint some local fans.

Most RSNs are available only in Comcast’s higher-priced Ultimate TV package. Some exceptions include MSG Networks in New York, which has faced blackout issues in surrounding areas, and CHSN in Chicago, which airs local sports.

Dixon acknowledges that RSNs are popular among dedicated sports fans, but they come with high costs. Since major games are often broadcast on regular network channels, Comcast has decided to prioritize those in this new bundle. They’re open to revisiting the RSN situation in the future for their customers.

While the RSN model has seen some revival after Main Street Sports Group emerged from bankruptcy, teams are also exploring new broadcasting options. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers recently moved some of their games to a new local channel, Rock Entertainment Sports Network.

Although the Sports and News package wasn’t specifically designed to address issues with RSNs, it gives customers more choices as many people are looking to cut back on traditional cable services.

Ultimately, Dixon emphasized that the goal is to provide flexibility. They want to let customers choose whether they want RSNs without forcing those who don’t want them to pay more.

The new bundle includes Peacock Premium, Comcast’s ad-free streaming service. Peacock has made a name for itself with exclusive sports content, including NFL playoff games and Olympic coverage, generating significant revenue for Comcast. Next season, Peacock will also have exclusive NBA games.

It remains to be seen how effective these new bundles will be in boosting subscriber numbers for cable providers, especially as Comcast has lost a significant portion of its video subscribers in recent years.

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