Sinclair bidding for NBC Sports Nets

[sinklair]

Dear God no! It appears Sinclair is now trying to add 7 NBC regional sports networks to its portfolio.

https://nypost.com/2021/07/02/sinclair- ... s-sources/

So if you’re keeping score…

This is the same company that purchased the former Fox Sports channels, then got into a retrans dispute which is ongoing to this day, meaning many people can’t watch their favorite team on popular streaming services.

Sinclair, which is parent company to 25-66-46, continues to spend money like it’s going out of style… unless of course you’re an employee. Then you’re subjected to mass layoffs and wage freezes.

And this is the same company that apparently cares so little about sports that we have a 1 person sports team. Even under previous owners, we had up to 3 sportscasters. We had the former 25-66 GM/accountant in chief/egomaniac and braindead regional “news” director Lame Michaelsen tell the staff that NO ONE cares about sports. They should go and tell that to their boss, Chris the Ripper.

Look, I get why Sinclair is trying to gobble up NBC’s RSNs, operational efficiencies etc. But this is a case of bigger is not better. Much like any big media company, Sinclair will take this opportunity to further cut corners and then increase fees for viewers. This deal would be bad for sports teams, bad for current Sinclair employees and potential future NBC Sports employees, and most of all bad for viewers who will pay much more for a poorly run broadcast.

[Deleted User 15555]

I don’t know of anyone who has ever had a positive thing to say about Bally.

[DAC]

If I'm not mistaken, they are still on the outs with Dish Network also, true?

[radioandtventhusiast]

If I'm not mistaken, they are still on the outs with Dish Network also, true?

Yes.

[sinklair]

Negotiations between Sinclair and distributors are about to kick into high gear.

https://www.nexttv.com/news/as-all-star ... Apocalypse

It’ll be interesting to see which direction Sinclair goes. Based off past talks, Sinclair will (a) try to secure carriage for all RSNs, giving a little on price like it did when it sought mandatory coverage for the Tennis Channel… or (b) stick to its high retrans cost, even if it means blackouts, preferring to build its direct to consumer platforms.

Either way, viewers will end up paying more.