At the beginning of May, Comcast/Xfinity and Diamond Sports Group, which runs and operates Bally Sports, failed to reach an agreement extending broadcast rights. This resulted in games being pulled from the provider's services completely, including Atlanta Braves games, leaving fans across the southeast in the dark.
After nearly three months, the wait is finally over. Starting Thrusday, August 1, subscribers to Xfinity's "Ultimate TV" package will finally be able to watch Braves games again.
Comcast and Diamond Sports Group announced they’ve reached a new carriage deal today. Under the agreement, fans who subscribe to Xfinity’s “Ultimate TV” package can watch MLB games again beginning Thursday. They can also stream on the Bally Sports app using Xfinity credentials.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 29, 2024
Atlanta Braves games finally return to Comcast
This long negotiation hasn't just affected Braves fans. In the last three months, fans of 12 MLB teams who subscribe to Xfinity's cable services have been left to find alternative means to watch their favorite teams.
The blackout was a result of Diamond Sports Group filing for bankruptcy in 2023. While this initially only impacted the Diamondbacks and Padres at first, the company was not able to come to an agreement after their six-month extension expired at the end of April.
While out of market fans and subscribers to other cable providers were able to continue to watch the Braves play, Xfinity subscribers in Braves Country were forced to either change providers or sit and be blacked out thanks to MLB.TV's blackout restrictions.
Thankfully, news broke last week that the two sides were nearing an agreement and finally news broke that the deal was done.
Aldan González of ESPN.com did note, unfortunately, that this is Comcast/Xfinity's more expensive tier, meaning that Braves fans who have been able to watch on lower subscription tiers are still left in the same position they have been for the last three months.
Users who do have this package will also be able to stream games using the Bally Sports App by logging in with their Xfinity credentials.
For Xfinity Braves fans with the "Ultimate TV" package, this news means you can finally watch your favorite team play live again. Unfortunately, for Xfinity fans who don't pay for that tier, you're left in the dark, with few alternatives thanks to blackout restrictions.