In a move that brings stability to their television presence, the Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday that they have reached an agreement with Diamond Sports Group to continue broadcasting their games on Sports Network Kansas City (SNKC) for the 2025 season. The deal comes as a positive development for the Royals, one of only four Major League Baseball teams that hold an ownership stake in their regional sports network.
The announcement provides a measure of certainty for Royals fans who have grown accustomed to watching their team on SNKC. The network, previously known as Bally Sports Kansas City, underwent a name change last month after Diamond’s naming rights agreement with Bally expired. The rebranding to SNKC aligns the channel with Diamond’s shift in strategy as it emerges from bankruptcy.
Pioneering Streaming Package Proves Popular
In a sign of the evolving media landscape, the Royals and Diamond introduced a direct-to-consumer streaming package last season that attracted over 40,000 subscribers. The strong adoption rate suggests a growing appetite for more flexible viewing options among fans. As traditional cable and satellite subscriptions decline, partnerships like the Royals-Diamond deal that embrace streaming position teams to reach the widest possible audience.
The successful rollout of the Royals’ streaming package could serve as a model for other teams navigating the shift to digital platforms. By offering fans a choice in how they consume games, whether through a cable bundle or standalone streaming app, the Royals are working to meet the demands of the modern sports viewer. Look for more clubs to pursue similar hybrid distribution approaches in the coming years.
Diamond’s Bankruptcy Saga Nears Resolution
The Royals’ renewal with Diamond comes on the heels of the company receiving court approval for its bankruptcy reorganization plan last month. Diamond, the largest owner of regional sports networks, has now secured broadcast agreements with seven MLB teams for the 2025 season:
- Atlanta Braves
- Detroit Tigers
- Kansas City Royals
- Los Angeles Angels
- Miami Marlins
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Tampa Bay Rays
The resolution of Diamond’s bankruptcy case removes a cloud of uncertainty that had been hanging over the company and its partner teams. With its financial restructuring complete, Diamond can now focus on strengthening its operational footing and innovating its product offerings. For the Royals, the stability of a renewed partnership allows the team to make long-term strategic decisions around its television content and fan engagement initiatives.
Rangers Move a Sign of the Times
Not all MLB teams will be continuing with Diamond in 2025. The Texas Rangers elected not to renew their agreement after it expired in October and are currently evaluating alternative distribution options. The Rangers’ situation underscores the high-stakes and fast-moving nature of the sports broadcasting world at present. As more fans cut the cord on traditional TV packages, establishing the right mix of distribution partnerships is critical to ensure games are widely accessible.
Whether the Rangers ultimately decide to handle television production and distribution directly, as some clubs like the New York Yankees have done with the YES Network, or align with a different media company remains to be seen. But their choice to shop around rather than simply re-up with Diamond reflects the range of possibilities now on the table. The media landscape is changing rapidly, and teams must adapt and innovate to keep pace.
Royals Fans Breathe Sigh of Relief
For the Royals, remaining with a known commodity in Diamond and SNKC provides valuable continuity heading into 2025. Although the industry’s future direction remains fluid, the club’s fans can take comfort knowing they’ll still be able to follow their team through familiar channels next season. In an era of constant disruption, maintaining that touchstone is no small thing.
“We’re very pleased to continue our relationship with Diamond Sports and SNKC,” said a high-ranking Royals executive. “Diamond’s commitment to delivering innovative experiences aligns perfectly with our mission to provide fans the most immersive and exciting coverage possible. We look forward to building on the success of our streaming package and bringing Royals baseball to even more households across the region.”
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Royals and the six other teams that have cast their lot with Diamond. Will the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy and the rebranded SNKC network herald a new era of stability and growth? Or are more seismic changes in store as the cable bundle continues to unravel? Diamond’s fate, and that of its MLB partners, may prove a bellwether for the wider sports media industry. For now though, Royals fans can rest easy knowing they’ll have a front row seat to watch it all unfold, from the comfort of their own homes.
