Yankees fans in the tri-state area can breathe easy after YES Network and Comcast struck a last-minute deal to keep the regional sports network on the air. Just an hour before a midnight deadline, the two companies announced they had reached an agreement to continue broadcasting YES Network.
The negotiations had been tense, with Comcast wanting to move YES Network from basic cable to a more expensive digital tier. This change would have cost fans an additional $20 a month compared to what Mets fans pay. YES Network resisted this move, arguing it could lead to a significant loss of subscribers.
Details of the agreement remain under wraps, but it seems YES Network will stay in the expanded basic tier, which is good news for fans. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, noting that a blackout would not have benefited anyone involved.
The deadline was pushed back from last week to Monday night, allowing Comcast subscribers to watch the opening weekend of the Yankees season without disruption. The previous carriage deal had expired on September 30, but both sides continued talks through several unofficial extensions.
This agreement is also beneficial for Nets fans who are Comcast customers, as it prevents any disruptions to their viewing experience. YES Network is available on other platforms like Optimum, Verizon Fios, and Direct TV, and moving it to a higher-priced tier would have created a disparity in costs among fans.
Recent Nielsen data showed that ratings for Yankees games on YES Network had hit record highs during the 2024 season, with a remarkable 45 percent increase from the previous year. This popularity likely added urgency to the negotiations.
In a complaint filed with the FCC, YES Network argued that Comcast had about 30 percent fewer subscribers on its digital tier compared to the basic tier. The deal comes after YES Network CEO Jon Litner publicly criticized Comcast during a Yankees broadcast, prompting a response from Comcast that pointed fingers back at YES.
In the end, both sides managed to reach an agreement that keeps Yankees and Nets games accessible to fans in the region, avoiding the potential fallout of a blackout.