Bally Sports+ set to debut. What Royals fans need to know about new streaming option
The Sinclair Broadcast Group will soon learn if the phrase “people will come” also applies to Royals fans who have been searching for a new streaming option to watch games.
Bally Sports+, an app that will allow fans without a cable or satellite subscription to stream Royals games, will be available beginning Thursday, although that is an off day for the team.
“Bally Sports+ is geared toward the hometown cord-cutters and fans looking for an easy way and a direct way to watch the Royals,” said Jack Donovan, Bally Sports Kansas City’s general manager. “We recognize there is a marketplace for this.”
Kansas City is one of five Bally Sports markets to be included in the release of the direct-to-consumer app. The full roll out of Bally Sports+ in the other markets is expected in three months.
Rob Weisbord, the president of broadcast for Sinclair, told “Broadcasting+Cable” he expects the streaming option will be scrutinized by viewers.
“The first thing we’re focused on is the quality of the video,” Weisbord said. “The games themselves are our tent poles so there’s a heightened level of scrutiny. We have to be on par with the Netflixes and the Disney Pluses.”
Here is what Royals fans should know about the Bally Sports+ app.
How much will it cost?
It is $19.99 a month or $189.99 for a year
When can fans sign up?
Starting Thursday
How can fans sign up for Bally Sports+?
Fans can sign up starting Thursday at BallySports.com and on the Bally Sports app
How can fans watch Bally Sports+?
Games will be available to view on the web and mobile devices, along with Android TV, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. It eventually will be available on Roku and other streaming options.
“It’s a soft launch,” Donovan said. “We’re gonna continue to add more platforms as we move along. It’s a long-term play here.”
Will fans need a cable subscription?
No. That’s why Bally Sports+ was developed, so fans wouldn’t need a cable or satellite subscription that includes Bally Sports Kansas City to view games.
Are there blackout restrictions?
The Bally Sports+ app is available only in the Kansas City area, the state of Kansas and the state of Nebraska.
UPDATE: Bally Sports said when the full launch takes place later this year, Royals games are expected to be available in more areas, including mid-Missouri and Iowa.
Will other games be available?
Yes. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA games will air in all of the areas listed above. St. Louis Blues hockey will be available in the KC market.
Is there more to come for Bally Sports+?
Weisbord told “Broadcasting+Cable,” the app will one day include fantasy and predictive games for prizes, and fans will get advanced statistics, and have an option to buy tickets and merchandise.
“We want to entice the Xbox generation. That’s who we envision as being the heavy app user and they’re used to interactivity. If we build up the interactivity, they’ll stay with the games longer, even if it’s a blowout,” Weisbord said.
“We want them to stay with the games and give them a component that makes them lean forward.”
This story was originally published June 20, 2022 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Bally Sports+ set to debut. What Royals fans need to know about new streaming option."
