Front Page: No MLB Network? Then No Game for You!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I'm willing to jump through hoops to watch the postseason but splitting the games over 3-4 channels is not good policy.

 

The point of a spectator sport is to acquire spectators. MLB is making that unreasonably hard on people this year.

 

For example, I pay for Hulu. I get TBS and FS1. I don't get MLBN so now I have to go find a way to get that channel for the next few weeks. Despite paying $50/mo explicitly to watch baseball and ONLY baseball, I cannot watch every baseball game and have to find a workaround.

 

That's pretty crappy.

Is there a sports league that doesn't spread it games over a few channels? Especially with as many games are required in baseball, as compared to football.

 

I don't think it's realistic to expect MLB to have their games on only one channel, or make sure every single provider carries every network. If Hulu doesn't want to pay X cents per subscriber for MLB Network, what can they do?

 

To their credit, MLB has arranged a free preview of MLB Network to coincide with these exclusive broadcasts. Unfortunately, it only reaches DirecTV/Dish/Sling customers, and apparently some Comcast customers, but it's not like they're hiding the games -- they're just trying to balance distribution with promoting MLB Network.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Is there a sports league that doesn't spread it games over a few channels? Especially with as many games are required in baseball, as compared to football.

 

I don't think it's realistic to expect MLB to have their games on only one channel, or make sure every single provider carries every network. If Hulu doesn't want to pay X cents per subscriber for MLB Network, what can they do?

 

To their credit, MLB has arranged a free preview of MLB Network to coincide with these exclusive broadcasts. Unfortunately, it only reaches DirecTV/Dish/Sling customers, and apparently some Comcast customers, but it's not like they're hiding the games -- they're just trying to balance distribution with promoting MLB Network.

A couple of channels is fine. FIVE channels is not (I forgot about ESPN being involved in this, too).

 

MLB is doing exactly what the NFL did a few years ago. I didn't like it then, I don't like it now. They're leveraging their own channel and trying to force providers to offer it. The last thing we need as consumers is *another* channel bundled into already-bloated packages.

 

If MLB wants to charge me $5 to stream MLBN for a month during the postseason, whatever. I'll cough up five bucks for that. But to continue to go at providers and try to force their hand to bundle an extra channel into an already obscenely expensive service, they can eff right off. I'm tired of this kind of anti-consumer approach to sports and there's a reason why I've now limited my sports watching to only baseball when I used to follow 3-4 sports pretty rigorously. The increasing complexity of the four sports' never-ending money grabs is alienating a person who used to be a hardcore sports fan and enough is enough already.

[MN_ExPat]

I’ve had MLB for years, and living in the Southeast I don’t have to worry about blackout restrictions (unless the Twins are playing the Braves). This doesn’t mean that I don’t feel for everyone though. Having attended the Univ. of Washington, I love to watch my Huskies play... however with the formation of the PAC 12 Network (OMG... I just threw up in my mouth saying that) and the fact that almost no one carries it, I miss out on a ton of games.

 

So feel everyone’s pain on some level.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

A couple of channels is fine. FIVE channels is not (I forgot about ESPN being involved in this, too).

 

MLB is doing exactly what the NFL did a few years ago. I didn't like it then, I don't like it now. They're leveraging their own channel and trying to force providers to offer it. The last thing we need as consumers is *another* channel bundled into already-bloated packages.

 

If MLB wants to charge me $5 to stream MLBN for a month during the postseason, whatever. I'll cough up five bucks for that. But to continue to go at providers and try to force their hand to bundle an extra channel into an already obscenely expensive service, they can eff right off. I'm tired of this kind of anti-consumer approach to sports and there's a reason why I've now limited my sports watching to only baseball when I used to follow 3-4 sports pretty rigorously. The increasing complexity of the four sports' never-ending money grabs is alienating a person who used to be a hardcore sports fan and enough is enough already.

 

It's not clear to me that MLB is making unreasonable demands upon providers.

 

Sling has MLB Network in a $10 "sports extra" addon, and Comcast does too. Is it MLB's fault if Hulu declines to offer something like that, as well as refuses to put them in their regular programming tier? At what point does the burden shift to Hulu, or to the consumer to differentiate between providers?

 

As an aside, why did you choose Hulu?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

There are multiple ways to get a free trial of MLB Network. I’m not totally up to date on which services still carry MLB Network but check out YouTube TV, Hulu Live, PS Vue, AT&T TV, Sling TV, etc and sign up for a free trial.

To clarify, for anyone wondering:

 

YouTube TV and Vue both have MLB Network, and both offer free trials.

 

No free trial for Sling anymore (and they're missing Fox/FS1 at the moment, so I wouldn't recommend them for the postseason right now!). And MLB Network isn't currently carried on Hulu, DirecTV Now, or AT&T Watch TV.

[yarnivek1972]

Just a hunch that all this is why MLB ratings are circling the drain. Sooner or later that is going to start impacting player salaries and that is going to lead to a strike. Something, I don’t think the sport can survive if it happens within the next 10 years.

[rdehring]

 

People in Minneapolis can quite easily watch the game on MLB Network:

 

1. YouTube TV (free trial)

2. Vue (free trial)

3. Sling free preview, if you are already a customer

4. DirecTV free preview, if you are already a customer

5. Dish Network free preview, if you are already a customer

6. Comcast with a $10 addon package if necessary

Not true for all of us.  You see some of us don't have a tv that will get You Tube or the technical ability to jump thru all the hoops to get some of those others.  As for 4-6, I have Mediacom which I am led to believe won't have MLB.  Follow this bloody team for the last whatever years and now gotta go to a sports bar to see game 1.  So yah, I am p...….ed.  

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I have to assume that, like the rest of the season, mlb.tv is worthless for the post-season as well? Their utterly idiotic local market blackout policy makes it a joke at best and more realistically qualifies as a cruel insult.

For most regions, there is nothing particularly idiotic about the blackout policy. Networks purchase exclusive rights to broadcast games in those regions. For national broadcasts (like postseason games), the region is the entire US. And these networks pay a lot more than what MLB.TV subscribers could ever hope to pay.

 

It's only idiotic in a few spots, like Iowa where I think 6 teams claim overlapping territories. Although it's getting better -- YouTube TV, for example, will deliver multiple networks to subscribers in Iowa (FSN, Fox Sports Midwest, NBC Sports Chicago).

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Not true for all of us.  You see some of us don't have a tv that will get You Tube

You don't need a TV to get YouTube TV at all. You can also watch it in a browser on a computer, phone, or tablet.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Just a hunch that all this is why MLB ratings are circling the drain.

National TV ratings are down for MLB, but down for a lot of other things too. It's a completely different media consumption landscape, and changing more every year.

 

MLB is still getting good prices from networks, so I suspect their product is still selling just fine, even if it doesn't show up in the Nielsen ratings anymore.

[MMMordabito]

Youtube TV looks like the way to go.  Ultramobile.  Seems like having your cake and eating it too.  (Unless you require 70 inches to have a good time)

[Brock Beauchamp]

It's not clear to me that MLB is making unreasonable demands upon providers.

 

Sling has MLB Network in a $10 "sports extra" addon, and Comcast does too. Is it MLB's fault if Hulu declines to offer something like that, as well as refuses to put them in their regular programming tier? At what point does the burden shift to Hulu, or to the consumer to differentiate between providers?

 

As an aside, why did you choose Hulu?

I chose Hulu because the streaming service addition is useful. And I checked that it had all the channels I wanted at the time, not knowing that MLB planned to confuse the situation in the postseason.

 

Again, my problem here is bloat. Everyone wants their channels added to premium packages, which bloats prices for consumers. If MLB offered an MLBN addition to MLB.tv, fine. I’ll pay the one-off fee to get the single channel I want. But no, baseball wants to bloat packages, just like everybody else. At some point, it all becomes untenable and people just stay away from the product (see all the individual pro league and college conference channels being pushed on people right now).

[yarnivek1972]

National TV ratings are down for MLB, but down for a lot of other things too. It's a completely different media consumption landscape, and changing more every year.

 

MLB is still getting good prices from networks, so I suspect their product is still selling just fine, even if it doesn't show up in the Nielsen ratings anymore.

They are also on older contracts. ESPN and Turner’s contracts expire in 2021. A day of reckoning is at hand.

 

Some things to note (because I’m sure TV execs noticed):

 

In 2016, the Series averaged 22.8 million viewers with the Cubs and Indians going 7, including over 40 million watching game 7. In 2017, the Astros vs Dodgers (two FAR larger markets) averaged 18.9 million viewers and game 7 was seen by 28 million, a 30% drop despite featuring two bigger market teams. Last year, the overall ratings were bottom 5 in MLB history despite featuring the Dodgers and Red Sox , two major market teams. 14.1 million viewers on average. Another 25% drop in ratings. Overall Series ratings dropped 46% in two years. Again, that’s despite having huge markets involved the last two years.

 

Like I said, it may take some time, but sooner or later this will affect salaries. Networks aren’t going to shell out SuperBowl money for NBA ratings.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

You don't need a TV to get YouTube TV at all. You can also watch it in a browser on a computer, phone, or tablet.

I don't have a tv anymore. Too much trash and too many commercials and just lots of mindless junk...unlike Minnesota Twins baseball, which is educational. I'll be watching on Youtubetv on my laptop. If I were in Minneapolis, I'd be at a bar with other TD members. I am tempted to fly to Minneapolis, just to watch the games with those of you who show up at the bar.

Edited October 2, 2019 by tarheeltwinsfan

[rdehring]

 

You don't need a TV to get YouTube TV at all. You can also watch it in a browser on a computer, phone, or tablet.

Thanks, but unfortunately, some of us older guys aren't real good about watching anything on any of those.  Heck, I'm not real certain where my cell phone is as I haven't turned it on for probably a month.  

[MN_ExPat]

To clarify, for anyone wondering:

 

YouTube TV and Vue both have MLB Network, and both offer free trials.

 

No free trial for Sling anymore (and they're missing Fox/FS1 at the moment, so I wouldn't recommend them for the postseason right now!). And MLB Network isn't currently carried on Hulu, DirecTV Now, or AT&T Watch TV.

I think you might mean Dish? I have DirecTV and it does include MLB.

[gmill11]

I think how I’ve done this in years past is with an MLB.TV subscription you get access to MLB.Postseason. I can’t stream it from the MLB.tv app on my Apple TV but I can stream it on my phone and AirPlay it to my TV. I assume that this option will be available again and works with other devices (Fire, Chromecast, Roku, etc.).

[wavedog]

 

The AL playoffs have been on MLB Network and FS1 for years now... this is just the first time that it has been an issue for Twins fans. 

 

I'm contemplating switching from cable to YouTube TV. It probably makes more sense for me anyway, and saves me money each month. 

I cut the cord with AT&T 3 months ago and switched to YouTubeTV  so I have lucked out in this case and can catch all the games.   As other comments have mentioned - you can watch YouTubeTV at home on your TV or anywhere on your tablet or phone as well.   Saved a significant amount of money and I upgraded my internet service to make sure the bandwidth supported it.  I have had no issues so far unless you are tied to surfing by Channel numbers.  I also bought MLB.tv this year - so another case of real  good fortune in timing  - I live out of market so not sure how the playoffs will be handled in market.  I thought I read where if you have MLB.tv the games on MLB Network will be available as well, but I couldn't watch any of the local Texas or Houston games this year on MLB.tv

[Brock Beauchamp]

I cut the cord with AT&T 3 months ago and switched to YouTubeTV so I have lucked out in this case and can catch all the games. As other comments have mentioned - you can watch YouTubeTV at home on your TV or anywhere on your tablet or phone as well. Saved a significant amount of money and I upgraded my internet service to make sure the bandwidth supported it. I have had no issues so far unless you are tied to surfing by Channel numbers. I also bought MLB.tv this year - so another case of real good fortune in timing - I live out of market so not sure how the playoffs will be handled in market. I thought I read where if you have MLB.tv the games on MLB Network will be available as well, but I couldn't watch any of the local Texas or Houston games this year on MLB.tv

A good way to get MLB.tv is to switch to T-Mobile. Every year for the past 3-4 years, they offer a free MLB.tv subscription to all their cell subscribers.

 

That’s over a $120 value, or roughly $10/mo off your cell bill.

[lecroy24fan]

Thanks to John Bonnes Comcast has reversed their decision in the Twin Cities.

 

 

Hi John. Us again. We heard you and we’re excited to announce we will be making MLB Network's free preview available to Twin Cities customers in time for Game 1. TV customers can watch MLB Network at no additional cost thru 10/11. Say “watch MLB Network” into the X1 voice remote.

 

 

Edited October 2, 2019 by lecroy24fan

[SF Twins Fan]

I switched to Youtube.TV back in June when I moved back to MN and I love it. I can watch what I want from my TV, laptop and or phone and it's extremely easy.  I live in an apartment and the dog had to go out right during the eighth inning last night when Washington was mounting their comeback.  Left the TV running, put the game on my phone and had no issue.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

They are also on older contracts. ESPN and Turner’s contracts expire in 2021. A day of reckoning is at hand.

MLB just renewed with Fox Sports (their biggest contract) last fall, though 2028.

 

Teams are renewing local contracts all the time.

 

 

In 2016, the Series averaged 22.8 million viewers with the Cubs and Indians going 7, including over 40 million watching game 7. In 2017, the Astros vs Dodgers (two FAR larger markets) averaged 18.9 million viewers and game 7 was seen by 28 million, a 30% drop despite featuring two bigger market teams. Last year, the overall ratings were bottom 5 in MLB history despite featuring the Dodgers and Red Sox , two major market teams. 14.1 million viewers on average. Another 25% drop in ratings. Overall Series ratings dropped 46% in two years. Again, that’s despite having huge markets involved the last two years.

Like I said, it may take some time, but sooner or later this will affect salaries. Networks aren’t going to shell out SuperBowl money for NBA ratings.

They're not shelling out Super Bowl money for it right now, because it's not the Super Bowl.

 

I'd guess that raw viewership counts are getting harder to estimate, and becoming less meaningful as there are other levels of engagement too. If ballpark and merchandising revenue is holding steady, and online activity is increasing, is it really likely that millions are just dropping interest in the sport because a system isn't capturing them as live viewers of the event? I'm sure they're already seeing a shift from traditional commercial revenue ($1 mil for a 30 second spot repeated X times) to stadium brand placement and other less direct forms.

 

In terms of owners vs players, MLB, just like most entertainment industries, probably gained a ton of revenue the past few decades -- cable TV, new stadiums, etc. And the owners and players had plenty to split. And it's probably leveling off a bit now, as to be expected -- it's not sustainable to expect a new MLB stadium to open every year -- and both sides are maybe getting a bit more protective of their shares and their meager gains. So I wouldn't be surprised to see some labor friction, but I don't think it's because of any precipitous, avoidable media collapse.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think you might mean Dish? I have DirecTV and it does include MLB.

Yes, I am sure you can get it on traditional DirecTV, but I was referring to "DirecTV Now", the streaming service. But even that reference was outdated, as it is now apparently "AT&T TV Now" -- but it's also hella expensive. $93 base package, and $110 for the package with MLB Network -- yuck!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think how I’ve done this in years past is with an MLB.TV subscription you get access to MLB.Postseason. I can’t stream it from the MLB.tv app on my Apple TV but I can stream it on my phone and AirPlay it to my TV. I assume that this option will be available again and works with other devices (Fire, Chromecast, Roku, etc.).

Yes, any full season MLB.TV subscription should continue to work into the postseason -- except blackouts still apply. And all postseason games should be blacked out in the US, so you'd be left listening to the radio stream only or watching them after they're over.

 

I've never tried it, but you can apparently authenticate with a pay TV provider through MLB.TV to watch postseason games too:

https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe/postseason

 

Not sure how your phone managed to play it, but more power to you if that's the case!

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Yes, I am sure you can get it on traditional DirecTV, but I was referring to "DirecTV Now", the streaming service. But even that reference was outdated, as it is now apparently "AT&T TV Now" -- but it's also hella expensive. $93 base package, and $110 for the package with MLB Network -- yuck!

And the service itself is terrible with a bad interface.

 

Do not use DirecTV Now.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

And the service itself is terrible with a bad interface.

 

Do not use DirecTV Now.

Maybe that's why they re-branded.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Maybe that's why they re-branded.

They've had to do something. AT&T has been losing their ass on the DirecTV purchase for awhile now. The subscriber rate has plummeted in the past year.

[lecroy24fan]

 

Yes, any full season MLB.TV subscription should continue to work into the postseason -- except blackouts still apply. And all postseason games should be blacked out in the US, so you'd be left listening to the radio stream only or watching them after they're over.

 

I've never tried it, but you can apparently authenticate with a pay TV provider through MLB.TV to watch postseason games too:

https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/subscribe/postseason

 

Not sure how your phone managed to play it, but more power to you if that's the case!

 

MLB.TV does not show postseason games within the US unless you have it through a pay TV provider. I have it as a standalone service and I got an error that you have to use a pay tv provider and since I didn't sign up with that, nor is Comcast one of there providers I can't watch it on MLB.TV.

[gmill11]

MLB.TV does not show postseason games within the US unless you have it through a pay TV provider. I have it as a standalone service and I got an error that you have to use a pay tv provider and since I didn't sign up with that, nor is Comcast one of there providers I can't watch it on MLB.TV.

All of the network games are blacked out but I think you can still stream the MLB Network games on a mobile device. At least I could last year. I just had to AirPlay it from my phone to TV and couldn’t use my phone during the game.

[Otto von Ballpark]

All of the network games are blacked out but I think you can still stream the MLB Network games on a mobile device. At least I could last year. I just had to AirPlay it from my phone to TV and couldn’t use my phone during the game.

There might be something to that. MLB Network games aren't blacked out during the season either, unless it's your local team and they have their own broadcast. Not sure how that's supposed to apply to the postseason, though.

 

Something for folks to try out Friday, I guess!