2020 Around the MLB Thread

[Derek]

He wasn't exactly sure what you meant by your comment, so I guess explain it a different way?

I'm not sure what was lost in translation, but I can watch every single game without issue. Legally, too.

I'm confused by his comment as well

 

[Derek]

@daddywags
Were you saying that you don't think local games should be blacked out?

 

[daddywags]

@daddywags
Were you saying that you don't think local games should be blacked out?

No, I misunderstood you. I think the blackout rules are fine as long as there is a subscription option available to a viewer. I might prefer it otherwise, but I understand the economics.

 

[Derek]

No, I misunderstood you. I think the blackout rules are fine as long as there is a subscription option available to a viewer. I might prefer it otherwise, but I understand the economics.

Damn...

I don't understand the local blackout rules at all. Just hurts the growth of the game and the fans that love it.

 

[sportscoach]

I pretty much only watch sports and cooking shows, so I'm not one to ask. But the issue is an economic one. The rights are more valuable if there aren't cheap options available.

Well i only watch sports and anime, so i gotta spend over 100 bucks a month to get internet and sport stations which on a tight budget makes absolutely no sense. My point is, you have to have cable to watch the local sports teams, which can be very expensive. Look at the number of people who are dropping cable, satellite etc and just doing Hulu, Netflix etc. If you black out in the local market like they have been, you are losing fans left and right because they no longer have access to your station. The market says you need to make changes in your programs to make sure you will be able to get everyone baseball. Doing something like just paying for the local team/an individual team without blackouts make sense.

So like using @Derek as a reference. He said he lived in Summit County, so he would have the cable/satellite provider to get STO. Then let's say he doesn't want cable/satellite provider then he could do one of two options with MLB.tv

First option is the current standard package with blackouts, but all teams are available for the 100 dollar package/payments

Or second option is the same price 100, but you only get one team's games without blackout. So he could get the Indians without a blackout even though he is in Summit county.

(I Feel all MLB.tv subscribers should get MLB Network just without live games).

Options like that will fit in everyones preference and be able to cater to a lot more people.

 

[Anglefan]

Why should any local broadcasts be blacked out?

Because the local channel has paid for exclusive access. This is how it works in every sport. It makes no sense to expect otherwise.

 

[Derek]

Because the local channel has paid for exclusive access. This is how it works in every sport. It makes no sense to expect otherwise.

Thinking that just because every sport does, it must be right, doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Anglefan]

Damn...

I don't understand the local blackout rules at all. Just hurts the growth of the game and the fans that love it.

Then how have the NFL and NBA grown so much? You just don't personally want to pay. You're being intentionally obtuse if you legitimately do not understand why local broadcasts have to be blacked out.

 

[Derek]

Then how have the NFL and NBA grown so much? You just don't personally want to pay. You're being intentionally obtuse if you legitimately do not understand why local broadcasts have to be blacked out.

I always appreciate a good insult thrown my way, but I actually have no issue paying and watching every game through legal means.

Might be surprising, but some people care about issues that impact others, but not themselves.

I guess I just think it's bullshit that the MLB is valuing corporate partnerships more than their actual fans.

 

[sportscoach]

Then how have the NFL and NBA grown so much? You just don't personally want to pay. You're being intentionally obtuse if you legitimately do not understand why local broadcasts have to be blacked out.

NFL and NBA promote their players as well as the teams. Tell me how many casual fans can name a single player in MLB not on their team? Most of the casual fans cannot even name most of the roster in MLB of their home teams. Baseball does a crappy job of promoting their players and marketing them to help increase interest.

Edit: There was a rant done by Trevor Bauer in the off season that actually explained all the issues with the blackout and marketing of players that baseball has. I dont know where it is at, but let me see if I can find it and tag you in it so you can watch it.

 

[daddywags]

Right now it's not MLBs call. Each franchise owns it's broadcast rights. The Yankees aren't going to give up $50 million per year, or whatever they get, just so mlb.tv can stream their home games to New Yorkers.

 

[Derek]

Right now it's not MLBs call. Each franchise owns it's broadcast rights. The Yankees aren't going to give up $50 million per year, or whatever they get, just so mlb.tv can stream their home games to New Yorkers.

You do realize that the franchises ARE the MLB, right? The owners are the exact people I'm complaining about. Who cares if they lose out on a little broadcasting money?

 

[daddywags]

Each franchise is an individual corporation with it's own balance sheet. I doubt that any of them believe they make only "a little broadcasting money." I thought the argument was that MLB loses fans/eyes via it's blackout rules which will eventually cost them money. Right now it's apparent that the teams disagree. The blackouts aren't in place out of spite. It's economics. If they're wrong, they will eventually feel it in the pocketbook and change the rules.

 

[Derek]

Each franchise is an individual corporation with it's own balance sheet. I doubt that any of them believe they make only "a little broadcasting money." I thought the argument was that MLB loses fans/eyes via it's blackout rules which will eventually cost them money. Right now it's apparent that the teams disagree. The blackouts aren't in place out of spite. It's economics. If they're wrong, they will eventually feel it in the pocketbook and change the rules.

Wait... do you think anybody actually believes they're doing it out of spite?

I think it's pretty clear that the MLB owners have no fucking clue what they're doing or how to promote their sport. That's the issue we're trying to address here!

They're already losing out on money due to their dwindling fan base and they're too stupid to fix it.

 

[daddywags]

Okay, if that's your take have at it. Owners have no clue what they're doing.