MLB.TV: A Missed Opportunity for Braves Fans (and for MLB)

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the smell of peanuts and Cracker Jack... Baseball season is almost here, and for fans like me, that means it's time to start thinking about how we're going to watch our favorite teams. As a cord-cutter, my first thought always turns to streaming options. MLB.TV, with its promise of comprehensive game coverage, seems like the perfect solution. But for Braves fans in my area, it's a promise that falls flat due to the dreaded blackout restrictions.

In its current state, MLB.TV represents a missed opportunity for both fans and the league itself. Let's explore why.

The Potential of MLB.TV

On paper, MLB.TV has everything a baseball fan could want. It offers live and on-demand access to nearly every game of the season, across a variety of devices. You can watch on your phone, your tablet, your computer, or your smart TV. You can even catch up on games you missed with condensed games and full-game replays. For fans who want to follow their favorite team all season long, or for those who want to keep up with the action around the league, MLB.TV seems like the ideal solution.

The Blackout Roadblock

But there's a catch. A big one. MLB.TV is subject to blackout restrictions, which means that if you live in a certain area, you can't watch your local team's games live. For me, as a Braves fan living in Georgia, this means that MLB.TV is essentially useless. I can't watch any Braves games live, home or away. It's incredibly frustrating, especially when I consider all the other great features that MLB.TV offers.

Why the blackouts? It boils down to regional sports network contracts. MLB has agreements with these networks that give them exclusive rights to broadcast games in certain areas. These agreements are designed to protect the revenue of the regional sports networks, but they come at the expense of fan access.

The Cost of Blackouts

The blackout restrictions force fans like me into a corner. If I want to watch the Braves this season, I have to either subscribe to a traditional cable or satellite package that includes the regional sports network, or pay a hefty price for a streaming service like DIRECTV STREAM "Choice," which would cost me over $150 per month for 8 months of service. That's a steep price to pay, especially when you consider that MLB.TV itself costs $149.99 for the entire season.

The blackouts create a financial burden for fans and limit their options for enjoying their favorite teams. It's a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.

The Lost Revenue

MLB is not only missing out on satisfying its fans, but it's also missing out on potential revenue. I'm sure there are many fans like me who would gladly pay for MLB.TV if it weren't for the blackouts. MLB could potentially generate significant revenue by offering a blackout-free version of MLB.TV, even at a higher price point. But as it stands, they're leaving money on the table by prioritizing regional sports network contracts over fan access.

A Plea to MLB

Major League Baseball, it's time to reconsider your blackout policies. You have a responsibility to make your games accessible to all fans, regardless of location. Explore alternative models, such as offering a premium tier of MLB.TV without blackouts, or work with regional sports networks to find a compromise that benefits both parties. Put the fans first, and you'll reap the rewards.

Conclusion

MLB.TV, with its comprehensive coverage and multi-platform access, has the potential to be the ultimate streaming solution for baseball fans. But the blackout restrictions hold it back and create a missed opportunity for both fans and the league itself. I hope that MLB will eventually listen to its fans and find a solution that benefits everyone.

As a long-time Braves fan, I've been through thick and thin with this team. I remember watching Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run on TV, and listening to the legendary trio of Skip Caray, Pete Van Wieren, and Ernie Johnson call games on the radio. I've endured 100-loss seasons, ostrich races, and everything in between. My love for the Braves runs deep, and I just want to be able to watch them play without breaking the bank or jumping through hoops. My Streaming Life depends on finding value and avoiding unnecessary costs, and MLB.TV in its current state just doesn't provide that.