MLB Seeking to Add Local Games to Streaming Service

Major League Baseball is seeking to rearrange its media ecosystem so local fans can take advantage of its streaming service.

Local broadcasts have long been the property of regional sports networks — which means that along with national broadcasts, they’re blacked out on MLB TV. 

• “I hope at one point to have in-market [streaming] available,” MLB chief revenue officer Noah Garden told Sports Business Journal.
• While MLB does not release its subscriber numbers, it was estimated in 2020 to have around 3.5 million subscribers, generating $430 million in revenue. 

The league’s ratings have dropped for flagship events this year, with the All-Star Game seeing its lowest viewership on record with 7.5 million average viewers, and the second Field of Dreams Game dropping to 3.1 million average viewers from 5.9 million last year.

League viewership may be flat overall, but 16 of the league’s 30 teams had the top- or second-highest rated show on primetime cable in their local area as of July. 

Sinclair’s Stream

Meanwhile, the league is facing competition from Sinclair, which launched its Bally Sports+ streaming service at $19.99 per month in August. 

The service currently offers Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays games, with plans to expand to its 19 other regional networks. The service will also include in-market NHL and NBA games.