you say ahead, I say behind. Exclusivity and blackouts are why the customers who would buy the product are prohibited from receiving what they want. They are in a position to cut out the middleman, but are scared to step away from he network mammaries, whether broadcast or streaming.
The networks were controlling the blackouts, not MLB. Teams negotiate with the networks, not MLB. MLB wants the teams to go with them so they can end the blackouts. Pay attention, keep up.
You act like the teams owners aren't MLB. Perhaps there is a civil war between teams, but MLB is the team owners.
Subscribe to a good VPN (I use StrongVPN and have successfully done so while living all over the world), then buy an MLB package and watch from “overseas” (I happen be overseas, but it worked from Texas also). Problem solved at a fair price.
I tied that, but they use my billing address to black me out even with the VPN. I don't have an overseas address.
Ahh. They must have started that after I left Houston. Maybe you can find a friend to pay for it and reimburse them.
I did once for an Oilers game. Caveat, I was already going to Astroworld for the Halloween themed day, just added the game at noon and went after.
I've always wondered, is there anything about doing this that is illegal? Or breaks any MLB rule when you sign up for their streaming service? I might just consider doing this.
Warner Bros. Discovery has told teams that it plans to exit the regional sports network business entirely within the next several weeks. The company, which operates three AT&T SportsNet-branded channels in Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh and has a minority stake in the Root Sports channel in Seattle, has told teams that they have until March 31 to reach an agreement to take their rights back. If the RSNs can’t reach deals with the teams, the channels eventually plan to move forward with a Chapter 7 liquidation filing. In a statement provided to SBJ, WBD said, “AT&T SportsNet is not immune to the well-known challenges that the entire RSN industry is facing. We will continue to engage in private conversations with our partners as we seek to identify reasonable and constructive solutions.” WBD sent letters to the leagues and teams this afternoon informing them of their plans to divest their interest in those four RSNs. WBD has rights deals with 10 teams across those four networks: four MLB teams (Astros, Mariners, Pirates, Rockies), three NBA teams (Blazers, Jazz, Rockets) and three NHL teams (Kraken, Penguins, Golden Knights). The moves come at a fraught time for WBD, which has been trying to get out of the RSN business for a while. Over the past several months, league sources privately have praised WBD Sports’ RSN leadership, led by AT&T SportsNet President Patrick Crumb, for working with the teams to come up with a plan that would enable the company to get out of the RSN business. In the letters, WBD said that it will allow the teams to use the same production staff and equipment to continue producing the games. With WBD trying to extend its NBA package past 2024-25 -- as competitors like Amazon, Apple and NBC are emerging -- it's important for WBD to not ruffle feathers in the league office as it disentangles its interest in the RSNs. Its RSNs hold the rights to three NBA teams -- the Blazers, Jazz and Rockets -- and it’s too early to determine how this move will affect them.
Just provide a direct to customer streaming services which cannot be blacked out. Even a cheap b*stard like myself would scrape up $150 per season to see every game. But not $200+ per month to support all the crap on cable.
So what does this actually mean? Am I not going to be able to watch Astros games if they don’t reach an agreement to take their rights back?
Whatever gets them some cash to lock up the next couple of titles!! C'mon, Gallery Sports Gaming Network!!
It introduces uncertainty because the creditors may have a basis to tie the rights up in court. Breach of contract and Chapter 7 should make this easy to resolve, but nothing is done quickly and easily in court.
