I've had mlb.tv for years, as I have a cabin outside Texas, and they have commercials, at least as of last year. Sadly, they play the same two or three commercials. Over and over and over. It's terrible.
Yep. Not sure if it was last year or the one before, but they constantly ran a Serena Williams commercial over...and over....and over....and over.... Sometimes they would have little clips of top plays (not sure if it was for the week or month). I loved when they would show those clips.
Back in 1920 the only blackouts were if you strayed too far from a transistor radio, or the town crier
Transistors? In 1920 they still used those newfangled tubes and those were only in rare large markets. Most of the country still did not have radio. Just before the war broke out, there were new stations popping up around the country and those wealthier citizens could afford the luxury of a tube radio to listen to these new stations. Transistors became popular in the 60s. Just ask you grandparents. And yes, I distinctly remember when there were tube testers for repairing radio and tv sets when the tubes burned out like light bulbs. The picture tube was the last tube eliminated and that was decades later.
Your $1 beer now costs $7. Haven't priced hotdogs and pretzels yet. I do hope you enjoy wearing a wool suit and fedora to every outdoor day game in July.
24 oz beers were $16 this past weekend at Minute Maid (there was a college baseball tournament there). While you can get deals at some places, a 12 oz beer at most local pubs is $5 now, so the ballpark prices don't seem out of line to me. Inflation. Good news is that it's just transitory.
Well I haven't had a beer in 25 years and frankly haven't missed them. So anything more than $2 seems high to me. But at least it's not $7 coffee.
As you can see from many of mt posts, I am a self identified cheapskate and Jack Benny was my hero. But I finally decided it was worth supporting Clutchfans, even if I drive many on here to distraction. So now I'm a monthly Gold supporter. Come on MLB/Astros. Let me have what I want and I'll find a way to support you too.
While my opinion does not matter and I disagree with many of your perspectives (though not all … for example having a lefty lead off is a good idea), I respect your decision to contribute. Cheers. ETA: I have contributed but my tag doesn’t show up. This was a good reminder for me to go double check and ensure Dave gets his due! ETA 2: Apparently Hong Kong doesn’t allow PayPal. Dave, add a credit card option! Otherwise, I guess I wait until back in Europe.
I honestly believe that blackouts of MLB and local telecasts of network games will not significantly affect their value to the networks. Yet is is the reasoning behind failing to serve the market. The failure of RSNs unfortunately does not end with a simple agreement between the RSN and teams. It also involves any creditors who have invested in a RSN seeking bankruptcy protection. And it takes time to distribute the assets and liabilities without consensus of the creditors. But, while no fan of Manfred in general, the idea of looking to the future, rather than the past while planning the financial side of baseball is good. I have a dream. That one day I can simply click on the MLB website, and order a live stream of any team or package of teams I choose without exclusion or blackouts from anywhere in the world. Options for free, limited or no advertising depending on your budget available; none of which distracts from play of the game itself. I might not get there with you since it will take a while, even if that's the direction finally chosen.
Man, I've been calling for this for years. Ever since the Rockets/Astros tried to run their own network. If it happens, I'll be the first person to sign up since I have YoutubeTV.
