David Satin with The Streamable —
But the league has also been crystal clear about its desire to end its relationship with its largest current RSN partner, so what comes next? Manfred gave a hint this week, saying that the league had discussed a package that nationalizes all RSN content for about half of its teams. The main reason for insisting on a nationally available product is to attract streaming providers, who want to ensure they can put as many games in front of their entire subscriber base before shelling out big money for MLB rights.
But for half of the teams? Imagine the MLS deal with Apple, but minus Seattle, LA Galaxy and Inter Miami. Why would Amazon or any streamer pick up this MLB package if it only consists of half of the teams in the league? What if one of the teams in the package is playing one of the teams outside of the package?
Earlier this year, Manfred spoke about his desire to create an in-market streaming platform which carried around half the teams in the league. This would differ somewhat from the national RSN package discussed above, as it would not be a linear TV product, and would be sold directly to consumers, rather than to a streaming provider who would then turn around and market it to the public.
This sounds more like their current product, MLB.tv, which streams every single game, every single night. The broadcasts are from each team’s respective RSN — so if the Mets and Cardinals are playing you can choose which broadcast you want to watch. Furthermore, the Padres and Diamondbacks broadcasts are currently produced by MLB after those two teams were dropped by Diamond Sports last year.
This, to me, is still the way to go. Baseball broadcasts have always been local or regional. Nationalizing every single broadcast ruins that. You would lose the depth of knowledge local broadcasters have with their respective teams. You would also lose the voice of the team — the current and future Jack Bucks, Harry Carays, Vin Scullys and Bob Ueckers of the game. The problem with the current state of MLB.tv is that local games are blacked out. This is all that needs to be fixed. But if MLB does intend on nationalizing its games, that might just spell the end for its signature streaming platform.