The Dallas Stars are taking their local game broadcasts directly to consumers for free after years of fans having issues watching the team’s games on a regional sports network.
Baffling that any team would take issue with their fans not being able to watch their product.
“After years of researching the right solution and careful planning with our partners at APMC, we’re proud to announce this pioneering streaming platform that will literally change the game for sports distribution on VICTORY+,” Dallas Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts said in a statement. “Our first priority has always been our fan base, and on VICTORY+ fans will be able to stream 100 percent of Stars content for free through this innovative and unique streaming platform for sports programming.”
Take note, this is how you do it. Inside your region, your fans should always have access to your games. Blackouts have been archaic since their inception.
Bally had the rights to 70 of the Stars’ 82 regular-season games last season and the first round of the playoffs. But Bally Sports Southwest wasn’t available on many popular streaming platforms, and there were times when fans had issues trying to watch games on an app.
It remains to be seen what the experience of the new Dallas/VICTORY+ service will be like, but taking the position of treating your fans like humans instead of criminals is a good place to start.