MLB Network Now Offers Full Programming Line-Up Online

Last week, the MLB Network became the first league-owned network to offer its full programming line-up on computers and mobile devices, said SB Nation.

Last week, the MLB Network became the first league-owned network to offer its full programming line-up on computers and mobile devices, said SB Nation. The live streaming will include MLB games previously only available with an MLB.tv subscription. Local blackout rules will still apply.”Since 2009, MLB Network has provided Major League Baseball fans with the most comprehensive coverage of the game on television through its award-winning programming,” said MLB Network president Rob McGlarry in a press release. “In partnership with MLB Advanced Media, which has been an industry leader in live streaming for over a decade, these new platforms will provide fans with MLB Network wherever they are.”

MLB At Bat

Baseball fans can now watch their favorite teams in high definition through the MLB AtBat app ($2.99/month or $19.99/season) or on MLBNetwork.com, after logging into their cable subscription account. In other words, the service isn’t free and is only available to users who already pay for cable or satellite TV. So far, the MLB Network has reached deals with many of the top U.S. cable providers, including Time Warner Cable, Cablevision/Optimum, Cox Communications, DirecTV and Dish. Comcast and Charter are notable exceptions.Insider Take:As Fansided explained in its commentary, this is not really a big deal. Sure, baseball fans can now watch Red Sox and Yankee games on mobile devices or computers, but they have to have a cable subscription to do it. Presumably, they are already watching three-hour MLB games on television anyway, though we can envision the possibility of peeking at an inning or the bottom of the ninth on a smaller screen occasionally. Without Comcast and Charter on board, big chunks of the viewing audience are still relegated to watching the games on TV.Also, cable providers already offer “to go” apps on phones and tablets. So why the fanfare? This is an easy way for the MLB Network to score some digital advertising and sponsorship revenue and solidify its partnerships with the big cable companies, without a lot of effort on its part.The MLB Network does have somewhat of a monopoly on the sport, at least in the U.S., so it’s possible that MLB will eventually charge for this service after it adds a few bells and whistles to the package. If MLB does decide to charge for its service – or it plans to grow its audience with its premium app – it is going to have to give viewers something unique. A rehash of what is already available won’t win them any new fans. Will MLB strike out? 

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