Sports Media

[zambonir]

I guess I have never noticed because I usually just auto-renew. I got the offer this year because I no longer subscribe!

[bkox]

Disney CEO: ESPN viewers won't need cable in the future

[zambonir]

The Athletic version. Probably gonna still be 10-20 years though.

Disney CEO: All of ESPN could one day be available for a streaming subscription

[zambonir]

Well, my loophole closed. While it said you have to return to your home area every three months to keep local channels, for MLB games it gets flagged after 30 days. I actually am doing just that next week, though it might be more than a full month after that before I'm back for good.

We'll see if this ends with me just taking the MLB.TV discount or if I can mess with my settings further later this week (right now, on the free trial).

[BostonRoss]

John Kruk is out for a while after gallbladder surgery.

Phillies announcer John Kruk out of the booth, to have surgery

I had my gallbladder out about 10 years ago, and I know others who have had the same procedure done. Obviously I don't know the details of Kruk's situation (or whether the cancer might complicate it?). But it went well for me. I did make the mistake of trying to go back to work less than a week later, and I had to go back to the hospital. It was a couple more weeks before I was back to normal, and my job is easier than Kruk's. I hope he takes the time he needs. Get well soon!

[zambonir]

my job is easier than Kruk's.

That can't possibly be true! (But good thoughts for Kruk.)

[andyb]

NESN is putting out their version of a streaming channel for the Red Sox and Bruins. $330 a year or $30 a month though it includes (at least for the first year) free Red Sox tickets. This looks too expensive to catch on though I guess the tickets could be close to that expensive at retail.

NESN Launches Digital Subscription Service With Red Sox, Bruins

[andyb]

We get our first Apple TV+ game in July:

Apple's 'Friday Night Baseball' Games to Remain Free Through July, More Games...

[Dirk41]

Baseball just doesn't want people to watch. The Facebook games were actually a great idea that they pulled off so poorly

[BostonRoss]

Getting people to watch isn't the objective. Making the most money is.

[andyb]

Heads up for everyone that Sunday's game versus the Nats is only on Peacock and the start time (Noon) is earlier than usual. How many regulars get rested for these early Peacock games?

[zambonir]

damn that's 9am for me. Is it Peacock general or Premium?

[andyb]

Looks like it is Premium tier. I only have the free tier now. Had the premium tier when there was a special around the Olympics but it is really not something I would get regularly since I no longer have Comcast.

[zambonir]

I actually had to get Premium for something a few months ago and forgot to downgrade. I think I'm getting a CC statement credit on it though. And there's another show i want to watch on there right now.

Meanwhile:

Apple x MLS | MLSsoccer.com

MLS leaving ESPN+ for Apple. Just the streaming.

[zambonir]

More from Tannewald

Apple TV becomes the new home of Major League Soccer with a 10-year deal for...

All games will stream, no blackouts. So if you are a cord-cutter that doesn't have ESPN or FS1 (though Fox might be done) or even a broadcast antenna you are still good. And there won't be local broadcasts (or announcers/production).

The Sports Business Journal reported that Apple will pay the league at least $250 million per year, more than four times the $65 million per year MLS has received from ESPN, Fox and Univision combined since 2015.

(Edit/Addition: It will have a standalone cost, though they intend to put some games on Apple TV+ overall, and also give season ticketholders a free subscription.)

[Ryles]

Is there a pregame show? Who announces?

[andyb]

Your MLB announcing schedule for 6/13-6/19

Jason Benetti, Ahmed Fareed, Analysts TBA

Looks like there is a pregame show at 11:30.

[zambonir]

Doesn't bode well (less because of the specific policy as the general trend towards becoming less unique, and also the suggestion of budget cuts, though that's also not surprising).

Under NYT Ownership, The Athletic Lays Down "No Politics" Rule For Staff |...

[andyb]

Yeah. I think the criticism of the new policy is a little overblown given that any publication should adhere to media rules on objectivity. It does not look like they are silencing critics, especially in pieces that are more opinion columns. I do admit they don't really make a distinction between news and opinion, probably because they are heavy on analysis and most analysis columns do have non-political opinion in it.

David Aldridge wrote a pretty tough column about the Commanders' defensive coordinator last week that was clearly political, so they do allow opinions still.

Budget cuts will be more concerning. It really feels like they lose money on local coverage and make money on national coverage. I liked the mix of the beat writer and the national pieces as we saw the weakness in coverage when Gelb was out.

[zambonir]

I don't know that I agree, especially when it comes to social media, but that is more or less O/T.

We've obviously seen the budget cuts already, including the unwillingness to pick up a stringer for Gelb, and before that, going from 2 writers to 1 (I remember when it was 3!). Some unfilled positions there right now too.

I'm assuming (hoping, even) that it will be bundled with NYT which will keep me but if it's not may have to rethink next time around. Though their national college football writers are more than half the value for me.