Sports Media

[mdougherty12]

MLB is running a 50% off sale on MLB.TV right now:

MLB.TV Out-Of-Market Packages | Buy MLB.TV

[zambonir]

They must have really taken a hit from the lockout cancellations (as well as the backlash from the new packages stripping more games out of it).

If the Phillies fall all the way out of things I'd probably buy whatever last month or 25% deal they offer later in the season. I really already do miss the Mets announcers and could casually follow a couple of other teams.

Funny, a Twitter friend of mine tweeted today that he just switched from YouTube TV to DirecTV Stream and can now see the Astros for the first time in several years.

[andyb]

MLB does this every year and it is usually centered around Father's Day. I have bought the 50% off then in the past and it included the last 60% roughly of the schedule.

The offer is definitely a few weeks early this year (and the season started a week later than usual). It now gives you about 80% of the schedule (Phillies have played 33 games so far). Their offseason signups clearly took a hit this year.

[flyers19rw]

Thanks for the tip. Bought the Phillies package last night and got a sweet win from it.

[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?