MLB "may be on the verge of making a controversial
double play with radio broadcast rights, selling Internet
audiocast rights" to all games to a "third party Webcaster,"
according to Richard Tedesco of BROADCASTING & CABLE.
Tedesco calls "audiocasts" MLB's "most tangible Web asset"
and writes that a deal "could occur this season," which
"could kick up rhubarbs with the radio stations that have
licensed rights to live game coverage that is carried
online." MLB Dir of New Media Alex Kam said that the "basic
game plan is to collectively negotiate audiocast rights" for
all MLB teams. Kam: "We can get better deals for our
clubs." While audio rights would have been a "potentially
lucrative asset" in the "next round of radio negotiations"
for teams, many teams are "embracing the concept of a
uniform Webcasting strategy," after "passively ceding"
Internet rights to the Commissioner's Office last month. But
Astros VP/Broadcast & Sales Jamie Hildreth said that his
team wants "some measure of autonomy online." Hildreth: "I
certainly think that the teams need to control their destiny
to some degree." Additionally, "reselling radio rights
online is a serious issue" for radio stations that have paid
large licensing fees to carry MLB games. Bobby Lawrence,
Exec VP of Clear Channel Communications, whose stations
carry Dodgers, Rockies, Reds, Devil Rays and Padres games,
said if MLB is "going to sell our audio, we think that's a
real issue." Kam said that whether or not Webcast rights
are sold, MLB "needs an Internet partner to facilitate
Webcasting," and Tedesco writes that Yahoo!'s Broadcast.com
and ESPN are "logical" candidates (B&C, 2/28 issue).
