MLBAM Adds Five Additional Games To Ongoing Free Beta Test

By Eric Fisher, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

MLBAM has scheduled five additional games for its ongoing free public beta of its new premium-level MLB.tv player. The games will include Red Sox-Mets and the Cubs-Yankees tomorrow, and Cubs-Yankees, Red Sox-Mets and Orioles-Nationals on Saturday. The final beta tests represent the first national-level showcases for the two new ballparks in N.Y., as well as an additional preview of MLBAM’s significantly reworked video player through its new relationship with Adobe. The new video player supports an HD-quality picture, DVR-type functionality and picture-in-picture components. MLBAM had more than 450,000 subscribers to MLB.tv in '08, and projects a similar number for this year. Revenue from the offering, however, will likely diminish slightly due to a $10 price drop to $109.95 for the premium-level subscription, and $79.95 for the standard version.