MLB Seeking To Launch Live Local Online Streaming Next Season
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MLB Had Hoped To Test Local Live Streaming Of
Games During White Sox, Cubs Games This Year |
MLB "hopes to launch local online streaming of live games next season after it failed to come to an agreement with Comcast on a potential test" of Cubs and White Sox games earlier this year, according to Ourand & Fisher of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The MLB-Comcast talks "first occurred in the spring, weeks before the start of the season," when MLBAM and Comcast "came close to agreeing on a structure that would have seen them stream live White Sox and Cubs games online for free." Industry sources said that MLBAM and Comcast "would have split ad sales revenue, and geo-tracking technology was in place to ensure that the game would only be available only to the CSN Chicago subscribers." But talks "broke down over several issues, including whether the games would be available on MLB.com or the CSN Chicago site." MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy said he "expects to renew discussions" with Comcast before next season. The issue has been "further complicated by the recent renegotiation of the digital rights deal" between ESPN and MLBAM through which the net's Sunday and Wednesday night games will be streamed on ESPN360.com. Execs with several MLB clubs said that "while ESPN is a valuable partner and lucrative source of income, the new deal grants the network rights far in excess of what's available to individual clubs and regional outlets." Ourand & Fisher note a group of teams, including the Red Sox and Orioles, "have been pushing hard for changes to MLB policy to allow for in-market streaming as a means to supplement coverage on club-owned" RSNs. Red Sox Owner John Henry: "Our concern is simply that of protecting local media assets and local rights holders." MLB's effort follows the NBA's recently announced plans to "stream games locally starting next season, a first for a major U.S. sports league" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/1 issue).
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