MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the league remains actively engaged in the ongoing resale process for the Fox RSNs, which has moved to a second round of bidding that entitles it access to additional data. He added the active bid represents a push to have a greater hand in emerging media business changes. “I would characterize discussions among ownership as very supportive,” Manfred said following the conclusion of the MLB winter owners meeting. “Ownership sees this as an opportunity for us to take additional control of our content. We recognize that the media landscape is changing quickly. And if somebody’s managing that changing landscape, we’d just as soon have it be us.”
There will again be authenticated in-market streaming across much of MLB in ’19. After many of the sport’s contracts in this area expired after the ’18 season, Manfred said a new agreement has been struck with Fox to cover this coming season. Similar terms have been proposed to Comcast to cover its RSNs. AT&T’s RSNs are already set to provide in-market streaming. The Orioles, Nationals and Dodgers remain without the offering.
