MLBAM and NBC Sports Regional Networks have reached a deal to begin authenticated in-market streaming for the Cubs, White Sox, Phillies, A’s and Giants, including pre- and postgame shows. The deal arrives a year to the day after the league’s settlement in the Garber case and ends several years of often-difficult negotiations between the two sides on the matter. The beginning of in-market streaming for the Comcast SportsNet-branded RSNs follows a similar deal MLBAM struck in late ’15 with Fox Sports for its RSNs that began with the ’16 season. Unlike the Fox deal, MLBAM’s BAM Tech will not serve as the technical partner to manage the authenticated streams. Games will be available through the individual RSN websites and the NBC Sports mobile app. The Garber settlement mandated that MLBAM use good faith efforts to strike in-market streaming deals with RSNs owned and managed by Comcast, DirecTV and Fox Sports. If streaming deals with each are not in place by the beginning of the ’17 season, MLBAM will be barred from implementing any price increases on its MLB.TV out-of-market game package through ’20. Sources said MLBAM is nearing similar in-market streaming agreements with other RSNs with MLB rights, including SNY.
