The Rogers Media-owned Sportsnet Now service will carry Blue Jays games but not other MLB contestsGETTY IMAGES
Blue Jays fans across Canada who subscribe to MLB.TV will "have to switch to Sportsnet Now if they want to stream live games" this season, as MLB.TV on Friday notified online subscribers that the team's games will be "blacked out on its streaming service nationwide," according to Laura Armstrong of the TORONTO STAR. MLB "used to control streaming rights for all 30 teams, but that changed last fall" when at the annual owners’ meeting, it was "announced that clubs could cut their own local deals." For Canada’s only team, the "entire country is considered the local market" (TORONTO STAR, 2/22). NBCSPORTS.com's Nick Stellini wrote Rogers Media, which owns the Blue Jays in addition to Sportsnet, likely meant for the decision to limit Canadians to its Sportsnet Now streaming service as a "moneymaking opportunity," but it is "remarkably shortsighted and petty." Sportsnet Now "comes at a comparable price to MLB.TV, but it doesn’t carry the whole league" (NBCSPORTS.com, 2/22).
BAD DEAL FOR FANS: THE ATHLETIC's Andrew Stoeten wrote Sportsnet Now is a "fine enough service, offering content beyond just the Blue Jays." At $19.99 per month, over the course of a six-month MLB season, its price is "almost exactly the same as the $121.99 MLB.TV will set you back." But it is "not MLB.TV" and does not have "every game from every other team." It "doesn’t give you the option to overlay opposing broadcasts or radio broadcasts." And it "isn't as widely available" on media platforms. Many Canadian fans who have "grown accustomed to following the Blue Jays" on MLB.TV are "understandably outraged at the intentional devaluing of what could be such a great service" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/21).
