Posted on 02/02/2023 6:54:26 AM PST by JSM_Liberty
The MLB Network is being dropped by YouTube TV after the two parties failed to reach a contract renewal agreement, according to an email sent to YouTube TV subscribers on Tuesday. Though subscribers to YouTube TV’s base plan will still be able to watch select national Major League Baseball Games on Fox, ESPN and TBS, any saved recordings of content from the MLB Network will be lost as the result of the failed negotiations.(Before Tuesday, the MLB Network was available as part of YouTube’s $64.99 monthly base plan.)
“We apologize for the news and will continue conversations with the MLB to advocate on your behalf, in the hope of restoring their content on YouTube TV,” the email to subscribers said. “We regret that YouTube TV has been unwilling to negotiate a fair carriage agreement. MLB Network has offered terms consistent with what close to 300 other U.S. providers have agreed to for distribution,” a representative for the MLB Network, the league’s 24/7 channel with live games and studio programming, told The Hollywood Reporter. “With the great demand and value for live baseball content, Major League Baseball’s commitment to MLB Network now and in the future is stronger than ever before, and we remain open and committed to reaching an agreement with YouTube TV as soon as possible.”
YouTube TV has previously been locked in carriage disputes with companies like NBCUniversal and Disney but has typically been able to restore access after a short period of time.
Spring training for the 2023 MLB season begins on Feb. 24, while opening day is set for March 30.
Haven’t watched a game since 2013.
Get to go hiking, swimming, camping, or just hang out and read some good books. It's so nice not to care about how a particular sports team is doing.
I was a Boston Bruins fan for decades and just found out that they were in first place with the best record in the NHL. Oh well, good for them. I hope they win the Stanley Cup but I won't be watching. Maybe I'll see highlights on YouTube.
I get the MLB package and watch baseball from March 30th, to the last pitch of the World series. No cable Newz for me, give me fastballs and sliders.
$64.99/mo??
Hard pass.
Whether it is through YouTubeTV or just the MLB subscription, MLB is pricing itself into obsolescence.
Yep. Gonna be some upset subscribers.
YouTube TV is the cheapest of the live TV providers that offer network channels.
“$64.99/mo??
Hard pass”
I’m happy to pay $65 for full cable channel package (actually $55, one year promo) replacing Frontier cable which was double that if not more. We have gotten our Cable/ landline (ooma) / internet costs down to $105 a month from a sum I’m too embarrassed to mention, but well over 50%.
I was among the early subscribers to MLB.com in the early 2000s.
Dropped it and all interest in baseball when MLB when woke.
Don’t take a dump on my country and ask me to pay to watch.
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