MLB At Bat is the absolute best app I have ever purchased. From around 1:30 PM Central time, until around 12:30 AM, I can find just about any MLB game in the country. But notice, I said almost…
MLB.com has offered video streaming since the 2002 season. They have also offered audio-only streaming before that.
Being the first of the major four sports to incorporate streaming, their platform is much more developed than that of the NFL, NBA, and NHL. The NBA has even contracted baseball’s help in building out their streaming services and video libraries.
But it is not without its flaws.
As many users know, MLB’s streaming services are subject to MLB’s antiquated blackout restrictions. And if you live in a local market, you will not be able to stream a local game. Meaning, as a Chicago Cubs fan, from the Chicagoland area, I’m unable to view a Cubs game on the app.
If you don’t know that going in, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Like a $115 (or $24.99 a month) pill.
Here is MLB’s blackout areas, per team, per area.
Now, the lines aren’t perfect and they don’t always perfectly lineup with a cable networks broadcast maps. As a Cubs fan, there are areas in Illinois which I have no app access or TV access to a game. This is where it is imperfect.
What are the blackouts for?
Well, a long time ago MLB and it’s teams came to an agreement to not broadcast games in another team’s local viewing area taking away from an in-market broadcast. Think about when the Cubs were on WGN, and on the WGN Superstation they would broadcast games across the country. If the Cubs were to play the New York Mets, WGN would blackout their broadcast in the New York market.
There are some exceptions, but for the most part these are the reasons behind the blackout rules.
Now, the blackout works in reverse for the app. If you are within the local broadcast area, MLB wants to push those viewers to the local TV broadcast. This helps the local stations with advertising money. But, the app allows displaced fans who live outside of the normal broadcast area to be able to watch their favorite teams. The app just isn’t made for fans being able to circumvent local TV, or cut cords, it’s made so fans that don’t live locally have the chance to watch games.
In 2016, MLB introduced single team plans through MLB.TV at a reduced price. This gave many the wrong impression on how the app service would work. Many had the impression that the single team option would give them the ability to watch their favorite team regardless of where they physically were. That was not the case. This option was for those who were only interested in watching a single team, from outside the regular viewing area.
Confusing marketing
I love the app, like i said, it is the best app I have ever purchased. But I understand the issues fans have with it. It’s marketed like you can watch your team anywhere you happen to be. If you are out shopping, open the app. On the train? Check in on your favorite team on the app. On a conference call? You got it, open the app.
It is all those things, as long as you’re willing to watch other teams or live outside your favorite team’s viewing area.
So I feel ya Cubs fans, or any fan for that matter, I do. But like anything in life, don’t just spend the money without knowing what you’re getting. Hopefully this piece helps you understand what you’re getting.
