Maybe. I was very surprised at how big the viewership was for the NFL games they aired.
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MLB Announces New TV Deals
- Thread starter TheBigA
- Start date
Maybe. I was very surprised at how big the viewership was for the NFL games they aired.
Somewhat relevant to sports & streaming is the announcement that the FCC is investigating this:
barrettmedia.com
On the surface, there isn't much they can do, since they don't regulate streaming or sports.
The only possible thing is the anti-trust exemption that sports teams have.
FCC Launches Inquiry Into Sports Broadcasting Rights Moving To Streaming Platforms
"FCC Chairman Brendan Carr echoed those concerns previously on social media, writing that while many games remain available on broadcast television, an increasing share now resides on a patchwork of online platforms that require separate subscriptions and navigation tools."
barrettmedia.com
On the surface, there isn't much they can do, since they don't regulate streaming or sports.
The only possible thing is the anti-trust exemption that sports teams have.
Here is an opinion piece written about the previous post about the FCC investigation into sports on TV
barrettmedia.com
I agree with basically everything in this article.
Is the FCC Overstepping With It’s Inquiry Into Sports Media Rights Agreements
"The FCC can study the fragmentation of sports television all it wants. The fragmentation isn’t the problem. It’s the business model. And that model isn’t broken."
barrettmedia.com
I agree with basically everything in this article.
Chairman Carr did an interview Thursday during which he spoke about his investigation:
barrettmedia.com
The chairman doesn't appear to understand how TV has changed. Everything is moving to streaming. It's nothing new. The FCC has no jurisdiction in this area. Broadcast TV stations are bidding on sports rights, but the teams control the rights.
He's correct that sports attracts advertising, but it also requires the stations to pay huge rights fees. It's not just free programming.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr: 'We're Exploring the Relationship Between Sports and Broadcast' Due to Local News Funding
"I think people are right to start asking whether we have the right regulatory framework in place right now."
barrettmedia.com
The chairman doesn't appear to understand how TV has changed. Everything is moving to streaming. It's nothing new. The FCC has no jurisdiction in this area. Broadcast TV stations are bidding on sports rights, but the teams control the rights.
He's correct that sports attracts advertising, but it also requires the stations to pay huge rights fees. It's not just free programming.
So here we are, Sunday Night, and I was hoping to watch NBC's debut of Sunday Night Baseball.
www.mlb.com
Except it's only on Peacock. Instead, NBC is running an NBA double header. There won't be much baseball on NBC until June:
www.nbc.com
A new era of Sunday Night Baseball begins
Sunday Night Baseball has a new home for 2026, and here is everything you need to know about how and where to watch. The Sunday showcase had aired on ESPN since 1990, but Sunday Night Baseball is now on NBC. More specifically, you can find every Sunday Night Baseball Game
www.mlb.com
Except it's only on Peacock. Instead, NBC is running an NBA double header. There won't be much baseball on NBC until June:
MLB Sunday Night Baseball Full 2026 Schedule on NBC & Peacock: Dodgers, Yankees & More
Major League Baseball on NBC and Peacock includes a weekly MLB slate of prime time Sunday Night Baseball action. Here’s the full schedule!
The Cleveland/Seattle game is on NBC Sports Network. No different than it airing on ESPN in the past. An early-season game that means nothing, and two teams that are irrelevant nationally.
Both of NBC's games mean potential playoff seeding (the regular season ends in a couple of weeks). Far more important in April than baseball.
Both of NBC's games mean potential playoff seeding (the regular season ends in a couple of weeks). Far more important in April than baseball.
Didn't know that. Thanks!
I was too frustrated upon hearing the first Sunday Night Baseball under the NBC Sports umbrella was airing on Peacock. But I do agree with the assessment that having two good NBA games with playoff caliber teams with less than a month to go before the playoffs begin makes sense from a business perspective. The first actual NBC game will be on April 12th between Cleveland Guardians at Atlanta Braves.
The Zac Brown Band really own sports TV in March, don't they? First, they did the March Madness theme for CBS
www.on3.com
And now they're doing the theme for Sunday Night Baseball on NBC
www.nbcsports.com
I guess the network lawyers didn't demand exclusivity. Whoops.
Zac Brown Band is singing the March Madness Anthem for CBS in the NCAA Tournament
Zach Brown Band's "Give it Away" will accompany you throughout your TV-watching journey into March Madness.
And now they're doing the theme for Sunday Night Baseball on NBC
ZAC BROWN BAND TO STAR IN SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL OPEN ON NBC AND PEACOCK
Highlights from Sunday Night Baseball Show Open to Premiere Tomorrow Night, During Diamondbacks-Dodgers on NBC and Peacock (8 p.m. ET)
www.nbcsports.com
I guess the network lawyers didn't demand exclusivity. Whoops.
Is NBC Sports Network on DirecTV?
Google is your friend. So is DirecTV's website. Hint: Try Channel 619 first.
The M's went 90-72 last season, beating the Tigers in the ALDS in 5 games and forcing Toronto to go to 7 games to beat them in the ALCS. In additon, catcher Cal Raleigh hit 60 home runs setting the record for most home runs by a catcher in a season and one of only two players to hit 60 or more in the post-juicing era.
"Irrelevant nationally" is not how the Mariners are viewed in 2026.
Yeah, they did well, and could make the playoffs again this year, but that's not what I was talking about.
There are only a few teams with true national followings: The Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, and Cardinals. The others may have strong regional followings, but really, who outside of Ohio and expatriates from there give a flying whit about the Guardians? And how many Mariners fans are there outside the Pacific Northwest, other than folks who moved from that area? Baseball is a local/regional sport, as opposed to the NFL which is the only pro sport that is truly national.
I like a lot of their music, but the ZBB are very much in country music's rear view mirror. Their last album sank without a trace at retail/streaming and produced nothing resembling a hit single. How in the world have they gotten either of these gigs?The Zac Brown Band really own sports TV in March, don't they? First, they did the March Madness theme for CBS
Zac Brown Band is singing the March Madness Anthem for CBS in the NCAA Tournament
Zach Brown Band's "Give it Away" will accompany you throughout your TV-watching journey into March Madness.
And now they're doing the theme for Sunday Night Baseball on NBC
ZAC BROWN BAND TO STAR IN SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL OPEN ON NBC AND PEACOCK
Highlights from Sunday Night Baseball Show Open to Premiere Tomorrow Night, During Diamondbacks-Dodgers on NBC and Peacock (8 p.m. ET)
I guess the network lawyers didn't demand exclusivity. Whoops.
KING-5 is announcing right now that they are carrying 10 games on Friday nights during this season. Games will also air on other Nexstar/Tegna stations in the Northwest.
KING 5 Mariners announcement
SEATTLE — KING 5 is teaming up with the Seattle Mariners to bring 10 regular season games to fans over-the-air for free in 2026.
The first game to be on KING 5 will be the Mariners matchup at home against the Houston Astros on Friday, April 10.
The games will also air on KGW in Portland, KREM in Spokane, and KTVB in Boise.
In addition to games, KING 5 will air a special called On Deck on Wednesday before each game, bringing fans closer to the players and behind the scenes of Mariners baseball.
The following games will be produced by MLB and the Mariners and aired on KING 5 for free:
- April 10 vs. Houston Astros at 6:40 p.m.
- April 17 vs. Texas Rangers at 6:40 p.m.
- May 15 vs. San Diego Padres 6:40 p.m.
- May 29 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 7:10 p.m.
- June 19 vs. Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m.
- July 3 vs. Toronto Blue Jays 7:10 p.m.
- July 17 vs. San Francisco Giants 7:10 p.m.
- July 31 vs. Minnesota Twins 7:10 p.m.
- August 7 vs. Tampa Bay Rays 7:10 p.m.
- August 21 vs. Chicago Cubs 7:10 p.m.
(subject to change)
“This is an exhilarating moment for Mariners fans across the Pacific Northwest,” said Christy Moreno, president and general manager at KING 5. “Bringing games to local fans for free over-the-air is a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to serving our local communities with impactful sports and programming. It’s exciting to strengthen our fans local connection to the team and bring them closer to the heart of the game.”
“We’re incredibly excited about our partnership with KING and remain committed to delivering our games to fans in ways they want to watch them,” said Kevin Martinez, Mariners President of Business Operations. “With 10 over-the-air games this season, along with a range of cable, satellite and streaming options, we’re proud to offer Mariners fans more ways than ever to watch our games in 2026.”
As part of the collaboration, affiliates across the Pacific Northwest will also deliver the games to more than four million households in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii.
The games, also being broadcast on the Mariners TV, will feature the Mariners regular season announcers, including Aaron Goldsmith, Angie Mentink, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Dave Valle, Ryon Healy and Brad Adam.
In addition to the 10 games covered in this agreement, all regionally available Mariners games air on Mariners TV across major cable and satellite providers and stream with no local blackouts on Mariners.TV if you’re in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Montana or Hawaii, British Columbia or Alberta, Canada. National exclusivities apply.
Fans outside of the Pacific Northwest can still access Mariners games through MLB.TV
KING 5 Mariners announcement
Mariners, KING 5 partner to bring 10 games over-the-air for free
The first game to be on KING 5 will be the Mariners matchup at home against the Houston Astros on Friday, April 10.SEATTLE — KING 5 is teaming up with the Seattle Mariners to bring 10 regular season games to fans over-the-air for free in 2026.
The first game to be on KING 5 will be the Mariners matchup at home against the Houston Astros on Friday, April 10.
The games will also air on KGW in Portland, KREM in Spokane, and KTVB in Boise.
In addition to games, KING 5 will air a special called On Deck on Wednesday before each game, bringing fans closer to the players and behind the scenes of Mariners baseball.
The following games will be produced by MLB and the Mariners and aired on KING 5 for free:
- April 10 vs. Houston Astros at 6:40 p.m.
- April 17 vs. Texas Rangers at 6:40 p.m.
- May 15 vs. San Diego Padres 6:40 p.m.
- May 29 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks 7:10 p.m.
- June 19 vs. Boston Red Sox 7:10 p.m.
- July 3 vs. Toronto Blue Jays 7:10 p.m.
- July 17 vs. San Francisco Giants 7:10 p.m.
- July 31 vs. Minnesota Twins 7:10 p.m.
- August 7 vs. Tampa Bay Rays 7:10 p.m.
- August 21 vs. Chicago Cubs 7:10 p.m.
(subject to change)
“This is an exhilarating moment for Mariners fans across the Pacific Northwest,” said Christy Moreno, president and general manager at KING 5. “Bringing games to local fans for free over-the-air is a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to serving our local communities with impactful sports and programming. It’s exciting to strengthen our fans local connection to the team and bring them closer to the heart of the game.”
“We’re incredibly excited about our partnership with KING and remain committed to delivering our games to fans in ways they want to watch them,” said Kevin Martinez, Mariners President of Business Operations. “With 10 over-the-air games this season, along with a range of cable, satellite and streaming options, we’re proud to offer Mariners fans more ways than ever to watch our games in 2026.”
As part of the collaboration, affiliates across the Pacific Northwest will also deliver the games to more than four million households in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii.
The games, also being broadcast on the Mariners TV, will feature the Mariners regular season announcers, including Aaron Goldsmith, Angie Mentink, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Dave Valle, Ryon Healy and Brad Adam.
In addition to the 10 games covered in this agreement, all regionally available Mariners games air on Mariners TV across major cable and satellite providers and stream with no local blackouts on Mariners.TV if you’re in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, Montana or Hawaii, British Columbia or Alberta, Canada. National exclusivities apply.
Fans outside of the Pacific Northwest can still access Mariners games through MLB.TV
This appears to be part of the new agreement between most of the teams and MLB.com after the demise of the various RSNs. These teams seem to be working directly with MLB.com and the MLB Network in TV production:
Who isn't included? The New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, and the Chicago Cubs, who have their own TV production units.
The Mets have lost their RSN? I thought they had a stake in SportsNet New York.
Similarity, Philadelphia Phillies have an ownership stake in NBC Sports Philadelphia.
I was equally surprised to see the Angels there, since they just announced they are starting their own RSN.
I'm just going by what I see at MLB.com.
The main thing I see here is "no blackouts."