With Spring Training approaching, and Opening Day less than two months away, excitement and anticipation are trumping the emotions of every baseball fan across the country. However, amidst this anticipation, a major deal fell through, which could hold a long-lasting impact before the upcoming MLB season.
Notably, YouTube TV will no longer feature on the MLB Network lineup alongside the broadcasting giants Fox and ESPN in the upcoming season and, in effect, make it harder to watch the already spread out Major League Baseball games.
MLB just lost a massive deal:
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Ahead of Spring Training, Front Office Sports recently reported that the MLB Network and YouTube TV have parted ways. On Twitter, FOS said, “YouTube TV has dropped MLB Network from its lineup due to a carriage dispute, effective tonight.”
YouTube TV has dropped MLB Network from its lineup due to a carriage dispute, effective tonight. pic.twitter.com/plwn56dd8v
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 1, 2023
As lauded by YouTube TV in a statement announcing the end of their partnership, “We have been working hard to renew our deal with the MLB Network to continue carrying their content on YouTube TV. However, we have been unable to reach an agreement, and starting today, January 31, 2023, MLB Network content will no longer be available on YouTube TV.”
However, YouTube TV also continued to add a ray of hope, to eventually find a common ground with the MLB Network. They said, “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.”
That being said, as reported by YouTube TV, “Members will be able to continue watching select national MLB games via coverage on FOX, ESPN, and TBS through our Base Plan.”
How did fans react to this news?
Some fans, however, seemed completely unbothered by this news. However, multiple other fans blamed such failed negotiations for why the MLB is consistently losing following in the country.
This is how fans reacted:
Is the @MLB still a thing?😐
— _Phil🍁 (@PhilJay900) February 1, 2023
I dropped the MLB package years ago because I was blacked out from 20% of the games. As a result my kids don’t really care about baseball like I used to. We don’t go to games because we can’t even watch the team that’s closest to us on tv. MLB doesn’t exist in our world anymore.
— Nate Schmitt (@NateSchmitt3) February 1, 2023
Congratulations @MLB on making it even harder to watch your games! Rob Manfraud never fails!
— Jonathan K. (@jwk_1997) February 1, 2023
And the league wonders why they are losing popularity with the younger generations.
— Uncle Charles y’all (@CdubyaSim) February 1, 2023
— Troell Osteen (@hefsnoggle) February 1, 2023
5 people are HEATED right now.
— a dude is UNIQUE (@adudeandhisart) February 1, 2023
@MLBNetwork @YouTubeTV y’all better figure this out!
— chip (@cdhoos) February 1, 2023
@YouTubeTV does this with every channel and company
— Tyson Edwards (@tysonedwards) February 1, 2023
It can stay gone as long as my bill goes down @YouTubeTV
— Paul Francis (@elpaulerino) February 1, 2023
That’s fine
— Chip (@VA2WV2VA) February 1, 2023
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Never watched it – keep ‘em off & don’t raise prices.
— Monty (@GregMon69266182) February 1, 2023
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Did you watch Major League Baseball on YouTube TV? What do you think about this deal falling through? Do you agree with the fans who don’t seem very moved by this decision, or do you think that reasons like these are behind why the MLB is losing popularity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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