Major League Baseball fans may be in for a shock next season as streaming costs soar. A recent report from Outkick revealed that the total price to stream all nationally televised baseball games could reach $103.94 per month. This hefty figure comes from various streaming services: Peacock ($10.99), Fox One ($19.99), Netflix ($22.99), ESPN DTC ($29.99), HBO Max ($9.99), and Apple TV+ ($9.99). For fans eager to catch every game, this adds up quickly.
Bobby Burack of Outkick expressed concern about these rising costs, stating, “MLB risks pricing fans out by distributing games so broadly.” He pointed out a worrying trend: streaming sports could end up being pricier than traditional cable packages. The fragmentation of broadcast rights among multiple services could diminish the value of MLB to its media partners. Burack questioned the logic behind this strategy, asking, “How many people will sign up for Apple or ESPN DTC to watch one game a week?” The implications are clear: a saturated market of streaming options could alienate devoted fans.
Comparatively, the NFL is not offering much of a bargain either. Outkick reported that streaming every NFL game next season will cost fans an astonishing $671.64, about $111.94 per month. Other estimates put the total cost for the full NFL season between $811 and $883. This suggests that sports fans could end up spending over $1,500 annually to watch all the games they desire. It’s a staggering amount that puts considerable financial strain on supporters.
Interestingly, despite the high cost of watching games online, attending a live event could be even worse. Action Network estimates that a family of four will need over $360 for a day at Fenway Park to see the Boston Red Sox, while a trip to Yankee Stadium for the New York Yankees is similarly pricey. The totals consider general tickets and refreshments, highlighting the financial burden of live sports entertainment, yet these prices underscore a trend where watching at home seems cheaper by comparison.
The landscape for sports viewership is shifting dramatically. With escalating streaming costs and attendance fees, fans are forced to reconsider their loyalty and access to their favorite games. It raises the essential question: at what point does the cost outweigh the enjoyment of America’s pastime?
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