Why Some MLB Teams (Reds, Nationals, Braves) Don’t Want to Be On Cable & Satellite Now
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!
TV Answer Man, can you explain to me in simple terms why DIRECTV and the other TV companies haven’t added the Washington Nationals yet? What on earth are they waiting for?! – Steve, Fairfax, Virginia.
Steve, DIRECTV, Comcast, Spectrum TV, Verizon and other TV providers that carried MLB teams that were previously broadcast by FanDuel Sports Network have yet to add the teams’ new channels which are now available via streaming. (Nationals.TV, Reds.TV, Braves.TV, etc.) I have previously written here that I expect carriage deals to be announced but not until a few days before Opening Day (March 26). But why is that? What is taking so long?
Two reasons, one which I explained in detail in a previous column: The TV providers save money by waiting because they don’t have to start paying carriage fees until they actually add the channel. For example, DIRECTV wouldn’t have to pay the Nationals until the actual day that Nationals.TV is added to its lineup. The savings could be as much as one million dollars for each team if you add up the days from when Nationals.TV was first announced to Opening Day.
However, there is a second reason why the Team.TV channels haven’t been added.
The teams are benefiting from the delay. With no carriage deals announced, cable and satellite subscribers are more likely to subscribe to the team.TV streaming plan for $99 and above, thinking it might be the only way to watch their team’s games. This is why I have urged fans to wait to see if their provider adds the channel before getting the streaming plan. But most fans likely have no clue that a carriage deal is highly likely with any TV provider that carried the team in past years. They might panic and pay the $99. And that would make the team happy.
So, once again, please wait until at least a few days before Opening Day before subscribing to the team.tv streaming service. That channel may be added to your cable/satellite plan at no extra cost and you’ll save money!
Steve, I hope that answers your question. Happy viewing and stay safe!
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For what it’s worth, Nationals season plan holders can get 50% off the annual subscription for Nationals.tv. That offer expires on March 23rd. I wonder if that’s the day we’ll see the channel show up on cable/satellite.
My friend in Atlanta can view channel 645 on Direct but I am in Columbia SC and do not have that channel yet.
You’ll probably have to wait until next week. It’s not an official addition yet.