MASN is dead

[English Natsie]

The only thing that drives up the value of rights is competiton (see the CL rights deal in the UK, as an example) - something the Nats don't appear to have. So it won't be big bucks, regardless of the outcome.

[nfotiu]

If it all moves the ESPN, unless your team is good enough to get a decent number of national games, they will effectively not be televised. $20 a month on top of an ESPN+ subscription is more than the vast majority will pay. It seems like a road to irrelevance

Everything is changing fast.   ESPN+ doesn't exist anymore.   ESPN unlimited standalone, and ESPN unlimited that comes with cable-like bundles now includes what was ESPN+.   

I don't think MLB sees the end game as a $20/month add on.   I'm not sure what next year's ESPN local coverage looks like.   ESPN linear channels are pretty irrelevant for anything but big events.   If MLB is showing more than half the team's local games next year, I'm sure they'd have some level of promotion.   Free games on Disney plus or Hulu, and maybe give some free games to local OTA affiliates are some options.

[nfotiu]

The only thing that drives up the value of rights is competiton (see the CL rights deal in the UK, as an example) - something the Nats don't appear to have. So it won't be big bucks, regardless of the outcome.

That's true.   But, it's also the same for every team but the Dodgers and Blue Jays.   They need to figure something out as a league.

[imref]

TalkNats:

BREAKING:  Per a source, the Nats will be joining the MLB Media package that is distributed by ESPN for the 2026 baseball season, and will look for a distribution partner in the local DC market and expanded region.

[PowerBoater69]

TalkNats:

Dueling sources within the team are feeding info to Talk Nats and the Post. Seems like the Post is getting scooped.

[Natsinpwc]

Everything is changing fast.   ESPN+ doesn't exist anymore.   ESPN unlimited standalone, and ESPN unlimited that comes with cable-like bundles now includes what was ESPN+.   

I don't think MLB sees the end game as a $20/month add on.   I'm not sure what next year's ESPN local coverage looks like.   ESPN linear channels are pretty irrelevant for anything but big events.   If MLB is showing more than half the team's local games next year, I'm sure they'd have some level of promotion.   Free games on Disney plus or Hulu, and maybe give some free games to local OTA affiliates are some options.

That’s no true. I have espn plus for hockey and it still works. For now anyway.

[imref]

Dueling sources within the team are feeding info to Talk Nats and the Post. Seems like the Post is getting scooped.

they could still use MASN as a local distribution partner.

[nfotiu]

That’s no true. I have espn plus for hockey and it still works. For now anyway.

It's actually called ESPN select now.   My point was that there isn't anything exclusive on it anymore.   ie, if you have ESPN through most cable or cable like providers or standalone, you don't need to buy espn+ or select to get things like nhl out of market games.   

[varoadking]

if you have ESPN through most cable or cable like providers or standalone, you don't need to buy espn+ or select to get things like nhl out of market games.   

How do you get those games now?

[Natsinpwc]

It's actually called ESPN select now.   My point was that there isn't anything exclusive on it anymore.   ie, if you have ESPN through most cable or cable like providers or standalone, you don't need to buy espn+ or select to get things like nhl out of market games.   

Not true.  It has most of the NHL games which are not on nhl network or TNT. There are not available on ESPN regular channels. It also has things I like like Ivy League basketball and American conference basketball and football.  So I can watch my schools.  Those aren’t available as far as I know

Also on the app on my Roku they all still show as ESPN+.

[Natsinpwc]

To clarify if I want to watch the Flyers and Oilers tomorrow it is exclusively on ESPN + or Select.   Otherwise you need TSN Canada or NBC Sports Philly.  So to me it is exclusively on ESPN+.  Same with Penn and Princeton basketball this coming Monday.

[nfotiu]

To clarify if I want to watch the Flyers and Oilers tomorrow it is exclusively on ESPN + or Select.   Otherwise you need TSN Canada or NBC Sports Philly.  So to me it is exclusively on ESPN+.  Same with Penn and Princeton basketball this coming Monday.

Where do you get regular ESPN from?

[nfotiu]

How do you get those games now?

If you get regular ESPN channels through FIOS, Directv, YTTV, Fubo, Charter, Spectrum, it includes a login to ESPN unlimited, which now includes the content that used to be on ESPN+.

It seems that Comcast, Sling and Dish Network currently do not include ESPN unlimited, but Comcast is supposed to include it at some point...  https://awfulannouncing.com/disney/comcast-renew-carriage-agreement-xfinity-espn-unlimited.html

The other option is to buy ESPN unlimited standalone, or ESPN select for now.

[Natsinpwc]

Where do you get regular ESPN from?

I usually don’t.  When needed I get Sling TV. Now they have day and 3-day and week passes which is nice.

Between MLB TV and ESPN+ and peacock have most of what I want covered. Get peacock free from an old Comcast account. Shhh

[Natsinpwc]

If you get regular ESPN channels through FIOS, Directv, YTTV, Fubo, Charter, Spectrum, it includes a login to ESPN unlimited, which now includes the content that used to be on ESPN+.

It seems that Comcast, Sling and Dish Network currently do not include ESPN unlimited, but Comcast is supposed to include it at some point...  https://awfulannouncing.com/disney/comcast-renew-carriage-agreement-xfinity-espn-unlimited.html

The other option is to buy ESPN unlimited standalone, or ESPN select for now.

Got ya. 

[varoadking]

If you get regular ESPN channels through FIOS, Directv, YTTV, Fubo, Charter, Spectrum, it includes a login to ESPN unlimited, which now includes the content that used to be on ESPN+.

It seems that Comcast, Sling and Dish Network currently do not include ESPN unlimited, but Comcast is supposed to include it at some point...  https://awfulannouncing.com/disney/comcast-renew-carriage-agreement-xfinity-espn-unlimited.html

The other option is to buy ESPN unlimited standalone, or ESPN select for now.

We have Comcast / Xfinity...so I guess I need to keep my ESPN+...at least for now...

[HalfSmokes]

Everything is changing fast.   ESPN+ doesn't exist anymore.   ESPN unlimited standalone, and ESPN unlimited that comes with cable-like bundles now includes what was ESPN+.   

I don't think MLB sees the end game as a $20/month add on.   I'm not sure what next year's ESPN local coverage looks like.   ESPN linear channels are pretty irrelevant for anything but big events.   If MLB is showing more than half the team's local games next year, I'm sure they'd have some level of promotion.   Free games on Disney plus or Hulu, and maybe give some free games to local OTA affiliates are some options.

They can rebrand it however they want- local teams are behind team specific paywalls

[imref]

So if not MASN Or Monumental then what are realistic options for local distribution?

[HalfSmokes]

So if not MASN Or Monumental then what are realistic options for local distribution?

ESPN, but that means no local cable channel

[nfotiu]

So if not MASN Or Monumental then what are realistic options for local distribution?

Based on what I understand from the other teams in the same spot, they'll probably arrange an agreement to stay on the same providers currently carrying MASN on an un-branded channel.   They'll probably carry a game or two a week on over the air local networks.  The ESPN app will be the primary home for at least the next couple years.

[IanRubbish]

Manfred is hoping to package all the teams together into one big deal with one provider for '28.  Hard to tell just from reading if he's serious, or if this just a negotiating stance for the upcoming CBA.

https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-impacted-mlb-plans-local-tv-rights-21268364.php

[HalfSmokes]

Manfred is hoping to package all the teams together into one big deal with one provider for '28.  Hard to tell just from reading if he's serious, or if this just a negotiating stance for the upcoming CBA.

https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-impacted-mlb-plans-local-tv-rights-21268364.php

He might get 26 teams together. Telling the Dodgers they’re giving up their TV deal and will make the same as the Padres going forward or making the Yankees sell YES would be years of litigation

[blue911]

I mean, we're all listening to C&D so what does it matter anyway?

This is true. I’ve gone full-blown Old Chelsea since 2019.

[blue911]

He might get 26 teams together. Telling the Dodgers they’re giving up their TV deal and will make the same as the Padres going forward or making the Yankees sell YES would be years of litigation

Yankees own a plurality stake in Yes at this point.

[nfotiu]

He might get 26 teams together. Telling the Dodgers they’re giving up their TV deal and will make the same as the Padres going forward or making the Yankees sell YES would be years of litigation

YES is pretty much going to be worthless within a year or two, if it isn't already.   Comcast and Warner are spinning off their linear cable channels to take them off their balance sheet and RSNs are in worse shape than those, as only a few carriers are carrying them anymore.

Standalone Yankees streaming has a pretty low ceiling of revenue generation.  The Yankees will get more than most, but they still only average 300,000ish viewers, and there is no longer a good way to monetize that much past 50-100 million/year.

It's really just the Dodgers who are projected to keep raking in the local TV money for the foreseeable future.   They also have a ridiculous agreement that shields most of their local tv revenue from revenue sharing.