MLB - Not very fan friendly

[specialiststeve]

MLB in it's infinite wisdom is waiting until after the Tex/Balt tonight to determine the game time. Absolutely insane. Have tickets and am 5 hours away... day game - night game have two completely different scenarios for fans and players. Completely TERRIBLE as far as fan friendly. Work, hotels, kids, travel etc.. Clearly they bow down to the almighty TV network money. Argh

[Mortimerkenny21]

I am in the same boat, only about 3 hours away but it does throw a wrench in things. It's all about money and how much they can make by having it in primetime if the Orioles get bumped out.

[old nurse]

There are probably more Twins fans than not pulling for Texas to win because that would be fan friendly to them so they would be off work to see the game 

[Road trip]

Agree completely, set the d*#! game times.  Ticket holders need to make plans.

It's 2023, many/most of the tv watchers aren't watching it live on Fox/FS1 anyway.  Between the FoxSports app, along with DVR's, a significant percentage of viewers are watching the game later in the day, even if it is a day game.  I'll be doing so again today (work, y'know).  By the way, significant bonus on the Fox Sports app: If you wait until after the game is over Fox Sports presents the archived game without ANY commercial breaks.  Innings just roll from one to the next without any break.

[Dave Borton]

3 hours ago, specialiststeve said:

MLB in it's infinite wisdom is waiting until after the Tex/Balt tonight to determine the game time.

With gate revenue contributing 30% of total revenue, it's easy to see what drives their decision. I feel for those who have tickets when they have to dance around such corporate decisions.

 

[chpettit19]

6 minutes ago, Road trip said:

Agree completely, set the d*#! game times.  Ticket holders need to make plans.

It's 2023, many/most of the tv watchers aren't watching it live on Fox/FS1 anyway.  Between the FoxSports app, along with DVR's, a significant percentage of viewers are watching the game later in the day, even if it is a day game.  I'll be doing so again today (work, y'know).  By the way, significant bonus on the Fox Sports app: If you wait until after the game is over Fox Sports presents the archived game without ANY commercial breaks.  Innings just roll from one to the next without any break.

You kind of explained the motivation for this. Commercials. I don't know that I'd agree that "most of the tv watchers aren't watching it live," though. I'd guess the vast majority of them are watching it live. Maybe not on TV through a cable provider, but they're streaming it live in some way, shape, or form. And that has commercials. Which is how fox gets paid, and what they base their bids to MLB on. It's incredibly important for the business side of MLB to stagger their playoff games and move it to primetime if they can. But it is definitely not great for fans. 

I think the thing they should've done was flip today's games. Put Texas/Baltimore in the afternoon slot so they know the result of that game earlier at least. But this is how it's always been, and always will be. The TV revenue is what drives almost every decision because it makes up the vast majority of the league revenue.

[Dave Borton]

3 hours ago, specialiststeve said:

MLB in it's infinite wisdom is waiting until after the Tex/Balt tonight to determine the game time. 

Maybe  you are referring to Sunday? All other times are posted.

 

https://www.mlb.com/postseason

 

 

[John Kelsey]

14 minutes ago, davidborton said:

Maybe  you are referring to Sunday? All other times are posted.

 

https://www.mlb.com/postseason

 

 

If Texas wins tonight we have the night game slot tomorrow. 

[jctwins]

Yeah if they are the only game that day and you're watching on TV you're complaining that they didn't move the game to the evening so you could watch. More people watch on TV than go to the game.

[Brock Beauchamp]

"MLB is not fan-friendly"

 

[insagt1]

Totally understand the problem. (but I still want the O's to beat Texas)😏

[Shaitan]

While I agree, I think MLB signed some terrible contracts years back. Because there is no way to explain how they actually make it harder for fans in relation to tech advances.

Hoping they can resolve this whenever current contracts expire.

I mean, for one of a million other examples, why is the only broadcast TV game in this series Game 3 in the middle of the day? It feels random vs strategic.

[Mortimerkenny21]

It's just inconvenient for me. I'm sure if it changes its better for some and worse for some. I already have to take off of work, but with family watching the kids and then driving home 120 miles after the later game, the day game is much better for me. So go Orioles! At least for one game!