The Table Setter Feb. 1, 2024: Viewing Audience Appreciated

[Ted Schwerzler]

With the Minnesota Twins having made their first major move of the offseason, and spring training just around the corner, focus can quickly turn to how fans will watch the action.

Image courtesy of © Reid Glenn / USA TODAY NETWORK

For the entirety of the offseason, everything regarding the Minnesota Twins has funneled through the lens of television uncertainty. With Minnesota’s deal expiring at the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Twins have been and remain without a broadcast home for the upcoming season. While Diamond Sports Holdings continues to work through their future with Bally’s in court, updates have left plenty to be desired.

Amazon recently got involved with the bankruptcy proceedings and threw in some cash to get their hat in the ring. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich penned a sizable update on Wednesday that highlights some key points as to how the season could take shape. It seems the most plausible outcome is that the Twins do a one-year deal with Bally’s and that would cover their television rights.

What happens to streaming options, how MLB disseminates them, to what extent they are available, and the dollar figure handed to Minnesota all remain relatively unanswered. If the Twins can get an additional windfall of cash prior to the season (or even the promise of one within a few months), then it stands to reason that the payroll landscape may again change.

When Cory Provus was announced as taking over in the broadcast boost for Dick Bremer, the most notable comment he made was that blackouts would cease to exist. Bally does not have streaming rights for the Twins, and the league could provide a package through MLB.tv that acts in a similar way to what the San Diego Padres experienced a year ago. The franchise is certainly hoping that, however games are consumed in 2024, a greater number of fans have access to the product.

Beyond the television news from Wednesday, little took place on the free-agent market. The San Diego Padres shelled out $16.5 million to Wandy Peralta on a four-year deal, although Peralta has the right to opt out after any of the first three. At this point, we don't think Minnesota is involved any further into the relief market after picking up Justin Topa in the Jorge Polanco trade.

How do you consume Twins games, and are you hoping there’s a more widely available streaming option for 2024? Has the cable uncertainty altered your plans to cut the cord at all?

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[mikelink45]

I am a radio guy.  The pace of BB fits so well in that medium.  I can cut wood, work in the garden, bike, hike and enjoy life while having the wonderful background sound of BB and if it gets exciting I can always pause and listen to two or three rehashes.  

[Vanimal46]

Sticking with status quo for TV is disappointing for sure. A big broken promise when they said earlier this winter that games will be widely available for people in-state. 

[Parfigliano]

Directv for about last 25 years.

[DJL44]

Since I left cable several years ago, I have only been able to watch Twins games at home on Apple TV. I am hopeful that there will be an option to subscribe to MLB.tv and see the Twins this season at a reasonable cost ($20/month or less). I have no interest at all in going back to Dish/Cable or a cable-similar streaming package like YouTubeTV.

[Vanimal46]

The streaming rights are still up in the air. 

[Riverbrian]

I still have the cord. I am comfortable with my overall viewing options with it and am not looking to change at the moment but I will become less comfortable if the Twins and other sports teams that I care about are no longer available to me.  

With that said... It's easy for me to make suggestions on what the Twins should do. They have a ton of considerations to take in that I don't have to worry about. 

And with that said... I'm OK with suffering short term pain for long term gain. I will pay the cost for access to the Twins because I can't imagine a summer without them.  

The demographics of cable are not what they should be in bed with. The Twins needs to available everywhere on every device.

The short term money typically costs exclusivity and that exclusivity is a road block to the demographic reach necessary to take the game into the future so the sooner they can rip that band aid off... the sooner things can get better. 

I'm willing to give the Twins the benefit of the doubt that this one year deal is just a placeholder until they get the real long term plan executed. I'm willing to give the Twins the benefit of the doubt that this one year deal is not because they need one year revenue RIGHT NOW. 

   

[ashbury]

As long as the Twins aren't playing the A's or the Giants, I can watch on mlb.tv. 

That's probably not useful information, but it's true information.  My calling card.

[Vanimal46]

Another year of blackouts for in-state and regional fans. A big broken promise from St Peter. I’m shocked at how badly this negotiation was botched by the Twins. 

[Squirrel]

Being out of state, it makes no difference. But if I were in state, I'd be looking for work-arounds not allowed to be mentioned here.

I mean, how can you present a product, and not present it at the same time? This is how.

Go Twins.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Another year of blackouts for in-state and regional fans. A big broken promise from St Peter. I’m shocked at how badly this negotiation was botched by the Twins. 

I agree with the broken promise but I'm not shocked at all at by how badly this negotiation was botched by the Twins. There's a reason they had the worst TV deal of any team prior to this season.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Vanimal46 said:

Another year of blackouts for in-state and regional fans.