Major League Baseball has agreed a three-year deal with US network Fox to provide live in-market streaming of MLB games.
The agreement, which will run from 2016 to 2018, will encompass the 15 regional sports networks operated by the Fox Sports division of Fox.
The teams that will be provided in-market streaming of games via computers and mobile devices are: Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.
The Forbes website said users will need to stream games through Fox Sports Go, or Fox distribution points online. An authentication process will be used to determine which Fox RSN is part of their television operator’s package.
The deal was announced as MLB’s quarterly owners meetings wrapped up yesterday (Thursday). MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league has been working on in-market streaming for over six years, adding he is hopeful of adding other teams to the initiative.
“We have begun and will continue conversations with the rights holders for the other 15 clubs and hope that the in-market streaming program will be comprehensive for the 2016 season,” Manfred said, according to MLB.com.
“The media landscape is changing very, very rapidly. It's important for us to make certain our content is available on as many platforms as possible in ways that fans may want to enjoy our games. And I think this is a huge step forward for the industry. I really do.”
The Toronto Blue Jays already have in-market streaming in place under a deal covering the whole of Canada.