MLB may soon try to eliminate local area blackouts

MLB may be on the verge of winning big for their fans.

Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of being a baseball fan these days is the league’s blackout policy.

For some MLB fans, the power outage has made a bewildering number of games unavailable through the popular At Bat streaming package.

Iowa is perhaps the best example of blackout-related absurdity.

Statewide, Cubs, White Sox, Twins, Cardinals, Brewers and Royals games are currently unavailable for streaming. Despite the fact that many residents live hundreds of miles from those stadiums.

Despite the ocean distance, Hawaiians love the games of the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, A’s and Giants.

But the Sports Business Journal reports that MLB has recently hired a large executive, indicating it intends to investigate the matter further.

MLB Buys Rights?

The league has reportedly hired Billy Chambers as EVP/Local Media. Chambers has extensive experience with regional sports networks, and speculation has been rife as to MLB’s intentions.

“Baseball executives believe they will be able to control many of the rights Diamond Sports manages,” wrote John Owland.

Diamond Sports currently owns rights to 14 MLB teams, but is struggling financially.

But the biggest revelation is that the league is already looking at combining domestic and local products.

“MLB has already begun looking into creating a national product that combines local rights with an out-of-market extra-lining package that will help eliminate blackouts,” the report said.

This would make a big difference to baseball and its popularity.

One of the key hurdles to increasing fan interest in sports is the difficulty of watching. Local networks are often mysterious and endlessly frustrating.

Needless to say, it’s outdated and a far cry from how modern fans watch baseball.

MLB, like other leagues, has developed a mobile app. But the final hurdle to jump is making it easier for users to watch the game closer to home on the go.

As with any business, the easier it is to find and consume your products, the better.

With this news, it looks like the league is listening to complaints, and it could be fixed sooner or later.

Robot referee next?