MLB to take over Padres broadcasts after Bally Sports misses payment
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) – Major League Baseball will take over the production and distribution of Padres locally-distributed games starting Wednesday when the Padres face the Miami Marlins.
"Well, since I upgraded my Cox cable so I can watch Ballys, I think I'll downgrade my Cox cable. No, that's really a bummer because it's nice to be able to watch at home or at a bar somewhere, you know, socializing,” Sabrina Engler, a Padres fan, said.
"For the locals, the people that follow the Padres day-in and day-out, you know, there's some confusion; where are we going to watch the games?" Matthew Benac said.
The new arrangement expands the reach of the games from 1.1 million homes to roughly 3.2 million homes, the MLB said in a news release.
“Through the power of Major League Baseball and the Padres, we are working to elevate the game broadcast experience for all Padres fans,” said Billy Chambers, MLB Executive Vice President, Local Media. “New technology, better picture quality and increased access are just a few of the items we are working on to better tell the story each and every night.”
At 6:59 p.m., Diamond Sports Group missed their rights fee payment triggering the change, according to ESPN. The games will be streamed for free on the MLB app, MLB.com and Padres.com through Sunday.
"Well, are we going to have to subscribe to MLB.TV which I want to say is somewhere in the ballpark of $100, $150 a year that, you know, most people weren't planning on spending,”Benac said.
After that, fans can pay $19.99 per month or $74.99 for the rest of the season to continue the streaming service.
"I've got TVs that can't handle the streaming and some that can. So, yeah, it's chaos when I have to depend on the streaming. Until we get that system all up and running, it's going to be a challenge,” Erik Tesmer, Co-Owner of Basic Bar & Pizza, said.
Games will also be made available on local cable and satellite providers, likely on different channels fans are used to.
MLB stating that those in San Diego with Direct TV will be able to watch the Padres on channel 694-3. Locals with Cox it will be Channel 4. And for those with Spectrum and AT&T U-verse it will be channel 305 and 781 respectively.
Tesmer thinks this will impact business the most is during home games where Padres’ fans who can't make a sellout game and pop into his place to watch the game.
"People will be confused, not knowing where to go and/or even they may just say l'm not going to go out today because I can't watch the game on TV. It's definitely going to affect us,” Tesmer said.
On-Air broadcasters Don Orsillo and Mark Grant will remain in their current roles as the team employs them.
Fans already getting the games via cable or satellite are expected to continue to get the game on Wednesday without paying extra for now.
"I still have faith. I'm not going to give up,” Engler said."And it's not the Padres' fault. It's probably just politics and money."
The change could actually save money for fans who were looking to cut the cord but didn't want to lose access to Padres games on television. With local streaming blackouts lifted, games will be available to customers in San Diego County without a cable or satellite provider for the first time.
Source: ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV
