NESN to offer standalone streaming service for games (IN MARKET)

[joe dokes]

Since I still have comcast cable (I just dont want to be bothered with 6 different platforms to save not a lot of money) and live in market, I guess this has no effect on me. But as a side note to NESN's "other programing," the NESN app now asks me if I want 360 and I can say "not now." But the second or 3rd "recommended for you" entry is a video titled "Belichick Doesn't See 'Any Major Problems' with Cam Newton's Arm Strength."

 

[trekfan55]

I like being able to watch the pre and post game content. Hate that the second a game ends I am cut off. Beyond that though, as a no longer local, I like some of the kitchy Boston themed shows for old times sake.

Wait, MLBTV now has pre and post game shows for out of market viewers.

 

[begranter]

Teams make the majority of their money on their regional sports network. Charging $30 per month is the fan-friendly model they've come up with. Undercutting that in the hopes that the people who don't want to spend money on the team suddenly decide to spend money on tickets is a money loser for them.

From what I can tell, this isn't true
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2020/04/09/despite-lockdown-mlb-teams-gain-value-in-2020/?sh=760862422010



From what I can tell the Red Sox make about $100m of their normal $500m in annual revenue. That indefinite $100m deal was set in 2006 and in 2022 dollars would need to have grown to $143m to keep up with inflation. I'm not saying that $100m/20% of revenue is meaningless. What I am arguing is that for the league as a whole encouraging growth in gate receipts, stadium revenue, and national media deals is more important for the long term health of the league. I'm also arguing those things suffer because of the current local media blackout strategies to protect the RSNs.

I acknowledge I could be totally off base and I don't have any quantitative data to back up the theory. The perspective is based on my own and friends' experiences. I am curious if others that would consider themselves fans also feel disconnected from the team and find themselves less likely to go to Fenway.

 

[Max Power]

From what I can tell, this isn't true
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2020/04/09/despite-lockdown-mlb-teams-gain-value-in-2020/?sh=760862422010
View attachment 52125


From what I can tell the Red Sox make about $100m of their normal $500m in annual revenue. That indefinite $100m deal was set in 2006 and in 2022 dollars would need to have grown to $143m to keep up with inflation. I'm not saying that $100m/20% of revenue is meaningless. What I am arguing is that for the league as a whole encouraging growth in gate receipts, stadium revenue, and national media deals is more important for the long term health of the league. I'm also arguing those things suffer because of the current local media blackout strategies to protect the RSNs.

I acknowledge I could be totally off base and I don't have any quantitative data to back up the theory. The perspective is based on my own and friends' experiences. I am curious if others that would consider themselves fans also feel disconnected from the team and find themselves less likely to go to Fenway.

That's very surprising. I thought I'd read that the RSNs were the biggest money maker, but it must have been "TV total," which includes the national contracts.

Of course NESN is owned by the team, so the $100 million just goes from John Henry's left pocket to his right and he still gets to keep everything that's remaining in the left pocket.

 

[Petagine in a Bottle]

So NESN pays the sox a certain fee for the rights to air games. But then nesn pockets sub fees and ad dollars. And the sox own nesn, and nesn airs more than just the Sox. Overall, national media is a bigger chunk of the pie but I imagine local is bigger for teams like the Sox.

 

[joe dokes]

So NESN pays the sox a certain fee for the rights to air games. But then nesn pockets sub fees and ad dollars. And the sox own nesn, and nesn airs more than just the Sox. Overall, national media is a bigger chunk of the pie but I imagine local is bigger for teams like the Sox.

It was long a a way of hiding revenue. Nesn pays the Sox 73 cents to air Sox games, not millions.

 

[luffy66]

I live in Maine and locked into a Dish contract until the end of the year (not a spectrum fan)- the prospect of not seeing the Sox this year hurt my heart. This option is most welcome to me, and was happy to sign up.

They do need to make the app work on other devices- xbox would be helpful, but have enjoyed the last couple of games on my computer. Picture quality is great. It was more than worth it to me to have the Sox on in the background again.

 

[The Flying Dutchman]

Ever since they released the new app my streaming buffers constantly when casting to my tv. Anyone else having issues with it?

 

[bluefenderstrat]

Can anyone confirm if the app streams in 4K? I’m tempted to give it a shot with the first month for $1.

 

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

NESN's 360 app is available on Apple TV and most other devices. It looks like through the app you're supposed to be able to stream in 4K now. However when I use it on my iOS devices I get an error message:

Oops! Your Travel Limit Has Been Reached
It looks like you are outside NESN's territory and have reached your travel limit.

Please sign in from New England to stream live content.

I am in Massachusetts when I try to use it, but the way Xfinity does IP Addresses it actually pings me as being in New Jersey because speeds are faster there. The app appears to use bluetooth in some capacity but even then it's not recognizing my location. I will be on different Wifi tomorrow and I will try it there, but I have long had issues with all versions of the NESN app. I wouldn't worry about it, except I really want to watch games in 4K.

 

[Senator Donut]

Can anyone confirm if the app streams in 4K? I’m tempted to give it a shot with the first month for $1.

4K is available in beta testing only for Apple TVs as of now. Finally tried it out tonight (with my father’s login) and it looks fantastic.