What is a Blackout in Baseball?
In sports, a blackout is when certain events are not televised in a certain region. This is usually done to protect the rights of the games’ broadcasters, who hold exclusive rights to the games in certain regions. When it comes to baseball, a blackout can occur if a game is not being broadcast in a certain region, either because it’s not available on cable or satellite TV, or because the game is being broadcast on another channel.
Why are Baseball Games Blacked Out?
Baseball games are often blacked out for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is because of exclusive broadcast rights. Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have exclusive broadcast rights to their games in certain regions, and they may choose to blackout their games in order to protect those rights.
MLB teams may also choose to blackout their games in order to boost ticket sales. If a team knows that a game is not available to be broadcast in a certain area, it may choose to black out the game in that area in order to encourage more people to come out and watch the game in person.
Other reasons for blackouts may include the game being broadcast on another channel, or the team wanting to protect its regional broadcast rights.
Which Teams are Blacked Out?
The MLB teams that are blacked out vary from region to region. Generally, the teams that are blacked out are those that are playing in the region, as well as teams that are playing in a nearby region.
Which Regions are Blacked Out?
The regions that are blacked out also vary from team to team. Generally, the regions that are blacked out are those that are within the broadcast rights area of a team. These regions may include states, provinces, or even entire countries.
How to Watch Blacked Out Games
If you live in an area that is blacked out, there are still ways to watch the game. The most common way is to purchase an out-of-market package from the MLB, which will allow you to watch games that are blacked out in your area.
Another option is to find an online streaming service. Many streaming services offer packages that allow you to watch games that are blacked out in your area.
Other Effects of Blackouts
Blackouts can have other effects on baseball games as well. For example, blackouts can lead to decreased ratings for certain games, as people may be less likely to watch a game if it’s not available in their area.
In addition, blackouts can lead to an increase in ticket prices. If a game is blacked out, people may be more likely to buy tickets to the game in order to watch it in person.
Alternatives to Blackouts
The MLB has considered alternatives to blackouts in order to make games more accessible to fans. One of the alternatives that has been discussed is streaming games over the Internet. This would allow fans in blacked out regions to watch games without having to purchase an out-of-market package or find an online streaming service.
The Future of Blackouts
It’s unclear what the future of blackouts will be. Some teams may choose to continue to blackout their games in order to protect their regional broadcast rights, while others may choose to make their games more accessible to fans by streaming them online.
Conclusion
Blackouts can be a source of frustration for baseball fans in certain regions, as they are unable to watch their favorite teams play. However, there are still ways to watch blacked out games, such as purchasing an out-of-market package or finding an online streaming service. In the future, it’s possible that the MLB will make games more accessible to fans by streaming them online.