Streaming MLB Games

[Isaiah4110]

Can anyone tell me what service(s) are legally available to watch local MLB games without having cable/satellite TV? Specifically, I'm an A's fan living within the A's "market zone", which I think means that I would not be allowed to watch any of their home games through MLB TV.

Are there any legal options and, if so, what costs are associated with them?

 

[calsnowskier]

My understanding is that you cannot currently watch these legally.

I also saw, about a year ago, that the MLB package, and its local blackouts, were going to court. The argument was that fans were paying a premium, they should get all games. I have not heard anything on that since.

 

[Isaiah4110]

So my only option to watch an A's game would be to visit a local sports bar or restaurant that was willing to show the A's game on one of their screens then.

 

[HammerDown]

Strictly out of curiosity, why are you concerned about legality?

 

[Isaiah4110]

Multiple reasons I guess:

1) Because I'm an odd-ball who likes to stay away from digitally illegal stuff that most people do (never got into limewire or bit-torrents). They rob others of their income and lead to various types of malware on your PC.
2) Most forums I have been a part of have policies against asking how to break the law

Those are the biggest two reasons

 

[scoutyjones2]

But your a raiders fan!

 

[HammerDown]

Just confirmed something cool about the MLB.tv subscriptions ($129.99/yr). I'm watching in HD on iPad while my son is sitting on the PS$ watching IN ANOTHER STATE on the big TV. It's letting us both use it so you can go halves with a buddy on a subscription. Best value in entertainment for baseball fans!

 

[scoutyjones2]

Yeah, I let a buddy utilize my account last year along with me...I just wait till half way thru the year and then pay the reduced rate. One of these days they will realize this error and correct it.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Can anyone tell me what service(s) are legally available to watch local MLB games without having cable/satellite TV? Specifically, I'm an A's fan living within the A's "market zone", which I think means that I would not be allowed to watch any of their home games through MLB TV.

Are there any legal options and, if so, what costs are associated with them?

No.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

So my only option to watch an A's game would be to visit a local sports bar or restaurant that was willing to show the A's game on one of their screens then.

There are host of options available to you that pepper the spectrums of cost and legality. Good luck, Isaiah.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I also saw, about a year ago, that the MLB package, and its local blackouts, were going to court. The argument was that fans were paying a premium, they should get all games. I have not heard anything on that since.

You better believe that the TV stations who are paying millions or even billions for the exclusive rights to broadcast the live games are going to throw their resources against any lawsuit trying to eliminate that exclusivity.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Yeah, I let a buddy utilize my account last year along with me...I just wait till half way thru the year and then pay the reduced rate. One of these days they will realize this error and correct it.

I think they'd have a hard time with that. I travel a fair amount, so they wouldn't be able to limit my subscription based on location or even IP address.

I also think it's fair that a nuclear family (like in HammerDown's case) use the same subscription. Of course, MLB.tv may have a different opinion on that, particularly if they're not living under the same roof, but if they're going to allow families to use one subscription, I think they'd have a hard time ferreting out who are family and who are friends.

That said, like insurance fraud and shoplifting, "stealing" MLB.tv will ultimately drive prices up for everyone to some extent.

 

[Isaiah4110]

Thanks for the insights guys. So far I am just out of luck. Haven't gotten to watch anything but highlights of my A's here and there through MLB.com.

 

[The Derski]

Nothing free is legal. If you want legal mlb games you gonna have to get a mlb.tv subscription. All local games are blacked out though.

 

[navamind]

$130 for mlb.tv premium is totally worth it (or in this case, $100).

 

[Isaiah4110]

Nothing free is legal. If you want legal mlb games you gonna have to get a mlb.tv subscription. All local games are blacked out though.

Yeah, that's what kills me.

$130 for mlb.tv premium is totally worth it (or in this case, $100).

I would probably do it, except I'm in the A's market so I wouldn't actually be able to see any of the games I actually want to see.

 

[navamind]

Yeah, that's what kills me.

I would probably do it, except I'm in the A's market so I wouldn't actually be able to see any of the games I actually want to see.

Ahh. It works in my favor because I'm in NJ. Not only can I watch ~150 games, but I try to as much of the other teams as possible.

 

[HammerDown]

$130 for mlb.tv premium is totally worth it (or in this case, $100).

Best value in entertainment.