Those with MLB.com’s online streaming package, MLB.TV Premium found out last week that being able to access games that had just been played via MLB.TV’s archive function were no longer made available  45 min. after a game has ended, but without advance notification to subscribers, was bumped up to 90 min. – twice the waiting period.

The delay was not part of a technical issue, but rather, according to feedback from MLB.com support, a new policy instituted by MLB Advanced Media through MLB.com based on pressure from television networks.

As noted on page 2 of this MLB.com support thread, “[T]he networks requested waiting 90 minutes to be able to watch a game that has ended so that we do not interfere with the start of any encore presentations of a game that are shown once the game has ended.”

Looking at the response, there are a number issues.

The extra 45 minutes being requested by the networks amounts to a blackout. The curious thing is, if someone can watch a particular game live via MLB.TV (not blacked out), why would the networks wish an extra 45 minutes of blackouts for encore presentations?

Lastly, any subscriber to MLB.com knows that notification emails for promos and ticket sales are a near daily event. So, why was there no advance notification sent to subscribers?

More details as they become available.

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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Comments (13)

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written by WIJamie, June 11, 2009

Maybe that's just to cover their own butts. As a subscriber, I can say that this season an archived game ever being available 45 minutes after the finish was a rare occurrence. Generally, the service and customer support this season has been horrible.

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More MLB Shenanigans
written by Jonathan, June 11, 2009

Once again, MLB is ripping off its users. They made a lot of promises before the season, and one by one they have reneged.

There was supposed to be chat for premium users (not that I care about it, but it's still a feature they advertised).

There was supposed to be the ability to watch a game on one channel while listening to a radio feed. This is too is not available.

Not to mention, they advertise "live HD games" yet the HD feed is broken frequently, plus it's not live - there is a delay of anywhere between 30 seconds and 15 minutes.

There's a word for that: Fraud.

Jonathan
sportsrubbish.com

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They need to be EXPOSED!
written by Dan in Texas, June 11, 2009

I wish someone would bring to light this FRAUD that is taking place by MLB.tv. And don't bother going to their support forums to voice your opinions since they take down all the negative posts on a daily basis.

I purchased the Premium package on the morning of opening day only to cancel the day after (I received my refund weeks later I might add). The video quality was horrible and you couldn't watch any game without it stuttering, freezing, or locking up. I was promised features that they couldn't deliver.

The sad thing is if someone wanted to get a "feel" for the service that they were planning on buying they wouldn't have any idea since the support forums are useless. Poor Joe Schmoe would end up buying the service and get screwed............and have a hard time getting a refund.

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I agree
written by Chuck, June 11, 2009

I have to agree. MLB.TV is a real disappointment this year. Support is nonexistent.

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written by Carter, June 11, 2009

MLB is screwing their fans once again? wow. it's like they don't really want fans at all because they are always doing everything they can to make it as hard as possible to see their product.

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written by KeithK, June 11, 2009

I have mostly enjoyed the product this season and used it without many issues . . . that is until this change was made. I've gone from having archives be immediately available once the game ended (a previous feature of premium subscriptions), to having to wait until midnight if I don't catch a game live. Un freaking real. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO pissed about this!!!

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MLB.TV Sucks, Don't waste your money
written by Brad H, June 18, 2009

I'm never going to subscribe again. They hate their own customers. Not only did they change the rules on their archives, without announcing it, but they also kill games that are live when the game ends. If you're not watching it live, but are maybe a couple innings behind, you have to wait 90 minutes to 3 hours to watch the rest of it. BULLS***

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MLB Advanced Media needs a kicking
written by Kevin Coy, June 20, 2009

I'm so wound up and annoyed about many aspects of MLB.tv, not only the new "policy" on archive stuff, but also the quality of the service and its support. The powers at be just don't seem interested so I'm campaigning through my local authorities to get something done or punishments doled out;

http://www.kevincoy.com/blog/m...-joke.html

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RIDICULOUS!!
written by the don, June 24, 2009

I am a first time subscriber and MLB.TV just keeps getting worse!! The promise of watching "every MLB game" is not even close to accurate. I live in Las Vegas, and am blacked out of ALL games played by the Arizona Diamondbacks, LA Dodgers, Angels, Giants, and Padres. And now we have to wait even LONGER to see a game that we couldn't even see in the first place?!? I don't even live in California or Arizona! I will certainly not be renewing next year, but that's not enough! We must spread the word regarding this terrible scam!

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Monopoly
written by Speesy, July 17, 2009

I am so sick of the Fox monoploy and the MLB.TV monopoly. When there is no competition, why do you have to offer a sound product anyway? I'm fine with waiting to see an archived game (though, I'm still not sure why Cinncinati, Washington, and Baltimore games are blacked out when I live in NC). But last night the Cubs game ended by like 9:45. Though it read "A" for archived, I would click it, and just got the "blacked out" message. By about 11:00, I got the "game has just ended" message "and will be availble soon". Can somebody tell me what the heck "soon" means?

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7:00 Game
written by Speesy, July 18, 2009

Game started at 7:00, over by 10:00. Here it is 1:14 am and still unable to watch the game.

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written by joe shmoe, May 11, 2010

May 2010..SAME s**t, DIFFERENT Smell! MLB.TV same issues plus more annoying ones to boot! $100 plus, robbed, down the drain.

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They suck on this side of the world, too.
written by David in GZ, May 05, 2011

You know, I just googled mlb tv sucks, and it was astounding how many hits-- So I guess I'm not the only one. And, yes, their customer service is the worst. I'm working in China, where much of the internet is blocked by the pricks who fear their own people- but I can get most any site I want through a proxy. EXCEPT MLB TV- they're the only one who doesn't work- Archived games? Fugettaboutit- Since most games are played in the middle of the night for me, archived games are the only way for me to see action and keep my sanity and sleep schedule. Their customer service seems to only tell you it's your own fault you can't get their feed- which is total BS- any other site works fine. Why in the hell can't they get their act together? They have all the money in the world- including some of mine. Pricks. I hate them so much, and it appears they hate me and all their other subscribers right back.

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