File this one in the “broken record” department: prepare for yet another season of MLB’s blackout policy remaining in place.

The reason for the broken record? This story has been written repeatedly for years. A source at MLB said that for all practical purposes, the matter will likely not be addressed for the upcoming season.

For the uninitiated, the question is, “Why should I be concerned?” That depends on whether you are, or planning to, purchase MLB Extra Innings or subscribe to MLB.TV.

In a nutshell, there are two ways you can be hit with the “blackout blues”. National broadcast partners FOX and ESPN have exclusivity agreements in which no matter where you live, games are blacked out on MLB Extra Innings and MLB.TV.

There’s also local blackouts depending on your location that can impact one, or up to as many as six teams being blacked out in your location.

See the map below for MLB’s television territories:

Here’s how DirecTV defines the blackout policy:

All local and national blackout restrictions still apply. In other words, subscribers within a club's Home Television Territory cannot get that clubs’ games in this national package. In addition, due to the national exclusivity of both FOX and ESPN, there are no games available for distribution via this package on Saturday day or Sunday night, respectively.

If you live in a ZIP code that is within a Major League Baseball team's territory, that team's games will be blacked out from the MLB EXTRA INNINGS game package, but will generally be available as part of your regional sports network or team's over-the-air affiliate television station. Blackouts protect the local rightsholders who arrange separate distribution agreements with the teams for their exclusive territories

Maybe this will change, but DirecTV has historically provided no zip code locator to allow you to see whether you’re blacked out.

While MLB.com has fine print in a light font on a white page for MLB.TV’s blackout restrictions (scroll to the bottom of this page), at least they provide more details (and this is important) two methods that allow you to see what games you are going to be blacked out for. DirecTV users, this may be where you save yourself some grief (and possibly money) by using MLB’s information to determine whether to shell out around $200 for a first-time Extra Innings subscriber.

MLB adds this information on local blackouts, as well, on their MLB.TV page:

All live games on MLB.TV and available through MLB.com At Bat are subject to local blackouts. Such live games will be blacked out in each applicable Club's home television territory, regardless of whether that Club is playing at home or away. If a game is blacked out in an area, it is not available for live game viewing. If you are an MLB.TV Premium subscriber and not within either Club's home television territory, the applicable game will be available as an archived game as soon as possible after the conclusion of the game. If you are an MLB.TV Premium subscriber within either Club's home television territory or an MLB.TV subscriber in any territory, the applicable game will be available as an archived game approximately 90 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Archived games are not available through MLB.com At Bat.

In addition, note:

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  • These blackout restrictions apply regardless of whether a Club is home or away and regardless of whether or not a game is televised in a Club's home television territory.
  • All live Toronto Blue Jays games are blacked out throughout the entire country of Canada.
  • Additional teams may also be subject to blackout in parts of Canada based on their region.
  • All live games will be blacked out in the U.S. territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the MLB regular season.

Remember, this is for Monday-Friday. The weekend is where matters change dramatically.

ESPN SATURDAY AND FOX SUNDAY NATIONALBLACKOUTS

MLB gives this information on how ESPN’s and FOX’s national blackout deal works. FOX holds the rights to Saturday games, while ESPN gets games in the evening on Sundays.

Due to Major League Baseball exclusivities, live games occurring each Saturday with a scheduled start time after 1:10 PM ET or before 7:05 PM ET and each Sunday with a scheduled start time after 5:00 PM ET, will be blacked out in the United States (including the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands). In addition, in the event of extraordinary circumstances that produce a programming conflict, the above blackout windows may be subject to change. If you are an MLB.TV Premium subscriber outside of the United States, each of these games will be available as an archived game as soon as possible after the conclusion of the applicable game. If you are an MLB.TV Premium Subscriber within the United States or an MLB.TV subscriber in any territory, each of these games will be available as an archived game approximately 90 minutes after the conclusion of the applicable game. Archived games are not available through MLB.com At Bat.

There’s more… What if the season goes beyond 162 games, such as we saw last year with a play-in game?

Regular Season Play-In Game: Due to Major League Baseball exclusivities, any play-in game to determine the final team(s) to reach the MLB Postseason, i.e. a 163rd game, will be blacked out in the United States (including the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

And, blackouts impact the postseason…

Postseason Live Blackout: Due to Major League Baseball exclusivities, during the MLB Postseason, all live games will be blacked out in the United States (including the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canada. If you are an MLB.TV Premium Subscriber outside of the United States and Canada, each of these games will be available as an archived game as soon as possible after the conclusion of the applicable game. If you are an MLB.TV Premium Subscriber within the United States or Canada or an MLB.TV subscriber in any territory, each of these games will be available as an archived game approximately 90 minutes after the conclusion of the applicable game. Archived games are not available through MLB.com At Bat.

And about the national blackout policy, any chance that happens soon? In speaking with sources close to the matter, when asked if the possibility it won't be considered until contracts are renewed with ESPN and FOX, the reply was, "Probably."

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 writes for Baseball Prospectus and is a contributor to Forbes SportsMoney blog.. He 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 (select his name in the dropdown provided).

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Comments (17)

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ARGH!
written by bmfc1108, January 19, 2012

The failed Selig administration continues it's pattern of catering to the networks and ignoring the needs of the fans. It is absurd to have EI and mlb.tv but not be able to see the FOX games that are not shown in your area. And of course, the blackout map is stupid beyond belief.

Bud is in charge and this is his responsibly. Too bad that he is tone-deaf to the needs of the fans.

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Greed + Stupidity = Bad Business
written by portokie, January 20, 2012

These blackouts cost MLB alot more than they realize. Aside from the 1000's of people, including myself, who would otherwise purchase an MLB.tv package if not for the blackouts, you must consider the fact that if people can't watch their local team play, they will tend to lose interest in general. That means less trips to the ball parks, less merchandise being purchased, etc... I've never seen a company work so hard to NOT get their product out there. I know I'd be willing to buy it and 1000's, maybe even 10's of 1000's would too if it weren't for these STUPID blackout policies. People should write their state reps, ESPN, FOX, TBS and individual MLB teams.

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Astros League Switch
written by Mattbrown006, January 22, 2012

I live in Dallas but have always been able to watch the Astros on Fox Sports Houston. If DirecTV picks up the new Houston Comcast station, will I still be able to watch Astros games in 2013? Or, will my area become the sole property of the Rangers once they're in the same league?

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Iowa
written by MikeH1977, January 25, 2012

I don't live in Iowa, but have friends who do. MLB & Mr. Selig are basically telling Iowans they don't want them to buy MLB.tv or Extra Innings. Basically any team that a native Iowan could conceivably like is blacked out.

Chicago White Sox
Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago Cubs
St. Louis Cardinals
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins

Nice work, MLB. That's ridiculous.

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Unbelieveable
written by JRM, January 27, 2012

I'm one of those Iowa residents. Cubs fan, but regardless - living in Des Moines, the closest MLB team is either the Royals or Twins. STL, CHC, CHW or MIL are easily 6 hours away. Not likely someone will hop in the car in the spur of the moment, drive half the day to attend a game.

The only team here that is on with ANY regularity is STL.

You're right. MLB is basically telling me NOT to purchase their product. It has a direct effect on my following the Cubs and I think it has even more to do with the fact that I really don't even bother to try and get to games in person.

Well, that and their general on field performance when I DO see them

Way to go Bud. Nice job selling your product.

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Beyond frustration
written by Sioux City Brewer, February 10, 2012

I have been a Brewers fan for over 30 years and live in Sioux City...over 500 miles form Milwaukee. Even though I know it is going to happen, I come unglued every time the Brewers are on ESPN weekdays or TBS on Sunday. Those games are blacked out too! TBS-HD has a black screen for 3 hours. According to MLB, it protects the local markets. I would have to drive over 300 miles before I could even find a tv that carries the "local" broadcast. It's ridiculous, and it tells Iowans MLB doesn't give a crap about us. In the this day and age, it would take someone with half a brain and two minutes of time to correct this mess. I have talked to the Brewers organization. They agree with me, but say they can't do anything about it! They put it all on the TV networks.

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Crazy. Loony. Absurd
written by a guest, March 30, 2012

Indians fan living in Buffalo, NY. I make the 3+ hour drive when I can to attend a game.... Unbelievable I cannot watch the Tribe here if I subscribe to Extra Innings. I lose Pittsburgh and the NYC area teams. Wow. Bad business. I believe the Yankees are the only team I can watch 162 games of... and I dont like the Yankees.

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computer version
written by a guest, April 12, 2012

Are these restrictions also applicable to MLB.com ?

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The flip side of this is...
written by a guest, April 16, 2012

If like me you live in a crazy overlap area (mine is Oklahoma), you should also be angry at the cable company and gravitating towards DirecTV, which is the best way to get everything you can locally and nationally. It's the cable company's option/responsibility/whatever to pick up "home team" games. Cox Cable here carries tons of Rangers and Cardinals but very few Royals and Astros games. DirecTV (with Sports Pack) will show you every available game of all those teams. Same for Iowa, with full coverage of FSN Midwest, North, Milwaukee, and Comcast Chicago.

The only games you routinely miss with DirecTV are the Fox regionals.

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Or...
written by a guest, April 16, 2012

As someone said above, "MLB is telling me not to buy their product." By not addressing the multiple home team areas and allowing cable companies to deny fans games, yes, in a sense they are. But not nearly as much as your cable company is telling you that by refusing to pick up all the home teams. You have options.

To elucidate one other point, for overlap markets DirecTV designates primary and secondary home teams. For Oklahoma, the base package gets you primary Rangers and Cardinals on FSN Southwest and Midwest, and Sports Pack gets you Royals and Astros. MLBEI gets you everything else but ESPN Sunday and Fox Saturday. DirecTV's website can tell you which are primary and which are secondary for your multiple-team market.

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Why Bother?
written by a guest, May 21, 2012

Makes no sense to purchase something you can't use. Major league baseball has always and will always make decisons based on what they believe will fill their pockets the most. Keep screwing with the people who support baseball (the FANS) and their won't be any more money. People have already grown tired of sub par play on the field, over priced players, high prices at ball parks and the blackouts that deny fans from seeing their favorite teams.

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Why Bother?
written by a guest, May 21, 2012

Makes no sense to purchase something you can't use. Major league baseball has always and will always make decisons based on what they believe will fill their pockets the most. Keep screwing with the people who support baseball (the FANS) and their won't be any more money. People have already grown tired of sub par play on the field, over priced players, high prices at ball parks and the blackouts that deny fans from seeing their favorite teams.

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They are losing a lifetime customer with these policies.
written by a guest, July 02, 2012

I was a big White Sox fan a few years back. I watched most games on TV, bought tickets a few times a year, bought a lot of merchandise, etc. Then I moved from my parents to my own house and decided against paying for cable. I use netflix for all of my television and movie viewing and I like it that way, like many 20-somethings I see network cable as a thing of the past. I want to get back into baseball now, but MLB.TV is a useless product unless you live far away from your favorite team. If they aren't going to get with the times and offer me a reasonable, non-cable way to watch, I will just find other sources of entertainment. Comcast and MLB don't own me, I won't buy a terrible product from them.

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MLB Black-Out Non-Sense
written by a guest, August 15, 2012

Have had Extra Innings since inception. Tried MLB.tv, cancelled on the first trip when I wanted to watch my local team (I was in a hotel 600 miles away) and was told by technical support that my local ISP location governed the black outs - why bother.

So for the first time this year, we've had black out problems at home on Extra Innings. Its not consistent, which further drives me crazy. Once, a Giants game was blacked out on the HD channel, but not on the regular. Several times, both Giants games blacked out. We're 450 miles from SF, and not anywhere near the MLB blackout map boundaries. Every time, we call the cable company and they get the feed restored within an hour or so through MLB. I can't be the only TV in LA tuned into a Giants game on Extra Innings in a playoff race. BTW, 60 miles from San Diego, watched them before the Giants came on.

My message to the Commish, if you want these services to be popular and not go the way of the newspapers - get with the program. Choice is the winner in the new tech environment. Make Fox, ESPN and the local affiliates compete for our business fairly without the restrictive non-sense! Does anyone think I'm going to watch the visitors' feed on MLB when Vin is broadcasting the Dodgers locally. Now for the local broadcasts with poor quality announcers, cameras and graphics - they might need to step in, but isn't that what a fair market is all about!

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Farce
written by a guest, August 27, 2012

I live in Columbus, Ohio. 3 teams are blacked out using mlb.tv...the Reds, Indians and Pirates...so who the hell would i be interested in watching? When I found this out i did a bit of research. Turns out that if you live in Hawaii then 9 teams are blacked out...so the reason can't be to encourage people to go to the games...which is the primary reason the NFL blacks out games...so what is the reason? To protect DTV, Fox and espn??? In what way? You would only subscribe to mlb.tv if you didn't have access to your favorite teams being broadcast regularly on these stations...in Columbus, Ohio the teams that are regularly televised is the Yankees/Red Sox from the national Fox game...i can't imagine their are too many folks in Columbus who could care less...MLB and selig are really hurting the future of baseball...kids won't be growing up to watching games on tv as i was...the sports popularity with the under 35 year old group is waning anyway...what a smug group of morons...

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royals on dtv?
written by a guest, September 02, 2012

I can get all royals games on fox sports mw on dish...can i get all the royals games on direct tv fox sports mw?

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Blackout solution
written by a guest, September 06, 2012

Check out UnoDNS. It lets you get around the MLB blackout so you can watch your home team

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