Major League Baseball loves a hefty cable bill. For decades, its revenues and payrolls have been fueled by tens of millions of cable subscribers who bankrolled big broadcast rights fees. As business models go, it was an excellent one but for a fatal, long-term flaw: It excluded many actual or potential fans who couldn't — or wouldn’t — pay a cable bill. For example, in 2023, a playoff year, the Minnesota Twins estimate that their broadcasts could only reach 30% of their potential viewing audience.

That lack of reach didn't matter so much when cable revenues were growing. But thanks to cord-cutting, the old business model has broken down. Over the last few weeks, MLB team executives have openly worried about how they’ll fill the gaps.

QOSHE - Make Baseball Free Again on TV - Adam Minter
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Make Baseball Free Again on TV

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02.12.2023

Major League Baseball loves a hefty cable bill. For decades, its revenues and payrolls have been fueled by tens of millions of cable subscribers who bankrolled big broadcast rights fees. As........

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