MLB Network, the television home of Major League Baseball, is undergoing a period of transition and potential downsizing. Following the recent cancellation of the long-running show “High Heat,” the network has offered buyouts to over 50 employees, according to a report by Puck’s John Ourand.
Sources indicate that MLB Network has implemented a Voluntary Early Retirement Plan, signaling a potential wave of departures and restructuring. In an email to staff, network president Bill Morningstar cited challenges facing linear television, including declining revenue from traditional cable and satellite bundles.
Morningstar acknowledged that despite efforts to adapt, such as launching a direct-to-consumer product, these initiatives haven’t kept pace with evolving content consumption habits. This echoes similar buyout and layoff initiatives from four years ago, as the network seeks to “right-size the organization.”
Despite these challenges, MLB Network remains a valuable asset to Major League Baseball, serving as a production hub for various baseball broadcasts, including MLB Local Media, Apple TV+’s Friday Night Baseball, and Roku’s MLB Sunday Leadoff. The network also produces content for digital platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter.
MLB Network continues to attract a dedicated audience, with viewership for MLB Network Showcase games increasing by 11% compared to last year. However, the network faces increasing pressure to adapt to the changing media landscape and the shift towards streaming and digital content consumption. The network is also facing a weakening ad market that is impacting all networks.
While the network is actively seeking ways to navigate this transitional phase, Ourand suggests that “there’s more pain to come,” indicating that further changes and potential layoffs may be on the horizon.