Yesterday we learned that Bally Sports had decided not to pay the Padres and returned the rights to air Padres games to the MLB. This move puts the MLB’s backup plans in the event an RSN network is unable to pay its rights into action.
Today MLB officially announced that they will stream Padres games for free through June 4th. MLB has also announced a partnership with DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo to offer the games streaming in-market. Cable subscribers will be able to find the games in market on AT&T U-verse, DIRECTV, COX, and Spectrum.
Update: Fubo has reached out to Cord Cutters News to confirm that they will also be streaming tonight’s Padres games and will stream all of the Padres’ in-market games for the rest of the season.
MLB will also sell a streaming service for those who just want access to Padres games in-market. Now for $19.99 a month or $74.99 for the rest of the season for games that would have aired on Bally Sports in the past.
“As Commissioner Manfred previously stated, Major League Baseball is ready to produce and distribute Padres games to fans throughout Padres territory,” said Noah Garden, MLB Chief Revenue Officer. “While we’re disappointed that Diamond Sports Group failed to live up to their contractual agreement with the Club, we are taking this opportunity to reimagine the distribution model, remove blackouts on local games, improve the telecast, and expand the reach of Padres games by more than 2 million homes.”
“Through the power of Major League Baseball and the Padres, we are working to elevate the game broadcast experience for all Padres fans,” said Billy Chambers, MLB Executive Vice President, Local Media. “New technology, better picture quality and increased access are just a few of the items we are working on to better tell the story each and every night.”
“We have been preparing for this groundbreaking moment,” said Padres CEO Erik Greupner. “The Padres are excited to be the first team to partner with Major League Baseball to offer a direct-to-consumer streaming option through MLB.TV without blackouts while preserving our in-market distribution through traditional cable and satellite television providers. Our fans will now have unprecedented access to Padres games through both digital and traditional platforms throughout San Diego and beyond.”
If you live outside of the Padres market you can subscribe to MLB.TV to watch the games just like you have always watched them.
So if you have cut the cord and want to watch the Padres in their local markets, you can now do so with DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo. For DIRECTV STREAM, you will find the games on channel 694-3 and Fubo will inform subscribers in the markets how to find the games. Or you can subscribe to the new $19.99 a month streaming service from MLB.