14 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

Balt Sun: Manfred could see MASN changes, hopes for quick approval

https://www.baltimor...m_content=alert

[BSLMikeLowe]

Can't read The Sun, but this was in a MLBTR article on the same topic.

 

 

Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun relayed some of those comments while also reporting that the league has the power to require the O’s to relinquish ownership of the Nationals’ television rights as part of approving the sale, though it’s not currently clear if they plan to do so. “Change always produces opportunity,” Manfred said when asked about the situation. “We’ll see. We’ll see.”

[CantonJester]

IDGAF who owns MASN so long as they make it available on YouTubeTV, Hulu Live, or any other modern live content streaming platform.

[BaltBird 24]

Wish they'd just dissolve MASN and sell the Orioles broadcasting rights, as long as they keep Kevin Brown, Ben, and Jim.

MASN is a terrible product aside from broadcasting O's games.

[BSLMikeLowe]

MASN is not going to have much value without both O's and Nats games. If the Nats rights go elsewhere, MASN probably doesn't get carried on systems outside Baltimore and the immediate surrounding counties. That would mean a huge loss of subscriber fees in the DC/VA region. Even a scenario where the Nats own an equal 50% of the network is probably better than the Orioles trying to go it alone and get carriage throughout their full broadcast territory (which stretches from Southern PA all the way into NC).

 

Of course in a possible future where MLB teams and/or their broadcast partners are primarily going DTC, this won't matter as much....but for now, the RSNs do still bring in the lion's share of local broadcast revenues.

[Ravens2006]

RSNs can still be very profitable, and MASN can remain profitable even as the delivery channels change. It just has to be managed well and provide content that gets people watching.

Between subscribers and advertising revenue, those are still significant lines of funding. Just give people more reason to watch, even outside of MLB games in season.

[Ravens2006]

And give me one more game with Mel Proctor and John Lowenstein on the call... just one...

[CantonJester]

34% of 18-34 year olds subscribe to cable service; an additional 38% used to subscribe, but no longer do. 

35% of 35-44 year olds subscribe to cable service; an additional 41% used to subscribe, but no longer do. 

41% of 45-64 year olds subscribe to cable service; an additional 38% used to subscribe, but no longer do. 

50% of 65 and older subscribe to cable service; an additional 34% used to subscribe, but no longer do. 

 

If RSNs want to get serious about revenue, they'll enter into agreements with online streaming platforms. 

 

https://www.statista...tisticContainer

[weird-O]

If Peter wasn't such an insecure infant about sharing Baltimore with the Ravens, they could have easily partnered with Bisciotti and worked out Ravens programming on MASN. That would be year 'round programming with a very devoted viewership. 

[Ravens2006]

If Peter wasn't such an insecure infant about sharing Baltimore with the Ravens, they could have easily partnered with Bisciotti and worked out Ravens programming on MASN. That would be year 'round programming with a very devoted viewership.

Yeah, it's kinda crazy.

Delmarva Sports Network does a good job with local high school school and college sports. Folks should take a look at their program schedule every so often. A daily SportsCenter-ish type show, live and recently recorded high school and college games, things I will actually watch.

MASN can't find a way to give local teams not named the Orioles some coverage? No, because it's easier to just rebroadcast poker and gambling talk shows and some niche sports / games that virtually NOBODY watches or cares about.

DSN provides FAR more local game broadcasts and news shows / segments than MASN. That's not even remotely an exaggeration.

Hopefully the new owners strive to make MASN something far better than it has ever been under the Angelos family seige...

Their view of MASN since the day it was turned on has been 1) guaranteed millions and millions in subscriber fees they get no matter what is broadcast, 2) bare minimum effort to broadcast their regular season games, and 3) rebroadcast third party programming.

Satellite transmission time costs money. The less they have to do, the more money they can pocket. The main reason they were the last to send broadcast crews to road games after the COVID excuse was money. Every single thing they have done on both the baseball side and the MASN side since the second John wrestled final authority away from his dad has been about cutting expenses and putting more money in their own pocket.

[Ravens2006]

Big Ten Network right now has college wrestling on. I don't care for it and just happened to be flipping thru channels, but caught it when they posted a graphic stating "This telecast is being produced by students at Purdue University".

Been saying this for YEARS, but the fact MASN can't/won't partner with some college media program (either local, or local to their spring training site) and let them produce some spring training game broadcasts, is sad and a waste of a golden opportunity for all. Don't want to pay your broadcasters and such, whatever. I'm sure any one of 100+ schools with broadcast programs and media / journalism students would KILL for the opportunity and experience of doing spring training games. Huge resume builder for everyone, and the byproduct... Orioles fans get to see more of that young up and coming talent in action.

But it's always been easier to rebroadcast World Poker Tour events from 4 years ago... and when you have X million subscribers at Y dollars a month guaranteed no matter what you show... who cares right? Just rake up the leaves that fall off the money tree.

[BaltBird 24]

There's not a single program on MASN I'd be interested in if it wasn't for Orioles baseball. Even during the season - their Orioles programming aside from the game is terrible. Literally zero interesting programming.

It's rather amazing they've hired such quality talent with regard to KB, Ben, retaining Palmer, the guest hosts they bring in, etc.

[BSLRoseKatz]

My favorite MASN programming is how they used to let Tom Davis have a studio for his shows and now they kicked him out and he films on either a park bench or a local Royal Farms

[Ravens2006]

There's not a single program on MASN I'd be interested in if it wasn't for Orioles baseball. Even during the season - their Orioles programming aside from the game is terrible. Literally zero interesting programming.

It's rather amazing they've hired such quality talent with regard to KB, Ben, retaining Palmer, the guest hosts they bring in, etc.

I thought Brown was pretty bad when he started, but has improved greatly. Ben is fantastic with commentary, as is Jim.

I think Jim is one of the few who John A was legitmately afraid of opening a flame thrower on the organization with not a care in the world if they had ever let him go / pushed him out. Most others are afraid of burning bridges or finding their next gig... whereas Jim Palmer could care less about a next gig. He's a Hall of Fame player, and John A has been a Hall of Shame paper pushing owner with virtually zero success.

[Ravens2006]

My favorite MASN programming is how they used to let Tom Davis have a studio for his shows and now they kicked him out and he films on either a park bench or a local Royal Farms

Ha! Every time I go in a Royal Farms I am hoping to stumble on to a show taping...