GANA

Let’s call it what it is: a racket.

I pay for MLB.TV because I want to watch baseball—all baseball, whenever I want. That’s the pitch they sell you. But try tuning in to a marquee matchup like the Mets vs. Yankees and you get the blackout message. Why? Because ESPN bought the “exclusive” rights for the night, and unless I pay for another subscription, I’m locked out. The league’s own premium service isn’t enough. If I want that game, I have to pay for ESPN too. Next week, maybe it’s Fox. Or Apple TV+. Or Peacock. Every time, it’s more money for the same product.

The Rotten Logic Behind Blackouts

MLB blackouts are rooted in an outdated business model. Decades ago, blackouts were supposed to “protect” local broadcast affiliates—meaning if a game was available on your regional cable channel, you couldn’t stream it live on MLB.TV in that area. In theory, this kept TV partners happy and their ad dollars flowing. But now, in the age of streaming, it’s gotten completely out of hand.

Today, blackouts happen for “national exclusives” too. If a network like ESPN, Fox, or Apple buys the rights to a game, every other platform, including MLB.TV, has to shut it off. So you pay for the league’s official streaming service, but to actually watch every game you’d need every streaming partner and cable network—sometimes four or five different services just to follow one team all season.

The Technical Catch

Here’s how it works:

• MLB.TV uses your IP address and/or billing ZIP code to determine your location.
• If you’re inside a blackout zone—either a local market or a nationally-exclusive window—you’re blocked, period.
• VPNs used to be a workaround. Now MLB cracks down and blocks many VPN IPs too.
• Even if you’re not in either team’s market, you can still get blacked out if it’s a “national” game.

And don’t expect refunds. MLB’s official stance: “Blackout and other restrictions apply.”

The End Result: Fans Lose, League Wins (For Now)

• You pay for MLB.TV but can’t watch all the games.
• You’re forced to juggle multiple paid services—cable, ESPN, Apple TV+, Peacock, and others.
• You miss key games, rivalry matchups, and even playoff games unless you pay up or hunt for “workarounds.”
• You have zero real recourse. The customer service playbook is just to blame “broadcast agreements.”

This isn’t about protecting local TV anymore. It’s about MLB squeezing every dollar out of fans by selling the same product to as many partners as possible. You, the actual customer, are left out in the cold.

Why It’s Bad for Baseball

Baseball’s audience is aging. Younger fans are used to on-demand everything. Every time MLB puts up another paywall or blocks out a fan who actually wants to watch, it risks losing that person forever.
If you’re trying to grow the game, making it harder to watch isn’t just dumb—it’s self-destructive.

What Can You Actually Do?

Not much, honestly.

• Complain. Tell MLB, your team, and the networks how you feel.
• Use free trials when you can, but it’s a game of whack-a-mole.
• Check if your local library or a friend has a cable login—sometimes you can “borrow” access.
• If you’re tech-savvy, there are unofficial streams out there—but that’s a legal gray area, and MLB is aggressive about shutting them down.

Until fans start leaving in droves or Congress steps in (don’t hold your breath), this system won’t change.

The Bottom Line Blackouts are a scam. They’re a holdover from a bygone era, now weaponized for profit. I paid for baseball and got a blank screen. That’s MLB’s business model now. If you’re as sick of it as I am, speak up—but know that for now, fans are the ones getting played.