The Crane Pool Forum

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: ↑Wed Apr 03, 2024 6:24 pm We have known this for some time, no?

Major League Baseball and Roku are in advanced talks to make the service the new home for Sunday morning baseball this season, sources briefed on the discussions confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday.

The games were previously on NBC’s subscription streaming service Peacock. Peacock has been interested in retaining the “MLB Sunday Leadoff” package of nearly 20 games. It paid $30 million per season, but was only willing to renew for about a third of that price, according to executives briefed on the discussions.

MLB and Roku do not yet have a signed agreement, leaving the possibility that talks could still break down. MLB declined to comment.

Last season, Peacock’s package began April 23rd and ran into early September. With any possible agreement already past last year’s opening morning first pitch, Roku could have a lighter schedule compared to the 19 that Peacock streamed.

If a deal is signed, then each Sunday, just as with Peacock, the Roku games will start at 11:30 a.m. or just after noon. It allows for an exclusive window until the rest of the Sunday games have their first pitch after 1:30 p.m.

Roku is a streaming service that provides access to apps, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and TV channels with verification of subscriptions. It also has begun its own programming with its channel to add to its hub.

MLB programming would be its first major live rights deal. The Roku service is available without a subscription, though some fans will still have to go through the process of figuring out how to access it on their TV, phones or any other mobile device.

If the partnership happens, the games are expected to be produced by the live production arm of MLB Network as Roku does not have the infrastructure.