MLB fans utilizing YouTube TV in 2023 may be met with an unpleasant surprise when they go to watch games on Opening Day on Thursday: MLB Network is no longer being carried by the streaming service.
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MLB and YouTube's owner, Google, were unable to come to an agreement to keep the network in the YouTube TV lineup. MLB Network was taken off the service on Jan. 31, about two weeks before the start of spring training.
Making matters worse, the removal comes in concert with Youtube TV's first price hike in three years, with the basic service going from $64.99 per month to $72.99 per month.
“As content costs have risen and we continue to invest in the quality of our service, we are updating our price to keep bringing you the best possible service," YouTube said in a statement explaining the increase.
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Here is what you need to know about why MLB Network can't be watched on YouTube TV on Opening Day in 2023:
Why is MLB Network no longer on YouTube TV?
MLB issued a statement at the time MLB Network was pulled out of the YouTube TV lineup.
"YouTube TV has been unwilling to negotiate a fair carriage agreement," the league said. "MLB Network has offered terms consistent with what close to 300 other U.S. providers have agreed to for distribution."
It's unknown how much MLB was asking Google to pay to keep MLB Network online, or if Google was interested in moving MLB Network to an add-on service.
This is one of the pitfalls of cord-cutting. Multibillion-dollar companies aren't especially fan-friendly.
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When will MLB Network be back on YouTube TV?
There's no good answer to this question.
Either Google or MLB will need to blink for MLB Network to be restored to Youtube TV.
According to YouTube's social media account, both sides are at work trying to bring the network back.
we know this news is frustrating so we'll continue conversations with the MLB Network in the hope of restoring their content on YouTube TV in the future
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) March 29, 2023
Perhaps something will get done at the 11th hour to save Opening Day on the platform, although MLB's chief revenue officer, Noah Garden, was "not optimistic" about that prospect when responding recently to a question by SportsBusiness Journal's Terry Lefton.
"I think it’s short-sighted, and it’s unfortunate. But we’ll continue to work with them and hope that we’ll find a way," Garden was quoted as saying.
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What streaming services carry MLB Network?
There are other options for cord-cutters to watch MLB Network.
SlingTV and DirecTV Stream both carry MLB Network, as does Fubo, which also offers MLB.tv as an add-on. Fubo offers a free trial to new subscribers as well.
Youtube TV now joins Hulu + Live Sports as streaming services that do not have MLB Network in their channel packages.
