It doesn’t look like the Yankees got a big win when it comes to the adoption of their in-market live game streaming offering this year. Sports Business Journal cites sources who say that only 6,000 people purchased subscriptions. The publication says that’s twenty percent above the Yankees’ initial estimates — and it’s also worth noting that live game streaming was only available mid-season. Still, the number seems paltry considering that the Yankees had a championship season and 30-day passes were available.
In July, the Yankees became the first team to offer in-market live game streaming, after the YES Network signed a deal with Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) and MLB Advanced Media. Consumers could buy access for a $49.95 one-time fee or pay $19.95 to get access for 30 days. Subsequently, the San Diego Padres announced a similar deal with Cox Communications, but that offering has had an even smaller uptake. Sports Business Journal says that less than 1,000 people signed up.
Baseball’s out-of-market streaming service, MLB.TV, however, continues to thrive. The league sold more than 1.5 million subscriptions this year — and there were about 350,000 live streams during each game in the first round of the playoffs alone.
But at least one study suggests the future revenue potential from in-market live streaming equals out-of-market reality.
There were other option for streaming on IPhone with MLB so, these #'s are skewed