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As the World Series approaches, corporate greed is making it impossible to watch baseball

I didn’t watch a single game of MLB’s Wild Card Series. I listened to it on the radio. Is that weird? I think so. I’m not part of the analog movement; I’m not out to prioritize tactile experiences over digital…

Published: Monday, 19 October 2026 at 11:42 AM
As the World Series approaches, corporate greed is making it impossible to watch baseball
Key Things to Know
  • Maura McGurk argues corporate greed and fragmented streaming services make watching MLB broadcasts overly difficult.
  • Postseason viewing requires navigating multiple paid platforms like Peacock, Max, and live TV streaming bundles.
  • Kiplinger estimated decentralized streaming models have raised the annual cost of watching baseball to roughly $500–$600.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Maura McGurk argues that corporate media deals and fragmented streaming platforms have made watching Major League Baseball excessively expensive and difficult for fans. She highlights that cord-cutters must navigate multiple subscriptions including Peacock, Apple TV+, and live TV bundles, while MLB.TV requires cable authentication for postseason broadcasts. According to McGurk, this decentralized distribution model prioritizes short-term broadcast revenue over accessible viewing.

McGurk warns that placing games behind numerous paywalls limits the sport's cultural reach and prevents casual or younger audiences from engaging with postseason baseball. The piece notes external estimates showing following a full season can cost $500 to $600, while legislative efforts like the For The Fans Act have sought to address regional broadcast blackouts.

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