As Sinclair and Charter square off over carriage of Bally Sports networks across the country, one Detroit radio host wonders how much of an effect this is actually having on fans.
“With all the different ways to get televised things and people cutting cords…How many people in the metro area cannot watch the Tigers on TV due to [the] broadcasting dispute?,” asked radio host Bob Wojnowski on 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit on Wednesday.
Sinclair Broadcast Group CEO Chris Ripley has been pursuing the launch of a DTC option amid interminable negotiations with Charter Communications to carry its broadcast channels, which the company plans to softly launch this spring. While a deal between Sinclair and Charter was completed yesterday, Sinclair will still move its RSNs into the streaming space while simultaneously maintaining a presence on traditional cable television.
“Obviously, I understand [that] the Tigers, the Pistons and the Red Wings [are] maybe not the greatest teams, but what else are you watching?,” asked Riger and Wojo Show co-host Jeff Riger. “It would drive me nuts if I couldn’t watch those games.”
Indeed, the state of sports in Detroit is in a rebuilding phase with the Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers all missing the playoffs in their last-completed seasons, respectively. Despite the rough times in sports, the Detroit fans have remained steadfast and unyielding in their allegiances to their teams. Amid economic inflation though, consumers are becoming more frugal in their spending habits by trying to allocate and use funds effectively tailored to their consumption habits. But as fans patiently wait for the launch of the streaming service, they have been left to pay for cable providers that carry the RSNs to continue to follow their favorite teams – and it has frustrated many.
One practice consumers are participating in is the illicit streaming of sporting events by looking for them on the internet. After Wojnowski read a Ticket Text on the air from a listener explaining that if you know where to look, there are many high-definition streams available, Riger made listeners a gracious offer in offering to reveal his cable login information on-the-air.
“I can give you my little login,” said Riger. “I’ll give all of Metro Detroit my login and you can watch the Wings; the Pistons; and the Tigers on the Bally App.”
Participating in illegal streaming practices causes regional sports networks and other affected parties to lose money, thus harming future broadcast rights agreements. Upon that realization, Riger hypothesized that it was precisely the reason why the Tigers missed out on signing shortstop Carlos Correa, who ultimately inked a deal with the American League Central-rival Minnesota Twins.
“Wait a second – do you think that’s why Carlos Correa isn’t in Detroit?,” Riger asked Wojnowski when discussing consumers finding online streams of games for free.
“Yep, I do,” replied Wojnowski.
“People – come on!,” exclaimed Riger to close out the segment.
