Is Sports Streaming Too Costly for Viewers?

Regional sports networks are starting to realize that their high prices for streaming local games just aren’t cutting it. Take NESN 360, for example, which offers Boston Red Sox and Bruins games – they recently dropped their annual price from $330 to $240, plus they’re throwing in four Red Sox tickets. Other networks, like Main Street Sports Group, are hinting at lower prices as well. Some local games are even available for free or over-the-air with an antenna in certain markets.

The problem lies in a flawed sports streaming strategy that relies on high prices to prevent cord-cutting and make up for cable TV losses. This model is not working out for regional sports networks, or for big players like ESPN and Fox, who are planning to launch pricey streaming services soon.

As more people ditch cable, the traditional regional sports model is falling apart. Most live TV streaming services don’t carry regional sports networks due to low viewer numbers, and those that do, like DirecTV Stream and Fubo, keep them in expensive tiers. To maintain profits, regional sports networks have resorted to charging exorbitant rates for standalone streaming services.

The reality is that people aren’t willing to pay $20 to $30 per month for regional sports or keep pricey cable packages just for those channels. The networks underestimated viewers’ willingness to cut the cord. Now, some networks are rethinking their approach. NESN 360 is lowering its annual plan price to $240, making it more affordable for Boston sports fans. Main Street Sports Group is also looking into price cuts for FanDuel Sports Network.

Teams are also shifting their focus from short-term subscription revenues to long-term viewer reach. In Utah, you can watch local Jazz games for $20 a month or stream individual games for $5 each. The key is making sports more accessible to fans while balancing financial needs. The era of expensive sports streaming might be coming to an end as networks adapt to changing viewer habits and demands.