Content Producers Take Note

3 May, 2010

I make no attempt to hide my affection for Major League Baseball. I love everything about the game - I love that it’s slow, I love that it takes work to watch, I love that it has such regionalism that it rivals college football.

But with the regionalism comes a price - local markets. How can a Detroit Tigers fan watch his or her team when they are stuck, say, watching the Rangers and Astros? (This is the point where I would like to say I have nothing against the Texas teams, but that would be a filthy lie. They both suck, there I said it).

Luckily MLB.com embraces this shortcoming and has created a system for delivering content to nearly a device nearly any fan could use to view their favorite team. And they do it right. They provide great quality content and allow users to get at it everywhere.

Mac, PC, Desktop, Laptop, iPhone, iPad, PS3, Boxee & Roku are all supported. So, as a member of MLB.tv, I can not only get their content (literally) anywhere on my iPhone I can also choose to view it on a larger screen through my iPad, or if I want the full TV experience I can use my PS3 to stream the video. All of the apps for these devices are capable of displaying HD quality video - which is scaled down if your connection is slow, and is still very watchable.

With the abundance of video options, it’s almost embarrassing to admit that my favorite way to use the service is to listen to games on my iPhone - there’s something about listening to the radio feed, with hometown broadcasters, that makes me feel like I am 8 years old once again. Sure, it’s Not Ernie Harwell that’s broadcasting the games, but they are very respectable.

There are even more benefits to the apps. Did your starter just plunk the other teams best player? Switch over to their feed and see what their take on the situation is - was he trying to hit him, or did it just get away?

No matter how you use it, if you enjoy watching & listening to baseball the MLB.tv ecosystem is worth the money, and it does not come cheap. While just the audio feeds come free with the purchase of the $15 iPhone app it will cost $100 for the season to add video (which will work on all devices). Still, simply put, it’s worth it. You will find yourself caring more and more about your home team - summer has never been this good.

(Note: even though this is a pretty glowing review, it is not, in any way, paid for or sanctioned by MLB - i do not have expressed written consent)