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MLB has mlb.tv which as you noted was started out of MLB Advanced Media (which iirc got sold to Disney). But TV contracts are extremely lucrative for them and fanbases have attachments to their local announcer crew who are employed by the TV networks.

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MLB Advanced Media still exists, the streaming business specifically was spun off into its own company (Bamtech Media) which was later acquired by Disney but still operates MLB.TV to this day. However, MLB Advanced Media still handles everything digital that is not the actual MLB.TV broadcasts.

Ah thanks for the clarification

Interesting, I had not thought about announcing crews. As a casual viewer, I simply do not watch sports anymore since it is too difficult for me to figure out how to watch.

I do not mind paying, but it better be as simple as going to the sports org’s website and clicking next to the matchup in the schedule. And I am not paying a middleman.

Yeah, for example if you're watching a Sox/Yankees game and you're out of market and thus eligible to use mlb.tv you can select between either the NESN or Yes stream. Unless ESPN picked up the game for the night, and then you just can't watch it.

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