Why are fans unhappy with MLB's Apple TV deal? Looking into outcry after recent streaming announcement

MLB's deal with Apple TV has come under fire for a recent change to their baseball programming. Last season, Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+ was free for fans who didn't have the streaming service. Now, there will not be a single free game on Apple TV.

Last year, if a fan's team was on the Friday Night Baseball schedule, they could simply watch through the app. Now, they'd have to subscribe. Since baseball games are usually broadcast on a local network (every single game is televised), this is a big nuisance to some.

Additionally, the subscription price is higher than it used to be. The service costs $6.99 a month now. That's not bad for a streaming service as a whole, but $7 a month for eight baseball games? It's not really worth it.

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Outcry over MLB's new Apple TV deal

The outcry stems from the idea that Major League Baseball wants to grow the game of baseball and get more fans. They're changing the rules of the game to make it more enticing for casual and non-baseball fans.

MLB Apple TV is under fire

However, they won't make viewing the games any easier. Blackouts, which are and always have been ridiculous, are one thing, but making people have to pay for an entire new streaming service just to watch their team maybe once a month? It's a bit preposterous.

Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated summed it up in a rant:

"If you don’t pay, you will be completely shut out from watching your local team on the one or two occasions they’re on Apple TV+."

That's what's most frustrating for fans everywhere.