Can't get MLB EI? How about MLB.TV?

[James_F]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_com_press_release.jsp?ymd=20030311&content_id=216212&vkey=pr_mlbcom&fext=.jsp

MLB Advanced Media LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet arm of Major League Baseball, today announced that it will offer fans, for the first time ever, the ability to watch live video webcasts of as many as 1,000 out-of market games during the 2003 season exclusively on MLB.com.
MLB.TV will allow baseball fans around the globe the ability to watch live full-game broadcasts online of 45 out-of-market games each week -- about three games per team each week -- throughout the 2003 season on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball.


They will be using technology that will allow them to see your IP 'zip code' so you can't get games in your market. All this for $20. :D

[FTA Michael]

My favorite quote from the MLB video page:
If you attempt to circumvent or circumvent any blackout restriction: your subscription will be subject to immediate termination and a charge of one hundred dollars ($100) for early termination; you may be subject to legal action; and MLBAM reserves the right to report such misconduct to appropriate law enforcement authorities. "Circumvent or circumvent"? :lol:

"appropriate law enforcement authorities" :lol: If I were dumb and crazy enough to lie about my zip code so I could stream the same home-team games that are already on my TV, what law would I be breaking? But $100 bucks on the credit card? That I'd believe.

The price is $14.95/month or $79.95 for the whole season. I doubt that I'll be desparate enough to pay anything near that much for hiccupping video in a 4-inch window. But the full season of radio feeds is $19.95, and that sounds a lot more attractive. If only I could pick it up on my car in XM. :)

[James_F]

http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/2107831

MLB.TV will use geo-location technology from Mountain View, Calif.-based Quova to black out access to local games. Quova's tools match Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to identify users within the local market but, because IPs can be easily masked via proxies and anonymizers, the technology has never been foolproof enough to ensure protection.

For instance, a New York Yankees fan in the Bronx can use a proxy to fool the technology into believing he/she is in North Carolina and get access to the video feeds. MLBAM plans to randomly verify the location of users by collecting telephone numbers but, that too, can easily be circumvented. It would take a monumental effort to adequately police IP spoofers but MLBAM does not believe that problem will be widespread.


I belive all AOL IPs show VA rather than the local POP so I'm not sure what they will do in the case. :shrug:

Link to Quova (http://www.quova.com/)