MLB to stream some games for free

With the impending collapse -- or what seems to be an impending collapse -- of regional sports networks (RSNs), Major League Baseball is reported to be planning to stream some teams' games for free.

As always, there's a catch.

Bally Sports Networks (actually, Diamond Sports Group) declared bankruptcy this week. In the process, reports say that some contracts are being canceled. Not all, but some.

The New York Post has a report of a new wrinkle in all this in that MLB TV will stream for free some of the games of the canceled contracts.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will have the league take over the local broadcasts of the money-losing teams and stream them for free in their respective local markets as he negotiates with their cable companies for lower contracts, a source with knowledge of the discussions said.

MLB has not finalized plans for how fans in the blacked-out markets will be able to view the free games. Currently, fans can pay to watch out-of-market games through the MLB.TV app.

MLB declined comment.

Everything indicates that current blackout rules apply. This simply means that fans will still have access to the same games, just for free for those teams. If they weren't able to stream them live before when paying for them, they still won't be able to stream them live for free.

So, if you wanted live baseball for free in your Streaming Life, you may get some teams, but the same blackout rules apply.

March Madness (2023)

It's college basketball playoff time, and while we're half-way through March, and though the finals are in April, the March Madness name sticks around.

So, for the die-hard college basketball fans, or for the casual college basketball fans, how do you watch the tournament if you're a streamer?

It's not that hard, really. There are four networks carrying the games, and all are available with various streaming packages, as well as some games, including the Final Four, available over the air.

CBS

The Tiffany Network is carrying games from every round, and has the Final Four and Championship games.

• Over the air/antenna (free)
• Paramount Plus (Premium) ($10/month)
• YouTube TV ($65/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month)
  
• Fubo TV ($75/month)
• DirecTV Stream ($75/month)
  

TBS

The former SuperStation has games from the first four rounds, from the field of 64 to the Elite Eight.

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
  
• YouTube TV ($65/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month)
  
• Fubo TV ($75/month)
• DirecTV Stream ($75/month)

TNT

Some games from the first two rounds are available on TNT.

• Sling TV (Orange) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
  
• YouTube TV ($65/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month)
  
• Fubo TV ($75/month)
• DirecTV Stream ($75/month)

truTV

The former Court TV (not the current over-the-air version) channel is carrying games from the first two rounds.

• Sling TV (Blue) ($40/month)
• Sling TV (Orange+Blue) ($55/month)
  
• YouTube TV ($65/month)
• Hulu+Live TV ($70/month)
  
• Fubo TV ($75/month)
• DirecTV Stream ($75/month)

The cheapest way to watch everything is YouTube TV. If all you care about is the Final Four, an antenna is cheapest, with Paramount Plus Premium next cheapest way.

However you want to do it, however many games you want, you can include March Madness in your Streaming Life.

Why don't the TV channel numbers match?

You may not realize this, or you may but not understand why it's so, but it's actually pretty common for the channel number by which you know a TV station to be different than the actual channel.

Tyler the Antenna Man explains more:

[YouTube]

If you don't have an antenna to pick up local stations, it may be something worth looking into. I went for so long without an antenna and wish I had put one up earlier. It's made a positive impact to my Streaming Life.

Microsoft Office privacy concerns

I've become more and more concerned about privacy over the years, and sometimes will take a day here to offer tips and suggestions that are not specifically streaming related, but important enough to consider.

Microsoft Office is the most popular office suite -- the video explains this -- but has some serious security issues. Naomi Brockwell looks at the issues, and alternatives to Microsoft Office:

[YouTube]

I have used different office suites, and no longer use Microsoft Office. This saves me money, as well as improves security, so this is a win for me. Perhaps it will be for you too.

Bnadwidth issues?

One of the things about streaming that can cause a lot of aggravation is when things suddenly don't work as you think. There are many things that can interfere with with your streaming experience, and this video from Britec09 offers some useful suggestions.

[YouTube]

This isn't all encompassing, and doesn't address everything that can cause problems, but it does offer some good suggestions, and is worth looking into. It may improve your Streaming Life.