MLB.com Helping Lead the Internet Video Revolution

March 26, 2006 by cubsnet

The Wall Street Journal has a Page One article in Monday's paper (sub. req'd) on MLB.com's success in playing video over the internet, not only for major league baseball games, but also for the NCAA men's basketball tournament and Major League Soccer.

More than five million people have flocked to CBS Corp.'s Web site to watch March Madness college-basketball games free online. For that, they and a growing number of sports fans world-wide owe some thanks to the entrepreneurial efforts of another sports leader, Major League Baseball.

It's one of the more unlikely stories of Internet-inspired business evolution: In just a few years, Major League Baseball's Web site (www.mlb.com) has become a major force in providing live streaming video -- the equivalent of live television on a computer -- for large audiences. MLB.com's success isn't just helping to transform the business of sports; it's also transforming consumers' expectations of what the Web can deliver.

I have not yet signed up for their video subscription, but have subscribed to their GameDay Audio service a few years running now, which I love.

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