There’s one OBVIOUS necessity to be added to MLB.tv and one that’s more of a potentially niche option. However, both features would provide a significant upgrade to MLB’s streaming service.

NICHE OPTION: SORTABLE FULL GAMES LIBRARY

The idea of adding a feature to go back and watch ANY game that’s been documented in MLB history would be a positive addition to MLB.tv. For serious baseball fans, being able to go back and watch games from baseball’s history would hold a special place. Think about those long winter nights when you’re missing the crack of the bat and then logging onto MLB.tv and being able to load into watching Barry Bonds hit his first home run. Or think about being able to watch the first of seven no-hitters by Nolan Ryan.

The other component that can be added to the library would be the MLB Network documentaries. Being able to go back and watch “Mr. Padre” or any of the other MLB Network documentaries would be a fun addition. Many fans think about and feel nostalgic for the games of yesterday, and being able to have a sortable games library would fulfill that desire in spades.

OBVIOUS AND LONG OVERDUE NECESSITY: NO BLACKOUTS

Let’s be honest, this is the most obvious necessity for MLB.tv to reach the heights that it should. Removing the blackout restrictions would allow ALL fans to benefit from the streaming service. The way MLB.tv is currently constructed, only “out-of-market” fans are able to access their teams’ games. Yet, it is a very self-defeating principle that most fans of a team are going to be “in-market”. Removing the restrictions gives all fans access to all teams. And all access is how you maintain all fans’ interest, because cutting off fanbases cuts down on the fans watching the platform. Not to mention, if MLB wants to appeal to younger fans, blacking out and restricting their viewing abilities has the opposite desired result.

The other problem with blackout restrictions is that you also push fans away to other streaming services in order to see “YOUR” product. Imagine if you could only watch a Netflix original show/movie on Disney+. Seems counterintuitive and counterproductive, doesn’t it? Well, that’s essentially what MLB is doing with its product by not allowing “in-market” fans to view their teams’ games; they are forced to purchase other services to facilitate such viewing experiences. If MLB.tv is going to become the powerhouse streaming platform that it can be for baseball fans, blackout restrictions NEED to go!