Cox Communications and the San Diego Padres will become the second tandem to pair with MLB Advanced Media to enable customers to watch streamed ballgames within the local TV territory.
Beginning with Channel 4's simulcast of July 16 game between the Padres and Colorado Rockies, Cox's high-speed broadband service customers can watch the streamed contests.
Using an authentication process that will be enabled and managed by MLBAM and Cox, Cox high-speed Internet customers can watch Padres games live on their computer anywhere in the Padres television market, including at work or at home.
The package is available for $49.95 for the balance of the season, or $19.95 for any 30-day period. Where available, games will be delivered with high-definition quality picture, using the highest quality live streaming pioneered by MLBAM this year in its MLB.TV premium package.
The Cox-Padres-MLBAM partnership differs from the one baseball announced with the YES Network, New York Yankees and Cablevision Systems Corp. last week in that the local streaming package in the regional sport's network's four-state territory is only available to customers of the operator's Family Cable (expanded basic) video package, as well as its broadband service.
Deal terms were not disclosed, but they are likely to be similar to the pact constructed in New York. According to the SportsBusiness Journal, MLBAM will garner 50% of the revenue from streamed Yankees games, with YES, the Yankees and Cablevision carving up the balance.
"Now Cox customers have another convenient way to enjoy Channel 4 San Diego's award-winning coverage of Padres baseball," said Craig Nichols, Vice President and General Manager of Channel 4 San Diego.
Noted MLB president and COO Bob DuPuy: "We are very pleased to partner in this important joint effort to deliver greater access to Padres fans within their local market. The agreement presents additional opportunities for fans to stay connected to the Padres while providing them the flexibility and convenience to do so when they cannot be at Petco Park. San Diego also marks the second franchise to take this significant step by offering in-market streaming and I expect additional clubs to follow in the near future."
