Cardinals are going to lose thousands of loyal viewers

[jcgmoi]

Did they pave over KMOX while I was away? Kick back and use last century's technology. It still works and it's still free.

[BrummerStealsHome]

Buy the streaming service for only $99.

I think the OP is suggesting the Cardinals will lose thousands of loyal viewers, probably on the lower side of the income scale.

If those folks don’t have internet or smart phones……they are not really the demographic advertisers covet…

Also, are we really going to believe people who spent enough on cable to have Fox Sports Midwest in the past don't have the money to pay for the internet or a smart phone? Come on now.

This may shock some of you, but some people won't be able to justify putting a hundred bucks on a Cardinals package.

But they could afford a premium tier cable/streaming package in the past to get Cardinals games? Whatever.

"Whatever" Does that sum up your understanding of economics?

[OldRed]

Did they pave over KMOX while I was away? Kick back and use last century's technology. It still works and it's still free.

Has nothing to do with last century's technology. It has to do with costs.

[riff raff]

Did they pave over KMOX while I was away? Kick back and use last century's technology. It still works and it's still free.

I do that quite often. Warm summer night on the deck, cold beer.
Kick back and relax.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Shady, I just read this. Is it wrong?
Yes, St. Louis Cardinals games will be available on Spectrum in 2026, but not through the previous network. Major League Baseball (MLB) is taking over production, with games airing on a new "Cardinals TV" network available on cable providers like Spectrum, as well as via streaming on MLB.com.

What channel will the "Cardinals TV" network be available on Spectrum cable without streaming?

I recently read that those details will be announced on opening day.

Honestly no reason to wait to announce other than they haven't figured it all out yet. Which means some parts of it could still fall through.

Yes, a lot of things could go wrong later today, or tomorrow, or next week. Or, maybe it will all be ok.

[RamFan08NY]

Buy the streaming service for only $99.

I think the OP is suggesting the Cardinals will lose thousands of loyal viewers, probably on the lower side of the income scale.

Or the elderly, who may not have smart TVs. Just an all around unfortunate decision. The answer isn't always "just pay the extra money".

[Shady]

Buy the streaming service for only $99.

I think the OP is suggesting the Cardinals will lose thousands of loyal viewers, probably on the lower side of the income scale.

Or the elderly, who may not have smart TVs. Just an all around unfortunate decision. The answer isn't always "just pay the extra money".

Exactly. Another thing, considering game attendance has been struggling. Is Cardinals management hoping to get more people to come to games instead of watching on tv?

[hofmann13]

A Google search...

Cardinals TV Channel Information (2026 Season)
DIRECTV: Channel 672.
Spectrum (St. Louis Area): Games are expected on channel 6 (Matrix Midwest) for select games, with full channel listings to be finalized by Opening Day (March 26).
Streaming: In-market fans can subscribe directly to Cardinals.TV through the MLB app for $99.99/season or $19.99/month.

[Shady]

A Google search...

Cardinals TV Channel Information (2026 Season)
DIRECTV: Channel 672.
Spectrum (St. Louis Area): Games are expected on channel 6 (Matrix Midwest) for select games, with full channel listings to be finalized by Opening Day (March 26).
Streaming: In-market fans can subscribe directly to Cardinals.TV through the MLB app for $99.99/season or $19.99/month.

Will the Matrix Midwest amount of games covered on Spectrum be similar to Fanduel's last season?

[Charles King]

I’d be interested to see if they lose or gain viewers overall. The Cardinals have a lot of fans outside the market that may happily pay $99 for all Cardinal games happily.

Not saying viewership will definitely go up, it will just be interesting to watch that evolve.

I am out of market. I get the total MLB package. It's $149 plus tax
I can watch Cards, their minor league teams, and all others except Atlanta. In their market

[shebashab]

Buy the streaming service for only $99.

I think the OP is suggesting the Cardinals will lose thousands of loyal viewers, probably on the lower side of the income scale.

If those folks don’t have internet or smart phones……they are not really the demographic advertisers covet…

This is what I always think. Does any reasonable person expect a money making entity to prioritize financially struggling senior citizens who don’t use technology? I get having empathy for some of those people, but to be angry any niche group of people aren’t catered to is ridiculous.

You mean the people who financially supported Cards Baseball for 60-70yrs, probably some of the most loyal hard core Cardinals fans, and now have limited budgets, limited abilities, and have very few things they can do…..waiting for the baseball season to start and watching the game for 3hrs in the evening? Those people?

It's a business, nobody cares how you spend your time just how you spend your money. And the only loyalty is to tomorrows bottom line. Sad but true. It's entertainment industry.

Entertainment industry is eyeballs……eliminating 20%? For no practical reason isn’t good business, especially for an entity that is bleeding eyeballs.

Eyeball industry isn't true, only if those eyeballs produce dollars. If you can't find an avenue for advertisers then eyeballs are meaningless and worthless but I understand your premise. Also overall baseball viewership has been up and with revenue sharing BDW has the luxury of not needing his team to compete... this is the big problem. Cards don't need anyone to cheer for the Cards in order to make money.

[redbirdfan51]

Any word on Comcast/Xfinity Cardinals games channel?

[PacNWCardsfan2]

As happens a lot out here, many go to their local watering hole to watch with others. Most pubs will be showing it or have the ability to show it. No you don't have to drink, have a soda.
Sure beats sitting at home alone watching the games.

[Carp4Cy]

Buy the streaming service for only $99.

There’s a lot of sports bars that just aren’t set up for streaming and will have a TV set to other cable channels. That is completely unacceptable.

[KeeptheRamsinSTL]

I’d be interested to see if they lose or gain viewers overall. The Cardinals have a lot of fans outside the market that may happily pay $99 for all Cardinal games happily.

Not saying viewership will definitely go up, it will just be interesting to watch that evolve.

I am out of market. I get the total MLB package. It's $149 plus tax
I can watch Cards, their minor league teams, and all others except Atlanta. In their market

T-Mobile is giving away MLB.TV for free next week to current customers. You won't get your local team for free but you will be able to see all of the other teams. If you don't have T-Mobile maybe a friend or family member will give you a code.

[TheJackBurton]

Buy the streaming service for only $99.

I think the OP is suggesting the Cardinals will lose thousands of loyal viewers, probably on the lower side of the income scale.

If those folks don’t have internet or smart phones……they are not really the demographic advertisers covet…

Also, are we really going to believe people who spent enough on cable to have Fox Sports Midwest in the past don't have the money to pay for the internet or a smart phone? Come on now.

maybe they have no desire whatsoever to pay for yet another streaming service.