Cardinals are going to lose thousands of loyal viewers

[desertrat23]

Fans who watch the commercials between innings on free tv are customers.

Fans who pay $99 for Cardinals TV and can easily watch the game late or pause the game, and skip all the commercials are also customers.

Why not offer both options? It sounds like the Cards plan to offer both. They are just slow in announcing which channel it will be on for cable and dish but they have stated it will not require a premium package.

True. And yet, this is at least the third thread full of angst about it.

[Youboughtit]

These threads are always fascinating.

“I won’t pay for streaming services because they’re expensive/I don’t like the technology.”
“I don’t buy tickets because the team’s not good/they’re expensive/I’m afraid to go downtown.”
“They’re losing me, a loyal customer.”

If you don’t buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, or pay to watch their games anymore — you’re not a customer anymore. A fan maybe, but not a customer. Maybe you used to be, but you’re not now.

Why would any business cater to people who used to be customers?

That is a very cruel way to look at baseball fans, young or old. I'm curious, have you ever had season tickets, and how many games do you attend a year? I guess when you are near 80 or older you will feel the same way, you are no longer a customer.

Family were season tick holders for 35 years. $18 per game right behind home with parking when we began. Final year we bought durring Covid out 4 seat package section 140 seats not as good was $17k. Parents are 78. Live in rural area. No high speed internet. No cable. Direct TV only option. Took a lifetime Cardinal family and now we watch 0 games and attend 0 games. Good job Dewitt

I'll be 81 in July. When I got out of high school in 1963, I had my own car and a job. I must have attended 30 games and took by 10-year brother to most of them. When it was my brother, it was my father who taught me everything to know about being a fan. As I aged, I would attend 20 - 40 games a year along with my brother and our father. In the 70's for a few years, I had season tickets. Again, it was my brother when he was in town, our father and my oldest daughter who is still fan. As years went on, I lost my father and my brother, and I still attended many games a year. The last few years it's been only a few games a year. Only one game last year. This year the only way I will go if someone else drives. It still doesn't take away from being a fan and enjoying watching. Baseball has always been built on the older generation handing it to the next. I hope they get the Direct TV deal worked out so many of use fans for decades can continue to enjoy the Cardinals and baseball.

It became popular because it was a game anyone could attend cheap. Greed from players and owners is killing the sport. Free games on TV creates fans. They went from my family going to 70-80 games to O and now won’t even watch because of the Tv situation.

Free games on TV creates fans. Does it create customers?

Fans eventually go to games in person, that’s how the game was built.

[desertrat23]

These threads are always fascinating.

“I won’t pay for streaming services because they’re expensive/I don’t like the technology.”
“I don’t buy tickets because the team’s not good/they’re expensive/I’m afraid to go downtown.”
“They’re losing me, a loyal customer.”

If you don’t buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, or pay to watch their games anymore — you’re not a customer anymore. A fan maybe, but not a customer. Maybe you used to be, but you’re not now.

Why would any business cater to people who used to be customers?

That is a very cruel way to look at baseball fans, young or old. I'm curious, have you ever had season tickets, and how many games do you attend a year? I guess when you are near 80 or older you will feel the same way, you are no longer a customer.

Family were season tick holders for 35 years. $18 per game right behind home with parking when we began. Final year we bought durring Covid out 4 seat package section 140 seats not as good was $17k. Parents are 78. Live in rural area. No high speed internet. No cable. Direct TV only option. Took a lifetime Cardinal family and now we watch 0 games and attend 0 games. Good job Dewitt

I'll be 81 in July. When I got out of high school in 1963, I had my own car and a job. I must have attended 30 games and took by 10-year brother to most of them. When it was my brother, it was my father who taught me everything to know about being a fan. As I aged, I would attend 20 - 40 games a year along with my brother and our father. In the 70's for a few years, I had season tickets. Again, it was my brother when he was in town, our father and my oldest daughter who is still fan. As years went on, I lost my father and my brother, and I still attended many games a year. The last few years it's been only a few games a year. Only one game last year. This year the only way I will go if someone else drives. It still doesn't take away from being a fan and enjoying watching. Baseball has always been built on the older generation handing it to the next. I hope they get the Direct TV deal worked out so many of use fans for decades can continue to enjoy the Cardinals and baseball.

It became popular because it was a game anyone could attend cheap. Greed from players and owners is killing the sport. Free games on TV creates fans. They went from my family going to 70-80 games to O and now won’t even watch because of the Tv situation.

Free games on TV creates fans. Does it create customers?

Fans eventually go to games in person, that’s how the game was built.

True in some cases, but how many people in this thread alone have stopped going to games altogether? Think that’s because the games aren’t free to watch? I don’t. They’re already fans.

[TheJackBurton]

These threads are always fascinating.

“I won’t pay for streaming services because they’re expensive/I don’t like the technology.”
“I don’t buy tickets because the team’s not good/they’re expensive/I’m afraid to go downtown.”
“They’re losing me, a loyal customer.”

If you don’t buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, or pay to watch their games anymore — you’re not a customer anymore. A fan maybe, but not a customer. Maybe you used to be, but you’re not now.

Why would any business cater to people who used to be customers?

That is a very cruel way to look at baseball fans, young or old. I'm curious, have you ever had season tickets, and how many games do you attend a year? I guess when you are near 80 or older you will feel the same way, you are no longer a customer.

Family were season tick holders for 35 years. $18 per game right behind home with parking when we began. Final year we bought durring Covid out 4 seat package section 140 seats not as good was $17k. Parents are 78. Live in rural area. No high speed internet. No cable. Direct TV only option. Took a lifetime Cardinal family and now we watch 0 games and attend 0 games. Good job Dewitt

I'll be 81 in July. When I got out of high school in 1963, I had my own car and a job. I must have attended 30 games and took by 10-year brother to most of them. When it was my brother, it was my father who taught me everything to know about being a fan. As I aged, I would attend 20 - 40 games a year along with my brother and our father. In the 70's for a few years, I had season tickets. Again, it was my brother when he was in town, our father and my oldest daughter who is still fan. As years went on, I lost my father and my brother, and I still attended many games a year. The last few years it's been only a few games a year. Only one game last year. This year the only way I will go if someone else drives. It still doesn't take away from being a fan and enjoying watching. Baseball has always been built on the older generation handing it to the next. I hope they get the Direct TV deal worked out so many of use fans for decades can continue to enjoy the Cardinals and baseball.

It became popular because it was a game anyone could attend cheap. Greed from players and owners is killing the sport. Free games on TV creates fans. They went from my family going to 70-80 games to O and now won’t even watch because of the Tv situation.

Free games on TV creates fans. Does it create customers?

Fans eventually go to games in person, that’s how the game was built.

True in some cases, but how many people in this thread alone have stopped going to games altogether? Think that’s because the games aren’t free to watch? I don’t. They’re already fans.

30 people on a website saying they don't go to games does a fan base make. Until last year there were 32k on average in the stands, they didn't just create them out of thin air. They were fans because the game was accessible, because their grandparents, parents, neighbors, etc etc were fans and passed it on, the games were fun, the atmosphere was good and if you didn't go for that past 30 years or so you could watch it on tv on your cable or satellite package. Make the game not accessible, harder to find, pay an additional cost, and people will find other things to do with their time and money.

[11WSChamps]

These threads are always fascinating.

“I won’t pay for streaming services because they’re expensive/I don’t like the technology.”
“I don’t buy tickets because the team’s not good/they’re expensive/I’m afraid to go downtown.”
“They’re losing me, a loyal customer.”

If you don’t buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, or pay to watch their games anymore — you’re not a customer anymore. A fan maybe, but not a customer. Maybe you used to be, but you’re not now.

Why would any business cater to people who used to be customers?

That is a very cruel way to look at baseball fans, young or old. I'm curious, have you ever had season tickets, and how many games do you attend a year? I guess when you are near 80 or older you will feel the same way, you are no longer a customer.

Family were season tick holders for 35 years. $18 per game right behind home with parking when we began. Final year we bought durring Covid out 4 seat package section 140 seats not as good was $17k. Parents are 78. Live in rural area. No high speed internet. No cable. Direct TV only option. Took a lifetime Cardinal family and now we watch 0 games and attend 0 games. Good job Dewitt

I'll be 81 in July. When I got out of high school in 1963, I had my own car and a job. I must have attended 30 games and took by 10-year brother to most of them. When it was my brother, it was my father who taught me everything to know about being a fan. As I aged, I would attend 20 - 40 games a year along with my brother and our father. In the 70's for a few years, I had season tickets. Again, it was my brother when he was in town, our father and my oldest daughter who is still fan. As years went on, I lost my father and my brother, and I still attended many games a year. The last few years it's been only a few games a year. Only one game last year. This year the only way I will go if someone else drives. It still doesn't take away from being a fan and enjoying watching. Baseball has always been built on the older generation handing it to the next. I hope they get the Direct TV deal worked out so many of use fans for decades can continue to enjoy the Cardinals and baseball.

It became popular because it was a game anyone could attend cheap. Greed from players and owners is killing the sport. Free games on TV creates fans. They went from my family going to 70-80 games to O and now won’t even watch because of the Tv situation.

Free games on TV creates fans. Does it create customers?

Fans eventually go to games in person, that’s how the game was built.

True in some cases, but how many people in this thread alone have stopped going to games altogether? Think that’s because the games aren’t free to watch? I don’t. They’re already fans.

30 people on a website saying they don't go to games does a fan base make. Until last year there were 32k on average in the stands, they didn't just create them out of thin air. They were fans because the game was accessible, because their grandparents, parents, neighbors, etc etc were fans and passed it on, the games were fun, the atmosphere was good and if you didn't go for that past 30 years or so you could watch it on tv on your cable or satellite package. Make the game not accessible, harder to find, pay an additional cost, and people will find other things to do with their time and money.

You're wasting your time.

These idiots have no respect for the history behind the game gaining its popularity.

The need to reinvent the wheel is amusing however.

[desertrat23]

These threads are always fascinating.

“I won’t pay for streaming services because they’re expensive/I don’t like the technology.”
“I don’t buy tickets because the team’s not good/they’re expensive/I’m afraid to go downtown.”
“They’re losing me, a loyal customer.”

If you don’t buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, or pay to watch their games anymore — you’re not a customer anymore. A fan maybe, but not a customer. Maybe you used to be, but you’re not now.

Why would any business cater to people who used to be customers?

That is a very cruel way to look at baseball fans, young or old. I'm curious, have you ever had season tickets, and how many games do you attend a year? I guess when you are near 80 or older you will feel the same way, you are no longer a customer.

Family were season tick holders for 35 years. $18 per game right behind home with parking when we began. Final year we bought durring Covid out 4 seat package section 140 seats not as good was $17k. Parents are 78. Live in rural area. No high speed internet. No cable. Direct TV only option. Took a lifetime Cardinal family and now we watch 0 games and attend 0 games. Good job Dewitt

I'll be 81 in July. When I got out of high school in 1963, I had my own car and a job. I must have attended 30 games and took by 10-year brother to most of them. When it was my brother, it was my father who taught me everything to know about being a fan. As I aged, I would attend 20 - 40 games a year along with my brother and our father. In the 70's for a few years, I had season tickets. Again, it was my brother when he was in town, our father and my oldest daughter who is still fan. As years went on, I lost my father and my brother, and I still attended many games a year. The last few years it's been only a few games a year. Only one game last year. This year the only way I will go if someone else drives. It still doesn't take away from being a fan and enjoying watching. Baseball has always been built on the older generation handing it to the next. I hope they get the Direct TV deal worked out so many of use fans for decades can continue to enjoy the Cardinals and baseball.

It became popular because it was a game anyone could attend cheap. Greed from players and owners is killing the sport. Free games on TV creates fans. They went from my family going to 70-80 games to O and now won’t even watch because of the Tv situation.

Free games on TV creates fans. Does it create customers?

Fans eventually go to games in person, that’s how the game was built.

True in some cases, but how many people in this thread alone have stopped going to games altogether? Think that’s because the games aren’t free to watch? I don’t. They’re already fans.

30 people on a website saying they don't go to games does a fan base make. Until last year there were 32k on average in the stands, they didn't just create them out of thin air. They were fans because the game was accessible, because their grandparents, parents, neighbors, etc etc were fans and passed it on, the games were fun, the atmosphere was good and if you didn't go for that past 30 years or so you could watch it on tv on your cable or satellite package. Make the game not accessible, harder to find, pay an additional cost, and people will find other things to do with their time and money.

Ok, but is that really what we’re talking about here? $99 a season is reasonable. It’s accessible to most people. Games will also be made available on the declining cable video market, and several games will be free over the air and all will be on radio. If anything, Cardinals games are MORE accessible and easy to find than they were before.

People in this thread have been laser-focused on extreme use cases (older folks, rural/no broadband, etc.) That’s not the majority of the CUSTOMER base, both current and future. Just because it looks different than it used to doesn’t mean it’s the end of the game.

[Cardinals1964]

A lot of people were watching the Cardinals when it was part of their basic package but won't pay a fee to watch. They already lost a lot of loyal viewers.

They paid a fee when it was part of their basic package. Remember the disputes and interruptions while providers and Cardinals argued over pricing? I remember.

The operative word there is package. They paid for it but got 100+ channels as well. Paying for a single service that shows one thing is not an added benefit that some people are willing to pay for.

But they paid 10 times more per month to get the extra channels and Cardinals games free.
I understand some people don’t like new things. But I like not having to pay $100 a month for channels I don’t want.
Just for everyone’s information you can get 85 channels on Spectrum for $40 per month and Cardinals games for $8.25 a month (1 year $99)
So, for people that may have to budget their TV expenses, you could always downgrade from the top tier package and add the Cardinals and you would still come out ahead.

[desertrat23]

A lot of people were watching the Cardinals when it was part of their basic package but won't pay a fee to watch. They already lost a lot of loyal viewers.

They paid a fee when it was part of their basic package. Remember the disputes and interruptions while providers and Cardinals argued over pricing? I remember.

The operative word there is package. They paid for it but got 100+ channels as well. Paying for a single service that shows one thing is not an added benefit that some people are willing to pay for.

But they paid 10 times more per month to get the extra channels and Cardinals games free.
I understand some people don’t like new things. But I like not having to pay $100 a month for channels I don’t want.
Just for everyone’s information you can get 85 channels on Spectrum for $40 per month and Cardinals games for $8.25 a month (1 year $99)
So, for people that may have to budget their TV expenses, you could always downgrade from the top tier package and add the Cardinals and you would still come out ahead.

Yeah, but it’s easier to complain about things that haven’t happened and act like a victim.

[Cardinals1964]

These threads are always fascinating.

“I won’t pay for streaming services because they’re expensive/I don’t like the technology.”
“I don’t buy tickets because the team’s not good/they’re expensive/I’m afraid to go downtown.”
“They’re losing me, a loyal customer.”

If you don’t buy tickets, concessions, merchandise, or pay to watch their games anymore — you’re not a customer anymore. A fan maybe, but not a customer. Maybe you used to be, but you’re not now.

Why would any business cater to people who used to be customers?

That is a very cruel way to look at baseball fans, young or old. I'm curious, have you ever had season tickets, and how many games do you attend a year? I guess when you are near 80 or older you will feel the same way, you are no longer a customer.

I’d be happy to make it to 80. I 100% won’t make it to 80. I’m might not see next year or all of this year. You sound like a great fan. Do yourself a favor, spend $99 if you have to and enjoy the games.
What does your TV programming cost you now?
I think what people are saying is, you don’t get credit for past purchases.

[cardstatman]

Major League Baseball will produce and distribute all in-market Cardinal games for the 2026 season. Fans located in the Cardinals’ television footprint will be able to watch games on their preferred traditional cable, satellite, and streaming TV providers with no additional subscription needed. Game channels for each provider will be available around Opening Day, although fans can expect to find the Cardinals game channel in the same neighborhood as its previous RSN channel.