RealNetworks has been the high-profile provider of back-end support for baseball’s ambitious and pioneering online sports coverage through its MLB Advanced Media operation.
The original deal, signed in 2001, was a ground-breaking contract which at the time was the biggest such deal in sport. It made RealNetworks the exclusive platform for a range of subscriber-driven services baseball had planned.
That deal was believed to be worth $20m over three-years to Major League Baseball.
But Real chiefs recently revealed losing the MLB deal would only cost the company two percent of revenues, and despite talks continuing over the marketing and distribution of content, hopes of extending the contract broke down.
Major League Baseball’s new media division is set to confirm a new technology partner this week after its deal with RealNetworks broke down.
