In a week, we will have Opening Day. In a week, there will be many Brewers fans that are not going to be able to watch their home team play. Whether they have the day off or having it on as background noise, it will not be possible. We all know why. Sinclair Broadcasting has completely shut off cord-cutters. No one with Hulu Live, YouTubeTV can watch what will now be Bally Sports North. Brewers’ marketing executive Rick Schlesinger came out against how Sinclair handles their tv deal and expressed similar frustration. It’s nice to see the Brewers on the cord-cutters side here.

"TV is a complicated and challenging environment. There are some challenges right now with Sinclair and streaming services and it is a problem. I want our product to be as available as possible. I would be very very happy to replicate the NFL" -Rick Schlesinger on @BigShowNetwork

— Daniel Plocher (@DanPlocher) March 24, 2021

The obvious question for Schlesinger is why did you sign back up with them? It’s hard to broker a rights deal, and it seems like Sinclair was the only option. It’s frustrating to think that ESPN if they wanted, could have a team on ESPN+, but the old guard rules because they can provide an option for the above 55 fans. While this hurts the younger fan, the older fan is mostly in. It’s surprising to hear Schlesinger be so blunt. It makes me wonder if the Brewers were told a direct-to-consumer option would be available at the start of the year, and it was a lie. The fact Sinclair will not have a DTC option until 2022 is all you need to know.

The goal now is to find a parent or friend with a cable log-in and use their stuff for the remainder of summer. Or get a great deal on cable. Streaming services are basically cable at this point.

Charlie.