Finding KC Royals’ games on TV proves difficult for many

Regardless of their record, many KC Royals’ fans in the midwest enjoy watching games on television or other devices.  This season it will be harder to do so.

I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s and living in Wichita, KS we could view a dozen or fewer games a year on TV.  Then the explosion of regional sports networks in the new millennium allowed us to see almost every KC Royals contest during the spring and summer.

As technology and other viewing platforms developed, many people have cut out dealing with cable companies and the high monthly bills associated with them.  An issue that has begun to affect these choices though, is that streaming services like Sling, Hulu, YouTube TV, etc. each must reach agreements with organizations like Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. to carry the FOX Regional Sports Networks which includes FS Kansas City.

Recently, YouTube TV stopped offering the Fox Sports networks after failing to come to terms.  Within a few days, it was good news for those YouTube customers as a new deal was inked.  Unfortunately, while it included the metro Kansas City area, many other subscribers in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska were shut out and will need to make a change to see Royals games.

Sling and Dish Network customers have dealt with no Royals games since last July. For those who live in rural areas, the streaming services are not an option due to lack of quality high-speed internet and they rely on satellite for their television.  So while I will be able to switch to Hulu to watch my beloved team, others are not so lucky.

The Kansas City area is not the only part of the country struggling with the issue of how to watch their favorite teams.  As you can see below it reaches other markets:

Using MLB TV would be an option many would happily throw their money at so they could watch other games along with the Royals but if you live within a few hour’s drive of Kansas City you are probably blacked out from the KC games.  With all the technology you think it would be easier to watch your favorite team, not harder.

While there is plenty of blame to go around, all the people who are in charge point the finger at the other group.  Until (or if) those differences are resolved, many Royals fans will have to make changes to watch their Boys in Blue.