How Statistics Are Changing MLB Broadcasts

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In the 1980’s ESPN revolutionized the way fans watch sporting events by giving them national coverage on multiple channels. We have come a long way since those days, and sports broadcasting is rapidly changing in a new way as technology plays a larger role than ever in the sports world.

When you tune in to a Sunday Night Baseball broadcast you will have full access to whatever game is taking place that Sunday, but now you will also have access to numerous stat driven graphics (Statcast) that give you great insight into how the game is played. Some examples of these are exit velocities on balls hit, tracking running speed of players, and launch angles of home runs. These allow fans to engage with meaningful statistics and become more educated on the game. These statistics are stored by MLB and are personalized to each team. So you can look up your favorite team or players and find all their advanced metrics for that season.

Another big aspect is how this can grow the game of baseball. We are living in a stat driven world and that’s what the people want, especially the younger generations. MLB has realized this and have enhanced the statistics they use during broadcasts. They have even created their own Statcast broadcast that airs at the same time as the normal Sunday Night Baseball coverage that regularly receives good viewership despite the lesser known announcer lineup. Why is this? It’s because baseball fans clearly enjoy the statistical perspective on the game and for them makes the broadcast more entertaining. In 2021 MLB viewership minutes are up 18% from 2020 and 43% from 2019. Total games watched is up 22% from 2020 and up 35% from 2019. This means not only are more people watching but they’re also watching for longer and more often. Source: MLB Press Release April 19, 2021.

You can attribute this spike to multiple things, but you can’t deny the connection between MLB including more stats in their broadcasts and increased viewership. Other professional sports leagues have utilized similar technologies including an AWS (Amazon Web Services) powered broadcast in Formula 1 racing as seen below.

Having stat-driven broadcasts is now the norm for baseball and you would be considered “old-fashioned” or “behind” if you don’t have a digital strike zone or statistical aspects in your coverage.

Fan behavior is a key part of this trend as they become more fluid. Baseball fans and sports fans, in general, are becoming more interested in the statistical side of sports because it helps them understand more about it. Fluid Fans want to Learn about the sports they love. This Fluid Fan Behavior is all about how technology is allowing broadcasters, teams, and leagues to teach the fans about the sport and educate through immersive experiences. Whether it be Statcast in MLB or Toptracer in the PGA these enhancements to broadcasts allow fans to be more engaged and knowledgeable about the game through statistics.