The YouTube-pocolyps continues

I reached out to the Sounders with my complaints re statewide broadcast blackouts and thought I’d share the results. Needless to say, it wasn’t the mea-culpa I was hoping to hear.

My message:

I have been an eastern Washington supporter since before Sounders FC played their first match. I hope you realize how your decision to contract with YouTube TV has negatively impacted people on this side of the state. Remember we don’t get the huge wages often found in the Puget Sound region, and $55 dollars a month is a significant expense to many of us. YouTube’s arrival has pushed ESPN to black out its Sounders coverage for the entire state. I don’t have the option to just throw up an aerial antenna and catch the Root broadcast like people on that side of the mountains. As a result I am cut off from watching the team play. I’m sure you have a boatload of spreadsheets telling you this is the most revenue positive move for the team, but it is short sited (sic). I though you were trying to reach out beyond the metro area for support, yet how is this anything but a slap in the face? Very disappointed in the apparent lack of concern for folks like me, it seems like I might need to move on from this relationship—and that’s honestly how it feels—a personal relationship we’re you realize the other party just doesn't care. I understand this might seem overly dramatic. I realize this may fall on deaf ears. At least I can say I tried.

Their reply:

Hello (edited for privacy)

I hope you week is off to a good start! My name is (edited for privacy), and I am a Membership Engagement Representative with Sounders FC. I wanted to provide you more details regarding our partnership with YouTube TV.

For the 2019 Season, all non-nationally televised matches are aired on JoeTV. We understand that JoeTV broadcasts are limited to the Seattle area, so our partnership with YouTube TV allows us to expand our coverage to Eastern Washington. YouTube TV does not have annual contracts, so you can choose to enroll and remove as you please without penalty. YouTube TV also allows up to 5 users per account, with 3 devices able to stream simultaneously. This helps off-set the additional cost. With the previous ROOT contract, we were only able to show roughly 9-12 live Sounders matches, with others being shown sporadically on timed delay. This proved to be an inconvenience for fans looking to watch all Sounders matches live in one location. In the past, we have used many different options for viewing Sounders matches, including ROOT, ESPN+, MLS LIVE, etc. I can assure you that your feedback is being heard and passed along, as ultimately Sounders FC are looking to provide one, convenient location for fans to view all Sounders matches live.

Major League Soccer partners with ESPN+, so the Sounders are not a part of this initiative. Because you live in Washington, coverage is blacked out for local broadcasts, although you can still use the service for our nationally-televised matches.

We appreciate your avid support of the team. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a great day!