Does Major League Baseball still need radio broadcasts?
Former Marlins president David Samson said on his podcast that baseball no longer needs radio and predicted the medium will go the way of Kodak and Blockbuster. He later said he meant radio as a delivery system, and broadcasters and fans debated the future of baseball on the radio.
Side A
Radio delivery is fading
Samson and those who side with him say he was referring to radio as a delivery system, not to game audio itself. Supporters argue that leagues may bring audio in-house through apps and streaming, so that game audio remains while listening on actual radios declines. Some say broadcast TV and radio are increasingly seen as old media, and one longtime listener says he reluctantly agrees with Samson because most games are now televised and watched on demand.
Who took this side
No public figures have taken this side on X yet
Evidence posts
Overlap
Where they overlap
- Voices on both sides acknowledge that a growing share of baseball audio is heard through streaming and apps, while many fans still listen on traditional radio.
Took a neutral position1
Side B
Radio remains vital to baseball
Critics of Samson's remarks say radio remains a lifeline for many baseball fans, including those who mute the TV to listen to radio calls. Sports media voices say the relationship between radio and baseball is strong and argue the evidence suggests it will not change soon. Others say baseball's pace gives radio announcers room to paint a picture, and that many fans want radio now and will in the future.
Who took this side1
Evidence posts
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