Baseball fans were furious after MLB.TV crashed at the start of 2025 Opening Day, which took place on Thursday, March 27, 2025. After a long wait of 147 days since the end of the previous season, fans were eager to dive back into America’s pastime, only to be met with disappointment as they logged into MLB.TV to catch the early games. Many encountered error messages across various devices and browsers, leading to widespread frustration.
As the first pitches were thrown, reports flooded in from users struggling to access the league’s streaming service. The Post’s attempts to watch the games resulted in an error message stating, “We had some trouble loading the game, please try again later.” This was not an isolated incident; Downdetector, a service that monitors website and service outages, recorded a notable spike in MLB.TV issues beginning at 3 p.m. ET, with nearly 8,500 user-submitted problems shortly thereafter.
Fans took to social media to express their anger, urging MLB to rectify the situation. The MLB support account on Twitter/X responded to the growing outcry, stating that they expected a resolution shortly, but the issue persisted throughout the first hour of games. By 4:03 p.m. ET, more than 21,000 complaints had been logged on Downdetector, with a staggering 71% of those complaints linked specifically to the MLB.TV app.
Last season, MLB.TV had set a record with 14.5 billion minutes watched, marking a 14% increase from the previous high of 12.7 billion minutes. With such a significant rise in viewership, the league's failure to prepare for the high demand on Opening Day raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Many felt that a serious league would have anticipated the influx of viewers eager to watch their favorite teams kick off the new season.
As fans continued to grapple with the technical difficulties, the frustration was palpable. Some users vented their anger with colorful language directed at MLB’s official account, demanding they “fix the app.” The league’s credibility was on the line, as it had promoted MLB.TV as the only means for fans to watch out-of-market games. The expectation was that the service would be reliable, especially on such a significant day.
With the excitement of Opening Day overshadowed by streaming issues, the league faced a conundrum. How could they regain the trust of their fanbase? As the day progressed, many fans were left watching the games through alternative means, such as local broadcasts or radio, while others simply turned to social media to follow the action.
In the wake of this debacle, it’s clear that Major League Baseball must take immediate steps to improve its digital infrastructure. The league’s ability to provide a seamless viewing experience is crucial, especially as fans increasingly rely on streaming services for their sports entertainment. The backlash from this incident could have lasting effects on MLB.TV’s reputation and its subscriber numbers.
As the games continued, the league’s silence on the matter drew criticism. Fans were not only disappointed by the technical failures but also by the lack of communication from MLB regarding the situation. With teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers playing, the stakes were high for both the league and its fans.
As the sun set on Opening Day, the hope remained that MLB would address these issues swiftly. The league has an opportunity to learn from this experience and ensure that such a situation does not repeat itself in the future. The eyes of the baseball world are watching, and fans deserve a reliable service that allows them to enjoy the game they love.
In a sport rich with tradition and history, the importance of connecting with fans through technology cannot be overstated. As Major League Baseball moves forward in the 2025 season, the challenge will be to enhance the viewing experience while maintaining the integrity of the game. Fans are eager to support their teams, but they also expect the league to deliver a service that matches their enthusiasm.
