The MLB app’s best feature is a 30-second delay
Key Takeaways
- The author prefers streaming the Seattle Mariners radio broadcast over expensive TV options like cable or the new $20/month standalone streaming from Root Sports.
- Live score notifications from the MLB app frequently spoil the radio broadcast because the notifications arrive faster than the audio stream's delay.
- The author struggled to find a practical way to manage notifications without missing other important alerts.
- A solution was found in the MLB app: a 30-second delay setting for score notifications that synchronizes them with the audio stream.
- The author is happy to have this spoiler-free audio option, even though the current Mariners playoff games are being broadcast nationally on TV.
The author details their experience of switching from cable TV to streaming the Seattle Mariners radio broadcast, finding the audio experience superior for multitasking. A significant issue arose when using the MLB app for live scores, as notifications arrived faster than the radio stream, spoiling key moments of the game. The traditional TV options were expensive, with the cable bundle being costly and the newly introduced standalone streaming option being $20 per month, making the radio the preferred, non-pirated choice. The author experimented with solutions like 'do not disturb' but found them impractical for general use. The breakthrough came during a playoff game when they discovered a hidden 30-second delay toggle for score notifications within the MLB app settings. This feature perfectly mitigates the spoiler problem, allowing the fan to enjoy the audio drama while still receiving timely updates. Although the author notes the feature might have existed for a while, they are glad to have found it just as the Mariners entered the playoffs, though they acknowledge they won't need the radio/app setup for the nationally televised playoff games.
