Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System getting the call up from the minors, to be tested in Spring Training

As the connection between technology and pro sports continues to align, Major League Baseball is set to test the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System during Spring Training this year. The system, referred to as ABS, will be implemented as a trial run in 2025.  The goal of ABS is to make ball-strike calls more accurate, giving players the opportunity to challenge certain calls made by the umpire. This marks a major step forward from last season when ABS was tested in Minor League Baseball.  Now the big question will be if ABS can work at the Major League level.  

During its pilot program in the minors, ABS saw plenty of use, with calls being challenged 51 percent of the time.  Each team in Spring Training will be given two challenges per game. The challenge is only lost if the original umpire's call is confirmed by the review.

The process for challenging a call is simple - only the batter, pitcher, or catcher can initiate the challenge. To do so, the player will signal the umpire by tipping their cap or helmet.  While this is a significant step in reducing human error in calling balls and strikes, MLB has also made it clear that there will be no additional challenges allowed during extra innings, keeping the flow of the game intact. In each challenge, a Hawk-Eye camera system will be used to review the call, providing a bird's-eye view of the pitch.

The introduction of ABS represents a major leap into the future of baseball, offering transparency and accuracy in one of the most debated aspects of the game. Similar to how technology changed close calls in tennis, and quickly eliminated linesman within the game, ABS now allows baseball to see a similar step forward within the digital age.  With the implementation of this new technology, there’s hope that this system will create more accurate calls while also keeping the human element of the game intact.

Tubi's Big Game Move: FOX Sports Streams Super Bowl LIX for Free on Network's Tubi Platform

FOX Sports is taking its Super Bowl coverage to new heights by streaming the Big Game on Tubi for the first time ever. For Super Bowl LIX, fans can enjoy the entire FOX broadcast, including the Super Bowl LIX Pregame Show and the first-ever Tubi Red Carpet, all in 4K. This marks a big step forward in FOX’s strategy to promote Tubi, their free streaming platform, to reach wider audiences while showcasing exclusive sports content. Fans will have the opportunity to experience the Super Bowl live, free of charge, across devices, and without the need for authentication.

The latter is extremely important as not requiring authentication will allow anyone, even those without a cable subscription, to watch the Super Bowl this year.  All fans have to do to watch the game on Tubi this year is sign up for a free Tubi account, and the game will be available to stream live in the Tubi app.  No credit card will be required to sign up, lifting a barrier which should increase the amount of fans that can stream the game.

This move continues FOX Sports' trend of using Tubi to expand the reach of its most prestigious sports events. Previously, FOX Sports has used the platform to offer on-demand access to World Cup matches, providing viewers with additional flexibility to catch up on the games after they aired. By streaming high-profile sports events like the Super Bowl on Tubi, FOX is strengthening the platform's position as a key player in the streaming wars, positioning it as a go-to destination for sports fans seeking top-tier content without the subscription fee.

The Tubi Red Carpet, hosted by Olivia Culpo, will offer a live pre-show that delves into the celebrity culture, fashion, and excitement that surround the event. The coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, and fans can also catch up on Super Bowl history, iconic halftime shows, and more through watching the free live NFL Channel on Tubi. With the addition of their free streaming app Tubi, FOX is once again demonstrating its ability to adapt to shifting viewing habits, providing fans with more ways to enjoy the most-watched sports event of the year.

As Pro Bowl enters a new era, NFL scores with key successes from overnight ratings

The 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Skills Show has proved to be a success for the league, drawing over one million viewers and an increase in a key demographic.

The event held Thursday in Orlando, delivered a decent performance in the ratings department, drawing 1.1 million viewers on ESPN. Thursday’s broadcast matched the 2024 Pro Bowl Skills Competition as the most-watched Pro Bowl event since 2018. The event took place at the 60,219-seat Camping World Stadium, steaming on both ESPN+ and NFL+. The increased viewership is a sign of the growing popularity of the event, as the NFL continues to innovate and engage fans with new forms of entertainment leading up to the Super Bowl.

One of the standout metrics from this year’s broadcast was a 7% increase in viewership from the previous year, particularly in the key 18-34 age demographic. This age group, crucial for advertisers and the NFL's long-term fan engagement, demonstrated significant interest in the revamped Pro Bowl experience. The shift from a traditional football game to a skill-based competition has resonated with younger fans, who are likely drawn to the fast-paced, interactive format and the opportunity to see NFL stars compete in a more casual, yet highly entertaining setting.

The Pro Bowl Skills Show saw its ratings peak at 1.4 million viewers between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.  This peak in viewership solidifies the NFL’s strategy to build the Pro Bowl into a more compelling, yearly attraction for fans.

Looking ahead, the Pro Bowl Games will conclude with Day #2 on Sunday, February 2, at 3 p.m. The event will air across multiple platforms, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, Disney XD, and NFL+, ensuring the event reaches a wide and diverse audience. With the success of the Skills Show, the NFL is on the right track in transforming the Pro Bowl into a multi-platform experience that keeps fans engaged while attracting advertisers back to the two-day event.