MLB Network
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Secaucus, New Jersey |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Major League Baseball (66.7%), cable and satellite companies (33.3%) |
MLB Network is a television specialty channel, primarily owned by Major League Baseball, set to launch on January 1, 2009 into over 50 million homes in the United States.[2] Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share.[3] The channels headquarters and studios are located in the Secaucus, New Jersey facility which housed MSNBC's former studios until their 2007 move to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Profitability is expected by the end of 2009, according to industry sources. And by 2015, revenue from cable subscriber fees and advertising is projected to soar beyond $210 million, with a net value easily exceeding $1 billion.[2]
Major League Baseball is the last major North American professional sports league, and in fact major professional sport overall, to launch its own network. NBA TV dates back to 1999, the NFL Network to 2003, and the US version of the NHL Network to 2007. However, MLBN will have the most households of these four networks when it launches, largely because of the financial participation of the cable systems.
Tony Petitti, former executive producer of CBS Sports, has been named the network's first president.
Content
MLB Network expects to carry 26 live baseball games in 2009 on Thursday nights.[4] Other early programming will include portions of the 2009 World Baseball Classic as well as highlights, studio programming, international and development league games, and archival material. Also in the works is a nightly news and highlight show patterned after ESPN's Baseball Tonight.[2]
Carriage
The network has signed contracts with 36 cable and satellite carriers. In a deal that may be copied by other sports league owned channels, MLB tied carriage of the MLB Network to the ability to carry the popular out of market MLB Extra Innings package. In return, cable and satellite providers were offered a minority share of the new network.
MLB Network On-Air Talent
- Trenni Kusnierek: Former Milwaukee Brewers sideline reporter for FSN Wisconsin, will serve as a reporter. [5]
- Matt Vasgersian: Former San Diego Padres television announcer, Vasgersian will be the 'voice of MLB Network' and the lead host of both MLB Tonight and Hot Stove. [6]
- Al Leiter: Former MLB player and YES Network television announcer, will be on MLB Tonight and Hot Stove. [7]
- Harold Reynolds: Former MLB player and Baseball Tonight analyst, will be on MLB Tonight and Hot Stove.[8]
- Hazel Mae: Former host of SportsDesk on NESN, will serve as a reporter. [9]
- Joe Magrane: Former MLB player and Tampa Bay Rays color commentator for FSN Florida. His position is as yet unknown.[10]
- Dan Plesac: Former MLB pitcher and commentator for Comcast SportsNet Chicago, will be on MLB Tonight and Hot Stove.[11]
- Victor Rojas: Former Texas Rangers radio broadcaster, will be on MLB Tonight and Hot Stove [12]
Programming
- MLB Tonight: The signature show of MLB Network, which will air Monday thru Saturday from 6pm Eastern until the final MLB game of the night is over. The show will feature live look-ins, updates, highlights, news and analysis.[13]
- Hot Stove: During the offseason, Hot Stove will be the signature program on MLB Network, airing at 7pm Monday thru Friday. It will feature news reports and analysis of all offseason moves as teams prepare for the upcoming season.[14]
- World Baseball Classic Tonight: Debuting in late February 2009, World Baseball Classic Tonight will feature highlights, analysis and special reports on the tournament.[15]
Studios
The Seacaucus-based studios will have two main sets, named after famous players. "Studio 3", named in honor of Babe Ruth, will serve as the home plate for all studio programs, while "Studio 42", honoring Jackie Robinson, is a half-scale baseball field where demonstrations by the network's anaylists will take place. The studio will include seating for over 125 people, and a real-time out of town scoreboard based on those similar to PNC Park and Citizens Bank Park.[16]
References
- ^ DirecTV channel changes
- ^ a b c Eric Fisher & John Ourand (2008-03-31). "Fitting the pieces of the MLB Network". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ John Helyar (2007-12-27). "In stare-down with Big Cable over Pats-Giants, the NFL blinked". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "MLB Network signs Reynolds and Leiter". MLB.com. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ "MLB Network signs Vasgersian". MLB.com. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "MLB Network signs Reynolds and Leiter". MLB.com. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ "MLB Network signs Reynolds and Leiter". MLB.com. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ "MLB Network signs Reynolds and Leiter". MLB.com. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/11/magrane-leaving.html
- ^ http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article_entertainment.jsp?ymd=20081205&content_id=3703967&vkey=entertainment&fext=.jsp
- ^ "MLB Network adds Victor Rojas to on-air talent lineup". MLB.com. 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
- ^ "MLB Network signs Vasgersian". MLB.com. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "MLB Network signs Vasgersian". MLB.com. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ MLB Network to televise 2009 World Baseball Classic
- ^ Brian Powell (2008-12-08). "Your First Look Inside The MLB Network Studios". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)