MLB Network From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search MLB Network Launched January 1, 2009 Owned by Major League Baseball (66.7%), cable and satellite companies (33.3%) Picture format 480i (SDTV) 720p (HDTV) Slogan Our National Pastime All The Time (Prior to launch, the slogan was "Our National Pastime Goes Full Time".) Country United States Language English Broadcast area United States Headquarters Secaucus, New Jersey Website MLBNetwork.com Availability Satellite DirecTV 213 (SD/HD) Cable Available on many cable systems Check MLBNetwork.com for availability IPTV over ADSL Verizon Fios 86 (SD) 586 (HD) MLB Network is a television specialty channel dedicated to professional baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball.[1] Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share.[2] The channel's 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.[1] The network soft-launched on December 16, 2008 with a rolling automated loop of archival programming and promotions for the network for cable systems that carried the network's transmissions leading up to the January 1 launch. Major League Baseball is the fourth major North American professional sports league to launch its own network. NBA TV dates back to 1999, NFL Network to 2003, and the US version of NHL Network to 2007. However, MLBN is carried in the most households of these four networks, largely because of the financial participation of the cable systems. Tony Petitti, former executive producer of CBS Sports, was named the network's first president. Contents [hide] 1 Live game coverage 2 Carriage 2.1 Canadian carriage 3 MLB Network HD 4 On-air talent 4.1 Studio hosts 4.2 Studio analysts 4.3 Reporters 4.4 Baseball insiders 5 Programming 6 Studios 7 References [edit] Live game coverage This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references (ideally, using inline citations). Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009) MLB Network will carry 26 live baseball games on Thursday nights, branded Thursday Night Baseball.[3] Bob Costas will be the play-by-play announcer. [4] Harold Reynolds and Jim Kaat will join him with color commentary.[citation needed] Other live games include the 2009 World Baseball Classic, the 2009 Caribbean Series, and development league games. [1] The channel also airs spring training games, simulcasted from one of the team's local TV rights holder's feed. [edit] 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. Two major television providers that are not currently carrying the channel are AT&T U-Verse and Dish Network, leaving DirecTV with satellite exclusivity. Dish Network has been in a carriage dispute about MLB Extra Innings since the end of the 2006 season. [5] [edit] Canadian carriage As of December 2008, no announcements have been made about MLB Network availability outside the U.S., particularly in Canada, home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Network officials have been in contact with Blue Jays owner (and Canada's largest cable company) Rogers Communications about making MLB Network available in Canada, but have emphasized that a deal is not imminent.[6] In August 2008, Rogers secured CRTC approval for a Canadian digital channel tentatively called "Baseball TV",[7] which has not yet launched. This license could be used to launch a localized version of MLB Network with domestic advertising and additional Canadian content, similar to the current Raptors NBA TV. This appears to be Rogers' preferred option.[8] An alternative would be for MLB and a sponsoring cable or satellite company (such as Rogers) to seek separate CRTC approval to import the U.S. channel directly, as has been done with NFL Network. [edit] MLB Network HD MLB Network HD is a 720p high definition simulcast of MLB Network, which launched simultaneously to the regular channel.[9] All studio programs and original shows are shot in HD, as well as live, self produced games such as those of the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The network is also currently remastering 30 World Series Films in high definition. [10] Also during the upcoming regular season show MLB Tonight, the channel plans on having exclusive live HD look-ins to games in progress using permanent HD cameras at all 30 MLB stadiums which they have full control over, giving viewers a unique viewpoint not available on the regular channel which is carrying the game. [11] Programs not available in HD (such as older game footage) have unique stylized pillarboxes: brick walls reminiscent of an older baseball stadium, with the MLB Network logo in the middle. The 720p format is also used by affiliates of regional sports network Fox Sports Net HD, which holds the rights to local game coverage of several teams. MLB national broadcast partners FOX HD and ESPN HD are also in 720p. DirecTV, [12] Verizon FiOS, [13] and Cablevision [14] carry the HD version. Some Cox Communications, [15] Time Warner Cable[16], and Bright House Networks [17] systems do as well. [edit] On-air talent [edit] Studio hosts Greg Amsinger: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight. [18] Bob Costas: (2009–present) long time NBC Sports broadcaster, hosts MLB Network Studio 42 with Bob Costas. He will also be the lead play-by-play announcer during the regular season on Thursday Night Baseball.[4] The channel hired Costas full time after his popular appearance as the host of the premier episode of All Time Games. He sometimes appears on Hot Stove and MLB Tonight. Victor Rojas: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [19] Matt Vasgersian: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [11] [edit] Studio analysts Barry Larkin: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [18] Al Leiter: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [20] Joe Magrane: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [21] Dan Plesac: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [22] Harold Reynolds: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [20] Mitch Williams: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [18] Sean Casey: (2009–present) Hot Stove and 30 Clubs in 30 Days John Hart: (2009–present) 30 Clubs in 30 Days [edit] Reporters Trenni Kusnierek: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [20] Hazel Mae: (2009–present) Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [20] [edit] Baseball insiders Jon Heyman: (2009–present), Sports Illustrated writer, appears on Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [18] Tom Verducci: (2009–present), Sports Illustrated senior writer, appears on Hot Stove and MLB Tonight [18] [edit] Programming MLB Tonight: The signature show of MLB Network, which airs Monday thru Saturday from 6pm Eastern until the final MLB game of the night is over. The show will also feature exclusive live look-ins using their own permanent HD cameras with shots not available on the channel covering the game, updates, highlights, news and analysis. [11] Hot Stove: During the offseason, Hot Stove is the signature program on MLB Network, airing at 7pm Monday thru Friday. It features news reports and analysis of all offseason moves as teams prepare for the upcoming season.[11] World Baseball Classic Tonight: Debuting in late February 2009, World Baseball Classic Tonight will feature highlights, analysis and special reports on the tournament.[23] In addition to the afforementioned Hot Stove program, off-season programming includes: Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns: The Emmy Award winning documentary mini-series, which originally aired on PBS in 1994, airs on MLB Network. Prime 9: A series devoted to the topic of the nine greatest in anything involved with baseball. Baseball's Seasons: A documentary series set against the events of a certain baseball season. World Champions: Highlights of a particular World Series. Highlights of past Home Run Derby contests. All Time Games: Classic baseball games. The premiere episode on January 1 was a kinoscope of NBC's coverage of Game 5 of the 1956 World Series in which Don Larsen hurled the Fall Classic's only perfect game, framed by a sit-down interview with Larsen and Yogi Berra, who caught the game, by Bob Costas, and included all original Gillette advertisements from the NBC coverage. [24] Inside the Moments: A series premiering January 2 that features memorable moments and the stories behind them. The first five episodes: Aura of the Home Run, Icons of the Game, Unforgettable Feats, Magic on the Mound and Fall Classic Finales Rising Sons: A documentary on how Japanese players have adjusted to life in America. Pride and Perseverance: The Story of the Negro Leagues: A one hour special narrarated by Hall of Famer Dave Winfield on the history of Negro League Baseball prior to Jackie Robinson's debut on April 15, 1947. October Classics is complete re-airings of World Series in their entirety. Each week a different series has been featured, starting with 2008 and going backwards. MLB Network will air team history specials such as Red Sox Memories and the series Cathedrals of the Game if possible. In February, the network embarked on a month-long tour of spring training camps titled 30 Teams, 30 Days, coming from a different facility each day. The theme music is a brief clip of the song "C'mon C'mon" by The Von Bondies. MLB Network Studio 42 with Bob Costas is an interview show with prominent baseball figures. The premier episode on February 5 was with Joe Torre about his new tell-all book The Yankee Years, which has been regarded as controversial among Yankees players, especially Alex Rodriguez. [4][25] The channel also has specials such as The 2008 American League Awards and The 2008 National League Awards, and expansive coverage of the annual Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. [edit] Studios The Secaucus-based studios have two main sets, named after famous players. "Studio 3", named in honor of Babe Ruth, serves 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 analysts takes place. The studio includes seating for over 125 people, and a real-time out of town scoreboard based on those similar to PNC Park and Citizens Bank Park. The network had planned to launch permanent studios from a new tower in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood by 2011 [26]; however due to the 2008 financial crisis, the building project was scaled back and later cancelled in late November 2008. [edit] References ^ a b c Eric Fisher & John Ourand (2008-03-31). "Fitting the pieces of the MLB Network". Sports Business Journal. http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/58507. Retrieved on 2008-04-15. ^ John Helyar (2007-12-27). "In stare-down with Big Cable over Pats-Giants, the NFL blinked". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=3169890&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1. Retrieved on 2007-12-27. ^ New York Times October 2, 2008 A Network to Satisfy the Appetite of Baseball-Hungry Fans ^ a b c Multichannel News February 3, 2009 Costas Joins MLB Network's Team ^ Dish Network Official Site - MLB Extra Innings Information ^ Marcus DiNitto, MLB Network: What you will see on Jan. 1, Sporting News, November 22, 2008 ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2008-171 ^ William Houston, "Baseball TV may launch this year", The Globe and Mail, January 7, 2009 ^ MLB Steps Up to the Plate ^ Multichannel News 12/27/08 MLB Network Transferring 30 World Series Films to HD Format ^ a b c d "MLB Network signs Vasgersian". MLB.com. 2008-11-05. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article_entertainment.jsp?ymd=20081105&content_id=3665541&vkey=entertainment&fext=.jsp. Retrieved on 2008-11-08. ^ DirecTV channel changes ^ MLB Network secures agreement with Verizon FiOS TV ^ Mutlichannel News 12/30/08 Cablevision Sends MLB Network Up in Standard, HD Formats ^ Cox San Diego lineup ^ Time Warner Cable - Channel Finder ^ Brighthouse Network Tampa Bay channel lineup ^ a b c d e MLB Network Seven Days to Go ^ "MLB Network adds Victor Rojas to on-air talent lineup". MLB.com. 2008-12-10. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081210&content_id=3711248&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved on 2008-12-14. ^ a b c d "MLB Network signs Reynolds and Leiter". MLB.com. 2008-11-12. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081112&content_id=3676310&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved on 2008-11-12. ^ tampabay.com Magrane leaving TV booth for MLB Network ^ yardbarker.com December 6, 2008 Dan Plesac joins MLB Network ^ MLB Network to televise 2009 World Baseball Classic ^ MLB Network 1/1/09 Schedule ^ Mcall.com Joe Torre defends book at first signing session in New York ^ Sports Business Journal August 4, 2008 MLB Network’s Harlem plans an unnecessary distraction [show]v • d • eMajor League Baseball on national television Contract history: Blackout policy · Sports television broadcast contracts · Television contracts Broadcast partners: ABC · CBS · ESPN · FOX · NBC · TBS · USA Major League Baseball owned and operated entities: The Baseball Network · Extra Innings · MLB Network General media: Game of the Week · Monday Night · DayGame · Wednesday Night · Thursday Night · Sunday Night · Baseball Night in America Local broadcasters: Regional sports networks · Superstations · Current announcers · Braves TBS Baseball · Marlins Television Network · Royals Sports Television Network News television series: Baseball Tonight · An Inside Look · This Week in Baseball · Race for the Pennant Speciality programming: The Baseball Bunch · Home Run Derby · Yankees Classics · Yankeeography Ratings: World Series television ratings · ABC · CBS · FOX · NBC · TBS Broadcasters by event: World Series · ALCS · NLCS · All-Star Game · ALDS · NLDS · One-game playoffs International coverage: Fox Sports en Español · MLB on Five · Rogers Sportsnet Landmark events: Cable television · Broadcasting firsts · Home run calls · Telecasts technology [show]v • d • eSports television in the United States Broadcast divisions CBS Sports • ESPN on ABC • Fox Sports • NBC Sports National networks ESPN • ESPN2 • ESPN Classic • ESPNEWS • Fox Sports Net • Versus Specialty networks Big Ten Network • CBS College Sports Network • ESPNU • Fox College Sports • Fox Soccer Channel • Fuel TV • GOL TV • Horse Racing TV • MLB Network • MountainWest Sports Network • NBA TV • NFL Network • NHL Network • Setanta Sports North America • The Ski Channel • Speed • Outdoor Channel • Golf Channel • Tennis Channel • TVG Network Occasional broadcasts HBO • ION Television • MyNetworkTV • PBS • Sci Fi Channel • Showtime • Spike • TBS • TNT • USA Network • WGN America Regional sports networks 4SD • Altitude Sports and Entertainment • Bright House Sports Network • Buckeye Cable Sports Network • • Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast • Comcast SportsNet • Comcast Television (Michigan) • Cox Sports (New England) • Cox Sports TV (New Orleans) • Fighting Sioux Sports Network • Fox Sports Net • Metro Sports • Mid-Atlantic Sports Network • MSG Network • MSG Plus • New England Sports Network • Oregon Sports Network • SportsNet New York • SportSouth • SportsTime Ohio • Sun Sports • Time Warner Cable SportsNet (Upstate New York) • Time Warner Cable Sports 32 • YES Network Syndicators America One • ESPN Plus • Raycom Sports Spanish language ESPN Deportes • Fox Sports en Español Broadband services ESPN360 • Universal Sports • Horizon League Network Defunct networks American Sports Classics • Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television • CNN Sports Illustrated • Empire Sports Network • Football Network • Mizlou Television Network • NewSport • ON-TV • PRISM • SCORE • SportsChannel America • SportsChannel Los Angeles • Sports Time • TVS Television Network • Prime Network • PASS Sports • Royals Sports Television Network • Victory Sports One • World Championship Sports Network Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLB_Network" Categories: Major League Baseball on television | American television networks | Television channels and stations established in 2009 | MLB Network