Will MLB Network have exclusive rights to all games?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

If my cable company carries this network, it will probably be on one of the extra tiers that I don't get (and can't afford). So I will probably not be able to see it. Will other networks, such as TBS, Fox, ESPN, etc. still be allowed to show games? Or will MLB Network have exclusive rights to carry all games? (Googling on this topic has not resulted in any answers)

 

[Timby]

Of course it won't. TBS, FOX, ESPN, etc., all have their own individual contracts with Major League Baseball, and those are unaffected by any new network. Those contracts aren't just somehow invalidated by MLB owning two-thirds of another network.

In any event, MLB Network is only showing 26 games in the 2009 season.

 

[SmoothieX]

Fox and TBS have a postseason deal that runs several years out from now.

I get a real NFL Network vibe out of the MLB channel so far. I agree it will probably be on the digital package and be more filler content than actual games.

26 games means one game a week. Wonder when it will be? ESPN has the Sunday nighter. TBS has a Sunday national game. Fox has a Saturday national game.

 

[Timby]

I believe MLB Network is planning on televising one Saturday night game a week.

 

[SmoothieX]

That works for me, have they set who the announcers will be yet?

 

[Timby]

No on-air talent has been selected yet. It's quite likely that, similar to what the NFL Network did at its launch, MLB Network will make a serious run at a few ESPN personalities, as well as former ESPN guys like Harold Reynolds.

As for the broadcast team, I figure the network will try and contract a single team's play-by-play voice and another team's color voice to work those Saturday dates -- similar to when Chip Caray called games for the Chicago Cubs, but was subbed for by Wayne Larrivee on Fridays and Saturdays (as Caray worked the desk for FOX Saturday Baseball).

 

[Starbreaker]

I can't wait for this to air.

Having just one obscure satellite/cable channel show baseball might actually destroy the fan base. That will never happen. The NFL channel only shows a handful of games all year.

 

[SmoothieX]

The NFL channel only shows a handful of games all year.

I'm glad NFLN was included in my cable package when I moved and got a new carrier. I wouldn't pay extra for it, but its nice to have for those Thursday night games.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Dammit... just got a reply from my cable provider, they say they don't know of any plans to add it.

I thought that any provider who carries MLB Extra Innings must also add this network?

 

[Mallory]

Who knows how things work in the wacky world of cable rights? For example, in the Portland metro area Comcast has the exclusive right to carry all the TrailBlazer basketball games. If you don't have Comcast, you don't get to see them.

I guess I should email my cable provider now too and find out about the MLB Network. A few more ballgames a year (besides being forced to watch the Mariners) would be a good thing.

 

[Timby]

I thought that any provider who carries MLB Extra Innings must also add this network?

You're right, and both Cox and Comcast (I presume one of those is your cable provider) have bought into the MLB Network. Your service representative may have misunderstood and thought you were asking if the MLB Network was going to be added to your programming tier.