DirecTV acknowledges proposed deal for exclusive Extra Innings rights

GB-Hack · Jan 31, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

ondeadline said:

It looks like Sen. Kerry is taking up the cause, but I'm not sure what he can really do:

Kerry plans to raise 'Extra Innings' concerns with FCC chairman

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A proposal to make Major League Baseball's ''Extra Innings'' exclusive to DirecTV has drawn the ire of Sen. John Kerry.

The Massachusetts Democrat said he plans to raise the matter with the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission at a hearing Thursday.

''I am opposed to anything that deprives people of reasonable choices,'' Kerry said in a statement. ''In this day and age, consumers should have more choices _ not fewer. I'd like to know how this serves the public _ a deal that will force fans to subscribe to DirecTV in order to tune in to their favorite players. A Red Sox fan ought to be able to watch their team without having to switch to DirecTV.''

''Extra Innings'' is a service that allows viewers to watch games involving teams not in their local markets. In past years, the service has been available through a range of providers, but a pending deal would make the service only available to DirecTV subscribers.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is a scheduled witness at Thursday's hearing of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
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Well he can press the FCC to not allow it to go through, or he could get his fellow members of the house to yank MLB 's leaders in there and threaten their anti-trust exemption.

ondeadline · Jan 31, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

Can the FCC really do anything since this doesn't involve over-the-air programming? I'd be surprised if they'd threaten to pull the anti-trust exemption over this, but would be delighted if they did.

markvid · Jan 31, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

FCC can't do a thing about this, and either Kerry is grandstanding even though he knows he can't do anything or did a knee-jerk before looking to see if he could stick his nose in.

D-Backs Hack · Feb 1, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

markvid said:

FCC can't do a thing about this, and either Kerry is grandstanding even though he knows he can't do anything or did a knee-jerk before looking to see if he could stick his nose in.
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You damn well better believe John McCain is pissed that he didn't think of it first.

ondeadline · Feb 1, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

Kerry is just wicked hot about missing his Sox.

steveu · Feb 1, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

That's a wicked pissah.

He could always investigate the NFL and have Sunday Ticket taken away and given to cable.

Editude · Feb 1, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

Or he could investigate why he ran such a piss-poor campaign in 2004.

markvid · Feb 1, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecTV

Somehow, I think he can afford DirecTV with Teresa money.

ondeadline · Mar 1, 2007

Re: N.Y. Times: MLB close to announcing exclusive Extra Innings deal with DirecT

Could MLB be reconsidering this deal?

News
MLB May Drop DIRECTV Baseball Deal
CNN/Money says one source says the exclusive agreement is unlikely.
By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2007) -- Major League Baseball may be reconsidering a plan to award DIRECTV the exclusive rights to carry up to 60 games a week, including many in High-Definition.

That's according to an article from CNN/Money, the financial web site.

The New York Times reported last month that the league was close to giving DIRECTV an exclusive contract to offer 'MLB Extra Innings,' a pay package of out of market games.

If approved. DIRECTV could broadcast many of the games in High-Definition as part of its plan to expand its high-def lineup.
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However, the proposed deal has generated widespread protests from lawmakers and newspaper columnists who say the games should be available on cable and satcaster EchoStar as well.

CNN/Money says one source "familiar with the negotiations" now believes that 'Extra Innings' will be available to all TV providers.

"I'd be surprised if the DIRECTV deal goes through," the source told the web site.

The league reportedly was enthusiastic about the DIRECTV deal in part because the satcaster promised to offer full support for its new Baseball Network in 2009, including widespread carriage. However, CNN/Money says the cable operators are now offering roughly the same deal for the new baseball channel.

Despite the recent developments, CNN/Money quotes one MLB source as saying he was not aware of any change in the plan to give DIRECTV an Extra Innings exclusive.
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ondeadline · Mar 2, 2007

DirecTV acknowledges deal for exclusive rights to Extra Innings

DirecTV acknowledges deal, but says it's not final:

DirectTV acknowledges agreement with baseball in letter, then says deal not final
By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) _ DirectTV acknowledged an agreement with Major League Baseball to become the sole television distributor of the sport's out-of-market package in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, saying the deal will benefit consumers.

While the seven-page letter from DirectTV president Chase Carey to the FCC on Friday referred in the second paragraph to ''DirecTV's agreement,'' company spokesman Robert Mercer said later that the letter was incorrect.

''The letter should have said proposed agreement. There is no agreement as yet,'' Mercer said.

Carey's letter was released by Edelman, the company's public-relations firm.

''Consumers will receive a better product, with more content and more features,'' Carey said in the letter.

The package also has been available on cable television in recent seasons, but will be available solely on DirecTV and MLB.com under the new agreement. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., released a letter last month disclosing that the FCC was investigating the deal.

Carey said in his letter that an estimated 5,000 subscribers to the Extra Innings package would not have access to DirecTV, and he said there were 230,000 subscribers to the package last year outside of DirecTV. He also said DirecTV would make The Baseball Channel available when the network launches in 2009.

''Congress did not prohibit all exclusive arrangements,'' Carey wrote. ''It only restricted exclusive arrangements that were the product of market power abuses _ those between dominant cable operators and cable-owned programmers.''

Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.
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patchs · Mar 8, 2007

If it isn't official, then this should be a fun presser to watch.

Major League Baseball, DIRECTV to Host 4:15 P.M. (EST) Conference Call Today
Thursday March 8, 1:31 pm ET

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Major League Baseball and DIRECTV will make a major joint announcement on a 4:15 P.M. (EST) conference call this afternoon. Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Major League Baseball President & Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy, MLB Executive Vice President for Business Tim Brosnan and DIRECTV President & Chief Executive Officer Chase Carey will be among the representatives who will be available on the call.

Members of the media may join the call by dialing (877) 560-2269 and stating their affiliation. Callers outside North America may dial (706) 643-0091. Participants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Armchair_QB · Mar 8, 2007

Why wasn't there this level of bitching and moaning about the NFL's exclusive deal with DirecTV?

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DirecTV acknowledges proposed deal for exclusive Extra Innings rights

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