Extra Innings Announcement
by 08 Cubs on Mar 8, 2007 5:03 PM CST
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PrintMLB has finally announced their agreement with DirectTV. Click here
The deal is for 7 years. The good news is that it is not an exclusive deal, yet.
Additionally, in keeping with MLB's desire to provide as much MLB programming to as many baseball fans as possible, MLB and DIRECTV have agreed to include a provision that allows MLB EXTRA INNINGS to be offered to other incumbents - In Demand and DISH Network - at consistent rates and carriage requirements with a deal to be concluded before the baseball season begins. The provision also requires the incumbents to agree to carriage rights to the MLB Channel proportionally equivalent to DIRECTV's commitment. Should the incumbents decide not to match DIRECTV's commitment, the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package will be exclusive to DIRECTV. All out of market games continue to be available on MLB.com.Those of us who don't want/can't get DirectTV will have to keep waiting to see if we can get Extra Innings.
I wonder how difficult it will be for InDemand and Dish Network to match DirectTv's agreement. I sure hope they do!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Well...
I hope they do decide to match DirecTV's commitment to that channel so that the rest of us can get EI if we don't choose to switch to DirecTV.
This is a pretty good compromise, actually. Now it's up to the other carriers.
Also..
We await developments.
no way Dish network and In demand
by lemon17pie on Mar 8, 2007 5:28 PM CST up reply actions
Why wouldn't they?
Because...
This agreement was set up so that they can't match it. Hell, the NFL did the same EXACT thing and it generates a lot more money than baseball and InDemand wouldn't budge. They'll NEVER put the MLB network on their basic tier. This is an exclusive deal. It was written in a way knowing that InDemand would NOT agree to it.
Besides all that...
i think you are right
by TerryS on Mar 10, 2007 8:15 PM CST up reply actions
Why wouldn't Dish
I'm assuming
by lemon17pie on Mar 8, 2007 7:00 PM CST up reply actions
Not necessarily.
DirecTV has made the offer -- so I would imagine the other carriers, who HAVE made money on EI, will do whatever they can to make it happen. Remember, THEY don't want to LOSE customers to DirecTV.
devil in the unreported details but it is movement
This is good news
However, Extra Innings is a big moneymaker, and the fact that they wouldn't have to carry MLB until 2009 indicates to me that they'll probably accept.
Man, I hope you're right.
Given the fact that the NFL Network actually carried regular-season games, I would think the new MLB channel might also do so sometime in the future and the other carriers wouldn't want to be left behind.
The biggest problem
by LT on Mar 9, 2007 8:26 AM CST up reply actions
Do you think...
Uneducated guess, but
by LT on Mar 9, 2007 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
That makes sense.
Probably so
by LT on Mar 9, 2007 1:04 PM CST up reply actions
Good question.
All out of market games continue to be available
...Unless you live within a 750 mile square radius of the team you're trying to watch.
Not unexpected but still pisses me off
Being a Time-Warner cable subscriber I have absolutely no intention to either change providers or watch inferior MLB.com video through my computer. In short, I will limit my television viewing strictly to WGN and the few times FOX or ESPN covers a weekend Cubs game.
I hate this deal because it makes me feel that Selig, his cronies, and assorted MLB corporate lawyers are more concerned with their bank account than their customers, ie, us, the average baseball fan.
Loud, sustained applause!
What he said....
But I don't want to be forced to change something that works for me. (Maybe I'll feel different if the Cubs are in first by 7-games in August.)
(Yes, it is old fashioned to use a Underwood typewriter to access the Internet. It's a bit slower..)
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 8, 2007 7:32 PM CST up reply actions
Not really
Can't do that
How
I work with
To think that 50% of current cable-based EI baseball fans will switch to Directv is truly delusional; it simply will not happen.
I agree.
It won't happen. They'll be lucky to get 10% to switch.
i won't switch to
al, i'm surprised you care much about this, unless its just a principle thing. you should still be able to get all the cubs games since you're in their market, right? if you can watch all 162 cubs games AND a lot of out of market games then you are pretty hard core.
It's partly the principle...
It's ridiculous of them to think that I'd switch my entire TV service just for this, no matter how much I like it, OR that I'd be willing to watch an inferior-quality picture on my computer, which is NOT the same as watching television.
I don't like the deal...
Sports Pack won't get you the mlb games
by LT on Mar 9, 2007 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
yes
the games are definitely blacked out if you're out of market. i guess you'll have to invest a small portion of your website's fortune to get the EI plan.
I did the same thing years ago
by LT on Mar 9, 2007 9:01 PM CST up reply actions
Wanna bet?
So, any anger about this deal being taken out on DirecTV that results in people not getting it and subscribing to mlb.tv have done EXACTLY what MLB was hoping they'd do.
Isn't that funny?
I'm one of those hardcore fans.
And I don't think I'm alone.
See your problem, as noted above?
I'm still hoping for a last-minute reprieve which will get EI back on digital cable (and Dish, for those who have Dish Network).
They've got three weeks to work it out.
The problem
No big deal though. I'll just cancel that and get EI. I'll wait to cancel it though at the end of spring training. The ST games still come in, which was awfully nice today, tomorrow, Monday and about 7 other times on CSN this spring.
Are you sure...
Yes.
Then you got yourself a good deal.
Somewhere else in one of these threads, someone mentioned the fact that many people with cable service also have their internet and phone service bundled with it. Why would those people want to switch to DirecTV?
Big BIG difference
NFL is played once a week. Even the biggest fans of that sport can't be motivated to make a decision to switch based on what happens once a week. EI is daily and has numerous games. There is a huge difference between the average Sunday ticket subscriber and the average EI subscriber and it's that reason why roughly half will switch.
And even if they don't, the same thing applies. WE're talking about a half million people. Who cares? Baseball could survive if every single one of those fans stopped watching baseball today and it wouldn't bother them one bit. We're talking about a fraction of the fans of baseball here.
And let's face it...all this anger is going to be over and done with by the time Opening Day rolls around. You subscribed to EI. You aren't suddenly going to give up baseball. And baseball knows this and it's why they don't give a rat's ass about you. They're far more concerned with the average fan than the hardcore baseball fan like you or I. We make up a tiny percentage of the baseball fans around. The average fan roots for his/her home team and watches it on their local broadcasts. 99% of baseball fans are this way.
They're going to piss off the 1% of the fans who can't live without baseball. It's like taking snacks away a snack for fat people. They'll do whatever they have to do to get their hands on that snack. The thin people don't give a rat's ass.
You're right.
I suspect DirecTV, IF they do wind up with the exclusive package, is going to lose a ton of money on this deal.
That would surprise me very much, Al.
How so?
Doesn't look good for InDemand
It looks like the MLB/DirectTV deal raised the bar so high that there wasn't any way the others could match. So MLB can say "We tried to get the others involved, but they wouldn't. It's their fault DirectTV becomes exclusive, not MLB's."
Sounds like it.
But what really frosts me is this:
What's the big problem here? They've got 500 freaking channels on digital cable. They can't find room for ONE more channel on the same tier as DirecTV?
That's just damn stupid. Piss off your customers for what? Principle? A couple more dollars per subscriber?
Dumb, dumb, dumb.
The problem is
I've just written to inDemand.
Now, why is this? Just what are those conditions? And why are they so onerous that inDemand can't meet them?
Don't assume that baseball fans aren't smart enough to understand the reasons you won't agree to carry the Baseball Channel, especially since DirecTV's Chase Carey says that the terms that you would have to meet are "significantly less money for the non-exclusive arrangement."
So explain it to me. Explain it to all the baseball fans who don't want to switch to DirecTV, people like me who are satisfied with their digital cable service and don't want to change.
I have subscribed to Extra Innings for four years through Comcast and have been very happy with it. I don't want to switch. Please help me and thousands of others who want to give you money for this package.
If you want to write to them too, here's the link to do so.
I'll let you all know if I hear anything back from them.
This deal
We all know how well that turned out.
Loud, sustained applause!
by phatass on Mar 8, 2007 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
Comcast
We do not know this yet.
NHL signs with Food Network
How did Selig miss this opportunity?
No wonder I can't get my Red Wings games anymore
I'm on Dish Network. I called them the other day hoping to sign up for EI and was told they were working on a deal trying to get it. Don't know if I was being fed a line or if they really are trying to do something. I hope they are, though.
Quick question about XM radio...
by eamuscatuli1881 on Mar 9, 2007 8:01 AM CST reply actions
Xm over the net
by Ihatethecards on Mar 9, 2007 8:22 AM CST up reply actions
But what about the actual radio, not on the web.
by eamuscatuli1881 on Mar 9, 2007 8:33 AM CST up reply actions
I don't know.
yes, and yes
You can get a MyFi that is portable for pretty cheap (I think $50-ish).
Again, the only down-side is that you have to have a shot at the southern sky.
by BCurt10 on Mar 9, 2007 8:45 AM CST up reply actions
Oh yeah, shoot.
by eamuscatuli1881 on Mar 9, 2007 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
True.
If you have a south facing window in your office, you'll be able to use XM in your office. I did last year, but sadly, I am in cubicle hell this year, so I'll be streaming audio on-line till IT tells me to stop. (twice)
by BCurt10 on Mar 9, 2007 8:43 AM CST up reply actions
Excellent commentary on this issue...
And also...
here's a response I just got from Dish
The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball
Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10167
Phone: (212) 931-7800
Please keep in mind that DISH Network subscribers will continue to receive a great baseball lineup from ESPN, FOX, RSNs, Superstatins, and Local Network channels.
Your business is greatly appreciated and we thank you for allowing us to be of assistance to you. If you have any further questions or concerns, please refer to www.dishnetwork.com or reply to this email.
Sincerely,
TID:PB- ECHO
DISH Network eCare"
Thanks for posting this.
I also wrote In Demand
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 9, 2007 2:33 PM CST up reply actions
I don't have any sympathy for Dish or In Demand
the F(*&^^^ing HOME SHOPPING NETWORK ( in usuallly at least
3 varieties) when if given a choice most people want something else. THe "basic" tier is NOT determined solely by ratings. The
irony is IF enough people did in fact switch to Direct or In
Demand's clients believed they would, then they WOULD do the
deal. If they faced an actual serious threat to their subscriber base the MLB station would suddenly become viable for Comcast
Time Warner etc.
The deal sucks but this was a clever move by MLB to difuse the
blame
by jessica on Mar 9, 2007 1:49 PM CST reply actions
it would seem to me
Stupid decision by baseball, but I've come to expect dumb decisions from them over the years.
But In Demand and Dish
so on THAT score they had noting to lose
I think it sucks but I get their point and did manage to
put some of blame back on cable
by jessica on Mar 9, 2007 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
I'm still not sure...
Well, thing is....
This was certainly tolerable to the InDemand consortion to pay MLB a rights fee for the games. However, it may be INtolerable to have to pay another provider - but also, a business competitor for the games.
Corporate egos are bumping up against other corporate egos. Nobody will 'blink.' Usually, it's the consumer that loses when the goliaths clash.
I doubt if InDemand will give in. It might be one of those 'let's see what happens this year' and then see if MLB or Direct TV comes back to the table in 2008 to see if perhaps, it's in their best interest to offer the games to cable in a kinder, gentler manner.
Personally, I think The Baseball Channel should be on a pay tier. For example, I pay about 4.95 a month for a "sports package' through Time Warner. NBA TV is the highlight. What I had wanted the package for (3 years ago) was access to FSN Sports News, from various markets. Strangely enough, it was a hodge-podge of shows from a few FSN markets, with many unrepresented, including Chicago. However, if you wanted to see FSN Pittsburgh or FSN Arizona news repeated 3x a day, you had access to it. Personally, I think the channel was misrepresented in its' marketing, because TW claimed "Get sports news from local markets!!" (uh, but not MOST OF THEM! Especially the market you wanted!!)
Now, the service has evolved into a 'college sports' delivery system. The local roundups have all but vanished. I'm not sure why I'm still paying for this. (However, TW did add THE GAME SHOW NETWORK to this tier of channels. (?????)
Ummm, just a guess -- you could put the Baseball Net on this tier and drop the damn GSN and I bet nobody would complain....
...unless you want a trip down memory lane to enjoy the best of Gene Rayburn.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 9, 2007 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
The difference here is
by LT on Mar 9, 2007 4:05 PM CST up reply actions
Which...
Kinda, but..
(perhaps with the exception of Blackhawks radio*) PAY for the rights to broadcast the games of sports teams, so this isn't a stretch.
*I may be wrong -- but I believe the Hawks are now paying The Score to carry their games, and are selling the ad time for the 'casts themselves.
If anybody can confirm this, please do so.
The reason they would be paying The Score illustrates the relative value(It's awful) of Hawks radio. The Score knows that the audience is minimal, and ratings would be poor. So, they can charge Bill Wirtz for air time, (who needs to have the game on radio) who then hopes to make the money back by selling commercials for the broadcast.
It's light-years from the glory days, as I have posted way too many times in the past.....somewhat similar to the White Sox in the early 1970s, who couldn't find a Chicago radio station to carry their games, (They were awful) so, they settled on a trilogy of suburban stations in Arlington Heights, La Grange, and (if memory serves me correctly) Lansing to carry games with that new announcer in from St. Louis (via Oakland) -- Harry Caray.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 9, 2007 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
Senators still looking this over
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/03/09/bc.bbo.directv.baseball.ap/index.html
Good.
See?
But that would be about the extent of it, unfortunately.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 9, 2007 4:44 PM CST reply actions
the dish on what Dish is saying ..
We are currently working very hard to bring the MLB Extra Innings out of market baseball package to Dish Network subscribers. We will post updated information as soon as it is available. As a reminder, this will not affect regularly scheduled baseball on ESPN, FOX, RSNs, Superstations, and Local Network channels.
**
I read that to mean one of 3 things:
- Fat chance, suckers - no way we're gonna match the bucks that the suits in MLB have decreed should be paid as an "equivalent" since our suits don't want to fool with it. CYA.
- Maintain, dude - our suits are still doing lunch with MLB's suits and we're still nursing the first round of martinis ..
- Done deal, baby - MLB's suits just stuffed themselves, we're picking up the tab .. and so will you. Get ready to pay through your anal orifice, dear customer .. we just don't know how much of us you can take ..
Has anbody gone to mlb.com
Hey, I may have been born yesterday, but I wasn't born last night, you frickin' idiot Du Puy.
He arrogantly says to the MLB.com 'toady' who's 'interviewing' him the "incumbent cable companies" should "step up to the table" to make sure their subscribers can access Extra Innings.
(I've seen more realistic interviews with that nerd who seems to pop up on Infomercials every hour selling his 2 vitamin books.)
"Step up to the table?" Couldn't he have been just a little less antagonistic in his verbiage?
If I was an executive at In Demand, I'd tell Du Puy to stick EI up his ass, to be completely, and utterly honest. As others have posted, when In Demand does walk away from this, he can blame the cable companies for 'not serving their subscribers.' Of course, he goes on to tout the 'new and improved' delivery service from MLB.com, so you can watch the game 'from your computer.' Screw you, you airbag.
I just don't see In Demand sucking up to mlb.com, and competitor Direct TV.
The baseball fans lose again.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 10, 2007 6:54 PM CST reply actions
That's obviously...
Hear this, MLB:
I DON'T WANT TO WATCH BASEBALL ON MY COMPUTER, I WANT TO WATCH IT ON MY PLASMA SCREEN!!!111!!! AND I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE MY TV SERVICE, WHICH I'M HAPPY WITH, JUST FOR THIS!!!!!11111!!
What part of that do you think DuPuy can't understand? All of it, probably.
Plenty of times, people posture like this publicly when negotiations are going on quietly behind the scenes. We may get an announcement in a week or two that EI will be available everywhere, and DuPuy will be right there patting himself on the back for "making it happen".
Re
OTOH, I like watching games on my 19" CRT (although I do wish I could enlarge the picture without having to go to full screen) because I'm just one of those people who is wired to his computer. I like watching with GameDay running, and sometimes the game thread updating. And checking on other things between innings. And more often than not, I don't watch it live, so I'd need a DVR along with my TV. Delaying the archive until the next morning is really going to suck. That's my main beef this season.
In a perfect world, I'd be able to get a high-def stream over the net to a plasma monitor that would let me have the picture quality of HDTV and the interactivity/connectivity of the Internet.
It won't be long until all baseball is pay-per-view regardless of the distribution channel. And then, to increase revenue, the all-you-can-eat fixed-price buffet will be replaced by a la carte purchasing. MLB knows its revenue expansions lie outside of its stadiums and in the homes of those with tvs and/or Internet connections. The ultimate goal is to be able to charge those people on a per game basis just as if they were actually at a game.
Visit The Digital Gazette
Al, baby...
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 11, 2007 12:07 AM CST reply actions
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