DirecTV Hints MLB Deal May Be Complete

DIRECTV HINTS MLB DEAL MAY BE COMPLETE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a signal that a deal may be finalized, DirecTV told the FCC Friday that the planned exclusive agreement with Major League Baseball for out-of-market games could result in "more baseball being available to more fans in a more compelling format." Likening the deal to those DirecTV has with 'Sunday Ticket' and 'NASCAR Hotpass', the company told the FCC's media bureau that its 'Extra Innings' package would result in more content and features and that "no one would be denied access." To access the programming, consumers will have to switch from the cable systems and competing satellite operators to DirecTV. "Consumers switching from cable to DirecTV will be provided with free equipment and free installation, " the company told the FCC. DirecTV pointed out that it had competed with EchoStar and IN Demand for the package, and it was the only company to agree to terms acceptable to MLB. One of those terms was that DirecTV must carry MLB's Baseball Channel in the basic tier. DirecTV outlined some of its plans for the package. It will include channels that would deliver cut-ins to games around the country, real-time scores and stats, and it would offer the most games in high definition -- a move very few cable operators would be able to do.
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