INDemand reaches deal for MLB Extra Innings Package!

[Abe Frohman]

It looks like DirecTV gets their way, but In Demand and Dish Network have the option to "match" the price that DirecTV is paying and carry the package.

 

In Demand, which represents Comcast, Time Warner and Cox cable operators, had no immediate comment on the announcement today. MLB officials would not comment on specific details of its offer to In Demand and Dish other than to say either or both must agree to match DirecTV's rights fee and carriage levels to continue airing Extra Innings this season.

 

"We would be perfectly satisfied to end up in an exclusive (arrangement) with DirecTV," said MLB executive vice president Tim Brosnan. "The choice as to whether these packages end up on cable will not be ours, but rather the cable operators'."

 

 

I'd really like to kick Tim Brosnan and Bud Selig right in the teeth.

 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4613892.html

[J.R.]

Your favorite cable company can pony up or go the hell home. It's their choice.

[radarluv1]

has anybody actually paid for and received EI from their cable co? if so thats a lot of refunds.

[98navigator]

has anybody actually paid for and received EI from their cable co? if so thats a lot of refunds.

 

My friend tried to preorder it through WOW cable, in December(?), but they didn't make it available. The other providers may have followed that model.

[CubColtPacer]

Everybody who is getting EI, I would be informing their cable companies or Dish-the more likely subscribers they are going to get, the more likely it is that they will carry EI this season.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

From the subtitle, it appears Cable companies and others have till the end of month to match.... that will be interesting to see played out!

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Now up on mlb.com

 

I do like the sound of (most if not all) MLB games in HD by 2008. That may be enough to make me switch....

 

Press Release!

[RichHillIsABeast]

Now up on mlb.com

 

I do like the sound of (most if not all) MLB games in HD by 2008. That may be enough to make me switch....

 

Press Release!

 

HD = da bomb diggity

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Now up on mlb.com

 

I do like the sound of (most if not all) MLB games in HD by 2008. That may be enough to make me switch....

 

Press Release!

 

HD = da bomb diggity

 

No doubt and I currently have it with Time Warner. The frustrating thing about HD right now in regards to the EI package is that no games are offered in HD.

 

The more HD I can watch...the happier I am, especially if it is the Cubbies!

[tkenm356]

I like the fact that in 2009 there will be "The Baseball Network", which sounds like it will be a 24/7 baseball network.

 

Also, what's the big deal with everyone hating on DirecTV? Are there lower price alternatives in everyones area that provide the same services?

[UK1679666180]

I still purchased premium MLB.TV, love the look on the TV, and can always use my laptop on the road.

[Vinestal]

I like the fact that in 2009 there will be "The Baseball Network", which sounds like it will be a 24/7 baseball network.

 

Also, what's the big deal with everyone hating on DirecTV? Are there lower price alternatives in everyones area that provide the same services?

 

Huh? Why the heck should anyone be forced to switch television providers in order to watch baseball? Its ludicrous. It cost a great deal of money to switch not to mention massive hassle and inconvience when Im perfectly happy with my current service. Why the heck should I have to go through all that because MLB are greedy SOBs. Its taken all the paitence I can muster not to curse repeadidly in this thread. Especially at certain DirectTV fanboys who are ridiculously ignorant of people who dont want DirectTVs crappy service. I'll watch what games are on WGN and listen to the rest on XM. Screw MLB and screw DirectTV, I hope the FCC or the goverment or someone comes down on them for thier stupid monopoly. They will probably lose more money in the long run because of this. They sure as heck wont get mine.

[BigbadB]

I like the fact that in 2009 there will be "The Baseball Network", which sounds like it will be a 24/7 baseball network.

 

Also, what's the big deal with everyone hating on DirecTV? Are there lower price alternatives in everyones area that provide the same services?

 

No one is hating on DirecTV.

 

I have my business phone, home phone, email address, internet service and tv's through my cable company. I get a nice sized discount by having the 3 way package. Why should I have to give up any or all of that?

 

Personally, I don't want an ugly dish sticking off the side of my house, either.

 

There are many people living in apartment complexes that are not allowed to hang satellite dishes. What are these people supposed to do to get MLB EI?

 

I've been getting MLB EI for several years now. All of a sudden, I can't have it anymore unless I switch to DirecTV or my cable company picks it up?

 

It's very nazi-ish.

[Vinestal]

I like the fact that in 2009 there will be "The Baseball Network", which sounds like it will be a 24/7 baseball network.

 

Also, what's the big deal with everyone hating on DirecTV? Are there lower price alternatives in everyones area that provide the same services?

 

No one is hating on DirecTV.

 

I have my business phone, home phone, email address, internet service and tv's through my cable company. I get a nice sized discount by having the 3 way package. Why should I have to give up any or all of that?

 

Personally, I don't want an ugly dish sticking off the side of my house, either.

 

There are many people living in apartment complexes that are not allowed to hang satellite dishes. What are these people supposed to do to get MLB EI?

 

I've been getting MLB EI for several years now. All of a sudden, I can't have it anymore unless I switch to DirecTV or my cable company picks it up?

 

It's very nazi-ish.

 

Exactly. Not to mention those of us that cant get MLBTV due to not being able to get highspeed internet. Im hopeful the next comisioner will not renew this deal. I dont see how it helps mlb in any way really.

[Garwilly]

You may think it sucks, thanks for the input. Excuse me while I go order my baseball package. Enjoy taking you stance.

[BigbadB]

My level of baseball interest is because of the access. Take away the access and my interest level dwindles. Maybe that's just me, but I doubt it. Fantasy baseball leagues are everywhere. Fantasy baseball has had a pretty impressive impact on MLB.

 

I'm hoping Cox ponies up the cash. If not, I'll have to figure something out.

[BigbadB]

You may think it sucks, thanks for the input. Excuse me while I go order my baseball package. Enjoy taking you stance.

 

Selfishness is becoming the norm in this country. It's quite sad.

 

One day when your car is sitting on the side of the road all broken down, someone will drive by without stopping and say, "should have bought a car that runs. Enjoy your walk, dude."

 

Same attitude. Different day.

[Illini Iceman]

I like the fact that in 2009 there will be "The Baseball Network", which sounds like it will be a 24/7 baseball network.

 

Also, what's the big deal with everyone hating on DirecTV? Are there lower price alternatives in everyones area that provide the same services?

 

Huh? Why the heck should anyone be forced to switch television providers in order to watch baseball? Its ludicrous. It cost a great deal of money to switch not to mention massive hassle and inconvience when Im perfectly happy with my current service. Why the heck should I have to go through all that because MLB are greedy SOBs. Its taken all the paitence I can muster not to curse repeadidly in this thread. Especially at certain DirectTV fanboys who are ridiculously ignorant of people who dont want DirectTVs crappy service. I'll watch what games are on WGN and listen to the rest on XM. Screw MLB and screw DirectTV, I hope the FCC or the goverment or someone comes down on them for thier stupid monopoly. They will probably lose more money in the long run because of this. They sure as heck wont get mine.

 

The cable companies and Dish Network would be foolish to match DirectTV's offer based on subscriber numbers I have seen. To me the whole thing seems like a bad business decision by DirectTV.

I have always gotten EI through InDemand and this year I have prepared myself to not have it. I won't pony up for the MLB.Com package either because I am not going to sit and watch games on my computer just because MLB has chosen to no longer make them available on my TV.

I will just find other things to do when the games are on channels other than WGN and ESPN. I have to guess that a great majority of the former In Demand and Dish Network subscribers to EI will do the same. Very short sighted on the part of MLB.

[BigbadB]

The cable companies and Dish Network would be foolish to match DirectTV's offer based on subscriber numbers I have seen. To me the whole thing seems like a bad business decision by DirectTV.

I have always gotten EI through InDemand and this year I have prepared myself to not have it. I won't pony up for the MLB.Com package either because I am not going to sit and watch games on my computer just because MLB has chosen to no longer make them available on my TV.

I will just find other things to do when the games are on channels other than WGN and ESPN. I have to guess that a great majority of the former In Demand and Dish Network subscribers to EI will do the same. Very short sighted on the part of MLB.

 

Yeah, while I don't really have any issues with DirecTV since I've never had it, I hope they get the screws put to them on this deal.

 

I've seen enough of the NFL network to know that any attempt at an MLB network won't be all their cracking it up to be. A bunch of lame announcers and journalists that haven't a clue about anything outside of conventional baseball wisdom talking about a bunch of stuff that I can dig up on the internet quicker than they can spit it out. Sure, spring training games might be nice. But, it's only going to take away more games from ESPN, TBS, FOX, WGN in the long run.

 

I do agree with whoever said that MLB is agreeing to this to get more revenue from MLB.TV. MLB is who will be cashing in big time, not DirecTV.

 

And once the cable companies and Dish see how badly DirecTV gets screwed in this deal, they aren't going to be willing to cough it up later after having it taken away from them.

 

This is not a good deal for anyone, except MLB. They are getting from DirecTV alone what everyone paid them last year. People aren't going to switch to DirecTV. They'll order MLB.TV. That's probably what I'll end up doing.

[Abe Frohman]

If you are mad at DirecTV, then you are not realizing that this is MLB's work. Be mad at MLB and it's brass.

 

I will be switching to DirecTV if DishNetwork doesn't drop the cash to get the package. I hate to do it, but that's how I roll. I want the EI package.

[Garwilly]

You may think it sucks, thanks for the input. Excuse me while I go order my baseball package. Enjoy taking you stance.

 

Selfishness is becoming the norm in this country. It's quite sad.

 

One day when your car is sitting on the side of the road all broken down, someone will drive by without stopping and say, "should have bought a car that runs. Enjoy your walk, dude."

 

Same attitude. Different day.

 

Should have bought a TV service that works.

[BigbadB]

I'm curious how much more expensive the baseball package will be on DirecTV with the exclusivity agreement. Maybe not this year, but soon enough they might feel the power to make people pay double what they pay now.

[BigbadB]

Should have bought a TV service that works.

 

And the hits just keep on coming. Your compassion is awe inspiring. :roll:

[Garwilly]

Should have bought a TV service that works.

 

And the hits just keep on coming. Your compassion is awe inspiring. :roll:

 

I was playing on your comparison. Clearly a difficult leap to make.

 

 

Edit: And sense you're playing the idiot card: :roll: for you too.

[Illini Iceman]

You may think it sucks, thanks for the input. Excuse me while I go order my baseball package. Enjoy taking you stance.

 

Selfishness is becoming the norm in this country. It's quite sad.

 

One day when your car is sitting on the side of the road all broken down, someone will drive by without stopping and say, "should have bought a car that runs. Enjoy your walk, dude."

 

Same attitude. Different day.

 

Should have bought a TV service that works.

 

I am missing your point. Why does it make you feel better or worse if the company you are with has the exclusive rights or not? How does DirectTV having the rights and cable and DishNetwork not having them make your life any better?

 

If Verizon was making an exclusive deal to carry EI and I was still getting it I would not be getting any joy out of other people now being forced to switch to Verizon or not get EI. Why would you want other Cubs fans to not be able to see the games unless they switch to DirectTV? Is there now one thing in your life you have been a success at - you picked the right broadcast provider and all the other losers that went with cable or DishNetwork now have to switch or be SOL?

 

Good for you - your mother must be so proud.