Baseball
MLB strikes extension with Dish Network
US pay-television provider Dish Network has agreed a multi-year extension to its carriage deal with Major League Baseball in an expanded partnership that paves the way for in-market streaming of MLB games in the future.
Major League Baseball shuts MLB Productions division
Major League Baseball has opted to close MLB Productions, the league’s in-house television and video production division, with its operations set to be folded into the remit of its pay-television service MLB Network.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From February 12 to 25
Media rights clips from February 12 to 25
MLB considering investment options for developing MLBAM unit
Major League Baseball is considering spinning off part of MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), its interactive media and internet company, so it can focus on new clients and attract investment.
Diamondbacks confirm ‘game-changing’ rights extension
Major League Baseball team the Arizona Diamondbacks has confirmed a lucrative extension to its local rights deal with regional sports network Fox Sports Arizona.
Eurosport to air Japan-Europe baseball showdown
Pan-European broadcaster Eurosport has secured exclusive rights across the continent to the inaugural Global Baseball Match-Up between Japan and Europe.
MLB’s Diamondbacks land billion-dollar rights deal – report
Major League Baseball team the Arizona Diamondbacks has agreed a billion-dollar extension to its local rights deal with regional sports network Fox Sports Arizona, according to the Arizona Republic.
MLB and Fox in talks to lift streaming blackouts – report
Major League Baseball is in talks with Fox that would result in streamed games from the US network’s regional sports broadcasters provided without blackouts, according to the Forbes website.
BT Sport extends ESPN relationship
BT Sport and sports broadcaster ESPN have signed a seven-year agreement to expand the range of ESPN content available on the platforms of the UK pay-television broadcaster.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From December 11 to January 14
Media rights clips from December 11 to January 14.
Chicago Cubs align local rights deals with new WGN-TV contract
Major League Baseball franchise the Chicago Cubs has signed a new five-year local rights deal with cable-television broadcaster WGN-TV.
Cubs strike local rights deal
WLS-TV/ABC7 Chicago, a local television station owned by the ABC network in the US, has acquired rights to games featuring Major League Baseball franchise the Chicago Cubs.
MEDIA RIGHTS: From November 27 to December 10
Media rights clips from November 27 to December 10
US networks and agencies team up to fight college athletes’ class action suit
US networks CBS, ESPN, Fox and NBC, along with the IMG and WME agencies, have joined forces to apply for the dismissal of a legal action brought by a group of college American football and basketball players, claiming it would mean “chaos” for sports broadcasting.
McGlarry takes top job at MLB Network
Major League Baseball has confirmed the appointment of Rob McGlarry as the new president of its MLB Network pay-television service.
MP & Silva strikes deal for WBSC’s new flagship event
The MP & Silva agency has acquired the exclusive global media and sponsorship rights for the first two editions of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Premier 12 tournament.
Root Sports Houston granted clearance to launch
Satellite-television provider DirecTV and telecommunications company AT&T have been granted permission to launch Root Sports Houston, a new US network that will provide coverage of Houston Astros MLB baseball and Houston Rockets NBA basketball games, according to the Houston Chronicle newspaper.
Court ruling to result in new network for Astros and Rockets games
Houston Astros MLB baseball and Houston Rockets NBA basketball games will be provided to a much wider television audience after a judge approved a bankruptcy reorganisation plan involving the two teams’ local rights-holder, Comcast SportsNet Houston.