Remember those last-minute negotiations between the cable companies and Major League Baseball we talked about yesterday? Turns out they're not so "last minute" at all -- MLB has done away with the deadline they set, which, if you read between the lines, suggests progress is being made toward preventing 'Extra Innings' from being exclusive to DirecTV. From The Biz of Baseball:MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy said late yesterday, "We will continue discussions until we reach a deal or it becomes apparent we cannot."I'm happy with the development, but Sen. John Kerry is getting impatient. In an official statement released yesterday, Kerry said:
"It is opening day. The baseball season has begun and we're still waiting for the business guys to get the show on the road and meet their obligation to the fans. Many fans are now denied access to their favorite team because executives haven't resolved relatively minor business differences. That is wrong. I want to see an agreement that is good for fans and consumers. The parties must push ahead with discussions and must not abandon baseball's greatest fans, who have been thrown a curveball."A "curveball?" If he's going to grandstand, I wish he'd at least spare us the metaphors.
Previously on FanHouse:
Last-Minute 'Extra Innings' Negotiations Continue
Congress' DirecTV Plea Falls on Deaf Ears
Cable Companies' Offer for 'Extra Innings' Falls Short
Cox Offers Free MLB.tv to Past 'Extra Innings' Subscribers
MLB's 'Extra Innings' Deal Isn't Exclusive to DirecTV ... Yet
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-03-2007 @ 11:50AM
Fornelli said...
Here's what's going to happen.
Right now MLB is offering the free 5-day trial to MLBTV. After the free trial is over, and everybody pays for the service, MLB will decide it's ok for the cable companies to carry the Extra Innings package.
I can feel it.
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4-03-2007 @ 1:02PM
Sportz Assassin said...
Good thing I have DirecTV [and the Extra Innings package] already. Now, I just sit back and let these guys fight it out.
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4-04-2007 @ 10:25AM
laur said...
PHEW! We ALSO have Direct TV so let ComCRAP, Cox & whomever else argue. Everything hinges on "the bottom line" AKA: $$$$$$$ . This breath of air is being sponsored by....ENOUGH ALREADY! We HAD ComCRAP, but they did'nt want to cut us a deal, so we dropped them & got Direct TV & NO, our Dish does NOT go out every 5 minutes like the Cable suggests. We were paying a ton for NO Channels. It was a crok of bull. Comcrap butted in not too long ago & seems like they took over the market & there IS a monopoly. Folks! Go to:
www.wewantchoice.com & let them know that you WANT compitition in Illinois! Comcrap ads are all over the air, on billboards &, well, I think I expressed how I feel about them. We will watch our MLB in HD & try to ignore Comcrap's complaints. PS: their CS stinks! Direct TV's is pleasant. At least they treat us like we're WANTED!
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