MLB Network Is On

by soco on Dec 21, 2008 10:51 AM EST Comment 58 comments

I've been waiting for this moment for quite a while, and I'm excited to finally talk about it. I'll do a run down of some basic questions in a bit, but first let me talk about what MLB Network is right now and what I hope it will become. I just tuned in to channel 175 in Cox here in Phoenix and although it's limited programming, they're playing something on the 2004 World Series. From what I understand they had something on the 2005 World series a few days ago. I don't know what the Qwest channel listing is, but the channel is also live on DirectTv.

What is it? MLB Netowrk is baseball's exclusive channel, similar to the other major sports exclusive networks.

When will we see it? Limited programming is up now, with the full slate starting on January 1st. Check your local listings.

How much does it cost? It's free! MLB struck a deal with all the major cable providers and DirectTV to put in on basic cable packages, so all you need to do to get it is turn the channel.

Okay, but what games? The Network is aiming to broadcast a game a week, but there isn't much information on that yet. Hopefully we'll see a roving schedule, and maybe some classic games. Unfortunately many of the first games televised don't have existing tapes anymore so I'm not sure how far back MLB can go. Also, the World Baseball Classic will have games on the Network, and I've heard rumors of foreign games being broadcast occasionally. How cool would that be if in a few years we could watch a weekly Japanese league game?

Does this mean I can avoid ESPN now? Pretty much! Not only will MLB Network show games, but they have a lineup of original programming to rival the World Wide Leader. Launching on January 1st is Hot Stove, covering trade rumors and free agents, as well as shows running down entire baseball seasons, and all-time moments like Don Larsen's perfect game. Additionally, they will be broadcasting Ken Burn's Baseball, which is exciting to me since I've never seen it yet.

Really this a dream come true for baseball fans. We don't have to pay anything to get baseball programming all year long, and additional games throughout the season.

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Awesome

I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I read their planned programming, and saw this: “MLB Tonight: The signature show of MLB Network, which will air Monday thru Saturday from 6pm Eastern until the final MLB game of the night is over. The show will feature live look-ins, updates, highlights, news and analysis.”

Six nights a week, several hours of continuous coverage of what’s going on around the league? Sorry, ESPN, an hour of Baseball Tonight no longer covers it.

Doesn’t look like we’ve got it on our TV yet, unless they’ve put it somewhere dumb, but I’ll just have to keep obsessively checking.

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Dec 21, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not much

to see right now. I watched the 2004 World Series Film twice this morning, and I think it’s pretty much looping all day. January 1st, though, I’m glad I have the day off because I’m going to be glued to the Network.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 21, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone know...

if there will be any kind of internet broadcast for this? Ive only managed to live without cable for the last several years thanks to mlb.tv (which I cannot contain my hatred for) and now XM radio. Im desperate to see the occasional game on tv, no matter how much I like the radio broadcasts.

Otherwise, sounds excellent.

by Counsellmember on Dec 21, 2008 3:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As far as I know

the answer is no. I bet that the Network shows will be intergrated into mlb.tv, at the very least the highlight show. The good thing, though, is that the channel is being included in pretty much every basic cable package because most of the companies have a minority stake in the venture. So if you were to get basic cable again, it should be there. Of course, check with your local provider to verify that.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 21, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And

I want to get XM radio so bad for the baseball.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 21, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It is utterly worth it

XM is awesome. Great content besides the games, which during the season are literally non-stop. I still listen to it almost everyday just for the hot-stove stuff. Of course, then there are some other, “non-baseball” channels as well. I’ll have to try them someday too. :)

by Counsellmember on Dec 22, 2008 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

I wonder if it’ll be available online?

I’d be more excited about this is MLB hadn’t already been running several awesome online based talk shows for years which were then suddenly cut at the start of last year (though the launch of this network probably explains why!)

If the quality is anything like what used to be on the MLB Radio and MLB TV networks then it’ll be an awesome channel to watch :)

Anybody want to give me a job? :)

http://www.wimbles.wordpress.com

by Wimb on Dec 21, 2008 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Can't locate in on Cox as yet

I could have sworn I saw it available in the Ch.950+ range, but it’s not there now. Presume it’ll show up shortly – the Cox website doesn’t mention it, but the list there dates back to June and still has stuff like Mojo on it.

Programming of interest early next year…
Jan. 13-Nine Innings From Ground Zero
Jan. 22-The 2001 Season
Jan. 23-2001 World Series Highlights

by Jim McLennan on Dec 21, 2008 3:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

And just to confirm

There is no Channel 175 on our box.

by Jim McLennan on Dec 21, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Weird

I went to the Cox website and found it there first, and then checked on the TV. I have the HD digital set-up?

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 21, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It showed up last night

Although, as noted elsewhere, without any significant content. It certainly looks like a significant improvement over ESPN, which will no doubt continue to waste time covering [shudder] other sports like the NFL and NBA.

by Jim McLennan on Dec 26, 2008 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you want to call

what they do as ‘covering’…..

Heck, they could do without the sound on this and it would still be a marked improvement over ESPN.

If you make every game a life-and-death thing, you're going to have problems. You'll be dead a lot.

by unnamedDBacksfan on Dec 26, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For much the same reason,

I prefer NFL Network’s broadcasts of NFL games over Fox or CBS or ESPN’s MNF. The production values are much lower but the NFLN team actually does real analysis, rather than just sitting there stating the obvious and plugging the “stars”, the way the major networks do.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 26, 2008 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

I love watching the replays on NFL network, where they trim out most everything that isn’t a play. A game in an hour and a half, awesome.

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Dec 26, 2008 11:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I’m a fan too — NFL Replay is awesome. It’s best for either seeing games that weren’t locally available, or games where your team won that you just want to see again.

Unfortunately, the Redskins haven’t won many games lately. :-(

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 27, 2008 3:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope they will show more than then one game a week, If they show like 3 a week with all the teams good or bad getting equal air time. I dont believe that will hurt the sales of MLB xtra innings.

I won the powerball, and quite that stupid job at the bank.

by jaydubsped on Dec 22, 2008 4:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe

at least for now, they are only showing 26 live games this year (not including WBC).

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 7:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

When someone said at the top they were showing “one game a week” I thought that meant until the 09 season started. Not that Im complaining (well, I guess I am complaining) but why would the “MLB Network” not get like oodles of games?

by Counsellmember on Dec 22, 2008 10:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well

they will be showing older games (with in the first week they’ll be replaying the 2007 World Series in its entirety) but I don’t know why they aren’t going to be showing more live. Probably because they don’t want to undercut their EI service, but other than that I have no clue.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody know the channel on DirecTV?

Last time I browsed through, I couldn’t find it, and a Google search isn’t helping…

by snakecharmer on Dec 22, 2008 3:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I recall reading something that said it’d be on… 213, I think?

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Dec 22, 2008 3:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, 213

Source

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Dec 22, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mystery solved!

I can’t believe Mr. McGrunk was the ghost all along.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He would have gotten away with it,

if it weren’t for you lousy kids….

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 22, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome, thanks :)

I figured it would be up in that area. It’s not available yet, understandably. I’ll be sure to add it next week!

by snakecharmer on Dec 22, 2008 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't find it either

I don’t think they’ve announced it yet.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Master List

(of who will and won’t be carrying the Network, via White Sox Interactive, who got it from Sports Business Journal)

(source: The Sports Business Journal)

WILL CARRY

• ATMC
• Blue Ridge Communications (Pencor Svc)
• Bresnan Comm.
• Bright House
• Buckeye Cablevision Inc. (owner: Block Communications Inc., a.k.a. Toledo Blade)
• Burlington Telecom
• Cablevision
• CATV Service Inc.
• CCS Inc.
• Charter Communications
• Comcast
• CoMPAS
• Cox
• Davidson Cable TV Company
• DirecTV
• EATEL
• Home Town Cable TV, LLC
• Horry Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (HTC)
• Jackson Energy Authority
• Massillon Cable
• MetroCast
• MidContinent
• Mid-Hudson Cablevision, Inc.
• Monmouth Independence Networks (MINET)
• OpenBand Multimedia
• Patriot Media
• Phonoscope
• Qwest Broadband Services, Inc.
• RCN
• SELCO (Shrewsbury)
• Service Electric Cable TV and Comm. Inc
• Service Electric Cable TV of NJ
• Service Electric Cablevision, Inc
• Southern Coastal Cable Communications, LLC
Verzion FIOS
• Time Warner Cable
• Zito Media, L.P.

NOT CARRYING

• Adams CATV
• Antietam Cable
• Armstrong
• Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC
• Baja Broadband (formerly Orange Broadband)
• Braintree Electric Light (BELD)
• Bristol Virginia Utilities
• Buford Cable
• Cable Co-Op Inc.
• Cable One
• Columbia Power and Water
• Dalton Utilities
• EchoStar-DISH Network
• EnTouch Systems
• Everest Connections
• Full Channel TV
• Grande Communications
• Insight
• Knology
• Marco Cable (Great Lakes DSB)
• Mediacom
• New Wave Communications
• NCTC
• Suddenlink Communications
• Vision
• Vista Media
• Wave Broadband (formerly Starstream Comm)
• WOW

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Add

DISH network to the “not carrying” list, at least for now. To clarify, the Network is tied to the Extra Innings package.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering

why DN wasn’t on the list.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 22, 2008 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It is.

"That's a cop-out, and you know it, and it breaks my heart into a thousand pieces that we ain't gonna save America with your blog today."

by kishi on Dec 22, 2008 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it is

as its full name “EchoStar-DISH Network.” I missed it the first time, but I figured the clarification would work both ways.

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah.

That’s what I get for only briefly skimming over the list.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 23, 2008 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is totally

making me want to watch baseball. When is opening day again?

We're having a renaissance, so stick around.

by mrssoco on Dec 22, 2008 8:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yesterday

You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.

by soco on Dec 22, 2008 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

YOU ARE A JERKFACE

AND YOU DO JERKY FACE THINGS.

I also blame you, at one point I didn’t follow baseball at all. Now I am in withdrawals. Where are my hot men? Where is my basball boyfriend?

We're having a renaissance, so stick around.

by mrssoco on Dec 22, 2008 8:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well....

since CoJack isn’t playing baseball at the moment, he’s probably got a lot of free time on his hands……

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 23, 2008 9:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

will not make joke about what he could do with his hands will not make joke about what he can do with his hands

Really? That is interesting. I am sure he could show me the finer points of … um. Baseball. Or stuff.

That Greenie is SO HOT right now.

by mrssoco on Dec 24, 2008 1:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

I’ll bet he could teach you some things with his hands; show you how to hold the bat properly, and all that.

Ceci n'est pas une signature.

by DbacksSkins on Dec 24, 2008 1:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

See...

That large, ticky, county-down thing on the left-hand sidebar?

:-)

by Jim McLennan on Dec 22, 2008 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know I never did learn to read. ;)

Either way, 100 or so days! HECK YEA!

Are you and the missus going to opening day?

That Greenie is SO HOT right now.

by mrssoco on Dec 22, 2008 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To be decided

I’m probably going to take the day off either way.

by Jim McLennan on Dec 22, 2008 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That would be cool

I am trying to needle Timm into going, though SERIOUSLY? The Rockies again? how many times do we have to beat them into submission before they just take their football and go home? ;)

That Greenie is SO HOT right now.

by mrssoco on Dec 24, 2008 1:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs