Continuing its push for sports parity with DirecTV Inc., In Demand L.L.C.
reached an agreement with Major League Baseball Wednesday for distribution of
the league's 'MLB Extra Innings' out-of-market package.
Digital-cable operators will be able to offer more than 35 out-of-market
games per week to subscribers beginning this summer, representatives of both
parties said.
The deal, which runs through 2003, gives cable access to three of the four
major sports-league out-of-market pay-per-view packages: baseball, the National
Basketball Association's 'NBA League Pass' and the National Hockey League's 'NHL
Center Ice.'
The industry is still pursuing the National Football League's popular 'NFL
Sunday Ticket,' which DirecTV has distributed exclusively via satellite since
1994.
Sources also said MLB has extended its out-of-market deal with DirecTV
through 2003.
'This agreement underscores In Demand's commitment on behalf of its cable
affiliates to offer the superior programming our customers want,' executive vice
president Rob Jacobson said in a prepared statement.
In Demand will retail the half-season package at $109. The network will offer
a free preview of MLB Extra Innings July 1 through 8.
