Fox Sports Detroit and Comcast will offer Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball games via video on demand to Comcast digital customers as part of a distribution deal announced Friday.
Fox Sports Detroit becomes the first Fox Sports-owned regional sports network to offer live baseball games on an on-demand basis, and Fox Sports officials said the company will look for other opportunities to offer MLB telecasts in other regions on a VOD basis.
Several Comcast Cable-owned sports regionals offer game telecasts on demand, including SportsNet New York (New York Mets). YES also offers New York Yankees game telecasts on VOD.
"We'll work with our distribution partners and teams on a market-by-market basis," said a Fox Sports spokesman. "However, we have no timetable on additional rollouts."
The Tigers On Demand offering will provide Comcast subscribers with around-the-clock access to the most recent game telecast re-aired in its entirety two hours after the last pitch, according to Fox.
Also included in the package is a selection of baseball memories featuring broadcasting icon Ernie Harwell; the network's Tigers Weekly special on the late Mark Fidrych; and an installment of FSN Basement: All-Star Edition from 2005, featuring lengthy conversations with Tigers legends Al Kaline and George Kell.
Comcast, which serves approximately 70% of the market, is the first MSO to take advantage of the on demand offering, but other systems in the Detroit DMA have the ability to pick up the package.
"Fox Sports Detroit: Tigers On Demand is a great option for busy fans," said Greg Hammaren, senior vice president/general manager, FOX Sports Detroit, in a statement. "Comcast, Fox Sports Detroit and the Tigers have combined to deliver the absolute best content possible in an innovative way to serve fans and the team. Fox Sports Detroit: Tigers On Demand is a prime example of why cable television is such a tremendous value."
