WAPA Television is bringing Major League Baseball to Puerto Rico during the 2010 season.
The broadcast station and its 24-hour dedicated sports channel, WAPA 2, will present a host of MLB regular-season and post-season action during the upcoming season.
WAPA 2 will televise at least two regular-season games per week as well as the Division Series and the League Championship Series. WAPA Television will be the home of two of MLB's other crown jewels: the All-Star Game and the 2010 World Series.
WAPA will announce the full broadcast schedule in the coming weeks.
Terms of the deal, which do not extend to WAPA America, the cable network arm of WAPA Television, were not disclosed.
Puerto Ricans make up the third-largest Hispanic group among the rosters of MLB's players, including such notables as Carlos Beltran (New York Mets), Jorge Posada and Javier Vazquez (New York Yankees), Ivan Rodriguez (Washington Nationals), Mike Lowell (Boston Red Sox), Yadier Molina (St. Louis Cardinals), Alex Rios (Chicago White Sox) and Joel Pineiro (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim).
"Producing some of the sport's most legendary players, Puerto Rico has had a profound impact on Major League Baseball and we're excited to bring MLB to WAPA and WAPA 2 and to highlight the current Puerto Rican players in the Major Leagues," said Jose Ramos, president of WAPA Television, in announcing the deal. "We're proud to offer our viewers the most extensive coverage of the 2010 season on the Island and to offer our advertisers an opportunity to reach the substantial MLB fan base in Puerto Rico."
Noted Paul Archey, MLB senior vice president, International Business Operations: "We are pleased for Major League Baseball games to return to broadcast television in Puerto Rico on the Island's leading broadcast station WAPA, as well as sister network WAPA2. "This deal exemplifies the popularity of baseball across the Island and will provide increased access to telecasts for its many passionate fans."
