Carey Swings Back at Extra Innings Critics
DirecTV CEO Defends Proposed Deal for MLB Out-of-Market Package
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 3/2/2007 12:16:00 PM
DirecTV CEO Chase Carey took some big cuts at criticism over the direct-broadcast satellite provider’s seven-year, $700 million bid to acquire exclusive rights to Major League Baseball’s Extra Innings out-of-market package.
Carey, in a letter addressed to Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau chief Monica Shah Desai, wrote that DirecTV, as it has with the NFL Sunday Ticket and NASCAR HOTPASS packages, would offer a better product to consumers with more content and features, notably being offered in HD and with Strike Zone channel offering live cut-ins to other games, as well as scores and statistics.
He noted that if “our experience with NASCAR HOTPASS is any indicator, more people will choose to subscribe to Extra Innings on DirecTV alone than when the product was available on cable nationwide.”
The DirecTV chief also claimed that “no one would be denied access” to the out-of-market games because those consumers switching from cable to the DBS leader will be outfitted with free equipment and installation. He added that the 5,000 people who could not receive Extra Innings will have access to the games via MLB.com.
The exclusive pitch for the package -- which has been characterized by a number of reports as being all but a done deal -- has drawn the ire of TV columnists, bloggers, sports fans and some clubs, not to mention In Demand and EchoStar Communications’ Dish Network, both of which would be shut out should MLB approve DirecTV’s proposal.
Carey also pointed out that while DirecTV would carry The Baseball Channel, which the league plans to launch in 2009, as part of the proposed Extra Innings pact, it would not have exclusive rights to the service -- another bone of contention among critics.
Carey’s letter also placed the number of non-DirecTV Extra Innings subscribers at 230,000. Published reports have estimated DirecTV’s Extra Innings roster at 270,000-300,000.
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My father, whose 85 years old and LOVES baseball, expected to have the MLB package via his cable this season. He does NOT have a computer to watch on MLB.com, nor is he allowed to have a satellite dish in his condo building. Thanks MLB.
It's all about greed...
Christine Lisi - 3/6/2007 3:09:00 PM EST -
While I generally agree with Eric, his anger might also be focused on the political environment that loves no-bid contracts and has rebuilt the trusts that Teddy Roosevelt busted.
Monopolies and this adminsistration make great teammates.
George Giacoppe - 3/5/2007 3:37:00 PM EST -
Yet another ridiculous move by a professional sports league that has a monopoly.
The NFL put it''s football package on Directv only. They also gave exclusive rights to NFL video games to EA Sports, cutting out all competing NFL football video game makers such as Sega.
Now baseball is screwing a lot of fans by selling out to Directv. I have bought the MLB Extra Innings package for the past 4 years. It is the only way possible I can follow my team.
There is no chance in hell I will switch to Directv. With five TVs requiring service in my home, the lease equipment fee would be $20 or $20 alone.
Also, you do not own the receivers Directv gives you. Even if you go buy one at Best Buy for a couple hundred dollars, you have to turn it in to Directv when you cancel service with them. Oh, and in the first place, you have to committ to 2 years of service to even buy a receiver at a store. If you don''t activate, you pay a few hundred dollars in penalties.
I am flip sopping hand popping mad at MLB for limiting the fan''s ability to watch baseball.
Hey Congress, maybe it is time to remove those ridiculous anti-trust exemptions that benefit MLB so much.
Eric von Ripp - 3/2/2007 8:25:00 PM EST
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