MLB returns to InDemand cable

Since this was the very first thing my mother asked me about when I picked my parents up at the airport yesterday, the least I can do is blog about it.

Extra Innings will return to cable television under a seven-year agreement announced Wednesday by Major League Baseball and the In Demand cable group.

The agreement ensures that cable subscribers will have access to out-of-market baseball games, and it also ensures that the new MLB Channel will be available on at least 40 million households when it launches in 2009.

"Our chief goal throughout the process was to ensure that fans would have access to as many baseball games and as much baseball coverage as possible," MLB president Bob DuPuy said. "With this agreement, the MLB Channel will launch with an unprecedented platform."

And there was much rejoicing in Portland, where my folks live. Apparently, both of my siblings who live out there called Mom and Dad first thing in the morning to make sure they'd seen this. I would have, too, but I actually didn't see the sports section yesterday until they were already on the plane to come here. In any event, here's to the art of compromise.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on April 06, 2007 to Baseball