Major League Baseball announced a deal with Verizon to make the MLB Extra Innings Package, including HD and out-of-market baseball games, available on FiOS TV. The MLB Network, which is set to debut on New Year’s Day, will be available to all FiOS subscribers.
MLB Network will be available to all Verizon FiOS TV customers as part of the Essentials and Extreme HD packages on channel 86, when it debuts January 1, 2009. Verizon also will offer a high-definition simulcast of MLB Network on channel 586. MLB Network, which will air live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, is expected to be available to approximately 50 million homes on TV systems across the country, the largest launch in cable history.
In addition, Verizon and Major League Baseball have entered into a new multi-year agreement to provide the MLB Extra Innings package on FiOS TV, offering baseball fans up to 80 out-of-market Major League Baseball games per week. The two agreements mark the first television arrangements between Major League Baseball and Verizon.
“We are looking forward to launching MLB Network on Verizon FiOS TV, which is the fastest growing television provider in the country,” said Tony Petitti, MLB Network President and CEO.
