DISH NETWORK'S BASEBALL PACKAGE

This website is a resource to help explain the recent actions by Major League Baseball and the impact on DISH Network customers and other television consumers.

The prospect of DISH Network reaching an agreement with Major League Baseball regarding the Extra Innings package no longer exists. Unfortunately, DISH Network will not be carrying the Extra Innings package for the 2007 baseball season.

What Happened?

DISH Network customers have been able to enjoy out of market baseball with the Extra Innings package for several years. Major League Baseball has decided to strike a deal that prevents America’s pastime from being available on your TV service provider of choice --- disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of baseball fans nationwide.

• Over the past several weeks, DISH Network diligently tried to reach a fair agreement with Major League Baseball to keep the Extra Innings package on DISH Network without having to pass on huge cost increases to customers.

• DISH Network made many concessions and offered numerous solutions, including extending a current agreement until a resolution could be reached. Major League Baseball refused.

• The US Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing and invited DISH Network, Major League Baseball and other industry representatives to testify. The president of DISH Network testified on your behalf and said we needed a fair deal that kept your Extra Innings on DISH. At that hearing, Democratic and Republican leaders urged Major League Baseball to come to an agreement with us so that customers would not lose their Extra Innings games.

• Major League Baseball’s demands are blatantly anti-consumer – and they refuse to budge.

Am I Able to Get Major League Baseball with DISH Network?

Rest assured, DISH Network customers will continue to enjoy access to thousands of major league baseball games per year, including those broadcast on ESPN, Regional Sports Networks and local networks which have broadcast agreements for Major League Baseball carriage. The great news is that you will continue to have access to this programming within your existing programming packages including the playoffs and the World Series.


Can DISH Network customers still get out of market Major League Baseball Games?

DISH Network customers who have high speed internet access have the option of purchasing MLB.TV as an alternative to the MLB Extra Innings package for their baseball viewing needs starting at only $14.95 per month or $89.95 per year. While not the same as TV, the MLB.TV is a service available to consumers allowing them to utilize their computer along with high speed internet connection in order to enjoy every 2007 regular season out-of market game live. In addition, MLB.TV customers will enjoy condensed games, searchable videos, clickable line scores, Baseball Channel & extended highlights.

Again, your access to Major League Baseball games via ESPN, Regional Sports Networks, and local networks that currently carry games will not be affected.