TORONTO – Rogers Communications has launched baseball channel MLB Network as part of an extension of its partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) that also includes an eight-year multiplatform broadcast rights extension with MLB, MLB Advanced Media and Sportsnet through 2021.
MLB Network, the 24-hour network dedicated to all things baseball, launched Wednesday on Rogers’ Ontario-based digital cable systems. It is available on channel 415 to customers who subscribe to its Digital VIP package, and will appear in free preview through the end of April. The channel’s year-round programming includes live games, news, highlights, and analysis.
The new agreement between MLB, MLB Advanced Media and Sportsnet, beginning this year and continuing through the 2021 season, includes multimedia rights for television, online and mobile. As part of the new package, Sportsnet will continue to air nearly 300 MLB games each year, including hundreds of regular season games, plus the MLB All-Star Game, Home Run Derby and the MLB Postseason including the World Series.
“At Rogers, we are committed to providing Canadians access to world-class sports. We live and breathe baseball, and continue to be the multiplatform Blue Jays destination for fans,” said David Purdy, Rogers’ SVP of content, in the announcement. “We are thrilled to launch MLB Network for the first time in Canada; our customers will experience even more premium baseball action and analysis than ever before.”
“Baseball’s popularity throughout Canada continues to grow, and this deal is a reflection of the demand we hear from fans across the country for more baseball content,” said Tim Brosnan, executive vice president of business, Major League Baseball. “In addition to the World Series, Postseason, All-Star Game and hundreds of live regular season games this agreement will bring to Canada, we are particularly pleased that our Canadian fans will finally have access to the 24/7 year-round coverage of the sport that MLB Network provides.”
“Securing distribution in Canada is a landmark moment for MLB Network and we are excited to bring our comprehensive baseball coverage, access and perspective to Rogers digital TV customers,” added Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. “This partnership further expands our reach beyond the United States and helps accomplish our goal of bringing MLB Network to as many fans as possible.”
Sportsnet has been broadcasting MLB games since 2003. The eight-year multiplatform extension with MLB complements its Sportsnet rights package with the Toronto Blue Jays for exclusive Canadian coverage of all Blue Jays games.
