ESPN affils, through a partnership between ESPN and MLB,
will now be able to offer viewers Spanish-language MLB
simulcasts, which will include graphics, commercial, on-air
promotions and player interviews in Spanish. Select MLB
programming will be available for simulcast beginning July
10, with coverage of the All-Star Game's Home Run Derby
(ESPN). ESPN will provide Spanish-language feeds for its
seven remaining "Sunday Night Baseball" telecasts and its
Division Series games (ELEC. MEDIA, 6/29). The HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER's Michele Greppi writes, "Although ESPN did not
identify advertisers who have bought spots, the network said
there had been strong interest from the automotive, packaged-
goods and beer industries." AT&T Broadband has already
agreed to carry the simulcasts in some markets. The feed
will also be available on ESPN2 for free. ESPN Int'l's
Ernesto Jerez will call the games, while Luis Alfredi Alvarez
will be an analyst and ESPN/ESPN Int'l's Alvaro Martin will
report on the games (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/30).
RENEWAL: USA TODAY's Chris Jenkins writes that the NBA
"took a step toward declaring Internet independence"
yesterday with the renewal of its multi-year deal with ESPN
Internet Group for cross-promotion and cross-programming
relationships with NBA.com and WNBA.com. NBA New Media & TV
Ventures President Ed Desser: "Ultimately, you have to be
responsible for your own destiny" (USA TODAY, 6/30).
