MLB, Dish Network Sign Multiyear Renewal That Includes Extra Innings, Strike Zone

MLB and MLBAM have struck a large-scale multiyear renewal with Dish Network that includes the launch of MLB Extra Innings, baseball's linear out-of-market package, on Dish and authenticated access to its digital counterpart, MLB.tv. The deal includes access to MLB Network and MLB Network Strike Zone on Dish Network's online and mobile platforms, and contemplates the distribution of in-market game streaming to Dish subscribers. If MLB is able to secure in-market streaming deals with RSNs holding club deals, the Dish deal provides a path for subscribers to access those games. Dish is the first major distributor to sign a deal with baseball for in-market games on the league's preferred three-platform approach in which games are simultaneously available on TV, through network and distributor outlets, and through MLB.tv. But the Dish-MLBAM announcement notably includes a disclosure that "in-market game streaming would require additional agreements between the parties including Dish, MLBAM, and programmers with local TV rights of MLB games." There is no firm timetable for that to happen. The league's negotiations with RSN groups such as Fox and Comcast are still ongoing but after many months of effort have yet to produce an agreement. And barring some type of now-unforeseen breakthrough, at least some sizable chunk of the '15 season will transpire before a deal is struck. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.