New MLB Net President & CEO Tony Petitti Prepares To Launch Net
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Petitti Has Extensive To-Do List Leading
Up To January Launch Of MLB Network |
MLB Network is scheduled to launch on January 1, and President & CEO Tony Petitti's "to-do list includes just about everything associated with running a 24/7 television network these days," according to John Ourand in this week's SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Petitti is overseeing "everything from the building of a [HD] production facility in New Jersey to hiring an executive staff to developing a programming strategy." He initially "plans to focus on studio programming, which will make up the bulk of the schedule." Studio shows will air for up to seven hours live each day during the MLB season beginning at 5:00pm ET, with "two hours a day in the offseason." The net will "repeat that studio programming through the overnight/early morning hours, leaving late morning and afternoon for archived games, highlights and taped shows." Petitti plans to "supplement the studio programming with classic games and other programming during the middle of the day." Petitti said that "following the launch of a 'Hot Stove' show on [January 1], MLB Network will roll out a 'high-end archival show,' which will then morph into a regular schedule of taped shows and studio programming." The "taped shows will include everything from high-end documentaries to list-oriented programming to shows based on fantasy baseball." Petitti: "I've got a list of literally 150 shows that could be produced for us that we're going to commission." Ourand notes the net also plans to "pursue rights to non-MLB live programming such as the World Baseball Classic, Arizona Fall League, Caribbean World Series and the Cape Cod League." So far, Petitti has hired former Miss Universe VP/Business Planning Tony Santomauro as Senior VP/Finance & Administration, former ABC/ESPN art director Chris Mallory as Creative Dir, NFL Network's Susan Stone as VP/Operations, ABC's Mark Haden as VP/Engineering, MLB Dir of Advertising & Marketing Mary Beck as Senior VP/Marketing and NFL Net Affiliate Sales VP Art Marquez as Senior VP/Affiliate Sales & Marketing. Petitti's "next step is to hire on-air talent to staff the mix of studio shows and at-game programming" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/21 issue).
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