Explaining digital tiers

In your Feb. 2 issue, you published a letter from a reader in Illinois expressing confusion over not receiving MLB Network as part of his cable package.

This reader has the “Digital Starter” package on Comcast, which does not fall under the umbrella of a traditional “digital basic, expanded basic or the equivalent” that we have consistently used to describe the approximately 50 million homes that receive MLB Network. Many cable providers, including Comcast, in an effort to help transition their analog customers over to digital service, offer a level of service (such as Comcast’s “Digital Starter” package) that provides a digital cable box but does not significantly add the many new digital networks that make up “digital basic” programming packages that customers have come to expect. Essentially, “Digital Starter” customers still have analog cable with a few added features, with the packages including mostly traditional, well-established cable networks. At this time many new popular digital programming channels, including MLB Network, are typically not part of these starter packages.

In the case of the reader in Illinois, the “Digital Starter” package is still only the analog expanded basic level of service despite the name, therefore MLB Network first appears at the next level up, the “Digital Classic” package. This is the package that falls under our umbrella of “digital basic, expanded basic or the equivalent.”

Every cable, satellite and telco provider has different names for its various levels of service, and which they consider to be “digital basic, expanded basic or the equivalent,” and we have made every effort to be as consistent as possible with how we describe where fans can see MLB Network.

We are very proud of the unprecedented debut of MLB Network, which launched on Jan. 1 in approximately 50 million homes as the largest launch in cable history, exceeding the previous high by 20 million. Each member of those approximately 50 million homes can currently enjoy MLB Network’s array of live games, original programming, highlights, classic games and baseball coverage. I hope this clears up any confusion that might exist.

 Matt Bourne
New York City

Bourne is vice president, business public relations, Major League Baseball.