Damn! Forget about the war -- I think we're losing the baseball fight.

[beachmom]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5368633,00.html

By Associated Press
February 21, 2007

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Baseball fans who watch the Extra Innings package on cable TV may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

Major League Baseball is close to announcing a $700 million deal that would make DirecTV the exclusive home of the pay service that lets viewers see games outside the markets where they live.

snip

Still, that means 230,000 fans are being kissed off. Major League Baseball is bracing for a wave of complaints if the deal goes through.

"Those are diehard, hardcore fans," the league official said. "Anytime you switch, it’s going to be annoying."

One of those already annoyed is a U.S. senator, John Kerry of Massachusetts. He wants to see the Red Sox while in Washington, D.C.

"A Red Sox fan ought to be able to watch his team without having to switch to DirecTV," Kerry said.

Kerry took the unusual step of asking the Federal Communications Commission to investigate a deal that has not yet been announced.

Regional Comcast spokesmen did not return calls for comment.





So what gives? I'm not a baseball fan, but it kind of looks like the corporate kingpins might win this thing! Where is the justice?

[TayTay]

1. I know. This is awful.

First of all, how is Sen Kerry supposed to exercise his God-given right to watch the Red Sox in DC if they are on restriced access and limited to only one satellite provider? (Depriving a Sox fan of the God-given right to watch a game is cruel and unusual punishment and is defintely prohibited under the Constitution.)

Perhaps DirecTV doesn't need any advocates on the Commerce Committee or anyone to be sympathetic to them when issues related to licenses, bandwith, etc come before the Committee. Funny, you don't often see these big companies burning those bridges.

[beachmom]

2. What ever happened to the all powerful senators who make

cameo appearances in the movies (just watched Pretty Woman for the umpteenth time and there was a powerful senator who made things happen in that film) who affect change, CERTAINLY on what they get to watch on TV, thereby helping all those poor transplants in Florida who ALSO want to watch the Red Sox? Heck, the good senator can handle all the attacks from bullets, RPGs, right wingers, backstabbing Democrats, and snarky reporters, but deprive him of the RED SOX games? Heck, I'm not sure if all the chocolate chip cookies in the world could cure him of such a devastating loss of quality of life.

[TayTay]

3. This is so true.

I have a nephew in Arizona and a brother in DC. They don't have DirectTV. Oh the humanity!

[whometense]

4. Press release

Kerry Gets Promise from FCC to Investigate MLB-DirectTV Deal



FCC Chairman gives Baseball 30 day deadline for report





WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) announced today that he has received a commitment from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a full investigation of a proposed $700 million television deal that could deny many consumers the ability to watch their favorite teams. Under the terms of the proposed deal, Major League Baseball’s “Extra Innings” package would only be available to people with DirectTV – potentially affecting as many as 50 million American viewers by making it hard or even impossible for them to subscribe to the service. Kerry first raised questions about the deal earlier this month, after hearing complaints from many fans who were concerned that they would suffer if the deal went through.



The promise for the investigation came from FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, in a letter to Kerry that was received today.



“This is great news and I appreciate the quick response from Chairman Martin,” Kerry said today. “It’s good to know that he also has concerns about a deal that has the potential to deny choice to so many consumers – all apparently in the interest of a short-term profit for Major League Baseball. I look forward to hearing a full response from the league and from DirectTV, and I remain open to working with them and other colleagues on any and all plans that further options for consumers and make it easier for all of us to enjoy our national pastime.”



In his letter to Kerry, Martin wrote, “I share your concern regarding this proposed deal,” and promised that once the FCC received a full briefing on the deal, it would report on “the implications for consumers and any recommended changes to the law to ameliorate any harms to consumers.”



The FCC response is attached to this email.

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attachment:

[wisteria]

5. Here is more coverage regarding this issue.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/kerryfcc022207.htm


"Kerry says FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has informed him that the agency will report on how the deal would affect consumers after he gets more information from DIRECTV and MLB."