DIRECTV is close to landing the exclusive rights to air MLB's 'Extra Innings' package, which includes up to 60 games each week. The satcaster is likely to broadcast many of the games in High-Definition TV as part of its plan to expand high-def coverage.
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However, the proposed deal has sparked protests from lawmakers and media critics who say it would deny cable viewers an opportunity to see the games.
Selig yesterday called that criticism "ridiculous" and characterized the controversy as "slight."
Speaking to reporters before a spring training game in Arizona, the commissioner said cable viewers would still be able to see hundreds of games on networks such as ESPN, TBS, WGN and local channels.
"I've heard for years we have too much product out there," Selig said. "Everywhere I've gone...there's no market that has less than 350 to 400 (games on TV) and some have quite a bit more than that. We have an enormous amount of product out there."
Selig also echoed an argument made by DIRECTV CEO Chase Carey in a recent letter to the Federal Communications Commission. Carey told the FCC that that only 5,000 current (cable and EchoStar) subscribers to the Extra Innings package would not be able to subscribe to DIRECTV.
"As for this deal, what fascinates me is I have spent a lot of time going over it and trying to find out who can't get (DIRECTV)," Selig said.
The commissioner said the DIRECTV deal is "close" to being completed.
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Several publications late Friday reported that the satcaster and the league had reached an exclusive arrangement for DIRECTV to carry Extra Innings.
The reports were based on the seven-page letter DIRECTV's Carey submitted to the FCC that referred to the MLB package as "DIRECTV's agreement."
However, DIRECTV spokesman Robert Mercer told the Associated Press that the letter used the wrong language.
"The letter should have said proposed agreement. There is no agreement as yet," Mercer told the wire service.
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