http://www.sbnation.com/users/08%20Cubs Posts made by 08 Cubs on SB Nation http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2007/3/8/18340/80168 08 Cubs Thu, 08 Mar 2007 23:03:40 -0000 <p>MLB has finally &nbsp;announced their agreement with DirectTV. &nbsp;<a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070308&amp;content_id=1833910&amp;vkey=pr_mlb&amp;fext=.jsp&amp;c_id=mlb">Click here</a></p><p>The deal is for 7 years. &nbsp;The good news is that it is not an exclusive deal, yet.</p> Additionally, in keeping with MLB's desire to provide as much MLB programming to as many baseball fans as possible, MLB and DIRECTV have agreed to include a provision that allows MLB EXTRA INNINGS to be offered to other incumbents - In Demand and DISH Network - at consistent rates and carriage requirements with a deal to be concluded before the baseball season begins. The provision also requires the incumbents to agree to carriage rights to the MLB Channel proportionally equivalent to DIRECTV's commitment. Should the incumbents decide not to match DIRECTV's commitment, the MLB EXTRA INNINGS package will be exclusive to DIRECTV. All out of market games continue to be available on MLB.com. <p>Those of us who don't want/can't get DirectTV will have to keep waiting to see if we can get Extra Innings.</p><p>I wonder how difficult it will be for InDemand and Dish Network to match DirectTv's agreement. &nbsp;I sure hope they do!</p>