MLB Network

Thanks in large part to the successful precedent set by the NFL Network, Major League Baseball will unveil its own MLB Network on January 1st at 6PM. According to MLB, "it is free for everyone with cable to watch on TV and now you can find it by using the channel locator" [on the MLB Network website]. MLB also claims it is the "largest network debut in cable history."

What is it? Surely the channel will look different in a year after they test formats and programs (remember when MTV used to show music videos?) but as of now the scheduled programs include "MLB Tonight" (a rip-off of ESPN's Baseball Tonight not only in name, but also talent in the form of announcer Harold Reynolds and producer John Entz), complete broadcast of the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, coverage for each MLB team, former MLB stars, 26 MLB games, and 16 World Baseball Classic games. Also, the award-winning PBS documentary film by Ken Burns aptly titled Baseball will air.

I am very thankful this will come as a free channel that we should not need to beg the cable company to provide (unlike the wrenching launch of the Yes Network). As a serious baseball fan, I will find it comforting to know at any given hour I can turn to a station to catch baseball coverage. As a fantasy baseball enthusiast I also welcome to exclusive devotion to baseball during the season, rather than waiting on other channels for the baseball coverage. It will also be nice to see more rounded coverage of the teams (which 24/7 coverage assures). I expect this channel will keep me interested more nights than most of the other channels.