• Broadcasting & Cable, Monday, March 5, 2007 11 AM

Signaling that a deal may soon be final, DirecTV has told the federal Communications Commission that a planned exclusive pact with Major League Baseball for out-of-market games could result in "more baseball being available to more fans in a more compelling format."

Likening it to deals such as "Sunday Ticket" and "NASCAR Hotpass," the company says its "Extra Innings" package would result in more content and features, while "no one would be denied access." But to see the programming, consumers will have to switch from cable systems and competing satellite operators to DirecTV.

If they do, they will get free equipment and free installation, the company tells the FCC. It also noted that it had competed with EchoStar and IN Demand for the package, but was the only one to OK terms acceptable to MLB, one being that it will carry MLB's Baseball Channel in the basic tier.

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