MLB Reaches Rights Agreements With FOX Sports And TBS

Major League baseball has reached agreements giving FOX Sports exclusive rights to the World Series and All-Star Game and altering Turner Broadcasting System’s deal to include league-wide coverage. Both agreements run through 2013.

FOX’s deal gives them rights to up to 26 regional Saturday baseball games of the week, plus the American League Championship Series in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013, and the National League Championship Series in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

The TBS deal gives them the MLB Division Series Playoff games exclusively beginning in 2007, which is a first for a cable network. Starting in 2008, the network will also carry 26 Sunday afternoon games during the regular season. TBS’ current deal to broadcast Atlanta Braves games will be altered as well, with 70 regular-season games being shown in 2007 and 45 from 2008 to 2013. Additionally, TBS now has the rights to the All-Star Game Selection Show from next year until 2013.