In a deal that will increase television coverage of baseball throughout the United Kingdom, Channel 5 and Major League Baseball have agreed to a three-year extension to their current broadcast agreement.

As part of the deal, Channel 5, which already airs up to 16 hours of baseball a week, will add new programming to its in-depth Major League Baseball coverage. A half-hour review show highlighting the best of baseball is expected to begin airing weekly on Sunday nights and at least two 30-minute weekend morning specials are also are planned at key points in the season.

As in past years, Channel 5, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary as the terrestrial broadcaster of the sport, will televise live games in full on Sundays beginning 31 March and on Wednesdays starting in June. Baseball’s biggest events – the All-Star Game, playoffs and World Series – are all shown live and will continue receive the innovative treatment that viewers have come to appreciate from award-winning producers, Sunset + Vine.

Popular presenter Johnny Gould is back in front of the camera for game telecasts, which attracts a million viewers during the World Series. He will be joined by newcomer Josh Chetwynd, who is a member of the Great Britain National Baseball Team and a former professional player.

‘We are incredibly pleased to continue our relationship with Channel 5,’ says Clive Russell, MLB Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. ‘Baseball has seen profound growth in the UK in the past five years and we believe Channel 5’s ongoing partnership is a vital element in continuing that trend.’

‘Major League Baseball has been an integral part of our late-night live sports offering since we launched the channel and we are delighted to have secured another three-year deal four viewers,’ said Robert Charles, Channel 5’s Controller of Sport. ‘The World Series is one of the major events in the sporting world and our exclusive live coverage is a highlight of the sporting calendar on Channel 5.’

The new season kicks-off on Channel 5 this Sunday night when the Cleveland Indians take on the Anaheim Angels.

For further information please contact:
Heidi Kuntze
T: 0207 453 7040
E: heidi.kuntze@mlb.com