As reported just prior to the MLB Network launch on Jan. 1, and confirmed through our interview with Tony Petitti, the president and CEO of MLB Network, the new 24/7/365 channel dedicated to all things baseball is not currently being distributed in Canada and other international markets.

That may be changing.

The Globe and Mail is reporting that Rogers Cable is looking to carry the channel, but with a slight twist: Canadian-added content. Rogers Communications owns the Toronto Blue Jays. As reported by the Globe and Mail:

Rogers would take programming from MLB Network, add Canadian content, and make the channel, titled Baseball TV, available to distributors.

Rogers Cable would carry it. And so, probably, would other companies. A spokesperson for Bell TV said the satellite company would "look at it very seriously."

The question for MLB fans in Canada is, how soon will the channel be available? "Nothing has stalled," a Rogers spokesperson said somewhat optimistically.

The report mentions that if Rogers were to come to an agreement, they would become a majority owner of Baseball TV. Reached for comment regarding the Rogers deal, MLB Network spokesman Matt Bourne said, “We have had discussions with Rogers about bringing MLB Network to Canada , but at this point, nothing is imminent.” MLB Network declined to discuss details of the negotiations.

Currently, DirecTV, and the cable consortium of iNDemand, which includes Time Warner Cable, Comcast, and Cox Communications, have a minority ownership stake in MLB Network.

(Thanks to BSN staff member, Pete Toms)

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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Comments (8)

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written by Jay Roberts, January 09, 2009

Maury,

Do you know if the MLB Network will cover "all things baseball," or will it be only the Major Leagues?

Thanks.

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written by Fred H, January 09, 2009

This is ridiculous! MLB Network is about baseball, not the United States of America. Why should Canada have their own version? Why Should the Blue Jays have more coverage than any other MLB team? Sounds like a money making scheme to me.

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BSN Network
written by Pete Toms, January 09, 2009

@ Fred H. What you are seeing is the Canadian federal govt's cultural protectionism. The govt won't grant a broadcasting license to a channel that broadcasts US content only. Other example, you can't view ESPN here ( although the Cdn RSNs simulcast some ESPN programming ) or HBO ( although there is "HBO Canada" ). The internet will make these policies obsolete anyway.

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mlb net
written by marc, January 21, 2009

tipical canadian tv no wonder every one misses direct tv

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Cash Grab?
written by JayD, January 24, 2009

So as Fred H. wrote, suggesting it is a money making scheme...how can they then justify giving up on 2009 prior to opening day as both CIto and the Moron JP have already done...saying that fans should be optimistic for 2010.

Can't they just leave it alone and show it as is????? The Jays suck, their management insults fans by doing nothing, and now we get a whole network of it? That totally sucks. Crappy teams should not be guaranteed coverage simply because they are based in Canada

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better than nuttin
written by comegeeez, January 29, 2009

we'll take it especially if it's no extra innings extra money.....I think they're gonna show 2 games per day, but I bet they're gonna cut into games via live feeds....man oh man i hate that kind of interruption...

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Just more MLB please. We have enough Jays coverage.
written by Randy, February 04, 2009

The Canadian sports channels do a fine job covering the Jays, let the MLB Net cover the rest for us. Sure I root for the Jays, but here's a thought for Roger's: NOT ALL CANADIAN BASEBALL FANS ARE STRICTLY JAYS FANS!!! For instance, I love the Cubbies, but will also pull for Toronto because they're always on TV here.
Some variety (in a sport other than hockey) would be nice for a change! Give us the original MLB Net please! I don't here the other 29 baseball cities complaining the MLB Net should be made into their local version... Why? Because I'm sure their local sports channels have things covered fine.

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Canada needs MLB Network!
written by Tyler, February 26, 2009

Let's face it, Canadian television sucks crap. MLB Extra Innings is a great advantage though, however, I do believe we need the MLB Network up here in Canada. We definately need a variety to choose from. But, I have to say, I'm a Chicago Cubs fan. I get my WGN and Extra Innings.

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