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Major League Baseball International Reaches Asia, Europe and Latin America with Intelsat
September 9, 2008
PEMBROKE, Bermuda, Sep 09, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Intelsat, Ltd., the world's leading provider of commercial satellite services, announced that Major League Baseball International (MLBI) signed a contract for international distribution to its rightsholders in Asia, Europe and Latin America, providing local viewing access to games and highlights of the upcoming season.
Standard and high definition feeds of the League's games will be transmitted into Asia, Europe and Latin America using five Intelsat satellites. Intelsat will pick up the signals via its major video switch interconnects, transport the programming to its teleport facility in Ellenwood, Georgia, and uplink the games to the Intelsat satellites for transmission to the broadcast receive sites in Asia, Europe and Latin America. In addition to regular season games, this contract also calls for transmission of The American League Championship Series, the World Series and The World Baseball Classic in March 2009.
"Major League Baseball enjoys an avid fan base around the world, and we are continually seeking ways to increase the profile of the franchise. As we continue to increase our distribution, we chose Intelsat because it offered us a seamless, one-platform solution for our international broadcasting needs," said Russell Gabay, Vice President and Executive Producer, International Broadcasting. "The Intelsat satellites provide coverage and access to video neighborhoods that help us expand distribution of our programs."
"The ability to continue and expand upon our existing relationship for global content distribution with Major League Baseball International is a testament to Intelsat's industry strength in providing our customers worldwide transmission services for in-demand content," said Ronald Rosenthal, Intelsat's Regional Vice President, Broadcast Solutions. "The Intelsat global network affords our customers a one-stop-shop for both standard and high definition services ultimately resulting in further global penetration of their product."
Intelsat will be exhibiting in Hall 1, Stand C71 at IBC 2008, the international tradeshow for professionals involved in the creation, management and delivery of content for the broadcasting industry, which is being held at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam on 12-16 September.
About MLB International
Major League Baseball International (MLBI) focuses on the worldwide growth of baseball and the promotion of Major League Baseball and MLB Club trademarks and copyrights through special events, broadcasting, market development, licensing and sponsorship initiatives. MLBI is committed to showcasing the world's best baseball talent through international events around the globe. Broadcast in 229 countries and territories, Major League Baseball game telecasts are re-transmitted in 13 different languages. MLBI executes and supports game development programs targeting players and coaches from grassroots to elite levels. With an extensive list of marketing partners worldwide, MLBI continues to grow its position as a leader in the international marketplace. MLBI is supported in its mission through presences in Beijing, New York, London, Sydney and Tokyo.
About Intelsat
Intelsat is the leading provider of fixed satellite services (FSS) worldwide, delivering information and entertainment for many of the world's leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat's satellite, teleport and fiber infrastructure is unmatched in the industry, setting the standard for advanced transmissions of video, data and voice services. With the globalization of content, broadband, telecom, HD and IPTV fueling next-generation growth, the ever-expanding universe of satellite communications is the cornerstone of today's Intelsat. Real-time, advanced communications with people anywhere in the world is closer, by far.
Intelsat Safe Harbor Statement: Some of the statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. The forward-looking statements made in this release reflect Intelsat's intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, including known and unknown risks. Detailed information about some of the known risks is included in Intelsat's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 2007 and Intelsat's other periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Because actual results could differ materially from Intelsat's intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news release with caution. Intelsat does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Angels geared up to clinch Clubhouse filled with anticipation with AL West title looming
By Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com
September 9. 2008
ANAHEIM -- With the possibility of the Angels' clinching the American League West on Tuesday, the clubhouse had to be prepared for a postgame celebration with crates of champagne being delivered to the stadium.
But Angels manager Mike Scioscia still maintained that he didn't know that the Angels' magic number was down to two and that they can clinch with a win and a Rangers loss.
"I don't even know how close we are to clinching," Scioscia said. "[If there's champagne] that's a good sign."
The clubhouse was divided between players who were openly excited about the possibility of clinching tonight and others who treated the situation similar to Scioscia.
Chone Figgins was one of those who sided more with his manager as he didn't want to talk about clinching just yet.
"You've got to ask me that when it happens," said Figgins with a smile. "It hasn't happened so it's not reality."
But others such as John Lackey, Jered Weaver and Torii Hunter were a little more excited and open about the possibility of clinching.
On Monday, Hunter said he "couldn't wait" to clinch and Weaver called it a "great opportunity to clinch this early."
Lackey pointed out that the large lead in the standings is misleading because it makes it look like the Angels had it easy this season when in fact many thought the Mariners would win the division before the season.
"Most of you guys picked us not to win it," Lackey said. "It must be a pretty big deal if we weren't picked to win it."
Scioscia agreed with his ace's comments about the Angels' tough journey, especially with injuries throughout the season to players such as Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick.
"I think some people have the tendency to minimize the difficulty of the schedule and the demands of the schedule," Scioscia said. "It was never easy."
But the large lead can make the rest of the way a little easier for the Angels as they can give their players needed rest down the stretch.
"This big of a lead is not going to be a negative," Lackey said. "It's going to be a positive. It gives us a chance to get some guys some rest and then we can get some playing a week or two before so we can get in a groove and not rusty once they start to count."
When the Angels clinch it will mark their fourth division title in the last five years. But the one drawback is that none of those division title winners have reached the World Series as it was the 2002 Wild Card winning team that eventually won the franchise's lone World Series title.
But that's the team that Lackey said the close-knit 2008 Angels most resemble.
"I would say as far as clubhouse vibe I'd compare it to the '02 team," said Lackey, who won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. "We've got a fun clubhouse but once we get on the field we handle business and play well together. Honestly, I'd say we're more talented than that team but we'll see how it plays it."
For now, Scioscia just has his team focusing on playing good baseball the rest of the year while anticipating the return of Aybar and Kendrick before season's end.
"I don't think we've seen our whole team out there for any stretches of time that it can be," Scioscia said. "This team has incredible potential still to be realized. I think the opportunity is there for us to be one of the truly special Angels teams since I've been here in nine years.
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