Starting April 1st, the YES Network will launch a standalone HD channel offering all New York Yankees home and away games in 1080i high definition.
YES has secured carriage deals with Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cablevision and DirecTV, ensuring that 95 percent of the network’s subscribers will have access to YES HD.
Using a new 1200-square-foot HD control room in its Stamford, CT, headquarters, all studio programs--including pre- and post-game shows, “Yankees Batting Practice Today,” and select “Mike & the Mad Dog” shows--will be in HD.
Beginning in the fall, the network plans to broadcast high-definition coverage New Jersey Nets home and away games.
Last season, about two thirds of Yankee games were presented in HD. YES has the ability to show commercial spots in HD, though it’s uncertain what percentage of advertisers will do so at the channel’s launch. Advertisers such as Sony have shown HD commercials in the past.
New features include in-game “Rival Alerts,” providing updates on the Boston Red Sox, and more in-depth stats and updates on out-of-town MLB games.
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