MLB Network to Carry World Baseball Classic

Will be exclusive English-language home of Olympic-style tournament in 2013, 2017

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/24/2012 1:58:00 PM

 MLB Network was announced Tuesday as the exclusive English-language telecast partner for the World Baseball Classic. The league-owned network's rights are for the next two tournaments in 2013 and 2017.

The 2013 version will take place from March 2-19, 2013, and will feature an expanded 28-team field. The WBC was created in 2005 in response to the International Olympic Committee's decision to remove baseball from the list of Summer Olympic events. It is sanctioned by International Baseball Federation and is organized partly by the MLB and MLBPA. The first tournament was held in 2006.

MLB Network will premiere a World Baseball Classic promotional spot during its World Series coverage, which begin Wednesday.

"The World Baseball Classic is the premier international baseball competition and acquiring the exclusive rights to the 2013 and 2017 tournaments continues MLB Network's goal of acquiring premium exclusive content to help grow the network and serve baseball fans," said MLB Network president and CEO Tony Petitti.