MLB Becomes Last Pro Sports League To Launch Network

November 24, 2008 8:45 a.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - Come January 1, baseball fans will be treated to a blast when Major League Baseball launches it own network.

The television specialty channel, owned primarily by MLB, will be seen in around 50 million homes beginning New Year' Day.

With the occasion, MLB would become the last U.S. pro sports league to launch its own network.

The first program to be aired at 6:00 p.m. ET in its initial offering would be "Hot Stove", to be hosted by veteran broadcaster Matt Vasgersian.

The offseason program will feature signings, trades, hirings and firings, but will be relying mostly on archival footage and spring training until the season begins.

Another show scheduled to be aired at 6:00 p.m. ET every evening during the season is MLB Tonight.

Vasgersian will also be tasked to anchor the seven-hour together with another alternate host yet to be named.

MLB Tonight will give viewers highlights, analysis and live look-ins in every game.

Serving as analyst for the said program would be Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter and Joe Magrane.

There is also the possibility that NBC Sports standby Bob Costas could join the network

Costas is reportedly being eyed by the MLBN either as a play-by-play or color man at least one game a week, or as a nightly panelist.

Among the network's new hires is the former anchor of NESN's studio show, Hazel Mae, a favorite among New England sports fans.