MLB Takes Over San Diego Padres’ Television Broadcasts, Increasing Viewership
On May 30, the MLB made a surprising announcement to its senior VP and executive producer of local media, Doug Johnson. He received a call notifying him that MLB would be taking over the San Diego Padres’ television broadcasts as of the next day. This sudden change meant that Johnson had to swiftly introduce himself to and hire all the individuals who previously worked on the Padres’ home games.
However, this takeover had significant benefits for viewers. It ended blackout restrictions and made Padres games accessible to 3.26 million homes, a significant jump from the previous broadcaster, Diamond, which reached only 1.13 million homes. As a result, MLB’s viewership soared by 14% compared to the same period last year.
The transition required MLB to make numerous arrangements in a short amount of time. This included the creation of a graphics package that reflects the Padres’ colors, organizing the crew and truck, setting up transmission and commercial insertion, and ensuring the delivery of the broadcasts to distributors. MLB had been making contingency plans when they realized Diamond might not fulfill its broadcast contracts, and they successfully executed these plans to ensure a smooth transition.
To oversee the first takeover during a road series game, MLB employees, including Johnson, Kendall Burgess, Tim Fryer, and Timothy Bausch, were on-site. A graphics package was created in just two weeks, allowing for a seamless transition. Additionally, arrangements were made with Mobile TV Group to supply production equipment, and broadcast technicians were reassigned to MLB.
The broadcast signal was transmitted to Comcast Technology Solutions in Denver for commercial insertion and distribution to consumers, ensuring that viewers across the country could enjoy the games. As a symbolic move, Padres broadcasters switched to MLB logos, and legendary sportscaster Bob Costas taped an introduction for the new era of Padres television coverage.
Overall, the first MLB broadcast of the Padres games was a success. To celebrate, Doug Johnson and the crew gathered at the renowned Nusr-Et Steakhouse, commemorating the achievement and looking ahead to the bright future of the Padres’ television coverage under MLB.
With MLB taking charge of the San Diego Padres’ television broadcasts, fans can now enjoy their favorite team’s games with improved accessibility and enhanced production quality. The increased viewership is a testament to the successful execution of MLB’s takeover, and the future looks promising for Padres’ coverage on the small screen.
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