MLB Network is ramping up its programming slate this season, adding a new afternoon studio show as well as its first talk show.
The talk show is “Intentional Talk” (sounds like “intentional walk,” get it?) and will be hosted by former Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar and Chris Rose at 5 PM ET on weekdays. The show “will focus on the hot topics and events of the day with appearances by special guests from sports, entertainment and pop culture, and an on-screen ticker displaying the latest headlines and feedback on Twitter and Facebook,” according to MLB Network. The show will originate from MLB Network’s Studio 42, as well as from the host’s personal studios via Cisco TelePresence.
There is also a new afternoon studio show “The Rundown,” hosted by Hazel Mae and Matt Yallof. The show will give updates on games underway, as well as previews of that evening’s games. It will also feature live look-ins to batting practice and games in progress.
More information, after the jump.
APRIL ON MLB NETWORK FEATUREs 30 LIVE GAMES & A NEW STUDIO TALK SHOW WITH KEVIN MILLAR AND CHRIS ROSE
Millar and Rose to Headline MLB Network’s First-Ever Talk Show Intentional Talk
Live Afternoon Studio Show The Rundown to launch on Friday, April 1 with hosts Hazel Mae and Matt Yallof
30 Games, 30 Clubs, 30 Days Schedule Begins Friday, April 1
Secaucus, N.J., March 23, 2011 – To mark the approach of Opening Day on March 31, MLB Network today announced its 2011 regular season programming lineup, including the return of 30 Games, 30 Clubs, 30 Days and the premieres of MLB Network’s first-ever talk show Intentional Talk and live afternoon studio show The Rundown.
On Monday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m. ET, MLB Network will debut Intentional Talk, an open forum hosted by MLB Network’s Kevin Millar and Chris Rose, where everyone and everything are the subject of discussion and opinion. 2004 World Series champion Millar and longtime MLB broadcaster Rose will focus on the hot topics and events of the day with appearances by special guests from sports, entertainment and pop culture, and an on-screen ticker displaying the latest headlines and feedback on Twitter and Facebook.
Featuring the song “How You Like Me Now?” by the UK-based band The Heavy, off their album The House That Dirt Built on Counter Records/+1 Records as its theme, Intentional Talk will air live on MLB Network and simulcast on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM Radio weekdays at 5:00 p.m. ET. Based initially in MLB Network’s Studio 42, Intentional Talk will regularly air live from Millar’s and Rose’s remote personal studios connected by Cisco TelePresence, a life-sized, HD video collaboration system.
Hosted by MLB Network’s Hazel Mae and Matt Yallof, The Rundown is MLB Network’s live afternoon review and preview of all that’s happening each day in baseball with behind-the-scenes access at batting practice, highlights and live look-ins at games in progress, and the latest news updates. Airing on weekdays from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET, The Rundown will premiere on Friday, April 1 to recap all the action of Opening Day and continue coverage of Opening Week. The theme song for The Rundown will be the instrumental version of “Stay Too Long” by UK artist Plan B off his upcoming U.S. release this April on Atlantic Records.
With the premieres of Intentional Talk and The Rundown, MLB Network’s regular season lineup now includes 15 more live hours of weekly studio programming, in addition to MLB Tonight, MLB Network’s signature live studio show during the regular season, Quick Pitch, MLB Network’s daily highlights show of record and MLB.com’s Fantasy 411. MLB Network’s programming lineup is available here.
30 Games, 30 Clubs, 30 Days, a package of 30 live games featuring all 30 Clubs in the month of April, begins on Friday, April 1 with an AL West matchup between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics at 10:00 p.m. ET, live from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez is scheduled to start for the Mariners against the A’s in the 2011 opening game for both teams. Viewers in select markets will see a matchup between the 2010 World Series champion San Francisco Giants and NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers live at 10:00 p.m. ET from Dodger Stadium. MLB Network will take its game production on the road for the first time in 2011 when the New York Yankees visit the Boston Red Sox on Friday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET with MLB Network’s Bob Costas and Jim Kaat calling the game live from Fenway Park.
The complete 30 Games, 30 Clubs, 30 Days schedule is available here. Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory unless otherwise announced. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming.
MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, featuring live games, original programming, highlights, and insights and analysis from the best in the business, including Bob Costas, Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter and Peter Gammons. MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest launch in cable television history and is currently distributed in approximately 57 million cable, telco TV and satellite homes throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to www.mlbnetwork.com.