MLB Network Radio

MLB Network Radio (formerly MLB Home Plate) is an American sports talk radio station on Sirius XM Radio that features Major League Baseball related talk shows, as well as archives and live reports.

MLB Network Radio
Broadcast areaUnited States
Canada
FrequencyXM 89
SR 209
BrandingMLB Network Radio
Slogan24/7 Major League Baseball Talk
Programming
FormatSports Radio
Ownership
OwnerSirius XM Radio
History
First air date2005
Technical information
ClassSatellite Radio Station
Links
WebsiteMLB Network Radio

MLB Home Plate launched in February 2005, as an incentive to entertain the new listeners who signed up for XM's Major League Baseball deal when the games were not on. MLB Network Radio is carried on XM channel 89, and was added to the "Best of XM" package on Sirius Satellite Radio on December 10, 2008, airing on channel 209.

First season on the air

MLB Home Plate launched at the start of the Major League Baseball season in 2005, ready to entertain the new customers who bought XM to hear their favorite teams. It launched with a full lineup, and several guests immediately. On day one of broadcast, José Canseco made the claim to his former manager turned Home Plate host Kevin Kennedy that Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire took steroids during the 1998 Home Run Chase. XM Satellite Radio even put out a press release about the broadcast.[1] Around launch time, XM announced that they had signed Cal Ripken, Jr. to do a Saturday mid-morning show on Home Plate. The channel was aided throughout the season as XM's subscriber growth prediction exceeded what they expected, with retailers claiming that 15-17% of people who signed up for XM did it for baseball.

The end of the 2005 season was especially active as the satellite company carried both feeds of both teams during the post-season games, and four feeds per world series game (which included a promotion where XM gave out free Roady XTs to all who attended the first World Series 2005 game).

2006 - 2009

At the beginning of MLB's second season on XM Radio, XM Radio Canada decided to add all 14 MLB Play-by-Play channels to their platform. Canada already carried Home Plate, and now they would carry the complete Major League Baseball package barring XM 174 (Spanish broadcasts). In exchange, they would produce channel 179 with some select exclusive content, and make that channel the home for all the Toronto Blue Jays home games. XM Canada also produced interviews for play on the other play-by-play channels when no games were being aired.

In late April 2006, DirecTV removed the MLB Home Plate channel from their lineup. DirecTV wanted to go completely music programming. Talk channel High Voltage was also removed, but put back on the lineup within a week due to fan response. DirecTV also claims that there is a rights issue brewing over the MLB audio broadcasts, but this has been debated. On March 29, 2008, Home Plate was added to XM Radio Online.[2]

2010

On March 26, 2010, it was announced that MLB Home Plate will be rebranded to MLB Network Radio which will simulcast some MLB Network programs such as MLB Tonight and Hot Stove.[3] Their programming was also changed with the rebranding.

2011

Effective May 4, 2011, SiriusXM revamped their entire channel line up. For the first time, MLB Network Radio was moved away from the play by play to channel 89, after six years on channel 175. The Sirius channel was also changed from channel 210 to 209.

Shows
  • The Leadoff Spot

Weekdays 7-10 a.m. ET

Steve Phillips and CJ Nitkowski or Eduardo Perez give listeners a front row seat as a former front office executive and former player discuss and debate baseball’s headline stories, teams and players.

  • Power Alley

Weekdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET

Former General Manager Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin discuss the big baseball news of the day, talk to players and executives from around baseball and take calls.

  • High Heat with Christopher Russo

Weekdays 1-2 p.m. ET

Russo’s MLB Network Show is a fast-paced, one-hour weekday discussion on all 30 MLB clubs featuring interviews with players and club personnel. Russo will be joined by a rotating group of MLB Network analysts including Al Leiter, Bill Ripken, Dan Plesac and more.

  • Inside Pitch

Weekdays 2-6 p.m. ET

Show hosted by Casey Stern and Brad Lidge or Cliff Floyd.

  • MLB Tonight

Weeknights 6-7 p.m. ET

Don’t miss highlights, in-game look-ins and expert analysis from Peter Gammons, Harold Reynolds, Ken Rosenthal, Dan Plesac, Bill Ripken and more.

  • MLB Roundtrip

Weeknights 7-10 p.m. ET or 11 (offseasons) and 10 (or end of the game) until 1 or 2 a.m. ET

MLB Roundtrip recaps the day in baseball. Hear postgame interviews, the day's best highlights, expert analysis and talk. Hosts are Jim Memolo, veteran radio host for WGN-AM and former host of First Pitch (replaced by The Leadoff Spot), with Todd Hollandsworth (Mondays and Tuesdays) and Jeff Joyce, former host for WEEI (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Their co-hosts/analysts are Mike Stanton on Tuesday and Thursday, and Steve Sax on Friday.

  • Remember When

Saturdays 8-10 a.m. ET

Join Ed Randall and Rico Petrocelli for wide-ranging conversations on baseball's rich and fascinating history as they talk with legendary players and personalities. Take a trip with Randall and Petrocelli along the base paths and down Memory Lane when they take your calls each week.

  • Loud Outs

Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET

Former Major Leaguers Ryan Spilborghs and CJ Nitkowski bring their years of MLB and international experience to the airwaves every Saturday. Find out what goes on in clubhouses and dugouts around baseball with these two former players.

  • Minors and Majors with Grant Paulsen

Sundays 8-10 a.m. ET

From the little leagues to the minor and major leagues, Paulsen reviews it all and welcomes callers of all ages.

  • Front Office

Sundays 10-1 a.m. ET

Join Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette as the former General Managers talk about the biggest issues MLB teams.

  • Hot Stove

Baseball offseason

Jeff Rickard, Jeff Joyce, Jim Memolo, Mike Stanton, Brad Lidge and Steve Sax track the latest free agent signings and trades.

  • Home Plate

Weekends following the game

The show previews the night's games, discusses the latest news and reacts to all of the weekend action.

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References
  1. "Jose Canseco claims Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire took steroids during 1998 home run chase" (Press release). XM Satellite Radio. 2005-02-15. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  2. "XM Satellite Radio's MLB Home Plate to Air on XM Radio Online" (Press release). PR Newswirevia xmradio.com. 2008-03-26. Archived from the original on 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-03-29. Starting March 29, MLB Home Plate Channel Will be Available on the Internet for the First Time.
  3. MLB Rebrands XM Radio Channel to MLB Network Radio - Extending television brand, programs to satellite radio service Broadcasting & Cable March 26, 2010
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