When NBC Sports Network unveiled Caught Looking, a new behind-the-scenes show about baseball a few weeks ago, it prompted some speculation that this was a precursor to the network landing a TV deal with Major League Baseball.
Stop speculating, said Jon Miller, president of NBC Sports Network.
“One thing has nothing to do with the other,” Miller said. “We’ve been in conversations to do this show since last November once we saw the success of NFL Turning Point. I know people are going to jump to conclusions. No amount of protesting on my part is going to change those conclusions.
“The fact is, we’re dealing with MLB Productions for this show. They aren’t the same guys who do the broadcast rights.”
I asked Miller if Caught Looking gives NBC Sports Net at least a toe in the door?
“If you really want to look at the toe in the door, you look at our (Comcast Regional Sports Networks) relationships with local teams before you look at this,” Miller said.
Miller knows it is going to cost NBC big money to get a chunk of the MLB package, as evidenced by ESPN’s new deal (8 years, $5.6 billion). It’s no secret the network needs baseball games to upgrade its profile on the sports cable front. Airing NHL games won’t be enough.
For now, Miller continues to say what he has been saying for months.
“We’re always interested in adding new programming,” Miller said.
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Miller is excited about the addition of Caught Looking. The show takes viewers inside a series featuring two teams in the pennant race. Thursday’s episode (9 p.m.) looks at last weekend’s St. Louis-Cincinnati series.
“Baseball is one of the last sports to lift the curtain and let people get inside,” Miller said. “Baseball players live in obscurity until they get to the Majors. A lot of these guys have great stories to tell. Much like (HBO’s Hard Knocks and 24/7), if you get to know these guys better, you tend to root for them more.”
The first two shows helped break the ice with the teams and players, Miller said.
“It’s been very positive,” Miller said. “The players recognize what we’re trying to do. Tampa Bay (featured on last week’s show) really embraced it. The teams have seen the storylines. We respect their confidentiality. It’s not going to be the kind of show where we’re revealing signs. It’s a show that takes you inside the game.”
While NBC Sports Network waits to see if it will get actual games, I asked Miller how important it is for the network to have a baseball presence in Caught Looking?
“Very important,” Miller said. “It gives baseball fans a reason to come over to our network to watch the show.”