Directv Company

A proposed deal by Major League Baseball that would give its Extra Innings pay package exclusively to DirecTV "is imminent," according to two sources close to the negotiations, and could be announced as soon as today. The deal, in which DirecTV would pay MLB $100 million a year over seven years, has been mired in controversy since it was first reported in January. But with opening day only a few weeks away, there is a growing sense of urgency.

The long-anticipated announcement by Major League Baseball to shift its Extra Innings pay package to DirecTV came Thursday -- but with a twist that one high-ranking cable executive called a "sham." MLB President Bob DuPuy said the seven-year agreement with DirecTV -- first reported in January as an exclusive deal -- includes a new provision that would allow the package to remain on cable television and Dish Network if certain criteria are met. But the window to negotiate closes April 1.

Robert Jacobson, president and chief executive of In Demand, met with baseball executives Friday to discuss a possible deal for cable to carry the Extra Innings out-of-market pay television package, according to a spokeswoman for In Demand. The meeting came one day after Jacobson said conditions set by baseball made it impossible for the In Demand service to offer the package. A key issue is the Baseball Channel, to be launched in 2009.

Baseball fans hoping lawmakers would charge in from the bullpen and save their ability to watch out-of-market games didn't get much relief Tuesday. Senators spent two hours urging Major League Baseball and TV executives not to let the Extra Innings pay package land exclusively on DirecTV's satellite system. But despite congressional brush-back pitches -- warnings of legislation and even the oft-repeated threat to review baseball's anti-trust exemption -- MLB President Bob DuPuy didn't flinch.

DirecTV Group Inc. paid Chief Executive Chase Carey compensation valued at $6.5 million in 2006, the satellite TV broadcaster disclosed. Carey was paid salary of $2.1 million and a bonus of $4 million. He also received perquisites that El Segundo-based DirecTV valued at $325,256.

"Passions" is heading for outer space. OK, not quite outer space. Just that Earth orbit where satellites live. NBC's "Passions" becomes DirecTV's "Passions" this September when the satellite service rescues the daytime drama the peacock network is cutting loose. Can "Days of Our Lives" be far behind?

DirecTV Group Inc. said first-quarter profit rose less than analysts estimated on costs to upgrade subscribers to high-definition programs. Net income rose 43% to $336.4 million, or 27 cents a share, from $235.2 million, or 17 cents, a year earlier, the El Segundo-based company said. Sales rose 15% to $3.91 billion, topping analysts' estimates.

A lawsuit by DirecTV Group Inc., the El Segundo-based satellite television provider, against cable network Lifetime Entertainment Services has been settled. Terms are confidential. DirecTV claimed in its suit that Lifetime reneged on a deal to lure customers from rival satellite TV provider EchoStar Communications Corp.

The Los Angeles Complexity couldn't overcome an opening 5-0 loss in the men's "Dead or Alive" competition Monday night in "Championship Gaming Series" play and ended up losing 24-17 to archrival New York 3D. Huh? DirecTV's inaugural broadcast of a made-for-television e-gaming league at times seemed to be as much game show as athletic event.

Wait a second. Isn't that Sigourney Weaver in her signature role as Lt. Ripley in the movie "Aliens," kicking alien butt while talking about . . . satellite TV service . . . in a new TV commercial? Yep: "All I want to do is kick back and enjoy the DirecTV we just hooked up," Weaver/Ripley says to the camera during a particularly intense woman-vs.-monster action scene. "This," she adds before knocking out the creature, "is going to feel almost as good as when I got rid of cable."