John Kerry has released a letter from FCC chairman Kevin Martin announcing an investigation into a proposed deal that would give DirecTV exclusive rights to broadcast “Extra Innings,” a package which currently allows out-of-market baseball fans to watch their home team via cable or satellite. DirecTV has the exclusive rights to a similar package, “NFL Sunday Ticket.” That deal is not being investigated, sadly.

In his letter, Martin states:

I am concerned whenever consumers cannot purchase the programming they want or are forced to purchase programming they don’t want.

Hopefully this issue will lead to some further investigation of programming deals such as this, “national pastime” or no. —MEGHANN MARCO

FCC Letter (PDF) [John Kerry]

PREVIOUSLY:MLB Extra Innings Going to DirecTV?

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