MLB Network is about to swing back into action for the second half of the 2012 campaign and its ad hoc scoring channel will get to take some cuts in front of more DBS subscribers this month.
MLB Network Strike Zone will be available to DirecTV and Dish Network as a free preview over the next few weeks. DirecTV will offer a free trial of MLB Network Strike Zone from July 13-19, open to all of its nearly 20 million subscribers, coinciding with their mid-season free trial of the out-of-market MLB Extra Innings package.
For its part, Dish will send MLB Network Strike Zone to the plate for all its subscribers from July 19-31.
Currently, Strike Zone is offered as part of DirecTV's Sports Pack and MLB Extra Innings package, and via Dish's Multi-Sport Pack.
The service provides live look-ins and highlights on Tuesday and Friday nights, when MLB Network is presenting live game action. Although it is akin to NFL RedZone and DirecTV's Red Zone scoring channels for pro football action, the launch of Strike Zone on April 10 of this season stemmed from baseball wanting to do a stand-alone version of MLB Tonight, when MLB Network was in game coverage.
Strike Zone is also carried by Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
An MLB Network spokeswoman says carriage discussions for Strike Zone continue with other potential affiliates, with the hope of adding to its roster before season's end.
