MUMBAI: US broadcaster Turner Broadcasting System and Major League Baseball have reached an eight-year, media rights extension that will encompass a variety of screens and platforms.

This new agreement builds on MLB?s long-standing relationship with Turner Sports and is highlighted by an extension of TBS?s television rights for the MLB postseason and the addition of co-exist rights for the network?s ?Sunday MLB on TBS? franchise. The agreement also features TV Everywhere rights and expanded digital rights for Turner?s portfolio.

The extended agreement, effective 2014 through 2021, will guarantee a 45-plus year continuous relationship between Turner and MLB, dating back to 1973 when the company began televising MLB games on WTCG (now TBS).

The partnership represents one of the longest-running relationships between a media company and league in the history of televised sports. The current agreement between MLB and Turner, which started in 2007, will conclude following the 2013 season.

Turner Broadcasting president of sales, distribution and sports David Levy said, "Major League Baseball on TBS has been a staple of our programming foundation and the home to so many memorable baseball moments. This agreement reflects our respect for one another?s business and the mutual regard we have with MLB."

MLB Commissioner Allan H Selig said, "I have often said in recent years that we are living in the golden age of baseball and that the game has never been more popular. But to see the unprecedented commitment these networks have made to televising Major League Baseball for years to come is truly amazing. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am thrilled that we will continue our relationships with both Fox and Turner. Both networks are passionate about baseball and are truly committed to covering, promoting and growing the sport, and I want to thank them for their continued support."

In addition to the television rights, the deal encompasses an expansion of Turner?s digital rights across a spectrum of screens and platforms including mobile, web, tablets and connected devices.

The agreement also includes:

? TV Everywhere rights that will allow TBS to simulcast its MLB games and related programming across Turner platforms.
? Increased footage and highlights rights for Turner websites and applications. This includes Bleacher Report, which Turner Sports acquired in August 2012, and its popular Team Stream app.
? Interactive television rights. This includes the rights to create companion and ancillary products related to the TBS broadcast of regular and postseason games.

"This new agreement adds considerable value to our portfolio of offerings. We?re pleased to extend our relationship with the MLB brand across multiple screens to create an even richer baseball experience for our viewers, advertisers and distribution partners," said Levy.

MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting System has acquired San Francisco-based Bleacher Report, one of the fastest growing sports digital properties on the Internet, for an estimated $175 million.

B/R (bleacherreport.com) and its popular mobile offerings will now operate as part of the Turner Sports division, Turner Broadcasting president of sales, distribution and sports David Levy said.

Turner Sports currently manages digital properties on behalf of the NBA, NCAA and PGA, oversees ad sales for NASCAR.COM and has a strategic sales relationship with Yahoo! Sports. B/R will complement a preeminent collection of brands within the Turner Digital portfolio spanning entertainment, sports, kids, news and comedy destinations across broadband, mobile and tablet.

"Bleacher Report is a strategic acquisition that further enhances Turner‘s portfolio of sports offerings, as well as reflects our continuing commitment to bring fans greater content across all screens throughout the entire year," said Levy.

"As brand builders and content providers, we were attracted to Bleacher Report‘s fast growth to a leading marketplace position and a valued consumer destination. The site will continue to innovate and provide users and sports fans with branded news and information. With our expansive digital rights and resources, Turner will further ensure Bleacher Report‘s continued growth and success."

Levy added, "With the acquisition of Bleacher Report, we have added another dimension to our portfolio of digital and mobile properties that will enable us to offer our advertising partners integrated opportunities across all screens and demos that will enhance our ability to monetise sports programming throughout the entire year."

B/R CEO Brian Grey will continue to oversee B/R‘s day-to-day operations out of its San Francisco offices and will report directly to Lenny Daniels, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Turner Sports. Together, Grey and Matt Hong, senior vice president and general manager of operations for Turner Sports, will partner in the overall management and integration of the Bleacher Report operations into the Turner Sports portfolio.

Dave Finocchio, founder and chief content & product officer, Bleacher Report & vice president, Turner Sports; Sam Parnell, chief technology officer, Bleacher Report & vice president, Turner Sports and Rich Calacci, Chief Revenue Officer, Bleacher Report & senior vice president, Turner Digital Ad Sales will all stay on board within their expanded roles.

"Bleacher Report was created to put fans first, and we are excited to integrate our innovative content publishing model and engaging multi-platform consumer digital media experience within Turner Sports‘ world-class television and digital content portfolio," said Brian Grey, in his newly-expanded role as chief executive officer, Bleacher Report & senior vice president, Turner Sports.

"Together the portfolio will define how content creators, consumers and marketers come together around the sports team and topic content experience that fans will consume across every screen."