YES Network and CBS 2 Agree to Broadcast Yankees Games

A CBS 2 Press Release:

CBS 2 and YES Network have reached a three-year, exclusive, over-the-air agreement to broadcast New York Yankees games beginning in 2002, it was announced today by Tony Petitti, Vice President and General Manager, WCBS-TV and Leo Hindery, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of YES Network. The agreement begins with the 26-time World Series Champion New York Yankees home opener in April 2002. CBS 2 will broadcast a minimum of 20 contests each season, including the team’s match-ups on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The station’s complete New York Yankees broadcast schedule to be announced at a later date features games with the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants, among other top teams. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“This announcement marks an important day in the history of WCBS-TV,” said Petitti. “It is a privilege to be associated with the New York Yankees, professional sports most famous tradition and team. At the same time, we are excited to be partnering with YES as they launch their newly created network. We look forward to working with YES, and the New York Yankees, well into the 21st century." "YES Network is committed to having an over-the-air broadcast partner for some of its New York Yankees games, and we are thrilled that that partner will be WCBS-TV and its wonderful parent, Viacom,” said Hindery. “We are confident that WCBS-TV will uphold the tradition and legacy of the New York Yankees.”

Added Petitti, “CBS 2 has taken major steps towards its goal of being the leader in the local marketplace. We’ve acquired the most sought-after syndicated programs “Weakest Link,” “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” and “Dr. Phil,” and now we’ve added the New York Yankees. With our primetime growth, a regenerated news division, and the most comprehensive lineup of sports programming, CBS 2 is well on its way to developing vast new audiences and unique sources of revenue for the station.”

New York Yankees games broadcast on CBS 2 will be produced by YES’s executive vice president, production and programming, John Filippelli. The YES Network (Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network, LLC), beginning in March 2002, will offer New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania viewers New York Yankees baseball, sports news and information, entertainment programming and other collegiate and local event coverage to fill out its 24 hour/7 day per week schedule.