MLB on Fox
MLB on Fox (also known as Fox MLB) is an American presentation of Major League Baseball (MLB) games produced by Fox Sports, the sports division of the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox), since June 1, 1996. The broadcaster has aired the World Series in 1996, 1998, and every edition since 2000, and the All-Star Game in 1997, 1999, and every year since 2001. It has also aired the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS) in alternate years from 1996 to 2000 and since 2007, with the NLCS in even years and the ALCS in odd years (the network aired both series from 2001 to 2006).
MLB on Fox
Fox MLB
Fox Saturday Baseball
(Afternoon game telecasts)
Baseball Night in America
(Night game telecasts)
Fox Thursday Night Baseball
(Thursday game telecasts)
NJJ Music (1996–2010; 2020–present)
Jochen Flach (2007–2010)
Scott Schreer (2010–2019)
"MLB on Fox theme music" (1996–2010; 2020–present)
"NFL on Fox theme music" (2010–2019)
NJJ Music (1996–2010; 2020–present)
Pete Calandra (2007-2010)
Jochen Flach (2007–2010)
Scott Schreer (2010–2019)
United States
English
28
1,730+
Michael Weisman (senior producer)
Lindz Rae (lead games)
Various MLB stadiums (game telecasts)
Fox Network Center, Los Angeles, California (studio segments, pregame, and postgame shows)
Bill Webb (lead games)
3 hours (or until game ends)
June 1, 1996 –
present
In 2022, Fox Sports renewed its television rights for regular season games for both the main Fox broadcast network and FS1 through 2028. Fox will air at least two or three games each Saturday as Fox's new contract will ensure more games air on the Fox network. Fox will continue to exclusively broadcast the World Series, All-Star Game and Field of Dreams Game for the life of the contract.
Theme music[edit]
NJJ Music composed[91][92][93] the original MLB on Fox theme music[94][95][96] in 1996. This theme music was used exclusively from June 1996 until early May 2007. In mid-May 2007, an updated version[97] was unveiled, featuring a more jazzy feel and implementing a full orchestra instead of the synth elements used by the 1996 theme, the updated version was composed by Pete Calandra. For the 2007 postseason, a Jochen Flach-composed slow orchestral theme[98] was unveiled, and was used alongside the new orchestral theme for the All-Star Game and postseason from the 2007 ALCS until the 2010 All-Star Game. Fox Saturday Baseball, including the prime time games starting in 2010, still used the 2007 version of the regular theme song exclusively.
During the 2009 season, some Fox Sports regional affiliates switched to the 2007 theme while others continued using the original 1996 theme. However, all regional affiliates began using the 2007 theme starting with the 2011 season.
Beginning with the 2010 postseason,[99] both the 2007 theme and the Flach theme were replaced by the longtime NFL on Fox theme music, which began to be used for all Fox sporting events. However, starting in 2011 and continuing to today, various songs from the album Heroes: The Olympic Collection[100] were used when going into commercial breaks during the All-Star Game, postseason, and other marquee games such as Red Sox-Yankees games.
In 2014, the 2007–2010 jazz theme was brought back for regular season games on MLB on FS1. The NFL theme was retained for MLB on Fox, including Fox Saturday Baseball, Baseball Night in America, the All-Star Game and all coverage of the postseason. However, occasionally one of the two themes was heard on telecasts that were designated for the other, implying that the designations are slightly fluid.
In 2020, MLB on Fox reintroduced the original 1996–2007 theme; Fox Sports regional affiliates continued to use the 2007-2010 theme until the network was rebranded to Bally Sports in 2021. As of the 2021 season, the original theme is now used for coverage of all games across both Fox and FS1.
Criticism[edit]
Scheduling[edit]
Fox Sports has received criticism[101][102] from sports fans for perceived bias[103][104] toward teams in the American League in Major League Baseball (especially the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox).[105] Fox rarely shows teams from outside the top-10 media markets during the regular season.
Other baseball coverage[edit]
Along with their MLB coverage, Fox Sports's baseball coverage also includes the World Baseball Classic,[156] the Congressional Baseball Game,[157] and college softball and baseball from the Big East Conference.[158] In 2019, Fox Sports also aired the Triple-A National Championship Game.[159]