Akimbo to Pitch Baseball-over-IP

Akimbo announces it will be offering official Major League Baseball content via its Internet-based video-on-demand service, including condensed games, highlights, and historic games

Just in time for playoffs, Internet media company Akimbo announced yesterday that it will be offering Internet-based video-on-demand baseball, with premium content including condensed games, highlights, and classic historic games. The content will be provided by MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), Major League Baseball’s media and Internet company. According to Akimbo, games will be available for the service in the early morning the day after the games are played.

The Akimbo service delivers selected programming to subscribers using broadband Internet connections as a complement to cable or satellite television services. Currently, subscribers use the $199 Akimbo Player hardware and pay a $9.99/month fee to download and store up to 150 hours of programming, but later this year Akimbo plans to add support for Windows Media Center. Akimbo current offers programming which can’t be found on other services, including independent films and materials centered on hobbies and sports, as well as programming from media partners such as CNN, Cartoon Network, A&E, the BBC, and Turner Classic Movies.

Analysts see the addition of Major League Baseball content to the Akimbo service as a significant step forward, enabling Akimbo to step out of niche programming and into mainstream markets with braoder appeal.