Sadly, the rumours have been confirmed. After over a decade of bringing us insightful and entertaining coverage of MLB, Five have decided to drop the ‘Baseball on Five’ show for the 2009 season.  The news is made worse for British baseball fans as no other free-to-air channel has picked up the rights (as yet).
The chances of being able to watch the Braves-Phillies game next Sunday if you don’t have an ESPN America or MLB.tv subscription appear slim.   Â
While many of us were basically resigned to the news, that didn’t make it any easier to read Jonny Gould’s message to the FantasyBaseballUK players:
Welcome Fellow-Baseball Nuts……. God I’m going to miss saying that.
I’m sure most of you have heard the rumours. Five TV have ended their association with our beloved sport, or at least they have not committed to another season of Baseball on 5 every Wednesday and Sunday night. The rumours have been many and mixed, and I’m sorry that I’m not in a position to fully clarify the situation for you. What I can tell you is that if this is the end, it has been one hell of a ride. Understandably many of our hardcore viewers are pretty pissed off with Five, but rememeber they have made a 12-year committent and for that alone we should all be very grateful.
So what’s next? Well first and foremost the movers and the shakers in UK Baseball are still committed to finding a home for Baseball on UK television. There is no guarantee as to when or even if that will happen, but we are committed to keeping the Baseball family intact. To that end we are continuing the Fantasy League this season regardless of whether my Baseball TV career has legs. So get your Fantasy Caps on tilt because it’s time to play ball!
For all the details go www.fantasybaseballuk.com and sign up now.
Baseball – it’s a Hardcore thing!!
Jonny Gould
The second main paragraph provides a glimmer of hope. Of course, we expect nothing less than for Jonny, Josh, Erik and the rest of the team to be doing all they can to get the show back on the road. Unfortunately, their passion and skill can only go so far. They need a willing TV partner to give them an opportunity to continue their fantastic coverage of MLB.
The first paragraph also suggests things may not be quite so black-and-white in regards to Five. It is possible that they will broadcast some games without the studio element, most likely the Wednesday night games (‘Sunday Night Baseball’ being available on ESPN America). As mentioned previously, that would be better than absolutely nothing, but it would be a poor substitute to the coverage that we have enjoyed for many years.
The news is a massive blow on many levels.Â
The ‘Baseball on Five’ team certainly do not deserve to have their show cancelled when judged on the high quality of their coverage, but we all know that it is other factors (primarily financial) that have influenced the decision.Â
‘Baseball on Five’ was committed to fostering a baseball community and their support and promotion of British baseball events and teams was invaluable.Â
As a loyal viewer for over ten years, I will greatly miss watching the programme and I know many others will as well.Â
But perhaps most importantly, it was Five’s coverage that got me hooked on the sport back in 1998. They’ve made me a baseball fan for life and for that I will always be grateful. Now, potential newcomers keen to discover if baseball is for them will not have a free-to-air option to watch games, accompanied by Jonny and Josh explaining and entertaining along the way.Â
Everyone in Britain with an interest in baseball can only remain hopeful that the team will return at some point. If they don’t, it will be a very sad loss.
I’ve created a group on Facebook, “Bring back MLB on Five”. Please sign up to it. I’ve also e-mailed Five and made some practical suggestions as to alternative ways of cutting costs as well as making it crystal clear what a popular programme they’re dropping.
I honestly don’t care who broadcasts baseball in the UK as long as we can all get our weekly fix with Jonny and Josh. You are both legends guys and if this is the end, God bless you for your wonderful coverage over the years!!
Scott.
Bail out the banks? Bail out the baseball – nationalise JG, JC and the hotdog spender.
Guys, If you use Facebook, please become a member of Scott’s group “Bring back MLB on Five†and ask your friends to join too. Only 3 members at the time of writing. But, who knows, if we get it rolling we could become a major world force and someone’ll have to listen to us. Can’t do any harm trying anyway.
Hi guys, to say I’m sorry that five does not continue with the ‘mlb’ on sunday and wednesday nights, is an understatement, the size of my disappointment is like the hole in the ozone layer times 10. I can’t write any more because my tears are threatening to ruin my keyboard,
Please reconsider,
Yours truly,
Ron………….xx
What can i say that as not already been said before i love the sport but its as much about the show as the sport even on nights when i had an early start i would tune in to watch them then sky+ the game the only thing i could ever compare it to was Test Match Special on Radio so yes i can watch on ESPN yes i could suscribe to MLB.com and even though i can still see baseball i feel that something as been lost its a very sad day i just hope it the days of reality TV when the only concern seems to be fast cheap and a viewers phone in at the end something can be done. Surly this is why the BBc exists to do quality programms that maybe dont have huge figures
Conversation sunday 5th April 2009:
“What time does baseball start tonight? It’s first game of the season!!”
“I’ll have a look at tv listings……its not on…must be the Stanley Cup clashing again…..”
Then today I read Channel 5 has dropped coverage. Great shame. From Tommy to the Moose to Johnny & Josh its been a fab few years.
You will be missed.
Channel 5 Baseball – we salute you!
I’ve emailed SATANTA & asked if they would consider a reduced sub fee for ESPN only.
Guess wot – computer says no.
I’m sure if they offered the subs for £3 per month they would get a cracking takeup from us baseball nuts!!
Jus felt i needed to add my thoughts on this and first and foremost thank Jonny, Josh, Eric and everyone else involved over the last 10 years for giving me a truly life changing experience, its because of their coverage and insights i went from watching occasionally on nightsshifts to becoming full blown nut in the first year. Like all true British fans i sincerely hope that five can find a way to show at least some games and we get a chance to once again enjoy the humour, insights and banter that made up a truly great show.
So many thanks guys, hope this isnt permanent you all deserve to be back on air doing what you do best a.s.a.p. come on Channel Five get a grip!!
There’s a great book called ‘If no one speaks of remarkable things’ and having read all 58 postings to date, I felt the need to speak of the remarkable thing that Johnny, Josh et al created.
I found myself genuinely moved at the loss we are all feeling, this isn’t a silly or trivial thing, our relationship with this majestic game and the people in it is as real and important a part of our lives as art or music or the other things which raise mankind above the herd.
The problem is no one seems to be able to find a way of identifying commercial ‘value’ from this ‘remarkable thing’.
I suspect that is because the benefits are spread about but surely if..
MLB – make it free to 5, to develop the UK market &/or give a small subsidy
5 – recognise it was the only show to give them any credit (we promise to lobby all awards shows if re-instated, a BAFTA for Johnny), surely their staff want ot be proud of something
Us – the ‘hardcore’ are happy to pay something, so why don’t 5 create a voluntary subscription fund, some of us will pay more, irregulars will pay less (unless drunk in which case…). I bet this would offset a good chunk of the cost and get some good PR (like Ebbsfleet United)
Johnny – I suspect the roadtrip would have to go until the economic upturn
Players – lets organise a whip round! Johnny must have impressed some of them!( 5 mins of A-Rod’s salary = a season?)
So lets keep trying and keep thinking to get this disaster reversed, I suspect 5 must be shocked at the depth of feeling
Hi fellow baseball nuts. I too am devastated by the fact that Five will no longer bring us MLB action and that we can no longer witness the truly superb banter between JG and JC. Not to mention the fact that we won’t be able to hear Jon Miller’s bizarre cry of “SAFE” during a game! I was looking forward to a great year of MLB – with my daughter being born recently I have the perfect reason to be up through the night!
What makes me sad is the fact that there are obviously so many hardcore fans out there who do watch regularly. As there are obviously people watching, if somehow this figure could be quantified (on-line petition? Seek to raise awareness via Phil Jupitus and his media savvy?) could this not be presented to the team at Five, who in turn could then prove to advertisers that it is actually worth paying for advertising at these times which would mean that having a baseball show need not be all about costs? Five could have a competition on each show (entry via premium-rate phone number) and possibly even attract corporate sponsorship for the regular segments of the show. I hope that we can do something – start the bandwagon and if we can’t change things, it won’t be for a lack of effort. I really don’t want to watch things like Quizcall – this is nothing more than television for the cerebrally moribund.
So far have written to Basebaal/SoftballUK – do they have a future without media coverage of MLB? Probably not.
Have written to MLB to ask if they are aware there is no free coverage in the uk.
Have written to Satan-ta to suggest they could generate goodwill by offering NASN only subscritpion for a nominal fee.
Have tried to find a contact address for Jupitus but fear he isnt bothered cos he can afford NASN & watch his adopted beloved Sox.
Suggest everyone does the same or if anyone else has suggestions I’ll be happy to go along.
Well…..damn…..I can’t believe this…..
I had NASN last year but ended up cancelling it as that blimin music they blare at you whilst they wait for the feed to come back is truly awful. In fact the whole channel feels cheap and nasty.
The truthful fact is that JC and the boys made Baseball over here and I’m not sure I can watch Baseball any more without their banter in in-between innings.
I just hope they find a home somewhere else, but I fear the worst.
J
Wow… I’m gutted 🙁
I was just looking to set up my dvd recorder for the first few games of the new season, and then I noticed there weren’t any! A brief search online led me here (like a few other posters I see!)
Baseball on 5 was head and shoulders above any other baseball coverage I’ve come across, Johnny and JC were just excellent with the facts and figures filling in the gaps in the in-game coverage. I’m really going to miss the games, it was great entertainment for the last four years even tho I wasn’t a baseball fan when I started watching. And features like ‘The good, the Bad and the Ugly’ during the 7th-inning stretch were just the icing on the cake.
This is a very sad day indeed… let’s hope someone comes to the rescue.
Can’t believe it. They say they’re doing it to save money but how much did the new series of Minder cost? And how much does it cost them to show UEFA Cup games that nobody wants to watch? Who actually watches Bolton? Neighbours must have cost a bit, too.
I’m deeply upset. Grr 🙁
Utterly devastated that C5 has dropped Baseball coverage. Started watching 5 years back suffering from insomnia and thought it would be fun to try and work out the rules of the game. Became totally hooked. Gould and Chetwynd are among the best live commentators on TV.
C5 should be deeply ashamed of itself – forcing us to fork out vast extra bucks to Murdoch or some similar rip-off merchant to get coverage of this gripping, live sport. The suggestion that the Beeb should step forward is, I fear, sadly naive. It did so with skiing this year after C4 dropped its excellent coverage and totally screwed it up with ‘live’ coverage that was taped and dreadfully edited, chronic commentary and missing coverage of the most important sessions.
Shame on C5. May its ratings rot in hell. Best wishes to JC and Gouldy.
I might consider legal action. I’m going to need some kind of medication every Sunday and Wednesday night. Truly, utterly gutted. Cutting the show was a dreadful error, regardless of the commercial details. Decisions like this are what makes the rest of the channel such an appalling waste of airtime. It won’t be any loss, but for what it’s worth I am boycotting Five until/unless the show returns.
Great shame, not only did Johnny, Josh and the team introduce a great game to the british public in a thoroughly insightful and entertaining way, they also championed and highlighted the cause of this great game on our own shores.
I have nothing but respect for everyone involved at baseball on five for the fantastic job they did week in, week out, year in, year out. It’s gonna be a big miss.
The 5 button will be pretty much redundant on my remote control from now on.
Thank you to Jonny,Josh,eric and the for great shows and insight and for gitting me interested in baseball many years ago it will be greatly missed.
I think Baseball/SoftballGB needs to face up to the fact that without Channel 5 free baseball coverage the game is more doomed in the UK than it ever was before.
Any initiatives in place (& they are commendable) are worth diddley squat without mass media exposure.
WHAT A WASTE
can not believe that it`s gone .
will not be back to five till it`s reinstated .
sign the petition .
http://www.petitiononline.com/bbon5/petition.html
OMG – I really can’t believe we won’t have any baseball this season. I’ve been watching since the great HR chase of 98. To the guys at 5 – big mistake. You’d be surprised how many people will put the games on. Guess I won’t be watching your channel this year at all.
My point exactly, Magnus. This is about more than a few baseball nuts missing out on our bi-weekly dose of free coverage. If that was all it was, then I’d say, “You get what you pay for,” and – reluctantly – take it on the chin.
But no, it’s about the game’s future in the UK. If it’s to have one, if it’s to develop towards the mainstream, and if MLBI ever wants to make money out of it, it has to be on FTA TV. That’s where the casual fans are (I thought I still was one until I realised how much I’d miss it), and they’re the “nuts” of the future.
Only now they aren’t.
Got a very good email from Baseball/SoftballUK saying their plan goes ahead & will be implemented with hard work etc etc.
But there is an element of sticking heads in sand. The game in the uk needs mass exposure to survive.
Satan-ta are yet to reply to any suggestions.
Jupitus is too busy buying 3-piece suits to care.
Looks like its over.
So long & thanks for all the fish.
Wanted to add my sympathies to the baseball On Five crew. Absolutely devastated! You guys have presented such an honest and entertaining programme that it’s hard to see how any other channel/team can replace it (even if they tried).
I’m lucky enough to get the ESPN channel on a discounted staff subscription, but to be honest have always chosen the 5 coverage as being way more informative and bullshit-free.
Hey – they brought back the Wispa (and that was shit!), so let’s all get that petition (as posted a few posts back)all over Facebook et al and go down swinging.
It’s the bottom of the 9th……
I have now found out that there will be no more baseball on five. I only started to watch baseball last year and really got into it, so i waited for the year to watch another season, but I find out that it is cancelled. What the Hell were five thinking cancelling the baseball? They are keeping the NBA, NFL and NHL, but not MLB. How does that work? I am going to miss the boys, and hope they get to carry on talking about everyone’s favourite sport. Some TV station has to get the rights, surely? Well fingers crossed there will be more MLB very soon.
As a big (Yankees) baseball Fan I have ESPN America (NASN) but always watched Josh and Jonny on 5 I had a loyalty to them and the crew. It was their way of bringing the games to you as a viewer, Giving all the Game info’ but still having a real good laugh and enjoying it and thats what came across. It was definately like we were all a baseball family just enjoying the games and having Fun no matter who you supported, even Red Sox fans ;-). The Big guys at 5 say its because of the Money well why didn’t they get rid of some of the daytime crap (noone watches)and start their programs abit later in the day and keep 5 baseball which we all know does have an audience….us!! .Anyway lets all hope we’re just having our Seventh innings stretch and It’ll be back next year top of the Eighth. If not thank you Jonny and Josh and Dave you’re the best.
Ive waited a week & still no breakthrough. Watched the only mlb on five game i had on sky + and its made me miss the show more. Is there nothing more we can do? Why dont five get rid of quiz call with its 2 drug fuelled viewers. Neighbours and home and away,complete dross.Trisha? Minder? The real seris was crap,not even going 2 bother with ritchie the prick. Even nhl,they went on strike 4 a fuckin year but no, 5 stay loyal? And who cares whether sum 7ft men can play netball. Really pissed and i still want my first ‘hardcore’ of the year.
The NHL and NBA are only still on because Five have the rights for their current seasons. Those deals won’t be renewed, as far as I know.
What the hell are Channel 5 playing at? The one and only link most of us have to watch baseball in this country. Would it not be possible for MLB to offer up some form of financial assistance if 5 are down to their last few pennies? After all, surely it would be in MLB’s interest to promote the game and increase its popularity. I would like to think that they (5), will take notice and re-think this travesty of a decision. Bring back the best sports pundit pair (JG & JC) on TV!
This is such a shame, although I can pay for baseball on Virgin the guys did a far better job of presenting the show than the US channels and I always had a better idea of what was going on from watching 5 than elsewhere.
they will be sadly missed and 5 should be ashamed of letting it go
I can’t believe it! No more JC & JG 🙁 These guys inspired me back in ’99 to become a GB Baseball Umpire, then a coach for local kids in my area. For 10 wonderful years, Baseball was a reality for me, then Five go and shoot themselves in the foot and take off the only show many people actually watched! I hope someone can save the show, as it really won’t be the same without them. Petition well and truly signed!
absolutely disgusted, didn’t even know until today when i looked in the guide for channel 5 baseball to see which game was being shown, to my disgust no game so i just though it must be not on this week, googled it then got this website what a shocker
been watching baseball on channel 5 for ages when todd macklin and johnny gould hosted it my 1st series was padres vs yankees all the years ago… i’m almost in tears
josh and johnny were a breathe of fresh air for late night hosting. i will miss this show as all i ever watch on tv is sport whether it be my beloved leeds utd or my atlanta falcons or braves
sad news
goodluck johnny and josh in your future ventures
the comment a poster made above is a very good idea?
so how about a 30minute or 45 minute weekly update show with johnny and josh?
Dreadful news, if any TV producers read the forums lets hope they find a way to bring it back.
Thanks Jonny and all his partners from over the years for the entertaining way they helped us keep up with the latest news as well the live games.
Gutted!
So sad, Joined you other Hard Core after suffering a Stroke.
Thank you ALL for your friendship on Wed – Sun. All the thanks in the world to Jonny & Co. I wish I could have seen the new Yankee Stadium.
HORRENDOUS !!!!!!!!!!!
MY NIGHTMARE HAS COME TRUE
A devoted follower since day one Shocked and saddened at the demise. I DO NOT want to go back to the days of AFN Europe in the early hours as the signal of the radio broadcasts came and went … Suppose we should have seen it coming with what has happened to NFL coverage in this country.
C5 has been all baseball nuts saviours for years BUT we’re used to it now. Ive taped twice a week for years and now no live SUPERB coverage any more. John & Joe no longer talking such sense and wisdom on matters baseball as for Josh and Johnny THEY ARE FAMILY FOR GODS SAKE theyve been in my living room longer than me mum and dad GOD ill miss em………….
Sincere thanks for all the joy and the SOX World Series they have brought me.
THEY WERE THE BEST Love you guys!!!!!!!!!
Can I firstly say that I NEVER write on any forums or chat rooms but I’m so gutted that 5 won’t be broadcasting the baseball I decided to write something. I loved the show, jonny and JC got me into baseball and I now love it with a passion! So much so I plan to go to America this year and catch a game.
Thanks Jonny and JC – LEGENDS! I really hope you’ll be back soon! There should be more shows like five baseball on TV!
Send this page to Five!!!!
Its terrible not having Jonny and Josh on anymore, they where by far the most enjoyable presenters on tv. I have the nasn/espn america channel but i would always watch five on wednesday and sunday because they where on. Cancel the NFL and NBA i couldn’t care, the NFL is done far better on sky and the NBA coverage is horrible (even though i love the sport). Its such a shame they couldn’t see the following the show had, with five getting rid of the sports it brings my viewing of the channel to an end. I wish ESPN America could hire the guys.
Im so gutted, the thing that has confused me most is i am positive at the start of last years show we were told that channel 5 had signed a 2 year deal to keep showing baseball, now i am no maths genius but we have only had 1 year since, big shout out to JG/JC if any other channel picks the baseball up it has to be with them because without them we can just watch espn america, they interested a whole new generation in baseball. a big thank you to previous hosts like David, the show will be sorely missed and i can now go get a job with normal working hours 🙂
Hi Ryan, the two-year deal was 2007 and 2008 sadly. While I’m fortunate to be able to watch plenty of games on MLB.tv, every time Sunday and Wednesday rolls around the lack of J&J will hit home once again.
I am very sorry to hear about the decision. You have my sympathy from here in the States. We get so much coverage that we become spoiled. I really hope that another station decides to broadcast the best game in the world. Hang in and keep loving the game! Chico in Wisconsin
Still grieving… (sniff)
Oh noes. I was scouring the tv mags on Sunday wondering why there was no Baseball On Five. Now I know…Johnny and Josh you both were a shining light that lit up my Sunday night/Monday mornings. Who can forget the Red Sox-Yankees game 4 or 5 that went on right past 6am, and my beloved Yankees won. The Boston massacre the second.
Sorry Josh…
Sort it out, someone, please!!
Hooked 2000 onwards.
All the memories. Jeter home run Subway series.Gonzo, Schilling,Johnson 2001. My beloved Giants 2002..Barry Bonds ( the greatest ). Pedro staying too long 2003. Boston 2004.
It is like losing a big brother, Johnny. I am going to San Francisco for 3 weeks in September and watching 20 games of baseball! I’ll be thinking of the ” channel 5 ” team. This just isn’t fair.
I have been a baseball fan for over 40 years since I first visited the States in 1966. The Channel 5 coverage was outstanding and I cannot believe that the viewing figures for other night programmes is better than for MLB.
This is a really sad time for the thousands of British baseball fans.
Wandering along Mission in San Francisco in 1997, we made an impulsive decision to step inside the Giants Dugout store and a few minutes later left with two tickets for the game that afternoon and concise instructions on the use of public transport to get out to Candlestick Park. Giants beat Phillies 16-4 and Barry Bonds hit a grand slam. I was hooked. Completely bowled over by the fielding plays but very unsure why the pitchers were changing so much.
Then I subsequently found the Channel Five baseball crew and, over a fair period of time, they helped me to acquire the detailed knowledge of the game I needed. I look back with pleasure at so many amazing sporting moments they have brought me over the years and am most grateful to them. I never watch a broadcast live; my excuse is that I am getting old and need my bed, but I do miss getting up early on Monday and Thursday to watch the recording.
I am fortunate in being able to visit the USA from time to time and have seen many live games at various levels across the country and had many interesting chats at ballgames.
I do hope that one of our terrestrial channels will pick up some suitable coverage for my sake, for the future of baseball in this country and for all the diverse fans of Channel Five baseball.Among its attributes is a respect for tradition and some sort of morality which is not too apparent in some of our sports.
Like everybody else I am totally gutted by the loss of baseball on Wed and Sundays, and imn particular the loss of thae great JG and JC.
Just one thought – if MLB are so committed to spreading the word of baseball overseas, could they not fund (or at least contribute to the costs of)the show?? Surely JG and JC are not that expensive and for MLB the benefits are huge for the relatively small outlay.
JG has his baseball blog up and running at jonnygouldpresents.com in case anyone didn’t know it was there. Come on BBC/ITV what an opportunity to hire two great presenters, a great sport and a huge, loyal and ever expanding viewership. Step up to the plate – NOW!
Like so many others, i was wondering what had hapened to the coverage, i am totally gutted after finding this page and realising i can’t watch any baseball this year.
like so many others ijust want tto thank the boys for their stella work, i remember a few years ago i ended up watching a whole game the night before my accounts alevel, i ended up needing to resit that one
i hope someone does take it up, i’m hugely sorry to see it go.
Outback x
This is terribly disappointing.
If its purely a financial decision, why not suspend the studio element (and thereby the associated costs), and fill the breaks instead with adverts from which revenue can be generated.
Not an ideal solution of course, but it would at least maintain continuity while an alternative can be found.
What else are they going to show at 3am on a Thursday morning that is more cost-effective than this?