Larry King to host new show on Dodgers channel starting March 18

Larry King, long-time TV host and a dedicated Dodgers enthusiast, will become a prominent face of the team when he hosts "Larry King at Bat," a new television series, on SportsNet LA channel. The show will premiere at 7 p.m. on March 18.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the TV host, who first attended a Dodgers game in 1943, celebrated his 80th birthday at the team's stadium last November, having been a fan of the team since they played in Brooklyn decades ago.

Now, King intends to merge his vast experience as a broadcaster with his admiration for the game in the new show, interviewing baseball legends, and in particular Dodgers luminaries.

Orel Hershier will be the first guest on King's premiere show. Hershiser pitched the Dodgers to their last World Series victory in 1988 and is the newest member of the team's announcing crew.

Addressing a news conference on the occasion of the channel's launch on Tuesday, King said: "I have been a Dodger fan all my life. I am happy to be a part of SportsNet LA, the new 24/7 Dodgers television network." He then added: "With my love of sports and my interviewing skills, I think it will be a happy combo. I am looking forward to a great year!"

The latest project of King, who hosted "Larry King Live" on CNN from June 1985 to June 2010, is a compilation of original broadcasts airing on the new TV channel, including "Backstage: Dodgers," "Lead-Off L.A.," "Dodgers Clubhouse," a show driven by social media and "Access SportsNet: Dodgers," a top daily show that runs from the team's spring training to the season finale.

According to Deadline, the launch of SportsNet LA was announced on Jan. 13, 2013 and is the culmination of a 25-year multibillion-dollar deal Time Warner Cable inked with the Dodgers for broadcast rights. The new channel will provide comprehensive behind-the-scenes Dodger programming, featuring more insights, analysis and commentary about the team than ever before.