TV News Broadcast » HD Programming

HBO’s Boxing After Dark Kicks Off A New Season On Saturday, Feb.19

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:35:33 +0000

HBO Boxing After Dark kicks off a new season with a double dose of action when Fernando Montiel vs. Nonito Donaire And Mike Jones vs. Jesus Soto Karass seen on action in high-definition from the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 9:45 PM. The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Thomas Odelfelt; director, Mike Sheehan.

The HBO Sports team of Bob Papa, Max Kellerman and Roy Jones Jr. will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates: Feb. 20 (9:30 a.m.) and 21 (11:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Feb. 20 (4:45 p.m.) and 22 (midnight)

The main event pits battle-tested titleholder Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico, against Filipino sensation Nonito Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) in a scheduled 12-round bantamweight championship matchup. Undefeated since 2006, Montiel is renowned for his ring savvy, and will need all his experience and unflappable poise to vanquish his ferocious foe. Montiel enters the fight on a high note following a second-round dismantling of the heralded Jovanny Soto last December.

A counter-punch specialist whose left hook typically leaves opponents on the canvas, Donaire demonstrated his bone-chilling firepower with a fourth-round knockout of former bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko in December. After scoring eight of his last ten victories via knockout, he steps into the ring looking to claim Montiel’s title.

Kicking off the night will be a rematch of welterweight brawlers Mike Jones (23-0, 18 KOs) of Philadelphia and Jesus Soto Karass (24-5-3, 16 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico. After Jones decked Soto Karass in the second round of their terrific November bout, the resilient Mexican showed his true grit and almost came back to win, eventually coming up one point short. Many observers believed the fight should have been called a draw rather than a victory for Jones.

Comedy Central Debut ‘Onion SportsDome’ on Tuesday, January 11

admin — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:41:27 +0000

COMEDY CENTRAL to debut ‘Onion SportsDome’ on Tuesday, January 11 at 10:30 P.M. ET.

“SportsDome” is the signature show of the Onion Sports Network, which has grown from a humble UHF channel purchased as a tax dodge and a way to profit from The Onion’s vast footage library of women’s beach volleyball, into the undisputed global sports leader it is today. “SportsDome” is now the number one destination for fans seeking game reports, insight from former players and theme music heavy on bell tones and bendy guitar riffs. With its total access to the inside of sports and pulse-pounding coverage, it has become impossible to be a sports fan without being a fan of the “Dome.”

The show is co-anchored by Mark Shepard and Alex Reiser. Reiser earned a seat at the “SportsDome” desk in 1995 after working his way up from the mailroom, showing the persistence needed to repeatedly knock on the office door of the VP of OSN programming and shout highlights from the night before at the top of his lungs. Mark Shepard has been with “SportsDome” since 2005, when he parlayed the suicide of a World Backgammon Championships commentator into his first on-air appearance, impressing producers enough to install him behind the storied “SportsDome” anchor desk.

Shepard and Reiser are joined by the venerable “Dome” crew, including Senior sports insider Reggie Greengrass, who needs nine BlackBerries to hold the phone numbers of all the athletes he knows; update anchor Melissa Wells, who holds more journalism degrees than the rest of her colleagues put together; “Wish Zone” host Jay Woodworth, who makes terminally-ill children’s dreams come true as long as they are sports-related; analyst Doc Webb, who holds the SportsDome record for the number of athletes he’s referred to as “overpaid garbage;” and investigative reporter Marc Howell, who mines sports’ most tragic elements for awards and ratings gold.

Fox Sports Media Group Renews Rights For UEFA Champions League Through 2014-15

admin — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:03:13 +0000

FOX Sports Media Group today announced that it has renewed its exclusive media rights in the United States and Caribbean to the UEFA Champions League, the world’s most prestigious annual club soccer competition, for three additional seasons from 2012/13 through 2014/15.

The agreement with UEFA – the governing body of soccer in Europe – ensures comprehensive coverage of the tournament on multiple FSMG properties including FOX Sports, FOX Soccer Channel, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Net (FSN) and FX, as well as online video streaming service FOXsoccer.tv throughout the first half of this decade. FOX is currently in the second of a three-season partnership with UEFA through 2011/12, delivering for the first time ever all 146 UEFA Champions League matches from the Play-off Round onward to U.S. viewers.

“The foundation of FOX Sports’ success has always been to showcase the best sports events possible,” said David Hill, FOX Sports Media Group Chairman and CEO. “Our enhanced commitment to the UEFA Champions League for three additional seasons means that the FOX Sports Media Group remain America’s home for the absolute best in international club soccer.”

“In 2009, FOX made an unprecedented commitment to bring the UEFA Champions League to the widest possible U.S. audience, and with this renewal agreement we have raised the amount of coverage to even greater heights,” said David Nathanson, General Manager of Fox Soccer. “We are elated to continue our partnership with UEFA and serve as the home of their flagship property through at least 2015.”

Under the renewal, FOX Sports has committed to broadcasting the UEFA Champions League Final live to over 115 million households nationwide. Last season, FOX staged the first-ever network television broadcast of a European club soccer match when it showcased the UEFA Champions League Final, live and in high-definition, from Madrid.

In addition, two of the four semifinal matches will air on FX, FOX’s flagship general entertainment cable network available in over 98 million homes nationwide.

FSN reaches nearly 85 million homes nationwide through its owned and affiliated regional sports networks and is nearly doubling its UEFA Champions League coverage. FSN will televise 28 live contests on Tuesday and Wednesday matchdays. Currently, FSN only covers Tuesday broadcast windows.

As the primary broadcast outlet for the UEFA Champions League in the U.S., FOX Soccer Channel continues to deliver 110 live and delayed UEFA Champions League matches per season to its nearly 40 million subscribers, who also enjoy extensive coverage from England’s Barclays Premier League and Italy’s Serie A among other elite competitions.

FOX Soccer Plus carries 94 live and delayed match telecasts annually, and like FOX Soccer Channel, each UEFA Champions League matchday features 8-10 hour blocks of uninterrupted coverage.

Meanwhile, FOX Deportes continues to televise 110 live and delayed match telecasts per season. An additional 250 hours of UEFA Champions League encore coverage per season is planned by the nation’s leader in Spanish-language sports media.

The 2012/13-2014/15 media rights extend to the Internet via premium broadband portal FOXsoccer.tv, as well mobile devices through Fox Soccer’s iPhone app. FOXsoccer.com and FOXdeportes.com continue to offer exclusive video highlights of all matches plus live, interactive Match Trax featuring in-game stats, commentary and more. As a result, fans across the U.S. will have an extensive array of coverage choices for this unparalleled club soccer competition.

“Ever since the first deal for the current 2009-2012 rights cycle, FOX Sports have impressed us with their commitment to prioritise the UEFA Champions League in their scheduling,” said Guy Laurent Epstein, Head of Media Rights for UEFA. “Showing the Final on FOX’s over-the-air affiliates marks a huge turning point in the American psyche towards football, continuing in this vein for the 2012-15 rights cycle reflects FOX’s ongoing dedication to the best of European football.”

HDNet Presents Five Full Hours of MMA Action and Analysis On Friday, October 22

admin — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:39:37 +0000

HDNet will premiere Episode 3 of “UFC Primetime: Lesnar vs. Velasquez” on Friday, October 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

“UFC Primetime” will take viewers behind-the-scenes for all the final preparations for Lesnar vs. Velasquez. “Fighting Words with Mike Straka” follows at 8:30 p.m. ET.

This week Mike is joined by former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le who discusses his career, his future, and what motivates him to fight.

“Inside MMA,” breaks down the week that was and previews Lesnar vs. Velasquez at 9:00 PM ET. Kenny and Bas are joined by Gegard Mousasi, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, and Tom Lawlor. Lawlor, in our studio just hours before his fight at UFC 121, knows the pressure is on for a victory, otherwise, in his own words, he “can probably kiss this job goodbye.” Ron Kruck travels to the Tapout Research and Development Center in Las Vegas and our “Inside MMA” cameras were on hand for all the excitement of the EA Sports MMA launch event.

The night concludes with the highly anticipated premiere of the “K-1 World MAX 2010: 70kg Final 16″ at 10:00 p.m. ET. The event features the must-see showdown being hailed as the “fight of the year” when Chahid takes on Mike Zambidis. Plus Gago Drago vs. Su Hwan Lee, Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Vitaly Hurkou, Michal Glogowski vs. Sagadpet, and Artur Kyshenko vs. Mohammed Khamal in other Final 16 action.

NFL.com Delivers High Quality Video Experience For 2010 NFL Season

admin — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:50:10 +0000

Akamai Technologies has announced that NFL.com has implemented Akamai’s HD Network to enable broader availability of high-quality online video.

NFL.com will be utilizing the Akamai HD Network to assist in providing the best possible online video player experience for its fans.

The majority of video content on NFL.com will be offered in higher quality and delivered across the Akamai HD Network in 2010 NFL Season, including NFL.com Live: Thursday Night Football offering live look-ins to NFL Network’s eight-game package, video highlights of every NFL game and coverage of other NFL events.

In addition, exclusive video contained within the new NFL Fantasy Football game will be offered in higher quality through Akamai’s HD Network. The enhanced content will be made available in multiple bitrates up to 3.2 mbps.

The incorporation of Akamai’s HD Network into the NFL.com video player includes several benefits:

Akamai HD for the Adobe Flash Platform – NFL.com is currently leveraging HTTP-based adaptive bitrate streaming for smooth playback. NFL.com will offer video content in multiple bitrates ranging from 500 kbps to 3.2 mbps to maximize the video experience for each user based on their bandwidth availability;
HD Client Technologies – NFL is using a range of HD Client technologies from Akamai including Akamai’s Open Video Player and the Akamai NetSession Client. The Open Video Player is being used on select areas of the site to provide the benefit of a built in integration with Akamai’s HD Network. NFL.com users are currently able to access higher quality content on NFL.com by downloading the Akamai NetSession Client. Moving forward, NetSession will help NFL further optimize the end-user’s experience by feeding information about device capabilities into the algorithms used by the player to choose the best stream for individual users;
Media Analytics – Through Akamai’s robust Media Analytics product, the NFL will have access to QOS information that will allow for better insight into the viewing experience on NFL.com, as well as aggregated performance data to measure the impact that higher quality video delivery is having on its viewership;

“We think HD quality video will have the same impact online as it has on television,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL vice president of media strategy and development. “Our multi-year partnership with Akamai will help us deliver the highest quality NFL video experience to our fans.”

“NFL is pushing the envelope this season with their digital media strategy by offering so much of their content in high-quality. The Akamai HD Network offers the NFL a single platform for delivery of content along with unique intelligence and the ability to simplify complex processes in the network,” said Robert Hughes, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Services and Marketing at Akamai. “We are thrilled to be working closely with them to help raise the bar on the video experience for their fans.”

Peanuts Worldwide Signs Five Year Deal With ABC Network For The Classic ‘PEANUTS’ Holiday Specials

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:31:24 +0000

Peanuts Worldwide announced that it has entered a new five year deal with ABC Network for the popular PEANUTS animated holiday specials.

Peanuts Worldwide is the newly formed joint venture between Iconix Brand Group and Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates.

The beloved Emmy Award winning specials, including the iconic “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” created by Charles M. Schulz and produced and animated by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez, began airing on ABC in December 2001.

“The PEANUTS holiday TV specials are iconic and represent a family tradition of watching Charlie Brown and the gang kicks off the holiday season,” stated Neil Cole, CEO, Iconix Brand Group. Cole added, “This new deal with ABC demonstrates the continued relevance of the PEANUTS brand as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.”

This fall, the famed PEANUTS comic strip will celebrate its 60th anniversary. The first and most well known of the beloved animated holiday specials, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired on television in 1965, marking this year as its 45th anniversary.

Since moving to ABC nine years ago, the specials have continually delivered stellar ratings for the Network. Against competition including the season finale of NBC’s “Biggest Loser,” ABC’s rebroadcast of the animated holiday classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” finished a strong No. 2 in its half-hour in Adults 18-49 (3.7/11), beating slot-regulars CBS’ “NCIS” replay by 37% (2.7/8) and Fox’s original “So You Think You Can Dance” by 61% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7). The Charlie Brown special towered over its slot with Kids 2-11, topping the combined delivery of CBS, Fox, NBC and CW in the half-hour by 42% (5.9/18 vs. 4.2/13), and finished as the No. 2 TV show of the night behind only its lead-out, ABC’s debut of “Prep & Landing.” Versus the year-ago night with original programming (“AFV” special on 12/9/08), “A Charlie Brown Christmas” boosted the time period year to year for ABC by 4.2 million viewers (11.2 million vs. 7.0 million) and by 95% in Adults 18-49 (3.7/11 vs. 1.9/5). The PEANUTS special was up year to year in Total Viewers and held even with Adults 18-49 (11.0 million and 3.7/10 on 12/8/08).

On October 2, 1950 the PEANUTS comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Who would have guessed the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Nearly 60 years later, the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. PEANUTS animated specials have become a seasonal tradition and thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder’s piano are images to which everyone can relate. Phrases such as “Security Blanket” and “Good Grief” have become a part of the global vernacular.

Steve Kerr Returns To TNT As Game Analyst

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:36:18 +0000

The five-time NBA Champion Stephen Douglas “Steve” Kerr is to return to TNT Network as a game analyst, starting with the 2010-11 NBA season. Kerr is to join TNT’s NBA Thursday night doubleheader coverage and will be a part of the network’s NBA All-Star weekend and NBA Playoffs coverage.

Kerr will also contribute for NBATV and NBA.com delivering analysis and commentary for The Finals, All Star Weekend and the NBA Draft.

Kerr was with TNT for four seasons as a game analyst from 2003-2007, when he called a full slate of regular season and playoff games. He also worked on TNT marquee events, including three NBA All-Star Games and three consecutive Conference Finals.

Kerr left TNT in 2007 to join the Phoenix Suns, where he was president of basketball operations and general manager for three years. Kerr made several notable trades in his tenure. This year, the Suns advanced to the 2010 Western Conference Finals, losing in six games to the eventual champions Los Angeles Lakers.

Kerr said “I’m fortunate to have worked with two great organizations since the end of my NBA playing career; Turner Sports and the Phoenix Suns. As I resume my broadcasting career, I’m excited to return to the Turner Sports family and proud to be associated with such a great group of people.”

Jeff Behnke, executive producer of Turner Sports said “We are thrilled that Steve is returning to TNT to join our marquee roster of announcers. We look forward to Steve bringing back to Turner Sports his unique insights, candor and game analysis to our telecasts, sharing the added knowledge he gained during his three years building a team as an NBA General Manager.”

NFL RedZone Available On All 32 Stadiums

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:27:25 +0000

NFL Network has announced that fans attending all 32 teams will have the opportunity to see every touchdown from every game via NFL RedZone.

NFL has announced that the Ravens and Patriots would broadcast the NFL RedZone channel during home games.

NFL RedZone, produced by NFL Network whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering touchdowns and the most exciting moments live and in high definition. When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays as they happen.

Host Scott Hanson keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see every important play.

Dish Network To Launch EPIX HD

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:40:50 +0000

EPIX announced that it has struck distribution deal with Dish Network to launch American premium television network on Dish Network.

This is the huge deal for EPIX as it will reach 14.1 million Dish subscribers around the United States. EPIX has already signed agreement with Verizon FiOS, Cox, Charter, Mediacom and NCTC, carriage that will make the service available to consumers in over 30 million homes by May 2010.

EPIX is the premium entertainment joint venture formed by Viacom, its Paramount Pictures unit, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Lionsgate, which provides consumers the latest Hollywood movies, 15,000 films from three of the top motion picture libraries and cutting-edge original programming and special comedy and concert events, exclusively in HD and SD.

Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX, said, “Teaming with DISH Network to make EPIX available to its more than 14 million satellite TV customers is a major step forward for us as we expand our national footprint. DISH Network is committed to delivering the very best in HD entertainment, and recognizes that EPIX is an important part of that
experience.”

Dave Shull, Senior Vice President of Programming for DISH Network said “Partnering with EPIX underscores our ongoing commitment to deliver the very best in HD entertainment to our customers. EPIX is an important part of our increased HD channel offering and strong expansion of our movie lineup. DISH Network subscribers will now have access to exclusive programming and movie content in HD that can be found only on EPIX.”

AT&T Delivers 2010 Masters Tournament On AT&T U-verse TV, AT&T Fan Zone and AT&T Entertainment

admin — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:42:01 +0000

AT&T will present live coverage of 74th Masters Tournament held at Augusta National Golf Club played through April 8–11.

AT&T has announced that it will bring live coverage of the 2010 Masters Tournament across television, PC and AT&T mobile phones that include AT&T U-verse TV online at AT&T Fan Zone and AT&T Entertainment, and on AT&T mobile phones.

AT&T has signed an agreement with 2010 Masters Tournament to deliver more than 110 hours of live footage and on-demand content from Augusta National Golf Club.

AT&T delivers 2010 Masters on AT&T Mobile TV, MobiTV and AT&T Mobile Video services and is the only wireless carrier delivering live and on-demand.

2010 Masters Content available on AT&T Mobile TV, MobiTV, AT&T Fan Zone and AT&T U-verse TV includes:

15th/16th Live, which features live coverage of the 15th and 16th holes.
Amen Corner Live, which features live coverage of the 11th, 12th and 13th holes.
CBS and ESPN will be delivering complete live coverage on U-verse TV.
Featured Group, a new enhancement for the 2010 Tournament featuring coverage of selected groups beginning on the second nine Thursday, April 8 through Sunday, April 11.
Masters Extra, which gives viewers live play-by-play action before network broadcast coverage, begins.
Par 3 Contest, which features a live feed from this popular contest on Wednesday, April 7.
And new for 2010, CBS will deliver live Masters Coverage on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 to mobile phones with AT&T Mobile TV and MobiTV.

Dan York, president, content, AT&T, said “This year’s Masters is the most anticipated golf event in history, and only AT&T brings customers complete live and on-demand coverage of the Tournament to the screen of their choice. Sports fans wait all year long for the Masters, and with AT&T, they can catch all the action, excitement and updates whether they’re on the couch, at work or on the go. And we’re proud to bring back our popular U-verse TV Masters app that gives golf fans an unmatched way to enjoy this year’s Tournament.”