“This region has waited a long time for an in-depth approach to regional sports coverage, focused not only on our pro teams, but also on sports at the college and high school level,” Comcast SportsNet Houston President and General Manager Matt Hutchings said. “Our viewers are heavily invested in their teams. We have invested to provide them with committed and authentic coverage of their favorite hometown teams.”
Comcast SportsNet will take to the air at 5 p.m. CST with a brief introductory video that reflects the outlet’s passionate non-stop approach to local sports, leading into “SportsTalk Live,” an analysis of the day’s top sports stories debated by a rotating panel of sports journalists, players, team officials and other expert insiders. Hosted by Kevin Eschenfelder, “SportsTalk Live” will feature 60 minutes of interviews, special guests, commentary and debate. Guests for the inaugural show include Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin and Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.
Next, “SportsNet Central” debuts at 6 p.m. and also airs live at 10 p.m. and midnight. “SportsNet Central” delivers 30 minutes of live regional sports news devoted to professional, college, high school and community sports. Kelli Johnson and Marius Payton will anchor the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on launch day, while Tiffany Blackmon is set to handle the midnight show. Viewers will also be introduced to Comcast SportsNet anchors and reporters Howard Chen, Bill Doleman, Sara Eckert, James Palmer, Leila Rahimi and Sebastian Salazar on additional launch day programming.
Additional Comcast SportsNet Houston Launch Day Programming:
· 6:30 p.m. --- “Lift Off,” an introduction to Comcast SportsNet’s coverage commitment, hosted by Houston Rockets play-by-play man Bill Worrell. “Lift Off” guests include Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Hall of Fame pitchers Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan; Rockets Hall-of-Famers Clyde Drexler and Calvin Murphy; Texans linebacker Connor Barwin and receiver Kevin Walter.
· 7 p.m. --- “Astros Field Pass,” an up-close look at the Astros with interviews and player profiles. New Astros manager Bo Porter will be introduced. The program also includes interviews with Astros owner Jim Crane, General Manager Jeff Luhnow, and legendary radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton, plus a recap of Astros “Legends Weekend.”
· 7:30 p.m. --- “Rockets Backcourt Pass,” a behind-the-scenes look at the Houston Rockets as the team prepares for the 2012-13 season. Go into the NBA Draft “war room” with General Manager Daryl Morey, get a look at Jeremy Lin’s first day as a Rocket, see how Rockets players “welcome” their rookie teammates, and more.
Additional Programming Notes
· The network’s first live event is scheduled for Thursday, October 4 at 7 p.m., when the “Thursday High School Football Game of the Week” is introduced. The Woodlands plays host to A&M Consolidated in a battle of two top-25 Conference 5A teams.
· Comcast SportsNet’s college football coverage, hosted by Bill Doleman, begins on Saturday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. with “Saturday Tailgate Live,” covering the latest insights and updates about regional college football squads, followed by live game coverage as North Texas visits the University of Houston at 6 p.m.
· “Pro Football Postgame Live,” hosted by Kelli Johnson, debuts on Monday, October 8 following the Texans-Jets Monday Night Football game, providing immediate analysis and live coverage of press conferences, player reaction and more.
Comcast SportsNet Houston is being made available in both standard and high definition to all local cable, satellite and telco TV providers and today is carried by:
· Comcast Cable (channels 39/639 in the Houston area, 86/1688 in Houma, La Place, Monroe and Shreveport, Lou., 269/1687 in Little Rock, Ark.).
· Coastal Link (channels 31/131 in Brazoria, Texas).
· EnTouch (channels 73/473 in the Houston area).
· Phonoscope (channel 35, HD channel launching TBA in the Houston area).
· Fans with other TV services should visit IWantCSNHouston.com for the latest distribution developments and to tell their cable, satellite or telco TV provider to add Comcast SportsNet to their channel lineup. Follow Comcast SportsNet Houston on Twitter: @CSNHouston for the latest news and information about the network.
(This post was from a release sent to me from Comcast SportsNet) CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here
