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NESN

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New England Sports Network
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersWatertown, Massachusetts
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerBoston Red Sox (80%)
Boston Bruins (20%)

The New England Sports Network, or NESN [NESS-en], is a regional cable television network that covers the six New England states except Fairfield County, Connecticut and Southbury, Connecticut, a town in New Haven County, Connecticut which is covered by New York City sports networks. It is available on New England cable systems, and nationally (in both standard definition and high definition) through satellite TV providers DirecTV (Channel 628) and Dish Network (Channel 434). The Boston Red Sox are a co-founder and the majority owner (80%) of NESN, with the Boston Bruins owning the remaining 20%. NESN is thus partially owned by the New York Times Company, through its interest in New England Sports Ventures, which owns the Red Sox. Although it mainly broadcasts non-national Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins games, NESN also features minor league baseball, regional college sports including college hockey games on Friday nights, various outdoor shows, and sports talk shows featuring the sports columnists of The Boston Globe, as that paper is also owned by the New York Times. NESN was, for a time, the New England carrier for Fox Sports Net (before Sports Channel New England joined Fox Sports Net), after that, until early 2006, NESN carried ESPNews in the afternoon and overnight hours. NESN has carried regional Atlantic Coast Conference basketball games since Boston College joined the conference, including games from Fox Sports Net since FSN sold regional competitor CSN New England. NESN was launched as a premium channel, however it moved to a basic cable in 2001, a successful model that has since been copied by the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles and others through their respective launch of new regional sports networks.

The network has $9.8M in sales in FY2008. NESN sells merchandise at the NESN Store. One of the most popular items is the "bobbledesk". It is a collectible desk with broadcasters Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy on it as bobbleheads.

NESN has higher ratings in the New England DMR than ESPN and Comcast Sportsnet New England combined. [1]

Red Sox coverage

Boston Red Sox baseball coverage began in 1984 on the New England Sports Network, airing mostly mid-week home games on the newly-formed pay cable channel. Former Sox second baseman Mike Andrews served as the play-by-play announcer and Kent Derdivanis provided color commentary. NESN periodically sent guest color commentators to the booth, with the likes of Rico Petrocelli, Bill Monbouquette, and Dick Radatz. The in-studio host was a young man just out of Syracuse University named Sean McDonough.

NESN now carries full coverage (minus some nationally broadcast games on Fox and ESPN) of Red Sox games as well as in-depth pre- and post-game shows. Unlike previous seasons where it split coverage with over-the-air stations, it now broadcasts all games not on national television, using the slogan "One Nation, One Network". In 2006, it became the first network to broadcast all its Major League Baseball team's games in High Definition (however spring training games are not), available to cable providers throughout New England, DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse (in CT), Comcast (All of New England) and Verizon FIOS (in MA). On March 26 2008, Dish Network joined the list of providers offering NESN in HD.

During Red Sox Spring Training games, the press conference is conducted during the middle of the game and is shown live in the corner of the screen.

Pre-game

One hour before each Red Sox game, Tom Caron hosts Red Sox Game Day Live, where Caron and others, including, Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Peter Gammons, and Jim Rice. Writers Tony Massarotti, Nick Cafardo, and Gordon Edes — as well as Ken Ryan and Brian Daubach, fill in occasionally - provide highlights from the previous game, analysis on the upcoming team, player profiles, news from around the league, and their "keys to the game." Dan Shaughnessy and Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe make regular appearances with Heidi Watney on the Pregame Show. Former Oakland Athletics manager Ken Macha was named a rotating analyst on this program in April 2007, but left after the 2008 season to become the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2006, NESN introduced a segment before the Pre-Game Show called Friday Night Fenway, which, on Red Sox Friday home games, showcases pre-game activities from inside Fenway Park. They have also included a Monday segment, Monster Monday, which airs every game day Monday, regardless of whether or not the game is at Fenway Park.

NESN's studio shows were originally broadcast at their Fenway Park studio. Since 2003, NESN has broadcast their pregame show from Yawkey Way. NESN still has the Fenway Park studio, but is rarely used on-air. It is, however, used during weekly interviews with Larry Lucchino and other Red Sox personnel.

In-game

For Red Sox game broadcasts, Don Orsillo serves as the play-by-play announcer with Jerry Remy as his color commentator and Heidi Watney as the field reporter.

In 2009 while Jerry Remy took an indefinite leave of absence due to illness, Dennis Eckersley performed the color commentary for home games and Dave Roberts for most road games. Though, Don Orsillo worked with 26 different partners starting in Spring Training 2009, including Frank Viola, Ken Ryan, Jim Kaat, Gordon Edes, Bob Montgomery, Dwight Evans, Brian Daubach, Buck Martinez, Ron Coomer, Rance Mulliniks, Sean Casey, Rex Hudler and numerous sports writers. [2]. Jerry Remy returned to the booth on August 21, 2009 when the Red Sox lost to the New York Yankees at Fenway Park 20-11.

Post-game

After the game has finished, W.B. Mason's Extra Innings and Granite City Electric's Red Sox Final go back into the studio where Tom Caron and one or more of the studio analysts from the pre-game show deliver a wrap-up of the night's game. They present highlights and statistics from the completed game and often have a member of the Red Sox team on hand to get their take on the game. This hour of coverage also focuses on the upcoming game as well as news from the league. The Post Game is usually not covered if the Red Sox are on the west coast, in those instances SportsDesk immediately follows the game.

Since 2003, NESN has broadcast the postgame show from their HD studios. Previously, it had been broadcast from their Fenway Park studio. [3]

List of announcers

YEARS PLAY-BY-PLAY COLOR STUDIO FIELD LEVEL
1984 Kent Derdivanis Mike Andrews
1985–1987 Ned Martin Bob Montgomery Sean McDonough Sean McDonough
1988 (Home) Ned Martin Jerry Remy Eric Reid
1989-1992 (Home) Ned Martin Jerry Remy Bob Kurtz
1993–1994 (Home) Bob Kurtz Jerry Remy Steve Burton Amy Stone
1995 (Home) Bob Kurtz Jerry Remy Tom Larson Kim Walden
1996-1999 Bob Kurtz Jerry Remy Bob Rodgers Debbi Wrobleski
2000 Bob Kurtz or Bob Rodgers Jerry Remy Bob Rodgers or Tom Caron with Rico Petrocelli Debbi Wrobleski
2001 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Bob Rodgers with Rico Petrocelli Debbi Wrobleski
2002-2003 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Bob Rodgers with Jim Corsi, Jim Rice or Dennis Eckersley Tom Caron
2004–2005 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Tom Caron with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, Sam Horn, Gary DiSarcina, or Bob Tewksbury Eric Frede
2006 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Tom Caron with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, or Dave McCarty Tina Cervasio
2007 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Tom Caron with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, Dave McCarty, Ken Ryan or Ken Macha Tina Cervasio
2008 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Tom Caron with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, Dave McCarty, Lou Merloni, or Ken Macha Heidi Watney
2009 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy or Guest Analyst Tom Caron with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, or Guest Analyst. Heidi Watney
2010 Don Orsillo Jerry Remy Tom Caron, with Jim Rice, Dennis Eckersley, or Peter Gammons. Heidi Watney

Boston Bruins coverage

Bruins coverage began in 1984 with Fred Cusick, Dave Shea and Derek Sanderson at the microphone. They mostly covered home games on NESN and road games on WSBK.

NESN broadcast the 1988 and 1990 Stanley Cup Finals' in the United States. The Bruins lost to the Edmonton Oilers for a combined 8 games to 1. Game 4 in 1988 was moved to Northlands Coliseum due to a power failure at Boston Garden in the 2nd period.

Pre and post-game

Bruins coverage has grown since NESN took over exclusive rights (previously shared with WSBK). It now includes Bruins Face-Off Live and Bruins Overtime Live, with the focus similar to the Red Sox shows, plus a weekly magazine show (The Instigators) and a highlights show (The Buzz) during the season. Kathryn Tappen is the pregame and postgame host along with analysts Gord Kluzak, Barry Pederson, and Mike Milbury. Milbury co-hosts The Instigators with Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley, while Naoko Funayama hosts The Buzz.

In-game

Jack Edwards handles the play-by-play duties during games while Andy Brickley serves as the color analyst. Naoko Funayama is the reporter at ice level. Every game since the start of the 2006–2007 season has been broadcast in HD.

List of announcers

YEARS PLAY BY PLAY COLOR STUDIO RINKSIDE REPORTER
1984–1985 Fred Cusick Johnny Peirson None
1985–1986 Fred Cusick Dave Shea & Terry O'Reilly Tom Larson Dave Shea
1986–1987 Fred Cusick Dave Shea & Terry O'Reilly or Derek Sanderson (joined broadcast team after O'Reilly became Bruins' head coach) Tom Larson Dave Shea
1987–1993 Fred Cusick Dave Shea & Derek Sanderson Tom Larson Dave Shea
1993–1994 Fred Cusick Dave Shea & Derek Sanderson Tom Larson Amy Stone
1994–1995 Fred Cusick Dave Shea & Derek Sanderson Tom Larson Kim Walden
1995–1998 Dale Arnold Gord Kluzak Dawn Mitchell Brenda Brenon
1998–2000 Dale Arnold Gord Kluzak Tom Caron
2000-2002 Dale Arnold (Home) or Dave Shea (Road) Gord Kluzak (Home) or Andy Brickley & Gerry Cheevers (Road) Tom Caron
2002-2003 Dale Arnold (Home) or Dave Shea (Road) Gord Kluzak (Home) or Andy Brickley (Road) Tom Caron with Rick Middleton, Barry Pederson, & Cam Neely
2003-2004 Dale Arnold (Home) or Dave Shea (Road) Gord Kluzak (Home) or Andy Brickley (Road) Tom Caron with Rick Middleton, Barry Pederson, Cam Neely, & Paul Stewart Corey Masse (Playoffs Only)
2004-2005 NHL Lockout
2005-2007 Dale Arnold (Home) or Jack Edwards (Road) Andy Brickley Eric Frede with Rick Middleton, Barry Pederson, Gord Kluzak, or Tom Fitzgerald Rob Simpson
2007-2008 Jack Edwards Andy Brickley Kathryn Tappen with Rick Middleton, Barry Pederson, Gord Kluzak, or Mike Milbury Rob Simpson
2008-Present Jack Edwards Andy Brickley Kathryn Tappen with Barry Pederson, Gord Kluzak, or Mike Milbury Naoko Funayama

College Hockey coverage

NESN's Hockey East Friday Night showcases all ten Hockey East teams including National Champions Boston University and Boston College. NESN airs the Beanpot Championship, the Hockey East playoffs and championship game as well.

Tom Caron handles the play-by-play, with former Boston Bruin Craig Janney as color analyst and Sonny Watrous at ice level. Pre-game and intermission reports are hosted by Bob Beers along with former UMaine hockey player Brendan Walsh.

NESN also airs ACC college basketball and select college football games.

NESN/WEEI Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Each year since 2002, NESN and WEEI have teamed up to raise money for the Jimmy Fund by holding a Radio-Telethon. For two days every August the event is simulcast on WEEI and NESN for 36 hours. WEEI radio shows are seen on NESN featuring interviews with cancer patients and survivors, doctors, and athletes and celebrities like Terry Francona, Mike Lowell, Denis Leary, Jimmy Fallon, Donald Trump, and George Steinbrenner. Many other Red Sox players and Boston athletes take part in the Radio-Telethon and in Pre-game ceremonies at Fenway Park. Since 2002, this event has raised around $17 million for the Jimmy Fund and has received donations from all 50 states.

Shows

File:Sportsdesk.JPG
The SportsDesk logo.
  • SportsDesk, a twice-daily half hour-long show reporting on the teams and players who matter to New England viewers. It is generally shown in the evening after Red Sox or Bruins coverage. In the morning it is shown continually from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. (9 a.m. on mornings when Bruins or Red Sox do not play) in half-hour blocks. Jade McCarthy and Cole Wright are the lead anchors; the weekend anchor is John Chandler. Jayme Parker serves as a reporter. Tony Massorotti, former Celtic Dana Barros, former Patriot Ted Johnson, Mike Adams, James Murphy, and others contribute to the show regularly.
  • SportsDesk Lights Out, a weekly wrap up show that originally aired Sunday nights at 11:25 EST (Now airs at 10pm and re-airs at 11pm). It is hosted by Jade McCarthy, Cole Wright, John Chandler, Kathryn Tappen or Jayme Parker and generally covers all the top sports stories of the week.
  • The Ultimate Red Sox Show, a weekly show recapping the week in Red Sox Nation, hosted by Heidi Watney
  • The Buzz, a fast-paced Top 10 countdown of all things Bruins hosted by Naoko Funayama
  • The Instigators, a show in which the latest hockey news is debated by Mike Milbury, Jack Edwards, and Andy Brickley
  • Charlie Moore Outdoors, a fishing and outdoors show hosted by Charlie Moore
  • The Red Sox Report, hosted by Don Orsillo with reporter Rob Crawford.
  • Sox in 2/Bruins in 2, a two hour replay of the previous night's game, usually aired at midnight and early afternoon the next day (Not aired when the Red Sox play games on the West Coast)
  • Breakfast with the Sox/Breakfast with the Bruins, a one hour replay of the previous night's game. Originally aired when the Sox are on the west coast, later expanded to every morning after a game, expanded to include Bruins games in 2007.
  • RemDawg Unleashed, a half-hour of bloopers and funny moments from Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy
  • The Remy's, an awards show showcasing the top moments and players from the first half of the Red Sox's season. The "Top Dawg" of 2006 (its first season) was Jonathan Papelbon. A postseason edition is also aired.
  • The Brick's, an awards show showcasing the top moments and players from the first half of the Bruin's season. A postseason edition of the show is also aired.
  • Red Sox Classics, old Red Sox games that have been deemed classic because of events happening in the game or someone achieving some kind of record are shown. Walk Off Sox is essentially the same program, but with a walk-off win by the Red Sox.
  • Bruins Classics, shows old Boston Bruins games condensed to fit a one-hour time slot.
  • Red Sox Hot Stove is a Red Sox show that is hosted by Tom Caron and is played during the baseball offseason. Many guest stars such as Gordon Edes, Nick Cafardo, Sean McAdam and Jerry Remy also appear.
  • Sox Appeal is a reality television series began airing in August 2007. It is a Red Sox themed dating game show that follows a man or woman during three, two-inning long blind dates that take place over the course of a Red Sox game.
  • NESN's Comedy All Stars is a 30 minute show that features various stand-up comics. Most of the jokes are geared towards Boston sports.
  • Pocket Money is a 30 minute show that takes place on the streets of Boston asking fans sports trivia questions. The host is Paul "Fitzy" Fitzgerald. SportsTime Ohio and SportsNet New York air a similar program called Beer Money.
  • Friday Night Fenway, a 30 minute show before Red Sox pregame, that airs every Friday Night the Red Sox are home. Tom Caron hosts, along with Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo.
  • Monster Monday, a 30 minute show before Red Sox pregame, that airs every Monday Night. Tom Caron hosts.
  • Minor League Baseball, NESN airs multiple Pawtucket Red Sox games each season, as well as Futures at Fenway, a double header in which the PawSox and Portland Sea Dogs play. Eric Frede handles the play-by-play with Ken Ryan as color commentator.
  • Little League Baseball, in 2008 and 2009 NESN aired the New England Regional Little League Tournament in August.
  • NESN also airs ACC college basketball, college football, tennis, the Celebrity Spotlight series, Dirty Water TV, UFC Wired, Golf Destination, and outdoor and fishing programming.

Graphics

NESN has different-colored borders on its graphics according to the event being aired. They include: red (Red Sox), silver (Sportsdesk), gold (Bruins), blue (NCAA) and green (golf and tennis).

NESN has a sports ticker, called The Edge, at the bottom of the screen similar to the one found on ESPN. It is on during :20/:50 intervals only during a live event.

Current personalities

Notable alumni

NESN HD

NESN HD is a 1080i high definition simulcast of NESN, featuring HD broadcasts of Red Sox & Bruins games as well as other content such as SportsDesk, The Ulimate Red Sox Show, The Buzz, and Rubber Biscuit.

The HD service's early tagline was "Red Sox Tradition in High Definition."

NESN Plus

NESN Plus is an alternate cable channel, activated when the Bruins and Red Sox play at the same time. Originally Comcast systems utilized NECN or CN8 for NESN Plus while other stations placed NESN Plus on an empty channel or a local cable access channel. One team will play on the main channel (if the Bruins are in the playoffs they get priority for the main channel), while the other will play on NESN Plus. DirecTV added it in both SD and HD on April 11, 2009.

NESN.com

NESN.com is the Web site of the New England Sports Network.

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.answers.com/topic/new-england-sports-network
  2. ^ http://www2.nesn.com/boston-red-sox/2009/05/06/jerry-remy-takes-leave-to-recover-from-cancer-surgery/
  3. ^ http://broadcastengineering.com/infrastructure/broadcasting_nesn_hits_home/


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