NBC Sports Boston

src: media.philly.com

NBC Sports Boston is an American regional sports network that is owned by the NBC Sports Group unit of NBCUniversal, and operates as an affiliate of NBC Sports Regional Networks. Headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, the channel broadcasts regional coverage of professional sports events throughout New England with a major focus on Boston area teams, as well as several original analysis, magazine and entertainment programs. It is available on cable providers throughout Massachusetts, eastern and central Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island; it is also available nationwide on satellite via DirecTV.

Video NBC Sports Boston

History

Early history

NBC Sports Boston originally launched on November 6, 1981 as PRISM New England. A spin-off of the Philadelphia-based film and sports-oriented premium service PRISM, it was founded by that channel's parent company, Spectacor. Along with carrying entertainment programming, the network also served as the cable television home for the NHL's Hartford Whalers and the NBA's Boston Celtics, as well as various college sports teams.

In late 1982, Spectacor sold PRISM New England to Cablevision Systems Corporation. On January 1, 1983, the network was rebranded as SportsChannel New England, becoming the second network of what would become the SportsChannel group (after SportsChannel New York).

As a Fox Sports Net outlet

On June 30, 1997, News Corporation and Liberty Media - which had created a new group of regional sports networks, branded as Fox Sports Net, in November 1996, through News Corporation's partial acquisition of the Liberty-owned Prime Network - purchased a 40% interest in Cablevision's sports properties including the SportsChannel networks (as part of a deal that included partial ownership of Madison Square Garden and its NBA and NHL team tenants, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers). Cablevision, News Corporation and Liberty Media formed the venture National Sports Partners to run the owned-and-operated regional networks.

As part of a gradual rebranding of most of the SportsChannel networks that began that month (the lone exception being SportsChannel Florida, which did not become an owned-and-operated outlet until 2000), SportsChannel New England joined Fox Sports Net on January 28, 1998, officially rebranding as Fox Sports New England. That month, MediaOne acquired a 50% interest in the network. The channel was rebranded as Fox Sports Net New England in 2000, as part of a collective brand modification of the FSN networks under the "Fox Sports Net" banner. That year, AT&T Corp. bought MediaOne, including its stake in the network; in January 2001, AT&T proposed to sell the stake, along with its interest in seven other cable networks, in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission. Comcast acquired the stake in November 2002 as part of its merger with AT&T Broadband.

The network's name was shortened to FSN New England in 2004, through the de-emphasis of the "Fox Sports Net" brand by the regional networks. In later years, the network carried selected New York Mets games in parts of Connecticut that were not served by MSG or FSN New York (now MSG Plus), which then produced the games.

As a Comcast SportsNet outlet

In February 2005, Cablevision acquired News Corporation's interest in FSN New England, FSN New York, and FSN Chicago in a trade deal in which Fox sold its interest in Madison Square Garden and the arena's NBA and NHL team tenants in exchange for acquiring sole ownership of FSN Florida, FSN Ohio, and FSN's national programming and advertising division. Comcast retained its 50% stake in FSN New England; at the time, analysts speculated that Comcast would eventually acquire full control of the network for integration into its Comcast SportsNet group of regional sports networks.

On April 30, 2007, Comcast announced that it would purchase Cablevision's stakes in FSN New England and FSN Bay Area from Cablevision, giving it full ownership of FSN New England. The network was rebranded as Comcast SportsNet New England on October 1, 2007. CSN New England, along with the other Comcast SportsNet-branded networks, was revamped with a new logo and graphics package (similar to that first used by sister network Comcast SportsNet Bay Area) in August 2008.

With Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, Comcast SportsNet was also integrated into the new NBC Sports Group, culminating with the addition of the peacock logo and an updated graphics package to mirror that of its parent network. That year, the network reached an extension of their rights deal with the Boston Celtics that saw the team acquire a 20% equity stake in Comcast SportsNet New England. On August 6, 2014, satellite provider Dish Network dropped Comcast SportsNet New England in a dispute over a proposed increase in retransmission consent fees during carriage agreement negotiations.

Comcast rebranded the network as NBC Sports Boston on October 2, 2017, as part of a larger rebranding of the Comcast SportsNet networks under the NBC Sports brand.

Maps NBC Sports Boston

Programming

Sports coverage

NBC Sports Boston holds the regional cable television rights to the NBA's Boston Celtics (the only remaining sports property that has aired its games on the network since its launch in 1981), the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (which first broadcast its games on the network from 1996 to 2007, before returning to the network in 2010), the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse and the Maine Red Claws of the National Basketball Development League (which have aired its games on the network since the team's formation in 2011).

Until 2012, Comcast SportsNet New England also carried programming distributed nationally by Fox Sports Networks in lieu of a regional FSN affiliate. This includes access to a variety of college sports, notably Pac-12 Conference basketball games on various nights, as well as Saturday telecasts of football games from the Pac-12 and Big 12 Conferences during their respective seasons. The channel also aired studio shows produced by Fox Sports Networks (such as The Best Damn Sports Show Period and FSN Final Score), prior to the premiere of the network's own sports news program, SportsNet Central, in December 2009. Comcast SportsNet New England, along with four other CSN networks, dropped FSN programming on August 1, 2012, after the NBC Sports Group could not reach a deal to continue carrying FSN programming.

The network formerly carried games from the NHL's Hartford Whalers from its launch in 1981 until the team's relocation to North Carolina (as the Carolina Hurricanes) in 1997. The network also served as the television home of the Boston Breakers of the United States Football League, broadcasting the team's games for one season in 1983.

Original programming

The Baseball Show (airs Sundays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during baseball season) - Hosted by Bob Neumeier with analysts Lou Merloni, Sean McAdam, Dan Shaughnessy, and Steve Buckley, it is a call-in program featuring studio discussions, and opinions and comments from viewers and listeners about the latest issues regarding the Boston Red Sox. Original host Michael Felger left the program after committing to WBZ-FM (98.5) in August 2009 as the show was simulcast on WBZ competitor WEEI (850 AM) through 2010; it currently airs solely on NBC Sports Boston. A special edition of the program, The Basketball Show, airs whenever the Boston Celtics are playing in the NBA Finals.
Celtics Now - Hosted by Michael Holley, a weekly studio show reviewing news involving the Boston Celtics from the previous week.
Cross Check (Tuesday nights during hockey season) - Hosted by Michael Felger and Mike Milbury, the show discusses all of the week's latest news on the Boston Bruins. Joe Haggerty and Bruins fourth line winger Shawn Thornton make weekly appearances. The show's signature segment is called "Fan or Fraud", an on-the-street trivia segment in which Bruins fans are around the Boston area are asked questions about the team to determine if they are a true fan.
Early Edition (weeknights at 6:00 p.m.) - Hosted by Gary Tanguay, Trenni Kusnierek and Michael Felger, Early Edition combines hot takes and opinion, offering an unfiltered look at the best Boston sports topics of the day.
Boston Sports Tonight (weeknights at 9:00 p.m.) - Tom E. Curran, Michael Holley, Kayce Smith and Tom Giles meet fans at the cross-section of opinion, information and fun. The unique format provides immediate, real-time reactions to what's happening throughout the Boston sports world.
Best of Boston Sports Tonight (airs at various timeslots during weekdays and Saturdays) - Recap of the Best Moments from the network's nightly sports show centered on opinion, information and fun.
Sports Sunday (Sundays at 7:30 p.m.) - Sports Sunday, a studio show hosted by Michael Felger, reviews the previous week in New England Sports. Panelists include Lou Merloni, Bob Ryan, Ron Borges, Michael Holley, Chris Gasper, Sean McAdam, Cedric Maxwell, Damon Amendolara, Tom E. Curran, Troy Brown, Ty Law and Kevin Paul Dupont. The program's "conference call" call-in segment features writers from across the United States discussing the national sports scene.
The Toucher and Rich Show (weekdays from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m.) - A simulcast of the weekday morning drive radio program from WBZ-FM, hosted by Fred Toucher and Rich Shertenlieb.
Felger and Mazz (weekdays from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.) - Debuted on November 14, 2011, it is a simulcast of the afternoon drive program from WBZ-FM, hosted by Michael Felger and Tony Massarotti, with Jim Murray providing the day's headlines every 30 minutes. Former Patriots' tight end Jermaine Wiggins co-hosted the program on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. as part of a segment called "Wiggy Tuesday" until August 2014. Contributors include Boston Globe sportswriter Chris Gasper (who appears in-studio on Fridays and during the football season), Paul Perillo (who discusses the New England Patriots on Thursdays), Greg Bedard on Tuesdays ( who appears during football season) and Bruins president Cam Neely (who appears weekly during hockey season).
New England Tailgate (Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. during football season) - Hosted by Gary Tanguay with Fred Smerlas and Steve DeOssie as analysts, it is a weekly studio show featuring discussion and analysis on the New England Patriots.
Patriots Football Weekly (Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. during football season) - Hosted by writers/editors of the New England Patriots official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly: Fred Kirsch, Andy Hart and Paul Perillo.
Quick Slants (Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. during football season) - An interactive football show that airs hosted by Tom E. Curran and Kay Adams, answering questions about current events in the NFL via Twitter, Facebook, and live chat.

thumbnail_1213_steelers_defense_with_ranks.jpg | NBC Sports Boston

src: www.nbcsports.com

Notable on-air staff

Current on-air staff

Tony Amonte - hockey analyst (2011-present)
A. Sherrod Blakely - Celtics insider
Abby Chin - Celtics courtside reporter
Tom E. Curran - Patriots Insider
Dave Cowens - Celtics studio analyst and color analyst (road games)
Bob Beers - hockey analyst (2009-present)
Troy Brown - football analyst (2008-present)
Kyle Draper - Celtics studio host (2013-present) and "Sports Sunday" host (2017-present)
Evan Drellich - Red Sox reporter and analyst, co-host of The Baseball Show (2017-present)
Michael Felger - Host of Arbella Early Edition and Felger and Mazz
Eric Frede - SportsNet Central anchor/reporter (2010-present), Boston Celtics studio host (1998-2001)
Mike Giardi - Anchor and Reporter
Mike Gorman - Boston Celtics play-by-play announcer (1982-present) Connecticut Sun play-by-play announcer (2010-2011)
Joe Haggerty - Bruins Insider
Tommy Heinsohn - Boston Celtics color commentator for Celtics games (1982-present)
Michael Holley - Celtics Now host and fill-in UNO Sun Sports Tonight host (2008-present)
Trenni Kusnierek - Anchor and Reporter
Ty Law - football analyst (2011-present)
Chris Mannix - Boston Celtics studio analyst
Tony Massarotti - co-host of Felger and Mazz
Lou Merloni - baseball analyst and fill-in UNO Sun Sports Tonight host (2009-present)
Brian Scalabrine - Boston Celtics commentator and analyst (2012-2013, 2014-present)
Gary Tanguay - host of Arbella Early Edition host of "Patriots Wednesday Live"
Kevin Walsh - SportsNet Central Anchor and reporter
Tim Welsh - Boston Celtics studio analyst
Kayce Smith - Anchor and Reporter
Tom Giles - Anchor and Reporter

Former on-air staff

Kay Adams - co-host, Quick Slants
Upton Bell - Boston Breakers studio host (1983)
Don Blackburn - Hartford Whalers color commentator (1983-1986)
Bob Cousy - Boston Celtics color commentator (1999-2008)
Gerry Cheevers - Hartford Whalers color commentator (1986-1995)
Larry Collmus - Racing From Suffolk Downs co-host
Dalen Cuff - SportsNet Central Anchor & Reporter
Greg Dickerson - Boston Celtics courtside reporter (2006-2013), studio host (2001-2006)
Mike Fornes - Hartford Whalers play-by-play (1981-1984)
John Forslund - Hartford Whalers play-by-play (1995-1997)
Bill Gardner - Hartford Whalers color commentator (1996-1997)
André Lacroix - Hartford Whalers color commentator (1982-1983)
Bob Lobel - Boston Celtics studio host (1989-1993)
Mike Lynch - Boston Celtics studio host (1993-1994)
Donny Marshall - Boston Celtics studio analyst, and color commentator for select Celtics' road games (2005-2013)
Carolyn Manno - "SportsNet Central" anchor/reporter (2009-2012)
Willie Maye - Boston Celtics courtside reporter (1996-2005), studio host (1994-1996)
Sean McAdam - NBC Sports Boston baseball staff writer (2009-2016)
Johnny McKenzie - Hartford Whalers color commentator (1981-1982)
Jessica Moran - Anchor and reporter (2009-2016)
Bob Neumeier - SportsNet Central anchor/reporter (2010-2016) co-host The Baseball Show
Harvey Pack - Racing From Suffolk Downs co-host
Rick Peckham - Hartford Whalers play-by-play (1984-1995)
Daryl Reaugh - Hartford Whalers color commentator (1995-1996)
Leah Secondo - Boston Celtics studio host (1997-1998)
Kim Walden - Boston Celtics studio host (1996-1997)
Nicole Zaloumis - SportsNet Central anchor/reporter (2009-2012)

thumbnail_1127_brady_career_vs_tomlin.jpg | NBC Sports Boston

src: www.nbcsports.com

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