May 15, 2013 — NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, will deliver complete pre- and postgame coverage on NESNplus during the Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. Bruins Face-Off LIVE and Bruins Overtime LIVE will be hosted by NESN’s Dale Arnold and feature Bruins play-by-play voice Jack Edwards, color analyst Andy Brickley, rinkside reporter Naoko Funayama, and studio analysts Barry Pederson and Gord Kluzak. Complete details for each show and updated NESNplus channel lists will be available at NESN.com/NESNplus.

NESN televised every game of the Bruins Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Maple Leafs and garnered a series-best 16.8 average household rating in the Boston DMA (26 share) for Monday night’s Game 7. The Bruins incredible third period comeback and 5-4 overtime win ranks as NESN’s third highest-rated hockey game since the network’s inception in 1984.

NESN’s game coverage during the Bruins’ seven-game series against the Maple Leafs averaged a 11.7 HH rating, which included two of the top five highest-rated Bruins games in NESN history. NESN’s highest-rated Bruins game ever was Game 7 of last year’s Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals (April 25, 2012) which received a 19.6 HH rating (31 share) in the Boston DMA.

About NESN

NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

NESN’s highest-rated Bruins game ever was Game 7 of last year’s Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Washington Capitals (April 25, 2012), which garnered a 19.6 HH rating (31 share) in the Boston DMA. Four of NESN’s top six-rated Bruins games of all time are Game 7s, with the only other exception being Game 4 of the Bruins’ four-game sweep of the Flyers in the 2011 conference semifinals.

April 29, 2013 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, will deliver regionally exclusive coverage of every Eastern Conference Quarterfinals game between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. In addition to complete first-round game coverage, NESN will produce pre- and post-game shows before and after every Boston Bruins playoff game throughout the playoffs.

NESN’s coverage of the Bruins first round Stanley Cup Playoffs series begins on Wednesday, May 1 at 6:00 p.m. with Big Bad Bruins LIVE presented by DCU followed by WB Mason presents Bruins Face-Off LIVE at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following NESN’s game coverage, the network will deliver complete post-game coverage with Ace Ticket presents Bruins Overtime LIVE.

NESN.com will also deliver up-to-the minute coverage with daily reports on the Bruins Stanley Cup Playoff action including live blogs for every game.

NESN’s Bruins Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Schedule

* = If Necessary

Red Sox games scheduled on these dates will air on NESNplus. Visit nesn.com/nesnplus to find the NESNplus channel in your area.

About NESN

NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9^th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owner

6.3 Average Household Rating Up 35 Percent Over Record-Setting 2011-12 Season

April 29, 2013 — NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, set a Bruins regular season ratings record during the 2013 season by garnering a 6.3 average household rating in the Boston DMA according to Nielsen. The 6.3 season rating is a 35 percent increase over the 2011-12 season, when NESN set the network’s previous record with a 4.7 HH rating. For the second year in a row, NESN’s Bruins ratings ranked third nationally among regional sports networks. Below is a chart that illustrates NESN’s year-over-year Bruins ratings growth over the past 4 seasons.

“Record Bruins ratings on NESN continue to serve as a testimonial as to the revival of hockey here in New England,” said Sean McGrail, NESN president and CEO. “The Bruins popularity continues to grow as they get ready to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning this Wednesday.”

NESN’s Bruins ratings in 2013 set many other NESN records including:

• Best ever regular season game rating, a 9.4 HH rating on January 19 when the Bruins beat the New York Rangers 3-1 in the season opener
• Eighteen of the network’s top 25 regular season Bruins game ratings of all time were achieved during the 2013 season
• NESN also set records in every major demographic category

-       Adults 25-54 (5.7, up 65 percent)

-       Men 25-54 (7.6, up 76 percent)

-       Women 25-54 (3.8, up 47 percent)

About NESN

NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9^th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

The Red Sox got a 7.8 household rating with a 13 share. The Bruins got a 6.5 household rating for an 11 share.

The next NESN and NESNplus simultaneous coverage event is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, when the Red Sox host the Orioles on NESN and the Bruins host the Islanders on NESNplus. NESNplus channels can be found at NESN.com/NESNplus.

NESN’s programming lineup for Thursday is as follows:

NESN
6 p.m.: Red Sox First Pitch LIVE
6:30 p.m.: Red Sox GameDay LIVE presented by DCU
7 p.m.: Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
10 p.m.: WB Mason presents Extra Innings LIVE
10:30 p.m.: Red Sox Final
11 p.m.: NESN Daily

NESNplus
6:30 p.m.: WB Mason presents Bruins Face-Off LIVE
7 p.m.: Bruins vs. N.Y. Islanders
9:30 p.m.: Ace Ticket presents Bruins Overtime LIVE

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country, with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to more than 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the ninth Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

The partnership will include regularly scheduled live pre-game reports from Fenway Park and all NESN road telecasts to FOX CT News. The live shots will primarily feature NESN’s Red Sox play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo, NESN’s Red Sox color analyst Jerry Remy, and NESN’s Red Sox reporter and Connecticut native Jenny Dell. FOX CT sports director Rich Coppola will also appear on NESN’s Red Sox pre-game show with NESN host Tom Caron and baseball Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice, Peter Gammons and former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.

The FOX CT weather team, including Joe Furey, Rachel Frank and Dan Amarante, will also deliver weather updates for NESN’s Red Sox pre and post-game shows, which will be broadcast to fans in Connecticut before and after every Red Sox game on NESN.

“FOX CT has the largest commitment to news in the Hartford-New Haven market, making them the perfect partner for us to team up with in Connecticut,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO. “FOX CT will help NESN connect directly with fans in Connecticut to provide them with regular updates on the Red Sox and Bruins.”

“This unique partnership allows two powerhouse organizations to come together to provide a unique experience for its audience”, said Richard J. Graziano, general manager of FOX CT and WCCT-TV. “Delivering FOX CT award-winning sports and weather coverage to the strong and loyal Red Sox and Bruins fans in Connecticut is a win-win situation for everyone.”

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

About CT1 Media
CT1 Media, Tribune’s Connecticut properties, consists of FOX CT, WCCT-TV, Hartford Courant, courant.com,CTNow.com, ValuMail, Hartford Magazine, New Having Living and the Advocate Weeklies. Tribune is one of the country’s leading multimedia companies, operating businesses in broadcasting, publishing, and interactive. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune’s print and broadcast properties and extend the company’s nationwide audience.

NESN Daily to be co-anchored from JetBlue Park at Fenway South

Live programming begins with Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers
on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m.

Feb. 7, 2013 — NESN, New England’s most-watched sports network, will deliver 49 consecutive days of live Boston Red Sox Spring Training coverage. For the first time, the network will co-anchor NESN Daily, the network’s nightly sports news and highlights program, live from the Red Sox spring training facility. In addition to NESN Daily from JetBlue Park at Fenway South, NESN will also originate an additional 72 hours of live programming that includes:

• 11 days of Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture
• 6 days of WEEI’s The Dennis and Callahan Morning Show
• 14 spring training games beginning Saturday, Feb. 23

NESN.com will also feature up-to-the-minute news and exclusive video in a special spring training section at NESN.com/springtraining.

11 Days of Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture

NESN’s live spring training coverage begins the day pitchers and catchers report, on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. with Red Sox LIVE from Fort Myers presented by Jordan’s Furniture. NESN studio host Tom Caron will be joined by Peter Gammons and Red Sox players, coaches and executives to deliver 11 consecutive days of live programming from JetBlue Park at Fenway South.

6 Days of WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan Morning Show

NESN’s live coverage from Fort Myers will also include six days of WEEI’s The Dennis & Callahan Morning Show beginning Wednesday, Feb. 13. John Dennis and Gerry Callahan will be at JetBlue Park at Fenway South to deliver exclusive interviews with players, coaches and other experts.

14 spring training games

NESN’s coverage of 14 Grapefruit League games will begin Saturday, Feb. 23, at 1:30 p.m., when the Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy will team up for their 13th season together in the NESN broadcast booth to deliver all the action, with Jenny Dell returning for her second season as NESN’s Red Sox reporter.

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

“Mike is a talented producer with decades of experience leading MLB, NHL and other event telecasts on a national level,” said Joseph Maar, NESN’s vice president of programming, production and executive producer. “He’s a New England native who shares and understands the passion that New England sports fans have for their teams, making him a great fit to lead our remote productions.”

Baker began his television career in 1984 at NESN during the network’s inaugural year on the air.  He spent 10 years with NESN before leaving in 1993. Since that time Baker has produced high profile events for several national networks including, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Versus, and the NFL Network. He has experience leading Major League Baseball remote productions for ESPN as well as NHL game coverage for ESPN and Versus. The Boston University alum has also led the production of NCAA college basketball and football games, the NCAA Frozen Four, and several Olympic events during his career.

“I’ve traveled all over the world as a sports producer, but Boston has always been home,” said Baker. “I’m excited to return to NESN and grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with some of the most talented people in the business and to once again be covering the teams I grew up watching.”

NESN’s Red Sox and Bruins ratings are consistently at or near the top of their respective leagues.  Red Sox ratings have led baseball over the last decade with a 9.2 household average. Bruins ratings have increased each of the past two seasons, setting a network record last season with a 4.7 average. This season, through 5 games Bruins ratings are up an additional 53% to 7.2 HH average.

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9^th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

For the eighth consecutive year, NESN’s broadcast team will feature play-by-play announcer Jack Edwards and color analyst Andy Brickley. Naoko Funayama returns for her fifth season as NESN’s rink-side reporter. NESN’s pre and post-game shows and intermission coverage will be hosted by Dale Arnold, who will be joined by studio analysts Billy Jaffe, Gord Kluzak and Barry Pederson.

NESN has been the home of the Boston Bruins since 1984. Last season, the network garnered the highest average household rating in its history with a 4.7 HH rating. Bruins ratings showed an incredible level of consistency last season, as 23 of the network’s 25 top-rated Bruins regular season games of all-time, including the six highest-rated games in NESN history. The second highest average in NESN history was recorded the last time the NHL experienced a shortened season back in 1995, when NESN earned a 3.8 HH rating.

Attached is a complete listing of NESN’s 2013 Boston Bruins broadcast schedule. To import the schedule electronically into your web, mobile or desktop calendar, visit www.NESN.com/schedule.

NESN’s 2013 Boston Bruins Broadcast Schedule

About NESN

NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 4.4 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9^th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

Hextall comes to NESN from CTV, Canada’s most-watched broadcast network, where she has served as a sports anchor/reporter since 2005. Her work at CTV was on the No. 1 national newscast in Canada and the top-ranked local newscasts in 11 of 12 major Canadian markets, with over 25 million viewers weekly. She also filled-in as a SportsCentre anchor on TSN, Canada’s equivalent to ESPN and the country’s most watched sports network.

In 2010, Hextall became one of the first females in Canada to host her own sports radio show when she launched Amateur Hour on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg. A former amateur athlete herself, Hextall interviewed the best local athletes, from those who are just starting out to seasoned pros, every Monday at 7 p.m.

“Leah is a skilled studio host and reporter with the experience and sports knowledge that will make her a great addition to our growing team of on-air anchors and reporters,” said Joseph Maar, NESN’s vice president of programming and production/executive producer. “Not only is Leah an energetic personality on the air, but her well rounded sports knowledge will allow her to take on many different assignments here at NESN.”

Hextall’s last name might be familiar to NHL fans, as she comes from a well-known hockey family in Canada with three generations of NHL experience. Leah’s grandfather Bryan Hextall Sr. is an NHL Hall of Famer, and her cousin Ron Hextall, a former standout NHL goaltender, is the current LA Kings vice president/assistant general manager who also serves as the general manager of the Manchester (NH) Monarchs.

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 4.4 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the world. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins

“This designation validates our strategy of investing in technology, content and talent — a strategy that is enabled by the support of our owners, Fenway Sports Group and Delaware North,” said NESN president & CEO Sean McGrail. “The end result is an amazing fan experience that drives network ratings and enhances our brand.”

Specifically, McGrail said the growth in NESN’s brand value has come from strategic investments in:

• A state-of-the-art facility that has propelled NESN to become the first regional sports network in the country (RSN) to provide all content in High Definition.
• Digital and mobile capabilities. These investments have allowed NESN.com to become one of the most visited RSN websites in the country, attract more Facebook fans and Twitter followers than any other RSN, and integrate social media into Red Sox and Bruins telecasts, enhancing the fan experience.
• On-air talent that includes nationally recognized broadcasters and iconic names from professional sports.
• Programming. NESN has secured the rights to carry all regional Red Sox and Bruins games, as well as every major New England collegiate event, and created original content through Original NESN Entertainment, or ONE.

As a result of these investments, Red Sox and Bruins broadcasts have record ratings, and NESN has had among the highest average primetime ratings of any RSN in the country over the past decade, McGrail said.

Forbes’ list of the top-10 sports business brands includes such brands as Nike, ESPN, Adidas, Under Armour and Reebok. Forbes also ranked the top-10 brands among athletes, teams and events, and they include such brands as Tiger Woods, David Beckham, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. The full story can be found at http://www.onforb.es/QlfywG

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 4.4 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).

Pellerin comes to NESN from WFXT FOX 25 in Boston where he has served as a general
assignment reporter and fill-in news and sports anchor since 2007.

“Adam is a versatile anchor and reporter who has the perfect combination of experience, sports knowledge, and passion for New England’s sports teams,” said Joseph Maar, NESN’s vice president of programming and production/executive producer.

“We are delighted to add Adam to the NESN team and expect that he will serve in several different roles here at NESN.”

A Norton, Massachusetts native, Pellerin started his television career behind the camera at Fox 25 as a news writer. He then moved to Portland, ME. to WGME Channel 13 and made the transition to working in front of the camera when he served as the CBS affiliate’s sports anchor and reporter.

A lifelong New England sports fan, Pellerin was the starting catcher for Suffolk University’s nationally-ranked baseball team, where he graduated with a bachelor of science in journalism.

Erdahl comes to NESN after working as a freelance reporter at Fox Sports North where she served as a live event sideline reporter on WNBA telecasts of the Minnesota Lynx.

“Jamie is a promising sports reporter with a great work ethic and ability to connect with the viewer,” said Maar. “Jamie
will add another talented reporter to our growing on-air team and spend time between reporting in the field and anchoring in the studio.”

Erdahl was a basketball player at St. Olaf College in Minnesota before transferring to American University in Washington D.C. to pursue a degree in communications. While at American, Erdahl hosted the show Eye on the Eagles that aired on Comcast SportsNet Washington recapping the American University men’s basketball team. Her experience includes several production internships including one at ESPN.

Photos via Twitter/Adam Pellerin and Jamie Erdahl

The partnership will include regularly scheduled live pre-game reports from Fenway Park and all NESN road telecasts to CBS 3 News at 6. The live shots, which will primarily feature NESN's Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Jenny Dell, will take place throughout the baseball season. CBS 3 sports anchor Hugh Zeitlin will also appear on NESN's Red Sox pregame show with NESN host Tom Caron and Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice, Peter Gammons and former MLB stars Tim Wakefield and Matt Stairs.

The CBS 3 weather team will also deliver weather updates for NESN's Red Sox pre- and postgame shows, which will be broadcast to fans in western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut before and after every Red Sox game on NESN.

"CBS 3 continues to bring a fresh and dedicated approach to serving the people in the Pioneer Valley, western Massachusetts, and northern Connecticut with local news, sports and weather since 2003," said Sean McGrail, NESN's president and CEO. "Partnering with CBS 3 Springfield helps NESN directly connect to fans in western Massachusetts to provide regular updates to an important part of Red Sox Nation."

"The television viewers in Western Mass are in for a real treat," said John Hesslein, WSHM's station Manager. "This Springfield-exclusive relationship between NESN and CBS 3 Springfield will bring fans even closer to their hometown professional sports teams. We are looking forward to providing our viewers with some very special coverage they won't see anywhere else."

"CBS 3 Springfield is always looking for new and innovative ways to bring our viewers special local coverage of things they care about," said Dave Ward, CBS 3 Springfield's news director. "This unique affiliation with NESN will provide tremendous opportunities throughout the year with special interviews and sports coverage that can't be found anywhere in Western Mass."

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 4.4 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network's online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins.

About Meredith Corporation

Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com) is the leading media and marketing company serving American women.  Meredith features multiple well-known national brands — including Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, Family Circle, Allrecipes.com, Ladies' Home Journal, Fitness, More, American Baby, EveryDay with Rachael Ray and FamilyFun – along with local television brands in fast-growing markets.  Meredith is the industry leader in creating content in key consumer interest areas such as home, family, food, health and wellness and self-development. Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms — including print, television, digital, mobile, tablets, and video — to give consumers content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Additionally, Meredith uses its many assets to create powerful custom marketing solutions for many of the nation's top brands and companies. WSHM-LP is a CBS affiliated television station serving the Springfield, Holyoke DMA.  WSHM is one of 12 network-affiliated TV stations in the Meredith broadcast group, including sister station WFSB-TV CBS 3 in Hartford, CT.

Maar comes to NESN with over 25 years of experience in the sports media industry, leading and developing the operational, logistical and creative aspects of studio and remote event productions. In his most recent position at FOX Sports North (FSN) regions based out of Minneapolis, Maar led the redevelopment of their original programming. He oversaw live events, studio shows, interactive projects, second screen media and new channel initiatives for two FOX regional sports networks across a five-state region of the Upper Midwest. The telecasts Maar oversaw included the Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), the Minnesota Wild (NHL), the Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Vikings (NFL).

"Joseph has a rare combination of experiences in live sports, original programming, production, operations, and social media that he'll bring to the management team at NESN," said Sean McGrail, NESN's President and CEO. "We're thrilled to have someone of Joseph's caliber join the management team at NESN."

Prior to working at FSN, Maar worked in ESPN's Original Entertainment division and helped launch 20 new shows including Pardon The Interruption (PTI) and Around The Horn. Throughout his career he has received three national Emmy Awards, three Telly Awards and over two dozen regional Emmys. In addition, for over a dozen years Maar wrote feature stories and a monthly print column on television production and operations for national trades Television Broadcast and SportsTV Production. He is an oft-requested moderator and panelist at national television industry conventions.

"I am very excited at the opportunity to work with the storied franchises of the Boston Red Sox and Bruins, combined with the tiffany reputation of the programming and staff at NESN," said Maar. "I'm equally grateful to serve a network with such a high commitment to volunteerism and charity -– something that speaks to my core values."

Maar is an honors graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also taught for eight years as an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. He will be relocating to Boston with his wife and three children this summer.

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 4.4 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network's online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins.

With the expansion of NESN National on Verizon FiOS TV, the channel is now available in 40 DMAs in 17 states and Washington D.C. via several terrestrial multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs).

"This is our largest NESN National launch to date and brings our national service to some of the biggest media markets in the country," said Sean McGrail, NESN's President and CEO. "This launch on Verizon FiOS further demonstrates the popularity of the Red Sox and Bruins throughout the country."

"We are pleased to be able to offer NESN National to all of our FiOS TV subscribers beyond New England," said Ben Grad, director of content strategy and acquisition. "Red Sox and Bruins fans know no geographic boundaries when it comes to their passion for their teams and they will be absolutely delighted by today's news. Verizon continues to add new, compelling content to FiOS TV and NESN National is another example of our commitment to our customers."

NESN National is the national television service of New England Sports Network (NESN), a sports television network owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. Verizon FiOS customers outside NESN's territory (New England except Fairfield County, Conn.) now have the opportunity to follow New England sports including the Red Sox and Bruins, particularly those fans who also have the MLB and NHL league packages.

Throughout the year, Verizon FiOS Ultimate HD customers will be able to watch NESN's Red Sox and Bruins pre- and postgame shows, which are among the most comprehensive in regional sports television. Red Sox First Pitch LIVE presented by Cabot and VermontVacations.com and Red Sox Game-Day LIVE presented by UNO provide Red Sox fans with one-hour of pregame coverage. Hosted by Tom Caron, NESN's coverage features MLB Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice and Peter Gammons, as well as former MLB stars Tim Wakefield and Matt Stairs. The same team of experts also provides one hour of postgame reaction and analysis on W.B. Mason Extra Innings LIVE and Red Sox Final. NESN's Bruins pre- and postgame coverage similarly delivers complete gameday coverage with host Dale Arnold and analysts Billy Jaffe, Barry Peterson, Gord Kluzak and Mark Mowers.

NESN National also includes NESN Daily, a live sports news program available every day of the week; WEEI Sports Radio's The Dennis and Callahan Morning Show; minor league baseball; Hockey East (the premier NCAA hockey conference); college basketball and football; and many of the network's Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) productions.

Red Sox and Bruins game telecasts and certain other programs will not be available on NESN National due to MLB and NHL restrictions. When these programs are airing on NESN in New England, Verizon FiOS customers outside New England will see other NESN programming. Verizon FiOS customers can receive virtually all of NESN's Red Sox and Bruins game telecasts by subscribing to the MLB Extra Innings and NHL Center Ice packages, respectively.

For more information on how to get NESN National through Verizon FiOS, visit Verizon.com.

Wakefield's first appearance will be on Saturday, June 30^th at 9:00 p.m. when he joins Tom Caron and Hall of Famer Jim Rice for one-hour of pregame coverage before the Red Sox take on the Mariners in Seattle.

"Tim Wakefield has been an integral part of the fabric of the Red Sox and the New England community for the past 17 years," said Sean McGrail, NESN President and CEO. "We are extremely happy to add Tim to our all-star lineup of studio analysts and believe that he will bring a unique perspective to our coverage with his knowledge of the team and the rest of the league."

Wakefield retired at the end of last season after a 19-year MLB career, spending 17 years as a popular member of the Red Sox (1995-2012). He ended his career with 200 wins, 186 of them with the Red Sox, which ranks third behind only Cy Young and Roger Clemens on the Red Sox all-time career win list. He was the American League Comeback Player of the Year in 1995, an All-Star in 2009, and a two time World Series Champion.

He was also a champion off the field as one of the most charitable players in the league. He was nominated eight times for the Roberto Clemente Award, and honored as the 2010 recipient of this prestigious award. His partnership with the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Boston allowed him to spend time with patients. He has also been active with New England's Pitching in for Kids organization, the Touch 'Em All Foundation and the Space Coast Early Intervention Center in Melbourne, Fla.

About NESN             

NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 3.7 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network's online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins.

The partnership, which is similar to NESN's content sharing deal with WBZ-TV/CBS 4 in Boston and WJAR/NBC 10 in Providence, will utilize NESN's northern New England signal, which covers most of Vermont, northern New Hampshire and Maine.

Several regularly scheduled game-day activities will debut over two days on Tuesday, June 26 and Wednesday, June 27, including:

1.    NESN Live Shots for WCAX Channel 3 Newscasts
NESN will provide live pregame reports from Fenway Park and all NESN road telecasts to WCAX Channel 3 News at 6. The live shots, which will primarily feature NESN's Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy or Jenny Dell, will take place throughout the baseball season.

2.    WCAX Channel 3 Sports Anchors on NESN
WCAX Channel 3 sports director Mike McCune will appear as a guest on NESN's Boston Red Sox pre-game shows, joining NESN host Tom Caron and Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice, Peter Gammons and former MLB slugger Matt Stairs.

3.    WCAX Channel 3 Weather Updates on NESN
The WCAX Channel 3 weather team, led by meteorologist Sharon Meyer, will deliver northern New England area weather updates to NESN viewers in Vermont, Northern New Hampshire and Maine during NESN's Red Sox pre and postgame shows.

"WCAX Channel 3 has been Vermont's news leader for generations," said Sean McGrail, NESN's president and CEO. "We are proud to partner with Channel 3 and look forward to providing Vermont sports fans with more localized coverage of the Red Sox and Bruins than ever before."

"We are excited about this partnership with NESN. WCAX viewers love their baseball and their weather and this arrangement brings those two worlds right into their homes all season long," said WCAX vice president Alex Martin.

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 3.7 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network's online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins.

About WCAX
"Vermont's Own," WCAX, Channel 3 television, has been locally owned and operated by the Martin family since signing on the air 58 years ago as a CBS affiliate and is the top rated television station in the State of Vermont. WCAX-TV News is also the winner of several awards including the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award, the Peabody Award, several Edward R. Murrow awards and a New England Emmy.

WCAX broadcasts to viewers in Vermont, Western New Hampshire, Upstate New York and Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Media Contacts:   
Gary A. Roy:    NESN    (617) 536-9233    groy@nesn.com    @NESNGaryRoy

Anson Tebbetts:    WCAX    (802) 652-6300    tebbetts@wcax.com

May 22, 2012 – NESN, New England's most watched sports network, and WJAR/NBC 10, the top-rated broadcast station in Providence, Rhode Island, announced today that they have entered into a content sharing partnership associated with NESN's Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The partnership, which is similar to NESN's content sharing deal with WBZ-TV in Boston, will utilize NESN's Providence DMA signal.

The Providence DMA ranks as the 53^rd largest TV market in the country and includes all of Rhode Island as well as Bristol County, Massachusetts. Several regularly scheduled game-day activities targeted at fans in the Providence market will debut over two nights on Tuesday, May 29^th and Wednesday, May 30^th, including:

1. NESN Live Shots for WJAR/NBC 10 Newscasts
   NESN will provide live pre-game reports from Fenway Park and all NESN road telecasts to NBC 10 News at 6 and NBC 10 News at Noon. The live shots, which will primarily feature NESN's Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy or Jenny Dell, will take place throughout the baseball season.
2. WJAR/NBC 10 Sports Anchors on NESN
   WJAR sports director and 10-time Rhode Island Sportscaster of the Year Frank Carpano will appear as a guest on NESN's Boston Red Sox pre-game shows, joining NESN host Tom Caron and Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice, Peter Gammons and NESN's newest analyst, former MLB slugger Matt Stairs.
3. Storm Team 10 Weather Updates on NESN
   Storm Team 10, led by meteorologist Mark Searles, will deliver Providence area weather updates to NESN viewers in Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts during NESN’s Red Sox pre- and post-game shows.

"WJAR has been a leader in providing the Providence market with the best news and sports coverage for decades," said Sean McGrail, NESN's President and CEO. "We are proud to partner with WJAR and excited to provide Rhode Island sports fans with more localized coverage through this exceptional affiliation."

"We are proud and honored to partner with NESN, the region's top-rated sports network," said Vic Vetters, WJAR/NBC 10 General Manager. "Red Sox and Bruins sports fans in Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts are loyal and serious when it comes to sports coverage.  Bringing WJAR together with NESN, two powerhouse media organizations, is the perfect fit and we're excited to bring viewers even more local weather and sports content during the Red Sox and Bruins seasons."

About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 3.7 million homes nationally as NESN National. NESN.com, the network’s online sports news service, is one of the most visited regional sports network websites in the country. NESN also produces a number of distinctive programs under its umbrella Original NESN Entertainment (ONE). NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins.

About WJAR / NBC 10
WJAR-TV/DT is the most watched television station in the Providence-New Bedford television market and NBC 10 News is Southern New England’s leading news station. WJAR was first launched as a radio station in 1922 and then became the market’s first television station in 1949. The station recently upgraded to high definition. WJAR-TV recently won a national Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding achievement in electronic journalism, the station’s third National Murrow Award since 2008. WJAR's web site is turnto10.com. Me-TV Channel 10.2 is WJAR's digital tier station and was first launched in September 2011. Me-TV showcases classic television shows as well as locally produced programming from WJAR.  WJAR is owned by Media General, Inc.

April 26, 2012 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, set a new single-game ratings record for Bruins hockey last night when Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal at TD Garden received a 19.6 average household rating in the Boston DMA. The game ranks as the sixth-highest rated event in NESN history, and earned an impressive 31 share. The peak rating was a 25.5 during the 10-10:15 PM quarter hour, which equaled a 39 share.

NESN’s previous best-ever single-game hockey rating was last season’s Bruins Game 7 Eastern Conference quarterfinal victory over the Montreal Canadiens on April 27, 2011 when the network garnered a 17.7 HH rating and a 28 share.

NESN’s Game 7 ratings in most of the key demographic categories also set new network records, including a 22.1 in Men 25-54, 19.8 in Men 18-49, and 17.4 in Adults 25-54.

Top-Rated Playoff Series in NESN History

NESN also set a new record for the highest rated playoff series in network history. NESN televised four of the seven games against the Capitals and garnered a 13.6 average household rating. The previous best playoff series was last season’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against the Canadiens which averaged an 11.9 HH rating.

Best Season Ratings in NESN History

Bruins regular season ratings also set a NESN record during the 2011/12 campaign with a 4.7 average household rating in the Boston DMA. The 4.7 season rating is a 52 percent increase over the 2010-11 season, when NESN set the network’s previous season record with a 3.1 HH rating. NESN’s Bruins ratings have increased an astounding 115 percent over the last two seasons.

About NESN
NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and the Boston Bruins and is delivered to over four million homes throughout the six-state New England region and nationally as NESN National. The definitive home for fans of New England sports, NESN has consistently been one of the top rated regional sports networks in the country. In addition to award winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage, the network and its popular website, NESN.com, are dedicated to keeping fans informed and entertained with NESN Daily, a nightly sports news and information program; over 100 NESN University college sporting events annually and distinctive 

NESN will have all your pregame and postgame coverage of all the Game 6 action on Sunday afternoon.

Bruins Face-Off Live will air, starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday and will run right up until game time. Immediately following the game, Bruins Overtime Live will have all the news, notes and information on the outcome of Boston’s clash with the Caps.

Tune into NESN and keep up to date with the Bruins’ live blog on NESN.com.