Spring training game ratings on NESN up 108 percent
BOSTON, MA – Heading into the 2011 regular season with spring training ratings on NESN up 108 percent, NESN will launch its 28th season of Red Sox coverage on Friday, April 1, from Arlington, Texas, when the team faces off against the Rangers, the defending AL champions. NESN’s opening day coverage will begin at 3:00 p.m. with the premiere of the network’s new half-hour pregame show Red Sox First Pitch driven by Your New England Acura Dealers. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. is Red Sox GameDay LIVE presented by Uno, with live game coverage following at 4 p.m.
Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Heidi Watney will lead NESN’s broadcast of 150 exclusive, high-definition Red Sox games. The network’s 2011 Red Sox programming will offer unprecedented team access, including micing of players, in-game interviews and postgame appearances by Red Sox players. The game telecasts will introduce new robotic cameras in both dugouts at Fenway Park. The programming will also include an enhanced production package with new show openings, music and graphics.
"While the Red Sox were making plenty of exciting news this offseason, our NESN team has been creating new and enhanced production elements which will bring the ballpark experience directly to our fans," said Joel Feld, NESN’s executive vice president of programming and executive producer. "We will have a lot of fun this year micing the players, using innovative camera angles and telling more in-depth stories about the players."
NESN’s pre- and postgame studio programming will be led by host Tom Caron. Caron will be joined by NESN’s lineup of analysts Dennis Eckersley, Peter Gammons and Jim Rice, all members of Baseball’s Hall of Fame. The network will again originate its home pregame coverage from Yawkey Way, the most unique outdoor setting in baseball. This year many postgame shows will also be produced from NESN’s Yawkey Way stage and feature live appearances by Red Sox players, questions from fans, in-depth game analysis and clubhouse interviews.
NESN’s 2011 Red Sox Programs and Talent
Game Coverage
Play-by-Play: Don Orsillo (11th year)
Analyst: Jerry Remy (24th year)
Reporter: Heidi Watney (4th year)
Pregame Coverage
Red Sox First Pitch driven by Your New England Acura Dealers: Half-hour show that airs one hour before the start of every game
Red Sox GameDay LIVE presented by Uno: Half-hour before every game
Red Sox Monster Monday: Half-hour special, starts 90 minutes before every Monday night game
Friday Night Fenway: Half-hour special, starts 90 minutes before every Friday night home game
Host: Tom Caron (8th year)
Analysts: Dennis Eckersley (9th year), Jim Rice (9th year), Peter Gammons (2nd year)
Postgame Coverage
WB Mason Extra Innings LIVE: Half-hour show that airs immediately following the game
Red Sox Final: A second half-hour of postgame coverage that airs immediately after Extra Innings LIVE
Same talent team as pregame shows
Weekly Programs
The Ultimate Red Sox Show with Heidi Watney presented by Arbella Insurance: Every Sunday at 12 p.m. featuring in-depth interviews with players and other team personnel. Season premiere is Sunday, April 10.
Red Sox Report presented by CVS Pharmacy: Weekly look at the team’s off-the-field work
About NESN
NESN is owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins and is delivered to over 4 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 Original NESN Entertainment (ONE) productions.
