Starting with the upcoming National Hockey League and National Basketball Association seasons, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will broadcast all of its pro hockey and hoops games in high-definition.
The regional sports network, beginning with the Oct. 11 NHL contest between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers, will televise all of that squad’s home and away games, as well as those of the NBA Sixers and Major League Baseball’s Phillies in HD..
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia currently produces all of its studio-based news, pre and post game coverage, as well as home and select road games in the enhanced format.
The regional joins Comcast SportsNet channels serving the Boston, Chicago and New York DMAs in offering all of the pro sports teams games they have rights to in HD.
During the 2008-09 season, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will air 64 Flyers and 69 Sixers games, with the latter tipping its HD game action against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 29.
During the 2008 MLB season, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will air a total of 62 Phillies games.
“Our goal has always been to bring fans closer to the action and by delivering all home and road games, plus news and pre- and post-game programs in high definition, Comcast SportsNet once again fulfils that commitment to our viewers,” said Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia President Stephanie Smith.
Comcast SportsNet stepped into the HD rink on Feb. 15, 2003, when its cablecast of the Flyers-Caroline Hurricanes game became the first locally produced high-definition content in the Philadelphia region. In March 2004, the network began producing all home games and select road games for the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies in HD.
Comcast SportsNet New England this season will offer all of the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics games it has the rights to in HD. Similarly, Comcast SportsNet Chicago has shown all of its MLB Cubs and White Sox games in the format this season, and will do the same for Bulls (NBA), Blackhawks (NHL) contests in the format. SportsNet New York also shows all New York Mets MLB games in HD. Comcast owns SNY in conjunction with Time Warner Cable and Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, which is affiliated with the ballclub, and manages the network.
