Comcast SportsNet Rolls Out 2013 Phillies Programming

The Philadelphia Phillies return to Comcast SportsNet for comprehensive coverage before, during and after every game on-air and online. Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network will air a total of 110 regular season games, all in high definition, with extensive Opening Day coverage, a weekly magazine show, pre and postgame coverage for every game, and exclusive features only available on CSNPhilly.com.

In addition to Comcast SportsNet’s stellar lineup of baseball experts, two former Major League players Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis will provide expert analysis on Phillies pre and postgame shows as well as the network’s news and talk programs.

Bottalico returns for his fifth year as a Phillies analyst after playing 12 seasons in the major leagues, including seven with the Philadelphia Phillies and an all-star appearance in 1996.  Returning to the lineup this year is Davis, a catcher and first round draft pick from Malvern Prep, who played seven seasons in the majors.

Comcast SportsNet’s lineup for Opening Day includes “Phillies Focus,” “Daily News Live,” “SportsNite,” “Phillies Pregame Live,” and “Phillies Postgame Live.”

Comcast SportsNet Opening Day Schedule for Monday, April 1
11:30 a.m.                                           Phillies Focus – Season Preview Special
5 p.m.                                                   Daily News Live
6 p.m.                                                   SportsNite
6:30 p.m.                                             Phillies Pregame Live
7 p.m.                                                   Phillies vs. Braves on MyPHL 17
10 p.m.                                                 Phillies Postgame Live
10:30 p.m.                                           SportsNite

Comcast SportsNet Home Opener Schedule for Friday, April 5
1:30 p.m.                                             No Surrender: 2012 Phillies Video Yearbook
3 p.m.                                                   Phillies Pregame Live
4 p.m.                                                   Phillies vs. Royals
7 p.m.                                                   Phillies Postgame Live
10:30 p.m.                                           SportsNite

2013 Broadcast Enhancements
Gregg Murphy returns as the Phillies field reporter, joining Phillies broadcasters Tom McCarthy, Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews.  All Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Network broadcasts will be in high definition and will feature a new graphics package, updated score bug technology and enhanced statistical data.

All The Bases Covered
Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN), Marshall Harris (@mharrisCSN) and Leslie Gudel (@LeslieGudel) team up for comprehensive Phillies coverage during the 2013 season. As CSNPhilly.com’s Phillies Insider, Salisbury will report on the team both at home and on the road, providing feature stories, video blogs and Phillies chats for the website. Gudel and Harris will provide coverage on-air and online, including exclusive interviews and feature stories on the players, coaches and personalities that make the Phillies tick. Harris will also host Phillies Clubhouse this season.

Pre and Postgame Coverage
In addition to live game coverage, Comcast SportsNet delivers pre and post-game coverage and analysis. Before every game on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network, viewers can catch the latest team developments, game previews and opposing team analysis on “Philly Sports Talk,” “SportsNite” and “Phillies Pregame Live.”

Following each match-up, Phillies fans get a game breakdown with stats and highlights, and a look ahead to the rest of the season on “Phillies Postgame Live.” Other features include manager Charlie Manuel’s press conferences and reaction from the clubhouse. Phillies Postgame Live analysis will be provided by former Major League ball players Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis.

Phillies Clubhouse
Completing Comcast SportsNet’s Phillies lineup is the weekly 30-minute feature series Phillies Clubhouse. “Phillies Clubhouse” illustrates the deep bond between the Phillies and their fans with off-field player profiles and behind-the-scenes stories about fans and the people who make the team run. We’ll look into the future of the game with regular minor league updates, and on this 20th anniversary of the Phillies 1993 NL championship, we’ll look back at that magical team which captured the hearts of Phillies fans everywhere.  This season also features “Beyond the Box Score,” in-depth breakdowns by analysts Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis, to give viewers new insights into what happens on the field. “Phillies Clubhouse” airs most Mondays at 7 p.m.

CSNPhilly.com
Digital/Social Media
CSNPhilly.com’s Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) will provide exclusive player, coaches and management interviews, plus breaking news and in-depth features on CSNPhilly.com. He will also provide live reports for “Philly Sports Talk” and “SportsNite.” CSNPhilly.com columnist John Gonzalez (@GonzoCSN) and feature writer John Finger (@JFingerCSN) will also contribute to the site throughout the season.

CSNPhilly.com’s popular Phillies-themed online show, “Phightin Words” returns with Davis and Bottalico discussing the Phillies and responding to trends, answering fan questions from Twitter and Facebook, and dissecting upcoming series and player performance.  Fans can join the conversation by using the hashtag #PhilliesTalk.

Fans can also follow all games online with CSNPhilly.com’s “In-Game Live” feature which allows fans to follow the game live with play by play, stats and Comcast SportsNet tweets.