Seen on Screen: CSN Philadelphia Plans Extensive Villanova Coverage; ‘SportsCenter’ Goes Bi-coastal

by Alicia Montanaro, Editorial Assistant

Villanova fans can turn to Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, the one network that has covered the Wildcats all season long, for comprehensive Final Four coverage on-air and online.  In addition to reports in all of the network’s news and talk shows, CSN will air pre and postgame shows surrounding Saturday’s game against Oklahoma in Houston.  John Clark, Neil Hartman, and Reuben Frank will be with the team on the road to the National Championship…

…Starting Tuesday, April 5, the midday SportsCenter will expand to a bi-coastal format. The 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter will feature anchor David Lloyd in Bristol’s CT studios as usual. However, co-anchor Cari Champion will now be hosting from ESPN’s Los Angeles Production Center (LAPC). ESPN expects the show’s format change to expand the pool of in-studio guests and analysts to include many based in the Los Angeles area. Amidst the change, Lloyd and Champion will keep their popular segments such as “Explain Yourself” and “Top 5” as part of the broadcast…

…On Friday, April 1, ESPN’s NBA Countdown will dedicate an entire episode to showcasing every 3-pointer that Stephen Curry has made this season. All 365 of Curry’s 3-pointers will be displayed in succession, in segments broken down by month. Sage Steele hosts the special edition of NBA Countdown, alongside analysts Jalen Rose and Chauncey Billups. Accompanying the trio will be graphics about Curry’s historic season and additional commentary from analysts such as Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, and Hubie Brown…

…MLB Network will debut Play Ball, a new weekly show geared towards kids, on Saturday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Hosted by Harold Reynolds and additional MLB Network analysts, Play Ball will feature one-on-one baseball demonstrations and banters with some of the top players and personalities in the game, such as San Diego Padres outfielder Matt Kemp and Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. In addition, Play Ball will include tips each week for how kids can participate in all forms of baseball activities. Episodes will be available across multiple platforms, including a live simulcast on MLB.com and the MLB.com At Bat app, a podcast at MLBNetwork.com and iTunes, and via participating pay TV providers’ video on demand services…

…Also new to MLB Network is MLB Network Breakdown, which will air right after Play Ball at 10:30 a.m. ET. The new 30-minute weekly show will showcase the expertise of MLB Network’s analysts, plus the 9,600-square foot Studio 42, and on-screen virtual enhancements…

…On Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN broadcasted Making History: The 1966 NCAA Championship – Texas Western vs. Kentucky. The 90-minute presentation celebrated the 50th anniversary of Texas Western’s historic victory in the 1966 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament Championship Game. The Miners’ 72-65 win against the Kentucky Wildcats marked the first time a college basketball team started five African-American players in the sport’s title game. The 1966 NCAA Championship featured the audio call of Walt Sullivan and interviews with players such as Texas Western’s David Lattin…

…ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series returns with “This Magic Moment” on Thursday, April 14, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The film will chronicle the birth and rapid growth of the Orlando Magic franchise in the 1990s, with the help of Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway…

…The first installment of the five-part 30 for 30 documentary, “O.J.: Made in America,” will debut on Saturday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. ET on ABC. The film explores race and celebrity, as it traces the personal journey of Orenthal James Simpson from football star to accused murderer. As the first episodic documentary for ESPN, it will start a new chapter for the 30 for 30 brand…

…On Sunday, April 3 at 6:00 PM E.T., live coverage of the New York Cosmos returns to ONE World Sports when the reigning champions host Ottawa Fury FC. ONE World Sports will carry all 32 of the Cosmos’ 2016 matches live across all of its platforms including a stream on ONEWorldSports.com, unrestricted to all viewers. In addition, all Cosmos matches will be available to authenticated users via the Watch ONE World Sports mobile app. Soccer broadcaster JP Dellacamera will return for the play-by-play action, alongside former Cosmos goalkeeper and soccer analyst Shep Messing…

…FS1 paid tribute to the late actor Ken Howard from March 31 to April 1, with a 15-episode marathon of The White Shadow. The White Shadow originally aired 54 episodes over three seasons from 1978 to 1981, as Howard participated in his most iconic role as high school basketball coach Ken Reeves. The show was inspired by Howard’s personal experiences; the actor earned the nickname “The White Shadow” since he was the only white player on his high school basketball team. FS1’s The White Shadow marathon included the show’s entire first season, concluding with episode 15, “Le Grand Finale.”