Sports Media News

Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

FOX Sports 1 Home to 30th Anniversary NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE

By

NASCAR_on_FOXFOX SPORTS 1 HOME TO 30TH ANNIVERSARY

NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE; COCA-COLA 600 ON FOX

10 DAYS OF THUNDER Loaded with Racing, Special Programs, Social Interaction

Highly Anticipated 100,000 CAMERAS: TALLADEGA Premieres May 14

FOX Sports 1 opens its annual 10 DAYS OF THUNDER Presented by Polaris programming block with a full calendar of racing from 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway and a selection of special original programs, including the anxiously awaited 100,000 CAMERAS: TALLADEGA.

Highlighting the opening weekend on track, NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE action gets started under the lights with the NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN on Friday, May 15 (7:00 PM ET), the last-chance qualifier for Saturday’s high-powered All-Star race, with winners of each segment advancing to the All-Star Race.

NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE QUALIFYING airs live on FOX Sports 1 on Saturday, May 16 (7:00 PM ET), followed by the one-of-a-kind, surprise-filled driver and crew introductions at 8:30 PM ET and green-flag racing at 9:00 PM ET.

The popular FOX NASCAR broadcast team, headlined by inaugural NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE winner Darrell Waltrip (1985), includes two-time All-Star race-winning crew chief Larry McReynolds and host Mike Joy in the booth, Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip in the Hollywood Hotel and Jamie Little, Chris Neville and Matt Yocum reporting from the pits.

10 DAYS OF THUNDER opens Thursday, May 14 on FOX Sports 1 with NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES PRACTICE live at 3:00 PM ET and FINAL PRACTICE beginning at 7:00 PM ET.

An evening of special programming follows, with UNCOMPROMISING: KEVIN HARVICK premiering at 9:00 PM ET, leading in to the highly anticipated NASCAR Productions crowd-sourcing special, 100,000 CAMERAS: TALLADEGA, at 9:30 PM ET and a replay of the popular NASCAR MASTERS OF THE CLOCK: THE LEGEND OF MARTINSVILLE at 10:00 PM ET. For more information on 100,000 CAMERAS: TALLADEGA – http://foxs.pt/1GA2TJT.

NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES racing takes center stage on Friday, May 15 on FOX Sports 1, with NCWTS SETUP live from Charlotte at 8:00 PM ET, followed by green-flag racing at 8:30 PM ET. Adam Alexander handles play-by-play with analysis from Phil Parsons and Michael Waltrip. Hermie Sadler and Vince Welch report from the pits,

On Sunday, May 17, FOX Sports 1 delivers live coverage of the NASCAR XFINITY SERIES race from Iowa Speedway, beginning with NASCAR RACEDAY – XFINITY at 1:30 PM ET and racing at 2:00 PM ET. The team of Alexander, Parsons and Michael Waltrip handles the race call, with Sadler and Welch in the pits.

Week two programming heats up Thursday, May 21, with NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES and NASCAR XFINITY SERIES cars on track, along with the premiere of ONE HOT NIGHT: THE 1992 NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE at 8:30 PM ET on FOX Sports 1.

The Memorial Day weekend airing of the 56th running of the COCA-COLA 600 on FOX on Sunday, May 24 (5:30 PM ET) puts the exclamation point on 10 DAYS OF THUNDER, with Darrell Waltrip, McReynolds and Joy again calling the race. Myers and Michael Waltrip work from the Hollywood Hotel and Little, Neville and Yocum report from the pits.

First run in 1960, the Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES circuit. Six-time champion Jimmie Johnson is the defending race winner.

NASCAR RACE HUB offers special weekend editions during 10 DAYS OF THUNDER, with hosts Danielle Trotta and Alexander, analysts McReynolds, Jeff Hammond and Wally Dallenbach, as well as reporters Alan Cavanna, Andrew Doud and Kaitlyn Vincie.

FOX NASCAR received an Emmy Award last week, its 18th in 14 years, for Outstanding Live Sports Series as the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences presented its 36th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in New York.

FOX Sports’ award-winning digital, video and social teams are set to engage throughout the 10 DAYS OF THUNDER. All available resources are trained on Charlotte Motor Speedway, where teams are set up to create and share content, and engage with race fans. Follow @NASCARonFOX on Twitter (467,500+ Followers) and like “NASCAR on FOX” on Facebook (1.4M+ Likes) for breaking news updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes access from the garage.

NASCAR @TheBuzzer delivers micro-news and entertainment to Facebook walls and Twitter feeds. NASCAR @TheBuzzer content has produced more than 15 million video views via social networking platforms so far in 2015 and will be a presence throughout the NASCAR SPRINT ALL-STAR RACE with FOX Sports’ Daryl Motte, Alexander, Hammond and AJ Allmendinger. Visit Facebook.com/TheBuzzer.

FOX Sports GO, the critically acclaimed app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content at home or on the go, now is available in 70 million households and offers live streaming of all 10 DAYS OF THUNDER programming. Customers of participating video providers may access the live stream of the race through the FOX Sports GO app for iOS, Android, Fire Tablets and Fire Phones, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, select Windows devices, and on desktops through FOXSportsGO.com.  Fans can download the mobile app for free from the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Amazon App Store and Windows Store.

 

10 DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR PROGRAMMING LINEUP

(All times ET and subject to change)

 

Thursday, May 14

NCWTS Practice (3:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Race Hub (6:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NCWTS Final Practice (7:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

Uncompromising: Kevin Harvick (9:00 PM, Premiere on FOX Sports 1)

100,000 Cameras: Talladega (9:30 PM, Premiere on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Masters of the Clock: The Legend of Martinsville, (10:00 PM Encore on FOX Sports 1)

 

Friday, May 15

NASCAR Final Practice: Showdown (12:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Final Practice: All-Star (1:45 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Race Hub Weekend Edition: All-Star (3:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying: Showdown (4:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NCWTS Qualifying (5:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Sprint All-Star Showdown (7:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NCWTS Setup (8:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NCWTS Race from Charlotte (8:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Saturday, May 16

NASCAR Sprint Cup Qualifying: All-Star (7:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR RaceDay (8:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

30th Anniversary NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (9:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Sunday, May 17

NASCAR RaceDay: XFINITY (1:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR XFINITY Series Race from Iowa (2:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Monday, May 18

NASCAR Race Hub (6:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Tuesday, May 19

NASCAR Race Hub (6:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Wednesday, May 20

NASCAR Race Hub (6:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Thursday, May 21

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice (2:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR XFINITY Series Practice (4:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Race Hub (5:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR XFINITY Series Final Practice (5:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Qualifying (7:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

One Hot Night: The 1992 NASCAR All-Star Race (8:30 PM, Premiere on FOX Sports 1)

 

Friday, May 22

NASCAR Race Hub (6:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

 

Saturday, May 23

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Practice (10:00 AM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying (11:00 AM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Race Hub Weekend Edition (12:30 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Final Practice (1:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports 1)

NASCAR XFINITY Series from Charlotte (2:00 PM, LIVE on FOX)

 

Sunday, May 24

NASCAR RaceDay (4:00 PM, LIVE on FOX Sports1)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 (5:30 PM, LIVE on FOX)

 

 

About FOX Sports

FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets.  Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships.  FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FOX Sports 1; FOX Sports 2; Fox’s 22 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports.  In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com.  Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network.

 

–FOX SPORTS–

FOX Sports 1 Presents First Ever U.S. OPEN MEDIA DAY SPECIAL

By

fox-sports-1-logoHour-Long Program Previews 115th U.S. Open at Chambers Bay

Joe Buck, Greg Norman, Holly Sonders and Brad Faxon Host

New York – With the U.S. Open Championship just around the corner, FOX Sports presents U.S. OPEN MEDIA DAY SPECIAL, a one-hour showcase previewing the 115th U.S. Open Championship. Originating from the United States Golf Association’s Media Day at Chambers Bay, the program, recorded earlier in the day, airs in primetime Monday, April 27, (9:30 PM ET) on FOX Sports 1.

Hosted by Holly Sonders and Joe Buck, with insights and special features from analysts Greg Norman and Brad Faxon, the special also includes sit-down interviews with USGA Executive Director Mike Davis and President Tom O’Toole Jr., who provide a comprehensive preview of our country’s national championship.

“We are excited to present the first ever U.S. Open Media Day show,” said Bill Richards, senior vice president of FOX Sports production. “Chambers Bay is one of the most unique courses in the country, and we look to capture those iconic images for viewers and bring a one of a kind behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for golf’s greatest championship event.”

Course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. also joins the show, providing a detailed look at the course layout and challenging links design. Reigning U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer appears via satellite, sharing insights on his championship experience and what he expects from this year’s venue. Norman and Faxon walk viewers through each hole, offering analysis on particular points of interest and spots that could spell trouble for competitors during championship week.

U.S. OPEN MEDIA DAY SPECIAL also showcases the innovative technology which FOX Sports expects to integrate into the U.S. Open telecast. Featuring never-before-seen enhancements, such as augmented reality graphics illustrating the contours of greens as well as wind speed and direction, in addition to drone fly-overs and 4k Flex technology that brings super slow motion shots and drop down robotic cameras for unique angles throughout the course, FOX Sports promises a golf broadcast with new and distinct perspectives.

FOX Sports’ coverage of the 2015 U.S. Open begins Thursday, June 18, at 12:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1, culminating with the final round Sunday, June 21, at 2:00 PM ET on FOX.

– FOX SPORTS-

FOX SPORTS 1 Adds Dontrelle Willis to FOX MLB Studio Team

By

fox-sports-1-logoD-TRAIN ARRIVES AT FOX SPORTS 1

Network Adds Charismatic Dontrelle Willis to FOX MLB Studio Team

A World Series Champion, Rookie of the Year and two-time National League All-Star, former starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis has been added to FOX Sports 1’s Major League Baseball coverage as a studio analyst.

The recently retired left-hander, who was given the nickname “D-Train” during his playing career, makes his broadcast debut on FOX Sports 1’s flagship highlight, news and opinion program, FOX SPORTS LIVE, on Monday, April 20 (11:00 PM ET). Willis also contributes to MLB WHIPAROUND, the cable network’s weeknight highlights and analysis studio show that features live look-ins at games from across the country and AMERICA’S PREGAME, FOX Sports 1’s weeknight preview show.  The two-time All-Star joins former big leaguers Frank Thomas, C.J. Nitkowski, Raúl Ibañez, Mark Sweeney and Eric Karros as FOX Sports 1 MLB studio analysts.

“Dontrelle is a guy who was so fun to watch as a player, because he brought so much enthusiasm and passion to the mound,” FOX Sports coordinating producer Bardia Shah-Rais said. “We are looking forward to seeing that same energy from him as an analyst and feel like he has a lot to offer to our viewers.”

Willis spent nine seasons in the major leagues with four different clubs, but is best remembered for his time with then-Florida Marlins from 2003 to 2007. He stormed onto the scene as a rookie in 2003, posting a 14-6 record and 3.30 earned run average over 27 starts, earning National League Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors for a Marlins team that would make an improbable run through the playoffs and claim the franchise’s second World Series title.

In 2005, Willis turned in the finest season of his career, once again earning National League All-Star honors, placing second in the circuit’s voting for the Cy Young Award and finishing the season with career bests in wins (22), ERA (2.63), innings pitched (236.1), strikeouts (170), complete games (7) and shutouts (5).

Also highly regarded for his aptitude with the bat, Willis registered a lifetime .244 batting average, 95 hits and clubbed nine home runs during his career. After spending his first five seasons with Florida, he also appeared in regular season games as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers, before ultimately retiring in March 2015.

– FOX SPORTS –

NASCAR Sprint Cup Race From Martinsville Sets FOX Sports 1 Audience Mark

By

fox-sports-1-logoStrong Viewership Also Reported for MLS, FOX SPORTS LIVE, JOCKEY CLUB TOUR

And NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES

Charlotte, N.C. — College hoops isn’t the only sport to see sizable audiences last weekend.

On Sunday (3/29), FOX Sports televised its first ever regularly scheduled NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race on FOX Sports 1, and the audience from Martinsville (VA) Speedway was record-setting.  Overcoming intense competition, the race attracted 4,061,000 viewers making it the most-watched motorsports event in network history, the fourth most-watched telecast ever on the network and the only non-MLB postseason event among the network’s top five.

According to Nielsen, the race propelled FOX Sports 1 to its most-watched Sunday from 6:00 AM-3:00 AM since launch, averaging 1,068,000 viewers over that span.  Moreover, FOX Sports 1 was the most-watched ad supported cable network from 1:00-5:15 PM ET on Sunday (4,089,000 viewers), posting a +170% advantage over the next closest network (Nickelodeon, 1,511,000 viewers).  The audience for the race peaked at 5,450,000 from 5:00-5:11 PM ET as Denny Hamlin held off a final-lap charge from Brad Keselowski to cop his first win of the season.

The audience for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race supplanted the previous FOX Sports 1 motorsports record of 3,526,000 set Feb. 15, 2014 for the SPRINT UNLIMITED.  The only other Sprint Cup points event on FOX Sports 1 was last season’s Bristol race on March 16 which was moved from FOX to FOX Sports 1 due to rain.  That race averaged 3,227,000 viewers.

Preceding the race, NASCAR RACEDAY posted 1,008,000 viewers, +52% above last year’s edition from Martinsville (661,000).  Immediately following the race, a special airing of FOX SPORTS LIVE posted 1,904,000 viewers marking the show’s seventh most-watched edition ever.

Later in the evening, Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 victory over Toronto in MLS action tallied 211,000 viewers, the largest audience for a FOX Sports 1 MLS match since opening weekend, and +50% above the comparable package’s 2014 season average (141,000).

Saturday (3/28) was a good day for racing of all kinds on FOX Sports 1.  The JOCKEY CLUB TOUR from Dubai delivered 291,000 viewers making it the second-most watched horse race in FOX Sports 1 history and more than doubled the average of the 12 previous races (120,000).  Later that day, the NASCAR CAMPING WORLD TRUCK SERIES race from Martinsville scored 1,100,000 viewers, +22% from the 2013 race on SPEED (902,000).  Last year’s race was rained out and moved to Sunday at 5:30pm and delivered 532,000 viewers.

– FOX SPORTS –

FOX Sports 1 Unveils Inaugural MLS Television Schedule

By

fox-sports-1-logoAmerica’s Fastest-Growing Sports Channel Gives MLS Sunday Prime-Time Home

34-Match Schedule Highlighted by First Battle

Between Expansion NYCFC and Rival New York Red Bulls;

Five Appearances by Star-Studded Defending Champion Los Angeles Galaxy;

Plus Unveiling of New, Highly-Anticipated, San Jose stadium

Los Angeles – FOX Sports 1 today unveils its inaugural regular-season Major League Soccer (MLS) television schedule with coverage beginning Sunday, March 8 with the first of three doubleheaders, this one featuring Sporting Kansas City at home against the New York Red Bulls (7:00 PM ET) followed by the Seattle Sounders facing Eastern Conference Champion New England Revolution (9:30 PM ET).  In all, the schedule, which runs from March through October, consists of 34 matches, with 33 games scheduled for FOX Sports 1, one on FOX Sports 2, and most matches kicking-off in prime time at 7:00 PM ET Sundays.

Last May, FOX Sports 1 reached an eight-year, multi-platform media rights agreement with Major League Soccer (MLS) marking the league’s return to FOX Sports in 2015 after a four-year absence.

Nine of the MLS’ 15 US-based teams appear on FOX Sports 1 in the season’s first four weeks.  The Red Bulls, Sounders and Orlando City FC, one of two new MLS teams this season, boasting Brazilian superstar Kaka, lead all clubs with six appearances, followed by the defending MLS Cup Champion and star-studded LA Galaxy with English superstar Steven Gerrard, first-year entrant New York City FC featuring Spain’s all-time leading scorer David Villa, Philadelphia and Portland, who each appear five times.

Orlando City FC makes their first FOX Sports 1 appearance on April 26 against Toronto FC (7:00 PM ET) in the season’s second doubleheader.  The nightcap boasts the Pacific Northwest rivalry between Clint Dempsey’s Sounders and the Portland Timbers and (9:30 PM ET).  These two teams have at each other again on June 28 in front of the Portland faithful.  The channel’s final doubleheader on May 24 features Philadelphia Union-Red Bulls (5:00 PM ET) and Orlando City-San Jose Earthquakes at Levi’s Stadium (7:00 PM ET).

As for notable fixtures, FOX Sports carries a rematch of the championship game between the Galaxy and Revolution at Gillette Stadium on May 31 (7:00 PM ET).  Other fixtures to flag include two of the three newly-minted rivalry games between the Red Bulls and New York City FC, the first of which comes May 10 (7:00 PM ET), and two of the three Seattle – LA Galaxy matchups, April 12 (7:00 PM ET) and October 4 (9:30 PM ET).  The Earthquakes make their highly-anticipated debut in their state-of-the-art new home, Avaya Stadium, on March 22 against the Chicago Fire (7:00 PM ET).  The lone match scheduled for FOX Sports 2 comes July 12, when the Colorado Rapids host Real Salt Lake (7:00 PM ET).  See below for complete telecast schedule.

This season, MLS and its broadcast partners, including FOX Sports 1, introduce flex scheduling on the penultimate weekend of the regular season which allows the league and its media partners to decide the most impactful matches to telecast as the season draws to a close.

In addition to the flex scheduling, MLS also unveils its new “Decision Day” scheduling format on the last day of the regular season.  On Sunday, Oct. 25, all five games in each conference are scheduled to be played at the same time, with Eastern Conference matches kicking-off at 5:00 PM ET and Western Conference games beginning at 7:00 PM ET.  FOX Sports 1 is slated to televise an Eastern Conference match.

FOX Sports 1 and ESPN divide MLS CUP PLAYOFFS matches (outside of two games televised by Univision), and alternate televising the MLS CUP and AT&T MLS ALL-STAR GAME.  Television plans for 2015 are expected at a later date.

All MLS games are simulcast on Spanish language network, FOX Deportes, and streaming on FOX Sports GO in Spanish. All matches on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2 are available to customers of participating pay-TV providers via the FOX Sports GO and FOX Soccer 2Go apps, and on the web through FOXSportsGO.com.  FOX Sports GO is currently available for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire tablets and Fire phones and select Windows devices.  Fans can download the mobile app for free from the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Amazon App Store and Windows Store. Fans can also follow minute-by-minute commentary via @FOXSoccer and @FOXSoccerTrax Twitter accounts using #MLSonFOX.

Date Time (ET) Match Network
Sunday, March 8 7:00 PM Kansas City vs. New York Red Bulls FOX Sports 1
Sunday, March 8 9:30 PM Seattle Sounders vs. New England Revolution FOX Sports 1
Sunday, March 15 7:00 PM Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy FOX Sports 1
Sunday, March 22 7:00 PM San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chicago Fire FOX Sports 1
Sunday, April 5 7:00 PM Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union FOX Sports 1
Sunday, April 12 7:00 PM LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FOX Sports 1
Sunday, April 19 7:00 PM New York City FC vs. Portland Timbers FOX Sports 1
Sunday, April 26 7:00 PM Orlando City FC vs. Toronto FC FOX Sports 1
Sunday, April 26 9:30 PM Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers FOX Sports 1
Sunday, May 3 7:00 PM New York City FC vs. Seattle Sounders FOX Sports 1
Sunday, May 10 7:00 PM New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC FOX Sports 1
Sunday, May 17 7:00 PM Philadelphia Union vs. DC United FOX Sports 1
Sunday, May 24 5:00 PM New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union FOX Sports 1
Sunday, May 24 7:00 PM San Jose Earthquakes vs. Orlando City FC FOX Sports 1
Sunday, May 31 7:00 PM New England Revolution vs. LA Galaxy FOX Sports 1
Sunday, June 7 7:00 PM San Jose Earthquakes vs. FC Dallas FOX Sports 1
Sunday, June 14 7:00 PM Orlando City FC vs. DC United FOX Sports 1
Sunday, June 21 10:00 PM Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City FOX Sports 1
Sunday, June 28 7:00 PM Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FOX Sports 1
Sunday, July 12 7:00 PM Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake FOX Sports 2
Sunday, July 19 7:00 PM Orlando City FC vs. New York Red Bulls FOX Sports 1
Sunday, July 26 2:30 PM New York City FC vs. Orlando City FC FOX Sports 1
Sunday, August 2 7:00 PM Chicago Fire vs. FC Dallas FOX Sports 1
Sunday, August 9 7:00 PM New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC FOX Sports 1
Sunday, August 16 7:00 PM Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire FOX Sports 1
Sunday, August 30 7:00 PM New York Red Bulls vs. DC United FOX Sports 1
Sunday, September 6 7:00 PM Columbus Crew vs. FC Dallas FOX Sports 1
Sunday, September 13 7:00 PM Orlando City FC vs. Sporting Kansas City FOX Sports 1
Sunday, September 20 7:00 PM Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo FOX Sports 1
Sunday, September 27 7:00 PM San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake FOX Sports 1
Sunday, October 4 9:30 PM Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy FOX Sports 1
Sunday, October 18 7:00 PM LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers FOX Sports 1
Sunday, October 25 5:00 PM TBD FOX Sports 1

– FOX SPORTS –

2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group Stages Set On FOX Sports 1

By

fox-sports-1-logoUSWNT Forward Alex Morgan: It’s Definitely the Group of Death

Former USWNT Defender Heather Mitts: To Be the Best, You Have To Beat the Best

U.S. Soccer star Alex Morgan joined as a guest analyst and shared her reaction to the draw:

“It’s pretty unbelievable. We knew this was going to happen. That’s why when you saw the reaction from the rest of the team in Brazil, they were laughing, because we knew it. We got the toughest countries in all of the pots, the strongest seeds. It’s definitely the group of death. We can’t count out any team.”

Former U.S. Soccer defender and three-time Olympic Gold medalist Heather Mitts added her thoughts on the group:

“To be the best, you have to beat the best. This group of death is very fitting for us. We always struggle against Sweden and Australia. I do think we will beat them, but Sweden is going to be a very tough match. Pia Sundhage (head coach of Sweden and former head coach of USWNT) knows how our team plays and she will be prepared.”

USWNT head coach Jill Ellis joined the show from Ottawa post-draw:

“Overall it’s going to be a physically demanding group and I think that serves us well because we are deep. We are going to have to play very well to get out of there. I feel confident in the next six months to get this team primed and ready.”

Legendary 1999 USWNT head coach Tony DiCicco also weighed in on-site from Ottawa:

“This is the worst case scenario for the USA because they are playing the best team from every pot.”

Two-time World Cup winner with Germany, Ariane Hingst, thinks Germany will come out on top of its group:

“No disrespect to the other teams, but you can easily say this is a really easy group for Germany to play. Ivory Coast and Netherlands are new names on the pitch. Norway is always hard to play, but Germany definitely has to come out as position one in this group. No doubt about that.”

Retired Mexican defender Monica Gonzalez said the Mexican Women’s National Team has to win next summer:

“What Mexico is looking to do at the very minimum is get a win in this group. Mexico has never gotten a win in a major tournament neither in the World Cup or the Olympics.”

England Women’s National Team all-time leading goal scorer Kelly Smith offered her thoughts on her former team’s match-ups:

“I think coach Mark Sampson will be quite happy with this group. He has brought in a lot of youth, vibrant players that want to do well. The team is in a good place, but we have a lot of work to do. Obviously you don’t want to lose the opening game against France, that will be tough.”

All 52 matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 are carried live on FOX and FOX Sports 1. Coverage kicks off on June 6 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium with hosts Canada, while the USWNT begin its campaign on June 8. The final takes place on July 5 in Vancouver. For more information and analysis, please visit FOXSoccer.com.

– FOX SPORTS –

FOX Sports 1 Presents DEREK JETER: A NIGHT 2 REMEMBER

By

fox-sports-1-logoFor those lucky enough to attend Yankees Captain Derek Jeter’s final home game, the farewell scene was indescribable. Tens of thousands gathered in a 21st century sports cathedral to witness the final pinstriped chapter of a 20-year career no doubt guided by the baseball gods.  How else can one explain how New York’s rain-soaked skies miraculously gave way to a game-time rainbow and the storybook drama that unfolded in the ninth?

Fortunately, for those who wish to re-live the evening, FOX Sports 1 presents, DEREK JETER: A NIGHT 2 REMEMBER, a cinematic journey through his final home game as a New York Yankee.  Produced by Major League Baseball Productions and FOX Sports Originals, the special 30-minute program premieres Monday, Sept. 29 (7:30 PM ET).

Throughout the day and evening of Sept. 25, Major League Baseball Productions had an exclusive look at Jeter at Yankee Stadium, and along with elements from YES Network’s extensive coverage and that of MLB Network, a gripping mini-documentary that chronicles Jeter’s final home game, and its Hollywood script ending, has emerged.  DEREK JETER: A NIGHT 2 REMEMBER is a must-see original work featuring previously unseen images that pays tribute to a once-in-a-generation baseball hero’s final hours in his beloved home uniform.

###

Major League Baseball Postseason Coverage Comes to FOX Sports 1

By

fox-sports-1-logoAmerica’s Newest Sports Network Scheduled to Cover

National League Division and Championship Series for First Time

JABO PRESENTS: NLCS ON FOX SPORTS 1 Multicast Complements

NLCS Game 1 Coverage

 

FOX Broadcasts WORLD SERIES for 15th Consecutive Year

New York – In April, the first-year benchmarks for FOX Sports 1 continued when America’s newest sports network televised its first regular season Major League Baseball game.  Despite crossing into Year 2, the firsts continue and the stakes get higher as FOX Sports 1 gets set to televise postseason MLB for the first time ever.

“October is truly going to be an historic month for FOX Sports and FOX Sports 1 as we add high-profile, jewel events like postseason baseball to our growing portfolio, and at the same time introduce innovative viewing experiences like the JABO PRESENTS: NLCS ON FOXSPORTS 1 multicast,” said FOX Sports President and COO Eric Shanks.  “We’re also serving baseball fans better by providing extensive, comprehensive coverage before and after games, more than we’ve ever been able to offer before.”

This October, Division Series coverage returns to FOX Sports for the first time since 2006.  FOX Sports 1 is scheduled to televise up to eight of 10 National League Division Series games, opening with an historic Game 1 doubleheader on Friday, Oct. 3. Between games is a special edition of FOX SPORTS LIVE, FOX Sports 1’s flagship, news, highlights and analysis program.  Additional Division Series doubleheaders on FOX Sports 1 are also scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 9, if necessary.

FOX Sports’ coverage of the National League Championship Series gets underway on the FOX broadcast network, Saturday, Oct. 11.  NLCS Games 2, 3 and 4 are scheduled for telecast on FOX Sports 1, as are NLCS Games 5 and 7, if necessary.  NLCS Game 6, if necessary, is also set for broadcast on FOX, Saturday, Oct. 18.

In another first, FOX Sports offers fans watching NLCS Game 1 a unique opportunity to experience postseason baseball as never before. While FOX Sports provides a traditional broadcast on FOX, FOX Sports 1 offers fans a more analytics-driven game viewing experience under the banner of FOXSports.com’s exciting new baseball blog, Just a Bit Outside (JABO).  JABO PRESENTS: NLCS ON FOXSPORTS 1 is an unconventional game-viewing experience, with an emphasis on statistics, sabermetrics and graphics with open debate and conversation.  Kevin Burkhardt hosts JABO PRESENTS: NLCS ON FOXSPORTS 1, alongside analysts Gabe Kapler, CJ Nitkowski and Rob Neyer with special guests joining via video remote or phone.

Coverage of the 110th World Series, the 15th straight broadcast by FOX and the network’s 17th overall, begins Tuesday, Oct. 21 in the home ballpark of the American League pennant winner by virtue of the junior circuit’s 5-3 win in July’s All-Star Game.

All postseason MLB games televised by FOX and FOX Sports 1 are also televised in Spanish exclusively on FOX Deportes, the leader in Spanish-language sports media, and for the first time via FOX Sports GO, the app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content at home or on-the-go.  FOX Deportes is poised to deliver its most comprehensive MLB postseason coverage ever, with pregame shows, plus special reports, interviews and postgame analysis on its signature studio show CENTRAL FOX.

This October, FOX Sports is providing more hours of pre and postgame coverage devoted to MLB’s postseason than in any year prior.  FOX, FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes have over 60 hours of pre, between-game and postgame coverage planned, including expanded 90 minute editions of AMERICA’S PREGAME, hosted by Mike Hill and news anchor Molly McGrath; special editions of FOX SPORTS LIVE, FOX Sports 1’s signature news, highlights and analysis program between games; and regularly scheduled FOX SPORTS LIVE programs immediately following most games.

A complete schedule for FOX Sports’ postseason baseball coverage follows, however it is subject to change; game times and location TBD.

 

DIVISION SERIES

DAY/DATE                             SERIES                                  NETWORKS

Friday, Oct. 3                          NLDS A Game 1                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

                              NLDS B Game 1                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Saturday, Oct. 4                     NLDS A Game 2                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Monday, Oct. 6                       NLDS B Game 3                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 7                      NLDS A Game 4*                   FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

                              NLDS B Game 4*                   FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Thursday, Oct. 9                     NLDS A Game 5*                   FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

NLDS B Game 5*                   FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

DAY/DATE                             SERIES                                  NETWORKS

Saturday, Oct. 11                   NLCS Game 1                                    FOX/FOX Deportes

                              JABO Multicast                                   FOX Sports 1

Sunday, Oct. 12                      NLCS Game 2                                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Tuesday, Oct. 14                    NLCS Game 3                                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Wednesday, Oct. 15               NLCS Game 4                                    FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Thursday, Oct. 16                   NLCS Game 5            *                       FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

Saturday, Oct. 18                   NLCS Game 6            *                       FOX/FOX Deportes

Sunday, Oct. 19                      NLCS Game 7            *                       FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes

WORLD SERIES

 

DAY/DATE                             SERIES                      SITE    NETWORKS

Tuesday, Oct. 21                    Game 1                       AL        FOX/FOX Deportes

Wednesday, Oct. 22               Game 2                       AL        FOX/FOX Deportes

Friday, Oct. 24                        Game 3                       NL       FOX/FOX Deportes

Saturday, Oct. 25                   Game 4                       NL       FOX/FOX Deportes

Sunday, Oct. 26                      Game 5*                     NL       FOX/FOX Deportes

Tuesday, Oct. 28                    Game 6*                     AL        FOX/FOX Deportes

Wednesday, Oct. 29               Game 7*                     AL        FOX/FOX Deportes

*denotes “if necessary”

— FOX SPORTS –

FOX Sports 1 Reaches 1st Anniversary as Prime Time’s Fastest Growing Sports Channel

By

fox-sports-1-logoYear 1 Foundation Led by UFC, NASCAR, MLB, Big 12/Pac-12 Football, BIG EAST,

UEFA Champions League Soccer & Golden Boy Boxing

MLB Postseason, FIFA Women’s World Cup, USGA Championships, NASCAR Nationwide Series and More Bolster Lineup in Year 2

New York – At precisely 6:00 AM ET on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, FOX Sports ushered in a new era of sports television with the official launch of FOX Sports 1 in approximately 90 million homes – the biggest sports cable network launch in history and one of the largest network launches ever – and the first words viewers heard that summer morning was a promise to “always put the fan first.”

FOX Sports 1 launched simultaneously with its companion channel FOX Sports 2, both complements to FOX’s existing sports assets, including FOX Sports’ broadcast coverage, FOX Sports Regional Networks, Big Ten Network, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Digital Media and FOX Sports Radio, to create one of the most robust portfolios in the sports media industry.

“The last 12 months have been the most successful and eventful in the 20-year history of FOX Sports, with growth and success stories across all our brands,” said FOX Sports President & COO Eric Shanks. “None of our channels or digital platforms exists independently, and for the first time we are all truly working together as one.  Perfect examples are coordinated theme programming initiatives like Super Bowl Week (90 hours of programming), 10 Days of Thunder (a week-long block of NASCAR, MLB, UFC and originals in May) and Red, White & Fight Week (more than 18 hours of UFC programming in July, including two live fight cards) which were supported throughout the company.  There is more collaboration, creativity and resources being shared across our different groups than ever before, and my sincere thanks go out to all who have worked so hard to make that a reality.”

In keeping with its commitment to put the fan first, FOX Sports 1 delivered nearly 5,000 hours of live event, news and original programming in its first year, and the formula succeeded in making it the fastest growing sports channel in prime time.  Live programming was highlighted by UFC events; regular-season MLB; college football from the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences; NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Qualifying and Practice events; BIG EAST college basketball; UEFA Champions League soccer; and Golden Boy boxing.  Among the channel’s many significant first-year undertakings was the establishment of a national sports news organization, providing news highlights throughout the day, including THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW updates; and shows like NASCAR RACE HUB; FOX NFL KICKOFF; AMERICA’S PREGAME and FOX SPORTS LIVE, the channel’s flagship news, highlights and opinion program.

New and dynamic original programs also stocked the schedule including BEING: THE FINEST; BEING: MIKE TYSON; BEING: MARIANO RIVERA; DEREK JETER: A TRIBUTE; PECOS LEAGUE; BACK OF THE SHOP; BIG STICKS WITH KEN GRIFFEY, JR.; and CLOSER KINGDOM to highlight a few.

“Now that FOX Sports 1’s first anniversary is just behind us, we look back with a sense of tremendous pride and accomplishment,” added Shanks.  “We came out of the shoot a year ago looking long term to become the No. 1 sports channel in the country, and while we realize that ambitious goal is years away, we’re working every day to get there.  We thank the leagues, conferences and governing bodies which helped us lay a tremendous foundation in Year 1 and the marquee sports and events coming aboard in Year 2, which will lead to more and more sports fans finding us.”

The next 12 months are going to be dynamic in terms of programming growth for FOX Sports 1.  The channel adds more than 150 events, accounting for over 600 hours of live event programming, including MLB Division and League Championship Series games and Women’s World Cup Qualifiers this fall; NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide races coming in February; and FIFA Women’s World Cup and USGA championship events next spring.

FOX Sports 1 First Anniversary Highlights

Audience:

–          FOX Sports 1 is the fastest growing sports cable channel in prime time, +48% over SPEED a year ago, while key demographics (A18-49 and M18-49) are +62%.

–          FOX Sports 1 ranked as the No. 1 sports channel in prime time 16 times in the past year, a rarity for any first-year channel.

–          FOX Sports 1’s prime time audience beat ESPN2 75 times.

–          The total reach of FOX Sports 1 since launch is approaching 100 million fans – 30 million people more than SPEED a year ago (+45%).

–          FOX Sports 1 is extremely strong on Saturdays (1:00 PM-1:00 AM), posting 41% audience gains over SPEED a year ago, a figure that has improved greatly since adding MLB.  Since the 2014 MLB season began, FOX Sports 1 is beating ESPN2 in audience (409,000 vs. 318,000) by 29% (3/31/14-8/3/14).

–          The FOX Sports 1 audience is more affluent, more diverse and younger than SPEED’s.

–          FOX SPORTS LIVE retains its lead-in audience at approximately the same percentage as SportsCenter (35%).

Studio Programming:

–          Weekday daytime programming has evolved since launch to now feature THE MIKE FRANCESA SHOW (1:00-5:00 PM ET), NASCAR RACE HUB (5:00-6:00 PM ET) and AMERICA’S PREGAME (6:00-7:00 PM ET), which provides the flexibility to cover topical stories and events, no matter the sport or where it’s being played using the vast resources of our national and FOX Sports Regional Networks.

–          New faces were introduced through national sports TV and digital channels, including Mike Garafolo, Gabe Kapler, Molly McGrath, Randy Moss, Katie Nolan, Jay Onrait, Dan O’Toole and Brian Urlacher.

–          New opportunities were provided to others, including Jill Arrington, Don Bell, Colleen Dominguez, Mike Hill, Joel Klatt and Charissa Thompson.

–          Editorial influence was bolstered by adding esteemed journalists, including Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel, to TV and digital coverage.

–          FOX SPORTS LIVE accomplished the daunting task of building and investing in a national sports news organization providing sports fans a choice.  Audience retention for FOX SPORTS LIVE has grown from 33% to 42% over the year.

FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2 were not launched as stand-alone channels, but as important components in the FOX Sports portfolio that provides the greatest reach and engagement of sports fans in the U.S.  FOX Sports continues its commitment to a strong broadcast presence for big events on FOX, making it the No. 1 broadcast sports network for 17 consecutive years.  Last season was the NFL on FOX’s most-watched ever, capped off by Super Bowl XLVIII, the country’s most-watched TV show of all time.  The 2013 World Series was +17% year-to-year, while the entire MLB Postseason on FOX was +26%.  The 2013 Big Ten Championship Football Game was the most-watched ever, while audience for the MLB All-Star Game in July grew for the third straight year.

It was also a record-setting year for FOX Sports Regional Networks, the unmatched leader in local sports, which posted its highest-rated MLB season ever (2013), its highest-rated NBA season in nine years (2013-14) and its highest-rated NHL season in 10 years (2013-14).

FOX Deportes has clearly established itself as a leading Spanish language cable sports channel, this year becoming the first to televise the Super Bowl, posting record viewership.  The network’s coverage of the 2014 UEFA Champions League tournament was the most-watched in the history of the tournament’s Spanish-language broadcast. The channel is a leader in social audience with 7.5 million fans on Facebook.

The launch of FOX Sports 1 also provided the perfect opportunity to reinvent FOX Sports’ digital offerings, first and foremost of which is the critically-acclaimed FOX Sports GO app.  FOX Sports GO, which recently surpassed 1 million downloads, offers a high-quality streaming platform for IOS and Android devices, providing users access to live events, like nationally televised MLB games (including jewel events like the 2013 World Series and 2014 All-Star Game for the first time), NASCAR, UEFA Champions League and UFC events.  The new partnership between FOXSports.com and Sporting News Media creates an industry leader of video offerings online and via mobile platforms.

Big Ten Network (BTN) remains the standard for college sports channels, and with the addition of Rutgers and Maryland to the Big Ten, the network continues its rapid growth with distribution nationwide.  A product of BTN, BTN2Go is a leading mobile app for live streaming with one of the highest levels of authenticated distribution in the sports TV industry.

The last year also saw a renewed commitment to the FOX Sports Radio Network.  FOX Sports reached a new long term agreement with Clear Channel/Premier which ensures FOX Sports Radio remains a key component in the FOX Sports portfolio for years to come.

There’s no denying that the past 12 months have been the most successful in FOX Sports’ history, and on the heels of that success, Year 2 of the FOX Sports 1 era is poised for additional growth among all its national, regional and digital platforms.

– FOX SPORTS –

FOX Sports 1 Has 2014 FIFA World Cup Covered

By

fox-sports-1-logoLos Angeles – This summer, work productivity is expected to plummet as the mercury rises and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the world’s biggest single-sport event, gets underway. For 30 days, all eyes are fixed on Brazil and FOX Sports 1 has the personnel and programming to cover it all.

FOX Sports has gathered a small army of respected soccer analysts to contribute daily to AMERICA’S PREGAME and FOX SPORTS LIVE, as well as FOXSoccer.com, America’s most-visited online soccer destination. Most notably are FOX Sports’ soccer contributor and Sports Illustrated Senior Columnist Grant Wahl who heads to Brazil to report live for both shows from the USA team base, while FOX Sports reporter Geoff Schreeves is primarily entrenched within the England camp.

Daily studio coverage includes opinions from U.S. Soccer Hall of Famers Eric Wynalda and Cobi Jones who both played in a record three World Cups and were part of the legendary 1994 U.S. squad that forever changed soccer in America. Former England international Warren Barton and former Dutch international Mario Melchiot also provide unparalleled analysis throughout the month-long tournament.

Each weekday highlights, news and analysis come first on AMERICA’S PREGAME (daily, 6:00 PM ET) and later on FOX SPORTS LIVE (nightly, 11:00 PM ET) beginning with the opening match on Thursday, June 12 and continue until a champion is crowned on Sunday, July 13.  The U.S. kicks-off its FIFA World Cup quest against familiar foe Ghana on Monday, June 16.

Gaming analyst Todd Fuhrman contributes entertaining segments on the odds and ends of the FIFA World Cup groups and matches for AMERICA’S PREGAME and FOX SPORTS LIVE, while the shows also offers features on the stars and up-and-comers to watch; the U.S. team without forward Landon Donovan; and the rest of their so-called Group of Death with Portugal, Germany and Ghana.

FOXSoccer.com has also assembled a full team of writers on the ground, with Leander Schaerlaeckens embedded with the U.S. Men’s National Team and Amy Lawrence, Patrick Barclay, Jonathan Wilson and Jamie Trecker all providing unrivaled coverage of the events on the streets of Brazil. FOXSoccer.com offers exclusive daily web hits along with statistical analysis and real-time commentary via MatchTrax across smartphones, tablets and computers. The FOX Sports GO app live streams all World Cup coverage on AMERICA’S PREGAME and FOX SPORTS LIVE.

In addition, FOX Sports draws from its vast array of assets with the latest updates from FOX Sports Brasil, Sky Sports Germany, Sky Sports Italia and Sky Sports Japan. Viewers can follow on social media with @FOXSoccer, @FOXSoccerTrax, @AmericasPregame and @FOXSportsLive for match commentary and up-to-the-minute reporting.

FOX Deportes’ leading news program Central FOX and talk show La Ultima Palabra bring viewers complete commentary around the World Cup. Renowned soccer stars Alberto Garcia Aspe, Luis Hernandez, Daniel “El Ruso” Brailovsky, Raul Orvananos, Fabian Estay and top anchors Alejandro Blanco and Andre Marin are set to cover the biggest headlines direct from Brazil.

– FOX SPORTS –