Turner Sports Leads Off on October 6 with Multiplatform Coverage of the 2010 MLB Postseason

Turner Sports Leads Off on October 6 with Multiplatform Coverage of the 2010 MLB Postseason

Including TBS’ Exclusive Presentation of the LDS and ALCS

Unique linear and digital features to provide fans with unprecedented access to the Postseason

Turner Sports steps up to the plate to start the 2010 MLB Postseason on Wed., October 6 with extensive multiplatform coverage including TBS’ exclusive presentation of the Division Series (LDS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS).  The network will feature state-of-the-art technology including the debut of an enhanced PITCHf/x System and the return of Pitch Trax to TBS’ Postseason coverage.  The network will also debut a live batting cage in studio allowing its analysts to demonstrate various aspects of hitting and pitching.  Online, TBS Hot Corner on MLB.com returns with more on-demand video highlights, exclusive interviews and analysis.  TBS MLB analysts will also be accessible to fans via social media including live streaming chats throughout the Postseason.

TBS’ production plans will utilize the most advanced technology including the innovative PITCHf/x System, which tracks every pitch thrown from the time it leaves the pitchers hand until the time it crosses home plate, calculating key statistics such as speed, break, location and trajectory.  In addition to the standard “head-on” pitcher view, viewers will have the opportunity to see every pitch thrown from an overhead view and a side view, essentially offering three distinct viewing angles.  The network will also feature Pitch Trax, which illustrates pitch location, an animated Hit Chart and The MLB on TBS studio shows will feature a live batting cage and pitching machine for studio analysts Dennis Eckersley, Cal Ripken and David Wells to demonstrate hitting techniques and pitching strategies of the game.  The TBS MLB On-Deck presented by Jeep pre-game show and Inside MLB presented by Captain Morgan post-game show will also have in-depth game reports and post-game interviews from every LDS game as well as the ALCS and National League Championship Series (NLCS).

The network’s online plans for the Postseason include the return of TBS Hot Corner on MLB.com (www.mlb.com/tbshotcorner).  The site gives fans access to on-demand video highlights from the LDS and ALCS in addition to interviews with players and coaches.  TBS Hot Corner will also feature exclusive segments from the studio with analysts Eckersley, Ripken and Wells breaking down all of the action and previewing upcoming match-ups.

Turner Sports will also get fans involved by allowing them to communicate with each other as well as react to the action on the field through various social media platforms:

• Live streaming chats on MLB.com: Fans will have the opportunity to interact with TBS MLB analysts Eckersley, Ripken, Wells, Ron Darling and John Smoltz through live chats that will be hosted on MLB.com throughout the Postseason.
• Twitter: TBS MLB broadcasters, including Ernie Johnson, Darling and Ripken, will use Twitter to provide additional commentary and analysis of all the Postseason action.  The tweets will be featured on the TBS Hot Corner on MLB.com Twitter feed (twitter.com/tbshotcorner).
• Facebook: Fans can also check out the MLB on TBS Facebook page (facebook.com) to find the latest schedule information, behind-the-scenes photos and other special features.

“We are excited for the MLB Postseason to get underway and we plan on bringing the same high-level of passion and production quality across all platforms that fans have come to expect from Turner.” said Jeff Behnke, Turner Sports senior vice president and executive producer.  “Our coverage, both on television and online, will provide fans with comprehensive information and state-of-the-art access to the Postseason.”

Last season, TBS’s exclusive coverage of the LDS led the network to its most-viewed week in the 33-year history of the network.  For the 2009 LDS, TBS garnered double-digit increases in ratings, total viewers and households.  Over the course of 13 LDS games, TBS averaged a 3.1 US household rating, up 11%, and an 11% increase in total viewers (4,769,000 vs. 4,282,000) when compared to the 2008 LDS.  In addition, the 2009 LDS has averaged 3,575,000 households, an increase of 11%.

TBS’s exclusive coverage of the ALDS and NLDS will be handled by a quartet of play-by-play announcers: Johnson, Brian Anderson, Dick Stockton and Don Orsillo.  These announcers will work with a team of veteran analysts, including regular Sunday MLB on TBS announcers Darling, Smoltz and Buck Martinez, along with Bob Brenly and Joe Simpson, who are both returning to TBS this postseason.  MLB insider and Sports Illustrated senior baseball writer for the magazine and SI.com Tom Verducci, along with Craig Sager, Marc Fein and David Aldridge, will serve as TBS reporters during the ALDS and NLDS.For the ALCS, TBS’s team will be led by Johnson, paired with analysts Darling and Smoltz.  

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television’s top-rated comedy network and is available in 100.1 million households.  It serves as home to such original comedy series as My Boys, Are We There Yet? and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns; the late-night hit Lopez Tonight, starring George Lopez, and the upcoming late-night series starring Conan O’Brien; hot contemporary comedies like Family Guy and The Office; specials like Funniest Commercials of the Year; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS, TNT and truTV, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, NCAA Digital, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports’ diverse portfolio also offers a collection of mobile Web sites and apps featuring NBA, NASCAR and professional golf content, along with Turner Sports’ first branded consumer product, SportsNOW. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

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