Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the region's leading source for multiplatform sports coverage, and the Baltimore Ravens have announced the renewal and expansion of their comprehensive partnership, which began prior to the 2010 regular season. Comcast SportsNet, the 'Official Sports Network of the Ravens,' will significantly increase its game-day coverage of the team under the new deal.
As part of the expanded agreement, Comcast SportsNet adds official pregame and postgame shows and preseason games to its extensive line-up of team programming. The network will continue to deliver the Ravens' complete line-up of daily television shows, live coverage of head coach John Harbaugh's weekly press conferences and other team-related programming and online content throughout the season.
"We enjoyed a very successful season with the Ravens last year, so we are excited to extend and elevate our partnership to include high-quality game-day coverage," said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Rebecca Schulte. "This expanded coverage, in addition to the full news and entertainment programming we provide all season, makes Comcast SportsNet the number-one destination for Ravens fans."
Beginning this season, Comcast SportsNet will be home to the Ravens' official pregame and postgame shows. 'Ravens Postgame Live,' a comprehensive 90-minute postgame show, will air following all regular season and playoff games during the 2011 NFL season. In addition, Comcast SportsNet will air full pregame coverage as 'Ravens Kickoff' prior to select games, beginning with the regular-season opener against Pittsburgh on Sept. 11. These exclusive shows, which will feature the region's top analysts and insiders, will provide complete team-related news, analysis and interviews.
"We can reach all of our area fans through Comcast SportsNet, which has a well-deserved reputation for outstanding regional sports coverage," said Ravens President Dick Cass.
Comcast SportsNet will also serve as the exclusive cable home for three of the Ravens' four games during the 2011 preseason, highlighted by live coverage of their opening game at Philadelphia on Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m., which will be surrounded by half-hour pregame and postgame shows. The Ravens' preseason games against Kansas City on Aug. 19 and at Atlanta on Sept. 1 will air as delayed presentations at 11:30 p.m. and 12 a.m., respectively.
Comcast SportsNet will continue to present the team's half-hour shows each weekday during the regular season and playoffs. Returning to the network this year are '1 Winning Drive' (Monday), 'Game Plan' (Wednesday), 'Ravens Report' (Thursday) and 'Purple Passion' (Friday), with a new interview show, 'Ravens One on One,' (Tuesday) making its debut this season. The shows will air at 5 p.m. and 12 a.m. on their respective days, beginning on Sept. 6. 'SportsNet Central: John Harbaugh Live' will cover the head coach's weekly press conferences live again this season.
The expanded agreement with the Ravens – which also includes digital media integration and marketing opportunities – gives Comcast SportsNet two comprehensive NFL partnerships that feature preseason games, exclusive pregame and postgame shows and daily team programs. Through their longstanding relationship with the Washington Redskins, the network will air three of their four preseason games this year, as well as 'Redskins Kickoff,' 'Redskins Postgame Live' and 'Redskins Nation' throughout the season.
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic – the official sports network of the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, D.C. United, Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association – delivers more than 500 live sporting events per year, along with Emmy Award-winning news, analysis and entertainment programming, to more than 4.7 million homes throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Comcast SportsNet's digital portfolio, highlighted by CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com, is the region's leading source for online sports news and information.
Comcast Sports Group, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 14 local networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and breaking news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group's sports networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation's largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.
