New Era of Boston Celtics Basketball Begins on Comcast SportsNet

New Era of Boston Celtics Basketball Begins on Comcast SportsNet

Comcast SportsNet Debuts October 1 with Extended Game Day Coverage, Expanded Courtside Reporting, New Celtics Magazine and New Set

BURLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Excitement reigns for Celtics fans, and the campaign for a 17th NBA title will be seen on Comcast SportsNet. The home to Boston Celtics basketball relaunches on October 1, with a new name, new passion and new commitment to covering the Celtics as they have never been covered before.

Comcast SportsNet's season-long coverage begins when the Boston Celtics venture to Europe for preseason contests against the Toronto Raptors in Rome on October 6, and the Minnesota Timberwolves from London on October 10. The network's slate of Celtics games features 87 telecasts, including eight preseason games, 39 regular season high definition home game telecasts and 40 regular season road games. Of Comcast SportsNet's 79 regular season telecasts, 63 are exclusive.

"There are few organizations in professional sports that can match the legacy of the Boston Celtics and to be associated with this historic franchise is a tremendous honor," said Comcast SportsNet President Jon Litner. "Comcast SportsNet is committed to delivering the best regional sports coverage and to be the most trusted source for Boston Celtics coverage and news on the entire New England sports scene."

While the network name will rapidly become familiar, Celtics fans already recognize the faces of Comcast SportsNet as the nation's longest-running broadcast tandem of Mike Gorman (play-by-play) and Tommy Heinsohn (color commentary) return for their 27th season. Joining Mike and Tommy again this season is courtside reporter Greg Dickerson, who will provide in-game reports during every telecast, including away games, for the first time. With a three- man team on every telecast, Comcast SportsNet will provide comprehensive coverage of the game action and the game strategy.

Comcast SportsNet's game coverage will include expanded and more comprehensive pre and post game shows. Both the pre and post game shows will run a full 30 minutes and bookend every Comcast SportsNet telecast, including weekend games, for the first time. Game night begins a half hour before tip off with Celtics Pre-Game Live hosted by Gary Tanguay. Coverage continues after the game with Comcast SportsNet's first ever 30-minute post game show, Celtics Post Game Live. Former UConn Husky and six-year NBA veteran Donny Marshall will again join Tanguay to break down opponents' strengths and weaknesses and provide insight and analysis into Celtics strategy. Marshall will also provide color commentary on 13 Celtics away games.

Comcast SportsNet will telecast both shows from a brand new set that debuts on October 17, and gives the network's Celtics telecasts and other programming a vibrant, modern feel. The set, designed by PDG of New York, incorporates 12 plasma monitors to dynamically display remote interviews, stats, graphics and other visual elements that will enhance the programming.

In addition to Comcast SportsNet's expanded game night coverage, the network will premier a new weekly magazine show on Tuesday, November 6. The first installment will take a look at the Green's stellar off-season, the team's European vacation and the season ahead. The weekly show will run all season long on Tuesdays at 7:30 and feature Donny Marshall as host and the contributions of Tanguay and Dickerson. Each week, Celtics fans can expect to see the players off the court in exclusive interviews and features and at Celtics community events.

"It is a new era for the Boston Celtics and for Comcast SportsNet. The fans' excitement for the coming season is matched by our enthusiasm to showcase the Celtics," said Senior VP and General Manager David Woodman. "In the future, we expect to increase our HD coverage and bring Celtics programming to the Video On Demand platform."

The full Celtics 2007-08 schedule is available at http://www.fsnnewengland.com/

Comcast SportsNet reaches more than 3.7 million households in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Comcast SportsNet's programming includes Boston Celtics, Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight, Twin River New England Tailgate, and Net Impact. Comcast SportsNet is owned and managed by Comcast SportsNet. Visit http://www.comcastsportsnet.com/ for more information.

Comcast SportsNet operates 11 sports networks that cover more than 2,400 live sporting events annually and deliver comprehensive sports news and analysis to 38 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast SportsNet's networks are: Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet West, Comcast SportsNet Northwest (launching Fall 2007), SportsNet New York, FSN Bay Area, FSN New England, The Mtn. -- MountainWest Sports Network, CSS, and Comcast Local Detroit. These networks provide live game coverage of 17 professional teams as well as college, minor league and other sports. For more information see http://www.comcastsportsnet.com/ .

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Comcast SportsNet

CONTACT: Skip Perham, +1-781-270-7252, sperham@comcastsportsnet.com, or
Tim Fitzpatrick +1-215-952-7086, tfitzpatrick@comcastsportsnet.com, both of
Comcast SportsNet

Web site:

http://www.fsnnewengland.com/
http://www.comcastsportsnet.com/

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