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Fox Sports Detroit

 
Wikipedia: Fox Sports Detroit
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Fox Sports Detroit
FSDetroit.jpg
Launched September 17, 1997
Network Fox Sports Net
SEC Network
Owned by Fox Cable Networks
(News Corp.)
Picture format 480i (SD)
720p (HD)
Slogan Local Sports Access
More is Better (FS Detroit +)
It must be April in the D (during April only)
Country United States
Language English
Broadcast area Michigan
Northeast Indiana
Northwest Ohio
Northeast Wisconsin
Nationwide via satellite
Headquarters Southfield, Michigan
Formerly called Fox Sports Detroit (1997-2000)
Fox Sports Net Detroit (2000-2004)
FSN Detroit (2004-2008)
Replaced PASS Sports (Although unrelated to Fox Sports Detroit, the new network's quick monopoly forced PASS's owners to surrender their broadcast contracts to Fox Sports Detroit and shut down.)
Sister channel(s) WJBK
Fox
Big Ten Network
Fox College Sports
Website foxsportsdetroit.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV 663 FS Detroit (SD/HD)
664 FS Detroit Plus (SD)
664-1 FS Detroit Plus HD
Dish Network 430 FS Detroit SD
5430 FS Detroit HD
Plus channel varies by date (check FS Detroit + channels)
Cable
Available on most cable systems in Michigan, parts of Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin Check here
IPTV
AT&T U-verse 737 FS Detroit SD
738 FS Detroit Plus
1737 FS Detroit HD

Fox Sports Detroit (stylized as FS DETROIT), is a regional sports network that covers local sports teams in the state of Michigan and an owned and operated affiliate of Fox Sports Net. It is the exclusive home of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings. It is available on cable television in all of Michigan, Northeastern Indiana, Northwest Ohio, some portions of northeastern Wisconsin and nationwide via DirecTV and Dish Network. The control room for the network is located in Houston, Texas. As of October 2009, pre-game, post-game and pro sports team magazine shows are aired from their new all digital HD studio in Southfield, Michigan, in addition to the game site.[1] Fox Sports Detroit is also the Michigan affiliate of ESPN Plus' new SEC Network.

Contents

History

Fox Sports Detroit originally launched as a competitor to the Post-Newsweek Stations' PASS Sports as Fox Sports Detroit (later renamed to just FSN Detroit). After a surprise bid in 1996 to pick up the rights to the Detroit Pistons, plans were made to launch the network by 1997.

However, this changed when Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers TV rights were up for bid. FSN Detroit decided to bid for the rights against PASS Sports and won them both, the Red Wings beginning with the 1997–98 NHL season and the Tigers beginning in 1998 MLB season. Post-Newsweek decided to fold PASS Sports and sold the remainder of its Tigers and Pistons contracts, and the contract of John Keating, to FSN Detroit.[2].

On December 12, 2006, FSN Detroit became the first United States television station to have its play-by-play commentator at ice level when Detroit Red Wings play-by-play man Ken Daniels broadcasted the Wings-Senators game from between the benches, while color commentator Mickey Redmond remained in the booth [3]. This continued in the 2007-08 season as Larry Murphy often provided his analysis from ice-level, with Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond remaining in the booth. Murphy also retains his role as a fill-in color analyst.

On May 24 and May 25, 2007, legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell filled in for Rod Allen as color commentator for games against the Los Angeles Angels. It was Harwell's first appearance on FSN Detroit as a live commentator since June 1, 2003, when he also filled in for Allen.[4].

On September 17, 2007, FSN Detroit celebrated its 10-year anniversary as a network. Fans were able to vote for their favorite FSN Detroit moments in an online poll, and the top ten moments were revisited during a 10-year anniversary special, which aired for the first time on December 15, 2007 and many times since.[5]

In March 2008, Fox Sports Detroit signed a new long term contract with the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers for more games than ever before, becoming the exclusive local home of all 3 teams for the first time.[6] The channel shared rights with some broadcast stations in Michigan until spring of 2008. Most recently these stations were WMYD and WDIV for the Pistons (until the end of the 2007-2008 NBA season), WJBK for the Tigers (until the end of the 2007 MLB season), and WKBD for the Red Wings (until the end of the 2002-2003 NHL season).

On January 16, 2008 Fox Sports Detroit announced its "Live" pre-game postgame shows would no longer be aired from the Fox Sports Northwest studios in Bellevue, WA. Lions Live was canceled altogether. From February 1, 2008 until the end of 2009 Tigers season, the pre-game postgame shows originated from the venue where that night's game was held. Mickey York and John Keating remain the regular anchors for Tigers Live, Pistons Live and Red Wings Live. Other reporters and hosts appear regularly.

On October 1, 2009, Fox Sports Detroit unveiled a new all digital high definition capable studio in its Southfield headquarters dubbed the "Call Sam Studio", named after its sponsor the Sam Bernstein law firm. It serves as the new home of Tigers Live, Pistons Live, and Red Wings Live. 80% of the shows produced from the studio will be in HD. The first program from the new studio was the Red Wings season preview special Wingspan.[1]

Brandings

Fox Sports Detroit used its current name when it in launched in 1997, until 2000. It then lengthened it to Fox Sports Net Detroit in 2000 and branded as such until 2004. Later that year it was shortened to FSN Detroit.

In September 2008, Fox Sports Detroit began using a new logo bug during college football telecasts, now branding the station as FS DETROIT, and voiceovers began dropping "Net" from the station branding (which would make the network known again as Fox Sports Detroit, as it was when it launched). The logo becomes FS PISTONS during Pistons games and Pistons Live; FS RED WINGS during Red Wings games and Red Wings Live; and FS TIGERS during Tigers games and Tigers Live. However the announcers still refer to the channel vocally only as Fox Sports Detroit during games. The color of FS is red during Pistons and Red Wings games and orange for Tigers games; the same coloring is used in all each team's versions of the Live. For all other shows and games (local and national), it is simply FS DETROIT with the FS in light blue.

Local sports coverage

  • Detroit Red Wings: Fox Sports Detroit has the rights to cover up to 70 Detroit Red Wings games in the regular season as well as some preseason games and the first two rounds of the playoffs. FS Detroit also shows Wingspan (formerly Red Wings Weekly) and a Red Wings Live pre & post game show live.
  • Detroit Tigers: Fox Sports Detroit has the rights to cover at least 150 Detroit Tigers games in the regular season as well as some Spring Training games. Fox Sports Detroit also has Tigers Weekly and the Tigers Live pre & post game show.
  • Detroit Pistons: Fox Sports Detroit has rights to up to 70 regular-season Detroit Pistons games as well as some early round playoff games. Fox Sports Detroit also airs Pistons Insider, (the pre-game show in which the night's opponent is discussed) and Pistons Live (the pre-game and post-game show), as well as magazine show Pistons Weekly.
  • High School sports: Fox Sports Detroit shows Michigan High School Athletic Association Football and Girls & Boys Basketball State Finals live. The MHSAA football playoffs selection show also airs live on FS Detroit. Its high school magazine shows are MHSAA Magazine and Michigan High School Hammertime.

Original programming

All Live programs are aired both from the new studio and from the game location.

  • Pistons Insider: A 30 minute pre-recorded in-season pregame show where Matt Shepard and Pete Skorich preview the night's Pistons opponent.
  • Pistons Live: A 30 minute pre-game and post-game show hosted by Mickey York, John Keating, Trevor Thompson or Ryan Field show featuring highlights, reaction and analysis. Former Detroit Pistons Earl Cureton and Greg Kelser provide their analysis as well as Detroit News sports writer Terry Foster. Also features interviews with players and post-game press conferences. The pre-game version is only before home games.
  • Motor City Memories: Discussion of memorable Detroit Pistons teams of the past, hosted by George Blaha.
  • Red Wings Live: A 30 minute in season Pre-game/post-game show hosted by Mickey York or John Keating featuring highlights, reaction and analysis. Former Detroit Red Wing Larry Murphy provides his analysis on the Detroit Red Wings. Trevor Thompson, Ryan Field and Justin White also provide reports. Also features interviews with players and head coach Mike Babcock.
  • In My Own Words: A 30 minute interview featuring a sports figure in Detroit. This show is similar to Chris Myers Interview. The show debuted September 9, 2007. John Keating is the host.
  • CCHA All-Access: A 30 minute weekly discussion of CCHA hockey, hosted by Michael Kosta.
  • Michigan Golf Live: A weekly show that promotes golfing and golf courses in Michigan. Despite its name, it is pre-recorded, not broadcast live.
  • Spotlight: Detroit: A series that profiles prominent Detroit sports figures. FSD has not produced new episodes since 2007 but it is still aired during rain delays of Tigers games.

Former shows

  • The Detroit Sports Report: (or simply DSR) was a Detroit / Michigan sports news show created in September 2000 by Fox Sports Net to help increase ratings for National Sports Report. Marc Soicher and Angie Arlotti were the original anchors of the 10:00 show, while Soicher hosted a 7:00 pm show by himself. Mickey York and Brad Adam hosted the show on the weekend. In 2003 Soicher left for Fox Sports Rocky Mountain, and Mickey York was given the role of co-host with Angie Arlotti (now Mentink). In addition Ryan Field was hired away from WJBK and WDFN to become a correspondent / weekend anchor to fill York's duties. As National Sports Report ratings began to drop, the Detroit Sports Report ratings were good. National Sports Report was cancelled in 2004 and FSN dropped many of the regional sports report shows later that year or in 2005. Detroit Sports Report was canceled in April 2007. National Sports Report was replaced by a similar show Final Score in 2006.

Specials

FSN Basement: All Star Edition 2005 featuring interviews with George Kell and Al Kaline, each recalling their memories of playing for the Tigers and working together in the television booth. It was re-aired several times in late March 2009 in memory of former long-time Tigers play-by-play announcer George Kell, who died on March 24, 2009 at age 86.[11]

Personalities

Current

  • Rod Allen: Tigers Analyst (2003–present)
  • Jim Brandstatter: Host of Inside Michigan Football with Rich Rodriguez (formerly known as Michigan Replay, which he also hosted).
  • George Blaha: Pistons Play-by-Play and host of Pistons Weekly (2006–present)
  • Earl Cureton: Pistons studio analyst (2007–present)
  • Ken Daniels: Red Wings Play-by-Play, CCHA Play-by-Play (1997–present)
  • Matt Dery: Fill-in Pistons Play-by-Play (2006–present)
  • Dan Dickerson: High School Football Play-by-Play (2002–present)
  • Stan Edwards: High School Football Analyst (2002–present)
  • Dave Ellis: Host Spartan Sports Zone (2006–present)
  • Ryan Field: Field/Clubhouse Correspondent (2003–present)
  • Terry Foster: Friday's with Foster (2004–present)
  • Mario Impemba: Tigers Play-by-Play
  • Doug Karsch: Michigan Sports Weekly host / reporter on Inside Michigan Football (2006–present)
  • John Keating: Live Host, High School Football Play-by-Play (1997–present)
  • Greg Kelser: Pistons Analyst, High School Basketball Analyst, College Basketball Analyst (1997–present)
  • Michael Kosta: CCHA All-Access Host (2008–present)[12]
  • Rick Mahorn: College Basketball Analyst (2008–present)
  • Larry Murphy: Fill-in Red Wings Game Analyst, Wings "between the benches" analyst (2003–present)
  • Dan Petry: Fill-in Tigers Analyst (2007–present)
  • Fred Pletsch: CCHA Analyst (2003–present)
  • Mickey Redmond: Red Wings Analyst, CCHA Analyst (1997–present)
  • Shireen Saski: Reporter (1999–present)
  • Matt Shepard: CCHA Play-by-Play, Features Reporter, Fill-in Pistons Play-by-Play, Live Host, High School Football Play-by-Play, Ice Reporter (1997–present)
  • Trevor Thompson: Field/Clubhouse Correspondent(2000–present) Live Host (2003–present)
  • John Wangler: High School Football Analyst (2002–present)
  • Justin White: field / clubhouse reporter (2008-present)
  • Mickey York: Live Host (2003–present), Reporter (2000–2003)
  • Eli Zaret: Live Host (2003–present)

Former

  • Brad Adam: Live Host (2004–2007)
  • Cara Capuano: Live Host (2004–2008)
  • Kirk Gibson: Tigers Analyst (1998–2002)
  • Josh Lewin: Tigers and CCHA Hockey Play-by-Play (1998–2001)
  • Fred McLeod: Pistons Play-by-Play, Tigers Play-by-Play (1997–2006)
  • Angie Mentink: Live Host (2000–2008)
  • Matt Morrison: Live Host (2005–2007)
  • Kerry Sayers: Live Host (2002–2005)
  • Marc Soicher: Live Host (2000–2003)
  • Kelly Tripucka: Pistons Analyst (1997–2001)
  • Pat Verbeek: Alternate Red Wings Analyst (2003–2006)
  • Cameron Wong: Live Host (2003–2008)

Fox Sports Detroit HD

Fox Sports Detroit HD (stylized as FS DETROIT HD) is a 720p high definition simulcast of Fox Sports Detroit. It telecasts select Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, and Detroit Tigers games in HD as well as respective pre-game and post-game shows and team magazine shows. The new show Wingspan became the first locally produced pre-recorded program to be aired in HD.[8] Fox Sports Detroit claims it will produce 75% of its local games, specifically 215 combined Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers games, in HD in 2009 (115 Tigers games, 50 Pistons games and 50 Red Wings games).[13] It also claims 80 % of its new studio shows will be in HD.[1] Some national FSN sports and shows are also aired in HD on it. Like the SD version, it is available nationwide via DirecTV and Dish Network, and on most cable providers in Michigan and some in Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. In late August 2009, FS Detroit HD began using stylized pillarboxes of its logo during standard definition programs and games.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus

Fox Sports Detroit Plus (stylized as FS DETROIT +) is a game-time only alternate feed of Fox Sports Detroit. It was launched in 2007 to solve scheduling conflicts,[14] such as those of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Red Wings, as well as CCHA games, MHSAA finals for football and basketball, and The Mid-American Conference Basketball Tournament (via Fox Sports Ohio). It is frequently used for live national FSN college football and college basketball telecasts as well, to avoid conflicts with local coverage.

Games on Fox Sports Detroit Plus is also the only affiliate on the FSN system that airs national FSN games while the main feed is airing local game coverage.

DirecTV has a dedicated channel for FS Detroit +, as does Comcast and most other cable providers. On Dish Network, its channel number varies by date, due to lack of bandwidth.

Announcers always omit the "Plus" during games (except when mentioning the upcoming scheduled games on the overflow channel) due to the same day repeats on the main channel. The "+" graphic is also not displayed on screen during games (with the same exceptions) for the same reason. This branding began in 2009 when the entire FSN system's format was changed. In 2007 and 2008, this was different, and the vocal branding was usually "FSN Detroit Plus" and graphically "FSN Detroit +" at all times. The current slogan for FS Detroit + is "More is Better". Its purpose is explained by all six pro-team announcers in a commercial on FS Detroit.

DirecTV and Dish Network carry HD feeds of FS Detroit + during nationally televised college football and college basketball games from FSN. Currently local games on FS Detroit + are not produced in HD, but they plan to begin doing so in mid-2010.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus in Spanish

On August 9, 2008, Fox Sports Detroit produced its first ever Spanish telecast, the Detroit Tigers game vs the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park in Detroit, as part of The ¡Fiesta Tigres! celebration, an annual game that honors Hispanic and Latino baseball players. The Spanish coverage aired on Fox Sports Detroit Plus, in addition to the normal English telecast on the regular Fox Sports Detroit. The Spanish announcers were Clemson Smith Muñiz with play-by-play and Adrian Burgos, Jr. with color commentary.[15]. The Tigers won the game 10-2.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus "Match-Up Cam"

For the March 26, 2009 Pistons game vs the L.A. Lakers, Fox Sports Detroit featured a "match-up" cam on Fox Sports Detroit Plus, with devoted cameras isolating on key battles throughout the game among the many stars on each team. The audio was the same on both channels.[16] It was only the second time that FS Detroit and FS Detroit + covered the same game simultaneously. Unfortunately, the Pistons lost the game, 92-77.

The first ever non-live show on Fox Sports Detroit Plus

Fox Sports Detroit will air a special version of Tigers Weekly in tribute to recently passed former Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych named Remembering The Bird. It will premier at 7:00 PM on April 24 on Fox Sports Detroit Plus while the Tigers game is airing on the main feed, and we be re-aired throughout the weekend until Tuesday on the regular channel.[17] This will mark the first time ever that Fox Sports Detroit Plus will be used for a program other than a live game.

Fox Sports Detroit On Demand

Fox Sports Detroit On Demand is the Video on demand counterpart to Fox Sports Detroit. It launched in In October 2008. It includes the channel's magazine and coach's shows, presented commercial-free. It is available on Comcast.[18] On August 7, 2009, it began adding full length Tigers games on demand.[19] On DirecTV, FS Detroit's college coach's shows are available via Big Ten Network On Demand.

April in the D

April in the D is a musical marketing campaign that celebrates the large amount of local sports on Fox Sports Detroit in April, due to the Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings seasons (and potentially, post-seasons) overlapping, the only month of the year this is possible. It began in 2008 to promote Fox Sports Detroit's new long term exclusive contract with the 3 teams. It originally featured Los Angeles based metal band Blacklist Union. Their music video can be seen here.

In 2009, Fox Sports Detroit decided it would make more sense for the April in the D band to be more local, and therefore held a contest for a new one. Seventy Michigan bands entered, and the winners were The Good Luck Joes.[20] The band won the chance to make a music video for their song that can be seen on Fox Sports Detroit throughout April, which can be seen here. The other 69 entries can be seen here. The channel produced a local special showcasing the contest called April in the D: The Playlist which premiered April 1 at 6:30 PM EST. The Good Luck Joes were featured in the Tigers home opener party on April 10 at The Fillmore Detroit and their song can be heard on Detroit radio station WRIF. The viewer response for The Good Luck Joes' version has been generally unfavorable,[21] while the Blacklist Union version from 2008 had more positive reviews.[22] Fox Sports Detroit adopted the line from their song "It must be April in the D." as their slogan during April.

See also

External links

References and footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Detroit Free Press October 1, 2009 New FSD HD studio unveiled tonight - Red Wings' preview first all-digital show
  2. ^ THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY TO SELL RIGHTS TO DETROIT TIGERS AND PISTONS TO Fox SPORTS DETROIT
  3. ^ Ken Daniels to Call Red Wings Game from Ice Level
  4. ^ Ernie Harwell to pinch-hit twice during Tigers telecasts on FSN Detroit
  5. ^ Half-Hour Special Commemorates FSN Detroit's 10th Anniversary
  6. ^ Multichannel News March 19, 2008 FSN Detroit Nets Pro Sports 3 pointer
  7. ^ Pistons Premiere Week Oct. 25-31 on FOX Sports Detroit
  8. ^ a b Detroit Red Wings Premiere Week on Fox Sports Detroit
  9. ^ Michigan Football Official Site - 2008 Broadcast Information
  10. ^ Michigan Wolverines Basketball Official Site - Broadcast Information 2008-09
  11. ^ Tigers Fans, Fox Sports Detroit Mourn the Passing of George Kell
  12. ^ New Season, New Host for CCHA ALL ACCESS
  13. ^ Fox Sports Detroit Official Site - Fox Sports Detroit HD FAQ's
  14. ^ Fox Sports Detroit Plus info page
  15. ^ Fox Sports Detroit to air first ever Tigers Spanish telecast
  16. ^ Fox Sports Detroit Press Release - Unique Telecast Planned for Thursday's Pistons-Lakers Game
  17. ^ Fox Sports Detroit Official Site April 21, 2009 - TIGERS WEEKLY: Remembering "The Bird" Premieres Friday at 7 pm on Fox Sports Detroit PLUS, Saturday at 11:30 am on Fox Sports Detroit
  18. ^ Fox Sports Detroit On Demand Available on Comcast
  19. ^ Multichannel News August 7, 2009 Fox Sports, Comcast Put Detroit Tigers Games On Demand - Applications Marks First Fox RSN To Offer Live MLB Games On VOD
  20. ^ APRIL IN THE D: The Playlist Hits the Charts April 1-2 on Fox Sports Detroit
  21. ^ Good Luck Joes April in the D
  22. ^ Blacklist Union April in the D

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