We have the last of our NHL-centric press releases for today. This one from Comcast SportsNet Chicago which outlines the coverage plans for the Chicago Blackhawks-Phoenix Coyotes series.
As NBC decides to ignore the Blackhawks for the first round, it means Comcast SportsNet Chicago can air the entire series. It will have complete local exclusivity meaning that the national telecasts will be blacked out.
Pat Foley and Eddie Olcyzk will call the games except for Games 2 and 5 when studio analyst Steve Konroyd steps in for Edzo. Sarah Kustok will be the rinkside reporter and there will be times when pre and postgame host Chris Boden joins Sarah as game reporter.
Boden and Konroyd host the studio portion of the broadcasts.
Here’s the press release. All times listed below are Central.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS ACTION RETURNS TO COMCAST SPORTSNET
First Round Coverage Begins this Thursday, April 12, which includes the debut airing of “Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita – Monuments to Excellence” at 7:00 PM;
VERY first round game vs. Phoenix to Air Exclusively on Comcast SportsNet in the Chicago Market;
CSNChicago.com to provide LIVE video stream of EVERY Blackhawks post-game press conference, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes video from team practices and post-game reports from Blackhawks “Insider” Tracey Myers;
CSN posts the Highest Blackhawks Regular Season TV Ratings average in Chicago regional sports network historyChicago, IL (April 10, 2012) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, is ready to bring fans the thrilling excitement of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs with exclusive first round Western Conference Playoffs action as the Blackhawks take on the Phoenix Coyotes. Comcast SportsNet will be the exclusive local television home in the Chicago market to see Games 1-4, along with Games 5-7 (if necessary). Every Comcast SportsNet Stanley Cup Playoff game telecast will also be presented in a high-definition (HD) format.
Comcast SportsNet’s Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage gets underway this Thursday, April 12 at 7:00 PM with the Comcast SportsNet debut airing of the acclaimed “Blackhawks TV” documentary, Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita – Monuments to Excellence, which will be followed by an encore edition of Inside Look: John McDonough at 8:00 PM. At 8:30 PM, Comcast SportsNet’s begins its exclusive, local coverage of Game 1 between the Blackhawks and Coyotes with Chevy Blackhawks Pre-Game Live featuring hosts Chris Boden and Steve Konroyd; opening face-off is set for 9:00 PM from the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, AZ. Immediately following all playoff games – Jose Cuervo Blackhawks Post Game Live will feature live locker room interviews, detailed analysis, along with head coach Joel Quenneville’s post-game press conference and numerous player interviews.
Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk will continue to provide the expert play-by-play and analysis for Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs action on Comcast SportsNet, plus – Comcast SportsNet’s Sarah Kustok and/or Chris Boden will provide in-stadium reports throughout the first round for all playoff games. NOTE: Steve Konroyd will fill in as game analyst for Olczyk for Games 2 & 5 (if nec.) of the opening round series.
Throughout the playoffs, viewers can also look forward to SportsNet Central: Playoff Central (scheduled nightly at 10:30 PM, times may vary due to airing of live events) for the most in-depth Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage, including game recaps, previews, up-to-the-minute team/player updates, interviews and numerous playoff highlights from around the league.
Also, throughout the playoffs, Comcast SportsNet’s comprehensive website, CSNChicago.com, will provide fans with even more exclusive Blackhawks Stanley Cup Playoffs content including the following:
- CSNChicago.com will stream EVERY Blackhawks postgame press conference LIVE providing insider access to Coach Joel Quenneville addressing the media as it happens.
- CSNChicago.com Blackhawks “Insider” Tracey Myers will be on-site — for EVERY Blackhawks playoff game — filing stories and video for each game and team practices, plus – Myers will provide up-to-the-second Tweets via @TraMyersCSN throughout the series.
- New-look Blackhawks team page offers latest news, player interviews, highlights, video and more 24/7
- Game highlights available on CSNChicago.com “during” and “following” every game.
- Live, in-game chat sessions featuring Comcast SportsNet Blackhawks on-air talent.
- ‘Blackhawks Talk’ (@BlackhawksTalkCSN) offers news, views and analysis from Myers, Blackhawks Pre/Post Game Live host Chris Boden (@CSNBoden) and Blackhawks analyst Steve Konroyd.
- Additional Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage content sharing/cross-promotion via ChicagoBlackhawks.com, NBCSports.com & ProHockeyTalk.com.
For the 2011-12 “regular season,” Comcast SportsNet posted the highest Blackhawks final regular season TV ratings average in the history of Chicago regional sports television — a 3.11 final household season average (approx. 108,299 households watching per game) — a 12% increase over last season’s 2.78 final average — a 28% increase from the final season average two years ago (2.44) — a 147% increase from three years ago (1.26) — and a 394% increase from four years ago (0.63).
Note the following first round schedule of games and additional coverage information on Comcast SportsNet:
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs. PHOENIX COYOTES on COMCAST SPORTSNET
* Game 1: Thu, April 12, 9:00 pm – Blackhawks at Coyotes (Jobing.com Arena) in HD
(NOTES: CSN debut airing on “Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita – Monuments to Excellence” at 7pm, followed by an encore edition of “Inside Look: John McDonough” at 8pm…“Blackhawks Pre-Game Live/Blackhawks Post Game Live” before/after the game, plus “SportsNet Central” immediately following the post-game show for even more comprehensive Blackhawks/NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage)
* Game 2: Sat, April 14, 9:00 pm – Blackhawks at Coyotes (Jobing.com Arena) in HD
(NOTES: “Blackhawks Pre-Game Live/Blackhawks Post Game Live” before and after the game; “SportsNet Central” to follow)
* Game 3: Tue, April 17, 8:00 pm – Blackhawks vs. Coyotes (United Center) in HD
(NOTES: “Blackhawks Pre-Game Live/Blackhawks Post Game Live” before and after the game; “SportsNet Central” to follow)
IMPORTANT CUBS NOTE: The Cubs at Miami Marlins game (originally scheduled on Comcast SportsNet at 6:00 pm) will now be live on both Comcast SportsNet and CSN+ (or CLTV in the Chicago market) from 6:00-7:30 pm…at 7:30pm, Comcast SportsNet will cut away for “Blackhawks Pre-Game Live” (the Cubs game will continue to be shown on CSN+).
* Game 4: Thu, April 19, 7:00 pm – Blackhawks vs. Coyotes (United Center) in HD
(NOTES: “Blackhawks Pre-Game Live/Blackhawks Post Game Live” before and after the game; “SportsNet Central” to follow)
* Game 5: Sat, April 21, 9:00 pm – Blackhawks at Coyotes (Jobing.com Arena) (if necessary) in HD
* Game 6: Mon, April 23 (Time TBD) – Blackhawks vs. Coyotes (United Center) (if necessary) in HD
* Game 7: Wed, April 25 (Time TBD) – Blackhawks at Coyotes (Jobing.com Arena) (if necessary) in HD
That’s it.
