The Philadelphia Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins series has the potential to be a barnburner as these rivals will see each other over the next couple weeks. It all begins tonight at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia offers coverage of the series in the Delaware Valley and will carry as many as five games.
Jim Jackson and Bill Clement will call the games. Michael Barkann will host pre and postgame. He’ll be joined by Steve Coates, Al Morganti, Ian Laperriere and Rick Tocchet.
In addition, CSN Philly will have plenty of other programming surrounding the Flyers playoff run plus features at its website.
Let’s look at the press release.
COMCAST SPORTSNET PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES FLYERS FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF ACTION
Live Games, Pre- and Postgame Programs and Online Exclusives Highlight Playoff Coverage
Flyers Game Ratings Increase on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast NetworkPHILADELPHIA (April 10, 2012) – Comcast SportsNet, the leader in local sports news, will have extended coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers on their quest for the 2012 Stanley Cup both on-air and at CSNPhilly.com. In addition to live game coverage, Comcast SportsNet will provide viewers with extensive pre and postgame coverage and analysis.
Throughout the playoffs, Flyers fans can catch the latest team developments, game previews and opposing team analysis from Lisa Hillary (@LHillaryCSN) on “Daily News Live,” “SportsNite,” “Flyers Pregame Live,” “Flyers Postgame Live,” and online at CSNPhilly.com. During the 2011-12 season, Flyers games ratings delivered double-digit increases on both Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network.
Cup Quest
Comcast SportsNet will air Flyers playoff specials with “Cup Quest.” John Boruk (@JohnBorukCSN) will host and be joined by hockey experts including Tim Panaccio, Bill Clement, Al Morganti and Steve Coates. “Cup Quest” will air throughout the playoffs.Live Game Coverage
Comcast SportsNet will air five of the possible seven Flyers games during the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, all in high definition. The network will air “Flyers Pregame Live” and “Flyers Postgame Live” for all games, including nationally broadcast games.Wednesday, April 11 – Game One
5 p.m. — Daily News Live
6 p.m. –SportsNite
6:30 p.m. — Flyers Pregame Live
7:30 p.m. — Flyers at Penguins
10 p.m. — Flyers Postgame Live
10:30 p.m. –SportsNite
1 a.m. — SportsRise*** Sixers vs. Raptors will air live on The Comcast Network at 7 p.m.
*** Phillies vs. Miami will air live on WPHL at 7 p.m.Friday, April 13 – Game Two
5 p.m. — Daily News Live
6 p.m. — SportsNite
6:30 p.m. — Flyers Pregame Live
7:30 p.m. — Flyers at Penguins
10 p.m. — Flyers Postgame Live
10:30 p.m. — SportsNite
1 a.m. — SportsRise*** Sixers vs. Nets will air live on The Comcast Network at 7 p.m.
*** Phillies vs. Mets will air live on WPHL at 7 p.m.Sunday, April 15 – Game Three
2 p.m. — Flyers Pregame Live
3 p.m. — Flyers vs. Penguins live on NBC
5:30 p.m. — Flyers Postgame Live
6 p.m. — SportsNite
10 p.m. — SportsNiteWednesday, April 18 – Game Four
5 p.m. — Daily News Live
6 p.m. — SportsNite
6:30 p.m. — Flyers Pregame Live
7:30 p.m. — Flyers vs. Penguins
10 p.m. — Flyers Postgame Live
10:30 p.m. — SportsNite
1 a.m. — SportsRise***Sixers vs. Cavaliers will air live on The Comcast Network at 7 p.m.
***Phillies at Giants will air live on The Comcast Network at 10 p.m.Friday, April 20 – Game Five (if necessary)
5 p.m. — Daily News Live
6 p.m. — SportsNite
6:30 p.m. — Flyers Pregame Live
7:30 p.m. — Flyers at Penguins
10 p.m. — Flyers Postgame Live
10:30 p.m. — SportsNite
1 a.m. — SportsRise*** Phillies vs. Padres will air live on The Comcast Network at 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 – Game Six (if necessary)
TBD — Flyers vs. PenguinsTuesday, April 26 – Game Seven (if necessary)
TBD — Flyers at PenguinsPre- and Postgame Coverage
In addition to live game coverage, Comcast SportsNet delivers pre and postgame coverage and analysis. Before every Flyers playoff game, viewers can catch the latest team developments, game previews and opposing team analysis on “Flyers Pregame Live.”After every playoff game, fans get a game breakdown with stats and highlights, and a look ahead to the rest of the series on “Flyers Postgame Live.” Other features include coach Peter Laviolette’s press conference and reaction from the locker room. “Flyers Pregame Live” and “Flyers Postgame Live” are hosted by Michael Barkann (@mikencueCSN) with analysis provided by Steve Coates, Al Morganti, Ian Laperriere and Rick Tocchet.
“Flyers Pregame Live” will broadcast live from the Wells Fargo Center for all Flyers home playoff games. Viewers will also hear from fans watching the games for all home and away games throughout the playoffs.
Digital/Social Media
CSNPhilly.com’s Flyers Insider Tim Panaccio (@TpanotchCSN) will have daily coverage of the Flyers playoffs, including breaking news, game previews and key matchups with extensive video and in-depth features. He will also provide live reports for “Daily News Live” and “SportsNite.” CSNPhilly.com columnist John Gonzalez (@GonzoCSN) and feature writer Sarah Baicker(@SBaickerCSN) will also contribute to the site throughout the playoffs.CSNPhilly.com will also host special playoff editions of “Dropping the Gloves” with John Boruk and Tim Panaccio, as well as “Flyered Up” with Sarah Baicker. Fans can join the conversation by using the hashtag #FlyersTalk.
Ratings Increases
Flyers games averaged a 3.3 HH rating on Comcast SportsNet and a 2.2 HH rating on The Comcast Network during the 2011-12 season, a 38% and 10% increase respectively over the 2010-11 season. “Flyers Pregame Live” increased 60% on Comcast SportsNet with “Flyers Postgame Live” also posting increases of 17% over last season.
And that’s it for this post. Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s coverage plans of the Blackhawks are next.
