NESN has been trying to come up with a hybrid sports talk/highlight show ever since it chucked aside the old “SportsDesk” program in 2010. NESN Daily was supposed to be that sports talk/highlight program, but once co-host Uri Berenguer was let go after three months, the show went back to strictly highlights.
Well, NESN will go with another attempt at sports talk/highlights with the new Sports Today program that premieres tonight just in time for its coverage of the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final.
The show will feature, Leah Hextall, Adam Pellerin, Jamie Erdahl and Jamison Coyle. Sports Today will also tap NESN’s staff including Red Sox announcers Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy, Red Sox studio analysts Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice and Tim Wakefield as well as the Bruins on-air staff of Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley plus studio analyst Billy Jaffe. NESN’s studio hosts of Dale Arnold and Tom Caron will make appearances.
The nightly edition of Sports Today will air between 10 p.m. and midnight in 30 minute blocks. It will also have expanded specials that will cover events like the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final and the show promises to cover the other Boston-area sports team that NESN to which does not have the rights, the Celtics and the Patriots.
Being able to watch NESN’s programming in New England over the last few years, attempts to attract viewers beyond Bruins and Red Sox games which have included abortions like “Sox Appeal,” a reality dating show that occurred during Red Sox games, “Beer Money,” a game show that lasted about twenty minutes and “Dirty Water TV,” which has somehow lasted for several years despite having production values worse than local cable access.
Here’s the NESN announcement.
NESN SPORTS TODAY TO DEBUT ON TUESDAY, JUNE 11
Live, Fast-Paced Sports Program Promises to be Relevant, Insightful and Interactive
Airs Live Nightly at 10:00 PM or Immediately Following Red Sox and Bruins CoverageJune 10, 2013 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, will debut a new sports program called NESN Sports Today on Tuesday, June 11 immediately following the network’s Boston Red Sox coverage. Separately, there will be periodic specials, starting with Bruins coverage on Wednesday, June 12 (see below for more details).
“We want to give New England viewers a live, fast paced, nightly sports show that goes beyond opinions or scores with highlights,” said Joseph Maar, NESN’s vice president of programming & production, executive producer.
Over the past few months NESN has been developing a dynamic sports program that strives to be relevant, insightful and interactive for passionate fans using NESN’s unparalleled access to teams and unmatched resources.
“The new show gives fans everything they need to know in sports, plus interactive debates where viewers can weigh-in on the discussion,” added Maar. “NESN Sports Today will look and feel different from any other sports show in the country and allow mobile device users to participate in the program.”
Maar began the process of transforming NESN’s sports programming back in August when he joined the network. In November 2012, NESN added three new anchors/reporters by hiring Adam Pellerin, Leah Hextall and Jamie Erdahl to team with Jamison Coyle. They will be joined by an already popular and talented group of NESN announcers and hosts that includes Don Orsillo, Jack Edwards, Tom Caron and Dale Arnold, plus regular appearances by analysts Andy Brickley, Billy Jaffe, Jerry Remy, Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice and Tim Wakefield.
NESN Sports Today, which replaces NESN Daily, will air every night in 30-minute blocks from 10 pm to 12 midnight (or immediately following Red Sox or Bruins post-game programming). NESN will broadcast a best of edition of the show the following morning between 4 am and 6 am and again between 12 noon and 2 pm.
NESN Sports Today Specials
The program’s format will adapt during nights of major sports stories, devoting expanded coverage for special days like Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and Patriots playoff games. Beginning this Wednesday and before each Stanley Cup Championship game there will be a NESN Sports Today Bruins Pre-Game Special at 5:30 pm.
That will be all.
