BOSTON, MA – Fox Sports Net New England, a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. (RMG:NYSE), and the Boston Celtics today announced a long-term extension of their current television agreement. The new agreement continues a relationship that began in 1981. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Fox Sports Net New England will continue to be the exclusive television home of Celtics basketball, airing all Celtics pre-season and regular season games (excluding national network telecasts) as well as extensive playoff coverage. The network will also continue to provide fans with a comprehensive schedule of Celtics-related programming, including pre- and post-game coverage.
"We're absolutely thrilled to extend our commitment to Celtics basketball and their fans," said David Woodman, senior vice president and general manager, Fox Sports Net New England. "For more than 20 years, Celtics fans have known where to turn for the most comprehensive coverage of the Celtics and we're glad to fortify our partnership as the television home of the Celtics well into the future."
"Fox Sports Net New England has been a long-time partner of the Celtics and our fans for many years," said Rich Pond, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Boston Celtics. "Their commitment to the bright future of the Celtics, along with the quality and depth of their coverage, has been consistently strong. We look forward to continuing our work with Fox Sports Net New England as we strive to bring another NBA championship to our loyal fans."
This fall, Fox Sports Net New England will celebrate its 1,000th Celtics game. Fox Sports Net New England began airing Celtics basketball on November 6, 1981 as the Celtics defeated Indiana 111-94. In its first year of Celtics coverage, the network aired 11 regular season games and three playoff games.
Fox Sports Net New England, the largest regional cable network in New England, reaches more than 3.7 million households in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Fox Sports Net New England is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks, a division of Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. Fox Sports Net New England's programming includes Boston Celtics, local and national sports news, and Hockey East along with select NASCAR and PGA Tour coverage.
Fox Sports Net reaches more than 79 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and Fox. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership of Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, Florida, Ohio, New England and San Francisco.