FSN Bay Area's Tigers-Athletics July 3rd Telecast to Air On American Forces Network; Game Available to 177 Countries and 180 U.S. Navy Ships at Sea
4th ON DECK: SALUTE TO THE TROOPS Broadcast Includes Live-Feed of Troops; Video Messages to/from Troops Will Replace Half of Telecast's Commercial Inventory
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On Monday, July 3rd, American troops worldwide will be able to watch FSN Bay Area's local telecast of the Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics game live on American Forces Network, as FSN Bay Area, Comcast Cable, and the Oakland Athletics celebrate Independence Day one day early with the 4th ON DECK: SALUTE TO THE TROOPS.
The 4th ON DECK: SALUTE TO THE TROOPS Tigers-Athletics game will air live on Monday, July 3, 2006 at 7:00 PM PDT, which coincides with Tuesday, July 4th in many time zones in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Following the game, FSN Bay Area and the American Forces Network will stay on the air for an additional 45 minutes to show live fireworks in High-Definition to viewers at home and U.S. troops serving around the world.
FSN Bay Area, Comcast Cable, and the Oakland Athletics have joined together to eliminate half of the telecast's commercial inventory in order to dedicate that time to airing pre-produced and live video messages to and from America's deployed service men and women. The messages will run during the natural breaks between innings and will feature family and friends of the troops, military veterans, celebrities, sports figures and government officials. The telecast will also feature video messages from the troops themselves, as well as emails and pictures to and from U.S. military members.
FSN Bay Area will also have a satellite feed from Iraq to air live interviews and video of American troops during the telecast. The video feed will be set up in Baghdad, where the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, will be watching the pregame ceremonies, the Tigers-Athletics game and postgame festivities.
Fans at the ballpark will also be able to view the satellite footage and video messages on the stadium's Diamondvision screen. The Oakland Athletics will be distributing American flag "cheer cards" to all who attend the game, and are encouraging fans to show their support for the troops by wearing their colors and bringing signs to the game to be shown on air during the telecast.
FSN Bay Area is encouraging military members, as well as friends and family members of those serving abroad, to submit email messages and pictures at www.fsnbayarea.com. The messages and photos will be posted on the FSN Bay Area website beginning Monday, June 26, and many will be incorporated in the July 3rd 4th ON DECK: SALUTE TO THE TROOPS telecast.
"FSN Bay Area is honored to be a part of this special broadcast," said Jeff Krolik, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FSN Bay Area. "The Fourth of July is a uniquely American holiday, and we want to let all the servicemen and servicewomen who are away from home know that we are thinking about them."
"Comcast is proud to be able to send a piece of American tradition to all of the serviceman and servicewomen overseas. This unique broadcast is a great opportunity for many people to show Support for Our Troops. It is also a way for the troops to spend our nation's birth with their families via satellite messages being broadcasted during the regularly scheduled commercials," said Comcast Senior Vice President Rick Germano, "Comcast customers will also be able to share in this experience at home and the clarity of the fireworks on their HDTV's will add to this spectacular event."
"The Oakland A's are proud to partner with FSN Bay Area and Comcast Cable to broadcast our game live to U.S. troops serving around the world," stated A's President Michael Crowley. "We are honored to be a part of this special holiday and share our support and well wishes with those who are fighting to protect our freedom and safety."
"We're grateful to our friends at FSN Bay Area for their enthusiastic support of our troops around the world," said Bob Matheson, AFN's Director of Broadcasting and Bay Area native. "Adding this special event to our July 4th AFN schedule helps us provide our audience a touch of home and shows them that communities everywhere appreciate their sacrifices."
The game will be called by Athletics announcers Glen Kuiper and Ray Fosse (former member of the U.S. Army Reserve), who will also be speaking with soldiers stationed in Iraq live throughout the telecast. On-site reporter Mindi Bach will conduct live interviews with military veterans and family members of the troops in attendance.
The 4th ON DECK: SALUTE TO THE TROOPS telecast will be available in High-Definition and Standard-Definition to Comcast Cable customers and other cable affiliates of FSN Bay Area. In addition, fans across the nation with MLB's Extra Innings out-of-market package may see the 4th ON DECK: SALUTE TO THE TROOPS game telecast.
FSN Bay Area
FSN Bay Area reaches more than 4 million households in Northern California and Northern Nevada. FSN Bay Area's programming includes Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants baseball, Golden State Warriors basketball, San Jose Sharks hockey, San Jose Saber Cats football, and San Jose Stealth lacrosse, CMI: The Chris Myers Interview, In Focus On FSN, The Best Damn Sports Show Period, and The FSN Final Score. FSN Bay Area is owned and managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. Visit www.fsnbayarea.com for more information.
Rainbow Sports Networks is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Rainbow Sports Networks owns and manages Fox Sports Net regional networks in three of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, New England and San Francisco. FSN reaches more than 81 million households nationwide.
Comcast Cable
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers, more than 9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 1.5 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
The Company's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, OLN, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One and four regional Comcast SportsNets. The Company also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia. Comcast Class A common stock and Class A Special common stock trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively.
Oakland Athletics
Since 1968, the Oakland Athletics have won four World Series titles (1972-74, 1989) and six American League pennants (1972-74; 1988-90), 13 AL West Division championships (1971-75; 1981; 1988-90; 1992; 2000; 2002-03), along with one Wild Card appearance (2001). Only the Atlanta Braves have won more division championships (16) and only the New York Yankees have won more World Championships (6) and league pennants (10) during that span. The A's organization is also a proud, reliable and dedicated member of its community, By contributing to numerous charitable organizations, hosting fundraising events, implementing educational programs and supporting other various causes, the A's strive to make a positive impact and improve the quality of life for people throughout the Bay Area.
American Forces Network
American Forces Network is available to nearly 1-million U.S. Department of Defense military and civilian personnel, and their families, serving overseas in 177 countries and U.S. territories, and aboard U.S. Navy ships at sea. For more information visit www.myafn.net.