Regional Sports Network Acquires Local Television Rights to All Marlins Games Beginning with 2006 MLB Season
Agreement Will Support Team's Endeavor to Build New Stadium
(SUNRISE, FL) – FSN Florida and the Florida Marlins today announced a new, long-term agreement that will make the regional sports network the exclusive local television rights holder for Marlins games beginning with the 2006 Major League Baseball season. FSN Florida's Senior Vice President and General Manager, Jeff Genthner and Florida Marlin's President, David Samson made the announcement.
FSN Florida will air 95 Marlins games during the 2005 season. FSN Florida's 2005 regular season coverage begins on Opening Day, Tuesday, April 5 at 3:30 PM when the Florida Marlins host the Atlanta Braves at Dolphins Stadium. Beginning in 2006, FSN Florida will become the exclusive local television provider for Florida Marlins games and plans to televise 150 Marlins games throughout Florida each season.
"This partnership will provide many outstanding benefits to FSN's affiliated cable and satellite service providers, our advertising partners and viewers for many years to come," said Genthner. "The Marlins have demonstrated their commitment to staying in South Florida and fielding a contending team. Through this agreement, FSN Florida is making an equally strong commitment to the Marlins and baseball fans throughout Florida."
"FSN Florida has been an outstanding partner for the Florida Marlins. In addition to providing the Marlins with exceptional game coverage and promotional support, FSN has been instrumental in helping our organization as plans for a new stadium become a reality," said Marlins Owner and CEO, Jeffrey Loria. "This agreement supports the Marlin's goal of keeping Major League Baseball in South Florida for generations to come."
All Marlins games telecast on FSN Florida are available with closed captioning. All Marlins home games on FSN Florida are available in Spanish using second audio program (SAP) technology.
FSN Florida reaches over 5 million households in Florida. FSN Florida's programming includes Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, the University of Miami, The Best Damn Sports Show Period and The Sports List. FSN Florida is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks.
Rainbow Sports Networks is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Fox Sports Net reaches more than 81.1 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Rainbow Media Holdings LLC and Fox Entertainment Group. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporate Rainbow's 50% ownership in 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, San Francisco, New England, Ohio and Florida.