Starting Monday Comcast Sports Net Mid Atlantic is getting rid of SportsNite and replacing it with SportsNet Central.
CSN is making some other key moves with SportsNet Central moving to 6pm allowing for a full Caps, Wizards or whatever the team featured that night on the network getting a full half hour pregame show.
The afternoon block will start with Ravens programming at 4:30pm followed by a new half hour version of Washington Post Live at 5pm and Redskins Nation starting at 5:30pm.
“Our innovative new delivery of sports news and information, combined with the addition of more team coverage, enables us to provide a high-quality lineup that reflects the growing excitement and passion that surrounds local teams,” said Comcast SportsNet Senior Vice President and General Manager Rebecca Schulte. “Our network is entering a new era in which our news and entertainment shows will match the energy and significance of our live-game coverage to create an all-inclusive destination for fans before, during and after games.”
Anchor Russ Thaler will lead the day’s first edition of SportsNet Central at 6 p.m., presenting a more in-depth look at the compelling stories that are generating fan interest throughout the region and previewing the night’s slate of games. Veteran anchor Chick Hernandez will team up with the network’s newest addition, Julie Donaldson, for SportsNet Central at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. for an informative, faster-paced rundown of the night’s action, filled with the latest scores, statistics and highlights. Late night and morning editions of SportsNet Central will be anchored by Michael Jenkins, who will use his unique brand to deliver a high-speed digest of all that is happening in the regional and national sports landscapes.
Capitals Central and Wizards Central will provide a half-hour of full pregame coverage immediately prior to live-game broadcasts of the Capitals and Wizards on Comcast SportsNet, expanding the network’s already significant on-air coverage of the teams. The shows join Capitals Postgame Live and Wizards Postgame Live in providing extended team content surrounding games. These programs will originate from the network’s HD studio and will include full news reports, special features and in-depth analysis from the region’s top experts and insiders.
Russ Thaler and Al Koken will alternate as hosts for the new Capitals Central and Capitals Postgame Live, with Koken handling duties for road games and Thaler serving in the position when the Capitals play at home. Former Capital Alan May will serve as analyst, with play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati, color analyst Craig Laughlin and Capitals television reporter Jill Sorenson contributing to coverage. Capitals Central will debut at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, prior to the team’s season-opener at Atlanta (7:30 p.m.), followed by Capitals Postgame Live immediately after the game.
Comcast SportsNet’s Wizards television reporter Chris Miller will host Wizards Central and Wizards Postgame Live for road games and veteran broadcaster Michael Reghi will lead the shows when the team plays at home. Analyst Ron Thompson will be featured, with play-by-play announcer Steve Buckhantz and color analyst Phil Chenier contributing from the arena. Wizards Central will premiere at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, as the Wizards play at Atlanta at 7 p.m. Wizards Postgame Live will make its season debut immediately following the game.
In early September, Washington Post Live with Ivan Carter moved to a new half-hour format. The change signaled the show’s shift to a more aggressive, fast-paced style, while still providing the opinionated panel debates and commentary that viewers expect from Carter and his daily stable of athletes, coaches, reporters and insiders. Washington Post Live will continue to air at 5 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The first daily broadcast of Redskins Nation will move to 5:30 p.m., with the encore remaining at 10:30 p.m. The network’s Raven’s programming, including One Winning Drive, The John Harbaugh Show and Purple Passion, will continue to air daily at 4:30 p.m. and 12 a.m.
