FOX Sports South April 2013 Newsletter

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1 Record-Setting Opening Night for FOX Sports South While speaking with Atlanta Braves in-game analyst Joe Simpson moments before the first pitch of the 2013 season, he could not contain his excitement for this year’s Braves team. Joe spoke of the skill in the outfield, the strength on the mound, and the constant power at the plate that would relentlessly wear down opposing pitchers. He really believes this team has all the ingredients to make the playoffs and compete for a World Series title. Joe was really excited when Hall of Famer Phil Niekro opened the season with those famous words “play ball!”… and he wasn’t the only one! Opening Day at Turner Field drew a sold-out crowd of 51,456 that included thousands of standing room-only fans. And if you couldn’t get a seat inside Turner Field, you probably participated in a record-setting television audience watching on FOX Sports South as the Opening Day telecast drew an average rating of 8.87 with a peak rating of 11.25, the largest Braves television audience since September 20, 2000, and largest Opening Day television rating since April 3, 2000. With a big win over division-rival Philadelphia, led by an impressive Tim Hudson performance on the mound and home runs by Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton and Dan Uggla, Joe just might be onto something. I hope you enjoy all of the Braves baseball games scheduled to air on FOX Sports South and SportSouth this season. Play Ball! Jeff Genthner Senior Vice President, General Manager Atlanta Hawks Fan Gerald Henderson Charlotte Bobcats Pekka Rinne Nashville Predators What’s New in 2013 for the Atlanta Braves The 2013 Atlanta Braves season is underway. Step behind-the-scenes with these photos from Opening Day at Turner Field. Braves fans will see a new addition to the ballpark above the Braves bullpen. A newly- constructed Braves LIVE pre and postgame set will be live and in action at Turner Field, where fans can watch analyst Jerome Jurenovich along with former Braves players Brian Jordan and Paul Byrd before and after every game. Elizabeth Moreau reports live from Turner Field concourse. 2013 Braves LIVE host Jerome Jurenovich and analysts Brian Jordan and Paul Byrd on new set. Dale Murphy was the Braves honory captain for Opening Day.

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FOX Sports South April 2013 Newsletter

Transcript of FOX Sports South April 2013 Newsletter

Page 1: FOX Sports South April 2013 Newsletter

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Record-Setting Opening Night for FOX Sports South While speaking with Atlanta Braves in-game analyst Joe Simpson moments before the first pitch of the 2013 season, he could not contain his excitement for this year’s Braves team. Joe spoke of the skill in the outfield, the strength on the mound, and the constant power at the plate that would relentlessly wear down opposing pitchers. He really believes this team has all the ingredients to make the playoffs and compete for a World Series title. Joe was really excited when Hall of Famer Phil Niekro opened the season with those famous words “play ball!”… and he wasn’t the only one!

Opening Day at Turner Field drew a sold-out crowd of 51,456 that included thousands of standing room-only fans. And if you couldn’t get a seat inside Turner Field, you probably participated in a record-setting television audience watching on FOX Sports South as the Opening Day telecast drew an average rating of 8.87 with a peak rating of 11.25, the largest Braves television audience since September 20, 2000, and largest Opening Day television rating since April 3, 2000. With a big win over division-rival Philadelphia, led by an impressive Tim Hudson performance on the mound and home runs by Freddie Freeman, Justin Upton and Dan Uggla, Joe just might be onto something.

I hope you enjoy all of the Braves baseball games scheduled to air on FOX Sports South and SportSouth this season. Play Ball!

Jeff GenthnerSenior Vice President,General Manager

Atlanta Hawks Fan

Gerald HendersonCharlotte Bobcats

Pekka RinneNashville Predators

What’s New in 2013 for the Atlanta Braves The 2013 Atlanta Braves season is underway. Step behind-the-scenes with these photos from Opening Day at Turner Field. Braves fans will see a new addition to the ballpark above the Braves bullpen. A newly-constructed Braves LIVE pre and postgame set will be live and in action at Turner Field, where fans can watch analyst Jerome Jurenovich along with former Braves players Brian Jordan and Paul Byrd before and after every game.

Elizabeth Moreau reports live from Turner Field concourse.2013 Braves LIVE host Jerome Jurenovich and analysts

Brian Jordan and Paul Byrd on new set.Dale Murphy was the Braves honory captain

for Opening Day.

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Hawks, Grizzlies, Bobcats Hope for a Hot April

Predators, Hurricanes Short Season in Final Stretch The 2012-13 NHL shortened regular season is moving towards its conclusion with a jam-packed April ahead for the Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators. Both teams are angling for a playoff berth and FOX Sports will have fans covered for the final push this month.

Bobcats Showing Growth in 2012-13

Grizzlies Finishing Season Strong

Atlanta Hawks Positioning for Playoffs

Playoff tickets are on sale as the Atlanta Hawks look to position themselves for a run at the 2012-13 NBA title. The Hawks have a challenging final stretch ahead and SportSouth will air the final four games. Fans will be able to watch the Hawks against the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

The young Charlotte Bobcats have continued to show improvement with each game during the 2012-13 season and will look to continue that trend in April. SportSouth will carry all of the remaining Bobcats games as Charlotte looks to play spoiler with games against the playoff contending Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, and New York Knicks.

The Memphis Grizzlies have clinched a spot in the playoffs and are playing for a top-four seed in the Western Conference this April. The final stretch will not be easy for the Grizzlies with games against the Houston Rockets, L.A. Clippers, and Dallas Mavericks. SportSouth will air three of the final four Grizzlies games this season.

Did You Know?

Center Mike Fisher has tied his longest point streak as a Predator after posting a point in six-straight contests. During the 2011 season, Fisher tallied eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) from March 26-April 5.

Did You Know?

In his NHL debut on March 9, 2013 against the New Jersey Devils, forward Chris Terry scored his first-career goal in the second period. Terry was the first Hurricane to score in his NHL debut since Brad Fast did so on April 4, 2004.

The Nashville Predators are one of the best home-ice teams in the NHL, and they will have a chance to use that to their advantage as the season wraps up in April. The final playoff spot in the Western Conference is still undetermined, and the Predators are one of several teams who are battling for that eighth seed. The Predators played through an up-and-down March. However, the team looks to turn that around this month, where four of the final seven games will be played at Bridgestone Arena. FOX Sports Tennessee will air four more Predators games this April, while SportSouth will be airing two games on April 12th and 19th.

The Carolina Hurricanes have battled all season long for a playoff spot and the trend will continue during the final month of the season as the Hurricanes play six of their final nine games against teams in playoff contention. All of the remaining Hurricanes games can be seen on FOX Sports Carolinas. The team has struggled with injuries throughout the season, and it does not look like the final month will be much easier as several of the Hurricanes top players remain out of the lineup. Despite these missing players, the top line of Eric Staal, Alexander Semin and Jiri Tlusty have continued to serve as an offensive threat for the Hurricanes.

Atlanta Hawks guard Devin Harris Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker

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Cardinals, Reds Broadcasts Return to FSCR, FSTN, SPSO

FOX Sports Tennessee and SportSouth will televise a combined 133 games featuring the defending NL Wild Card Champion St. Louis Cardinals during the 2013 Major League Baseball season. Coverage began on Tuesday, April 2, when the Cardinals visited the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dan McLaughlin (play-by-play), Al Hrabosky (analyst) and Rick Horton (play-by-play) will call Cardinals games in 2013. Pat Parris and Jim Hayes will host the Cardinals LIVE pre and postgame shows.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey VottoSt. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina

FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports Tennessee, and SportSouth will televise a combined 120 games featuring the defending NL Central Champion Cincinnati Reds during the 2013 Major League Baseball season. Coverage began on Thursday, April 4, when the Reds hosted the Los Angeles Angels.

Play-by-play announcers Thom Brennaman, Jim Kelch and George Grande, and color analysts Chris Welsh and Jeff Brantley will once again return to the booth to call all the action this season. Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro will continue in their roles as co-hosts of Reds LIVE pre and postgame shows.

What Should We Expect from the Braves in 2013?

Chip CarayAtlanta Braves

Play-by-Play

Joe SimpsonAtlanta Braves

AnalystWhat kind of impact do you expect from the Upton brothers on the Braves lineup?The Uptons make the lineup deeper, add overall speed, and make the outfield defense better all around. Who do you expect to fill the void left by Chipper Jones in the clubhouse?  I see Brian McCann and Jason Heyward filling that leadership role.Which April series do you see as an early season test? All of them are tests.  Long road trips to cold cities could lead to losing games to bad weather. Chip calls it “The Iditarod” trip.Which young Brave do you see making an impact in 2013? Andreton Simmons will be a joy to watch and might win a Gold Glove in his first full year. Evan Gattis will also be fun to watch. How excited do you get for the start of each baseball season?Very excited.  More so this year than in the past several years, because I believe this team has what it takes to win a World Series, not just make the playoffs.

What kind of impact do you expect from the Upton brothers on the Braves lineup?The Upton brothers impact on the Braves team is enormous. They bring a tremendous amount of athleticism, power, and balance to what is a largely left-handed hitting lineup.  Who do you expect to fill the void left by Chipper Jones in the clubhouse? No “one” can single-handedly replace Chipper Jones.  But there are enough veterans in the Braves clubhouse to say and do what’s needed at the right time.  Which April series have you circled on your calendar as an early season test? April’s not the easiest month, for sure.  We will have an early look at the defending NL East Champion Washington Nationals.  We also take our “Iditarod” road trip to Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Colorado.   As my Dad would’ve said, “those fun loving guys in the MLB scheduling department.....”Which young Brave do you expect to make an impact in 2013? Good organizations have a much deeper stable of talent than the 25-man roster.  Young pitching really impressed me this spring. As young and talented as this Braves team is now, there is more talent coming soon. How excited do you get for the start of each baseball season?I love the start of a new season!  April 1 is a fresh start for everyone in baseball.  Here is to hoping we all enjoy 162 very exciting days of baseball games ahead!

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Behind-The-Scenes at Bobcats Care Day of Service

Charlotte Bobcats Chairman Michael Jordan, YMCA of Greater Charlotte President Andy Calhoun and Jeff Genthner present a check to benefit the Y Achievers at West Charlotte High School.

Scholarship recipient Ken’Dajah Chaplin Green is interviewed by FOX Sports South.

OAP Supervisor Xochill Pereiro and Traffic Coordinator Gemina Stroud spoke with students at Vance High School.

FOX Sports South staff visit a classroom during the Bobcats Care Day of Service.

On March 21, FOX Sports Carolinas and SportSouth part-nered with the Charlotte Bobcats for a sponsorship of the Y Achievers, a YMCA of Greater Charlotte program that operates in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Along with the sponsorship, the two organizations presented three scholarships to deserving high school students. FOX Sports Jeff Genthner and Bobcats Chairman Michael Jordan joined together to present checks to YMCA President Andy Calhoun and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superinten-dent Dr. Heath Morrison, as well as the three hard-working students. The day of service volunteers included 15 members of the FOX Sports South staff, who travelled to Charlotte to participate. The staff took in the Charlotte Bobcats-Toronto Raptors game Wednesday evening and on the following day participated in a community service event by reading to students, speaking on panels, and distributing t-shirts.

Bobcats Care Day of Service

FOX Sports South staff members learn about Time Warner Cable Arena suites prior to Bobcats-Raptors game.

FOX Sports staff standing with Vance High School scholarship recipient.

Sr. Programming Coordinator Robert Albury and Sr. Account Executive G. David Brown participate on panel.

Genthner with Michael Jordan talking with students at West Mecklenburg High School.

Click to watch Bobcats Care Day of Service

recap video

Click to watch FOX Sports staff Time Warner Cable

Arena tour video

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DRIVEN: Kris Medlen, A Big League Journey

Atlanta Braves starter Kris Medlen sitting down with FOX Sports South.

Kris Medlen from his days at Santa Ana Community College.

The story of Atlanta Braves starter Kris Medlen comes to FOX Sports South this April with the debut of DRIVEN: Kris Medlen, A Big League Journey, presented by Cadillac.

FOX Sports was granted exclusive access to Medlen’s home, where he provides an in-depth look at his childhood in Southern California, playing baseball at Santa Ana Community College, and his breakout 2012 season with the Atlanta Braves. The right-handed starter also relives his first major league start against the Rockies in 2009 and shares details on his arm injury that cut his 2010 season short.

DRIVEN: Kris Medlen, A Big League Journey will re-air throughout the month of April on SportSouth and FOX Sports South.

College Baseball, Softball Back on FOX Sports South, SportSouth

South Carolina baseball is scheduled to appear 11 times on FOX Sports South and

SportSouth in 2013.

Alabama softball will appear on SportSouth on Sunday, April 21.

Spring is in the air and that can only mean college baseball and college softball are returning to FOX Sports South and SportSouth.

In total, the two FOX Sports regional networks will air 67 baseball games and 21 softball games in 2013, including games from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, and Conference USA. The broadcast schedule will finish up with the Big 12 Baseball Tournament championship game from Oklahoma City on SportSouth.

By The Numbers:88 Total Games67 Baseball Games21 Softball Games47 Games on FOX Sports South41 Games on SportSouth23 Tournament Games17 Games in March26 Games in April45 Games in May Georgia Tech faces rival Georgia on FOX Sports South

live from Turner Field on Tuesday, April 23.

FOX Sports SouthDebuted: April 1 @ 11:00 p.m. ET

SportSouthDebuted: April 5 @ 10:30 p.m. ETRe-Airs: April 7 @ 12:30 p.m. ET April 25 @ 6:00 p.m. ET April 12 @ 6:00 p.m. ET April 30 @ 2:30 p.m. ET April 13 @ 10:30 p.m. ET

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Hosts Turn to Social Media to Promote The Panel

Genthner Participates on Sports Media Panel The 2013 Business of Sports Summit, hosted by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Atlanta Sports Council, welcomed some of the biggest names in the sports industry to the Hyatt Regency on Friday, March 29. Jeff Genthner participated in the Sports Media panel discussion, which also included representatives from CBS Sports, Turner Sports and ESPN.

Genthner and his peers tackled some of the biggest issues in the sports media industry today, informing the attendees on what new innovations and opportunities they are witnessing in the ever-changing sports and media industry.

The Panel finished a successful run on FOX Sports South from March 18-22. The hosts, Tim Couch, Dorsey Levens, Ovie Mughelli, and Takeo Spikes live tweeted with viewers during the week, which led to increased viewer awareness and interaction.

Jeff Genthner participates on panel.