Fox Sports Detroit

Fox Sports Detroit (stylized as FS DETROIT), is a regional sports network that covers local sports teams in the state of Michigan, mostly those in the Metro Detroit area. It is an owned and operated affiliate of Fox Sports Net. The network exclusively broadcasts games played by the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings, and some college teams in Michigan, and also covers Michigan high school sports.^[3] It is available on cable television in all of Michigan, Northeastern Indiana, Northwest Ohio, some portions of northeastern Wisconsin and nationwide via DirecTV and Dish Network. The control room for the network is located in Houston, Texas. As of October 2009, pre-game, post-game and pro sports team magazine shows are broadcast from the network's all-digital high definition studio in Southfield, Michigan, in addition to the game site.^[4]

History

Beginnings

Fox Sports Detroit can trace its origins back to 1996, when News Corporation purchased 50% of the Prime Network, a group of regional sports networks (RSNs) owned by Liberty Media, and immediately renamed them "Fox Sports Net". News Corporation did not own a network in Michigan as the Detroit-based Pro-Am Sports System (PASS Sports), owned by Post-Newsweek Stations (owners of local NBC affiliate WDIV-TV) was the local affiliate station of Prime Network. News Corp. announced plans to launch a Fox Sports Net station in Michigan by 1998, and made a surprise bid for, and won, the television broadcast rights to the games of the Detroit Pistons, the local NBA team.

When PASS Sports' broadcasting rights of games featuring Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and the Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers were due to be renewed, Fox Sports Net made a bid for the contracts and won them both. The launch date for Fox Sports Detroit was brought forward in time for the beginning of the 1997–98 NHL season and 1998 MLB season, and it began broadcasting on September 17, 1997. Post-Newsweek concluded its coverage area was not big enough to support two RSNs and sold the remainder of its Tigers and Pistons contracts, and the contract of sportscaster John Keating, to Fox Sports Detroit. Post-Newsweek closed PASS Sports on October 31, 1997, leaving Fox Sports Detroit as the sole RSN in Michigan.^[5]

Studios

From its launch until January 16, 2008, Fox Sports Detroit broadcast studio shows out of FSN Northwest in Bellevue, Washington.^[6] On October 1, 2009, the network unveiled a new all-digital high definition-capable studio in its Southfield headquarters dubbed the "Call Sam Studio", named after its sponsor the Sam Bernstein Law Firm. It serves as the new home of Tigers Live, Pistons Live, and Red Wings Live, as well the magazine shows of all three teams, and all other local programming. It was expected that 80% of the shows produced from the studio will be in HD. The first program from the new studio was the Red Wings season preview special Wingspan on October 1.^[4]

Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings switch to cable full time

The channel shared professional team coverage rights with some broadcast television stations in Detroit until the spring of 2008. In March 2008, FS Detroit signed new long term contracts with the Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers to broadcast more games than in previous years, becoming the exclusive local home of all three teams for the first time until at least 2018.^[3] This leaves only the NFL's Detroit Lions as the only major Detroit sports team to have all of its games on terrestrial TV.

Programming

Local team coverage

Professional teams

• Detroit Red Wings: Fox Sports Detroit has the rights to cover up to 70 Detroit Red Wings games in the regular season as well as some preseason games and the first two rounds of the playoffs.^[3] Red Wings Live airs before and after all games.

• Detroit Tigers: Fox Sports Detroit has the rights to cover at least 150 Detroit Tigers games in the regular season as well as some Spring Training games.^[3] Tigers Live airs before and after all regular season games, and after all playoff games. A second post-game show, Tigers Live: Extra Innings airs after important games.

• Detroit Pistons: Fox Sports Detroit has the rights to up to 70 regular season Detroit Pistons games as well as some early round playoff games.^[3] Pistons Live airs before and after all games.

College coverage

• Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) games. FS Detroit also holds exclusive rights to broadcast Hockey Day in Michigan and The Great Lakes Invitational.
• Mid-American Conference regular season men's basketball games and the Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
• Detroit Titans men's basketball
• Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball
• University of Michigan and Michigan State University coaches shows and magazine shows

High school sports

• The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) football playoffs.
• The MHSAA girls and boys basketball state finals.
• The Championships in all MHSAA sports are aired on either TV or the channel's website.^[7]

Weekly shows

• Pistons Weekly: A 30-minute in season show featuring off the court stories from the Detroit Pistons. It is hosted by George Blaha. Also airs on WDIV.

• Pistons In Focus: A 30-minute show that premiered in the 2009–10 season with biographies of notable Pistons players and coaches past and present, hosted by Eli Zaret. Those examined have included Isiah Thomas, Chuck Daly, Bill Laimbeer, Dave Bing and Tayshaun Prince.

• Wingspan: Formerly Red Wings Weekly, is a 30-minute in season show featuring off the ice stories of the Detroit Red Wings.

• Tigers Weekly: A 30-minute in season show featuring off the field stories of the Detroit Tigers.

• Inside Michigan Football: A 30-minute weekly discussion of University of Michigan Wolverines Football with head coach Brady Hoke, hosted by Jim Brandstatter. Segments with players are also shown, as well as locker room footage and special features presented by Doug Karsch. Formerly known as Michigan Replay, which began on WDIV in 1980. (Its old title was retired in honor of former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr). Also shown on Big Ten Network and WXYZ-TV and via Big Ten Network On Demand.^[8]

• Inside Michigan Basketball: A 30-minute weekly discussion of University of Michigan Wolverines men's basketball with head coach John Beilein, hosted by Matt Shepard. The format is similar to Inside Michigan Football. Also shown on Big Ten Network and available via Big Ten Network On Demand.^[9]

• Michigan Sports Weekly: The University of Michigan Wolverines sports scene is featured each week. It is hosted by Doug Karsch. Also shown on Big Ten Network and Michigan Channel.

• Spartan Sports Zone: The Michigan State University Spartans sports scene is featured each week. It is hosted by Dave Ellis. Also shown on Big Ten Network and Fox College Sports Atlantic.

• One on One with Tom Izzo: A 30-minute show featuring Michigan State University Spartans Men's Basketball head coach Tom Izzo and sports anchor Mickey York. Also shown on Big Ten Network

• One on One with Mark Dantonio: A 30-minute show featuring Michigan State University Spartans Football head coach Mark Dantonio and sports anchor Mickey York. Also shown on Big Ten Network

• CCHA All-Access: A 30-minute weekly discussion of CCHA hockey, hosted by Michael Kosta.

• Michigan Golf Live: A weekly show that promotes golfing and golf courses in Michigan, hosted by Doug Karsch. Despite its name, it is pre-recorded, not broadcast live.

• MHSAA Football Friday Overtime: A new show for 2011, it includes highlights, analysis and interviews from high school football games around the state. Hosted by Mickey York and Rob Rubick. ^[10]

Former shows

• The Detroit Sports Report: (or simply DSR) was a Detroit / Michigan sports news show created in September 2000 by Fox Sports Net to help increase ratings for National Sports Report. Marc Soicher and Angie Arlotti were the original anchors of the 10:00 show, while Soicher hosted a 7:00 pm show by himself. Mickey York and Brad Adam hosted the show on the weekend. In 2003 Soicher left for FSN Rocky Mountain, and Mickey York was given the role of co-host with Angie Arlotti (now Mentink). In addition Ryan Field was hired away from WJBK and WDFN to become a correspondent / weekend anchor to fill York's duties. As National Sports Report ratings began to drop, the Detroit Sports Report ratings were good. National Sports Report was canceled in 2004 and FSN dropped many of the regional sports report shows later that year or in 2005. Detroit Sports Report was canceled in April 2007. National Sports Report was replaced by a similar show Final Score in 2006.

• Lions Live: Was a 30-minute post-game show featuring highlights, reaction and analysis of Detroit Lions games. Former Detroit Lion Rob Rubick provided his analysis with host Mickey York. The show also covered the Rod Marinelli Monday Press Conference with host Matt Shepard, as well as Detroit Free Press sports writer Nick Cotsonika. It was canceled after the 2007 season to avoid conflicts with Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings coverage, as well as other local and national content. The TV channel currently has no Lions programming, however its website features a large amount of coverage of the team.

• Pistons Insider: A 30-minute pre-recorded in-season pregame show where Matt Shepard and Pete Skorich preview the night's Pistons opponent. It was canceled after the 2008–09 season.

• Motor City Memories: Discussion of memorable Detroit Pistons teams of the past, hosted by George Blaha. It was replaced by Pistons In Focus in the 2009–10 season.

• Spotlight: Detroit: A series that profiles prominent Detroit sports figures.

• In My Own Words: Detroit: A 30-minute interview featuring a sports figure in Detroit. This show is similar to Chris Myers Interview. The show debuted September 9, 2007. John Keating was the host. Was canceled in 2008.

• Fox Sports Detroit was the home of the WNBA's Detroit Shock until the 2009 season, after which the team moved to Tulsa.

Specials

• FSN Basement: All Star Edition 2005, featuring interviews with George Kell and Al Kaline, each recalling their memories of playing for the Tigers and working together in the television booth. It was re-aired several times in late March 2009 in memory of former long-time Tigers play-by-play announcer George Kell, who died on March 24, 2009 at age 86.

• Ernie Harwell: We'll Remember, a tribute special shown after the death of legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell on May 5, 2010.

National programming

See List of Fox Sports Net programs broadcast nationwide

FS Detroit Plus airs college football games from ESPN Plus' syndicated SEC Network. ^[11]

Personalities

Current

The current on-air talent is.^[12]

• Rod Allen: Tigers analyst (2003–present)
• Jim Brandstatter: host of Inside Michigan Football
• George Blaha: Pistons play-by-play, host of Pistons Weekly (2006–present)
• Mateen Cleaves: Pistons studio analyst (2010–present)
• Earl Cureton: college basketball analyst (2007–present)
• Ken Daniels: Red Wings play-by-play, CCHA play-by-play (1997–present)
• Matt Dery: Fill-in Pistons play-by-play (2006–present)
• Dan Dickerson: high school football play-by-play (2002–present)
• Stan Edwards: high school football analyst (2002–present)
• Dave Ellis: host of Spartan Sports Zone (2006–present)
• Ryan Field: Live host, field/clubhouse reporter (2003–present)
• Shannon Hogan: Live host, field reporter (2011-present)
• Mario Impemba: Tigers play-by-play (2002–present), Golden Grizzlies play-by-play
• Doug Karsch: Michigan Sports Weekly host, reporter on Inside Michigan Football (2006–present)
• John Keating: Live host, field/clubhouse reporter, high school football play-by-play (1997–present)
• Greg Kelser: Pistons analyst, high school basketball analyst, college basketball analyst (1997–present)
• Michael Kosta: CCHA All-Access host (2008–present)
• Rick Mahorn: college basketball analyst (2008–present)
• Larry Murphy: fill-in Red Wings analyst, Red Wings "between the benches" analyst (2003–present)
• Fred Pletsch: CCHA analyst (2003–present)
• Mickey Redmond: Red Wings analyst, CCHA analyst (1997–present)
• Matt Shepard: CCHA play-by-play, features reporter, fill-in Pistons play-by-play, high school football play-by-play, ice reporter (1997–present)
• Trevor Thompson: field/clubhouse reporter (2000–present), Live host (2003–present)
• John Wangler: high school football analyst (2002–present)
• Justin White: Live host, field / clubhouse reporter (2008–present)
• Mickey York: Live Host (2003–present), field/clubhouse reporter (2000–2003)
• Eli Zaret: Pistons Live reporter/Pistons in Focus host/Pistons sideline reporter (2003–present)

Behind the scenes personalities

The senior vice president/general manager is Greg Hammaren.^[3]

Platforms

Fox Sports Detroit HD

Fox Sports Detroit HD (stylized as FS DETROIT HD) is a 720p high definition simulcast of Fox Sports Detroit. It telecasts all Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings, and Detroit Tigers games in HD as well as respective pre-game and post-game shows and team magazine shows, as well as all college and high school games and programs. The new show Wingspan became the first locally produced pre-recorded program to be aired in HD.^[4] In 2010, CCHA and MHSAA games began airing in HD. Nationally televised FSN games and other programs, as well as those from SEC Network, are also aired in HD. Like the SD version, it is available nationwide via DirecTV and Dish Network, and on most cable providers in Michigan and some in Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus

Fox Sports Detroit Plus (stylized as FS DETROIT +) is a game-time only alternate feed of Fox Sports Detroit.^[13] It was launched in 2007 to solve scheduling conflicts, such as those of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Red Wings, as well as CCHA games, MHSAA finals for football and basketball, and The Mid-American Conference Basketball Tournament (via Fox Sports Ohio). It is frequently used for live national FSN college football, college basketball, college baseball and tennis telecasts and others, to avoid conflicts with local coverage.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus has been used for special alternate feeds of local games, such as the annual "¡Fiesta Tigres!" game which celebrates Latin American players, in which alternate announcers did the play-by-play in Spanish; a "Position-by-position" Tigers game, with the camera isolating on a different defensive player every inning featuring John Keating on play-by-play; as well as a "Social networking" Tigers telecast in which the channel's staff answered viewer questions from Facebook, Twitter, and their own website.

Fox Sports Detroit Plus also has an HD feed which is available on DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T Uverse, Comcast, Wide Open West and some smaller regional systems.^[13]

Fox Sports Detroit On Demand

Fox Sports Detroit On Demand is the Video on demand counterpart to Fox Sports Detroit. It launched in October 2008. It includes the channel's magazine and coach's shows, presented commercial-free. It is available on Comcast. On August 7, 2009, it began adding full length Tigers games on demand.^[14]

Branding

Regular programming and nationally-broadcast games uses a standard logo - in this case, FSDETROIT. For Tigers games and Tigers Live, the logo changes to FSTIGERS, with the FS shown in orange. For Pistons games and Pistons Live, the logo turns to FSPISTONS, with the FS shown in red. For Red Wings games and Red Wings Live, the logo turns to FSRED WINGS, with the FS also shown in red.

References