MLS re-inks with HDNet

[Gregg Lengling]

posted by tvbarn on March 11, 2004 01:21 PM
HDNet announces the schedule for exclusive national television coverage of its second season of Major League Soccer. In addition, on Saturday Mar. 13 at 8pm ET, HDNet broadcasts live coverage of the United States Men's National Team vs. Haiti at the Orange Bowl in Miami, marking the first-ever U.S. Soccer match in high-def. See press release below.

MLS and HDNet ANNOUNCE THE 2004 NATIONAL 'MLS on HDNet' BROADCAST SCHEDULE Flexible Scheduling Introduced to Telecast Key Matchups During Latter Half of 2004 MLS Season

NEW YORK and DALLAS (Thursday, March 11, 2004) ˆ Major League Soccer and HDNet announced today the broadcast schedule of "MLS on HDNet", which provides fans with a record-number 23 high-definition telecasts prior to the midseason break. HDNet and MLS will mutually select the most intriguing games to be aired for the second half of the season and distribute the flexible scheduling options in early July. The exclusive nationally televised coverage begins live on April 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET as the MetroStars visit the Columbus Crew.

"Once again, we are excited to partner with HDNet to deliver the incredible HDTV viewing experience to MLS fans across the country," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "In addition to the enhanced picture quality of high-definition, the wide screen format gives our fans at home the ability to watch plays as they develop. It's the next best thing to being in the stadium and is an incredible tool as we continue the education process for the professional game in the United States."

The regular-season package features 23 live national telecasts prior to the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game on July 24, including a Sunday evening match on the annual Fourth of July match at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. A total of 15 Saturday night games will be shown, with 7 Wednesday contests rounding out the slate.

"HDNet is thrilled to provide our viewers with what is sure to be another great year of high definition broadcasts of Major League Soccer," said Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet, the first all high definition national television network and currently available to high definition viewers on DirecTV, Dish Network and cable providers like Time-Warner and Adelphia. "Last season proved that the exciting, fast-paced action of soccer provides a great showcase for HDTV, and this year we are proud to be providing more MLS coverage than any other television network."

Eight of the League's 10 teams are featured in a minimum of four HDNet scheduled regular-season telecasts, with the defending MLS Cup Champions San Jose Earthquakes on air six times. The team San Jose defeated in the 2003 Western Conference Championship Game, the Kansas City Wizards, appear eight times, most in the League during the season's first half. The Dallas Burn will appear on HDNet on six occasions, while the MetroStars and Los Angeles Galaxy will be showcased in five games. All "MLS on HDNet" games will again be exclusively produced and broadcast by HDNet with HDNet announcers, graphics and crews. HDNet will also air features and interviews, all in the highest quality 1080i HDTV resolution and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

The team of Glenn Davis and Marcelo Balboa return for their second year together in the HDNet booth. Davis, providing the play-by-play, enters his ninth season covering MLS games having served as the television color analyst for the Dallas Burn during the first seven seasons. Davis has previously provided both color commentary and play-by-play for some of the world's most prestigious matches and leagues, including the 2002 World Cup for ESPN, the Italian Serie A, Copa America, UEFA Cup, German Bundesliga and the Gold Cup. A former professional player in the ASL, USL and AISA during the 1980's, Davis also currently writes a weekly soccer column for the Houston Chronicle.

Marcelo Balboa, who made his television debut in 2003 with HDNet, will again join Davis in the booth providing color commentary. In addition to his work on HDNet, Balboa also served as ABC's sideline reporter for the 2003 MLS All-Star game and MLS Cup, as well as an analyst on the ESPN2 broadcast of the U.S. Men's National Team friendlies versus Denmark and the Netherlands. The former Colorado Rapids and MetroStars defender represented the United States in three World Cups ('90, '94 and '98) and played in 151 MLS games (146 starts), scoring 24 goals registering 23 assists before retiring prior to the 2003 season.

The 2004 American soccer campaign kicks off on HDNet Sunday, with 16 MLS players called in by Head Coach Bruce Arena for the United States Men's National Team's match against Haiti on March 13 at the Orange Bowl in Miami appearing live on HDNet at 8 p.m. ET, marking the first time a U.S. Soccer match has ever been shown in high definition.

In addition to the HD broadcast, the match will also be available to DirecTV viewers via pay-per-view for $19.95. Log on to ussoccer.com for more information on available pay-per-view outlets as they become available, or contact Innovative Sports Marketing directly at ppvsports.com or 201-610-0200.

The schedule below lists the live 2004 MLS game broadcasts on HDNet (all times are Eastern and are subject to change). A complete rebroadcast schedule is available at //www.hd.net or at //www.mlsnet.com.

2004 MLS on HDNet BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Date Game Time (ET) April 3 MetroStars @ Columbus Crew 7:30 p.m. April 10 D.C. United @ Los Angeles Galaxy 10:00 p.m. April 17 Los Angeles Galaxy @ Colorado Rapids 9:00 p.m. April 24 Columbus Crew @ Los Angeles Galaxy 10:00 p.m. May 1 Dallas Burn @ Columbus Crew 7:30 p.m. May 8 MetroStars @ San Jose Earthquakes 10:00 p.m. May 15 San Jose Earthquakes @ Dallas Burn 8:30 p.m. May 19 Los Angeles Galaxy @ D.C. United 7:30 p.m. May 22 Dallas Burn @ Kansas City Wizards 7:30 p.m. May 29 San Jose Earthquakes @ Columbus Crew 7:30 p.m. June 2 New England Revolution @ Kansas City Wizards 8:30 p.m. June 9 Kansas City Wizards @ Colorado Rapids 9:30 p.m. June 12 MetroStars @ San Jose Earthquakes 10:00 p.m. June 19 Kansas City Wizards @ New England Revolution 7:30 p.m. June 23 MetroStars @ Los Angeles Galaxy 10:30 p.m. June 26 Kansas City Wizards @ San Jose Earthquakes 10:00 p.m. June 30 Colorado Rapids @ MetroStars 7:30 p.m. July 3 Dallas Burn @ Kansas City Wizards 8:30 p.m. July 4 New England Revolution @ Colorado Rapids 9:30 p.m. July 7 Dallas Burn @ San Jose Earthquakes 10:30 p.m. July 10 Colorado Rapids @ Los Angeles Galaxy 10:00 p.m. July 14 D.C. United @ Kansas City Wizards 7:30 p.m. July 17 Kansas City Wizards @ Dallas Burn 8:30 p.m. (Second half of 2004 MLS on HDNet Broadcast Schedule ˆ TBD at midseason)

About Major League Soccer: Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features many top stars from the United States and around the world. The ten teams that comprise MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution and the Defending Champion San Jose Earthquakes. Major League Soccer's ninth season kicks off April 3, 2004, with Landon Donovan and the holders San Jose Earthquakes traveling to Washington's RFK Stadium to face D.C. United live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET in what could be the highly-anticipated debut of 14-year old soccer prodigy Freddy Adu. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at //www.MLSnet.com.

About HDNet HDNet, (//www.hd.net), the leader in high definition broadcasting, produces and televises more hours of original HDTV sports, entertainment and news programming each week than any other network. Original HDNet series include the groundbreaking HDNet World Report, Across America, Hollywood HD, True Music, HDNet Concert Series, Bikini Destinations, Get Out, and Higher Definition. Licensed programming includes series from Paramount, Warner Brothers and Sony. HDNet Movies broadcasts 24/7 full-length feature films from Warner Bros, New Line, Paramount, MGM, Buena Vista, Lions Gate, Artisan and Sony Pictures Television. HDNet Movies also features movies produced and finished in true 1080i high-definition. Live HDNet sports productions include National Hockey League games, Major League Soccer games, The HDNet Horse Racing Challenge, CART auto racing, Boxing Explosion, and college football and basketball games. Co-founded by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on Adelphia Communications, Charter Communications, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight Communications, Mediacom Communications, Time Warner Cable and several NCTC cable affiliate companies.

[The Law]

:rofl: :rofl: :rock: :drink:

Yes, I am STOKED!!!!!!!

And to cap it of w/the National Team as an opener! Woo HOOOOOO!!!

too bad the Fire isn't on the list - but...I'll manage, methinks.

*This* my friends, is why I have a big 65" HiDef, surround sound-ed monolith at the end of my living room.

oh, joy!

 :rock: :drink: :rofl: :guitar: :drink:

[The Law]

Thanks for posting this info!!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rock: :drink:

This absolutely kicks sas.  For me, this is THE reason I have a 65" Surround Sound-ed obelisk at the end of my living room.

WOO HOOOOOOOO>>>>>.........!!!!!!!!

:rock: :rock: :rofl: