Phillies To Get Opening-Day Treatment from CSN Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies will return to Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia Philadelphia in 2010, following a record-breaking ratings season in 2009. CSN Philadelphia and The Comcast Network will produce a total of 105 regular season games, all in HD, plus air extensive Opening Day coverage, weekly magazine shows, pre- and post-game coverage for every game, as well as extensive coverage on CSNPhilly.com.

Opening Day coverage on Monday, April 5 includes a feature interview with the All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, Phillies Focus, SportsRise, Phillies Pregame Live, Phillies Postgame Live, Daily News Live, and SportsNite.

Leslie Gudel and Jim Salisbury bring over 25 combined years of covering the Phillies CSN Philadelphia the 2009 season. As a Phillies Insider, Salisbury will report on the team both at home and on the road, providing feature stories, video diaries, and Phillies chats for CSNPhilly.com. Gudel will provide coverage on-air and online, including exclusive interviews and feature stories on Phillies players, coaches, and personalities.

In addition to live game coverage, CSN Philadelphia delivers pre- and post-game coverage and analysis. Before every game on CSN Philadelphia and The Comcast Network, viewers can catch analysis on Daily News Live, SportsNite and Phillies Pregame Live.

Each week on Phillies Pregame Live, Comcast SportsNet’s “On The Pharm” segment will delve into the Phillies’ minor league system with the latest info on the Phils’ top prospects.  Fans can also catch an expanded version of On the Pharm on CSNPhilly.com.

Following each match-up, Phillies fans get a game breakdown with stats and highlights, and a look ahead to the rest of the season on Phillies Postgame Live. Other features include manager Charlie Manuel’s press conferences and reaction from the clubhouse. Phillies Postgame Live analysis will be provided by former Major League pitcher Ricky Bottalico and other special guests.

Completing Comcast SportsNet’s Phillies lineup is the weekly 30-minute feature series Phillies Clubhouse. Phillies Clubhouse illustrates behind-the-scenes stories about fans and Phillies personnel, as well as minor league updates, and great moments in Phillies’ history.  Phillies Clubhouse airs most Mondays at 7 p.m.

CSN Philadelphia ramps up online coverage of the Phillies on CSNPhilly.com with the addition of Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury, who will provide exclusive coverage for CSNPhilly.com. Online highlights include breaking news, extensive video, in-depth features, blogs and fantasy content.  CSNPhilly.com is the only media outlet providing fans with an exclusive recap of Charlie Manuel’s daily manager meetings, hosted each game day by Salisbury or Leslie Gudel.

During the 2009 season, CSN Philadelphia delivered a record-setting 7.14 average rating (212,000 HH) for live game action, a 25% increase over 2008’s 5.7 rating, and the highest rated Phillies’ season in Comcast SportsNet’s 13-year history.  The 2009 season represented the seventh straight year of ratings growth for Phillies broadcasts on the network.