Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Houston Dynamo Sign Three Year Television Deal with Comcast SportsNet Houston

On Wednesday January 30, 2013, the Houston Dynamo announced that the team has entered into a multiyear partnership with Comcast SportsNet Houston (CSN).

The two sides reached a three-year agreement that will make CSN the home for regionally broadcast Dynamo matches from 2013 to 2015, which will be approximately 15 to 20 Dynamo games per season. Additionally, CSN will produce Pregame Live and Postgame Live shows, a weekly in-season magazine show, a monthly off-season show, a pre-season preview, a post-season wrap up special, and a behind-the-scenes documentary series.

“The key thing was finding a television partner who believes in the Dynamo and shares the passion and commitment for growing the game," said Dynamo President Chris Canetti. “CSN is that partner and is demonstrating its commitment through high-quality match production and an array of in-depth programming that will be rich with content and fuel discussion about the team.”

“The Dynamo’s success in MLS has been matched by a devoted and enthusiastic fan base,” CSN President and General Manager Matt Hutchings said. “We’re pleased to add their matches to our lineup, as well as give fans unprecedented access to the team with our related programming.”

As part of the agreement, the Dynamo and CSN will continue to partner with KPRC Local 2 (NBC) to air a select number of Dynamo games. The finalized broadcast schedule for the 2013 season will be announced at a later date.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that CSN and the Houston Dynamo, two of our favorite partners, have signed a three-year agreement,” said KPRC Vice President and General Manager Jerry Martin. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with both of them throughout the length of this partnership and beyond.”

CSN currently broadcasts Rockets games and will begin broadcasting Astros games this year.

“From a media and broadcast perspective, the CSN commitment is unlike anything the Dynamo has experienced in our seven year history,” Canetti continued. “It is one of the best television deals in MLS and symbolizes the incredible growth and development of our club and League.”

The first Dynamo game to be broadcast on CSN is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 when the Dynamo host the Vancouver Whitecaps at BBVA Compass Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The pre-season preview show will debut on Monday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. The first weekly magazine show, called Dynamo Weekly, will debut on Thursday, March 7 at 4:00 p.m.

While CSN is carried on Comcast's Xfinity cable service and some smaller cable providers in the Houston area, it is not currently carried on DirecTV, Dish, or U-Verse.

Portions of the above material were taken from a Houston Dynamo press release.

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