DIRECTV NewsA Blog on Satellite TV News

The Charlotte, NC based satellite television channel ‘SPEED’ delivering Formula One racing, NASCAR-related shows will launch ‘Fast Track to Fame’ on March 1 at 9 p.m.

Fast Track to Fame on Speed Channel will deliver ten episodes searching grassroots talent taped at stops along the NASCAR schedule.

Fast Track to Fame will be hosted by NASCAR owner and driver Michael Waltrip and Charissa Thompson will co-host the one hour show. Fast Track to Fame will tape from late February until May. Speed plans on airing each episode as many as six times after its Monday-night original.

Michael Waltrip stated “I love talent shows. I went to Hunter [Nickell, Speed's president] and told him he should air a NASCAR talent show. He thought it was a great idea, and next thing you know, we’re doing it. I know there’s a lot ofhidden talent in NASCAR Nation, and we’re going to find it and have a blast while we do.”

According to Fox Sports, acts will be solicited through local media at NASCAR stops, and when selected, they will perform over the weekend in front of three yet-to-be-determined judges. The winners from the first eight shows will meet in a semi-final competition, and then two finalists will battle in the finale.

DirecTV announced that it partners with FOX Sports and NASCAR to present inaugural DIRECTV’s NASCAR Head-2-Head Knockout competition.

DIRECTV’s NASCAR Head-2-Head Knockout competition will be innovative new bracket-format competition amongst 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers in a high-stakes contest over the course of four races during the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule.

The prize money for both drivers and spectators alike as winning drivers with a total of $500,000 will be donated to charity during the course of the NASCAR Head-2-Head Knockout competition.

Viewers can also take a chance to win a new car and the ultimate prize, a check for $1 million dollars by picking a perfect bracket. Fans can enter their brackets starting April 11 on www.directv.com/nascar.

The schedule for inaugural DIRECTV’s NASCAR Head-2-Head Knockout competition in 2010 is as follows:

• Round One on April 18 (Samsung Mobile 500 at Texas Motor Speedway)
• Round Two on April 25 (Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway)
• Round Three on May 1 (Crown Royal presents “The Heath Calhoun 400″, Richmond International Raceway)
• “The Fastest Four” on May 8 (Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway)

Jon Gieselman, senior vice president of Advertising and Public Relations for DIRECTV, said “Given DIRECTV’s passion for absolutely anything sports related, we’re excited to partner with NASCAR and FOX to showcase some of the intense rivalries that we all know exist within the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “It will be exciting to watch the mano-a-mano match-ups unfold, creating a whole new competitive dynamic for our customers to enjoy on four Sundays this spring.”

Jim O’Connell, NASCAR’s Vice President of Corporate Marketing and International Development, said “DIRECTV’s NASCAR Head-2-Head Knockout competition is another example of DIRECTV’s commitment to NASCAR® and our fans. We are thrilled to have DIRECTV as a long time partner and look forward to our fans following the match ups on the NASCAR HOTPASS broadcast.”

ESPN announced that it has acquired Vistas Unlimited, Inc. The acquisition of Vistas Unlimited will allow ESPN to utilize virtual technology across its multiple platforms and also employ a majority of Vistas’ employees.

Television Network utilizes Vistas Unlimited developed computer technology to insert advertisement during live television broadcast.

Vistas Unlimited received the George Wensel Technical Achievement Award at the 29th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in 2008. The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award for Vistas Unlimited’s development of the video processing and insertion of optimal putt paths for The Golf Channel on many of its PGA and LPGA broadcasts.

Chuck Pagano, executive vice president, ESPN technology, said “This acquisition represents ESPN’s dedication to staying at the forefront of innovation and technology development. The team that is joining ESPN brings a wealth of knowledge on developing cutting-edge virtual components that enhance the fan’s enjoyment of a game telecast.”

World Fishing Network (WFN) reached two-year marketing agreement with Fort Worth, Tex based fishing organization Bass Champs.

This agreement will allow WFN to present popular Skeeter Bass Champs television shows in standard and high-definition. WFN will be presenting sponsor of more than 60 Skeeter Bass Champs events during the next two years.

Skeeter Bass Champs television show captures the reality of tournament fishing by highlighting the trials struggles and rewards those anglers tackle throughout a tournament. It offers winning techniques, hot locations and new product highlights and has become one of the most popular fishing shows because viewers get to see real anglers, like themselves, during real competitions. The show has been shot in high-definition since its inception in 2002.

Mark Rubinstein, President and CEO of World Fishing Network, said “This partnership provides us entertaining content for our viewers and a great venue to promote our network to thousands of passionate anglers throughout Texas. Our network’s exciting programming line-up of tournament action coupled with entertaining and informative lifestyle
programs help satisfy the insatiable appetite of North America’s 60 million anglers.”

Chad Potts, President of Bass Champs, Inc., said “We are extremely excited about the future of the Bass Champs television show with WFN and look forward to being featured on the network’s fishing line-up. This new partnership provides our anglers and viewers with many more opportunities to watch the show and allows our sponsors to reach the
demographic they desire.”

NFL Network will debut documentary series ‘Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League’ on Friday, January 8 at 8:00 PM ET. The Emmy Award-winning NFL Films produced five part documentary will be available in high-definition.

Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster John Madden will present his introductions on the new series and also his personal view on the AFL a special league.

Full Color Football was launched on Showtime in 2009 and this year on NFL Network will present the start of the maverick American Football League to the present the merger with the rival National Football League.

Full Color Football profiles the personalities, teams, news events and more that the exciting new league brought to the fans. The 2009 season marked the 50th season of the eight original AFL teams who played their inaugural slate of games in 1960.

Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League five week schedule is as follows:

Full Color Football Week I on Friday, January 8 at 8:00 PM ET
Episode One, “The New Frontier,” examines Lamar Hunt’s radical idea that was born on an airplane after the NFL refused his attempt to purchase a pro football franchise. Follow the seemingly foolish dream into reality through the back stories of the AFL founders. From the league’s humble beginnings of games played in mostly empty stadiums to the landmark 1962 AFL Championship – a double overtime thriller — Part One takes an in-depth look at the beginning of “The New Frontier.”

Full Color Football Week II on Thursday, Jan. 14, 10:00 PM ET
The new league faces challenges drawing attention and recognition but the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers gain national fame, plus how the Civil Rights movement changes pro sports.

Full Color Football Week III on Thursday, Jan. 21, 10:00 PM ET
The AFL and NFL had “signing wars” when it came to signing and drafting college players. A deal with NBC boosts the league and makes a media star of Joe Namath and the creation of the Super Bowl.

Full Color Football Week IV on Thursday, Jan. 28, 9:00 PM ET
Joe Namath, the first major star of the AFL, leads the New York Jets to a stunning upset victory over the highly favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Full Color Football Week V on Thursday, Jan. 28, 10:00 PM ET
The AFL impact following the merger with the NFL is recognized as the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL beat the Vikings in Super Bowl IV. The new “Monday Night Football” helps make football America’s most popular sport.

ESPN Deportes has announced that it will present extensive coverage of winter baseball from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Mexico. ESPN Deportes has started its six-team Caribbean hardball coverage on Nov. 24.

ESPN Deportes delivers more than 200 hours of winter baseball programming. This is the most ever televised by any network in the United States with at least 12 commentators, including hosts, analysts, reporters and contributors. Winter baseball programming coverage will culminate with the Exclusive coverage of the 2009 Caribbean Series LIVE from Mexicali, Mexico.

ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Deportes Radio, ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN Deportes La Revista feature the winter baseball-related content.

Maribel Viteri, marketing director for ESPN Deportes, said “ESPN Deportes continues to be the home of baseball all year long. Our strategy for this campaign is to remind the fans of the network’s commitment to continue to bring them sports from back home, all while connecting viewers to the brand. We know that there is a big Dominican population in the Washington Heights area and we wanted to take advantage of how relevant the theme is for the Dominican population and create awareness of the network.”

USA Network has signed four-year renewal agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment to broadcast WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW on USA Network till fall 2014.

WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, the most watched regularly scheduled programs on ad-supported cable television, contributing to USA’s status as the number one cable network. The program has featured celebrity guest hosts from the worlds of TV, movies, sports and music including: Shaquille O’Neal, Jeremy Piven, Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Barker, Snoop Dogg, Ben Roethlisberger, Rev. Al Sharpton and many more.

Bonnie Hammer, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions, said “I couldn’t be happier about continuing one of the most successful collaborations in television history. Vince McMahon and his entire team are an invaluable part of the USA family.”

ESPN has announced that it will launch the only around-the-clock national Spanish-language radio network ESPN Deportes Radio in Tampa as ESPN Deportes WAMA 1550 AM and in Orlando as ESPN Deportes WAMT 1190 AM.

ESPN Deportes Radio now has 39 affiliates nationwide and reaches 48 percent of Hispanic population in the U.S., including eleven of the top U.S. Hispanic markets. The radio network is also available nationally on SIRUS Satellite Radio.

WAMA in Tampa is owned by ZGS Communications and WAMT in Orlando is owned by Genesis Communications Inc.

ESPN Deportes Radio delivers a variety of sports talk programming and events, including exclusive, national Spanish-language broadcasts that includes:
Copa América soccer tournament

League Championship Series, and World Series

Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game

NASCAR

South American World Cup Qualifiers

Spain’s La Liga

ESPN Deportes Radio also features sports news talk that includes:
Jorge Ramos y su Banda — provides soccer analysis from the most respected sports journalists in the U.S.

Raza Deportiva — Covers the latest sports information and news

ESPN al Despertar — The radio network’s morning drive talk show

A los Golpes — Offers weeknight listeners a fast-paced overview of the latest news in the world of boxing

Oscar Ramos, senior director and general manager, ESPN Deportes Radio, said “The Hispanics in the Orlando and Tampa markets are passionate about sports and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring them the best of sports radio, as well as be the first and only Spanish-language all sports station in these cities. These agreements reinforce our commitment to continued growth of the radio network among the top Hispanic markets across the country.”

Jayme Ribeiro Neto, general manager of WAMA 1550 AM, said “We are excited to welcome ESPN Deportes Radio to our multimedia platform which includes Telemundo Tampa, and our new web portal holaciudad! The launch of ESPN Deportes Radio in Tampa offers our local community the latest in sports news and information, and provides advertisers and marketers a unique opportunity to reach Hispanics in these communities”.

FOX Sports has announced that FOX Sports former Major League Baseball shortstop and the current manager of the Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillen has joined FOX Sports as a pregame and postgame analyst for the network’s coverage of the 2009 Fall Classic.

Guillen will also provide exclusive analysis and content for FOXSports.com and appear on FOX Sports En Español World Series  coverage.

Guillen 16-year playing career stretched from 1985 through 2000, Guillen served as a coach for the Montreal Expos (2001-2002) and third-base coach for the Florida Marlins in 2003, where he won his first World Series ring. He was named the 37th manager in Chicago White Sox history on November 3, 2003 and in 2005, guided the team to their first American League Pennant since 1959 and their first World Series title in 88 years with a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros.

Ed Goren, President and Executive Producer of FOX Sports, said “In addition to being one of game’s best managers, Ozzie Guillen has one of the most electric and charismatic personalities in baseball, which is exactly why we are thrilled to add him to our World Series broadcasts. You never know what you are going to hear from Ozzie and given his tremendous love and enthusiasm for this game, I think viewers are going to really enjoy his candid opinions each and every night. Ozzie  Guillen live should be great television.”

“I am looking forward to joining the FOX team for the World Series,” Guillen said. “Although I would be even happier to be in the dugout managing these games, nothing beats a World Series atmosphere, and I’m excited to provide FOX viewers with a Major League manager’s perspective of the games.”

The Binghamton Senators will kick of the seventh season American Hockey League 2009-10 regular season against Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Senators’ executive vice president of operations, Tom Mitchell, said “We are pleased to be playing the majority of our home games on Friday and Saturday this season. It’s also great for our fans that we’ll have new teams coming to town this season, with Houston and San Antonio playing at the Arena for the first time.”