Comcast SportsNet is viewing this year’s Super Bowl as a sort of coming-out party for its stable of regional sports networks.
Both the Ravens and the 49ers come from Comcast SportsNet markets, making this the first time since CSN launched its RSN division in 1997 that two teams from its markets have met in the Super Bowl.
This allows the channels to cover the game more thoroughly than they have before, according to executives from NBC Sports Regional Networks, which operates the 10 Comcast SportsNet-branded channels across the country.
Not only will CSN Mid-Atlantic and CSN Bay Area share content, but they also plan to produce content for other Comcast SportsNets around the country.
“The biggest thing for us is that this gives us a chance to spread our wings and show people what we do every day of the week,” said Tom Stathakes, senior vice president of production, programming and station operations for NBC Sports Regional Networks. “This is the first time we’ve been able to jointly do something like this.”
CSN will have more than 60 employees on the ground in New Orleans, producing more than 73 hours of programming during the week before the Super Bowl. During the week, they will operate from sets in the French Quarter section of the city. During the weekend, they will move close to the field.
CSN Bay Area and CSN Mid-Atlantic will focus on the teams in their markets, obviously, but they also plan to share talent. On Friday, the two RSNs are planning to produce a joint show that will be available to other CSN markets.
CSN is bringing Kelli Johnson from its Houston RSN to act as a national reporter, providing special reports for other Comcast SportsNet markets.
