CINCINNATI -- FSN Ohio today announced it will expand its coverage of the Cincinnati Reds from 100 games to 145 games, including 33 in high-definition (HD), beginning with the 2007 season. Steve Liverani, Vice President and General Manager, FSN Ohio, made the announcement.
The Reds regular season on FSN Ohio begins in crystal clear HD with the season opener vs. the Cubs on Monday, April 2 at 2 p.m. (Additional games delivered in HD are noted on the schedule below). The festivities kick off at 1 p.m. with a special hour-long pre-game show.
New to the FSN Ohio broadcast team this season is Cincinnati native, Thom Brennaman and former Reds reliever, Jeff Brantley. Brennaman and Brantley will join George Grande and Chris Welsh, who team up for their 15th season together, to call all 145 games on FSN Ohio.
Brennaman will also work along side his father, Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman, for selected radio broadcasts on 700 WLW. He will also continue to serve as one of Major League Baseball's lead announcers of FOX's Game of the Week and post-season telecasts. Most recently, Brennaman served as the play-by-play voice of the BCS on FOX, including the Fiesta Bowl and the National Championship game.
Brantley comes to FSN Ohio after working as an in-game analyst and studio analyst on ESPN for six years. He spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, and enjoyed some of his best years while pitching for the Reds from 1994-1997, when he posted a 2.64 ERA and 88 saves.
Back this season with a new look and feel are the Reds pre and post-game shows called REDS LIVE, hosted by Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro. Thirty minutes prior to each telecast, and immediately following the game, REDS LIVE will provide fans with more commentary, features and in-depth Reds coverage than ever before.
"We are thrilled to extend our commitment to the Reds by telecasting 145 games - including 33 in HD, and adding the likes of Brennaman and Brantley to our broadcast team," said Liverani. "Now more than ever, FSN Ohio is THE place to turn for unparalleled, state-of-the-art coverage of the Reds all year long."
Behind-the-scenes on all of FSN Ohio's Reds productions are producer, Brian Hunterman; director, Mark Goldsmith; and, REDS LIVE producer, Christian Roberts.
FSN Ohio will also televise three Reds Spring Training games this season. Dates and times of those match-ups are forthcoming.