FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 26th, 2016

COMCAST SPORTSNET & CSNCHICAGO.COM TO CARRY LIVE OPENING CEREMONIES COVERAGE OF “SOXFEST 2016”

Comcast SportsNet & CSNChicago.com to air LIVE Opening Ceremonies coverage on Friday, January 29 at 4:00 PM CT — hosted by Chuck Garfien & Bill Melton

Garfien & Siera Santos to also provide complete SoxFest coverage throughout the weekend on ‘SportsNet Central and ‘WhiteSoxTalk’;

CSNChicago.com White Sox “Insider” Dan Hayes and ‘WhiteSoxTalk’ digital reporter J.J. Stankevitz to provide player/coaches/front office interviews, features, live Tweets & more

Chicago, IL (January 26, 2016) — Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago White Sox, is ready to start up the 2016 White Sox season in a big way with exclusive, LIVE Opening Ceremonies coverage from the 2016 “SoxFest” fan convention, which is being held downtown this weekend (January 29-31) at the Hilton Chicago.

On Friday, January 29 beginning at 4:00 PM CT, Comcast SportsNet & CSNChicago.com will provide viewers with every thrill-packed moment of the annual convention’s opening ceremonies featuring introductions of current and former White Sox players/coaches/front office executives, live interviews with White Sox players following the opening ceremonies, video montages and much more.  Comcast SportsNet’s 2016 “SoxFest” coverage will be hosted by White Sox Pre/Post Game Live hosts Chuck Garfien & Bill Melton, who will be joined by CSN’s White Sox beat reporter Siera Santos and CSNChicago.com’s White Sox “Insider” Dan Hayes.

At 5:00 PM on Friday, “SoxFest” coverage continues with live, talkback interviews from the annual fan convention, along with detailed 2016 White Sox discussion, on SportsTalk Live presented by The Chevy Silverado (hosted by David Kaplan).

In addition, Garfien & Santos will file reports for SportsNet Central at 6:00 PM, 10:00 PM, 10:30 PM and midnight on Friday (6:30 PM, 10:00 PM, 10:30 PM and midnight on Sat/Sun) and for CSNChicago.com’s WhiteSoxTalk section throughout the weekend featuring interviews with White Sox players, coaches and fans.  Plus, CSNChicago.com’s Dan Hayes and ‘WhiteSoxTalk’ digital reporter J.J. Stankevitz will also provide fans with comprehensive, real-time online coverage featuring numerous players/coaches/front office executive interviews, stories, fan reaction, photos, videos and much more.  Fans can follow Hayes’ “SoxFest” updates all weekend long via Twitter @CSNHayes, along with Garfien (@ChuckGarfien), Santos (@SieraSantos), Stankevitz/WhiteSoxTalk (@CSNWhiteSox) and the network’s primary Twitter account, @CSNChicago.

In addition, fans are urged to stop by Comcast SportsNet’s “SoxFest” booth throughout the weekend for autograph signings, interactive games for a chance to win White Sox tickets, entertaining social media activities, plus – fans can even pick up a special CSN White Sox-themed giveaway throughout the weekend (while supplies last).

Comcast SportsNet Chicago, a partnership between the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB) and the NBC Sports Group, features over 275 live pro games in high definition each year.  In addition, CSN delivers extensive pre/post-game coverage for its core pro team partners, as well as the Chicago Bears, along with Emmy Award-winning regional sports news and analysis via SportsNet Central and SportsTalk Live.  Through the network’s growing digital platform, CSNChicago.com, Chicago sports fans tap into the most comprehensive and dedicated 24/7 online destination for breaking news, up-to-the-minute game previews/recaps, highlights, multimedia video clips, blogs and standout coverage from CSNChicago.com’s team of “Insiders.”  Follow the network on Twitter via @CSNChicago.

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consist of 11 regional networks that deliver more than 2,400 live sporting events annually, along with award-winning breaking news, comprehensive analysis, digital content and original programming to more than 43 million homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, which serves Baltimore and Washington D.C., Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, The Comcast Network, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and SportsNet New York. For more information, visit ComcastSportsNet.com. For more information about NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com

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