FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 13th, 2018
TRAIL BLAZERS & NBC SPORTS NORTHWEST TO PRESENT MORE COVERAGE THAN EVER BEFORE FOR 2018-19 SEASON, INCLUDING 5 ½ HOURS OF PROGRAMMING ON GAME NIGHTS
Programming Includes Fan Focused Blazers Outsiders Show, Pregame, Halftime, and Postgame Shows, Trail Blazers Raw Recap Show, Trail Blazers Courtside & More
Blazers Outsiders Expands with Pre- and Post-Game Shows every game night
Comprehensive Digital Coverage on Blazers.com & NBCSportsNorthwest.com led by Dwight Jaynes and Jamie Hudson
PORTLAND, OR (September 13, 2018) – The Portland Trail Blazers and NBC Sports Northwest (NBCSNW) will present more comprehensive around-the-clock coverage of the Trail Blazers throughout the 2018-19 season than ever before, including at least five and a half hours of coverage on game days. NBCSNW and the Trail Blazers’ multi-platform coverage of the team will include a fan-focused Blazers Outsiders program, Toyota Pregame Show, McDonald’s Halftime Show and Postgame Show, a Trail Blazers Raw recap show, Trail Blazers Courtside, and expanded digital and social media content.
Every game day, NBCSNW and the Trail Blazers’ broadcast coverage will be complemented by written articles and videos on NBCSportsNorthwest.com throughout the day. In addition, NBC Sports Northwest will deliver more extensive linear and digital coverage on off-days.
“This season, we are putting a significant focus on connecting with Blazers fans not only on game days, but around-the-clock, so fans never miss a moment,” said Len Mead, GM, NBC Sports Northwest. “NBC Sports Northwest has a terrific partnership with the team to make compelling TV, Radio and Digital content all season. Our Trail Blazers Outsiders speak the language of authentic fans, and our investment in a larger and stronger digital team will give the fans the content they want on every device.”
“NBC Sports Northwest continues to be an important way to engage Trail Blazers fans across Oregon and Washington, and we’re looking forward to another exciting season,” said Trail Blazers President & CEO Chris McGowan. “This multi-platform approach to programming; and the depth of on-air talent are what really drive the comprehensive content our fans have come to expect from the Trail Blazers and NBC Sports Northwest.”
NBC Sports Northwest will broadcast at least 79 live games during the 2018-19 Trail Blazers season, including three preseason and 76 regular-season games. The preseason tips off Saturday, September 29, when the Blazers take on the Toronto Raptors. The network’s coverage of the regular season will include Blazers Outsiders ahead of the season opener against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, October 18, with game coverage on NBCSNW beginning on Saturday, October 20, when the Blazers host the Spurs.
BLAZERS OUTSIDERS
After a successful debut last season, Blazers Outsiders returns with a new pre- and post-game schedule. Hosts and Blazers die-hards Joe Simons, Shain Brenden, and Danny Marang will discuss the team from the fan’s perspective, including the top on-court action and standout storylines, while also spotlighting other Blazers super fans. The show is a celebration of all things Blazers, and fans are encouraged to watch and talk about the game with the hosts.
Blazers Outsiders Pregame, a half-hour show, tips-off on NBC Sports Northwest one hour before the game, and Blazers Outsiders Postgame, a one-hour show, airs approximately 30-minutes after the final horn. The shows will air before and after every Blazer game (including those televised nationally). Blazers Outsiders will also return to non-game weeknights at 7:00 P.M. on NBC Sports Northwest and NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio 620 with additional guests. Fans can participate and contribute to each show on Twitter and via Facebook, where the show will be simulcast live.
Anchoring Trail Blazers broadcasts on NBCSNW for their third season together will be the trio of veteran play-by-play voice Kevin Calabro, analyst Lamar Hurd and courtside reporter Brooke Olzendam. Wraparound programming for Trail Blazers television will again feature host Jordan Kent along with former Trail Blazers player Michael Holton. Kent will helm the Toyota Pregame Show, McDonald’s Halftime Show and the Postgame Show alongside Holton.
TRAIL BLAZERS RAW
Trail Blazers Raw allows fans to experience the highs and lows of each game in a condensed 30-minute game recap show. It includes a fast-paced recap, added analysis of the game’s key moments, and interviews with players and coaches from the locker room. Trail Blazers Raw airs every Trail Blazers game night after Blazers Outsiders Postgame, with an encore presentation at 11:30 P.M.
TRAIL BLAZERS COURTSIDE
Airing Monday nights throughout the season, Trail Blazers Courtside is the team’s weekly radio, TV and internet show. Hosted by Jordan Kent alongside former Trail Blazers player Michael Holton, Trail Blazers Courtside tracks the stories behind the headlines, showcasing game highlights, statistics, player performances, coaches’ views and insightful analysis.
COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL COVERAGE
Fans can enjoy more Trail Blazers content than ever before on NBCSportsNorthwest.com with NBC Sports Northwest’s new Blazers digital team. Dwight Jaynes, the Godfather of Oregon Sports, takes the reigns as NBCSNW’s Trail Blazers Insider, attending home and road games and providing in-depth analysis. In addition, Jamie Hudson is elevated to a newly-created role as Trail Blazers Reporter, posting daily videos and written content. Taking on newly-created roles are analyst Dane Delgado, a Northwest native and veteran of NBCSports.com’s ProBasketballTalk, and reporter Mike Richman, a former Blazers reporter for the Oregonian.
In addition, NBC Sports Gold’s “Blazers Pass,” NBC Sports Northwest’s direct-to-consumer streaming product, returns this year. The product allows fans residing in Blazers territory to purchase a package of 15 games during the 2018-19 NBA season. Fans can visit http://www.nbcsports.com/blazerspass to learn more.
RADIO
NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio AM-620 will again be the flagship radio carrier for all Trail Blazers game action throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington along the Trail Blazers Radio Network. Coverage of the latest news about the Trail Blazers throughout the season also has a home with its weekday lineup of Rip City Mornings with Dan & Nigel (6-9 a.m. PT), The Brian Noe Show (12-3 p.m. PT) and Rip City Drive with Travis & Chad (3-6 p.m. PT).
A sample game day television schedule is as follows:
6:00 P.M.: Blazers Outsiders Pregame
6:30 P.M.: Toyota Pregame Show
7:00 P.M.: Live game
9:30 P.M.: Postgame Show
10:00 P.M.: Blazers Outsiders Postgame
11:30 P.M.: Trail Blazers Raw
ABOUT NBC SPORTS NORTHWEST
NBC Sports Northwest is the 24/7 home of Northwest sports featuring the Portland Trail Blazers, in-depth regional collegiate action and outdoor programming. In addition to live event coverage, NBC Sports Northwest offers Emmy Award-winning original programming, news, analysis, and compelling digital content offering fans a comprehensive look at the teams and players that matter most in the region. The network will produce over 2,000 live original hours in 2018, including TV productions in partnership with NBC Sports Northwest Rip City Radio from NBC’s new radio studio. For more information visit NBCSportsNorthwest.com or on Twitter via @NBCSNorthwest.
ABOUT NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS
NBC Sports Regional Networks is NBC Sports Group’s portfolio of nine regional networks that delivers more than 2,200 live sporting events and original content to more than 35 million homes. Aligned within Eastern and Western Divisions, the NBC Sports Regional Networks are: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, NBC Sports Washington, SNY; and NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Northwest. For more information on NBC Sports Group properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios, headshots and logos, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.
