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NESN Nation Takes Different Swing at Sports FAST Channel

NESN Nation Takes Different Swing at Sports FAST Channel

Yahoo20-02-2025

New England sports outlet NESN thinks it can tackle new viewers with a free, ad-supported outlet that shows more than just clips, archived studio shows and old games.
The primary broadcaster of games from the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins, NESN is launching NESN Nation, a FAST channel that CEO David Wisnia believes will lure viewers to its telecasts by providing something other outlets don't: original programming.
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'We are launching this initiative as another way to create unique storytelling about what matters to our fans and our viewers,' he says in a recent interview. 'We are looking to reach viewers not only inside the region we cover, but also nationwide.'
NESN, backed by both Fenway Sports Group and Delaware North, is grappling with new disruption in the world of regional sports coverage. So-called regional sports networks have long commanded top affiliate fees from cable and satellite systems, but as more consumers choose streaming venues and even direct-subscription options, economic support for those linear assets has eroded. Last year, for example, YES Network and MSG Networks, both of which showcase New York sports, launched a digital joint venture that streams games from the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Brooklyn Nets and New York Yankees.
NESN Nation will sport more than 30 hours of live and original programming each week, including live games, live gameday content, live press conferences, interviews, game and sports betting analysis, features, documentaries and video podcasts, as well as content from NESN's library. The FAST channel will serve up four live Red Sox games from Spring Training in February and March, as well as live streams of the 'Morning Skates' and 'Pregame Skates' studio shows. 'Unobstructed Views,' a commentary-driven game coverage alternative will also appear on NESN Nation, as will a weekly three-hour block of Livepool FC coverage that features match highlights, recaps, and analysis plus behind the scenes content produced by the team.
'We are going to have a wide variety of stuff distinguishing us from the rest of the FAST channels,' says Wisnia, who joined NESN as president and CEO in September after working at Alvarez & Marsal, a global management consulting firm, where he was a managing director, specializing in media and entertainment operations and strategy. He succeeded Sean McGrail, who is retiring after 40 years at NESN.
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Are the Cardinals this season's plot twist? Plus: Boston rookie brought the spice
Are the Cardinals this season's plot twist? Plus: Boston rookie brought the spice

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

Are the Cardinals this season's plot twist? Plus: Boston rookie brought the spice

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What to watch in sports this week: NBA and Stanley Cup finals are tied, U.S. Open tees off
What to watch in sports this week: NBA and Stanley Cup finals are tied, U.S. Open tees off

New York Times

time2 hours ago

  • New York Times

What to watch in sports this week: NBA and Stanley Cup finals are tied, U.S. Open tees off

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Game 68: Rays at Red Sox lineups and notes
Game 68: Rays at Red Sox lineups and notes

Boston Globe

time2 hours ago

  • Boston Globe

Game 68: Rays at Red Sox lineups and notes

The Rays are coming off a 5-1 homestand which they capped with Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Brayan Bello will be on the mound for tonight's opener. After struggling in May, the righthander went six innings in his most recent start against the Angels on June 3, striking out four and allowing three runs on six hits in Advertisement The Rays will counter with Shane Baz. Here is a preview. Lineups RAYS (35-30): TBA Pitching: RHP Shane Baz (5-3, 4.96 ERA) RED SOX (32-35): TBA Pitching: RHP Brayan Bello (2-1, 3.91 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Rays vs. Bello: Jonathan Aranda 5-12, José Caballero 4-7, Junior Caminero 0-3, Yandy Díaz 5-12, Danny Jansen 3-10, Brandon Lowe 2-6, Josh Lowe 7-17, Christopher Morel 2-3, Matt Thaiss 1-3, Taylor Walls 1-11 Advertisement Red Sox vs. Baz: Wilyer Abreu 2-6, Kristian Campbell 1-2, Rafael Devers 0-6, Jarren Duran 1-8, Romy González 0-2, David Hamilton 0-2, Carlos Narváez 0-2, Ceddanne Rafaela 0-2, Trevor Story 1-6, Abraham Toro 0-2, Connor Wong 0-3 Stat of the day: The Red Sox are 16-20 against clubs with a record of .500 or better, and 15-15 against teams below .500. Notes: Bello is 2-4 with a 5.73 ERA in seven career appearances against Tampa Bay, including two last season in which he struck out 13 over 11⅔ innings. … Baz is 3-0 against the Red Sox with a 2.37 ERA, posting 24 strikeouts in 19 innings. He struck out 11 and allowed just one run on two hits in six innings of Pride Night festivities: The Red Sox are holding their 12th Pride Night to celebrate members of Boston's LGBTQ+ community in pregame ceremonies and entertainment. Kinsey Scales, Boston's premier queer a cappella group, will perform the National Anthem, and a representative from Boston Pride for the People will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. A block party on the Big Concourse will commence after the gates open at 5:40 p.m., featuring a performance by DJ Frenchy and will include local drag performers and Pride themed photo stations. DJ Harlow Havoc will host a pregame Pride Party on the Sam Adams Deck that is open to all fans attending the game. The club is flying the Intersex Progress Pride flag at the ballpark throughout the day. In recognition of Pride Month, the Red Sox are official sponsors of the Chandler Street Block Party and Boston Pride for the People parade. Fans who ordered tickets through Advertisement Material from Field Level Media was used in this report. Follow Andrew Mahoney

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