AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced their 2012-13 local television schedule today with 80 of the team’s regular-season games being televised by FOX Sports Detroit and FOX Sports Detroit Plus. Including one ESPN broadcast as part of the NBA’s national television schedule, 81 of the club’s 82 regular-season games will be available on television. All Pistons games will be available on either 97.1 FM The Ticket or WWJ 950 AM.
FOX Sports Detroit, beginning its 16th season of broadcasting Pistons games, is the exclusive local television provider for Detroit Basketball. The network will televise 80 regular-season games, and two preseason contests including match-ups against Toronto (October 10) and Minnesota (October 24). All Pistons games this season on FOX Sports Detroit and FOX Sports Detroit Plus will be televised in high-definition.
“We are excited to build upon our continued partnership with Fox Sports Detroit and pleased that 82 games will be broadcast locally this season,” said Dennis Mannion, CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “Fox Sports Detroit’s award winning broadcast production will once again deliver the most complete coverage of Pistons basketball both on and off the court.”
Highlights of the regular-season broadcast schedule include two games pairing Detroit’s young nucleus against the Los Angeles Lakers (November 4 and February 3), three games with the NBA Champion Miami HEAT (December 28, January 25, March 22), four meetings with the Chicago Bulls (December 7, January 23, March 31, April 7) and three games featuring the Boston Celtics (November 18, January 20, April 3). FSD will also air two games featuring the Los Angeles Clippers (December 17 and March 10) and Oklahoma City Thunder (November 9 and November 12).
“With a record 80 regular-season telecasts and our comprehensive pre- and postgame coverage on PISTONS LIVE, our commitment and passion regarding the Pistons is greater than ever,” said Greg Hammaren, Senior Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Detroit. “Led by a pair of Michigan Sports Hall of Famers in George Blaha and Greg Kelser, our announcers, reporters and production team are devoted to providing Pistons fans some of the best coverage throughout the NBA – all in illustrious high-definition.”
Thirteen Pistons games will air on FOX Sports Detroit Plus, occurring on nights when coinciding Detroit Red Wings games are slated for broadcast on FOX Sports Detroit. FOX Sports Detroit and FOX Sports Detroit Plus channel numbers by video provider can be found at www.foxsportsdetroit.com.
Accompanying the telecasts is PISTONS LIVE, providing exclusive and extensive pre- and post-game coverage originating from the arena and the network’s high-definition studio. The former Pistons Weekly program which is now titled “State of the Pistons” will continue to premiere each week on FOX Sports Detroit Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
FOX Sports Detroit’s coverage of the Pistons is available to 3.2 million cable and satellite households throughout Michigan and portions of Northwest Ohio.
The Pistons also announced their radio broadcast schedule which includes 80 regular season games on the Pistons’ flagship station 97.1 FM The Ticket and one game carried on WWJ 950 AM. All radio broadcasts will include exclusive pre- and postgame coverage. Additionally, 97.1 FM The Ticket will air special weekly interviews with coaches and players and expanded Pistons coverage throughout each week of the NBA season on-air and online at www.971theticket.com.
Mark Champion will continue as the voice of Pistons radio broadcasts with Pistons legend Rick Mahorn adding color commentary for all home and away contests.