Wizards Announce 2005-06 Television Broadcast Schedule

The Washington Wizards announced today their 2005-06 television broadcast schedule, featuring all 82 regular season games on television, including seven scheduled national television appearances.

Comcast SportsNet will televise 59 regular season games, including the season opener in Toronto on Wednesday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m., and the Wizards' 2005 home opener versus Orlando on Saturday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.

The Wizards are scheduled to be featured on national television seven times in 2005-06, including two TNT Thursday Night contests (November 17 at Minnesota and December 8 at Indiana), two Sunday matinees on ABC (February 12 versus Philadelphia and March 5 against Sacramento), and three national ESPN telecasts on February 15, March 31 and April 5 from the homes of the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics, respectively.

"We're proud to have all 82 games available to our fans on television,” said Wizards Sports and Entertainment President Susan O'Malley. "There is a great deal of excitement surrounding the Wizards upcoming season, and Comcast SportNet, WB50 and NewsChannel 8, along with the NBA's national television partners, are sharing in that excitement with a full schedule of games. With the return of two NBA All-Stars and great new additions to our roster, we know our fans can't wait to see the Wizards in action."

"The Wizards playoff run last season generated tremendous excitement throughout our region and we look forward to building upon that success," said Sam Schroeder, executive vice president and general manager of Comcast SportsNet. "We have great anticipation for the upcoming season and are committed to providing the most comprehensive coverage of the team."

Comcast SportsNet's television schedule will include all four contests against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the first of which is slated for Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00 PM in Cleveland. Comcast will also carry both games of a rare home back-to-back set live from MCI Center, Friday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. versus Seattle and Saturday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. against the defending NBA World Champion San Antonio Spurs. Among other exciting early-season Comcast SportsNet telecasts, is a Wednesday, December 28 battle with the NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns at MCI Center.

WBDC-TV 50 will carry 15 Wizards games in 2005-06, including a rematch from the 2005 NBA Playoffs, when Washington meets the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. Additionally, WBDC-TV 50 will be broadcasting live when the Wizards host Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, December 26 at 7:00 PM, and again on December 30 when Washington welcomes Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade and the rest of the reigning Southeast Division Champion Miami Heat to MCI Center on Friday, December 30 at 7:00 PM.

A total of four Wizards telecasts can be seen on NewsChannel 8, including a November 22 home tilt with Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets at 7:00 p.m.

In addition to game telecasts, Wizards television coverage during the 2005-06 season will include Wizards PostGame Live on Comcast SportsNet, immediately following the conclusion of each Comcast-carried game.

The Emmy-award winning, nine-year veteran, Steve Buckhantz will once again handle the play-by-play calls for Comcast SportsNet, alongside Phil Chenier, a former All-Star guard and member of the 1977-78 Washington Bullets World Championship team, who will provide color commentary for the 21st consecutive season.