Foxborough, Mass. - The New England Revolution announced today that the team has entered into a two-year, exclusive television rights agreement that makes TV38 (WSBK-TV) the team's only regional television broadcast partner in the Boston market, effective immediately.
TV38 will feature 22 Revs regular season games this season, beginning with New England's season opener at the Chicago Fire on Saturday, April 7 (8:30 p.m. ET).
TV38 will also carry the Revolution's only game against the Los Angeles Galaxy this season after the arrival of the Galaxy's international superstar midfielder, David Beckham, on Sunday, Aug 12 (7:00 p.m. ET).
"This is a great step for the Revolution and our fans," Revolution Chief Operating Officer Brian Bilello said. "In TV38, the Revs are pleased to have a partner that is fully committed to promoting our club in the marketplace, which is great for the fans, the team and the television station. We've witnessed tremendous growth in the value of MLS soccer television on a national level, and now the Revs-TV38 partnership is a reflection of that here in New England."
"TV38 and New England Revolution Soccer is an ideal partnership," said Ed Piette, President and General Manager of Boston's TV38, WBZ-TV, and Providence's CW28 (WLWC-TV). "TV38 is well-known as the region's legacy, independent station broadcasting some of the best, local sports programming. Not only will the Revs be a great addition to our rich program line-up, but also as their broadcast partner, TV38 will be able to bring games to viewers who otherwise might not be able to see them. This is a tremendous opportunity for both TV38 and the Revolution to grow in popularity across New England."
The deal continues the Revolution's proud tradition of having every MLS match televised over the course of the club's 12-season history. In addition to the Revs' matches on TV38, the Revs will also have games shown on national broadcast partners ESPN2 and Fox Soccer Channel. Additionally, league Spanish language broadcast partner Univision (which also includes the Galavision and Telefutura networks) will broadcast a selection of Revolution matches to compliment the full slate of games shown in English.
This season, Kraft Sports Productions will again produce every regionally televised Revolution match. Revs broadcasts in 2007 will again be enhanced by an innovative, cutting edge replay feature that allows fans to have multiple looks at important plays without missing live action.
Boston's TV38 is part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation consisting of 39 stations, including 21 CBS, 11 The CW, three MyNetworkTV and four independent stations not affiliated with major networks.
The Revolution kicks off the 2007 season on April 7 against the Chicago Fire in Bridgeview, Ill., before hosting league newcomer Toronto FC - featuring former Revs midfielder José Cancela and former D.C. United forward Alecko Eskandarian - on Saturday, April 14 in the second game of a special doubleheader that also sees the U.S. Women's National Team take on Mexico's Women's National Team at Gillette Stadium.
Season ticket packages - which includes tickets to the home opener special soccer event doubleheader, as well as the Aug. 12 meeting against the Los Angeles Galaxy and David Beckham and to games at Gillette Stadium as part of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup - are on sale now. Call 1-877-GET-REVS for more information.
