Monumental Sports Network,formerlyNBC Sports Washington,is an Americanregional sports networkowned byTed LeonsisthroughMonumental Sports & Entertainment.Headquartered inWashington, D.C.,the channel broadcasts regional coverage of sports events throughout theMid-Atlantic,with a focus on professional sports teams based inBaltimoreand Washington, D.C., as well as sports news and entertainment programming.
 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Maryland Virginia Washington, D.C. SouthernPennsylvania EasternWest Virginia SouthernDelaware Hampton Roads Outer Banks National (via satellite) |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i(HDTV) 480i(SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Monumental Sports & Entertainment(Ted Leonsis) |
| Sister channels | Cable/satellite: Monumental Sports Network 2 |
| History | |
| Launched | April 4, 1984 |
| Replaced | The Comcast Network |
| Former names | Home Team Sports (1984–2001) Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (2001–2017) NBC Sports Washington (2017–2023) |
| Links | |
| Website | monumentalsportsnetwork.com |
| Availability (some events may air on overflow feed Monumental Sports Network 2 due to event conflicts) | |
| Streaming media | |
| DirecTV Stream | Internet Protocol television |
| YouTubeTV | Internet Protocol television |
| Hulu Live | Internet Protocol television |
| FuboTV | Internet Protocol television |
Monumental Sports Network is available on approximately 25cable televisionproviders throughoutMaryland,Virginia,and the District of Columbia, as well as parts ofDelaware,Pennsylvania,North Carolina,andWest Virginia;it is also available nationwide onsatellite televisionviaDirecTV.The channel reaches more than 4.7 million households in the Mid-Atlantic region.
History
edit
The network was launched asHome Team Sports(HTS) on April 4, 1984. Originally owned byWestinghouse Broadcasting,it was one of the first regional sports networks in the United States with rights to theWashington Bullets,Washington Capitals,andBaltimore Orioles.In 1988, the network affiliated withSportsChannel,picking up theirNHL package.[1]In 1989, HTS additionally became an affiliate of thePrime Sports Network.
In 1996, the network was folded intoCBS Cable,a cable television division formed throughWestinghouse Electric Corporation's merger withCBS.In February 1997, Home Team Sports became an affiliate ofFox Sports Networks,[2]a group of regional sports networks formed the previous year throughNews Corporation's partial acquisition of Prime through a joint venture with that network's parentLiberty Media.In 1996, Fox/Liberty had tried to secure rights to the Bullets, Capitals, and Orioles, which would have led to the launch of a new RSN. Fox/Liberty originally outbid HTS but previous contracts gave HTS theright of first refusal.Fox/Liberty filed a lawsuit against HTS which ultimately was settled.[3]News Corporation subsequently purchased a 34% ownership interest in HTS. CBS Corporation, which remained majority owner, eventually merged intoViacomin 1999, in a deal worth $91 billion.
Shortly after Viacom completed its merger with CBS, on June 10, 2000, Viacom announced that it would sell Home Team Sports andMinneapolis-based regional sports networkMidwest Sports Channel.[4][5]One month later, on July 11, Comcast agreed to acquire a 75% ownership stake in HTS and the Midwest Sports Channel from CBS, in a deal worth approximately $150 million.[6][7]News Corporation, which wanted to acquire full ownership of both networks, filed a lawsuit ten days later on July 21 in an attempt to block the sale of MSC and Home Team Sports.[8][9]
On September 7, 2000, as part of a settlement between the two companies, Comcast traded its equity interest in Midwest Sports Channel to News Corporation in exchange for sole ownership of Home Team Sports.[10]The transaction was completed seven months later in mid-February 2001.[11]The channel was relaunched asComcast SportsNet Mid-Atlanticon April 4, 2001, exactly seventeen years after the network's original launch.[12]The channel continued to carry national programming supplied by Fox Sports Net after the sale.
In 2010, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic split its website into two regional websites, and rebranded them as "Comcast SportsNet Baltimore" and "Comcast SportsNet Washington". While the websites were rebranded, the network continued to maintain a singular feed that was transmitted throughout its entire coverage area. Five years later, CSN Mid-Atlantic consolidated the two regional websites back together again as CSNMidAtlantic.com.
In September 2012, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and its sister Comcast SportsNet outlets ceased carrying Fox Sports Networks–supplied programming, after failing to reach an agreement to continue carrying FSN's nationally distributed programs.[13] In October 2016, CSN Mid-Atlantic announced that it would extend its broadcast rights to theWashington CapitalsandWashington Wizardsthrough a long-term deal with the teams' owner,Ted Leonsis.As a result,Monumental Sports & Entertainmenttook an equity stake in the network, while NBCUniversal took an equity stake in the Monumental Sports Network—an over-the-top subscription service focusing on other teams owned by the company.[14]
Comcast rebranded the network asNBC Sports Washingtonon October 2, 2017, as part of a larger rebranding of the Comcast SportsNet networks under the NBC Sports brand.[15]
On August 23, 2022, Monumental announced it would acquire full control of the network from Comcast for an undisclosed price. The sale was completed on September 20, 2022.[16]On June 21, 2023, it was announced that NBC Sports Washington would rebrand as Monumental Sports Network. The name change took effect on September 12,[17]and formally launched on September 20, 2023.[18]The network also moved its headquarters fromBethesda,Maryland to Washington, D.C.[19]
Programming
editLive game coverage
edit
Monumental Sports Network televises more than 500 live professional and collegiate sporting events per year. The network holds the exclusive regional cable television rights to theNHL'sWashington Capitalsand theNBA'sWashington Wizards—airing all games that are not nationally exclusive—as well as theWashington Mysticsof theWNBA.The network formerly held the television rights to theVirginia Destroyersof theUnited Football League,broadcasting the team's games from 2011 until the UFL folded in 2012. D.C. United previously had its games televised by CSN Mid-Atlantic from the team's first season in 1996 until 2015. after which the team signed a multi-year deal withSinclair Broadcast Group–ownedWJLA-TVandWJLA 24/7 News.The network then aired games again from 2020 until 2022 after which those games moved to Apple TV+.
The network also serves as the official cable partner of theNFL'sWashington Commanders,holding the rights to televise the team's preseason games; until the consummation of the 2012 merger between NBC and Comcast, which placed Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and NBCowned-and-operated stationWRC-TV(channel 4) under common ownership, games broadcast on WRC-TV were transmitted in480istandard-definition televisionto providehigh-definition televisionexclusivity for the regional network. After the merger, both WRC and CSN Mid-Atlantic carry Commanders games in HD.
The network also airs a variety of collegiate events fromGeorge Washington Universityand theUniversity of Richmond.The network is also the television home ofTowson Universityfootball, volleyball, and basketball games.[20]Prior to joining theSun Belt Conference,which does not allow member schools to have local third tier rights for most sports,James Madison Universityfootball and basketball aired on the network.
News and entertainment programming
edit
Monumental Sports Network produces news, analysis, opinion, and entertainment programs focusing the region's sports landscape. The network also features specialpregameandpostgameshows, as well as numerous specials and original programs:
Current
edit- 106.7 The Fan's Sports Junkies—Television simulcast of theWJFK-FMmorning drive radio show; the program airs live from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Hometown with Rachel Nichols—Interview series hosted byRachel Nichols
- Caps Red Line—Behind-the-scenes series featuring the Capitals
- Beyond the Buzzer—Behind-the-scenes series featuring the Wizards
- By the Book—Sports betting show in partnership withCaesars sportsbook
- Beltway Football—Live podcast focused onfootball
Former
edit- Redskins Nation—Hosted by Commanders radio voice Larry Michael, the program is dedicated exclusively to covering the Washington Commanders; the half-hour program airs weekdays at 5:30 and 11:30 p.m.
- Sports Talk Live—A half-hour program featuring a mix of discussions, interviews, and feature stories that cover all aspects of the area's sports scene; hosted by former NFL running back Brian Mitchell
- SportsNet Central—The network's flagship program; a daily half-hour news program covering sports headlines and game highlights from across the region, similar toESPN'sSportsCenter
On-air staff
editAnchors and reporters
editGame announcers
editWashington Wizards
- Chris Miller – play-by-play announcer
- Drew Gooden– color analyst
- Meghan McPeak– sideline reporter
Washington Capitals
- Joe Beninati– play-by-play announcer
- Craig Laughlin– color commentator
- Al Koken – "Inside the Glass" reporter
- Alan May– studio host & analyst
- Alexa Landestoy – studio host
- Brent Johnson– studio analyst
Washington Mystics
- Meghan McPeak – play-by-play announcer
- Christy Winters-Scott– color analyst
- Dan Nolan – sideline reporter
Former on-air staff
edit- Steve Buckhantz(1996–2019; Wizards play-by-play announcer)
- Scott Hanson(2002–2006; now an anchor/reporter for theNFL Network)
- Sage Steele(2001–2007; later withESPN)
- Michael Jenkins
- Justin Kutcher(2020–2022; Wizards play–by–play announcer)
Monumental Sports Network 2
editMonumental Sports Network 2(formerly NBC Sports Washington Plus, and before that theComcast Network) is an overflow channel of Monumental Sports Network, which broadcasts select sports events that cannot be carried on the main channel due to a concurrent live event. Monumental Sports Network 2 is carried byDirecTVand on most cable providers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Monumental+
editMonumental+is adirect-to-consumerstreaming serviceincluding access to all Capitals, Wizards and Mystics games that air on the network, for $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year. The service originally launched on October 10, 2023 with no specific brand name,[22]and relaunched as Monumental+ on September 17, 2024.[23]
References
edit- ^Chad, Norman (26 November 1988)."NHL AND SPORTSCHANNEL MORE IS LESS".The Washington Post.Retrieved26 March2021.
- ^Kent, Milton (February 7, 1997)."NBC won't be taking offense with All-Star shot approach".Baltimore Sun.Retrieved5 July2021.
- ^Kent, Milton (October 12, 1996)."O's to stay with HTS for 10 years Fox/TCI officials vow lawsuit that will claim breach of contract".Baltimore Sun.Retrieved5 July2021.
- ^Judd Zulgad (May 12, 2000)."Broadcast Sports; Local teams could be interested in buying MSC".Star Tribune].Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedApril 9,2015.
- ^Kenneth Bredemeier (May 5, 2000)."Viacom Puts HTS Network on the Block".The Washington Post.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedApril 9,2015.
- ^Mark Guidera (July 12, 2000)."Comcast to buy HTS sports channel".Baltimore Sun.
- ^Eric Fisher (July 12, 2000). "Purchase of HTS Continues Comcast's Foray into Area Sports".The Washington Times.
- ^Judd Zulgad (July 12, 2000)."Comcast agrees to buy MSC; Announced deal appears to be a setback for Fox Sports Net.(Sports)".Star Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedApril 9,2015.
- ^Linda Moss; R. Thomas Umstead (July 24, 2000)."Fox Sports Net Suing to Block HTS Sell-Off.(Home Team Sports)(Brief Article)".Multichannel News.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedApril 9,2015.
- ^Judd Zulgad (September 8, 2000)."Broadcast Sports; Fox Sports' agreement to acquire MSC now final".Star Tribuneh.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedApril 9,2015.
- ^Kristine Henry (March 3, 2001)."Nevins leaves PR post for presidency of HTS".Baltimore Sun.
- ^"HTS now Comcast SportsNet, adding sports news coverage".Baltimore Sun.April 4, 2001.
- ^John Ourand (August 14, 2012)."NBC Sports Group Drops FSN Programming From Comcast RSNs".Sports Business Journal.Advance Publications.RetrievedApril 9,2015.
- ^"Capitals, Wizards announce new long-term partnership with CSN Mid-Atlantic".Washington Post.Retrieved21 January2017.
- ^"NBC Sports Regional Networks to align CSN and TCN properties under 'NBC Sports' brand".NBC Sports Regional Networks. August 23, 2017.RetrievedAugust 23,2017.
- ^Monumental Sports & Entertainment(September 20, 2022)."Monumental Sports & Entertainment Completes Acquisition of NBC Sports Washington"(Press release).RetrievedSeptember 20,2022.
- ^"NBC Sports Washington is Becoming Monumental Sports Network".Washington Capitals. June 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
- ^Ourand, John (September 20, 2023)."Monumental Sports Network officially debuts with Rachel Nichols show".Sports Business Journal.RetrievedSeptember 20,2023.
- ^https://monumentalsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/MSE-Privacy-Policy-2023.pdf[bare URL PDF]
- ^"Towson Athletics Announces 2023-24 Broadcast Partnership with NBC Sports Washington/Monumental Sports Network".Towson University Athletics.30 August 2023.Retrieved30 August2023.
- ^Press Release: Monumental Sports Network Is Live for the Upcoming 2023-24 NBA and NHL Seasons
- ^Allen, Scott (October 10, 2023)."Monumental Sports Network will stream Caps, Wizards, Mystics games".The Washington Post.RetrievedOctober 10,2023.
- ^"Monumental Sports Network Unveils Monumental+ App and New Programming Ahead of 2024-25 Season".Monumental Sports.17 September 2024.Retrieved26 November2024.