MLS Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Announce New Broadcast Partnership with PHL17 and 6abc

Published on December 21, 2017 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. (Dec. 19, 2017) - Philadelphia Union today announced a continuing broadcast partnership with the club's founding broadcast partner, 6abc, as well as a new partnership with PHL17. Under the agreement, PHL17 will serve as the new flagship television home for Philadelphia matches, broadcasting the majority of the Union's contests. A select number of Union matches will also be televised on 6abc.

Production for all local Philadelphia Union telecasts in 2018 will be handled by 6abc. As a result of the new broadcast agreement, Union telecasts will now be available to 32% more residents in the Greater Philadelphia region.

"This partnership with PHL17 and 6abc is great news for Philadelphia Union fans," said Tim McDermott, Chief Business Officer, Philadelphia Union. "Improving our reach and distribution is a priority for us as we aim to make the Union more accessible to our great supporters across the region. We believe we have created arguably the best broadcast partnership in MLS with this announcement. Combining the strength and reach of two broadcast institutions in 6abc, the most watched TV station in Philadelphia, alongside PHL17 allows Union fans to access our locally televised broadcasts in greater numbers than ever before."

Returning to the broadcast booth will be play-by-play legend and the voice of Philadelphia Union, JP Dellacamera, who has called Union matches for eight seasons. Regarded as the Voice of Soccer, the future Hall of Famer's broadcasting career has spanned over 30 years, calling eight men's FIFA World Cups on TV or radio, along with five women's World Cups on TV and three Olympic Games on NBC. Along with Philadelphia Union coverage, Dellacamera also serves as a voice on the national level as a play-by-play voice for FS1.

Joining Dellacamera in the booth will be color commentator Tommy Smyth, who joined Philadelphia Union midway through the 2016 campaign. Smyth spent 24 years at ESPN covering and broadcasting soccer. In addition to the UEFA Champions League broadcasts on ESPN, Smyth was a familiar face and voice on ESPN's coverage, calling over 3,000 international matches from leagues all over the world.

"As a founding partner with the Union, we're delighted to play a part in the evolution of its media expansion within the Philadelphia television market," said Bernie Prazenica, 6abc President & General Manager. "We think this is great news for the passionate Union fan base, and we're excited to see the club rise to new heights in 2018!"

"PHL17 has a long history of bringing the best in local sports to the homes of the Delaware Valley and we are thrilled to be the flagship partner of the Philadelphia Union beginning in March," said Vince Giannini, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, PHL17.

Union supporters can find 6abc and PHL17 on the following channels, listed below per cable/satellite provider:

6abc

Over-the-air: 6.1

Xfinity: 6/806/1006

Verizon Fios: 6/506

Directv: 6

Dish Network: 6353

PHL17

Over-the-air: 17.1

Xfinity: 7 or 17, plus 807/1017

Verizon Fios: 17/517

Directv: 17

Dish Network: 17

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA UNION

Philadelphia was awarded the 16th Major League Soccer franchise on Feb. 28, 2008 and the Union were officially named on May 11, 2009. Owned and operated by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the group launched the Philadelphia Union's inaugural season on March 25, 2010 and opened Talen Energy Stadium on June 27. Throughout the club's history, the Union have reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2014 and 2015, and have also reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011 and 2016. In 2018, Philadelphia Union will celebrate nine years of top-flight action at Talen Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium that has hosted internationally known clubs Celtic, Chivas de Guadalajara, Everton, Schalke 04, Aston Villa, Pumas UNAM, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City AFC. For more information about Philadelphia Union, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com .

ABOUT 6abc

6abc Action News is the #1 local news brand in the tri-state, and the undisputed news leader for more than 35 years. 6abc.com, the official website of Action News, is also the #1 local TV news website in the market. WPVI-TV is the ABC-owned station serving the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys.

ABOUT PHL17

PHL17 is wholly owned by Tribune Media Company which is home to a diverse portfolio of television and digital properties driven by quality news, entertainment, and sports programming. Tribune Media is comprised of Tribune Broadcasting's 42 owned and operated local television stations, the largest independent station group reaching more than 50 million households.

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