thisTV Pittsburgh Named Official Television Broadcast Partner of Pittsburgh Power
January 4, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PITTSBURGH (January 4, 2013) - WTAE TV, the owner and operator of local television station thisTV Pittsburgh (WTAE 4.2), has formed an partnership that includes exclusive broadcast coverage of Pittsburgh Power Arena Football games on thisTV Pittsburgh. The new relationship also features live play-by-play announcing by Tim Benz and analysis by Craig Wolfley during games broadcast from CONSOL Energy Center.
"The Pittsburgh Power are a very exciting addition to the growing line up of sports programming on thisTV Pittsburgh. With college football, college basketball and now Pittsburgh Power Arena Football, we have built a robust destination for Pittsburgh area sports fans" said WTAE 4 President & General Manager Michael J. Hayes.
"This partnership between the team and the station will ultimately better serve the fans" said Pittsburgh Power co-owner Matt Shaner. Pittsburgh Power co-owner Lynn Swann believes the combination of Tim Benz and Craig Wolfley will bring a strong dynamic to the viewer experience.
Tim Benz is thrilled to be getting back to his roots doing play by play for the Pittsburgh Power. He is currently the host of the X Morning show on 105.9 the X (WXDX-FM), which is the flagship station of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also has pre and post-game hosting duties on the Pittsburgh Steeler Football Network (WDVE/ESPN RADIO 970). Tim has also hosted baseball magazine shows for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hosted afternoon drive time radio shows on WBGG AM and ESPN RADIO 1250, plus he has been a TV Sports Anchor on WTAE.
Craig Wolfley will begin his third consecutive season as a Pittsburgh Power broadcaster. Wolfley is a 12-year veteran of the NFL who played 10 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and 2 years with the Minnesota Vikings. Craig was selected in 2000 as a member of the Steelers All-Century Team, voted online by Pittsburgh fans as a part of a "team" of the best players to ever wear a Steeler uniform. Craig remains a Steeler as he is a member of the game day network broadcast team, and also co-hosts a radio show with his best friend and former team mate Tunch Ilkin on 970am ESPN Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Power has announced their 2013 local television schedule, with six home games broadcast live from CONSOL Energy Center on thisTV Pittsburgh.
SATURDAY, 3/23 UTAH BLAZE 6:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh
FRIDAY, 3/29 JACKSONVILLE SHARKS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh
SUNDAY, 4/28 SAN ANTONIO TALONS 2:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh
SATURDAY, 5/4 ORLANDO PREDATORS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh
SATURDAY, 5/25 CLEVELAND GLADIATORS 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh
SATURDAY, 6/15 PHILADELPHIA SOUL 7:00 PM on thisTV Pittsburgh
Several Pittsburgh road games will also be televised on thisTV Pittsburgh with the additional schedule to be announced at a later date.
The Power will also be featured on the AFL's national television partner, CBS Sports Network for the home regular season finale against the San Jose SaberCats on Saturday, July 13.
thisTV Pittsburgh is broadcast on free over-the-air digital channel 4.2 and distributed on the following cable designations:
Comcast 204
Comcast (former Adelphia Systems) 188
Armstrong Utilities 450
Atlantic Broadband 110
Verizon Fios 461
Consolidated Communications 15
If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Michael J. Hayes, please call Sheri Neill at 412-244-4669 or email Sheri at sneill@hearst.com.
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