The channel, which operates 16 different regional sports networks nationwide, said it will air more than 3,000 pro and college baseball, basketball, football and hockey games next year in HD.
In 2008, Fox Sports Net is scheduled to deliver more than 1,700 games in high-def.
“This is the next step in the evolution of FSN’s commitment to being the leaders in HD sports production. It’s one of the best ways we can serve the local sports fans throughout the country, and it also allows us to offer tremendous value to our team partners and distributors," said FSN President Randy Freer, who made the announcement at this week's cable convention in New Orleans.
Although Fox Sports Net will offer more games in high-def, that doesn't mean each cable or satellite service will deliver them all to local areas. Depending upon bandwidth issues, some TV providers may opt to broadcast just a portion of the schedule in HD.
FSN noted this reality in its press release, urging the providers to carry all the games.
“HD is one of our distributors’ and their customers’ highest priorities, so it’s incumbent upon us to offer them our most popular services in HD. We have consistently found that sports drives the adaptation of new technologies, and the deep emotional commitment local fans have to their teams will accelerate the HD and digital transition," said Mike Hopkins, executive vice president and general manager for affiliate sales for FSN.
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