FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots will introduce new talent and a new format for their three locally televised 2013 preseason games, beginning with their opener at Philadelphia on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. CBS Boston's WBZ-TV will once again serve as the flagship station for each of the locally produced preseason games. The complete preseason television network is listed below.
According to Matt Smith, the executive producer of Kraft Sports Productions, the Patriots 2013 preseason game telecasts will be less of a traditional football broadcast, opting instead for more discussion and analysis from two former Patriots players along with insight from two beat writers who are regularly assigned to cover practices year-round.
"We are looking at the preseason games as an opportunity to try something different and find innovative ways to engage our fans in the discussion," said Smith. "We are not looking for just a down-and-distance approach to calling the game. We want voices and opinions on what happened during the week of practice and how it relates to what fans are seeing on the field. We want a conversational, talk-radio approach on the important issues and roster battles that are going on throughout practice as well as in the game. We want our viewers to hear the opinions of the people watching every detail of the practice sessions during the week and how it relates to what is happening in the game."
In making the format change, WBZ-TV's Emmy Award winning reporter Dan Roche will be joined by former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria in the broadcast booth. Following a 13-year NFL career with Seattle, New England, Washington and Carolina, Fauria has worked as a college football analyst for ESPN and also does work on local radio and TV.
Former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham will provide sideline analysis, teaming up with WBZ-TV's Steve Burton, who will continue to provide interviews and reports from the sidelines. Chatham enjoyed a nine-year NFL career with the Patriots and the New York Jets. He was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots.
Patriots Football Weekly's Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also be a part of the telecast. They will be in a separate studio and will provide insight and observations throughout the game and will engage viewers via social media.
Preseason Television Network
WBZ TV.................. Boston, MA (Flagship Station)
WPRI......................Providence, RI
WWLP.................... Springfield, MA
WCTX/WTNH..........Hartford/New Haven, CT
WVII....................... Bangor, ME
WMTW................... Portland/Auburn, ME
WMUR.....................Manchester, NH
WCAX......................Burlington, VT
KFVE........................Honolulu, HI
