The Portland Trail Blazers today announced plans for the summer launch of Action Sports Cable Network, a high-definition cable TV sports channel. As a commitment to HDTV, ASCN will build a 53-foot state-of-the-art HDTV truck, the only one of its kind west of the Mississippi River.
"We're tremendously excited to be launching the first sports cable TV network focused on Oregon and Southwest Washington, and to be the first NBA team to bring a full sports TV network to its fans,î said Harry Hutt, Blazers Chief Operating Officer. "We know that our fans will appreciate the expanded Blazers programming on ASCN, as well as the opportunity to experience their favorite sports programming in High Definition Television.î
Programming on the 24-hour, 365-day sports channel will include twenty-five to thirty Trail Blazer games, Seahawks pre-season games and Portland Fire games. Trail Blazer and Seahawks coachesí shows and Rip City TV will be a few of the featured programs. In addition to the anchor programming of Paul Allenís professional sports franchises, ASCN will present extensive coverage of Oregon and Southwest Washington collegiate, high school and community athletics. ASCN will also pursue agreements with other major colleges and conferences to bring a wide array of athletic events from across the country.
ASCN has entered into an agreement with SONY Electronics to provide equipment and integration facilities for the studio and truck. The studio will feature full HDTV production capabilities, including four HD cameras, editing, audio production and graphics. Instant access to program elements will be offered by HDTV server technology developed in Oregon by Grass Valley Group, and advanced audio production equipment will offer Dolby 5.1 surround sound. SONYís latest multi-effect HD switcher will provide unprecedented power and flexibility. ASCN will use satellite delivery for reliable distribution of its signal to cable and direct broadcast satellite systems throughout its territory.
The expandable 53-foot HDTV truck will roll with twelve HDTV cameras, eleven HD tape machines, a 144-input digital audio mixing console with Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and the same SONY HD switcher being deployed in the studio. The monitor wall will feature 55 HD monitors and three 42-inch plasma displays, providing producers and directors with unprecedented quality. An additional forty HD monitors will provide high-quality images to audio, tape and graphics personnel. Two 128 by 128 routing matrices will allow the truck to be instantly configured to virtually any layout to suit production needs for any event in any venue.
"This is a tremendously exciting broadcast technology project," said Mike Janes, Director of Engineering. "This truck is the most comprehensive mobile deployment of HD technology ever assembled. We canít wait to put it on the road."
Paul Allen's sports teams pioneered the production of HDTV sports programming. In March 1999, the Trail Blazers became the first NBA team to produce games in HDTV, broadcasting home games against Houston and Minnesota. The following summer, the Seattle Seahawks were the first NFL team to produce a pre-season game in HDTV. Sports fans appreciate the wider format and enhanced detail of high definition TV. The intensity on a basketball playerís face, the wider view of the football field, the grain of a golf green -- these are examples of the clarity and brilliance of HD sports programming.
The new General Manager of ASCN is Dan Myers, returning to Portland after five years in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A native Oregonian, Myers has spent most of his career in Oregon, and has done everything from camera operation to production, direction and general management. He has 29 years of television experience, most recently as General Manager of New Mexico's KASY-TV, KHFT-TV, KTEL-TV and their satellite stations. A graduate of the University of Oregon in Eugene, he was a valued long-term member of the management team at Portland's CBS affiliate, KOIN-TV.
Joining Myers are Assistant GM Maureen Fisher and Program Director Robb Kirk. Fisher moves from the Blazers Airport Advertising Division to ASCN, where she will direct sales and marketing. This transition marks Fisher's return to broadcast sales. She previously managed sales for Portlandís Fox affiliate KPDX-TV and NBC affiliate KGW-TV, and is widely known and respected in the industry for her high energy, enthusiasm and commitment. Kirk is a 27-year broadcast veteran and long-time sports aficionado, with broad experience in contract negotiations, programming and scheduling. In Houston, San Diego, and Los Angeles, he had responsibility for Astros, Padres and Dodgers broadcasts. Kirk comes to ASCN from KOIN-TV and MIRA Mobile Productions, and his experience in financial management and program direction will be an important part of the management formula.
"This is a power-packed management group," said Hutt. "We are extremely pleased to have been able to attract this kind of quality management to ASCN. It's a pleasure to hit the ground running with a team with the breadth and depth of experience brought by Dan, Maureen and Robb."
ASCN will be housed at facilities to be constructed at 910 NE Martin Luther King Blvd. in Northeast Portland. The Northeast Portland studios will house 40 new employees, and will work closely with Post Up Production and Blazer Broadcasting to bring the highest-quality sports programming to Oregon and Southwest Washington sports fans.
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