All the details for the 28 Fire matches that will be broadcast on CSN Chicago this season have been announced.
The announcing team for regional broadcasts will consist of returning play-by-play man Dan Kelly, who is in the booth for his seventh season, former Fire player and coach Frank Klopas as color analyst and Paul Tenorio as sideline reporter. Klopas will be a familiar and popular name to Fire fans. Tenorio, a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, was with the Orlando Sentinel as the beat reporter for Orlando City SC for the past three years.
“I’m particularly excited with Frank’s new association with the Fire,” Fire COO Atul Khosla said in a press release. “I’m confident that he will be a great fit in the booth with Dan and, when supported by Paul’s work on the sideline, believe that we have assembled a top-class on-air team which will provide unmatched coverage and analysis this season.”
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Chicago Fire All-Access will also be included in CSN Chicago's coverage. The behind-the-scenes show will expand to four episodes this season. The premiere will air on Wednesday, March 2, at 9 p.m.
The season opener at home against New York City FC kicks off game coverage at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 6. There will be three and a half hours of Fire coverage on that day, starting with a noon rebroadcast of the debut episode of Chicago Fire All-Access. A 30-minute pregame and a 30-minute postgame show will also be part of the coverage. Of the 28 games to air on CSN Chicago this season, 14 will air on CSN and 14 will air on CSN Plus.
“CSN Chicago continues to produce compelling game broadcasts and unique shoulder programming options that is sure to build on the first-year successes,” Khosla said. “We’re thrilled to see our partnership continue to grow through these enhanced offerings.”
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In addition, five games will be simulcast in Spanish. The first Spanish telecast will be on Saturday, April 2, at 4 p.m. when the Philadelphia Union come to Toyota Park.
“The Chicago Fire continues to make an impact not only in terms of growth of their fan base over the past several years, but also in their devoted impact in our community,” said Phil Bedella, Vice President/General Manager for Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “We are proud to be the regional television home for the Fire and fans can count on us once again to deliver expert game coverage, along with enhanced digital coverage, for what promises to be an exciting 2016 MLS season.”