Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Sun launches Wednesday, March 31

Miami HEAT play the Indiana Pacers on March 31 at 7 p.m., Marking First Live Event on Bally Sports Sun

Networks to Deliver 22 Hours of Live Programming on Thursday, April 1 Featuring Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Orlando Magic and HEAT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Marking the beginning of a new era in regional sports coverage and content, Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun (rebranding from FOX Sports Florida and FOX Sports Sun), will launch on Wednesday, March 31, followed by a full slate of live regional programming on Thursday, April 1.

The leadoff event on Bally Sports Sun will feature the Miami HEAT playing the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. The “HEAT Live” pregame show tips off with live coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.
Major League Baseball Opening Day coverage on Thursday, April 1, will begin at 11 a.m. with “Bally Sports Big Opening Day.” The national show will leverage the Bally Sports regional networks to offer fans a live, whip-around-style MLB Opening Day broadcast that will also feature NHL, NBA, and pro-tennis updates and highlights. Hosted by Stadium’s Michael Kim, Bally Sports SoCal’s Kristina Pink and Bally Sports Southeast’s Eric Collins, the show will originate from Stadium’s studio in Chicago and air across all 19 Bally Sports regional networks. Florida specific segments in the show, time permitting, include:
• 1-on-1 interviews with Marlins GM Kim Ng
• 1-on-1 interview with Rays Opening Day starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow
• 1-on-1 interview with Lightning captain Steven Stamkos
• 1-on-1 interview with Marlins Manager Don Mattingly
• 1-on-1 interview with HEAT center / forward Bam Adebayo
• Features on Marlins Opening Day starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara and Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena
• Marlins season preview with Paul Severino and Todd Hollandsworth
• Rays season preview with Dewayne Staats and Brian Anderson
• Marlins vs. Rays series preview with Jessica Blaylock, Gaby Sanchez and Anderson
• HEAT vs. Warriors game preview with Eric Reid and John Crotty
• Panthers vs. Red Wings game preview with Steve Goldstein
• Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets game preview
• Look live at Rays/Marlins batting practice leading into local coverage

Opening Day festivities will continue at 3 p.m. on Bally Sports Florida with a special one-hour “Marlins LIVE” pregame show leading into the live coverage of the Miami Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays. “Rays Live” pregame show coverage will start at 3:30 p.m. on Bally Sports Sun.

Following Opening Day baseball, the networks will showcase regional NBA matchups at 8 p.m. featuring the HEAT vs. the Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic vs. the New Orleans Pelicans, both on Bally Sports Sun, as well as regional NHL matchups at 7 p.m. featuring the Florida Panthers vs. the Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets, both on Bally Sports Florida.

Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun will be widely available throughout the Sunshine State on cable, satellite and streaming providers, including AT&T U-verse, AT&T TV, DirecTV, Spectrum, Xfinity and more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, MEDIA CONTACT:

Bally Sports Florida: Eric Esteban, (954) 375-3634, ErEsteban@sbgtv.com

ABOUT BALLY SPORTS FLORIDA / BALLY SPORTS SUN

Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun are the local destinations for the Orlando Magic, Miami HEAT, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. Together, Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun present more live, local sports programming than any other network or broadcast system in the market. Serving sports fans across the Sunshine State, the regional networks combine to produce more than 700 live sporting events and over 300 studio based and original programs year round. Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve by engaging our audiences and providing award-winning TV, digital and streaming coverage of Florida’s hometown sports teams.