The Patriots today officially announced the changes to their preseason telecasts. The longtime duo of Don Criqui and Randy Cross is no more, and the format is being changed to something new in the world of football broadcasts:

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.”

WBZ-TV is still the flagship station for the preseason telecasts, which will be hosted by sports reporter/anchor Dan Roche. Joining Roche in the booth will be former Patriot Christian Fauria.

Former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham will serve as a sideline analyst, and Steve Burton will do sideline reports and interviews. Patriots Football Weekly writers Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will be in a separate studio for further discussion on the game, and to engage in social media interaction.

Here are the affiliates for the preseason games:

Preseason Television Network
WBZ TV……………… Boston, MA (Flagship Station) (Channel 4)

WPRI………………….Providence, RI (Channel 12)
WWLP……………….. Springfield, MA (Channel 22)
WCTX/WTNH………..Hartford/New Haven, CT (Channel 8)
WVII………………….. Bangor, ME (Channel 22)
WMTW………………. Portland/Auburn, ME (Channel 8)
WMUR…………………Manchester, NH (Channel 9)
WCAX………………….Burlington, MA (Channel 3)
KFVE……………………Honolulu, HI (Channel 5)

Here is the Patriots preseason schedule:

Friday, August 9th 7:30pm @ Eagles

Friday, August 16th 8:00pm Buccaneers (Broadcast on FOX)

Thursday, August 22nd 7:30pm @ Lions

Thursday, August 29th 7:30pm Giants

Games are also rebroadcast on the NFL Network.

Published by Bruce Allen

Automattician.

9 thoughts on “Patriots Preseason Network Affiliates, Schedule, and Crew”

  3. On a slightly different topic but part of Patriots coverage. I usually do not find fault with Mike Reiss reporting but in last nights Bed Check blog post he wrote:

    “SportsCenter” on site: ESPN’s “training days” series visited Gillette Stadium, with host Hannah Storm working alongside Tedy Bruschi. Owner Robert Kraft spent time on the set. Also, Sal Paolantonio was in town for ESPN and was seen speaking with coach Bill Belichick at one point.

    Please explain to me how media reporting that media is in town is news. Mike Reiss is better than this.

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    1. I think it’s ESPN trying to cross-promote it’s 96 hours of daily NFL coverage?

      Remember what happened last year:

      ESPN was trolling Cortland, NY because of Tebow.

      They here to do the same but I think the “lets lazer focus on the Pats” has to do with Hernandez.

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    1. ++

      He’ll be back on WEEI Sunday morning from 9-12 (Faulk is, unfortunately, gone since he’s coaching HS in his hometown) and I think he also landed a NFLN gig? I know he’s got a regular spot on NESN.

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  5. “Steve Burton will do sideline commercials masquerading as ‘news.” There. Fixed it.

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