(SUNRISE, FL) – Fox Sports Net Florida, home of 66 live Tampa Bay Devil Rays game telecasts in 2002, today announced a comprehensive lineup of exclusive programming dedicated entirely to the Rays.
Fox Sports Net's coverage of the 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season begins this Sunday, February 17 at 9:00am with the TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS FANFEST SPECIAL. Shot on location at Tropicana Field, the show will take viewers behind the scenes at the annual fan celebration and give fans a first-hand look at the 2002 Rays roster. Fox Sports Net's veteran telecasters – Dewayne Staats (play-by-play), Joe Magrane (color analyst), and Todd Kalas (pre-game and roving reporter) will host this special, one-hour program.
Todd Kalas returns to the field this season with RAYS ON DECK, a 30-minute show that airs prior to away game telecasts on Fox Sports Net. Offering a unique perspective with pre-game insight and analysis when the team is on the road, RAYS ON DECK can be found exclusively on Fox Sports Net Florida.
Wrapping up Fox Sports Net's comprehensive schedule of Rays programming is RAYS MAGAZINE. Dave Wirth hosts this 30-minute weekly highlight show designed to bring viewers a unique, insider's perspective on the Rays organization. Fans can catch up with their favorite players and go one-on-one with manager Hal McRae each weekend. RAYS MAGAZINE airs each Sunday at 9:30am beginning April 7.
Fox Sports Net will also produce and televise an All-Star special and a post-season wrap up special dedicated to the Rays. Airdates and times for these programs are to be announced.
Fox Sports Net Florida reaches more than 3.9 million households in Florida. Fox Sports Net Florida is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks, a division of Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. Fox Sports Net Florida's programming includes Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays; the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers; the University of Miami, and the University of South Florida, along with select NASCAR and PGA Tour coverage.
Fox Sports Net reaches more than 78 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and Fox. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership of Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising, and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, Florida, Ohio, New England and San Francisco.