The Chicago Tribune had been the title sponsor since 2004. Not anymore.
Yesterday, Comcast Sports Net Chicago announced changes for its daily sports talk show. The biggest is that it won’t have the Chicago Tribune label on it anymore.
From CSN Chicago:
Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox, has announced it will launch SportsTalk Live presented by Smirnoff, a one-hour weeknight sports roundtable discussion show featuring lively debate on the hottest local and national sports topics of the day hosted by David Kaplan. SportsTalk Live will make its debut on Monday, February 25 at 5:30 PM CT.
Airing Monday-Friday at 5:30 PM (with occasional 5:00 PM start times due to live pro event programming), SportsTalk Live will feature a fast-paced, topical format drawing on Kaplan’s always-entertaining and opinionated sports mind, along with some sure-fire spirited debate from a wider range of guests in the local media, national media and entertainment industry. In addition, a parade of Chicago sports athletes, coaches, and front office execs will also be showcased regularly on SportsTalk Live.
In addition, SportsTalk Live will be making the “viewer” a part of the panel each and every night through a dedicated and enhanced social media fan engagement process through both Twitter and Facebook. Viewers will be able to interact directly with Kaplan and the show’s guests by posting their thoughts and comments on the network’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/CSNChicago) and via Twitter by sending their messages to @CSNChicago. Also, fans are urged to utilize the hashtag #ChicagoSportsTalk in their Twitter posts. Select viewer comments and questions for the panel will be read on the air on every show.
“Our goal for SportsTalk Live is to provide Chicago sports fans with a voice on this show, making them a part of the panel discussion each and every night,” said Phil Bedella, Vice President/General Manager of Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “Through a wider range of guests, topics and high-energy debates, not to mention our host David Kaplan leading the charge, we’re looking forward to SportsTalk Live being a very entertaining and informative experience for our viewers.”
Added Kaplan: “I look forward to bringing the greatest sports fans in the world an engaging and lively sports debate show that will include the biggest guests and the hottest topics on a nightly basis.”