View source for NBC Sports Philadelphia

{{short description|American regional sports network}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = NBC Sports Philadelphia
| logo = NBC Sports Philadelphia 2023.svg
| logo_size = 270
| logo_caption =
| logo_alt =
| image =
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1997|10|01}}
| closed_date = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} -->
| picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br>[[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])
| network = [[NBC Sports Regional Networks]]
| owner = [[NBC Sports Group]] (75%)<br>[[Philadelphia Phillies]] (25%)<ref name="PhilliesCSNStake">{{cite news|title=Phillies get $2.5 billion, equity stake in Comcast SportsNet|url=http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-05/news/45862111_1_the-phillies-average-annual-rights-fee-equity-stake|author=Matt Gelb|author2=Bob Fernandez|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=January 5, 2014|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093634/http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-05/news/45862111_1_the-phillies-average-annual-rights-fee-equity-stake|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| parent =
| motto =
| country = United States
| language = English<br />Spanish (via SAP)
| area = Eastern and Central [[Pennsylvania]]<br>Northern and Central [[Delaware]]<br>[[South Jersey|Southern]] and [[Central Jersey|Central]] [[New Jersey]]<!--<br>Nationwide (via satellite)-->
| affiliates =
| headquarters = [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]], [[Philadelphia]]
| former_names = Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia (1997–2017)
| replaced = [[PRISM (TV channel)|PRISM]] (1976–1997)<br>[[SportsChannel Philadelphia]] (1990–1997)
| replaced_by =
| sister_channels = '''Cable:'''<br>NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus<br>'''Broadcast:'''<br>[[WCAU]]/Philadelphia<br>[[WWSI]]/Mount Laurel<br>'''Streaming:'''<br>[[Peacock TV|Peacock]]
| timeshift_service =
| website = {{URL|https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/}}
| availability_note = <br>{{small|(some events may air on NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus, which serves as a overflow feed during event conflicts)}}
| terr_serv_1 =
| terr_chan_1 =
| sat_radio_serv_1 =
| sat_radio_chan_1 =
| online_serv_1 = Affiliated Streaming Service(s)
| online_chan_1 = [[Peacock TV|Peacock]]
| online_serv_2 = [[YouTubeTV]]
| online_chan_2 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
| online_serv_3 = [[Hulu Live]]
| online_chan_3 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
| online_serv_4 = [[FuboTV]]
| online_chan_4 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
| 3gmobile serv 1 =
}}

'''NBC Sports Philadelphia''' is an American [[regional sports network]] owned by the [[NBC Sports#NBC Sports Group|NBC Sports Group]] unit of [[NBCUniversal]], which in turn is owned by locally based [[cable television]] provider [[Comcast]] (and owns a controlling 75% interest), and the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] (which owns the remaining 25%). It is the flagship owned-and-operated outlet of [[NBC Sports Regional Networks]]. The channel broadcasts regional coverage of professional sports teams in the [[Philadelphia]] metropolitan area, as well as college sports events and original sports-related news, discussion and entertainment programming.

NBC Sports Philadelphia is available on cable, [[optical fiber|fiber optic]], and streaming television providers throughout the [[Delaware Valley]] region, which includes southeastern [[Pennsylvania]], [[South Jersey|southern New Jersey]], and most of [[Delaware]]. The network is also available on IPTV providers in those areas as well as throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania. 

Beginning in 2025, NBC Sports Philadelphia has been available via sister streaming service [[Peacock TV|Peacock]] as an add-on feature. 

The network maintains main studios and offices located inside the [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|Wells Fargo Center]] in the [[South Philadelphia Sports Complex]].

==History==
The network traces its history to March 19, 1996, when Comcast acquired a 66 percent stake in [[Comcast Spectacor|Spectacor]], the parent company of the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], [[Spectrum (arena)|The Spectrum]] and the then-recently completed [[Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)|CoreStates Center]], for $240 million and the assumption of a collective $170 million in debt. [[Ed Snider]], the previous majority owner of Spectacor, stayed on as the managing partner and chairman of the renamed Comcast Spectacor. On the day the deal closed, Comcast Spectacor immediately purchased a 66% interest in the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref name="ComcastBuysSpectacor">{{cite news|title=Comcast Buying 76ers And Flyers Phils Also May Get Involved With Firm|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-20/news/25637494_1_comcast-spectacor-comcast-president-brian-roberts-phillies|author=Michael Sokolove|author2=Jayson Stark and Michael L. Rozansky|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=March 20, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063803/http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-20/news/25637494_1_comcast-spectacor-comcast-president-brian-roberts-phillies|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Picture Starts To Clear Sports Deal Gets Comcast's Foot In Door For New Channel|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-12-04/sports/25640850_1_sports-business-cable-giant-silent-partners|author=Edward Moran|newspaper=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|date=December 4, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=January 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110053558/http://articles.philly.com/1996-12-04/sports/25640850_1_sports-business-cable-giant-silent-partners|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Immediately after the purchase was announced, speculation arose as to whether Comcast would let at least some of Spectacor's television contracts with [[pay television|premium cable network]] [[PRISM (TV channel)|PRISM]] and existing regional sports network [[SportsChannel Philadelphia]] (both owned by [[Rainbow Media]]) run out, and create a sports network of its own, displacing both existing networks from Comcast and other cable providers in Southeastern Pennsylvania (Comcast, however, had reached a ten-year agreement with Rainbow to continue carriage of PRISM and SportsChannel, as well as the company's other networks in the fall of 1995); buy the existing networks; or reach a complex deal with Rainbow to have both networks retain the broadcast rights to the 76ers and Flyers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Prism, Sportschannel On Way Out?|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-20/news/25636426_1_prism-comcast-acquisition-brian-l-roberts|author=Sam Donnellon|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=March 20, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065728/http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-20/news/25636426_1_prism-comcast-acquisition-brian-l-roberts|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Comcast Deal Isn't The End Of Prism It Could Benefit Both Firms To Leave The TV Rights As They Are|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-24/business/25636634_1_comcast-executive-comcast-chairman-ralph-roberts-comcast-deal|author=Michael L. Rozansky|author2=Michael Sokolove|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=March 24, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042049/http://articles.philly.com/1996-03-24/business/25636634_1_comcast-executive-comcast-chairman-ralph-roberts-comcast-deal|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Within days of the purchase, Comcast indicated that it was considering launching a new regional sports network, and approached the Philadelphia Phillies about entering into a broadcast deal.<ref name="ComcastBuysSpectacor"/> PRISM and SportsChannel Philadelphia's joint contract to carry most of the Flyers' [[National Hockey League|NHL]] games was set to end that fall, while the Phillies' contract ended after the [[1997 Philadelphia Phillies season|1997 season]], leaving them both open to enter negotiations with Comcast Spectacor.

After short-lived discussions between Rainbow Media and Comcast about the latter possibly becoming a part-owner in PRISM and SportsChannel Philadelphia,<ref>{{cite news|title=COMCAST WELCOME AS AN INVESTOR IN PHILADELPHIA RSNS|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/03/28/Sports-Media/COMCAST-WELCOME-AS-AN-INVESTOR-IN-PHILADELPHIA-RSNS.aspx?hl=SportsChannel%20Philadelphia&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=March 28, 1996|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104921/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/03/28/Sports-Media/COMCAST-WELCOME-AS-AN-INVESTOR-IN-PHILADELPHIA-RSNS.aspx?hl=SportsChannel%20Philadelphia&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref> on April 25, 1996, Comcast Spectacor formally announced plans to create a new Philadelphia-centric sports network, which would carry both the Flyers and Sixers; it also signed a deal with the Phillies, giving the new network rights to most of their Major League Baseball games.<ref name="CSNFlyers">{{cite news|title=Comcast Puts Prism On Ropes Phils Agree To Join Flyers, Sixers In Fledgling All-sports Cable Channel|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-04-26/sports/25660343_1_prism-comcast-corporation-phillies|author=Edward Moran|author2=Bill Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=April 26, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054405/http://articles.philly.com/1996-04-26/sports/25660343_1_prism-comcast-corporation-phillies|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Comcast launching Philly sports channel|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18242715.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145606/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18242715.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|author=James McConville|periodical=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=April 29, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> The deal strained relations between Rainbow and Comcast Spectacor somewhat; Rainbow offered a lower bid for the Flyers telecast rights during negotiations for a one-year extension of its contract. Disagreements between the Flyers and Rainbow Media over the amount the team would receive for the 1996–97 season contract led the Flyers to announce plans in late September that it would assume production responsibilities for its home game broadcasts and sell the local rights to its game telecasts to individual cable providers as a backup plan if deal did not come to fruition.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flyers Reach New Cable Deals|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-09-30/sports/25634502_1_suburban-cable-cable-operators-prism|author=Bill Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=September 30, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040341/http://articles.philly.com/1996-09-30/sports/25634502_1_suburban-cable-cable-operators-prism|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rainbow and Comcast Spectacor finally reached a one-year, $5 million contract extension to keep its locally televised games on PRISM and SportsChannel on October 4, 1996, the day before its [[1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers season|season]] home opener.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flyers And Prism Ink Last-minute TV Deal|url=http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-05/sports/25666884_1_prism-area-cable-companies-flyers-chairman-ed-snider|author=Bill Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=October 5, 1996|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230630/http://articles.philly.com/1996-10-05/sports/25666884_1_prism-area-cable-companies-flyers-chairman-ed-snider|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On July 21, 1997, Comcast acquired the local television rights to broadcast the 76ers' [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] games on the new '''Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia''', with the team choosing to opt out of its contract with PRISM and SportsChannel that was set to run until the [[1999–2000 Philadelphia 76ers season|1999–2000 season]].<ref name="CSN76ers">{{cite news|title=New Sportsnet Reels In Sixers|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-07-22/sports/25546447_1_comcast-sportsnet-sportschannel-philadelphia-sportschannel-philadelphia-s|author=Bill Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=July 22, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001157/http://articles.philly.com/1997-07-22/sports/25546447_1_comcast-sportsnet-sportschannel-philadelphia-sportschannel-philadelphia-s|url-status=dead}}</ref> After much uncertainty, which included plans for PRISM and SportsChannel to become affiliates of [[Fox Sports Networks|Fox Sports Net]] (after [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]] and [[Liberty Media]] purchased 40% of the sports assets owned by Rainbow parent [[Cablevision]] on June 30, 1997<ref>{{cite news|title=National net keys regional deal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19555907.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910170418/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19555907.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2015|author=John M. Higgins|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 30, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|author-link=John M. Higgins}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fox/Liberty Deal Impacts Local Cable Sportschannel Philadelphia Likely To Benefit|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-06-24/sports/25526730_1_sportschannel-philadelphia-fox-sports-news-liberty-networks|author=Bill Fleischman|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=June 24, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003017/http://articles.philly.com/1997-06-24/sports/25526730_1_sportschannel-philadelphia-fox-sports-news-liberty-networks|url-status=dead}}</ref>), Comcast then reached agreements with Liberty and Rainbow Media to replace PRISM with the Liberty-owned premium movie channel [[Starz (TV channel)|Starz!]] (which at the time, was starting to expand its carriage outside of systems operated by its then co-owner [[Tele-Communications, Inc.]]).<ref>{{cite press release|title=Comcast Commits to Launch STARZ! in Philadelphia; More Than 300,000 Comcast Customers Will See STARZ! by October 1|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Comcast+Commits+to+Launch+STARZ!+in+Philadelphia%3b+More+Than+300%2c000...-a019597847|agency=[[PRNewswire]]|via=The Free Library|date=July 21, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303004628/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Comcast+Commits+to+Launch+STARZ!+in+Philadelphia%3b+More+Than+300%2c000...-a019597847|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Starz On The Horizon Goodbye Prism & Sports Channel; What's Next Depends On Where You Hang The Clicker|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-08-25/news/25568592_1_starz-premium-channel-suburban-cable|author=Rose DeWolf|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=August 25, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000926/http://articles.philly.com/1997-08-25/news/25568592_1_starz-premium-channel-suburban-cable|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Reports indicated that Comcast SportsNet initially would charge a per subscriber rate of $1.50 a month (representatives for Comcast Spectacor stated the rate was closer to the range of $1.20 to $1.35) to participating cable providers, described as "one of the most expensive – if not the most expensive" basic cable channel in the United States (a distinction that was eventually assumed by the nationally distributed [[ESPN]]); SportsChannel Philadelphia, by comparison, charged providers that carried the network between 25¢ and 35¢ a month per subscriber. The company's demand that CSN Philadelphia be offered as a basic cable service resulted in complaints by some local providers (including Wade Cable, Lower Bucks Cablevision and Harron Communications) because of the higher per subscriber rate; however, Jack Williams, who was appointed as the original president of CSN Philadelphia, said that the company would "not accept any arrangement other than running SportsNet as a basic channel."<ref>{{cite news|title=Basic launch for Philadelphia sports channel; local operators complain Comcast/Spectacor wants too high a price|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19761684.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150638/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19761684.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|author=Donna Petrozzello|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 15, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref> By September 1997, CSN had secured cable coverage reaching approximately 1.5 million households (or 60% of the network's regional territory).<ref>{{cite news|title=WILL COMCAST SPORTSNET OCTOBER 1 LAUNCH GET WIDE EXPOSURE?|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/8/Sports-Media/WILL-COMCAST-SPORTSNET-OCTOBER-1-LAUNCH-GET-WIDE-EXPOSURE.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=September 8, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105023/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/8/Sports-Media/WILL-COMCAST-SPORTSNET-OCTOBER-1-LAUNCH-GET-WIDE-EXPOSURE.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

Williams promised that the network would carry more local programming than other regional sports networks, with an estimated seven to eight hours of live sports, and various news and discussion programs (including a four-hour morning sports news program, and news and interview program in the late afternoon).<ref name="CSN76ers"/><ref>{{cite news|title=MORE DETAILS ON COMCAST'S NEW PHILADELPHIA SPORTS CHANNEL|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/07/28/Sports-Media/MORE-DETAILS-ON-COMCASTS-NEW-PHILADELPHIA-SPORTS-CHANNEL.aspx?hl=SportsChannel%20Philadelphia&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=July 28, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701075637/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/07/28/Sports-Media/MORE-DETAILS-ON-COMCASTS-NEW-PHILADELPHIA-SPORTS-CHANNEL.aspx?hl=SportsChannel%20Philadelphia&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia launched on October 1, 1997, replacing SportsChannel Philadelphia on local cable systems within the Philadelphia metropolitan area;<ref>{{cite news|title=Comcast Scores Big With Sports Network The 24-hour Comcast Sportsnet Will Debut Oct. 1 And Carry Phillies, Sixers And Flyers Games|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-07-22/news/25549267_1_sportschannel-philadelphia-comcast-sportsnet-cable-systems|author=Mike Bruton|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=July 22, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064622/http://articles.philly.com/1997-07-22/news/25549267_1_sportschannel-philadelphia-comcast-sportsnet-cable-systems|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Local TV Sports Fans To See A Change, In Cost Sportschannel And Prism Are Going, Going. . . . A New Basic Cable Channel Takes Over.|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-07-27/news/25545503_1_basic-cable-cable-analyst-john-mansell|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=July 27, 1997|access-date=September 5, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090641/http://articles.philly.com/1997-07-27/news/25545503_1_basic-cable-cable-analyst-john-mansell|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the launch, Comcast SportsNet became the Philadelphia affiliate of Fox Sports Net.<ref>{{cite news|title=COMCAST SPORTSNET LAUNCHES OCTOBER 1, LANDS 76ERS' RIGHTS|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/07/22/Sports-Media/COMCAST-SPORTSNET-LAUNCHES-OCTOBER-1-LANDS-76ERS-RIGHTS.aspx?hl=SportsChannel%20Philadelphia&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=July 22, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105004/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/07/22/Sports-Media/COMCAST-SPORTSNET-LAUNCHES-OCTOBER-1-LANDS-76ERS-RIGHTS.aspx?hl=SportsChannel%20Philadelphia&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Comcast expanded the Comcast SportsNet brand to other markets over the next several years, through the purchases of Fox Sports regional networks in [[Comcast SportsNet Bay Area|San Francisco]] and [[Comcast SportsNet New England|Boston]] as well as the launches of new channels in markets such as [[Comcast SportsNet Chicago|Chicago]], [[Comcast SportsNet Houston|Houston]] and [[Comcast SportsNet California|northern California]].

[[File:CSNPhiladelphia.png|thumb|left|200px|Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia logo from September 2012 through 2016]]
With Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, Comcast SportsNet was also integrated into the new [[NBC Sports#NBC Sports Group|NBC Sports Group]] unit, culminating with the addition of the [[NBC logo|peacock logo]] and an updated graphics package to mirror that of its parent network. The updated graphics were implemented on CSN's live game coverage and all studio shows, with the exception of ''SportsNet Central''. In September 2012, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and its sister Comcast SportsNet outlets ceased carrying Fox Sports Networks-supplied programming, after failing to reach an agreement to continue carrying FSN's nationally distributed programs.<ref>{{cite news|title=NBC Sports Group Drops FSN Programming From Comcast RSNs|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2012/08/14/NBC.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet%20FSN%20Chicago&sc=0|author=John Ourand|website=Sports Business Journal|date=August 14, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=April 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417084849/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2012/08/14/NBC.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet%20FSN%20Chicago&sc=0|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 2, 2014, as part of an agreement reached on a 25-year broadcasting contract with the team (with the network paying the team $100 million in rights fees each season through 2041, totaling around $2.5 billion), the Philadelphia Phillies acquired a 25% equity stake in Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.<ref name="PhilliesCSNStake"/>

[[File:NBC Sports Philadelphia.png|thumb|Logo of NBC Sports Bay Area used from October 2, 2017 until 2023]]
Comcast rebranded the network as '''NBC Sports Philadelphia''' on October 2, 2017, as part of a larger rebranding of the Comcast SportsNet networks under the NBC Sports brand.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBC Sports Regional Networks to align CSN and TCN properties under 'NBC Sports' brand|url=http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/press-releases/nbc-sports-regional-networks-align-csn-and-tcn-properties-under-nbc-sports-brand|publisher=NBC Sports Regional Networks|date=August 23, 2017|access-date=August 23, 2017|archive-date=August 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824055644/http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/press-releases/nbc-sports-regional-networks-align-csn-and-tcn-properties-under-nbc-sports-brand|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Programming==

===Sports coverage===
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2014}}
NBC Sports Philadelphia holds the regional television rights to the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers,<ref name="CSN76ers"/> NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, and the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.<ref name="CSNFlyers"/> In addition to live game telecasts, the network carries [[pre-game show|pre-game]] and [[post-game show]]s under the ''Pregame Live'' and ''Postgame Live'' banners that bookend 76ers (''Sixers Pregame Live'' and ''Sixers Postgame Live''), Phillies (''Phillies Pregame Live'' and ''Phillies Postgame Live''), Flyers (''Flyers Pregame Live'' and ''Flyers Postgame Live'') telecasts. Since 2010, the network has also produced the Phillies' [[Opening Day]] game and other select Phillies regular season games for NBC-[[owned-and-operated station|owned-and-operated]] sister station [[WCAU]] (channel 10). Although it does not hold the regional rights to [[National Football League|NFL]] games involving the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], the network produces pre-game and post-game shows before and after every Eagles game (''Eagles Pregame Live'' and ''Eagles Postgame Live'').

The network formerly broadcast select [[Major League Soccer]] matches involving the [[Philadelphia Union]] until 2023, when the entire league switched to [[MLS Season Pass]] for all regular season match broadcasts. The network also served as the broadcaster for [[American Hockey League]] games involving the [[Philadelphia Phantoms]] (an affiliate team of the Flyers) until the team relocated to [[Glens Falls, New York]] as the [[Adirondack Phantoms]] in 2009. It also carried indoor soccer matches involving the [[Philadelphia KiXX]] from 1998 until the [[National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001)|National Professional Soccer League]] folded in 2001; as well as [[National Lacrosse League]] games featuring the [[Philadelphia Wings (1987–2014)|Philadelphia Wings]] until that team relocated to [[Uncasville, Connecticut]] as the [[New England Black Wolves]] in 2014.

NBC Sports Philadelphia also maintains the television rights to the [[Philadelphia Big 5]], carrying select games of the annual [[Big 5 Classic]] tournament. It also broadcasts numerous men's and women's college sporting events sanctioned by the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]], the [[Ivy League]], and the [[Colonial Athletic Association|Coastal Athletic Association]]. Beginning in 2022, NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcasts [[college football]] and men's and women's [[college basketball]] home games for [[Monmouth University]]. Until Comcast SportsNet discontinued its relationship with its competing RSN in September 2012, the network also carried collegiate sports events from [[Conference USA]], the [[Pac-12 Conference]] and the [[Big 12 Conference]], as well as primetime Major League Baseball games on Thursdays distributed by Fox Sports Networks.

===Other programming===
[[File:NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus 2023.svg|thumb|Logo of NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus, a sister channel of NBC Sports Philadelphia]]
====News====
* ''SportsNet Central''
'''Talk'''

* ''The Best Show Ever?'' (simulcast with [[WPEN (FM)|WPEN]])

====Phillies====
* ''Phillies Clubhouse''
* ''Phillies Nation''
'''Eagles'''

* ''Birds Huddle''

====Golf====
* ''Inside Golf''
* ''Winning Golf''

====Former====
*''[[Daily News Live (Comcast SportsNet)|Daily News Live]]'' (1997–2013)<ref name="dnl">{{cite web |last1=Tanenbaum |first1=Michael |title='Mike Missanelli Show' phasing out 'Philly Sports Talk' on NBC Sports Philadelphia |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/mike-missanelli-show-philly-sports-talk-nbc-sports-philadelphia-expanded/ |website=PhillyVoice |access-date=May 31, 2024 |date=February 25, 2019}}</ref>
*''Philly Sports Talk'' (2013–2019)<ref name="dnl"/>

== On-air staff ==

=== Current on-air staff ===
* [[Alaa Abdelnaby]] – Philadelphia 76ers color commentator
* [[Rubén Amaro Jr.]] – Philadelphia Phillies color commentator, ''Phillies Pregame Live'' and ''Phillies Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[Michael Barkann]] – ''Eagles Pregame Live'' and ''Eagles Postgame Live'' host, ''Phillies Pregame Live'' and ''Phillies Postgame Live'' host
* [[Ricky Bottalico]] – ''Phillies Pregame Live'' and ''Phillies Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[Brian Boucher]] – Philadelphia Flyers color commentator
* [[Barrett Brooks]] – ''Birds Huddle'' host, ''Eagles Pregame Live'' and ''Eagles Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[Ben Davis (baseball)|Ben Davis]] – Philadelphia Phillies color commentator, ''Phillies Pregame Live'' and ''Phillies Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[Scott Hartnell]] – Philadelphia Flyers color commentator, ''Flyers Pregame Live'' and ''Flyers Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[Jim Jackson (sportscaster)|Jim Jackson]] – Philadelphia Flyers play-by-play announcer
* [[Marc Jackson]] – ''Sixers Pregame Live'' and ''Sixers Postgame Live'' analyst 
* [[Ron Jaworski]] – ''Eagles Pregame Live'' and ''Eagles Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[John Kruk]] – Philadelphia Phillies color commentator
* [[Jim Lynam]] – ''Sixers Pregame Live'' and ''Sixers Postgame Live'' analyst 
* [[Tom McCarthy (sportscaster)|Tom McCarthy]] – Philadelphia Phillies play-by-play announcer
* [[Al Morganti]] – ''Flyers Pregame Live'' and ''Flyers Postgame Live'' analyst
* [[Kate Scott (American sportscaster)|Kate Scott]] – Philadelphia 76ers play-by-play announcer

=== Notable former on-air staff ===
* [[Ron Burke (sportscaster)|Ron Burke]]
* [[Scott Hanson]]
* [[Neil Hartman]]
* [[Keith Jones (ice hockey)|Keith Jones]]
* [[Seth Joyner]]
* [[Jillian Mele]]
* [[Jamie Moyer]]
* [[Gregg Murphy]]
* [[Leila Rahimi]]
* [[Matt Stairs]]
* [[Matt Yallof]]

==NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus==
'''NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus''' is a full-time channel that also serves as an overflow network in case two local games are scheduled to air simultaneously on NBC Sports Philadelphia. The network was previously known as the [[Comcast Network]].

==Availability==

===Peacock===
Beginning in 2025, NBC Sports Philadelphia has been available via sister streaming service [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] as an add-on feature.

===Satellite carriage controversy===
Unlike most other cable networks, NBC Sports Philadelphia is distributed only via [[microwave]] and [[fiber optics|fiber optic]] relays. Comcast inherited the terrestrial infrastructure that it uses to transmit the network from PRISM at the time that network shut down. Since NBC Sports Philadelphia did not uplink its signal to any [[communications satellite]]s, Comcast was able to avoid a regulation outlined by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) that requires most television channels to be offered to [[direct broadcast satellite]] providers; this [[loophole]], known as the "terrestrial exception", was implemented by the FCC in 1992 to encourage investments in local programming by cable providers. As a result of its limited availability, satellite providers [[DirecTV]], [[Dish Network]] and the now-defunct [[PrimeStar]] experienced a far slower rate of subscriber penetration into the Philadelphia market compared to other American cities.<ref>{{cite news|title=COMCAST SPORTS NET EXPLAINS DIRECTV AND PRIMESTAR BAN|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/25/Sports-Media/COMCAST-SPORTS-NET-EXPLAINS-DIRECTV-AND-PRIMESTAR-BAN.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=September 25, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105019/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/25/Sports-Media/COMCAST-SPORTS-NET-EXPLAINS-DIRECTV-AND-PRIMESTAR-BAN.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Craig Moffett, a senior analyst with Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. L.L.C., estimated the number of potential customers lost due to the loophole at 450,000.<ref name="philly2010">{{cite news|title=FCC: Comcast must share Phila. sports coverage|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20100121_FCC_ends_Comcast_s_local_sports_monopoly.html|author=Bob Fernandez|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=January 21, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=September 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911060552/http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20100121_FCC_ends_Comcast_s_local_sports_monopoly.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

This issue resulted in DirecTV filing an FCC complaint against Comcast on September 23, 1997, claiming that it used unfair monopolistic control to keep CSN Philadelphia from being made available via satellite (in contrast, DirecTV had carried SportsChannel Philadelphia prior to its shutdown).<ref>{{cite news|title=Comcast Target Of Directv Complaint Accused Of Monopolizing Sports Coverage|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-09-25/sports/25550779_1_directv-customers-bob-marsocci-comcast-sportsnet|author=Edward Moran|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|date=September 25, 1997|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083455/http://articles.philly.com/1997-09-25/sports/25550779_1_directv-customers-bob-marsocci-comcast-sportsnet|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=DIRECTV WANTS COMCAST TO PLAY NICE IN OFFERING SPORTSNET|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/24/Sports-Media/DIRECTV-WANTS-COMCAST-TO-PLAY-NICE-IN-OFFERING-SPORTSNET.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=September 24, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105017/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/24/Sports-Media/DIRECTV-WANTS-COMCAST-TO-PLAY-NICE-IN-OFFERING-SPORTSNET.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Three days later on September 26, Comcast spokesperson Joe Waz issued a statement defending the move, stating that it was "about competition" and that Comcast SportsNet could help cable television "distinguish itself from satellite rivals." Waz also accused DirecTV of unfairness in wanting to "profit" from carrying the channel despite having "invested zero in improving the quality of programming available to greater Philadelphia".<ref>{{cite news|title=COMCAST CITES COMPETITION IN DEFENSE OF SATELLITE TV BAN|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/26/Sports-Media/COMCAST-CITES-COMPETITION-IN-DEFENSE-OF-SATELLITE-TV-BAN.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|periodical=Sports Business Journal|date=September 26, 1997|access-date=April 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105021/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/09/26/Sports-Media/COMCAST-CITES-COMPETITION-IN-DEFENSE-OF-SATELLITE-TV-BAN.aspx?hl=Comcast%20SportsNet&sc=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 20, 2010, the FCC Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to close the "terrestrial exception" loophole.<ref>{{cite web|title=FCC Votes To Close Terrestrial RSN Exemption|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/fcc/fcc-votes-close-terrestrial-rsn-exemption/296121|author=John Eggerton|periodical=[[Multichannel News]]|date=January 20, 2010|access-date=March 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212201809/http://www.multichannel.com/article/445064-FCC_Votes_To_Close_Terrestrial_RSN_Exemption.php|archive-date=February 12, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Lawyers for DirecTV and Dish Network had attempted to show that Comcast, the dominant cable provider in the Philadelphia market, acted in restraint of trade by not uplinking Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia to satellite. Comcast did not appeal the decision, allowing DirecTV and Dish to immediately enter into carriage negotiations to add the network. Both providers formally asked permission from Comcast to carry CSN Philadelphia on June 25, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=DirecTV, Dish Formally Ask For Access To Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia – Top DBS Provider Would Not Say Whether It Will File Complaint With FCC|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/454198-DirecTV_Dish_Formally_Ask_For_Access_To_Comcast_SportsNet_Philadelphia.php|periodical=Multichannel News|date=June 25, 2010|access-date=June 25, 2010|archive-date=June 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628160719/http://www.multichannel.com/article/454198-DirecTV_Dish_Formally_Ask_For_Access_To_Comcast_SportsNet_Philadelphia.php|url-status=live}}</ref> One month later on July 28, it was reported that Comcast had entered into discussions with DirecTV and Dish Network for carriage of CSN Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comcast Discussing Philly RSN Carriage With Dish, DirecTV: Sources|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/455342-Comcast_Discussing_Philly_RSN_Carriage_With_Dish_DirecTV_Sources.php|periodical=Multichannel News|date=July 28, 2010|access-date=July 29, 2010|archive-date=November 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115013606/http://www.multichannel.com/article/455342-Comcast_Discussing_Philly_RSN_Carriage_With_Dish_DirecTV_Sources.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later, after accusing Comcast of refusing to negotiate in [[good faith]], Dish Network stated it would file a complaint with the FCC.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dish Threatens FCC Complaint Against Comcast Over Philly RSN – DBS Provider Says Cable Company Refused To Negotiate 'In Good Faith'|url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/455437-Dish_Threatens_FCC_Complaint_Against_Comcast_Over_Philly_RSN.php|periodical=Multichannel News|date=July 30, 2010|access-date=July 31, 2010|archive-date=August 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804064004/http://www.multichannel.com/article/455437-Dish_Threatens_FCC_Complaint_Against_Comcast_Over_Philly_RSN.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DISH Network and Comcast to Battle Over SportsNet Philadelphia|url=http://www.theamericandishtv.com/blog/dish-network-and-comcast-to-battle-over-sportsnet-philadelphia/|website=American DISH Blog|date=August 2, 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416005246/http://www.theamericandishtv.com/blog/dish-network-and-comcast-to-battle-over-sportsnet-philadelphia/|archive-date=April 16, 2015}}</ref> The [[United States Court of Appeals]] for the District of Columbia upheld the FCC's original ruling on June 10, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCC move to close program access loophole upheld|url=http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/06/fcc_move_to_close_program_acce.html|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]]|date=June 10, 2011|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230531/http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/06/fcc_move_to_close_program_acce.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this ruling, Comcast has yet to offer CSN Philadelphia on competing satellite providers. Partly due to this, satellite penetration remains far lower in Philadelphia than in other major cities.

===Cable===
Cable providers other than Comcast within NBC Sports Philadelphia's designated market territory do have access to the network. However, on December 4, 2006, Comcast reached a deal with [[Verizon FiOS]] to carry CSN Philadelphia on its systems in eastern Pennsylvania, [[Delaware]] and southern [[New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Verizon Nets Comcast SportsNet Agreement|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/news/verizon-nets-comcast-sportsnet-agreement/381717|periodical=Multichannel News|date=December 4, 2006|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701022427/http://www.multichannel.com/news/news/verizon-nets-comcast-sportsnet-agreement/381717|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Verizon Signs Agreements with Comcast for Comcast SportsNet-Philadelphia, PBS KIDS Sprout and Versus|url=http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/verizon-signs-agreements-with-comcast-for-comcast-sportsnet-philadelphia-pbs-kids-sprout-and-versus-501159|website=[[Thomas Register|Thomasnet]]|publisher=Thomas Publishing Company|date=December 4, 2006|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701002356/http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/verizon-signs-agreements-with-comcast-for-comcast-sportsnet-philadelphia-pbs-kids-sprout-and-versus-501159|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia almost became available in Comcast's New York City service area on systems in southern [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]] (in the municipalities of [[Plainsboro, New Jersey|Plainsboro]], [[South Brunswick, New Jersey|South Brunswick]], [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe]], [[Cranbury, New Jersey|Cranbury]], [[Jamesburg, New Jersey|Jamesburg]], [[Helmetta, New Jersey|Helmetta]], [[Spotswood, New Jersey|Spotswood]] and [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick]]), as a replacement for PRISM. However, days before it was set to be added, the NBA issued a cease and desist order against Comcast, blocking the distribution of Philadelphia 76ers games in Middlesex County; this was despite the fact that the league allowed [[New York Knicks]] and [[New Jersey Nets]] games televised by [[MSG (TV network)|MSG Network]] and [[MSG Plus|Fox Sports New York]] to be shown on both Comcast and TKR (now Cablevision) in [[Mercer County, New Jersey|Mercer County]], which is part of the Philadelphia market. Comcast opted not to carry CSN Philadelphia, unwilling to distribute the network if it had to [[blackout (broadcasting)|black out]] 76ers game telecasts. Despite this, NBC Sports Philadelphia is carried by [[Comcast Xfinity]] and [[Verizon FiOS]] in [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean County]] (within their New York service areas), [[Cablevision]] in [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth County]] (within its [[Allentown, New Jersey|Allentown]] service area), Comcast in [[Lambertville, New Jersey|Lambertville]] and by [[Service Electric]] in [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey]].

===MLB Extra Innings===
Phillies games were previously unavailable through [[MLB Extra Innings]] on major satellite providers. MLB Extra Innings began transmitting the CSN Philadelphia feed for some games beginning in 2007 on both cable and satellite; the [[out-of-market sports package]] began showing both feeds of most games in 2008, at which time all of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia's Phillies telecasts became available to all subscribers. In 2010, Phillies telecasts produced by CSN Philadelphia for [[MyNetworkTV]] affiliate [[WPHL-TV]] (channel 17) were also broadcast on Extra Innings. Due to blackout restrictions imposed by Major League Baseball, residents within the Philadelphia area, the eastern half of Pennsylvania and most of New Jersey and Delaware cannot view these games via the MLB Extra Innings package.

===Highlight packages===
Because of the network's distribution exclusively in the [[Delaware Valley]], [[ESPN]] must reach agreements with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[owned-and-operated station]] [[WPVI-TV]] (channel 6) – owned by ESPN's majority owner [[The Walt Disney Company]] – to provide the network recordings of any sporting events involving teams whose game broadcasts are shown on NBC Sports Philadelphia to include in highlight packages seen on ''[[Sportscenter]]'', ''[[NBA Fastbreak]]'' and ''[[Baseball Tonight]]''. These highlight excerpts were originally distributed in [[480i]] standard definition until 2012, when CSN began distributing to ESPN (via WPVI) in [[720p]] high definition.

As a consequence, national sports broadcasts have typically chosen to broadcast clips from the HD "away" feed and avoid the CSN "home" Philadelphia broadcast feed. However, [[MLB Network]] (which also has operational control of [[NHL Network (United States)|NHL Network]]) and [[NBA TV]] have full access to NBC Sports Philadelphia's HD feed since, as the rights holder, the network must provide full-quality video to the properties of each league for their internet and cable operations, while Comcast provides full high-definition access to NBC Sports Philadelphia to NHL Network, which carries NHL games nationwide.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}
* [http://www.nbcsports.com www.nbcsports.com] – NBC Sports official website

{{Philadelphia 76ers}}
{{Philadelphia Flyers}}
{{Philadelphia Phillies}}
{{NBCUniversal}}
{{Philly TV}}
{{Comcast}}
{{Comcast SportsNet}}
{{Major League Baseball on NBC}}
{{U.S. regional sports networks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nbc Sports Philadelphia}}
[[Category:NBC Sports Regional Networks|Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1997]]
[[Category:Television stations in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Sports in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Pennsylvania]]