View source for SportsNet Pittsburgh

{{short description|Regional sports network}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = SportsNet Pittsburgh
| logo = File:SportsNet Pittsburgh logo.png
| logo_size = 260px
| logo_caption = 
| launch_date = {{Start date and age|1986|4|13}}
| closed_date = 
| picture_format = [[720p]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])<br />[[480i]] ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])
| network = 
| owner = [[Fenway Sports Group]]<br />[[Pittsburgh Pirates|Pittsburgh Baseball, Inc]]
| country = United States
| language = English
| area = Western, Central and Northwestern [[Pennsylvania]]<br>[[West Virginia]]<br>Eastern [[Ohio]]<br>[[Western Maryland]]<br>Southwestern [[New York (state)|New York]]<br>Worldwide (via satellite)
| headquarters = [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania
| former_names = {{unbulleted list
|Pirates Cable Network (1986)
|KBL Entertainment Network (1986–1995)
|Prime Sports KBL (1995–1996)
|Fox Sports Pittsburgh (1996–1999)
|Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh (1999–2004)
|FSN Pittsburgh (2004–2011)
|Root Sports Pittsburgh (2011–2017)
|AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh (2017–2023)
}}
| replaced = 
| replaced_by = 
| sister_channels = [[NESN]]
| timeshift_service = 
| website = {{URL|https://sportsnetpittsburgh.com/|sportsnetpittsburgh.com}}
| online_serv_1 = [[DirecTV Stream]]
| online_chan_1 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
| online_serv_2 = [[FuboTV]]
| online_chan_2 = [[IPTV|Internet Protocol television]]
}}

'''SportsNet Pittsburgh''' ('''SNP''') is an American [[regional sports network]] serving [[Pittsburgh metropolitan area|Greater Pittsburgh]] and [[western Pennsylvania]]. Jointly owned by [[Fenway Sports Group]] and [[Robert Nutting]] via the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] respectively, it serves as the regional broadcaster of both teams. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with some of its operations handled from the facilities of sister network [[NESN]] in Watertown, Massachusetts.

The channel was first launched by [[Tele-Communications Inc.|Tele-Communications Inc]] in April 1986 as the '''KBL Entertainment Network''', which featured a mixture of sports and entertainment programming. After being transferred to TCI subsidiary [[Liberty Media]], KBL was rebranded as part of its [[Prime Sports]] chain of regional sports networks in 1994, and subsequently became a charter member of [[Fox Sports Net]] upon its establishment in 1996. 

After a corporate restructuring that brought Liberty's networks under [[DirecTV]], the channel was rebranded as '''Root Sports Pittsburgh''' in 2011, and then '''AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh''' under the [[AT&T SportsNet]] brand after DirecTV was acquired by [[AT&T]]. In 2023, [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] announced that it would sell or shut down its regional sports networks: in August 2023, it was announced that the Penguins would acquire the network and rebrand it as SportsNet Pittsburgh in October 2023, with NESN—a sister via the Penguins' parent company Fenway Sports Group—assuming day-to-day operations. Prior to their 2024 season, the Pirates also acquired a stake in the network.

{{As of|August 2023}}, SportsNet Pittsburgh is available on [[cable television|cable]] providers throughout nearly all of Pennsylvania (outside the [[Philadelphia]] market), almost all of [[West Virginia]], western [[Maryland]], eastern [[Ohio]], southwestern border areas of [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Ashland, Kentucky]], reaching more than 2.4 million homes; it is also available in the [[Columbus, Ohio]], market through [[DirecTV Stream]], though Penguins broadcasts are [[Blackout (broadcasting)|blacked out]] due to the presence of the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pittsburgh-attsn.att.com/about-us/territory-map/ | title=Territory Map }}</ref> It is also available nationwide on [[direct broadcast satellite|satellite]] via [[DirecTV]].

==History==
The channel launched on April 13, 1986, as '''Pirates Cable Network''', exclusively serving the [[Pittsburgh metropolitan area]]; its first sports event telecast on that date was a [[Major League Baseball]] game between the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] and [[Chicago Cubs]] from [[Three Rivers Stadium]], announced by [[Mike Lange]], in which the Pirates shut out the Cubs, 8–0.

The network commenced full-time broadcasts on April 24, 1986, as the '''KBL Entertainment Network''', in order to allow other sports besides the Pirates to be included on the network. Its first regular broadcast was a Pirates home game against the [[New York Mets]].<ref name="KBL">{{cite news|title=Analysis: What happens if Armstrong takes over Penguins broadcast rights?|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/19990622armstrong5.asp|author=Barbara Vancheri|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date=June 22, 1999|access-date=June 10, 2013|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714152829/http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/19990622armstrong5.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The network was initially owned by [[Tele-Communications Inc.]] (now part of [[Comcast]]), then the largest [[cable television]] provider in the Pittsburgh [[media market|market]]. KBL quickly expanded its cable coverage. As early as May 9, 1986, its cable footprint roughly approximated its present six-state coverage area.

While it primarily carried sports-related programming, KBL also served as a general entertainment cable channel while under TCI ownership, essentially filling the void left after [[Independent station (North America)|independent station]] [[WPGH-TV]] (channel 53) became a charter affiliate of the [[Fox Broadcasting Company]] seven months after KBL's debut. It aired [[Children's television series|children's programming]] for part of the day, including reruns of the [[John Candy]] animated series ''[[Camp Candy]]''.<ref name="KBL" />

In 1994, TCI transferred the channel to its corporate parent [[Liberty Media]]; KBL then immediately dropped all entertainment programming and converted the renamed '''Prime Sports KBL''' into an affiliate of Prime SportsChannel America, a partnership between Liberty's [[Prime Sports|Prime Network]] and the [[Cablevision]]/[[NBC]]-owned [[SportsChannel America]] regional sports network groups. In 1995, Prime Network's retail subsidiary, Prime Sports Merchandising, purchased some sports apparel stores located inside [[shopping mall]]s and rebranded them as Prime Sports Shops, promoting them on its networks including KBL.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Sports acquires Fan Fair retail stores; subsidiary Prime Sports Merchandising, Inc. will capitalize on regional network resources|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Liberty+Sports+acquires+Fan+Fair+retail+stores%3B+subsidiary+Prime...-a017118407|agency=[[Businesswire]]|via=The Free Library|date=August 7, 1995|access-date=June 10, 2013|archive-date=April 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413004249/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Liberty+Sports+acquires+Fan+Fair+retail+stores%3B+subsidiary+Prime...-a017118407|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Media.PNG|thumb|right|250px|Map of SportsNet Pittsburgh coverage area, taken during its tenure as a Fox Sports Networks-branded outlet.]]
In 1996, [[News Corporation]], which formed a sports division for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] network two years earlier after it obtained the broadcast rights to the [[National Football Conference]] and sought to create a group of regional sports networks, acquired a 50% interest in the Prime Network from TCI parent Liberty Media.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Sports regionals will become Fox Sports net|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18535905.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145828/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18535905.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|author=R. Thomas Umstead|periodical=[[Multichannel News]]|publisher=[[The Walt Disney Company]]|date=July 8, 1996|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> Later that year on November 1, News Corporation and Liberty Media relaunched the Prime Network affiliates as part of the new [[Fox Sports Networks|Fox Sports Net]] group, with Prime Sports KBL officially rebranding as '''Fox Sports Pittsburgh'''.<ref>{{cite news|title=FOX SPORTS NET DEBUTS ON NOV. 1|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23361533.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191036/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23361533.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|agency=[[Associated Press]]|newspaper=[[The Columbian]]|publisher=Columbian Publishing Company|date=September 13, 1996|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> The deal temporarily ended the Prime SportsChannel partnership, although News Corporation subsequently acquired most of the SportsChannel networks the following year;<ref>{{cite news|title=Fox putting together national Sports Net // Changes ahead for SportsChannel|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4383098.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924194306/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4383098.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2015|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=June 24, 1997|access-date=April 9, 2015}}</ref> the retail stores, meanwhile, retained the "Prime Sports" name for many years after the rebranding of the regional networks as part of Fox Sports Net. The channel was rebranded as '''Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh''' in 2000, as part of a collective brand modification of the FSN networks under the "Fox Sports Net" banner; subsequently in 2004, the channel shortened its name to '''FSN Pittsburgh''', through the networks' de-emphasis of the "Fox Sports Net" brand.

On December 22, 2006, News Corporation sold its interest in FSN Pittsburgh and sister networks [[Root Sports Utah|FSN Utah]], [[Root Sports Northwest|FSN Northwest]] and [[Root Sports Rocky Mountain|FSN Rocky Mountain]] to Liberty Media, in an asset trade in which News Corporation also traded its 38.5% ownership stake in satellite provider [[DirecTV]] for $550 million in cash and stock, in exchange for Liberty Media's 16.3% stake in the company.<ref>{{cite news|title=News Corp. Reaches Deal with Liberty Media|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2006/12/22/news-corp-reaches-deal-with-liberty-media/?_r=0|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 22, 2006|access-date=April 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416162411/http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2006/12/22/news-corp-reaches-deal-with-liberty-media/?_r=0|archive-date=April 16, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 4, 2009, DirecTV Group Inc. announced it would become a part of Liberty's entertainment unit, part of which would then be [[corporate spin-off|spun off]] into the separate company under the DirecTV name, in a deal in which Liberty would increase its share in DirecTV from 48% to 54%, with Liberty owner [[John C. Malone|John Malone]] and his family owning a 24% interest. DirecTV would operate its newly acquired FSN-affiliated networks through [[DirecTV Sports Networks]],<ref>{{cite news|title=DirecTV, Liberty Media Announce Spin-Off Plan|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/directv-liberty-media-announce-spin-plan/301694|author=Todd Spangler|periodical=[[Multichannel News]]|date=May 4, 2009|access-date=April 16, 2015}}</ref> a new division formed when the split off from Liberty Media was completed on November 19, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberty Sports Rebrands As DirecTV Sports Networks|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/satellite/liberty-sports-rebrands-directv-sports-networks/301653|author=Mike Reynolds|periodical=Multichannel News|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=April 16, 2015}}</ref>

On December 17, 2010, DirecTV Sports Networks announced that its four Fox Sports Networks-affiliated regional outlets would be relaunched under the "[[Root Sports]]" brand.<ref>{{cite news|title='Root Sports' new name for sports networks|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2010/12/17/root-sports-new-name-for-sports.html|newspaper=Denver Business Journal|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|date=December 17, 2010}}</ref> The network officially rebranded as '''Root Sports Pittsburgh''' on April 1, 2011, coinciding with the start of the [[2011 Major League Baseball season]]. For nominal purposes, the Root Sports networks continued to carry programming distributed mainly to the Fox Sports regional networks to provide supplementary sports and entertainment programming. On April 8, 2016, DirecTV Sports Networks rebranded under the AT&T name as AT&T Sports Networks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/root-sports-regional-nets-now-part-of-att-sports-networks.html|title=Root Sports regional nets now part of AT&T Sports Networks|website=Awful Announcing|publisher=Ken Fang|date=April 9, 2016|access-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref>

On June 12, 2017, AT&T Sports Networks announced that the network, along with Root Sports Southwest, and Root Sports Rocky Mountain, would rebrand as AT&T SportsNet with the channel becoming '''AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh'''. All network programming and on-air talent remained intact, with the exception of [[Paul Steigerwald]], who was replaced in October 2017 by [[Steve Mears]] as the play-by-play announcer of the Penguins.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://awfulannouncing.com/2016/root-sports-regional-nets-now-part-of-att-sports-networks.html|title=Root Sports regional nets now part of "AT&T Sports Networks"|date=April 9, 2016|work=Awful Announcing|access-date=June 30, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pittsburgh.rootsports.com/2017/06/12/att-sports-networks-will-rebrand-root-sports-in-summer-2017/|title=AT&T SPORTS NETWORKS WILL REBRAND ROOT SPORTS IN SUMMER 2017|website=ROOT SPORTS|access-date=June 30, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/steve-mears-joins-root-sports/c-289465720|title=Steve Mears Joins ROOT SPORTS As Play-By-Play Broadcaster for the Pens|website=NHL.com|date=May 16, 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=June 30, 2017}}</ref> The name change took effect on July 14, 2017.

In July 2019, it was reported that AT&T was looking to sell its regional sports networks to reduce debt related to its acquisition of [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]], as well as rolling out [[5G]] on its [[AT&T Mobility|cell phone networks]]. Two potential suitors included [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], which had acquired Fox Sports Networks (with [[Entertainment Studios]]) amid the [[acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney]] (and already had a decades-long presence in the Pittsburgh market as the owners of WPGH-TV/[[WPNT]]), as well as [[NBCUniversal]], which owns [[NBC Sports Regional Networks|regional networks]] via its [[NBC Sports]] division, and whose parent company [[Comcast]] is the [[Xfinity|cable provider]] in Pittsburgh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A twist in the Pirates' television rights negotiations: The possible sale of the network |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/07/26/Pirates-ATT-sportsnet-pittsburgh-frank-coonelly-payroll-root-sports-sinclair-broadcast-group-disney/stories/201907260081 |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SBJ Media: RSNs Never Part Of AT&T's Future |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/SB-Blogs/Newsletter-Media/2019/07/03.aspx |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Sports Business Journal}}</ref>

On October 1, 2021, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, along with sister networks AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, and Root Sports Northwest, was removed from Dish Network satellite and Sling streaming TV services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DISH removes AT&T SportsNet |url=https://pittsburgh-attsn.att.com/dish_removes_attsn/ |access-date=October 20, 2021 |website=AT&T SportsNet |language=en-US}}</ref> 

On February 24, 2023, [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] announced plans to exit the RSN business, informing the teams that AT&T Sports Networks would file for [[chapter 7 bankruptcy]] unless deals were made for them to exit or take over the channels. [[Root Sports Northwest]] was not affected, as it is majority-owned by the [[Seattle Mariners]].<ref name="sbj">{{Cite web |title=Warner Bros. Discovery tells teams it is leaving RSN business |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2023/02/24/rsn-breaking-news.aspx |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Sports Business Journal |date=February 24, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HollywoodReporter">{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=2023-02-24 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery Seeks to Exit Regional Sports Networks Business |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-discovery-seeks-exit-rsn-business-att-sportsnet-1235333847/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-24 |title=ROOT Sports Northwest says it's not impacted by Warner Bros. Discovery exiting local sports business |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/root-sports-northwest-says-its-not-impacted-by-warner-bros-discovery-exiting-local-sports-business/ |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> While originally setting a deadline of March 31, it later reached an agreement to keep the networks operational through at least the end of the [[2023 Major League Baseball season]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=April 10, 2023 |title=Warner Bros. Discovery, MLB nearing deal to keep RSNs running through 2023 season |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/warner-bros-discovery-mlb-nearing-deal-to-keep-rsns-running-through-2023-season.html |accessdate=April 18, 2023 |website=Awful Announcing}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Barron |first=David |date=March 14, 2023 |title=Astros, Rockets negotiating to take over AT&T SportsNet Southwest |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/astros-rockets-att-sportsnet-southwest-purchase-17838568.php |accessdate=March 14, 2023 |website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> ''[[The Athletic]]'' noted that Penguins owner [[Fenway Sports Group]] had experience in the RSN business via its operation of [[NESN]] in Boston, and reported that the channel could be integrated with or replaced by a local feed of NESN.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Penguins, Pirates reportedly may find new TV home with Boston teams via Fenway Sports Group-owned NESN |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/03/15/at-t-sportsnet-collapse-penguins-tv-contract-fenway-sports-group-nesn/stories/202303140131 |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kaplan |first=Daniel |title=RSN armageddon? What fans can expect as likely Bally Sports bankruptcy looms |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4307996/2023/03/14/rsn-diamond-sports-bally-sports-bankruptcy/ |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}</ref> 

On August 28, 2023, it was reported that the Penguins had reached an agreement to acquire AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Ourand |first=John |date=2023-08-28 |title=Sports Media: WBD Sports closer to exit from nearly all of its RSN business |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/08/28/media.aspx |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref> Two days later, it was announced that the network would be acquired by Fenway Sports Group via the Pittsburgh Penguins, and would be rebranded as '''SportsNet Pittsburgh''' on October 2. NESN will handle the day-to-day operations of the network.<ref name="sale">{{Cite web |title=Penguins Announce 'SportsNet Pittsburgh' as Regional Sports Network |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-announce-sportsnet-pittsburgh-as-regional-sports-network/c-345709464 |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=NHL.com |date=August 31, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>  It was initially uncertain whether the Pirates would continue to be televised by the channel, with sportswriters citing potential [[conflict of interest]] concerns with FSG being the parent company of a competing MLB team, the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref name=":0" /> On December 13, 2023, the Pirates announced that they had acquired a stake in SportsNet Pittsburgh, and confirmed that it would remain the team's home beginning in the 2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SportsNet Pittsburgh to remain television home of the Pirates |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/sportsnet-pittsburgh-to-continue-to-broadcast-pirates-games |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> Team president [[Travis Williams (sports executive)|Travis Williams]] stated that Major League Baseball was not worried about any conflict of interest concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside the Pirates' TV rights decision and what it means for the future |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2023/12/13/pirates-sportsnet-pittsburgh-penguins-joint-owners-regional-sports-network/stories/202312120089 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}</ref>

On April 29, 2024, the network launched '''SNP 360''' as its over-the-top streaming platform. Modelled after [[NESN 360]], the service allows viewers to stream live and video on-demand content and event coverage. It is available [[TV Everywhere|at no additional charge to SportsNet Pittsburgh subscribers]] on television providers, and sold as a [[direct-to-consumer]] subscription service priced at $17.99 per-month.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Behanna |first=Garrett|title=SportsNet Pittsburgh launches direct-to-consumer streaming service |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/sportsnet-pittsburgh-direct-to-consumer-streaming-service-snp-360/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=CBS News |date=April 29, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Programming==
SportsNet Pittsburgh carries Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, Pittsburgh Pirates baseball, and other area professional, collegiate, and high-school sporting events. To fill out its schedule outside local sports, the network carries live coverage of the [[Professional Women's Hockey League]], [[college ice hockey]], and the [[British Basketball League]], as well as tape-delayed coverage of pro [[footvolley]], [[kickboxing]], [[poker]], [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]], [[boxing]], [[padel]], [[jai alai]], and [[World Chase Tag]]. The network also airs [[golf]] programming, [[sports betting]] programs, [[Savannah Bananas]] baseball, regional outdoor programming, and several documentary and discussion-based shows, including ''[[Sports Stars of Tomorrow]]'' and ''[[Graham Bensinger|In Depth with Graham Bensinger]]''.

===Professional sports===

====Pittsburgh Penguins====
[[File:ROOT Sports in action (6369664463).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Root Sports technicians during a November 19, 2011, game between the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] and [[Florida Panthers]].]]
SportsNet Pittsburgh maintains exclusive regional rights to most regular season and any early-round [[Stanley Cup playoffs|Stanley Cup playoff]] games involving the [[National Hockey League|NHL]]'s [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]; it also carries pre- and postgame coverage and Penguins-related programs such as classic game re-airs, historical programming, ''Penguins in 2'' (condensed game replays), ''Inside Penguins Hockey'', ''The Raw Tapes'', and ''Penguins Game Plan.''

On April 27, 2011, the network reached a contract extension with the Penguins, allowing the network to continue carrying most of the team's NHL game telecasts through the end of the 2028–29 NHL season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Root Sports Pittsburgh to carry Penguins through 2028-29 season|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11117/1142387-100.stm|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=April 27, 2011}}</ref>

====Pittsburgh Pirates====
The network holds the regional cable television rights to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] of [[Major League Baseball]], carrying over 150 regular season and [[Spring training]] games annually, as well as pre- and postgame coverage, rebroadcasts of recent games (as part of ''Pirates Instant Replay''), classic game re-airs, and the team analysis program ''Inside Pirates Baseball'' presented by Allegheny Health Network.<ref>The official medical provider of the Pittsburgh Pirates and fans like you.</ref>

From the 2013 to 2018 seasons, Sportsnet's telecasts of Pirates games were blacked out on DirecTV in many portions of the Pirates' claimed territory, including the [[Columbus, Ohio]], market, for reasons not released publicly. Despite the blackout, DirecTV did not allow Pirates games to be shown in the blacked-out area on its [[MLB Extra Innings]] package. The blackout was lifted in time for the 2019 season.

====Pittsburgh Passion====
Sportsnet’s partnership with the [[Pittsburgh Passion]] of the [[Women's Football Alliance|Women’s Football Alliance]] began in the late 2000’s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawley |first=Erin |date=January 14, 2008 |title=Pro women's football team seeks exposure from TV deal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/01/14/story10.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114024256/https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2008/01/14/story10.html |archive-date=2011-01-14 |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Pittsburgh Business Times}}</ref> Telecasts were initially condensed game replays, showing highlights of the previous game in a fast-paced, one-hour time window.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Passion GameDay: Home Opener Against Montreal Blitz |url=https://cityofchampionssports.com/2014/05/10/pittsburgh-passion-gameday-home-opener-montreal-blitz/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=cityofchampionssports.com|date=May 10, 2014 }}</ref> As of 2024, the Passion have returned to the network after a decade-long hiatus.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

====Pittsburgh Steelers====
The network formerly served as the cable home of the [[National Football League|NFL]]'s [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], broadcasting team-related magazine and analysis programs such as weekly [[press conference]]s held by coach [[Mike Tomlin]] during the regular season and the team coach's show ''The Mike Tomlin Show'' (both were hosted by [[Stan Savran]]). This continued through the 2016 season. [[KDKA-TV]] now airs ''The Mike Tomlin Show'', while Tomlin's Tuesday press conference is no longer televised live. Although regular Steelers coverage is no longer part of the network's lineup, team documentary programming continues to air from time to time, usually focused on historical figures such as [[Art Rooney]] and [[Chuck Noll]]. National NFL content from [[Vegas Stats & Information Network|VSIN]] and [[Pro Football Weekly]] is also aired by SportsNet Pittsburgh.

==== Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC ====
Beginning with the 2024 season, Sportsnet airs select matches from the [[Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC]] of the [[USL Championship]]. The network shares the local broadcast rights to the Riverhounds with [[CBS]] owned independent station [[WPKD-TV]] (KDKA+).<ref>{{Cite web |title=KDKA+, SportsNet Pittsburgh to air Hounds matches |url=https://www.riverhounds.com/news/2024/03/05/kdka-sportsnet-pittsburgh-local-broadcasts/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Minor league sports===

====Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins====
The network currently serves as the cable home of the [[American Hockey League|AHL]]'s [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]], broadcasting weekend home games during the regular season. Prior to the network acquiring the rights to the games, the team had no television coverage in either Pittsburgh's or Wilkes-Barre's [[Designated Market Area|DMA]]s.

==== Indianapolis Indians ====
Sportsnet airs select games featuring the [[Indianapolis Indians]], the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Minor League Baseball|minor league]] affiliate of the Pirates.

==== Altoona Curve ====
Sportsnet airs select games featuring the [[Altoona Curve]], the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[Minor League Baseball|minor league]] affiliate of the Pirates.

===College sports===

==== Current Programming ====

* [[West Virginia Mountaineers]] coaches shows, football and basketball pregame shows
* [[Duquesne Dukes]] men's and women's basketball and coaches shows<ref>{{Cite web |last=DiPaola |first=Jerry |date=2023-10-30 |title=Duquesne basketball reaches agreement with SportsNet Pittsburgh to broadcast 21 men's, women's games |url=https://triblive.com/sports/duquesne-basketball-reaches-agreement-with-sportsnet-pittsburgh-to-telecast-21-mens-womens-games/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Robert Morris Colonials]] football, men's basketball, men's and women's ice hockey<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-03 |title=RMU Men's & Women's Hockey Announce Partnership with SportsNet Pittsburgh |url=https://rmucolonials.com/news/2023/11/3/athletics-rmu-mens-womens-hockey-announce-partnership-with-sportsnet-pittsburgh.aspx |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Robert Morris University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Northeast Conference]] football, men's and women's basketball<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=Saturday's Saint Francis Men's Basketball Game At LIU Will Now Air On SportsNet Pittsburgh |url=https://sfuathletics.com/news/2024/2/1/saturdays-game-at-liu-will-now-air-on-sportsnet-pittsburgh |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Saint Francis University Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mountain East Conference]] men's and women's basketball tournaments, as well as occasional regular season broadcasts of football and basketball<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=West Virginia State-Frostburg State Set For Live Broadcast on MASN and SportsNet Pittsburgh |url=https://mountaineast.org/news/2023/10/10/football-west-virginia-state-frostburg-state-set-for-live-broadcast-on-masn-and-sportsnet-pittsburgh.aspx |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=mountaineast.org |language=en}}</ref>
* Syndicated coverage of [[College ice hockey|men's and women's ice hockey]] from various schools and conferences

==== Former Programming ====
SportsNet Pittsburgh formerly carried the exclusive rights to the West Virginia Mountaineers, carrying all [[American football|football]] and [[Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball|men's basketball]] games not picked up by a national network, as well as select women's basketball games, select other live events (women's soccer, baseball, etc.), and the [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|football]] team's weekly Tuesday press conferences. Although the network lost rights to the live events portion of their WVU coverage to [[ESPN+]] beginning with the 2020-2021 season, a coaches show involving all Mountaineer sports and ''Mountaineer Gameday Live'', a live pregame show for Mountaineer football and men's basketball, still air on the channel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AT&T SportsNet, WVU Men's Hoops Ready For Final Sign-Off on Saturday |url=https://wvusports.com/news/2019/12/13/mens-basketball-at-t-sportsnet-wvu-athletics-ready-for-final-sign-off-on-saturday.aspx |access-date=January 8, 2020 |website=West Virginia University Athletics |date=December 13, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

Similarly, the network formerly carried football, men's and women's basketball, and other events featuring the [[Pittsburgh Panthers]], which were produced first by [[ESPN Events|ESPN Regional Television]] and later by [[Fox Sports South]] and [[Raycom Sports]] once the Panthers moved to the [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=FearTheStache |date=July 2, 2013 |title=ROOT SPORTS Pittsburgh, WTAE partner with the ACC |url=https://www.cardiachill.com/2013/7/2/4485408/pitt-panthers-root-sports-pittsburgh-wtae-partner-with-the-acc-television-raycom-fox-sports |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=Cardiac Hill |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, the network aired a number of Panthers-related insider programs, including [[Pat Narduzzi]]'s weekly press conferences, The ''Pat Narduzzi Show'' with Larry Richert, and the magazine program ''Beyond The Script'', which was hosted by the network's Rob King.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pitt: Beyond the Script |url=http://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/2018/9/5/pitt-beyond-the-script.aspx |access-date=January 16, 2019 |website=University of Pittsburgh Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2019 |title="Pat Narduzzi Show presented by Dollar Energy Fund" Debuts August 28 |url=https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/8/26/football-pat-narduzzi-show-presented-by-dollar-energy-fund-debuts-august-28.aspx |access-date=December 27, 2019 |website=Pitt Panthers #H2P |language=en}}</ref> The partnership ended following the 2020-21 athletic year.

Additional collegiate programming formerly carried by SportsNet has included:

* Syndicated coverage of [[Atlantic Coast Conference|ACC]], [[Atlantic 10 Conference|Atlantic 10]], [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]], [[Big East Conference|Big East]], [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]], [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]], [[Conference USA]], [[Northeast Conference]], [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-12]], [[Patriot League]], [[Western Athletic Conference|WAC]] and [[West Coast Conference]] athletics (most notably football and men’s and women’s basketball)
* [[Marshall Thundering Herd]], [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish]], [[Penn State Nittany Lions]], and [[Villanova Wildcats]] insider programming
* ACC, Big 12, Big East, and Conference USA weekly magazine shows
* [[Three Rivers Classic]] hockey tournament coverage
===High school & youth sports===
[[West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission]] high school football, baseball, softball, and boys' and girls' basketball championship games, as well as occasional broadcasts of regular-season WVSSAC football contests, are carried by SportsNet Pittsburgh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2018/08/23/wpial-football-championships-2018-at-t-sportsnet-pittsburgh/stories/201808230136|title=WPIAL football championships won't air on AT&T SportsNet|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en|access-date=January 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wvmetronews.com/2018/07/26/2018-ssac-kickoff-game-set-will-air-live-on-att-sportsnet/|title=WV MetroNews – 2018 SSAC Kickoff: Morgantown vs. Parkersburg airing live on AT&T SportsNet|website=wvmetronews.com| date=July 26, 2018 |access-date=January 16, 2019}}</ref>

The network is the regional home of the annual [[PONY Baseball and Softball|PONY League World Series]], which is held locally in [[Washington County, Pennsylvania]]. Former Pirates' play-by-play announcer [[Lanny Frattare]] calls most games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pittsburgh Live Official Site |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_591193.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007035241/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_591193.html |archive-date=October 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=jtuscano@observer-reporter.com |first=Joe Tuscano Staff writer |title=Pony World Series widens its reach through cable |url=https://observer-reporter.com/sports/pony/pony-world-series-widens-its-reach-through-cable/article_02086144-14e3-11ed-8913-b34018abe519.html |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=Observer-Reporter |date=August 5, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

SportsNet also provides extensive coverage of Pittsburgh-area high school athletics. Notable events broadcast by the network include the Pittsburgh City League boys’ and girls’ basketball championships, the [[Penguins Cup]], and the [[Serra Catholic High School|Serra Catholic]] Baseball Invitational.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Everett |first=Brad |date=2024-02-16 |title=City League basketball championships will be shown on TV, streamed for free online |url=https://www.unionprogress.com/2024/02/16/city-league-basketball-championships-will-be-shown-on-tv-streamed-for-free-online/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Pittsburgh Union Progress |language=en-US}}</ref> The network also provides coverage of [[Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League|Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL)]] boys' and girls' regular season basketball.

Until 2019, WPIAL regular season, playoff, and championship football games were a network staple. [[WPKD-TV|WPCW]] took over the rights to all 6 championship games in 2018, and the rights to additional playoff and regular season games in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/10/15/cw-extends-wpial-partnership-with-3-year-deal/|title=Pittsburgh's CW extends WPIAL Partnership With Three-Year contract|date=October 15, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>

===Studio Programming===
The network provides live pre- and postgame coverage for all Penguins and Pirates games, including games aired on other networks. With the sale of the network to Fenway Sports Group, pre- and postgame coverage has been expanded from 30 minutes to an hour before and after each game, as of October 2023.

Since 2021, SportsNet has served as the local affiliate of [[Vegas Stats & Information Network|VSIN]]'s ''Follow The Money'', a 3-hour sports betting program that airs weekdays from 7-10am.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=George |date=February 10, 2021 |title=VSiN's 'Follow the Money' Sports Betting and Entertainment Morning Show to Air Weekdays on AT&T Pittsburgh |url=https://gamingamericas.com/press-releases/2021/02/10/75230/vsins-follow-the-money-sports-betting-and-entertainment-morning-show-to-air-weekdays-on-att-pittsburgh/ |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas |language=en-US}}</ref> Additional content from VSIN was added in the fall of 2023, including ''The Lombardi Line'' and betting-oriented NFL and college football gameday programming. Previously, the network aired simulcasts of [[Audience (TV network)|Audience Networ]]<nowiki/>k's ''[[The Rich Eisen Show]]'' and ''[[The Dan Patrick Show]]'' in similar time slots.

Throughout the previous 2 decades, locally-produced studio programming has been drastically reduced from nightly programs to pre- and postgame coverage only. ''Savran on SportsBeat'', ''Pittsburgh Sports Tonight'', and live Steelers coverage are just some of the local studio shows that were cancelled during the network's ownership under Liberty Media in the late 2000s.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1071515/2019/07/18/stan-guy-love-the-show-sportsbeat-anniversary-stan-savran-guy-junker/ | title='Stan, Guy, love the show': Ten years gone, SportsBeat remains in the hearts of Pittsburgh fans | last1=Kaboly | first1=Mark }}</ref> Nationally distributed Fox Sports studio shows also aired in both live and tape-delay until they were moved to [[Fox Sports 1]] upon its 2013 launch.

==On-air staff==

===Current on-air staff===
====Pittsburgh Penguins====
* [[Josh Getzoff]] - Play-by-play announcer
* [[Colby Armstrong]] - color commentator
* [[Phil Bourque]] - color commentator (select games)
* [[Hailey Hunter]] - rinkside reporter/studio anchor (select games)
* [[Dan Potash]] - studio anchor/rinkside reporter (select games)
* [[Mike Rupp]] - studio analyst/color commentator (select games)
* [[Jay Caufield]] - studio analyst
* [[Bryan Trottier]] - studio analyst
* [[Matt Bartkowski]] - studio analyst
* [[Ryan Malone]] - studio analyst

====Pittsburgh Pirates====
* [[Greg Brown (broadcaster)|Greg Brown]] – play-by-play announcer
* [[Joe Block]] - play-by-play announcer
* Hannah Mears - field reporter
* Rob King - studio host
* [[Kevin Young (baseball)|Kevin Young]] - color commentator
* [[Matt Capps]] - color commentator
* [[Michael McKenry]] - color commentator and studio analyst
* [[Bob Walk]] - color commentator
* [[Neil Walker]] - color commentator
* [[John Wehner]] - color commentator
* [[Steven Brault]] - studio analyst
* [[Jordy Mercer]] - studio analyst
* [[Alex Presley]] - studio analyst

==== College Sports ====
* Tim Benz - basketball and ice hockey play-by-play announcer
* Josh Taylor - basketball play-by-play announcer
* Alex Panormios - football and basketball play-by-play announcer
* [[Ellis Cannon]] - Duquesne men’s basketball color commentator
* Rachel Zimmerman - Duquesne women’s basketball color commentator
* [[Mike Prisuta]] - Robert Morris men’s ice hockey color commentator

====Studio anchors====
* Dan Potash
* Hailey Hunter
* Rob King

===Notable former on-air staff===

==== Pittsburgh Penguins ====
* [[Mike Lange]] – play-by-play announcer (later with the [[Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network]]; died on February 19, 2025)
* [[Paul Steigerwald]] – play-by-play announcer (now with the communications and marketing department of the Penguins' front office and the [[Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network|Penguins Radio Network]])
* [[Bob Errey]] – color commentator (now with [[NHL Network (American TV channel)|NHL Network]])
* [[Peter Taglianetti]] – color commentator
* [[Eddie Olczyk]] – color commentator (now with ''[[NHL on TNT]]'' and the [[Seattle Kraken]])
* [[Steve Mears]] – play by play announcer (now with the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]) <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-02 |title=Blue Jackets welcome Steve Mears as new TV play-by-play announcer {{!}} Columbus Blue Jackets |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-add-steve-mears-to-broadcast-team |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref>

====Pittsburgh Pirates====
* [[Tim Neverett]] – play-by-play announcer (now with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]])
* [[Lanny Frattare]] – play-by-play announcer (semi-retired, currently the play-by-play announcer for PONY League World Series telecasts)
* [[Steve Blass]] – color commentator (retired after 2019 Pirates' season)
* [[Ken Macha]] – studio analyst
* [[Kent Tekulve]] – studio analyst (retired after 2017 Pirates' season)
* Lacee Collins – field reporter
* Robby Incmikoski - field reporter<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gorman |first=Kevin |date=2023-12-14 |title=Popular sideline reporter Robby Incmikoski won't join Pirates coverage on SportsNet Pittsburgh |url=https://triblive.com/sports/popular-sideline-reporter-robby-incmikoski-wont-join-pirates-coverage-on-sportsnet-pittsburgh/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Aly Cohen - studio host

==== West Virginia University ====
* Warren Baker – men's basketball color commentator (now with ESPN+)
* [[Marc Bulger]] – football color commentator<ref>{{Cite web |last=Now |first=WV Sports |date=May 27, 2018 |title=Top 10 Quarterbacks in WVU History |url=https://wvsportsnow.com/top-10-quarterbacks-in-wvu-history/ |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=WV Sports Now |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Mike Logan (American football)|Mike Logan]] – football color commentator
* [[Rasheed Marshall]] – football color commentator<ref>{{Cite web |last=Virginian |first=Matt Welch Times West |date=September 27, 2015 |title=Former Mountaineer Rasheed Marshall thankful for recent opportunities |url=https://www.timeswv.com/news/former-mountaineer-rasheed-marshall-thankful-for-recent-opportunities/article_044fbf2c-64f2-11e5-9ce4-37bad0f1ad6b.html |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=Times West Virginian |language=en}}</ref>
* Meg Bulger – football sideline reporter<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2019 |title=The Bulgers are a Mountaineer Family • Mountaineer Sports |url=https://mountaineersports.com/the-bulgers-are-a-mountaineer-family/ |access-date=November 25, 2022 |website=mountaineersports.com |language=en-US}}</ref> (still occasionally appears on the network as a sideline reporter for Mountain East basketball)

==== High School Football ====
* Chris Schneider – color commentator
* [[Craig Wolfley]] – color commentator (now with [[Pittsburgh Steelers Radio Network]])
* Rich Walsh – sideline reporter (now with [[KDKA-TV]])

==== Studio Anchors & Analysts ====
* [[Stan Savran]] – host of ''SportsBeat'', Penguins and Pirates pregame shows (died in June 2023)
* Guy Junker – co-host of ''SportsBeat'' (later with [[WTAE-TV]]; now Pirates public address announcer)
* Paul Alexander – now with [[KDKA (AM)|KDKA-AM]] & [[KDKA-FM]]
* [[Ryan Burr]] – now with the [[Golf Channel]]
* [[Trenni Casey]] – now with [[NBC Sports Boston]]
* [[Marshall Harris]] – later with [[WBBM-TV]] in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]
* [[Brent Stover]] – now with [[Big Ten Network]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://sportsnetpittsburgh.com}}

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