The re-branded regional sports network launched on March 31
A new era in regional sports coverage begins when FOX Sports Kansas City becomes Bally Sports Kansas City on Wednesday, March 31. Here’s what to look for when the longtime home of the Kansas City Royals and Sporting KC unveils its new brand and new look:
New Name. Same Home.
Fans will find Bally Sports Kansas City and its Royals and Sporting KC telecasts at the same channel position they always have. Bally Sports Kansas City also carries St. Louis Blues (KC market only), Oklahoma City Thunder and Missouri Valley Conference games and more.
A bold new look
Bally Sports Kansas City broadcasts will feature:
· Bright new graphics, including a new score box that appears at the bottom of the screen and replaces the previous ticker. This placement enhances the space on screen for game action.
· New pregame and postgame sets and desks.
· New music.
Voices of the game
The same faces and voices fans know and love will continue to call the action:
· Royals: Ryan Lefebvre, Rex Hudler, Joel Goldberg, Jeff Montgomery and Steve Physioc.
· Sporting KC: Nate Bukaty, Jacob Peterson and Carter Augustine
The first games on Bally Sports Kansas City
The first live local event produced by Bally Sports Kansas City is the Royals’ opener vs. the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Bally Sports Kansas City will also carry Wednesday’s Thunder game, produced by Bally Sports Oklahoma.
Royals Opening Day
Opening Day on Bally Sports Kansas City features 8 ½ hours of live coverage.
· 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Bally Sports Big Opening Day — a live, whip-around style MLB opening day show that will also feature NHL, NBA and pro tennis updates and features; it will originate from Stadium’s studio in Chicago and air across all 19 Bally Sports regional networks.
· 1:30 p.m.: Royals Live pregame show — a 90-minute edition that will include coverage of Kauffman Stadium Opening Day ceremonies
· 3 p.m.: Rangers at Royals
· 6 p.m.: Royals Live postgame
· 6:30 p.m.: Replay: Royals at Rangers
Social media
Going forward, Bally Sports Kansas City can be found at @BallySportsKC on Twitter; BallySportsKansasCity on Facebook; and @ballysportskansascity on Instagram.
On the launch of Bally Sports:
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter. We have a forward-looking vision for the future of live sports and engaging fans. But our commitment remains the same: deliver outstanding, in-depth coverage of our home teams, night in and night out.” — Bally Sports Kansas City general manager and senior vice president Jack Donovan.
What to Watch: Bally Sports Kansas City was originally published in Royal Rundown on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.