houstoncart
10-02-2003, 07:34 AM
All local telecasts on Ch. 51
Cooper replaces 8-year vet Malosky
By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
KNWS (Channel 51) will be the Rockets' sole over-the-air television flagship station this season, and Cynthia Cooper will replace Lisa Malosky on the team's halftime and postgame shows, the Rockets said Wednesday.
This will be the second season in a row that Rockets games not picked up for national distribution will air solely on over-the-air television. Last year's local schedule was split between Channel 51 and KHWB (Ch. 39).
"With the way our schedule shapes up, we thought it would be best for our fans to go to one location for games," said Tad Brown, the team's vice president for corporate development. "KNWS has proved itself with good ratings for Astros games during the baseball season and with us last season, and we think we can build on those ratings."
The number of local outlets for locally produced Rockets games will shrink from two to one -- aside from four ABC games that will air locally on KTRK (Channel 13) -- but the studio crew will expand from Malosky to Cooper, a member of the Comets' four WNBA championship teams, and Jeff Hagedorn, the Comets' radio play-by-play voice.
Bill Worrell and Calvin Murphy will return as the team's play-by-play voice and game analyst, respectively.
Malosky, who was not offered a new contract by the Rockets, will be off the air for the first time since coming to Houston in 1991 as a weekend anchor on KPRC (Channel 2). She had worked for the team the last eight years on televised Rockets and Comets games.
"I was surprised and disappointed by their decision," Malosky said. "But I had a great eight years, and I'm very much looking forward to a new chapter.
"They didn't say anything specifically about their reasons. As they say in television, they want to move in a different direction. It happens all the time."
Tim McDougall, the team's marketing vice president, said: "We really like what Cynthia adds from a personality and player's insight point of view. We want to have the best locally produced halftime show, one that rivals the show that TNT and Fox air."
While they move into the new Toyota Center, the Rockets also are making plans to start their own regional sports network in partnership with the Astros, beginning with the 2005-2006 season. This will be the second year that no Rockets games have aired on Fox Sports Net, which made its debut in 1983 as the Rockets' cable flagship station.
Cooper replaces 8-year vet Malosky
By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
KNWS (Channel 51) will be the Rockets' sole over-the-air television flagship station this season, and Cynthia Cooper will replace Lisa Malosky on the team's halftime and postgame shows, the Rockets said Wednesday.
This will be the second season in a row that Rockets games not picked up for national distribution will air solely on over-the-air television. Last year's local schedule was split between Channel 51 and KHWB (Ch. 39).
"With the way our schedule shapes up, we thought it would be best for our fans to go to one location for games," said Tad Brown, the team's vice president for corporate development. "KNWS has proved itself with good ratings for Astros games during the baseball season and with us last season, and we think we can build on those ratings."
The number of local outlets for locally produced Rockets games will shrink from two to one -- aside from four ABC games that will air locally on KTRK (Channel 13) -- but the studio crew will expand from Malosky to Cooper, a member of the Comets' four WNBA championship teams, and Jeff Hagedorn, the Comets' radio play-by-play voice.
Bill Worrell and Calvin Murphy will return as the team's play-by-play voice and game analyst, respectively.
Malosky, who was not offered a new contract by the Rockets, will be off the air for the first time since coming to Houston in 1991 as a weekend anchor on KPRC (Channel 2). She had worked for the team the last eight years on televised Rockets and Comets games.
"I was surprised and disappointed by their decision," Malosky said. "But I had a great eight years, and I'm very much looking forward to a new chapter.
"They didn't say anything specifically about their reasons. As they say in television, they want to move in a different direction. It happens all the time."
Tim McDougall, the team's marketing vice president, said: "We really like what Cynthia adds from a personality and player's insight point of view. We want to have the best locally produced halftime show, one that rivals the show that TNT and Fox air."
While they move into the new Toyota Center, the Rockets also are making plans to start their own regional sports network in partnership with the Astros, beginning with the 2005-2006 season. This will be the second year that no Rockets games have aired on Fox Sports Net, which made its debut in 1983 as the Rockets' cable flagship station.