WBZ-TV And BAA Renew Exclusive Boston Marathon Partnership Through 2016
BOSTON (CBS) - For the next four years, there will remain only one local TV station where you can watch the Boston Marathon.
On Thursday, WBZ-TV and the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) announced they have renewed their exclusive Boston Marathon partnership for four years through the 120th running of the Boston Marathon in 2016.
From start to finish, from the elite races to next door neighbors, WBZ-TV will provide comprehensive live coverage of it all, beginning with pre-race coverage in the morning newscasts which will continue until early afternoon with comprehensive coverage of the race as it concludes. As has been the case for decades, WBZ-TV will deploy a full team of anchors and reporters to cover the Boston Marathon from the start in Hopkinton, to the finish on Boylston -- and everything in between.
In addition to the television coverage, CBSBoston.com will provide live coverage of the Boston Marathon to viewers within New England who want to watch the elite race live online. CBSBoston.com also provides a live camera locked down on the Finish Line, and live Tweets of the race from WBZ-TV's exclusive Spotters Network.
And, there is a new part to the coverage beginning with the 117th running of the race. WBZ-TV's start-to-finish coverage will be broadcast in HD for the first time in 2013, and WBZ-TV's sister-station myTV38 (WSBK-TV), will rebroadcast the elite races as well as the trophy ceremonies within seven days of the live, all exclusive coverage on WBZ-TV.
"The Boston Marathon is one of the most renowned and respected athletic events in New England and the world, and WBZ-TV is extremely proud to extend our long and distinguished partnership with the B.A.A. to continue to be the exclusive local broadcaster of the race." said Ed Piette, President and General Manager of CBS Boston's WBZ-TV and myTV38. "This new agreement will mark three decades of complete and continuing coverage and analysis of the Boston Marathon on WBZ, and we are delighted to broadcast in HD as well as offer a rebroadcast on myTV38 moving forward."
"The B.A.A. and WBZ-TV have long enjoyed a commitment to presenting the Boston Marathon in a manner which tells the stories of the present day, inspires future participants, and engages the local community," said Tom Grilk, Executive Director of the B.A.A. "Each year on Patriots' Day, the Boston Marathon is community-wide event celebrated as a uniquely New England tradition. We are pleased that our partnership with WBZ will continue for years to come."
As the exclusive, local broadcaster of the Boston Marathon, WBZ-TV is the only station to have aired 30-years of complete, live, local coverage of one of the region's premiere sporting events.
