- Fox Sports North
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Fox Sports North 
Launched 1986 (as WCCO II) Network Fox Sports Net Owned by News Corporation Country United States Language English Broadcast area Minnesota
Wisconsin
Iowa
Upper Michigan
North Dakota
South DakotaFormerly called WCCO II (1986-1989)
Midwest Sports Channel (1989–2001)Sister channel(s) Fox Sports Wisconsin Website foxsportsnorth.com Availability Satellite DirecTV 668 (SD/HD) Dish Network 436 (SD)
386 (HD)Cable Available on select cable systems Check local listings for channels Fox Sports North (stylized as FS NORTH) is a regional sports network serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Iowa, Upper Michigan along the Wisconsin border and the eastern parts of North Dakota and South Dakota. Fox Sports North has three separate feeds: the "metro" feed which is broadcast to the Twin Cities and surrounding areas; the "outstate" feed which is seen in the rest of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, extreme western Wisconsin, and DBS subscribers; and the "Wisconsin" feed which serves that state.
Fox Sports North is an owned and operated affiliate of Fox Sports Net and was previously affiliated with SportsChannel and Prime Sports Network. The Fox Sports Wisconsin network is run from both a studio/office facility in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and out of a studio/office hub based in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Contents
History
Fox Sports North started as a cable project by WCCO-TV called WCCO II. Originally intended as a general programming complement to the over-the-air WCCO, it gradually became more sports oriented and relaunched in 1989 as Midwest Sports Channel.
MSC's main draws in its early days were the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota North Stars. It was also affiliated with the SportsChannel America network and filled out its broadcasting day with a mix of SCA programs and tickers and paid programming. MSC was largely considered a "luxury" channel until the early 1990s, and did not even have full metro coverage until Continental Cablevision added it to St. Paul's extended basic cable lineup in 1994. By then, MSC was in financial dire straits, and the CBS Corporation (which had bought WCCO-TV, WCCO-AM and MSC in 1992) sold the troubled network to Liberty Media, while continuing to share programming with MSC.
Ownership change and affiliation with FSN
In 1995, MSC expanded its pro sports lineup by landing a cable broadcast deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The following year, LMI acquired the Wisconsin Sports Network (a gametime-only network broadcasting Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks games) from Milwaukee's Time Warner Cable franchise and Group W, and folded it into MSC, giving the network a broader reach in the Midwest, the Brewers and Bucks deals, and a stable of outstanding local outdoors shows. Through its ownership by LMI and affiliations with SCA and PSN, MSC became an affiliate of the fledgling Fox Sports Net in the fall of 1996.
In late 1999, LMI, now under partial ownership of Comcast, swapped its equity in MSC to News Corporation in exchange for a 100% ownership in Baltimore-based RSN Home Team Sports, and MSC was then fully owned by Fox, while HTS became Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. WCCO continued to provide MSC with a 4:30am replay of their 10pm newscast until the sale to Fox went through.
The autumn of 2000 marked the return of NHL hockey to Minnesota with the debut of the Wild franchise, and MSC broadcast much of the inaugural season. This also marked the first time that FSN-branded graphics were used on a locally produced broadcast, and the announcers made frequent use of the phrase "...live on MSC, Fox Sports Net style." The name change to Fox Sports Net North was made official in April 2001 to coincide with the start of the new Twins season and the opening of the Brewers' Miller Park, and was called out on the air, on outdoor billboards, and even bus ads. However, the change was not all good; the network lost its local focus, instead airing national FSN programs like National Sports Report and You Gotta See This!
In October 2003, Twins owner Carl Pohlad attempted to launch a competing RSN called Victory Sports One; it would broadcast all Twins games for the foreseeable future, as well as local college and high school sports. VS1 was also to have a number of locally produced sports shows, the centerpiece being Kent Hrbek Outdoors. This effort only lasted six months, as VS1 folded in May and allowed FSN to absorb most of its programming including the Twins. As a result, FSN launched a new "local fans first" initiative, launching the Minnesota Sports Report and the regular airing of prep sports.
In April 2006, still lacking a local news show (the now-defunct Minnesota Sports Report originated from FSN's Westwood, CA, studios), FSN North launched FSN Live, a first-of-its-kind show that served as part local sports news show, part pre- and post-game bumper. FSN Live is usually broadcast live and on location from sporting events, though occasionally it originates from FSN North's new Minneapolis studio.
In 2009, FSN North's name was changed to Fox Sports North after the nationwide switch to make FSN a more syndicated channel.
The Wisconsin version, since spun off of Fox Sports North to create Fox Sports Wisconsin, currently airs Brewers and Bucks events, pregame, postgame, and fan shows, along with some Minnesota Wild events and WIAA competitions. A reduced schedule of Wild hockey airs within Wisconsin, and a package of Brewers games is sub-licensed to Milwaukee's WMLW (Channel 41), with FSN producing the telecasts and WMLW owner Weigel Broadcasting selling ads. These games also air on FSN Wisconsin outside of the Milwaukee area.
Teams
MSC and Fox Sports North have been the cable television home to several professional and college teams.
- Minnesota Twins (1989-present), exclusive to Fox Sports North since 2011. [1]
- Milwaukee Brewers (1996-present, now on Fox Sports Wisconsin only)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-present)
- Milwaukee Bucks (1996-present, exclusive to the network starting with the 2007–08 season, now on Fox Sports Wisconsin only)
- Minnesota North Stars (1989–1993)
- Minnesota Wild (2000-present)
NCAA Division I athletics
- Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Wisconsin Badgers
- WCHA
- University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
- University of Wisconsin Badgers
- Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
- UND Fighting Sioux
- Minnesota State University Mavericks
- St Cloud State University Huskies
Personalities
- Brian Anderson: Milwaukee Brewers Play-By-Play Announcer (Now on Fox Sports Wisconsin)
- Bert Blyleven: Minnesota Twins Analyst
- Dick Bremer: Minnesota Twins Play-By-Play Announcer
- Ann Carroll: FS North Host/Reporter
- Ron Coomer: FS North Minnesota Twins Pre/postgame Analyst
- Craig Coshun: Fox Sports Wisconsin Host/Announcer
- Kevin Gorg: Minnesota Wild Pre/postgame Analyst/Host/Reporter
- Marney Gellner: FS North and FS Wisconsin Reporter/Host
- Mike Greenlay: Minnesota Wild Analyst
- Tom Hanneman: Minnesota Timberwolves Play-By-Play Announcer
- Darby Hendrickson: Minnesota Wild Pre/postgame Analyst
- Telly Hughes: FS Wisconsin Reporter/Host
- Robby Incmikoski: FS North Reporter/Host
- Anthony LaPanta: Fox Sports North Host/Announcer, Minnesota Golden Gophers Hockey Play-By-Play Announcer
- Mike McCollow: Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks Pre/postgame Analyst
- Jon McGlocklin: Milwaukee Bucks Analyst (Now on Fox Sports Wisconsin)
- Davey Nelson: Milwaukee Brewers Pre/postgame Analyst
- Jim Paschke: Milwaukee Bucks Play-By-Play Announcer (Now on Fox Sports Wisconsin)
- Jim Petersen: Minnesota Timberwolves Analyst
- Bill Schroeder: Milwaukee Brewers Analyst (Now on Fox Sports Wisconsin)
- Roy Smalley: FS North Minnesota Twins Pre/postgame Analyst
- Tony Smith: Milwaukee Bucks Pre/postgame Analyst
- Dan Terhaar: Minnesota Wild Play-By-Play Announcer
- Doug Woog: Minnesota Golden Gophers Hockey Specialist (Role in Upcoming Season TBD)
Branding
For most shows and nationally-televised sports broadcasts, a small logo bug appears in the top right corner of the screen which reads FSNORTH; the FS in the logo has a light blue color to it. However, the logo changes whenever local sports teams are shown on Fox Sports North. For Twins baseball games and Twins Live, the logo reads FSTWINS (with the FS shown in red). During Wild hockey games and Wild Live, the FS is also colored red, with the logo displaying FSWILD. And for Timberwolves basketball games (as well as Timberwolves Live), the logo will read FSWOLVES with the FS shown in green. During Gopher hockey games, however, the logo remains the usual FSNORTH.
Logos
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1998-2001
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2001-2004
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2004-2008
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2008-present
See also
References
- ^ FS-North, Twins announce TV schedule Fox Sports North February 16, 2011
Broadcast television in the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Central Minnesota areas Twin Cities KTCA (2.1 PBS, 2.2 MN, 2.4 WX) • KTCI (2.3 tptLIFE) • WCCO (4.1 CBS) • KSTP (5.1 ABC, 5.2 News, 5.3 Me-TV) • KSTC (5.4 This TV, 5.45 Ind) • KMSP 9.1 / WFTC 9.2 (Fox) • KARE (11.1 NBC, 11.2 WX) • WUMN-LP 13 (UNI) • K14KH (3ABN) • K16HY-D (16.1 Text Info, 16.2-5 EWTN]) • WUCW (23.1 The CW, 23.2 TheCoolTV, 23.3 TCN) • K25IA-D (25.1 TBN, 25.2 TCC, 25.3 JCTV, 25.4 SOAC, 25.5 Enlace) • W47CO-D (28.1 PBS, 28.2 WIS, 28.3 Kids/Create - River Falls, WI) • WFTC 29.1 / KMSP 29.2 (MNTV) • KPXM (41.1 ION, 41.2 Qubo , 41.3 ION Life) • K43HB (HSN) • KHVM-LD (48.1 GCN) • KTCJ-LD (50.1 COR) • WDMI-LD (62.1 Daystar)
Alexandria
AppletonBemidji
BrainerdOther areas K05IV/KVRR (15.1 Fox - Park Rapids / Fargo) • KSMN (20.1 PBS, 20.2 Create, 20.3 MN, 20.4 HD - Worthington) • WCMN-LP (13 - St. Cloud) • K19BG (TBN - St. Cloud) • WHWC (28.1 PBS, 28.2 WIS, 28.3 Kids/Create - Menomonie, WI) • K34HO-D (34.1 TWC - Willmar) • KRWF (43.1 ABC - Redwood Falls/Mankato)
Defunct See also Red River Valley TV, Duluth TV, Mankato TV, Eau Claire/La Crosse TV, Rochester/Mason City TV, Eastern SD TV, UHF-TV Inc.Television Stations in Southeast Wisconsin, including the greater Milwaukee area English stations WTMJ (4.1 NBC, 4.2 Storm Team 4 AccuWX, 4.3 Live Well) · WITI (6.1 Fox, 6.2 Antenna TV) · WMKE-CA 7 (A1) · WISN (12.1 ABC) · WVTV (18.1 The CW) · WCGV (24.1 MNTV, 24.2 The Country Network) · WPVS-LP 29 (unknown) · WMLW-CA (41.1 IND) · WBME (49.1 Me-TV, 49.2 Bounce TV, 49.4 WYTU-LD) · WPXE (55.1 ION, 55.2 Qubo, 55.3 ION Life) · WDJT (58.1 CBS, 58.2 WMLW, 58.3 This TV, 58.4 Shorewest TV real estate barker) · WYTU-LP 63 (enhanced LPTV nightlight of WBME) · WWAZ 68 (silent)
Public television Milwaukee Public Television (PBS):
WMVS (10.1 PBS, 10.2 PBS World, 10.3 V-me, 10.4 MPTV AccuWX/KEC60 audio) · WMVT (36.1 PBS, 36.2 WMVS widescreen SD simulcast, 36.3 Create, 36.4 BSN classical audio, 36.5 JSN jazz audio, 36.6 WISDOT traffic cameras)Wisconsin Public Television (PBS): WHA (21.1 PBS, 21.2 WIS, 21.3 Kids/Create) (available in-market via cable, over-the-air in Jefferson County)
Religious WVCY (30.1 Religious ind.) · WWRS (52.1 TBN, 52.2 Church, 52.3 JCTV, 52.4 Enlace USA, 52.5 Smile)
Spanish stations WBWT-LP 38 (Azteca América) · WYTU-LD 63.1 / WBME 49.4 (TMD)
Local cable channels Defunct channels Adjacent areas Chicago · Green Bay · Madison · Rockford · Grand Rapids · Northern MichiganBroadcast television in Eastern South Dakota and Southwest Minnesota Sioux Falls Aberdeen/Watertown Pierre KPRY (4.1 ABC) • KPLO (6.1 CBS, 6.2 MNTV) • KTSD / KQSD (10/11.1 PBS, 10/11.2 PBS World, 10/11.3 Create) • K32FW 32 (3ABN)
Adjacent locals See also Western SD TV, Sioux City TV, Twin Cities TV, Western ND TV, Red River Valley TVTelevision stations in the Red River Valley region of North Dakota and Minnesota Fargo Grand Forks Outlying Areas Pembina/Lake Region: WDAZ (8.1 ABC, 8.2 CW, 8.3 WX/WDAY Radio) • KNRR (12.1 Fox) • KMDE (25.1-2 PBS, 25.3 MN, 25.4 Lifelong)
James River Valley: KJRR (7.1 Fox) • KJRE (19.1-2 PBS, 19.3 MN, 19.4 Lifelong)
Fergus Falls: K49FA 49 (PBS)
Roseau/Lake of the Woods: K50AM-D / K53BL-D / W59AX-D (4.1 CBS) • K48CQ / K57AR-D / K61AR-D (8.1 ABC, 8.2 CW, 8.3 WX/WDAY Radio) • K42CU-D (9.1-2 PBS, 9.3 Kids, 9.4 Create, 9.5 Plus, 9.6 MN) • K46BV (10.1 Fox) • K52AM-D / K55BH-D / K63AS-D (11.1 NBC, 11.2 this TV)Defunct Cable channels Bek Sports Network • FSSN • KCSI-TV 10 / CSI Weather (Jamestown)
Bismarck Minot Dickinson Williston Cable channels Television stations in Western South Dakota Rapid City Black Hills Outlying Areas KDUH / KSGW (4/12.1 ABC, 4/12.2 Me-TV) • KZSD / KPSD (8/13.1 PBS, 8/13.2 PBS World, 8/13.3 Create) • KSWY-LP 29 (NBC)
Defunct See also Eastern SD TV, Billings TV, Central WY TV, Western ND TVFox Sports Current programs NFL on Fox • Major League Baseball on Fox • NASCAR on Fox • Fox College Football • Cotton Bowl Classic • Formula One • Soccer Night in AmericaAmerican cable/satellite networks Big Ten Network (49 %) • Fox College Sports • Fox Soccer • Fox Soccer Plus • Fox Sports Net • Fox Deportes • Fuel TV • SpeedOwned and operated
regional sports networksArizona • Detroit • Florida / Sun Sports • Houston • Midwest / Indiana / Kansas City • North / Wisconsin • Ohio • South / Carolinas / Tennessee / SportSouth • Southwest / Oklahoma • West / Prime TicketAffiliated regional sports networks Root Sports (Northwest, Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain / Utah) • Comcast SportsNet (Bay Area, Chicago, New England, Philadelphia, and Washington) • MSG Network • MSG PlusInternational sports networks Others Former programs Defunct networks NHL on SportsChannel America Related programs Related articles Hawkvision • History of the NHL on United States television • Stanley Cup Finals television ratings
Affiliated networksMidwest Sports Channel • Prime Network • PRISM • SportsChannel Chicago • SportsChannel New England • SportsChannel New York • SportsChannel Pacific • SportsChannel PhiladelphiaCommentators Entry Draft • All-Star Game • Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals • Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals • Stanley Cup Finals
Commentators by teamChicago Blackhawks • Hartford Whalers • New York Islanders • Philadelphia FlyersKey figures Herb Brooks • Gerry Cheevers • Bill Clement • John Davidson • Don Edwards • Mike Emrick • Stan Fischler • Pat Foley • Dave Hodge • John Kelly • Dave Maloney • Jiggs McDonald • Peter McNab • Joe Micheletti • Craig Laughlin • Bob Papa • Rick Peckham • Jeff Rimer • Joe Starkey • Pete Stemkowski • Dale Tallon • Gary Thorne • Ed Westfall • Ken Wilson
CBC playoff feedsStanley Cup Finals All-Star Game Related eventsNHL Entry Draft Seasons by team Chicago BlackhawksHartford Whalers1988–89 • 1989–90 • 1990–91 • 1991–92New Jersey DevilsNew York Islanders1988–89 • 1989–90 • 1990–91 • 1991–92Philadelphia FlyersSan Jose SharksCategories:- Fox Sports Net
- Minnesota Twins broadcasters
- Minnesota Wild broadcasters
- Milwaukee Brewers broadcasters
- Milwaukee Bucks broadcasters
- Minnesota Timberwolves broadcasters
- Minnesota North Stars broadcasters
- SportsChannel America
- Television stations in Wisconsin
- Prime Sports Network
- Television channels and stations established in 1986
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