Comcast Hometown Network filmed the varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball games on Friday, Jan. 23, much to the crowd and players’ excitement.
Drake and Redwood’s fast-paced battle was streamed live online and made available on television to more than two million homes in Northern and Central California on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
This year’s coverage will be Comcast’s seventh season of covering a mix of boys’ and girls’ top Northern and Central California sports teams.
Redwood’s varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams aired on Comcast Hometown Network for the first time as one of 15 prep games being televised.
As five cameras focused on the players, announcers Dan Dibley and Joe Castellano analyzed the game and provided play-by-play commentary.
“High school sports are by far the most watched in Comcast Hometown Network,” said Michael Serafin, Comcast’s Northern California production supervisor. “They are something to show the community.”
Comcast Hometown Network also covers current events, parades, art, entertainment and music programs.
Comcast chooses the featured games that are predicted to be the most exciting. Sometimes the network looks for star players who may be the best in the state or seeks out rivalry games, according to Comcast sideline reporter Anna Kagarakis.
Comcast’s coverage has been well-received by the schools and has increased the number of people in the crowd, according to Serafin.
“Everyone wants to be on TV, so that brings out more people to view the games,” Serafin said.
The entire season of Comcast Hometown Network broadcasts were planned by the end of December, according to Serafin.
At a future date, viewers will be able to see the Redwood game on On Demand by tuning in to Channel 1, selecting Get Local, Local Sports, and then High School Basketball.
The Leadership class declared the game on Friday “Game Night,” drawing in additional fans. The first 200 fans to show up to the girls’ game beforehand at 6:00 p.m. received rally rags.
