HTS Has New Look, New Shows

Comcast SportsNet, the Washington area's regional cable network once known as HTS, will unveil two new local sports shows as well as its new logo on April 4.
The network already has hired more than 25 people to handle the two new daily shows to be broadcast Monday through Friday -- "Spotlight" and "SportsNIGHT" -- that are designed to give subscribers a heavy dose of local and regional news and information.
Chick Hernandez, formerly a weekend sports anchor and reporter at Channel 5, likely will anchor both shows. Comcast also has added Russ Thaler, formerly with Fox Sports News in Los Angeles, as a sportscaster for the shows. George Johnson, a longtime HTS fixture, will stay on in a reporting role.
"Spotlight" will be aired from 6 to 7 p.m. and will have a roundtable talk show format that will include panelists ranging from athletes, coaches and local members of the media. It also will serve as a lead-in to that night's live game. The network has the rights to the Orioles, Capitals, Wizards, D.C. United and Washington Freedom, as well as other events.
"SportsNIGHT" will air from 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., or as soon as a game has ended. It will include local and regional news, highlights, commentary and features, and also will focus on that night's game.
Comcast also confirmed yesterday that two longtime and highly regarded Washington producers, Joe Yasharoff of Channel 5 and Larry Duvall of Channel 9, have been hired for both shows.