Patriots formally announce changes to preseason broadcasts
The Patriots formally announced Tuesday their plans to change their preseason broadcasts to a non-traditional, less-formal format beginning with the Aug. 9 opener against the Eagles.
As previously reported in my Globe media column in June, Ch. 4 reporter Dan Roche and former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria will serve as the in-booth hosts of the revamped broadcast.
Rather than providing traditional down-and-distance play by play, particularly when the starters are out of the game, they will instead lead more of an informal discussion about players, issues, and other points worthy of analysis.
Former Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham — a budding star as an analyst — will provide input from the sideline. Steve Burton will serve as the more conventional sideline reporter.
Here is what Kraft Sports Productions executive producer Matt Smith told me in June about his plans for the telecast:
“[The preseason broadcasts will be] a talk-radio-type program without the yelling and the screaming and the agenda-driven stuff. We’re looking at the preseason games as an opportunity to try something different. Make it more conversational, make it more analytical and insightful.
“How long are the starters in there for? The first game, a couple of series. The fourth game, a couple of series. When they’re in, we’re going to cover the game in a very traditional way. But that’s a small portion of the game. In the fourth quarter, it can get pretty stale. A preseason game is the perfect outlet to try it.’’
Patriots Football Weekly reporters Paul Perillo and Andy Hart will also be a part of the telecast, situated in a separate studio where they will offer observations throughout the game and will engage viewers via social media.
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