Is it 2010 Already?

2010 is now in full swing and we're anxious for what lies in the year ahead. But before we dive into the future, we'd like to acknowledge many of the exciting things we experienced in the last year. Here are just a few highlights of FOX Sports Ohio's 2009:

Viewers enjoyed increased HD coverage of the Cavaliers, Blue Jackets and Reds.

FOX Sports Ohio launched its first ever Fan Appreciation Nights with the Blue Jackets and the Cavaliers. Both the Blue Jackets event, presented by Your Central Ohio Toyota Dealers and the Cavaliers event, presented by KIA, were HUGE successes, receiving thousands of viewer text messages and giving out fabulous prizes to fans!

The networks coverage of the Cavaliers and the Blue Jackets enjoyed record high ratings, as the Blue Jackets made their Stanley Cup debut and the Cavaliers made a strong playoff run.

We launched a Twitter and Facebook page, as well as revamped our website to offer our fans more exlusive access and interaction than ever before!

FOX Sports Ohio brought all of our community outreach efforts under one umbrella with the creation of FOX SupPORTS Ohio and launched the first fundraising campaign, Season of Support, in partnership with the Cleveland Foundation and MyCom.

The network hosted Fan Cam events at downtown hot spots to get fans ready for Cavs, Blue Jackets and Reds games as well as give them a chance to be on TV!

A lucky Blue Jackets fan got the chance to travel to Tampa Bay and watch the Jackets battle the Lightening, thanks to our Florida Flyaway promotion, presented by IGS Energy.

We welcomed new broadcasters to the Blue Jackets 2009-10 broadcast team and brought road post-game shows to the FOX Sports Ohio studio.

FOX Sports Ohio was thrilled to provide a Cincinnati family the opportunity to communicate with their son, serving in Iraq, live during a special Reds Salute to the Troops telecast.

We battled SportsTime Ohio in the first ever I-71 Challenge.

Reds fans enjoyed specially produced Reds telecasts to celebrate civil rights and independence.

We partnered with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) to encourage a safe summer with the Reds Backyard BBQ sweepstakes and viral video campaign.

The network was thrilled to provide a local family with a new ultimate rec room, thanks to "Design on our Dime," presented by Danny Vegh's Billiard & Home and Acme.

We worked with our affiliate partners in various promotions, including the "Kentucky Speedway Think Big Watch & Win Sweepstakes," presented by SPEED and Time Warner Cable, and "Back 2 School Aid" presented by Fuel TV and Time Warner Cable.

FOX Sports Ohio worked with Skyline Chili to co-brand Reds Hat Day and "Step up to the Mic" promotion.

High School Football Game of the Week returned, featuring the state's best rival high school matchups in Northeast and Southern Ohio.

In partnership with ODPS, we worked to support Teen Driver Safety Week with a teen video contest where students statewide submitted their video for a chance to be on TV.

We welcomed Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers to be the presenting sponsors of 2009-10 college programming, including Xavier University basketball and University of Cincinnati football and basketball.

FOX Sports Ohio featured a new Cavs pre-season special, Light It Up Like Vegas, with a tip off premiere at Playhouse Square's Allen Theater downtown Cleveland.

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today." - William Allen White

Oh What a Site!

Foxsports.com has always been an online destination for the latest and greatest in sports media and news. If you haven't yet visited our site, FOX Sports Ohio has taken a greater web presence with a revamped website http://www.foxsportsohio.com/, where fans can get breaking news, exclusive video and passionate dialog as it pertains to Ohio's sports teams.

Here's a snapshot of what you will find on the site.

• News coverage of Ohio's sports teams, featuring pages specifically dedicated to each team.
• Exclusive analysis from FOX Sports Ohio's talented broadcasters and bloggers, giving readers the inside scoop about their teams.
• The latest videos featuring exclusive game previews and player interviews as well as popular clips about your favorite teams.
• An online community made up of the most enthusiastic and divisive fans throughout the state.
• Opportunities to communicate with FOX Sports Ohio's broadcasters and participate in game telecasts.
• A fan photo gallary where visitors can upload their best sports photos.
• Weekly contests where registered users can win great prizes.

Make sure you're in the know and register on foxsportsohio.com now!

Gotta Love the Classics

Cincinnati Reds fans won’t have to wait until opening day to cheer on their home team. We're gearing up to televise six (6) classic Reds games from the franchise’s storied history beginning next week. FOX Sports Ohio debuts the return of this entertaining classic series Monday, January 25th at 10:30pm, with new episodes on Mondays at 8pm.

Hosts Thom Brennaman, Jeff Brantley and Jeff Piecoro take viewers on a trip through Reds history with archival games featuring the “Big Red Machine,” the return of the re-mastered 1976 NLCS game with Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall, the 1970 World Series Game 4, Browning’s perfect game, and more.

More detailed information is posted on the Reds page at http://www.foxsportsohio.com/.

All Access Pass To The Blue Jackets

FOX Sports Ohio has taken the telecasts of the Columbus Blue Jackets to the next level with "All Access" games. The third All Access game to date will occur the end of this month when the Jackets take on the Kings at Nationwide Arena.

One unique feature that differentiates Blue Jackets All Access game telecasts from every other game is the "Cover It Live" application. We give viewers at home the opportunity to interact with the Blue Jackets broadcast team online. Blue Jackets fans can visit http://www.foxsportsohio.com/ and click on the “Blue Jackets All Access” graphic to log in to “Cover It Live.” Once logged in, they can submit questions for broadcasters Jeff Rimer, Bill Davidge and John Michael. Select questions and comments will be answered LIVE throughout the telecast.

During these special telecasts, “Jackets Wired” also give fans an exclusive look at a player or coach who may be 'wired for sound,' offering insights into the conversations between coaches and players. Our cameras also take viewers behind the scenes into Nationwide Arena, including into the Jackets locker room before the game.

The next Jackets All Access game is January 28. Check out the Blue Jackets page on foxsportsohio.com for more details!

Season of Support

Throughout the months of November and December, FOX Sports Ohio helped raise awareness of the Cleveland Foundation’s MyCom program through an on-air campaign called the “Season of Support.”

MyCom, short for My Commitment, My Community, helps coordinate and fund local agencies that provide quality youth programs, including after-school activities, summer jobs and special help during school transitions to kindergarten, middle school, high school and beyond.

The Season of Support campaign sought to inform viewers of the tremendous need in the community for youth-focused organizations such as the ones that are supported by MyCom. The campaign successfully accomplished this goal as over 250,000 viewers were introduced to MyCom through a series of FOX Sports Ohio-produced PSAs, vignettes, and other on-air elements.

Learn more about FOX Sports Ohio in the community at foxsportsohio.com's FOX SupPORTS Ohio page.

Teaming up for Reds Play by Play

FOX Sports Ohio is excited for the 2010 Reds season. Following the 2009 season, we were saddened to say good-bye to play-by-play voice George Grande and faced the challenge to fill the great void. But we're anxious to hear our new 2010 play by play broadcasters Thom Brennaman and Paul Keels.

Brennaman is an already experienced and distinguished Reds announcer who previously split duties with George Grande on FOX Sports Ohio. He will now take on greater responsibilities and serve as the play by play voice for the majority of Reds game telecasts.

Cincinnati native and longtime broadcaster Paul Keels has been named the new play by play announcer for the remainder of the Reds schedule. Click here for more information on Keels.

Both broadcasters will team with color analysts Chris Welsh and Jeff Brantley on FOX Sports Ohio’s Reds telecasts beginning next spring.

For more information on FOX Sports Ohio broadcasters, check out foxsportsohio.com's TALENT page.

New Year - New Interns

We're thrilled to welcome our 2010 Spring Interns! Recently joining the FOX Sports Ohio team are:

• Larry Burneal of Baldwin-Wallace College, Marketing/PR/Sales Intern
• DeLorean Davis of Kent State University, Marketing/PR/Sales Intern
• Colleen Dighero of Kent State University, Production Intern
• Natalie Humphries of John Carroll University, Production Intern
• Jenna Homrock of Kent State University, Production Intern
• Kyle Miller, Kent State University, Digital Intern

Check back to http://www.foxsportsohionews.blogspot.com/. You may learn more about them and see some of their work featured here!