History of NESN in Timeline

NESN, or New England Sports Network, is a regional sports cable and satellite television network in the US. It's owned by a joint venture between Fenway Sports Group and Delaware North. NESN primarily broadcasts throughout New England but is also available nationally via satellite and select cable providers. Its headquarters are located in Watertown, Massachusetts.

March 21, 1984: NESN's First Broadcast

On March 21, 1984, NESN broadcast its first spring training game of the Boston Red Sox.

April 4, 1984: NESN Launched

On April 4, 1984, The New England Sports Network (NESN) was launched. It was a joint venture of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and Storer Communications. The channel offered 90 Red Sox and 40 Bruins games in its first year, sold as a premium channel for $7.50 to $10 per month.

1996: NESN Affiliated with Fox Sports Net

In 1996, NESN became the New England affiliate of Fox Sports Net (FSN), carrying the network's national sports and magazine programs.

January 1998: News Corporation acquired partial ownership of SportsChannel New England

In January 1998, News Corporation, then-FSN parent, acquired partial ownership of Cablevision-owned SportsChannel New England and its sister networks, turning it into Fox Sports Net New England. However, Fox Sports New England was blocked from carrying any FSN programming due to NESN's existing affiliation agreement.

December 31, 1999: Fox Sports Net Affiliation Ended

On December 31, 1999, NESN's affiliation agreement with Fox Sports Net (FSN) expired. Fox had been blocked from carrying any FSN programming because of NESN's affiliation agreement until this date.

2001: NESN Converted to Basic Cable

In 2001, NESN converted into a basic cable service, which later became a model for other regional sports networks.

2001: Don Orsillo became a Red Sox announcer

Since 2001, Don Orsillo was a Red Sox announcer.

September 2003: NESN Began Producing Red Sox Games in HD

In September 2003, NESN began producing Red Sox games in high definition.

April 2006: Launched Full-Time HD Feed

In April 2006, NESN launched a full-time HD feed, relocating its operations from Fenway Park to a new studio in Watertown.

2006: Exclusive Home of Red Sox Games

Since 2006, NESN has been the exclusive home of all Boston Red Sox games that are not nationally televised, using the slogan "One Nation, One Network". In 2006, NESN also became the first regional sports network to broadcast all Major League Baseball games in high definition through the launch of its simulcast feed NESN HD.

2006: NESN broadcast the postgame show from its Watertown studios

Since 2006, NESN has broadcast the postgame show from its Watertown studios; it had previously been broadcast from its Fenway Park studio.

2006: NESN carried simulcasts of ESPNews

Until early 2006, NESN carried simulcasts of ESPNews during the afternoon and overnight hours.

2007: Dave O'Brien became a Red Sox Radio Network voice

Since 2007, Dave O'Brien had been a Red Sox Radio Network voice.

2008: NESN Aired Little League World Series

From 2008, NESN aired the New England Regional of the Little League World Series each August.

April 11, 2009: DirecTV Added NESNPlus

On April 11, 2009, DirecTV added NESNPlus in both standard definition and high definition.

September 2010: NESN National Launched

In September 2010, NESN National, a separate feed of NESN for cable systems located outside of New England, was launched. Time Warner Cable was the first provider to carry it.

November 1, 2010: Bright House Networks Added NESN National

On November 1, 2010, Bright House Networks added NESN National on its Michigan systems.

2010: NESN was an affiliate of Fox Sports Networks

Through the late 2010’s, NESN was an affiliate of Fox Sports Networks.

2012: NESN broadcast spring training games in standard definition

Until 2012, spring training games continued to be broadcast in standard definition on NESN.

2013: NESN Bid to Acquire New England Media Group

In 2013, NESN (through Fenway Sports Group) placed a bid to acquire the New England Media Group from The New York Times Company, but dropped out of the bidding in July.

2013: NESN.com Contributed to NESN's Value

In 2013, NESN.com was the most recently added product that contributed to NESN being "the eighth-most valuable sports brand in the world".

August 30, 2014: NESN Became Charter Affiliate of American Sports Network

On August 30, 2014, NESN became a charter cable affiliate of the American Sports Network (ASN). The first ASN broadcast was a college football game between Old Dominion Monarchs and Hampton Pirates.

November 2014: Agreement to carry Fall Experimental Football League games

In November 2014, NESN and NESN National agreed to carry certain games from the inaugural season of the Fall Experimental Football League.

2014: Futures at Fenway last played

Futures at Fenway hasn't been played in 10 years since 2014.

2014: Coverage of Little League World Series Ended

In 2014, NESN ended coverage of the New England Regional of the Little League World Series after ESPN acquired the rights to the entirety of the regional tournaments.

August 25, 2015: Don Orsillo's Departure Announced

On August 25, 2015, NESN announced that Don Orsillo would not return following the 2015 season and would be replaced by Dave O'Brien. The announcement was met with considerable outrage and disappointment by Red Sox fans.

November 2015: NESN Aired Boston Pride Games

From November 2015, NESN aired the home games of the Boston Pride of the National Women's Hockey League.

2016: Dick Enberg retired

In 2016, Dick Enberg retired after which Don Orsillo became the play-by-play voice of the San Diego Padres.

May 2017: NESN 360 Launched

In May 2017, NESN launched its streaming platform NESN 360 (formerly NESNgo), allowing subscribers to stream live and on-demand content.

2019: NESN Aired Cape Cod Baseball League Games

Since 2019, NESN has aired a package of games involving the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2021: NESN Produced Red Sox Home Games in 4K with HDR

In 2021, NESN produced all Red Sox home games in 4K with HDR, making it the second team (behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Sportsnet), and first U.S. team, to produce their home games in 4K.

2021: FSG purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins

In late 2021, FSG purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins.

June 1, 2022: NESN Offered Content Direct-to-Consumer

On June 1, 2022, NESN became the first U.S. regional sports network to offer its content on a direct-to-consumer basis.

February 24, 2023: Warner Bros. Discovery Announced Exit from RSN Business

On February 24, 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery, owners of AT&T SportsNet, announced it would leave the RSN business, including AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, broadcasting home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

March 2023: NESN Ended Airing Boston Pride Games

In March 2023, NESN ended airing the home games of the Boston Pride of the National Women's Hockey League.

August 2023: Penguins Announced Acquisition of AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

In August 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced they would acquire AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh and relaunch it as SportsNet Pittsburgh in October, with NESN operating the channel.

October 2023: Relaunch of SportsNet Pittsburgh

In October 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to relaunch AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh as SportsNet Pittsburgh, with NESN operating the channel.

2023: ACC games moved to The CW

As of 2023, NESN’s coverage of ACC games have since been moved to The CW.

2024: NESN became the official broadcast partner of the Professional Women's Hockey League

As of 2024, NESN became the official broadcast partner of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

2024: NESN Televised Hartford Yard Goats Games

In 2024, NESN and NESN+ began televising a package of games involving the Hartford Yard Goats (a AA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies).

January 2025: NESN Nation Available on The Roku Channel and Plex

As of January 2025, NESN Nation was available on The Roku Channel and Plex. NESN Nation agreed to broadcast four Northeast Conference college basketball games in 2025.