OLN® ANNOUNCES EXPANDED TOUR DE FRANCE PRIME TIME SHOW
Al Trautwig Joins Network’s All-Star Broadcast Team
Stamford, CT, (June 8, 2004) – Outdoor Life Network
(OLN) announces a new format for their Tour de France prime
time show, which will be hosted by veteran sportscaster Al
Trautwig and cycling favorite Bob Roll. Trautwig and Roll
will report from the studio, while cycling greats Phil
Liggett and Paul Sherwen will give their expert analysis
from the sidelines of the punishing 2,110-mile course.
OLN’s Kirsten Gum rounds out the team as the host of
several feature pieces during the show. The Tour de France
airs on OLN from July 3rd –July 25th.
The prime time show, which will air each night at 8:00 PM
ET/8:30 PM PT, will provide sports fans across America with
an informative and easy-to-understand look at the Tour de
France. Viewers will get a comprehensive analysis of that
day’s action, as well as more personal stories about
the competitors, exclusive historical vignettes and stage-by-
stage analysis of the route. A new virtual map will capture
the grueling elevations, harrowing descents and the time
trials, and how those factor into overall team strategies
for the race.
The prime time show will not only give cycling fans expanded
coverage, it will also provide unprecedented access to the
everyday sports fan with a view of the Tour from the
laymen’s perspective. Trautwig and Roll’s
approach will aim to make sense of some of the more
complicated aspects of the Tour, rewinding key moments and
using a telestrator to explain what is happening. As always,
Bob Roll will add his expert yet unique, light-hearted and
sometimes comical review of the race and its riders.
“OLN’s prime time show is going to be
America’s show,” said Gavin Harvey, President of
OLN. “The addition of Al Trautwig to the best
commentating team on TV will help us tell the story of this
year’s Tour like never before. We’re confident
that when people understand more about the drama of the
competition, the strategy and sacrifice it takes to win, and
the personalities of the competitors, we’ll really
boost the popularity of cycling with American
audiences.”
The broadcast team will also host the pre-race show, which
will air each day before the LIVE morning coverage (8:30 AM
ET) and before the prime time show in the evening (7:30 PM
ET/8:00 PM PT).
About the broadcast Team: · Al Trautwig – Has covered
nine Olympic Games in his career, also covered Greg
Lemond’s come-from-behind victory in 1989’s Tour
de France. · Bob Roll – Professional cyclist since
1984 (competed in four Tours), accomplished commentator and
author. Bob has been a part of the OLN broadcast team since
2001. · Phil Liggett – Often called the ‘Voice
of Cycling,’ Phil has covered the Tour since 1973. ·
Paul Sherwen – Competed in the Tour from 1978-1985 and
has covered every Tour since. · Kirsten Gum – Part of
the OLN broadcast team since 2003, also hosts OLN’s
Road to the Tour.
p. 2 OLN/Prime Time
About the Prime Time Show: · Airs nightly from 8:00 –
10:30 PM ET/PT · Will include enhanced graphics, features on
riders and teams, historical vignettes, and in-depth
analysis of the Tour route and team strategies. · Expert
guests, including gear expert Paul Hochman, Armstrong
trainer Chris Carmichael and Mountain Biker, Hans Rey
In response to last year’s critically acclaimed and
record-breaking coverage of the Tour, OLN will enhance
this year’s Tour programming to include 2 ½ hours of
LIVE race coverage each day beginning at 8:30 AM ET. Race
action replays four times daily including the expanded
prime time show.
Outdoor Life Network is the leader in outdoor adventure and
action sports television. Now in more than 58 million
homes, OLN is the home of The Tour de France and the
ultimate resource for people interested in the outdoor
lifestyle. The Network offers exclusive programming in four
primary areas: Outdoor Adventure, Action Sports, Field &
Stream® and Bulls & Rodeo.
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CONTACTS: Amy Phillips Outdoor Life Network 203.406.2509
[email hidden] Bret Werner Alan Taylor
Communications 212.714.1280 [email hidden]