There’s a buzz in St. Louis this fall that feels different. FanDuel Sports Network is bringing fresh faces, slick tech and new viewing options to the Blues’ season. Fans who grew up with one TV voice will notice the change. Many will like what they hear and see. FanDuel Sports Network promises a deeper, more modern connection to every puck drop. (nhl.com)
The network will televise and stream 68 Blues regular-season games this year, a full slate that aims to reach fans at home and on the go. That number gives viewers broad access to local matchups that used to be split across different platforms. The network also confirmed simulcast audio will remain available via 101ESPN, keeping in place a key radio lifeline for long-time listeners. (nhl.com)
FanDuel Sports Network boosts tech and talent for fans
FanDuel Sports Network has rebuilt the broadcast around new on-air talent and richer analytics. Chris Kerber will handle play-by-play and Joey Vitale will join him as analyst, a pairing already familiar to many Blues followers from their radio work. Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger will contribute as a Blues LIVE analyst, and the team adds respected reporters and returners like Andy Strickland, Scott Warmann, Bernie Federko and Jamie Rivers to round out pregame and postgame coverage. The reshuffle aims to blend tradition with fresh perspective. (nhl.com)
Beyond names, the network is leaning into data. FanDuel Sports Network will feature Sportlogiq’s Mike Kelly for select games to bring advanced analytics into the booth. That means viewers can expect more context, not just score updates: insights on player movement, pressure metrics and play-by-play breakdowns that clarify why a sequence mattered. The analytics push reflects how modern fans want more than highlights, they want explanation. (nhl.com)
New shows, new features, FanDuel Sports Network’s viewer-first upgrades
Starting Oct. 27, the network debuts the “FanDuel Sports Network Live Countdown Show,” a one-hour lead-in hosted by Stan Verrett. The weekday show will mix warmup look-ins, breaking news, on-site reporting and quick-hit analysis. It’s intended as a local-team primer and a national whip-around that connects fans to the full hockey landscape. The network says Countdown Live will feed directly into pregame and game coverage, sharpening the storytelling before the first faceoff. (PR Newswire)
On the tech front, FanDuel Sports Network is testing a C360 robotic camera on select games. The camera pairs with NHL Edge player-tracking data, the chips inside jerseys and pucks, to offer zoomed, precise views of movement and spacing. That capability gives analysts and viewers the chance to dissect sequences with frame-by-frame clarity, from zone entries to defensive reads. It’s a broadcast-level use of data that could change how we watch a power play or breakdown a defensive collapse. (nhl.com)
The app also gets meaningful upgrades. New features include an in-game catch-up tool and condensed re-airs immediately after each game ends. These tools help busy fans follow late finishes and revisit key moments without sitting through a full replay. FanDuel Sports Network is packaging access with a Season Pass option for the whole Blues season at $115.99, and it’s offering a limited-time $10 discount for Prime Video subscribers from Oct. 7–29. Monthly and annual plans remain available for viewers who prefer flexible billing. (fanduelsportsnetwork.com)
Why the changes matter to Blues fans and the local market
Change in broadcast teams often sparks debate. Long-time viewers may mourn familiar voices. But FanDuel Sports Network’s plan leans on continuity by promoting familiar radio voices to a multi-platform role while adding high-profile analysts and modern production tools. The network argues this approach keeps game-day energy intact while widening the ways fans can engage with content. Jay Rothman, FanDuel Sports Network’s VP of Production, framed it as a push for “content, storytelling, next-level analysis, creativity, technology and innovation.” (nhl.com)
For local sponsors and advertisers, expanded digital features and app-based viewing open new audience touch points. Condensed game re-airs and in-app catch-ups fit shorter attention spans. Meanwhile, the data-driven graphics and camera angles increase the airtime value for highlight reels and social clips. Those elements matter to the business side of the team and the network alike.
What to expect on Opening Night and beyond
FanDuel Sports Network kicks off its Blues coverage with Opening Night on Oct. 9 against the Minnesota Wild. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. CT with a special one-hour pregame edition of Blues LIVE. Fans can expect simultaneous streaming, TV telecasts and the radio simulcast, a blended approach that aims to meet viewers where they are. (fanduelsportsnetwork.com)
If the network’s new camera tests and analytic segments land with audiences, they’ll likely expand. Successful pilot technologies often move from “select games” to regular rotation. Should that happen, the way Blues games are narrated and replayed could evolve quickly, shifting how highlight packages are made and how replay rooms decide which plays to show on tight timelines.
Early reactions and the road ahead
Initial fan reaction has mixed notes of nostalgia and curiosity. Some supporters worry that traditional television calls will be lost. Others welcome the data and the immediacy of the app features. The Prime Video add-on and Season Pass pricing also give cord-cutters a clear path to watch. Industry observers say regional networks that invest in interactivity and analytics often deepen fan loyalty over time. The wider test for FanDuel Sports Network will be whether these features increase engagement across TV, streaming and social platforms. (Sports Video Group)
Final whistle
This season marks a pivot point for how Blues fans will consume hockey. FanDuel Sports Network has put money behind talent, camera tech and app functionality. The goal is clear: make each game easier to follow and richer to understand. Whether you’re listening on 101ESPN or watching a condensed replay on your phone, the network wants to be the place Blues fans turn to first. For a club and a city that live and breathe hockey, that promise matters. (nhl.com)
References:
- Source: St. Louis Blues / NHL.com
- Source: FanDuel Sports Network – Teams Page
- Source: PR Newswire – FanDuel Sports Network Countdown Live
- Source: FanDuel Sports Network – Packages
- Source: SportsVideo.org – Countdown Live Coverage
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Programming schedules, pricing and on-air talent are subject to change; readers should consult official team and network announcements for the most current details.
