An Unforgettable Twins Season

It's a season we'll never forget, for many reasons: the historical Home Opener at Target Field, on-field instructionals, the 50 Greatest Twins, home runs, special guests in the broadcast booth, flag raisers, thousands of "Circle Me Bert" signs, player charity events and of course, a memorable champaign celebration in the Twins clubhouse for the AL Central Division champion title.

Watch! A few of our favorites:
-Gardy Celebrates Clinch: http://tinyurl.com/2fx6fle
-Cuddyer: "I don’t want to play for anyone else": http://tinyurl.com/267umfc
-Twins Legends Game Highlights: http://tinyurl.com/23a4z9r
-50 Greatest Twins, Puckett: http://tinyurl.com/27t3ox8
-Navy SEALs Leap Frogs Jump into Target Field: http://tinyurl.com/2c6xr6
-Gates Open at Target Field: http://tinyurl.com/2avllnt
-Home Opener, Flag on Target Field: http://tinyurl.com/268ftb2

Photos Top: Historical Home Opener from Target Field: Anthony LaPanta, Tim Laudner and Ron Coomer at the "Countdown to Target Field" set, Middle: The FOX Sports North Twins producation truck: Trevor Fleck, Max Michalak and Mike Malmgren, Bottom: FOX Sports North reporter Robby Incmikoski celebrates with pitcher Kevin Slowey in the Twins clubhouse after the Twins Clinch

From all of us here at FOX Sports North to the Minnesota Twins: Thank you for an amazing season!

Record-Breaking Twins Ratings

The Minnesota Twins on FOX Sports North was the #1 rated show in prime time between April and September 2010 and broke numerous network all-time high ratings records throughout the season. The 8.8 season average made the Twins the second most-watched team in the MLB, according to Sports Business Journal.

The night the Twins clinched the division earned a 12.6 rating, (peak: 18.6) making it the highest rated show in primetime in the Twins Cities , even up against numerous network season premieres that night (Glee, Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars). FOX Sports North’s extensive postgame coverage with the clubhouse celebration and player reaction lasted until 12:30am and earned a 5.0 rating.

Top 2010 Record-Breaking Twins Ratings:
Aug 18: Twins vs White Sox, 15.3
Sept 16: Twins vs White Sox, 14.9
Sept 15: Twins vs White Sox, 14.5
Sept 14: Twins vs White Sox, 13.9

Wild Celebrate Year 10

Wild Year X
The Wild season is officially underway! FOX Sports North televised the home opener from the Xcel Energy on October 14 and will broadcast a total of 50 telecasts and pre and postgame shows this season. Watch for “Year X” special features and coverage in the near future.

Watch! Painting the Blue Line: http://tinyurl.com/2e3b9ep

Home Opener Highlights: http://tinyurl.com/2btop95

Season Opener from Helsinki, Finland
The Wild started year 10 off in a big way, with a trip overseas to Helsinki, Finland, for their season opener against Carolina. FOX Sports North’s Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Dimond cheered on the team from Finland along with producer John Stroh and production assistant Matt Kanios who captured exclusive footage for the network and foxsportsnorth.com.

Watch! Finnish Floorball: http://tinyurl.com/2erx7g7
Leaving on a Jet Plane: http://tinyurl.com/2er7h6w

Photo Greetings from Finland: Minnesota Wild Owner, Craig Leipold with Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports North, Mike Dimond and his wife Janice.

50 Wolves Games on FOX Sports North

The Minnesota Timberwolves return to FOX Spots North on October 27 to take on the Sacramento Kings in their Home Opener from the Target Center. Coverage begins at 6:00 p.m. with a special one-hour pregame show. The new season of Wolves Weekly premieres after the game.

Did you know? FOX Sports North streamed Wolves Media Day live on foxsportsnorth.com . Watch! Coach Rambis talks about the season during Media Day: http://tinyurl.com/24dlf6c

Tune In Complete 2010-11 Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/25tfwms

Record-Breaking Month for foxsportsnorth.com

Unique Visitors & Page Views Soar
September proved to be a record-breaking month for foxsportsnorth.com, recording the most page views and unique visitors to date for the regional sports website.

Postgame Coverage Live On-Air and Online Simutanously
Part of foxsportsnorth.com’s September success came from a first-time experiement: live postgame coverage on-air with additonal bonus coverage online at the same time. When the Twins clinched the AL Central title, FOX Sports North extended Qwest Twins Live postgame to continue coverage of traditional player interviews, fan reaction and analysis. At the same time, reporter Robby Incmikoski hosted a live web stream from inside the clubhouse where the Twins celebrated and shared their excitement with fans watching live on the web.

Watch! Robby gets drenched while hosting the foxsportsnorth.com live stream: http://tinyurl.com/23ealvo
-Twins wives celebrate in the clubhouse: http://tinyurl.com/27h9gjo

Gopher Hockey Returns

Gopher hockey is back and this season is new and improved with all telecasts in high definition and a new broadcast team. Anthony LaPanta will serve as play-by-play announcer along with a variety of analysts throughout the season, including former Gophers Tom Chorske, Larry Olimb and 1980 Olympic gold medalist Rob McClanahan as well as Kevin Gorg. Former player and coach Doug Woog will provide analysis as part of Qwest Gophers Live.

Tune In 2010-11 Gopher Hockey Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/27wn4v6

Watch! New Gopher hockey play-by-play announcer Anthony LaPanta previews WCHA play: http://tinyurl.com/25lkbc2

-1980 Olympian Rob McClanahan shows how Herb Brooks taught the art and strategy of the spin move: http://tinyurl.com/2bw5lyt

FOX Sports Prep Zone: 101

What is FOX Sports Prep Zone?
Four high school match-ups streamed simultaneously on foxsportsnorth.com every week throughout high school football and hockey season.

How does it work?
Ground-breaking Internet technology allows viewers to select one of four match-ups streamed simultaneously at foxsportsnorth.com. The network has mobilized resources throughout the Twin Cities with four multi-camera production teams visiting schools each week and game coverage that includes on-site announcers, replays and graphics.

What is Prep Zone the show?
Hosted by Anthony LaPanta, the show previews upcoming match-ups, shows exclusive videos and give fans an inside-look at high school sports. More than scores and highlights, the show originates from area high schools and includes features on student athletes as well as one-on-one interviews with players and coaches.

What can you find online?
The online user experience provides numerous interactive components within the webcast, including the ability to connect via social media. Fans can also access high school dance, cheer and band performances.

Check it Out Prep Zone on foxsportsnorth.com: http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/prepzone

Watch! Minnetonka vs Wayzata game highlights: http://tinyurl.com/3xk6dt2

Cretin Derham-Hall Band & Dance Team: http://tinyurl.com/338zje8

Fall = Football

Vikings
FOX Sports North is your place for the purple and gold this season with four weekly shows and exclusive web content and stories on foxsportsnorth.com. Join host Ann Carroll every week for Vikings Weekly, Paul Allen for Vikings Game Plan and Jared Allen for his two new shows Relentless Pursuit and The Jared Allen Show.

Watch! Coach for a Day from Vikings Weekly: http://tinyurl.com/25nhum6
Jared Allen the actor: http://tinyurl.com/29u2htg

Tune In Vikings programming schedule: http://tinyurl.com/29p29z8

Gopher Football
Catch up on Gopher football every Tuesday with FOX Sports Gopher Football Report (formally the Tim Brewster Show) plus up-to-date weekly web content and stories, including the “Deleon Cam” with junior running back Deleon Eskridge.

Watch! Inside the refrigerator of a D1 football player: http://tinyurl.com/2aum38u

In the Community: FSN Reading All Stars

FOX Sports North recently teamed with affiliate partner, Mediacom and the Minnesota Twins to promote an important public service campaign, which used the appeal of sports to champion literacy.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Jesse Crain and TC Bear visited Orono Intermediate School in Sept. as part of FOX Sports North's Reading All-Stars literacy initiative. More than 600 students in third through fifth grades at Orono Intermediate each received The Road to the Twins, a book about a Twins player who describes his journey from childhood to the Major Leagues.

Watch! Twins pitcher Jesse Crain reads to hundreds of kids: http://tinyurl.com/2e8tdof

Photo Reading All Stars: (left-right) Bill Jensen, Regional Vice President for Mediacom; Marney Gellner, FOX Sports North Host; Scott Alger, Orono Intermediate School Principal; TC Bear, Minnesota Twins and Mike Dimond, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports North

FOX Sports North Earns 9 Emmys & National Beacon Award

Emmy Awards
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Upper Midwest Region hosted the 2010 regional Emmy Awards in Minneapolis on Sept. 25. FOX Sports North’s own Anthony LaPanta, Kevin Gorg and Ron Coomer were among the presenters for the evening. The network was recognized with nine Emmys:
-Talent-Sports Play-by-Play: Anthony LaPanta
-Talent-Sports Analyst: Ron Coomer
-Sports, News Series: 50 Greatest Twins
-Technical Achievement: Farewell to the Metrodome
-Director-Live or Live to Tape: Matt Gangl
-Editor-No Time Limit: Nicole Kunkel
-Interview/Discussion: Wild Faceoff
-Program Host/Moderator: Ann Carroll
-Writer, Commentary, Editorial, Essay: Hockey Day Minnesota, Jim Souhan

Beacon Award
The ACC (Association of Cable Communicators) Beacon Awards honors excellence in cable communications and public affairs. FOX Sports North was recently awarded a Beacon Award at the national ceremonies in New York City for Hockey Day Minnesota with the Minnesota Wild in the category of "Events & Observances."

Photo Live from New York: It's Executive Producer Jeff Byle and Communications Manager Becky Ross with FOX Sports North's Beacon Award

North Supports

Ronald McDonald House
Throughout the month of August, FOX Sports North supported Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest Charities in a mission to raise awareness about the organization. As part of the campaign, a group of FOX Sports North employees participated in “Cooks for Kids” and prepared and served dinner to over 90 people at the local Minneapolis Ronald McDonald House.


Watch! Ronald McDonald House Executive on Qwest Twins Live: http://tinyurl.com/2dut5l5
Photo Ole! FOX Sports North employees and family members prepare and cook a Mexican-themed dinner at the Minneapolis Ronald McDonald House

Light the Night
FOX Sports North supported "Team Marney" in the Light the Night Walk to raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma research on September 26 at Target Field. The team consisted of 32 people, a mix of employees and viewers and collected over $6,200!


Watch! Marney on her Light the Night experience: http://tinyurl.com/2exzkc7
Photo Go Team Marney: 32 FOX Sports North employees and friends gather at Target Field for one important cause

Introducing FOX Sports North Fan Zone

Foxsportsnorth.com launched a new web based fan loyalty program at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair called "FOX Sports North Fan Zone."
Designed to drive traffic and increase traffic to foxsportsnorth.com, Fan Zone members have the opportunity to win prizes including tickets, team merchandise, sports memorabilia and more.

Check it out! FOX Sports North Fan Zone: http://fanzone.foxsportsnorth.com/

FREEZE FRAME

Wild about the Web: Check out FOX Sports North's new signage at the Xcel Energy Center

Live on foxsportsnorth.com: Robby Incmikoski and Kevin Gorg talk with the Minnesota Wild's Bill Robertson during a live stream of Wild Media Day. (Ralph shoots with the Live U camera)

Due North Outdoors: Laura Schara & Bill Shreck get ready for hunting season and shoot new "Due North Outdoors" promos with the FOX Sports North OAP team

The Minnesota State Fair: FOX Sports North enjoyed all 12 days of the "Great Minnesota Get Togather" at their booth located on the corner of Cooper & Judson. Roy Smalley spends time with some of his fans