Satellite TV News

The Ram Truck brand will continue its title as the Official Truck of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.

The brand announced a multi-faceted program dedicated to the 2011 Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby horse races. From the moment Thoroughbred fans enter Churchill Downs they will be immersed in the Ram Truck brand via vehicle displays and work trucks in and around the track, gate crew staff uniforms, and Ram branded jockey pants.

“The Ram Truck brand is proud to be affiliated with the great tradition of the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Our trucks have established a strong reputation for quality and reliability when it comes to towing Thoroughbred horses and their equipment in style,” said Fred Diaz, Ram Truck Brand President and CEO and Head of National Sales, Chrysler Group LLC. “This year’s participation marks a milestone for the Ram Truck brand as we move forward with our continued partnership and introduce the Ram Truck brand’s new tagline, ‘Guts. Glory. Ram.’”

The new tagline, which debuts during race programming, pays homage to the history of Ram Truck Brand and represents the hard work and dedication placed in the design, engineering and production of each and every Ram truck.

Along with national broadcast presence in the Triple Crown race programs, advertising efforts include a three-page spread featured in the Sport’s Illustrated Post-event derby issue and specialty equestrian-themed advertising placements on www.churchilldowns.com, www.kentuckyderby.com and www.twinspires.com.

Not only will the Ram Truck brand have a major presence at Churchill Downs with the entire vehicle lineup positioned throughout the venue, a dedicated “Ram Backcountry” VIP lounge has been created for the owners and jockeys who spend most of their time at the back of the track that operates year-round as a Thoroughbred training facility. The VIP lounge is equipped with computer terminals, library and sitting area that is staffed by Ram Truck ambassadors and a barista. Ram Backcountry features unique logo placement that can be seen on the top of barn roofs and on fencing, fence posts and the veterinarian building located in this area. Ram Backcountry was created in an effort to solidify the brand’s commitment to the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

Also new to the sponsorship, a representative from the Ram Truck brand will present the winning trophy to the owner and jockey of the “American Turf” stakes during the Kentucky Oaks races. The Ram Truck brand again will be a part of the Super Hi-5-wager. Should an eligible individual win this promotion, he or she will be awarded with a new 2011 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck.

Pittsburgh Steelers great, Heath Miller, for a night of fun and philanthropy at The Salvation Army and WTAE TV’s 14th Annual Minigolf Classic. Enjoy an exclusive evening with Heath and a host of Steelers alumni players on Thursday, June 16th, along with celebrity guests from WTAE TV Channel 4 at the RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island for food, photos and a round of miniature golf. Peoples Natural Gas, a faithful supporter of Project Bundle-Up, is sponsoring the event.

Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. The event starts off with an exceptional dinner, followed by a round of celebrity minigolf, a sumptuous dessert buffet and a selection of great give-aways. Two entrance fees are available, depending upon the extensive array of perks and keepsakes that are chosen.

At the top price point is the Black & Gold Team Sponsor at $1,500.  This package allows six players and provides participants with custom apparel; dinner by Bart’s Catering and Fine Foods, Inc.; a round of minigolf; putt with event host, Heath Miller; putt with former Steelers Greats like Robin Cole, Marv Kellum, Randy Grossman and John Banaszak; putt with WTAE-TV Channel 4 personality hosts; a professional photograph taken with Heath Miller for each team member in a keepsake folder; professional plaque for each member of the winning team; and a post minigolf dessert reception with great giveaways.

The economical Individual Rookie sponsor pays $150 and receives custom apparel, a round of minigolf and admittance into the dessert reception.

The Dodge brand and Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team are joining forces for a return to the Tire Rack One Lap of America competition sponsored by Motor Trend magazine.

After a two-year hiatus, a stock 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, driven by SRT engineers Erich Heuschele and Adam Forte, will compete in the SSGT2 Big Bore class, beginning on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Tire Rack’s test track in South Bend, Ind.

A test of both driver and vehicle endurance, the weeklong competition features more than 70 vehicle entrants that will travel more than 3,500 miles from venue to venue in addition to running various timed events at 10 venues.

Following the opening round wet skid pad competition at Tire Rack on April 30, participants will travel to and compete at the following locations:

* Grissom Air Force Base near Kokomo, Ind., for timed Solo II (autocross) on Saturday, April 30
* Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, W. Va., for time trials on Sunday, May 1
* Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, S.C., for time trials on Monday, May 2
* BMW Performance Center, Greer, S.C., for time trials on Monday, May 2
* Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla., for time trials on Tuesday, May 3
* Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla., for drag and bracket races on Tuesday, May 3
* Circuit Grand Bayou, Belle Rose, La., for time trials on Wednesday, May 4
* Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala., for time trials on Thursday, May 5
* Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, Ill., for time trials on Friday, May 6

Competitors then return to Tire Rack’s test track for the final skid pad event on Saturday, May 7, where winners will be announced.

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 builds on its original mantra of a rear-wheel-drive coupe that brings a balanced approach between form and function. Pumping out 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, the new 392-cubic inch HEMI® V-8 engine provides an additional 90 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,900 rpm versus the previous 6.1-liter HEMI V-8. The added torque allows for inspired standing starts and improved straight-line performance. An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing provides maximum low-end torque while optimizing high-end power.

Even with the elevated power numbers, the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 equipped with a manual transmission achieves a 4-percent improvement in highway fuel economy while the automatic equipped model gets a 15-percent improvement thanks to its Fuel Saver Technology (four cylinder mode), which allows the engine to operate economically on four cylinders or use all eight cylinders when needed.

A recalibrated suspension geometry with new negative camber settings and quicker steering ratios improves overall balance and steering responsiveness while dramatically increasing cornering ability.

“The performance improvements we’ve made to the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 make it a perfect match to tackle the many challenges the One Lap competition presents both on the road and at the various tracks,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “Both Erich and Adam have a lot of experience behind the wheel and in the development of the Challenger SRT8, so we’re looking forward to receiving some unique and real time feedback from such a grueling event.”

Heuschele, an SRT vehicle dynamics manager from Oxford, Mich., will be making his sixth appearance in the event, having captured three class wins (2003, 2005 and 2006). Forte, a Challenger SRT8 vehicle integration engineer from Rochester Hills, Mich., will be making his One Lap debut.

To help commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Cannonball Run, at which event founder Brock Yates and Steve Behr raced in a 1972 Dodge Challenger, the 2011 Challenger SRT8 will wear 7.75-inch Hella pencil beam spotlights up front, black vinyl strips reminiscent of the 1972 bump strips on both sides, along with One Lap emblems on the rear quarter panels and hood.

Yates was a writer for Car and Driver in early 1971, when he announced the coast-to-coast race from New York City to Redondo Beach, Calif. Yates and Behr completed the trek in 38 hours and 3 minutes with an average speed of 76.3 mph.

TicketsNow has announced that it has signed a a new ticketing relationship with FOX Sports Interactive Media. The relationship gives fans access to ticket inventory on TicketsNow.com via dedicated links throughout FOXSports.com.

The agreement designates TicketsNow as the Official Ticket Provider of FOXSports.com and creates a convenient and secure destination for fans searching for tickets to events nationwide. TicketsNow links are contextually integrated into FOXSports.com Team Pages, Standings Pages, Schedule Pages, Scores Pages, Gametrax Pages, and Racetrax Pages. Fans can also purchase tickets to the nation’s top sporting events through a custom, dynamic TicketsNow “ticket widget,” which appears on the FOXSports.com home page.

Jeff Husvar, Executive Vice-President and General Manager for FOX Sports Interactive Media said “Teaming up with a multiplatform ticket provider that offers premium seats to sports, music, and theater events underscores FOXSports.com’s commitment to keeping fans entertained and engaged.”

Julia Vander Ploeg, General Manager of TicketsNow said “We are extremely excited to team up with FOX Sports Interactive, giving their visitors the ability to buy and sell event tickets in a fan-friendly marketplace. Providing fans with the opportunity to purchase their tickets right where they get their news, information, schedules and stats on their favorite sports teams is a tremendous benefit.  It aligns perfectly with what we are all about, which is making the ticket buying experience as convenient and safe as possible for the fan.”

Roland Dickey Jr. of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will throw the first pitch at the Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays baseball game on April 25.

This is the first series game between the Rangers and the Blue Jays and will be held in Arlington at Rangers Park on Monday, April 25th at 7:05 p.m.

“I am honored to be a part of the Texas Rangers game,” Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. CEO Roland Dickey Jr. said. “This is a great opportunity to support our team, the Texas Rangers, and to bring the entire family out for an exciting and fun evening of baseball.”

Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit was founded in Dallas in 1941 and is a prominent fixture on the Dallas restaurant scene.

The original location remains open for business.

Dickey’s Barbecue is still owned and operated by the Dickey Family.

“The Rangers are our team and it’s important for Dickey’s Barbecue to support this American tradition. As we expand and move into new communities across the country every month, we never forget where it all began,” Roland Dickey Jr.  said. “We want our Owner/Operators to take the value of community partnership along with great barbecue to their neighbors and friends.”

This is the first time for Roland to throw the opening pitch at a Rangers game.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit began franchising in 1994, the same year the Rangers began playing at Rangers ballpark, and now has 147 locations in 33 states.

Every Dickey’s restaurant still slow smokes all of their signature meats overnight.

WDIV-TV has promoted Kim Voet to the position of News Director of WDIV Local 4 News.  Voet, a 14-year veteran of the WDIV newsroom, has held the positions of Local 4 News Producer, Executive Producer of Local 4 News at 11pm, Special Projects Executive Producer, Senior Executive Producer, and most recently, the position of Assistant News Director since December 2009.

Voet has been honored with awards for news coverage from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, The Associated Press and the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

In addition, twice during her tenure in the newsroom, the station has received the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in News Coverage, recognizing the efforts of the entire WDIV news staff.  Voet has described these team awards as her proudest accomplishments.

A native of St. Louis and graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia school of Journalism, Voet has been a part of news organizations since 1988 including positions at KMOV-TV in St. Louis, WKBD-TV in Detroit, and WFMY-TV and WXII-TV, both in North Carolina.

Local 4 News is Detroit’s breaking news leader with an award-winning news lineup which includes the Local 4 News Morning from 4:30 a.m. until 7 a.m., Local 4 News at Noon, Local 4 News: First At 4, Local 4 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Detroit’s highest-rated newscast, Local 4 News at 11 p.m.  In addition, Local 4′s news, weather, sports and entertainment website, ClickOnDetroit.com, is the most clicked-on local television news site in Detroit.

“Throughout her many years at Local 4, Kim has had a hand in every key initiative in our newsroom, and has been a driving force behind our election coverage,” said Marla Drutz, WDIV Vice President and General Manager.  “She has consistently demonstrated a passion for being the best in breaking news coverage, and has a great understanding of what is truly important to our community.”

AT&T and Starz Entertainment, LLC have announced that the companies recently extended and expanded the AT&T U-verse TV affiliation agreement for Starz Entertainment’s premium channels, HD, and on-demand services.

AT&T U-verse also acquired the authenticated online rights to deliver the Starz Online and Encore Online services for its premium subscribers. As part of the agreement, AT&T U-verse also has the rights to deliver the MoviePlex premium channel and associated MoviePlex On Demand, MoviePlex HD On Demand, and MoviePlex Online services in the future.

AT&T U-verse TV currently offers 17 premium channels and feeds from Starz Entertainment, including all 13 distinct Starz and Encore channels, West Coast feeds of the flagship Starz and Encore channels, plus IndiePlex and RetroPlex. Advanced services include five channels in HD including Starz HD, Starz Kids & Family HD, Starz Comedy HD, Starz Edge HD, and Encore HD, as well as Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, Starz HD On Demand, and Encore HD On Demand.

Financial terms and other deal specifics were not disclosed.

“We’re very pleased to grow our relationship with Starz and deliver even more quality premium content on U-verse TV, and soon, online,” said Dan York, president of content, AT&T. “This deal helps us with important strategic content initiatives and brings more value to our movie package and U-verse TV customers.”

“AT&T has been very successful in marketing our channels and services. We are excited to extend our deal and expand our relationship by granting them rights to market our services online for its premium subscribers,” said Ed Huguez, executive vice president, sales and affiliate relations for Starz Entertainment.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Cadillac Championship, part of the 2011 World Golf Championships series began on Wednesday, March 9 at the Doral Resort & Spa’s TPC Blue Monster and conclude on Sunday, March 13.

The PGA Tour confirmed last week that the Top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking have all committed to compete in the Cadillac Championship.

During the tournament, Cadillac will offer fans professional instruction and a chance to win a CTS-V Coupe at the Cadillac Performance Center. The center will feature swing and putting analysis systems, ball-fittings by Bridgestone and playing simulators that put fans on the Blue Monster’s 15th hole, one of the course’s Par 3 holes.

On one of the simulators for the 15th hole, the four-closest shots to the pin each day will be invited back for a chance to make a hole-in-one and win a CTS-V Coupe. During official tournament play, any professional golfer making a hole-in-one at the 15th hole also will win a CTS-V Coupe.

A finalist for 2011 World Performance Car of the Year, the CTS-V Coupe features a 6.2L supercharged V8 delivering 556 horsepower, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires and a Magnetic Ride Control suspension system that can read and react to the road 1,000 times a second. The CTS-V Coupe starts at $64,340, including destination charges.

In addition to the Cadillac Performance Center, Cadillac will host fans at the Cadillac Experience, a showcase for the newest vehicles in the luxury brand’s line. Guests will receive a complimentary sleeve of Bridgestone golf balls and exclusive access to some of the best view areas on holes 17 and 18.

The Cadillac Performance Center and Cadillac Experience are open each day during the tournament from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and available at no extra charge to ticketholders.

Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing said “We’re pleased to have an elite field vying for the title at the Cadillac Championship. Cadillac is built on the principal of always striving to be the best. We expect fans to be treated to intense competition on the course and a host of activities off the course that allow them to take their own golf skills to a higher level.”

TV Land is paying tribute to the art and artists of AfriCOBRA with an original special entitled  “AfriCOBRA:  Art For The People” premiering Monday, February 7, 2011 at 8:30PM ET/PT.

Narrated by three-time Emmy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, (“The Cosby Show”) this half-hour documentary features an engaging and animated history of the AfriCOBRA group, contemporary interviews with some of the AfriCOBRA artists and an illustrious display of their artwork.  After the special airs, it will be offered in its entirety on TVLand.com.

AfriCOBRA (the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) was formed in the 1960s by a group of Chicago-based artists seeking to effect positive change by creating images that affirmed and uplifted the black community.  The group continues to create innovative African American artwork.

Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land said “AfriCOBRA’s artwork is visually stunning and radiates unity and possibility. This small and organized movement from Chicago  uplifted and educated their struggling community with their own creative aesthetic and positive imagery.  We have the very unique opportunity to speak with these artists’ firsthand and to share their philosophies and masterpieces which are still being created today.”

“AfriCOBRA: Art For The People” was written, produced and art directed by TV Land and directed by Juan Delcan from Nola Pictures.  Delcan recently designed the stage visuals for U2′s 360 Tour as well as directed commercials for clients including NBC, Puma, Carolina Herrera, JetBlue and DeBeers among others.

The Portland Timbers and Alaska Airlines invite soccer fans to create artwork to adorn a Boeing 737-700 in a “Paint the Plane” contest. The Timbers-branded plane will be revealed this spring during the club’s 2011 debut Major League Soccer season.

Fans can download the plane’s design template at www.portlandtimbers.com and submit their unique Timbers-centric design by mail or electronically through Feb. 15, 2011.

The person with the winning design will receive two first-class tickets to Hawaii on Alaska Airlines, two club seats to the Timbers’ inaugural home match on April 14, 2011, as well as a team-autographed Timbers jersey. The runner-up will receive two coach tickets to anywhere Alaska flies within the United States or Canada, a team-autographed Timbers jersey, and two complimentary tickets to a 2011 match of their choice (based on availability). The third-place design will receive two coach tickets on Alaska to anywhere the airline flies within the continental United States or Canada, and a $50 gift card to the Timbers Team Store or online shop. Seven additional submissions will receive honorable mentions.

Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity and the ability to express the Portland Timbers brand. All entries will be judged by Alaska Airlines and Portland Timbers representatives.