NBC Sports Group has hired veteran Matthew Hutchings to head the regional sports network it will tip off in Houston in the fall of 2012.
Starting his new job on Dec. 12, Hutchings, a longtime area resident, will oversee the company's 12th RSN, which will be the home to Houston Rockets NBA games and Houston Astros MLB contests, along with other area programming and attendant studio fare.
A longtime Houston area resident, Hutchings was most recently president and CEO of Altitude Sports & Entertainment, the television home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, and managed all of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment's media ventures. Hutchings joined Altitude in 2004 as COO to help launch the regional network. It was unclear at press time who would succeed Hutchings at Altitude.
During his career, Hutchings has been involved with the launch of more than 45 television and radio networks worldwide, including ESPN in the Middle East and Northern Africa as well as Star TV Asia in Hong Kong.
"Matt has nearly 30 years of experience managing and growing media businesses worldwide and comes to the NBC Sports Group with an exceptional track record building value for regional sports networks," said Jon Litner, group president of the NBC Sports Group, in announcing the hire. "I look forward to working with Matt and our team partners in Houston to launch Comcast SportsNet Houston and give local sports fans unprecedented coverage of their hometown teams."
Noted Hutchings: "Comcast SportsNet gives local fans the most comprehensive sports experience with exclusive game coverage, extensive pre- and post-game analysis, breaking news and a year-round commitment to local sports," added Hutchings. "Growing up in the Houston area as a loyal fan of the Astros and Rockets, I am excited to launch Comcast SportsNet in my hometown and work closely with our teams to provide the area with the sports coverage it deserves."
Hutchings began his career in the 1980s covering the Astros and Rockets for Houston's Home Sports Entertainment network and managing the on-air operations for Houston-based Prime Sports Networks, the predecessor of FSN's networks. Prior to his move to Denver, Hutchings also ran his own Texas-based creative agency and media consulting firm, HMG International.
