Service Electric Cable TV and Communications Becomes a "Founding Partner" of the Phantoms and the New Arena
Online, February 24, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) are proud to announce a long term "Founding" partnership with Service Electric Cable TV and Communications (SECTV) that starts with the 2013-14 season. The agreement guarantees that all home games will be broadcast in high definition. Terms of the partnership will not be disclosed.
"SECTV has a rich history in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley and by becoming a Founding Partner of the Phantoms and the new arena, they are not only showing their commitment to the Team, but to the revitalization of Downtown Allentown," said Jim Brooks, Co-Owner of the Phantoms.
"We are excited and proud to be working with the Walson family, Andy Himmelwright and everyone at Service Electric Cable TV and Communications," said Rob Brooks, Co-Owner of the Phantoms. "They have a tremendous reputation for broadcasting regional sports in the Lehigh Valley and their commitment to high definition will accentuate the exciting, fast paced action of professional hockey. The HD broadcasts will not only help to build fan loyalty, but will be a huge asset to our naming rights partner, founding partners and other corporate sponsors."
The new arena, which many believe will be the "center" of the Valley and a catalyst to the renovation and revitalization of downtown Allentown is scheduled to open in the fall of 2013 and will seat 8,500 people for hockey and over 10,000 for concerts and other events.
"We opened our Hamilton Street office in 1965 and have been servicing our customers from Downtown since. This location also serves as the home of Service Electric's television studio since 1969. My father John Walson Sr. invented cable television in 1948 with a strong vision for the future and now today we are excited about the vision for the economic growth and the impact the Phantoms and the Arena will have for downtown Allentown" said John Walson Jr. President and Owner of Service Electric Cable and Communications.
"SECTV TV2 is very excited to be the home of the Phantoms hockey team. We have been providing our subscribers award winning local programing since 1969 from our studio in downtown Allentown, I can't wait to roll the show open on the first game presented exclusively in High Definition on SECTV TV2. 2013 can not get here soon enough!" said Andy Himmelwright General Manager of SECTV TV2
Mayor Pawlowski added, "SECTV has been serving thousands of Allentown subscribers from its downtown location for decades. The partnership between SECTV and the Phantoms and the televising of the team's home games will help build the fan base that is so integral to the success of the franchise."
As part of the "Founding" partnership, SECTV will have large presence within the new arena, including a SECTV sports desk which will be built in the new arena or in one of the entertainment district's retail spaces attached to the complex. The desk will serve as the platform for all pregame, postgame, and intermission reports during every Phantoms home games.
The partnership was consulted on by Front Row Marketing Services, a subsidiary of the sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor. The excitement for the arena, Phantoms AHL Hockey, and world-class concerts and events to finally arrive in the Lehigh Valley is growing by the day," said Chris Lencheski, President of Front Row Marketing Services, "Having a cable partner like SECTV and every home game in HD allows for more fans to see this product and picture perfect exposure for our corporate sponsors."
Service Electric is family owned and locally operated, they remain committed to bring each and every subscriber the very latest in products and services just as they have for over 60 years. Service Electric Cable TV has come a long way since paving the way for the entire cable TV industry in 1948. However, one principle has never changed - Service Electric's ongoing commitment to the communities it serves and it's subscribers. Visit sectv.com for more information about their products and services.