SportsNet Pittsburgh Releases Hailey Hunter; FIFA World Cup Ratings Surge Hailey Hunter, the rinkside reporter for the Pittsburgh Penguins on SportsNet Pittsburgh, has been let go after three seasons with the network. In a statement, SportsNet Pittsburgh acknowledged her contributions and expressed gratitude for her time with the organization. The network stated it is initiating a nationwide search for a new rinkside reporter to cover Penguins games. Hunter did not receive a detailed explanation for her departure, though she noted that the Penguins opted to pursue a different direction for the role. Hunter, who joined SportsNet Pittsburgh for the 2023-24 Penguins season, described her time with the network as a “family” experience. She revealed plans to host a farewell gathering with colleagues, including cameramen, producers, executives, and representatives from the Penguins and Pirates organizations, with approximately 60 attendees. She emphasized the camaraderie she developed during her tenure, calling the news “shocking” but expressing appreciation for the support she received. Prior to her role with SportsNet Pittsburgh, Hunter covered golf for Golf Channel and the PGA Tour Entertainment and served as a team reporter and host for the New York Islanders during the 2021-22 season. She grew up in Muskegon, Michigan, and her father, Tim Hrynewich, played 55 games for the Penguins between 1982 and 1984. Meanwhile, early ratings for FIFA World Cup coverage on Fox, Fox One, and Tubi have exceeded expectations, driven by the event’s location in the United States. Matches featuring the U.S. Men’s National Team have drawn significant audiences, with the June 12 game against Paraguay averaging 15.9 million viewers and peaking at 18.8 million.#new_york_islanders #pittsburgh_penguins #sportsnet_pittsburgh #golf_channel #hailey_hunter
Game Preview: 03.26.26 vs. Ottawa Senators The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on March 26, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, with live audio available on 105.9 The X and the Penguins app. Pittsburgh enters the matchup with a record of 35-20-16, while Ottawa stands at 38-24-9. The Penguins have a strong historical edge against the Senators, posting points in 16 of their last 23 games (10-7-6) since March 23, 2017. Over a longer span dating back to January 27, 2013, the team has earned points in 28 of 37 contests (20-9-8). Four of the last five games between the teams at the Canadian Tire Centre have gone into overtime. Key players to watch include Justin Brazeau, who has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in five career games against Ottawa and is a plus-3 in those matchups. Rickard Rakell has points in nine of his last 10 games (4 goals, 7 assists). Captain Sidney Crosby is on a four-game point streak (1 goal, 4 assists) since returning from injury. Erik Karlsson, playing against his former team, has seven assists in 15 career games against the Senators. Stuart Skinner, the Penguins’ goaltender, has a 6-1-0 record in seven games against Ottawa, with a .903 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average. Head Coach Dan Muse has guided the Penguins to some of their most consistent play in the league this season. Under his leadership, the team has already surpassed last year’s win total through 71 games and has shown significant improvement in various categories. Crosby is also closing in on NHL history, needing two assists to become the eighth player to reach 1,100 career assists.#pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #ottawa_senators #sportsnet_pittsburgh #canadian_tire_centre
Pittsburgh Pirates 2026 Viewing Guide: TV, Streaming, and Radio Options Following the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 162-game season in 2026 requires a flexible approach to viewing, as the team’s broadcast schedule spans regional, national, and streaming platforms. Fans without cable or those seeking out-of-market access must navigate multiple services to ensure they don’t miss any games. The Pirates’ regional network, SportsNet Pittsburgh (SNP), will air the majority of their games, but national broadcasts and exclusive streaming deals will also play a role in the schedule. For local viewers, SportsNet Pittsburgh remains the primary channel for Pirates games, broadcasting matches across Western Pennsylvania, parts of Ohio, and West Virginia. These broadcasts include pregame and postgame coverage, enhancing the fan experience. However, some games will be televised nationally on networks like ESPN, FOX, FS1, MLB Network, or TBS, depending on exclusivity agreements. These national broadcasts may not be available on SNP, so checking the weekly schedule is essential to avoid missing key matchups. Streaming options for cord-cutters include SNP 360, a subscription service that provides live access to SportsNet Pittsburgh’s regional games. Priced at $21.99 monthly or $99.99 for six months, the service also includes coverage of Penguins games. The SNP 360 app is available on multiple devices, including mobile, desktop, Apple TV, and Fire TV. For a broader selection of national broadcasts, platforms like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream offer cable-like bundles without long-term contracts. These services often include MLB Network and regional sports networks, making them ideal for fans who want a centralized streaming solution. Out-of-market viewers can access all games through MLB.TV, which costs $29.#pittsburgh_pirates #mlb_network #sportsnet_pittsburgh #mlb_tv #snp_360
