How the Atlanta Braves became ‘America’s Team’ | ATLVault

Atlanta News First

How the Atlanta Braves became ‘America’s Team’ | ATLVault

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Published on Feb 24, 2025, 9:34:28 PM
Total time: 00:19:50

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Episode Description
In 1972, Ted Turner shocked the baseball and broadcasting worlds when he acquired the rights to broadcast Atlanta Braves games on WTCG; the Braves could be seen on Channel 17 the next season. Turner bought the team in 1976 and began sending his station's signal to the Satcom 1  satellite. WTCG would become WTBS, and then Superstation TBS, in 1978, and the Atlanta Braves would become the first professional sports franchise whose contests were available for viewing on a nationwide basis. Now, the Braves are returning to the station that made them a part of the national sporting consciousness, as PeachtreeTV (WPCH-TV) is broadcasting 10 spring training games and 15 regular season games in 2025. Bob Hope was director of public relations and marketing for the Braves in those early, revolutionary days, and he shares his recollections of how the Atlanta Braves became "America's Team."
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