PHILADELPHIA, December 22, 2008 –New Year’s day at 9am, myphl17 will begin coverage of the Southwest Airlines Mummers Parade with a special entitled “Breakfast with the Mummers.” Live coverage from 15th and Market will follow and will be broadcast in HD (high definition.)

Myphl17’s long time host of the parade, Steve Highsmith, will anchor coverage of the broadcast. He will be joined throughout the day by Better Philly host Renai Ellison as well as by Lori Wilson, Tim Furlong, Justin Pizzi and Aditi Roy from myphl17 News at Ten Powered by NBC 10 who will report from the field. Joining Highsmith will be former Daily News writer, Ron Goldwyn, who will provide color commentary for the “Comics” and Judge Jake Hart, who will serve as color commentator during the “String Band” performances.

Coverage of the Southwest Airlines Mummers Parade on myphl17 will begin with the Comics followed by the Fancy Clubs and culminating with the String Bands.

Myphl17 will again broadcast the Fancy Brigade performances from Pennsylvania Convention Center. The Mummers Fancy Brigade Finale will air on myphl17 from 8pm to 10pm New Year’s Day and will be hosted by Lori Wilson and Jamison Uhler.

The Mummers Parade is a longtime Philadelphia tradition and for many years has been the most watched television program in the region on New Year’s Day averaging a 8.8 rating over the fourteen years it has been broadcast on myphl17. 2009 marks the 109th edition of the parade, which will proceed north on Broad Street to 15th and Market, the site of myphl17’s broadcast center, and the location of the review stands where judging takes place.

Sunday, January 11th, myphl17 will televise a one-hour primetime special, Southwest Airlines Mummers Best of the Best from 9pm to 10pm. The program will be comprised of highlights from this year’s parade, as well as the results of myphl17’s “Viewers’ Choice Poll.” Viewers will be able to participate in the poll in two ways; via text message and via www.myphl17.com. Polls will open for voting at 1:30pm on New Year’s Day and will close at 5pm on January 2nd. Southwest Airlines Mummers Best of the Best, will be hosted by myphl17’s Steve Highsmith.

In addition to local coverage provided by myphl17, highlights of the Southwest Airlines Mummers Parade can also be seen nationally on WGN America (Direct TV channel 307 and Dish Network channel 239) for two hours beginning at 2pm EST on Saturday, January 3rd.