• February 1, 2011

Sports Illustrated will identify all of the models chosen for the 2011 SI Swimsuit Edition before the issue's release, a first.

The reveal, airing in the form of a 30-minute special, "The 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Selection Show," will premiere on DirecTV's The 101 Network on Feb. 11.    

Hosted by Sports Illustrated senior writer and DirecTV sportscaster Dan Patrick and former SI Swimsuit model Mallory Snyder, the special will feature the unveiling of the 17 models using a bracket system broken down by photo shoot location

DirecTV also has an eight-page print ad buy in the book, which SI says is the largest single ad buy in the past five years of Swimsuit issues and will also sponsor three of the 2011 Swimsuit apps.