Sports Emmys: Big night for NBC; 25th statue for Bob Costas

by Ed Sherman

May 8, 2013 by admin

NEW YORK–Takeaways from the Sports Emmys last night.

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Bob Costas won an Emmy for outstanding studio host. It is his 25th, begging the question of whether he has a warehouse to store all of his trophies.

“We have a part of the house where they fit,” said Costas of what must be an immense trophy room.

I asked Costas if winning ever gets old?

“No,” Costas said. “I’m proud that they have come in different categories. I’m more proud of the one I won for Later and the one for news for my Jerry Sandusky interview.”

Costas, though, did make an admission.

“I mean this sincerely,” Costas said. “Half of me was pulling for Rich Eisen, or Ernie Johnson or (James Brown) to win. I almost feel like a guy who wins the Gold Glove a bunch of times. … Continue Reading

Riding again: Gary Stevens will provide NBC with different view of this year’s Kentucky Derby

by Ed Sherman

May 3, 2013 by admin

Networks are supposed to be objective, with the obvious exception of pulling for major-market, star-studded teams to win to boost ratings.

NBC, though, will have a rooting interesting in this year’s Kentucky Derby. One of their own is in the race.

Gary Stevens has left his analyst seat to return to riding again. The Hall of Fame jockey is on Oxbow.

During a conference call, Stevens noted the race has great storylines for his NBC colleagues.

“I am going to be a little bit greedy here and hope to become a main storyline of the race,” Stevens said.

Indeed, NBC will be well prepared either way. Stevens will be wired throughout the entire day.

“I am still part of this team,” Stevens said. “And that’s why I’ve offered to do anything to make this show better. As being on the … Continue Reading

Best viewing of year: NBC Sports Group superserves hockey fans in first round

by Ed Sherman

April 30, 2013 by admin

The NHL playoffs begin tonight. Nothing like getting the second season started while the calendar still says April.

Thanks to the NHL’s TV deal with NBC, the first round of the playoffs now might represent the best week or two of hockey for the season.

For the second straight year, every game will air on national TV on one of these outlets: NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC, and NHL Network.

That’s every game, something that might not have happened if the NHL opted for ESPN. The multi-channel coverage created a great dynamic during the first round last year. Hockey fans worked out their remotes watching one dramatic finish after another. While the games get bigger during subsequent rounds, nothing matches the volume of the first round.

The end result produced an increase in ratings for the early rounds of the … Continue Reading

Notre Dame, NBC renew deal through 2025; select games can air on NBC Sports Network

by Ed Sherman

April 18, 2013 by admin

By 2025, it will be 35 years of the Irish on NBC. Think about that.

The new twist in the deal is that select Notre Dame games (i.e. the non-marquee games) can air on NBC Sports Network, beginning in 2016.

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Here are the details from NBC:

The University of Notre Dame and the NBC Sports Group have renewed their historic football partnership for 10 years, through the 2025 season. The renewal extends the landmark partnership, which began in 1991, to 35 years.

Per the extension, which begins with the 2016 season, the NBC Sports Group retains global media rights on all platforms to a minimum of seven Notre Dame home football games per year, with the vast majority airing on NBC. It also allows for games to air on NBC Sports Network. As it has since 2009, NBC Sports … Continue Reading

Here you go, soccer fans: NBC Sports Group set to super-serve Premier League

by Ed Sherman

April 16, 2013 by admin

NBC revealed its plans for its coverage of the English Premier League, which begins with the 2013-2014 season. It looks to be quite a feast for soccer fans.

Here are the details from NBC.

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All 380 games of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season will be presented live on NBC Sports Group’s television and digital properties as well as other NBCUniversal channels. NBC Sports Group’s schedule, which begins on Saturday, August 17, includes live matches on NBC, NBC Sports Network, Telemundo, Mun2, the Premier League Extra Time package of overflow television channels, the NBC Sports Live Extrawebsite and app, and other NBCUniversal channels including CNBC and USA.

As previously announced in October 2012, NBCUniversal, via the NBC Sports Group, acquired the exclusive U.S. media rights to the Premier League through a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2013-14 … Continue Reading

Switch: Dan Hicks to handle play-by-play duties for Notre Dame games on NBC

by Ed Sherman

April 15, 2013 by admin

Notre Dame fans, prepare to get acquainted with Dan Hicks.

Hicks will replace Tom Hammond as the play-by-play voice for NBC’s coverage of Notre Dame home games. Hicks will team with Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan on the telecasts.

NBC definitely wants to raise Hicks’ profile beyond his main duties as anchor of the network’s golf coverage. Hicks had filled in for Hammond on Notre Dame games, and did the NFL wildcard game for NBC in January.

The move is an opportunity for Hicks, 50, to become more of a signature voice for NBC Sports. He will get plenty of exposure on the Irish games.

Hammond, who turns 69 next month, will remain with the network, covering horse racing events (including the Triple Crown races) and the Olympics.

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Here’s the official release from NBC:

NEW YORK — April 15, 2013 … Continue Reading

NBC Sports Radio: Erik Kuselias takes over morning drive; Stashower at night

by Ed Sherman

March 11, 2013 by admin

The NBC Sports Radio launches on April 1. Former ESPNer Erik Kuselias will be the main man in the mornings.

The official announcement:

Dial Global and the NBC Sports Group announced programming moves as they prepare to fill out their roster and go live 24/7 on Monday, April 1. Weeknight host Erik Kuselias will move to morning drive, 6-9a ET, and Sunday morning host Jon Stashower will take over the 7-10p ET, Monday-Friday slot.

Since the September, 2012 launch of The Erik Kuselias Show on NBC Sports Radio, Kuselias has solidified his position as a top national sports-radio personality. His energy, knowledge of all sports, interview skills, legal background, engaging personality, and passion for sports radio make him the top pick to kick off morning drive on NBC Sports Radio. It’s familiar territory for “EK,” having filled in for Mike

… Continue Reading

Al Michaels inducted into TV Academy Hall of Fame tonight

by Ed Sherman

March 11, 2013 by admin

It will be a big night for Al Michaels in Hollywood. The current voice of NBC’s Sunday Night Football is being honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with induction into its Hall of Fame.

It is an impressive class. Besides Michaels, there’s Ron Howard, Bob Schieffer, Law and Order creator Dick Wolf, CBS president of CEO Leslie Moonves, and Philo Farnsworth, the scientist who gets much of the credit for inventing TV during the 1920s. Why Farnsworth wasn’t the Hall’s first inductee is beyond me.

In the Hollywood Reporter, Moonves cracked:

“When you read the list of who’s in the Hall of Fame, you see what a great honor it is. Al Michaels and I joke that not only are we getting in, we’re getting in without using steroids.”

The honor is well deserved for Michaels, … Continue Reading

Was moving to NBC right move for Posnanski? Writes debut column on A-Rod

by Ed Sherman

February 22, 2013 by admin

You have to assume Joe Posnanski is making a ton of money.

Why else would he have left Sports Illustrated, where he was arguably the magazine’s highest profile writer, for the new Sports on Earth, where he was that site’s highest profile writer, only to depart a few months later for NBCSports.com, where he will be that site’s highest profile writer?

Follow the money, right?

NBC made it official today, announcing that Posnanski will be its national columnist for NBCSports.com. In addition, he will also contribute to GolfChannel.com, NBCOlympics.com, NBCSports.com’s SportTalk blogs, including HardballTalk, as well as to the websites of the NBC Sports Regional Networks.

NBC has branded his weekly Friday column as “The Big Read.” His debut entry is on Alex Rodriguez.

Clearly, NBC hopes Posnanski’s name recognition, not to mention talent, will helps its site gain more … Continue Reading

Joe Posnanski leaves Sports on Earth for NBC

by Ed Sherman

January 29, 2013 by admin

Joe Posnanski’s wild ride continues.

According to Jason McIntyre of Big Lead, Posnanski is leaving Sports on Earth to join NBC Sports.

From the post:

I spoke with Posnanski Monday by phone as he struggled with the decision to stay or go, and he tells me via text message this morning, “Rough call … yes, going to NBC. Sad to leave, excited about the opportunity.”

Posnanski told McIntyre he will be “a digital voice” for NBC.

Why did Posnanski leave Sports on Earth so quickly? He was the signature hire for the new site founded by USA Today and MLB. For that matter, why did he leave Sports Illustrated? I still think the magazine gave him the best platform to do what he does best: write.