Category Archives: NBC

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

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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 season. Per the agreement, NBCUniversal becomes the exclusive English- and Spanish-language media rights holder to all 380 Barclays Premier League matches across all media platforms and devices in the United States.

Details of the 2013-2014 NBC Sports Group Premier League programming include:

  • All 380 matches presented live on television with studio pre- and post-game coverage;
  • All 380 matches streamed live via NBC Sports Live Extra;
  • Games not aired on a designated NBCUniversal channel will be made available to distributors via Premier League Extra Time, a package of overflow television channels available at no extra cost for each of their customers who receives NBC Sports Network;
  • Championship Sunday – May 11, 2014, when all 10 Premier League matches will be available live on a different NBCUniversal channel;
  • 76 Spanish-language telecasts, 10 on Telemundo, 66 on Mun2;
  • More than 600 hours of Premier League original programming.

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA: Every Barclays Premier League match will be streamed live via NBC Sports Live Extra, the NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktop, mobile and tablets and, in most cases, on the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, telco and other video subscription services. The vast majority of Barclays Premier League matches will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of these services.

NBC Sports Live Extra provides a primary and second screen experience across mobile, tablet and desktop, delivering high quality video, match/player stats and video highlights while aggregating Premier League content from social media.

PREMIER LEAGUE EXTRA TIME: All games not aired on a designated NBCUniversal channel will be made available to distributors on Premier League Extra Time, a package of overflow television channels available at no extra cost for each of their customers who receives NBC Sports Network.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY: The biggest day on the Premier League schedule is the last day of the season when all 20 teams play at the same time. NBCUniversal will present each match of Championship Sunday live across a host of NBCU channels, including NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, MSNBC, E! and more.

STUDIO AND ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING: NBC Sports Network will present more than 600 hours each year of studio and original programming surrounding Premier League. Shows include:

  • Premier League Countdown – A preview of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season;
  • Premier League Download – With the help of a number of high-profile celebrity supporters, comedians and journalists, Premier League Download will explore what it is that’s so intensely loved – and loathed – about England’s topflight league. Long-time supporters will enjoy the lively commentary, while new fans will learn the language of the only league that matters;
  • Premier League 36 – NBC Sports Network’s acclaimed 36 series that follows athletes for the 36 hours leading up to a game/match/race comes to the Premier League;
  • Premier League Goal Zone – A 30-minute program airing after the matches on Sunday with highlights of all the goals scored on Saturday and Sunday;
  • Game Cut-Downs – On Monday nights, NBCSN will present a two-hour show featuring cut-down versions of the Manchester United and Manchester City matches. On Tuesdays, a two-hour program will feature the Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham matches;
  • Match of the Day – A two-hour show featuring extended highlights with the natural calls of every game on Saturday. This show is modeled after the highly-regarded BBC show of the same name. Match of the Day will re-air on Sunday mornings;
  • Match of the Day 2 – A 90-minute show featuring extended highlights with the natural calls of every game on Sunday. This show is modeled after the BBC show of the same name;
  • Match of the Week – On Sunday nights, NBCSN will re-air the best match of the weekend in its entirety;
  • Barclays Premier League World – A weekly magazine show produced by Premier League;
  • Barclays Premier League Preview – A weekly show produced by Premier League that previews the upcoming week’s matches;
  • Barclays Premier League Review – A weekly show produced by Premier League that recaps all the matches from the past week.
GAMES BY PLATFORM (Subject to Change)
NBC 20
NBCSN 154
Premier League Extra Time 184
Telemundo/Mun2 76
Other NBCU Channels 22
NBC Sports Live Extra 380

TYPICAL WEEKLY PROGRAMMING GRID (All games live; All times ET)

Saturday Sunday Monday/Midweek
7 a.m. – NBCSN 8 a.m. – NBCSN 2:30 p.m. – NBCSN
10 a.m. – NBCSN 11 a.m. – NBCSN/Telemundo
12:30 p.m. – NBC

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

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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 – Dan Hicks, NBC Sports Group’s longtime and critically-acclaimed golf and Olympic commentator, will join NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football coverage this season as its lead play-by-play voice. His first assignment comes this Saturday, when NBC Sports Network presents Notre Dame Football’s 84th Annual Blue-Gold Game at 1 p.m. ET.

A versatile voice, Hicks is well-known for his coverage of high-profile events, such as the PGA TOUR, the U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup, Olympic speed skating and Olympic swimming, which includes all of Michael Phelps’ 18 gold medal victories. Hicks also has significant football experience, having called NFL games in the 1990s for NBC’s AFC package. Earlier this year, he teamed with Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan for the AFC Wild Card game on NBC between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals. Hicks has Fighting Irish broadcasting experience as well, including filling in for Tom Hammond for one game in each of the last two seasons.

“Dan is a gifted commentator, and we wanted to find more high-profile opportunities to showcase his talents,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports & NBC Sports Network. “Coming off an undefeated regular season and a berth in the BCS Championship Game, Notre Dame Football provides a perfect platform.”

Hicks will continue to work as the lead commentator for NBC Sports Group’s live-event golf coverage, and will return for NBC’s Olympic coverage, including the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Hicks succeeds Hammond, who has been the play-by-play voice for Notre Dame Football on NBC for most games dating back to 1992. Renowned for his work on the Olympics and horse racing, Hammond recently agreed to a new multi-year deal. He will continue to be the lead voice for three of NBC Sports Group’s most prestigious properties: Triple Crown horse racing; figure skating, including at the 2014 Sochi Olympics; and track & field, including at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

84TH ANNUAL BLUE GOLD GAME

The 84th annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game will air on NBC Sports Network, Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. ET, marking just the third time that the Fighting Irish’s traditional spring scrimmage game will be televised nationally.

In his first official assignment as the newest member of NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football on-air team, Dan Hicks will call play-by-play, and be joined by analyst and 2013 Sports Emmy Award nominee Mike Mayock, and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan.

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL ON NBC

Notre Dame Football on NBC begins Saturday, August 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET, when the Fighting Irish host Temple. The 2013 schedule also includes games against Michigan State on Saturday, September, 21; Oklahoma on Saturday, September, 28; Arizona State from Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Tex., on Saturday, October 5; USC on Saturday, October, 19; Navy on Saturday, November 2; and BYU on Saturday, November, 23.

The following is the NBC Sports Group 2013 Notre Dame Football schedule (all times ET)

 

Date Opponent Network
Saturday, April 20 Blue-Gold Game NBC Sports Network
Saturday, Aug. 31 Temple NBC
Saturday, Sept. 21 Michigan State NBC
Saturday, Sept. 28 Oklahoma NBC
Saturday, Oct. 5 Arizona State* NBC
Saturday, Oct. 19 USC NBC
Saturday, Nov 2 Navy NBC
Saturday, Nov 23 BYU NBC

*Off-site home game from Dallas, Texas.

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

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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 and Mike more than any other guest host in the history of the show. He will be joined by one of the best producers in sports radio, Rob “Stats” Guerrera.

Jon Stashower is one of the best sports broadcasting voices in the business. Passionate and knowledgeable, Jon delivers a refreshing approach to sports talk, adding a depth and a quality that is hard to match. He goes behind all the water-cooler topics and breaks down the games, headlines and highlights with great insight and analysis, making him the perfect choice to lead into the evening games.

Erik Kuselias says, “I’m thrilled to be in the prime spot for NBC Sports Radio’s first daily lineup. We believe this is the smartest and most fun sports radio program in the nation, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Additionally, NBC Sports and Dial Global Sports allow us to have an unparalleled guest list, which will help us rejuvenate mornings for those looking for a fresh approach.”

“In sports, so much happens at night,” says Jon Stashower. “It’s when the games are played and so many of the stories break. I’m really looking forward to being on every night to break down all that’s going on.”

Chris Corcoran, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Dial Global, adds, “I can’t wait to fire up morning drive with EK and break open the playing field. And we’re thrilled to give Stash his own weekday show. He’s a consistent, solid performer who grabs listeners’ attention and keeps them tuned in.”

Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures and International, adds “Erik brings a rare combination of analytical rigor and energy to the world of sports radio. And like many in the New York area, I’ve spent years listening to Jon Stashower’s familiar voice talking sports. He gives our radio network additional credibility.”

NBC Sports Radio will launch its full 24/7 talk programming on April 1, 2103. More announcements will be made shortly.

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Al Michaels inducted into TV Academy Hall of Fame tonight

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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, who has done everything during his long career. Just to start your week out right, listen to Michaels’ signature call.

 

 

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

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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 of a foothold in the crowded digital sports arena. I’ve heard some people complain that his luster has been diminished by the backlash from his book, Paterno, which met with some harsh reviews, including one from this corner. There might be some truth to that, but I think time has a way of smoothing over the edges.

If you’re Posnanski, the bigger question is: Will people still read my stuff? He had a huge platform at Sports Illustrated. Not so much at Sports on Earth, and NBCSports.com faces stiff competition from the other network entries from ESPN, CBS, and Fox, not to mention Yahoo! Sports and The Sporting News. People have to find him first before they can read him. It will be incumbent for NBC to pump up the volume for its newest addition.

All writers have an ego. Posnanski didn’t do a piece on Rodriguez, which meanders over three Internet pages, just to have it drift in cyberspace. He wants readers to consume that story.

Financially, I’m sure Posnanski has done very well for himself. As for whether his voice will remain as powerful at NBCSports.com, well, that remains to be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in NBC

Joe Posnanski leaves Sports on Earth for NBC

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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.

More answers to come, I guess.

Within the last year, Posnanski has left SI; published a controversial book on Joe Paterno; and is on the move again.

Quite a year for a sportswriter.

 

Posted in NBC

Hockey! Hockey! Hockey! Joyful NBC announces slate of games

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Here you go NHL-starved fans. NBC and NBC Sports Network have a massive helping of games. Here’s the rundown from the network:

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NBC Sports Group will air 70 NHL regular-season games across NBC and NBC Sports Network this season. The schedule includes 14 exclusive windows (15 games) on NBC, the most regular-season windows ever for the network, as well as 24 exclusive windows and 26 exclusive games on NBC Sports Network.

Coverage begins the weekend of Jan. 19-20 with the NBC Sports Group presenting four games over two days, three on NBC and one on NBC Sports Network. Additional scheduling highlights include the Los Angeles Kings’ Stanley Cup championship banner raising, a Hockey Day in America tripleheader, and the start of rivalry nights on Wednesday night on NBC Sports Network. According to the National Hockey League, which released the schedule today, all games will be intra-conference with an emphasis on divisional play.

OPENING WEEK: NBC drops the puck on its coverage at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 19 with NHL Live, featuring the Stanley Cup champion L.A. Kings’ banner raising. Following the ceremony, NBC offers regional coverage of the Kings hosting the Chicago Blackhawks (puck drop at 3:25 p.m. ET) and the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins (3:35 p.m. ET).

On Sun., Jan. 20 at 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC returns with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Flyers. NBC Sports Network begins its season Sunday night by televising the Phoenix Coyotes at the Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. ET. It continues coverage with a game on three consecutive nights from Monday through Wednesday.

Following is the Opening Week schedule (all times ET):

 

Date Away Home Time Network
Sat., January 19 NHL Live Banner Raising 3:00 p.m. NBC
Sat., January 19 Chicago Los Angeles 3:25 p.m. NBC
Sat., January 19 Pittsburgh Philadelphia 3:35 p.m. NBC
Sun., January 20 Philadelphia Buffalo 12:30 p.m. NBC
Sun., January 20 Chicago Phoenix 10 p.m. NBCSN
Mon., January 21 Detroit Columbus 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Tues., January 22 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
Wed., January 23 Boston N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m. NBCSN

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT IS RIVALRY NIGHT: NBC Sports Network’s exclusive Wednesday night coverage will now feature some of the biggest rivalries in the NHL, including Bruins-Canadiens and Flyers-Penguins. The network will air exclusive coverage Wednesday nights giving NHL fans four straight nights of hockey action, Sunday-Wednesday, during most weeks. Rivalry Nights begin Wednesday, January 23 with the Bruins and Rangers facing off in another Boston-New York contest. Following are NBC Sports Network’s 2013 Rivalry Nights:

 

Date Away Home Time
January 23 Boston N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
January 30 Chicago Minnesota 8 p.m.
February 6 Boston Montreal 7:30 p.m.
February 13 St. Louis Detroit 7:30 p.m.
February 20 Philadelphia Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
February 20 St. Louis Colorado 10 p.m.
February 27 Washington Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
March 6 Colorado Chicago 8 p.m.
March 13 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
March 20 Minnesota Detroit 7:30 p.m.
March 27 Montreal Boston 7:30 p.m.
April 3 Pittsburgh N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
April 10 Boston New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
April 17 Buffalo Boston 7:30 p.m.
April 24 Los Angeles Detroit 7:30 p.m.

 

HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA: In its third year, Hockey Day in America will celebrate America’s passion for hockey on Sunday, February 17, featuring more than nine hours of coverage, including three games and six teams from some of the most avid U.S. hockey markets across both NBC and NBC Sports Network. In addition, coverage will include compelling features that tell the story of America’s passion for hockey.

Coverage begins at Noon ET on NBC with NHL Live. The first two broadcasts on NBC are Pittsburgh at Buffalo at 12:30 p.m. ET and Los Angeles at Chicago at 3:30 p.m. ET. The final game of the celebration is between Washington at the New York Rangers at 6 p.m. ET and airs on NBC Sports Network. (All times ET and subject to change)

 

Time Away Home Network
Noon NHL Live NBC
12:30 Pittsburgh Buffalo NBC
3:30 Los Angeles Chicago NBC
6:00 Washington N.Y. Rangers NBC Sports Network

 

NBC SPORTS GROUP OPENS STATE-OF-THE ART STUDIOS: NHL studio programming throughout the 2013 season will originate from the NBC Sports Group’s new, state-of-the-art International Broadcast Center located in Stamford, Conn. The first studio programming will air on NBC on Saturday, Jan. 19, prior to the two regional games.

NHL Live is NBC Sports Network’s live pre- and post-show with highlights and analysis of NHL matchups before and after every game. It traditionally airs a half-hour prior to live-event coverage. NHL Overtime airs Monday-Wednesday nights after NHL telecasts. It examines all NHL games played that night with news, highlights, and analysis.

FLEX SCHEDULING ON NBC: For the sixth consecutive season, the NHL and NBC Sports Group will utilize flex scheduling, which provides the ability to select from up to four games on Sunday afternoons. At least 13 days prior to the scheduled games, the NHL and NBC will announce which game will air. Following are the current games scheduled for NBC:

NBC 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

 

Date Away Home Time
Saturday, January 19 Chicago Los Angeles 3:25 p.m.
Saturday, January 19 Pittsburgh Philadelphia 3:35 p.m.
Sunday, January 20 Philadelphia Buffalo 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 3 Pittsburgh Washington 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 Los Angeles Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 Pittsburgh Buffalo 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 Los Angeles Chicago 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 Chicago Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 N.Y. Rangers Washington 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 Boston Pittsburgh 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31 Chicago Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 St. Louis Detroit 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 Chicago St. Louis 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21 New Jersey N.Y. Rangers 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 New Jersey N.Y. Rangers 3 p.m.

 

NBC Sports Network 2012-13 NHL regular-season schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

 

Date Away Home Time
Sunday, January 20 Chicago Phoenix 10 p.m.
Monday, January 21 Detroit Columbus 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 23 Boston N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 27 Minnesota St. Louis 8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 29 N.Y. Islanders Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 30 Chicago Minnesota 8 p.m.
Monday, February 4 Dallas Colorado 9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5 Tampa Bay Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 6 Boston Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 10 New Jersey Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 11 Los Angeles St. Louis 9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12 N.Y. Rangers Boston 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 13 St. Louis Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17 Washington N.Y. Rangers 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19 San Jose St. Louis 8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 Philadelphia Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20 St. Louis Colorado 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 24 Tampa Bay Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 25 Dallas Nashville 8 p.m.
Tuesday, February 26 Boston N.Y. Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27 Washington Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 Montreal Boston 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 4 Tampa Bay Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5 Philadelphia N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6 Colorado Chicago 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 Buffalo Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12 Philadelphia Boston 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13 Philadelphia New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 Buffalo Washington 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 18 Philadelphia Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 Washington Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20 Minnesota Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24 Washington N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 25 Los Angeles Chicago 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26 Philadelphia N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27 Montreal Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31 Washington Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 1 Colorado Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2 Buffalo Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3 Pittsburgh N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 New Jersey Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 Chicago Minnesota 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10 Boston New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11 Pittsburgh Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 Detroit Nashville 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 15 Dallas Chicago 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 NY Rangers Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17 Buffalo Boston 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 New Jersey Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 21 St. Louis Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 22 Montreal Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23 Boston Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24 Los Angeles Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 25 Pittsburgh New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 TBD TBD 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 TBD TBD 10 p.m.

Silliness continues: Katherine Webb appears on Today Show; says apology wasn’t necessary

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C’mon Matt Lauer. How can you have Katherine Webb on the Today Show and not ask her about Barack Obama’s handling of the fiscal cliff?

OK, OK. Here’s the video of Webb saying ESPN didn’t need to apologize for Brent Musburger’s comments about her Monday. She was flattered, she said.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And here’s the likely reason why ESPN felt compelled to issue an apology. The New York Times did a story quoting people who were critical of Musburger. It includes this passage:

Almost immediately, Webb’s name began trending on Twitter and her account added nearly 100,000 followers within hours, including athletes like LeBron James. Meanwhile, Musburger’s comments, which some saw as harmless fun, struck other observers as off-putting.

“It’s extraordinarily inappropriate to focus on an individual’s looks,” said Sue Carter, a professor of journalism at Michigan State. “In this instance, the appearance of the quarterback’s girlfriend had no bearing on the outcome of the game. It’s a major personal violation, and it’s so retrograde that it’s embarrassing. I think there’s a generational issue, but it’s incumbent on people practicing in these eras to keep up and this is not a norm.”

It’s official: Even though it is only Jan. 9, this looks to be a solid leader for the most overblown story of the year.

Move on, everybody.

 

Posted in NBC

Yahoo! Sports-NBC Sports look to take on ESPN; Will it impact SI’s King?

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Just went on Yahoo! Sports and the NBC Sports sites to see how their new arrangement is working out. You know what? They both looked the same to me.

Of course, it won’t be that way much longer. The two big powerhouses have come together in a partnership deal that they hope will allow them to better take on the biggest powerhouse, ESPN.

Here is a link with the details, but essentially the big element of the deal boils down this: Yahoo! gains access to all-important video from NBC Sports; NBC receives Yahoo!’s critical mass in terms of pageviews.

From the New York Times:

“Yahoo provides massive scale for the NBC Sports Group,” Mark Lazarus, the chairman of that group, said in an interview by phone on Sunday.

Though stopping far short of an actual merger, the two sites expect that their traffic will be measured together in a way that solidly makes them the No. 1 sports Web site in the United States. Yahoo came in a close second to ESPN in November rankings by the Web analytics company ComScore, which showed ESPN with 42 million unique visitors and Yahoo with 40 million. Sites operated by the NBC Sports Group ranked eighth, with 11 million visitors — evincing why NBC felt it necessary to find a new source of traffic.

Mr. Lazarus said that measuring the two together would “allow our sales force to walk into meetings with the ability to say we’re the No. 1 sports site.”

I expect the folks at ESPN.com may dispute that notion. There are all sorts of different ways to interpret the numbers when you factor in time spent on the site, etc.

Still, this is a very good deal for both Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports. It makes them both stronger.

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A side note of the deal: Jason McIntyre of Big Lead has noted that Peter King’s contract is expiring at Sports Illustrated. He speculated the Yahoo!-NBC Sports deal may give him an enticing alternative.

McIntyre writes:

King is the No. 1 NFL insider for the most popular sport in the country, and he’ll be coveted by the likes of NBC Sports, ESPN, and probably even the NFL Network (even though few in the industry think he’d go there). Sports Illustrated could have a hard time keeping King, who has been there for 23 years.

Might this week’s Yahoo-NBC Sports deal have an impact on King’s situation with Sports Illustrated?

At the very least, it’ll give King some nice leverage with SI.

 

 

 

Posted in NBC

Lipsyte weighs in on Costas: ‘Shill becomes a journalist’

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I was set to let the furor over Bob Costas’ anti-gun commentary runs it course. However, I have to make note of a Robert Lipsyte column on the subject.

Writing for Slate, the former New York Times columnist discusses their relationship and the impact of Costas’ actions on Sunday night.

First about the part of labeling Costas “a shill”:

Since 1993, Costas and I have been in an uneasy relationship of mutual regard and disagreement, each waiting for the other to fulfill unreasonable expectations. He wants me to be more open to the joy of sports. I want him to take advantage of his pulpit and be more of a journalist.

And to the point:

In our almost 20 years of dialogue, Costas has been most bothered by my use of the word shill to describe how he promotes sporting events. As I’ve written before, be believes that he drops in “enough commentary and insights in games” to be thought of as a journalist, and that he does it “not to throw fire bombs but to help hold the mainstream to account,” separating him from commentators on the Internet.

Calling Costas a shill is a bit extreme. Yes, there is a promotional element for the sports he covers. It comes with the territory. However, Costas has used to platform for frank critiques on many important issues. If only there were more like him.

Which brings us to Sunday’s commentary. Lipsyte writes:

Yet as more evidence piles up that repeated head traumas, however slight, can lead to disorientation and aggressive behavior, not to mention dementia and early death, the possible connection to Belcher becomes one worth exploring. I hope Costas will follow up his quick, bold stroke with such explorations. He has the intelligence and the platform.

Costas is gingerly stretching his reach. Last July, on the 40th anniversary of the Munich Massacre, as the Israeli team marched into the Olympic Stadium, he pointed out that the International Olympic Committee had refused requests for a moment of silence during the parade. He then fell quiet for 12 seconds, a rebuke to an NBC financial partner.

And he concludes:

While by the standards of contemporary journalism, it was distanced and measured, by the ground-floor bar of sports broadcasting, it was Murrow during the blitz.