Fang's Bites

NFL Previews for Week 8

Let’s give you what the networks are saying about Week 8 action in the league where they play for pay.

Starting with ESPN, here’s what the network is airing on its various studio shows.

ESPN’s Weekend and Monday NFL Studio Features

Ed Werder and Kenny Mayne to cover Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown will preview the day’s matchups Sunday at 11 a.m. ET with Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson. ESPN senior analyst Chris Mortensen and NFL insider Adam Schefter will provide headlines and league news.

ESPN will dispatch two reporters – Ed Werder and Kenny Mayne – to Green Bay to cover the Brett Favre’s first game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Also, Rachel Nichols will cover the Broncos – Ravens game, Sal Paolantonio will handle the Giants – Eagles game and Bob Holtzman will be in Indianapolis for the 49ers at Colts. Other highlights:

Former Packers on Brett Favre’s Homecoming: Tom Rinaldi reports what legendary Packers (Willie Davis, Jerry Kramer, Fuzzy Thurston) and former teammates (Leroy Butler and Antonio Freeman) think of Favre’s return to Green Bay.

New York-Philadelphia – Tale of the Tape: With New York and Philadelphia teams facing off in the 2009 World Series and the Giants-Eagles NFC East matchup, Countdown compares the two cities – Tougher fans? Better landmark – Liberty Bell or Empire State Building? Philly cheese steaks vs. New York style cheesecake?

Best of Brett Favre on Mayne Event: In this week’s Mayne Event, Kenny Mayne, also in Green Bay reporting on Favre’s return to Lambeau Field, re-lives some of the most memorable Favre moments in his self-titled weekly series.

Virtual Playbook – Brett Favre vs. Al Harris: Using the Virtual Playbook, Tom Jackson goes back to the first Vikings-Packers game to re-create a play where Favre took advantage of cornerback Al Harris for a 31-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian.

Soundtracks – Cardinals/Panthers Divisional Playoff: The 2008 Arizona Cardinals were criticized for never winning on the East Coast – that was until the Divisional Playoff game at Carolina where they won 33-13. Countdown relives the sights and sounds of that game in Soundtracks.

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge: ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and NFL analyst Merril Hoge debate which players to start or sit this weekend.

Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson and Johnson will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 8 action. The list of game picks will be posted on www.espn.com/sundaycountdown after the show.

MNF’s Jon Gruden to Interview Drew Brees for SportsCenter “Sunday Conversation”

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who captains one of the league’s top offensive units, has led the Saints to a 6-0 start. On the cusp of this week’s Monday Night Football, the Saints’ signal caller sits down with Gruden for an extensive interview to be featured on SportsCenter “Sunday Conversation” at 11 p.m. and Monday Night Countdown (7 p.m.).

MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPN

Monday Night Countdown with Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, Mortensen and Schefter (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Matt Millen and Steve Young (at the MNF game in New Orleans, La.) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The 90-minute, pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of the Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (8:30 p.m.) game, featuring Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski.

Reporters Suzy Kolber (Falcons) and Michele Tafoya (Saints) will cover the teams. Other highlights:

Soundtracks – Drew Brees and Sean Payton: In this week’s Soundtracks, fans hear Saints quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton communicate during a game.

ESPN The Magazine’s “For Love or the Game” – Tony Gonzalez: Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez is paired with his wife, Tobie, and teammate Brian Finneran to see who really knows Gonzalez better.

Virtual Playbook – Sharper to the House: Jackson takes viewers on the field to show how Darren Sharper has become a scoring machine for the Saints defense.

WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMENTS

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Tafoya and Kolber will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game, beginning with NFL Live at 3:30 p.m.

FIELD PASS – Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.

C’MON MAN – Countdown personalities share their head-scratching plays from Week 8.

In addition, Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Jaworski and Gruden will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen and Schefter covering breaking news from around the league, and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.

NFL MATCHUP, SUNDAY 3 A.M. AND 7:30 A.M. ON ESPN

NFL Matchup with host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski will preview the weekend’s games by bringing viewers inside the film room for the Xs and Os analysis of the matchups. The 30-minute program – taped each week at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey – highlights team strategy and game planning. This week’s features:

Vikings @ Packers: Packers Defense – Jaworski spotlights why and how the Packers must change their defensive approach against Minnesota if they plan to spoil Brett Favre’s homecoming.

Vikings @ Packers: Vikings Defense – Hoge shows how Minnesota’s coverage and play recognition in Week 4 played a huge role in their victory and why both will be vital in Green Bay Sunday.

Broncos @ Ravens – Hoge goes to the ‘Coaches Clicker’ to illustrate how Denver disrupts opposing pass protections with player alignment.

Giants @ Eagles – Hoge showcases how a visible tendency in the Giants’ pass coverage has allowed teams to take advantage of their defense through the air.

Falcons @ Saints – Jaworski goes to “The Film Room” to show exactly what the Saints are doing to run the ball so effectively.

Dolphins @ Jets – The Jets struggled to stop the Wildcat when they lost to the Dolphins in Week 5. Hoge reveals how head coach Rex Ryan and the Jets defense can shut down the Wildcat.

Seahawks @ Cowboys – Jaworski displays how formation and great play design have helped Dallas create favorable mismatches in their passing game, creating an explosive offense.

49ers @ Colts – The 49ers made the change at quarterback to Alex Smith this week. Jaworski shows how the 49ers can help their young signal-caller and make him more comfortable.

To CBS and analysts Phil Simms and Bill Cowher give us what they’re thinking about for this week.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 8 (SUNDAY, NOV. 1)

AUDIBLES WITH LEAD “NFL ON CBS” ANALYST PHIL SIMMS AND “NFL TODAY” ANALYST BILL COWHER

The CBS Television Network, home of Super Bowl XLIV, continues its Golden Anniversary 50^th year broadcasting the NFL with THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Nov. 1 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz, who this year is marking his 25^th with CBS Sports, and Phil Simms call the action from the Miami Dolphins-New York Jets game live from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

Throughout the 2009 season, THE NFL ON CBS will broadcast all of its games each week in HDTV, the highest definition television format – 1080i lines of picture resolution – along with 5.1 digital audio.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports, and serves as executive producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

BILL COWHER

(On 4-3 teams; N.Y. Jets and Houston): When you look at the 4-3 teams that are hovering, in particular the Jets and Houston, this is a pivotal week. For the Jets, it’s a divisional game being played at home, and is a game that they have to win. Houston is a team that needs to make the next step. To get a win on the road against a Buffalo team that has won ugly the past couple of weeks would be a big statement game. Houston is a team that has the best receiver in football (Andre Johnson). They may have the best tight end in football in Owen Daniels with the start he’s off to, one of the top returners in Jacoby Jones, and they have a quarterback (Matt Schaub) right now who’s playing as well as anybody in the League. They have offensive firepower, and Mario Williams and group of linebackers give them playmakers on defense. But they have to be able to win and put together streaks of games. Houston is a team that has flashed, but they have to show an ability to be more consistent week-in and week-out.

(On pivotal games for 3-3 teams; Baltimore and San Diego): San Diego has to show that their performance last week against Kansas City wasn’t just an anomaly. They have to show that they are more consistent. They have a chance to do that at home against Oakland this week. For Baltimore, this is a very pivotal game. You can’t lose four in a row. That could be a hole too big to dig out of in that division. And, they’re playing against a quality team in Denver. Denver may be playing against the best defense they’ve played against, on the road.

(On Denver-Baltimore): Denver is a team that it seems has been having to prove the critics every week. People are still questioning the validity of their 6-0 record. There are going to be a lot more answers coming out of this game, Denver at Baltimore, than there will be questions. This game may answer a lot of questions about both teams when all is said and done – the validity of Denver’s record, and Baltimore’s ability to have a strong performance against a quality team.

PHIL SIMMS

(On Miami vs. N.Y. Jets): The thing about the Jets and the Dolphins, there’s always been a rivalry but it’s really stepping up. Rex Ryan is making sure to step it up at a faster pace than these rivalries are used to. It makes for good preparation during the week. It’s getting close to desperation game time for the Miami Dolphins. One, because of the number of losses, if they did lose; and two, because it’s a division game. This time of year it’s getting to that stage of the season where if you lose, it’s hard to make it back up with the season almost half over.

(On Miami’s Chad Henne): The big thing with Chad Henne is that many people don’t even recognize his name. I have been impressed with him. He’s played very well. He’s very talented, and he absolutely has a chance to be in the same class as Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. But you can’t tell anybody that because he’s just not a big enough name. He wasn’t ballyhooed on draft day. He probably deserved to be a first round draft pick, but was not.

(On Jets’ Rookie Shonn Greene): I liked Shonn Greene a lot coming out of college, and I thought that when the Jets moved up in the draft to get him it was a great move on their part. I think there were quite a few NFL teams that were sitting back and shaking their heads because they were mad they didn’t make the move to go up and get Shonn Greene.

(On Brett Favre and Minnesota at Green Bay): I think Brett Favre will get a great reception in Green Bay. But between the players and the coaches of the organization, there’s extra. I don’t want to say motivation, but there comes a time when you just say okay we’ve had enough. And that’s why I think Green Bay will find a way to win the game.

* * * * *

TRIP IN THE NFL ON CBS WAY BACK MACHINE…

In commemoration of THE NFL ON CBS celebrating its 50^th year broadcasting the NFL, footage from historic highlights will be featured during each game. Included among the clips this week during the Cleveland-Chicago game will be highlights of Walter Payton breaking Jim Brown’s all-time rushing record on October 6, 1984 against New Orleans, honoring the 10^th anniversary of Payton’s death.

Last week, Boomer Esiason made a splash with his list of Top 10 QB’s in the NFL through Week 7. Now he has another list for you on the NFL Today.

“THE NFL TODAY’S” BOOMER ESIASON TREATS VIEWERS TO HIS “SCARIEST THINGS IN THE NFL” FOR WEEK 8 ON SUNDAY, NOV. 1

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLIV and broadcasting its Golden Anniversary 50^th year of the NFL, continues its 2009 NFL season on Sunday, Nov. 1 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

This week THE NFL TODAY’s Boomer Esiason treats viewers to his list of “Scariest Things in the NFL,” which includes facing Indianapolis’s Peyton Manning to going one-on-one in the open field against Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. Charlie Bloom produces.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, as well as Lesley Visser and Sam Ryan reporting.

NBC may not have a game Sunday due to Game 4 of the World Series, but it will have a one hour edition of Football Night in America which will mean fewer highlights than ever on the show.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED "FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA" AIRS SUNDAY AT 7 PM ET

“SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” HAS BYE FOR WEEK 8; 
RETURNS WEEK 9 WITH COWBOYS AT EAGLES

“The most refreshingly honest voice on television.” – ESPN’s PTI on Rodney Harrison

Tony Dungy has morphed from a Super Bowl winning coach to the voice and conscience of the NFL." – USA Today

NEW YORK – Oct. 28, 2009 – "Football Night in America" airs this Sunday from 7-8 pm ET. "NBC Sunday Night Football" has a 'bye' due to game four of the World Series but returns Sunday, November 8 with an NFC East rivalry when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys.

Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann will co-host "Football Night" from NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios joined by Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison and Sports Illustrated's Peter King. "Football Night's" Tiki Barber will report from Philadelphia on the Giants-Eagles game.

"Football Night" has received significant critical acclaim this season following new changes to its format. It added new analysts Dungy, who introduced the popular 'Coach's Clicker,' and the straight-talking Harrison. In addition, Bob Costas now hosts the show from the game site instead of the studio. "Football Night" allows viewers to catch up on the games and highlights of the day before each Sunday Night game. With no "Sunday Night Football" game this week, here's what they're saying about "Football Night in America" this year:

"Shout out to some new colleagues...Rodney Harrison, the most refreshingly honest voice on television, and Tony Dungy, who's precise analysis is just wonderful to listen to. I love these guys on NBC Sunday Night."
-ESPN Pardon the Interruption

"The hiring of former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, the former New England Patriots safety, has refreshed the program...Harrison appears to be close to uncorking a nearly combustible personality...(Dungy's) insights are sophisticated and clear."
-The New York Times

"You go to sleep one day and wake up to find that Tony Dungy has morphed from a Super Bowl winning coach to the voice and conscience of the NFL."
- USA Today

(Tony Dungy) is candid, prepared and delivered the goods as a studio analyst."
- Sports Illustrated

"'Football Night in America' might be the best of all the pregame shows...Costas' presence at an event gives it an air of importance."
-Ventura County Star

On Harrison: "Smart, honest, forthright, unafraid to be crtitical.  Don't be surprised if he becomes a star."
- San Diego Union Tribune

On Bob Costas: "He's the best interviewer in sports."
- Sports Illustrated

"FOOTBALL NIGHT" OFF TO BEST START EVER: The changes in "Football Night" have led to the best audience for the program since its inception in 2006.  Below is the viewership for "Football Night" through Week 7:

2009: 7.5 million viewers
2008: 6.5 million, up 14%
2007:  6.2 million, up 20%
2006: 7.0 million, up 7%

SNF DOMINATES PRIMETIME THROUGH 7 WEEKS: Since the beginning of the football season (9/10/09-10/25/09) "Sunday Night Football" ranks as the top program in all of primetime television in the key advertising demos including Adults 18-49 (7.6), Adults 18-34 (6.7), Adults 25-54 (8.2), Men 18-49 (10.5), Men 18-34 (9.0) and Men 25-54 (11.3).  For the season, SNF ranks No. 2 among viewers with 19.1 million trailing only NCIS (19.5 million) and ranks No. 2 in household rating with an 11.6 (NCIS, 11.9).

BEST START IN "SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" HISTORY:  Through seven weeks "Sunday Night Football" is off to its best start since NBC acquired the NFL's premier primetime package in 2006 (SNF, 2006-Present, MNF, 1970-2005). Below is the SNF viewership through seven weeks from 2006-2009:

2009: 19.1 million
2008: 15.9 million, up 20%
2007: 16.1 million, up 19%
2006: 17.2 million, up 11%

And finally, Fox Sports talks about its Game of the Decade, Minnesota and Brett Favre taking on Green Bay at his old Lambeau Field stomping grounds.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

All Eyes Descend on Green Bay for Epic Battle:

Favre’s Highly Anticipated Return to Lambeau Sunday Only on FOX

Isolated ‘Favre-Cam’ Follows Every Move of No. 4’s Return to Frozen Tundra

Streaming Video Available on FOXSports.com & NFL.com

Aikman on Rodgers Playing Against the Legend He Replaced:

“I Can’t Even Imagine What That’s Like”

Bradshaw Sits Down with Favre for Candid Interview on Emotional Return

VIKINGS/PACKERS PREPARE FOR THE FAVRE BOWL IN LAMBEAU – The 2009 NFL on FOX campaign rolls into Week 8 on Sunday, Nov. 1 with doubleheader coverage of six exciting matchups—each presented in crystal clear HD. Emotions are expected to be high at 4:15 PM ET, as Brett Favre makes his return to Lambeau Field, leading the Vikings against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action from Green Bay. Also featured at 4:15, Larry Fitzgerald and the NFC Champion Cardinals host the Panthers. The early games are highlighted by an NFC East clash. At 1:00 PM ET, seven hours before the Phillies and Yankees meet in Philly for Game 4 of the World Series, Eli Manning and the Giants enter Lincoln Financial Field to take on Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. In Dallas, Tony Romo and the Cowboys look to keep their offense on track as they host the Seahawks. 49ers coach Mike Singletary entrusts his offense in the hands of former No. 1 pick Alex Smith as they go on the road to face Peyton Manning and the red-hot Colts.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. The crew is joined by NFL Insider Jay Glazer who presents the latest league news and scoops in the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio and comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment.

In this week’s show, Bradshaw, an outspoken critic on the way Favre handled the off-season and his ultimately signing with the Vikings, sits down with the legendary quarterback to discuss his mindset and emotions upon his returning to Lambeau Field in a rival’s uniform. Also, Long finds out what the Packers can do to prevent Vikings DE Jared Allen from causing as much damage as he did in their earlier matchup.

For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports.

FAVRE-CAM LETS FANS FOLLOW EVERY MOVE NO. 4 MAKES ON FOXSPORTS.COM & NFL.COM – With all the hype surrounding Brett Favre’s return to the place he called home for so many years, it’s fair to assume fans attending the game will have their eyes glued on him from the moment he runs out of the visitor’s locker room and takes the field for warm ups to the last second of this highly anticipated ‘homecoming.’ FOX Sports gives fans watching at home the same opportunity. A camera stationed high on the 50-yard line will be isolated on Favre from the second he takes the field against his former team until the moment he runs back into the locker room. A constant video stream of this select angle is available to fans by logging on FOXSports.com and NFL.com.

HALL OF FAME QB AIKMAN PREVIEWS EPIC SHOWDOWN IN GREEN BAY – In the most anticipated matchup on any network this season, Vikings quarterback Brett Favre leads Minnesota into his former home, Lambeau Field, as the Vikings take on quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Hall of Fame quarterback and NFL on FOX lead analyst Troy Aikman shared his thoughts below. Aikman, along with play-by-play broadcaster Thom Brennaman and sideline reporter Pam Oliver call all the action LIVE this Sunday, Nov. 1 (1:15 PM PT/ 4:15 PM ET LIVE) on FOX.

AIKMAN ON FAVRE’S PERFORMANCE THIS SEASON, AT THE AGE OF 40 — “The thing that is most impressive is not that he’s played at such a high level, it’s that he’s been able to come back week after week and continue to play. We tend to take it for granted with him now because he hasn’t missed a game. We have to remind ourselves that he’s 40 years old! When I retired at age 34, it was hard to come back after a physical game during my last season and be prepared the following week to play physically. You’re just so sore and it started taking longer and longer to recover. Now he’s six years older than what I was and yet he’s still coming back and is able to play and fight through a lot of things. To me, that’s the most impressive part.”

AIKMAN ON MINNESOTA SUSTAINING THEIR SUCCESS THUS FAR — “They have so many great pieces in place. The important thing for them is staying healthy. Minnesota went Pittsburgh and could’ve won. They went toe-to-toe with them and beat a good Baltimore team. They’ve played some good teams and have found ways to win.”

AIKMAN ON AARON RODGERS FILLING FAVRE’S SHOES IN GREEN BAY — “The most comparable situation to what Aaron is going through would be Steve Young’s start in San Francisco. He was replacing Joe Montana yet Joe was still playing. That’s the hard part. It was going to be hard for anybody if Brett had just retired and you’re going to be compared to him. But then to be compared to him while the guy is still playing and playing at a high level, I can’t even imagine what that would be like. I’ve been very impressed with how Rodgers has handled it. I’ve been impressed both publicly as well as privately. I have the opportunity to visit with these guys privately and I will tell you that he’s been as classy in my conversations with him as he has been publicly. I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for that entire organization or Aaron. I think Aaron has handled it unbelievably well. Fortunately for him, he’s played well.”

AIKMAN ON FAVRE SETTING FOOT IN LAMBEAU AS A VISITOR — “The first time these two teams played he talked about how nervous he was. I’m sure that experience was very emotional but different because of where that game was played. This will bring about a different set of emotions. On the other side, I think there will be a level of comfort for him because it is a place he is so familiar with. Granted he’ll be playing against his former team but he’s done that. The strange thing will be that he’s going to be dressing in the visitors’ locker room. My guess is that, he’ll without even thinking about it, walk into the Packers’ locker room because that’s what he did for all of those years. It’ll be different for him viewing the game from a different sideline than he stood on for all of those years. I think it will be a much more emotional experience for him than anything he experienced on Monday night in Minneapolis.”

That is it. Have a Happy and safe Halloween.

Saturday Linkage

Let’s do some links right now while I can.

We’ll start with Stephen Wilson of the Associated Press who writes that the International Olympic Committee plans to start the US TV rights bidding for the 2014/2016 Games after the Vancouver Winter Olympics next year.

Joe Lemire of Sports Illustrated says umpires can blame increased scrutiny on bad calls right on TV and the internet.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban explains why sports TV ratings are up.

Johnny Diaz of the Boston Globe says Comcast is planning to beef up sports programming at New England Cable News and hiring more writers for Comcast SportsNet New England’s website.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times watched World Series Game 2 with TBS/SNY analyst Ron Darling.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News lists some of his pet peeves from the first two games of the World Series.

The Columbus (SC) Ledger-Enquirer caught up with ESPN college football analyst Todd Blackledge.

Jeff Elliot from the Florida Times-Union previews today’s Florida-Georgia game on CBS and local radio.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News speaks with ESPN/ABC football analyst Matt Millen.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle says ratings for Game 2 of the World Series fell a bit in Houston.

Jerry Garcia in the San Antonio Express-News says Sunday is going to be a rare harmonic convergence for sports fans.

Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times says NBC will be going all out to promote the 2010 Winter Olympics starting next week.

Phil Rosenthal of the Tribune says Comcast SportsNet Chicago is putting its morning show out to pasture at the end of the year.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has a look back at the week in blogging.

Tom says the San Diego market just barely avoided a blackout, but also took out Minnesota- Green Bay in the process.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tries to explain the NFL TV policy.

Pete Toms in the Biz of Hockey looks at a potential NBC-Versus alliance being a possible alternative to ESPN.

Some posts from the Sports Media Watch. First, we find that the World Series is draining the NBA’s ratings.

The SEC drew well while Notre Dame dropped.

Ratings for college football on ABC continue to go up.

SMW also has some ratings odds and ends.

And in a well researched post, SMW finds that of the lowest-rated World Series games since 1972, most of them were played during the day.

Joe Favorito writes that baseball inspires giving back to the community.

ESPN tells us that an X Games host is running the New York City Marathon this week to raise money.

Also, Tina Cervasio of MSG Network is also running the marathon tomorrow and she’s raising money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Help her to hit her goal and to help make some dreams come true.

And that’s going to do it for our links today. I’ll do one more post before calling it a day, but I need to get outside and stop looking at my computer screen.

Weekend Sports Press Releases

Ok, these don’t fall into any one particular category. They’re just previewing weekend programming so let’s get to them without further delay.

First, HBO airs the second installment of 24/7 Pacquaio/Cotto, late night tonight.

24/7 PACQUIAO/COTTO OCT. 31 EPISODE

Episode #2:

Debut: SATURDAY, OCT. 31 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Leaving the chaos of the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) opens camp in the familiar confines of the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, Cal. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) continues his training in Tampa, Fla. and is treated to a birthday celebration by his wife and children, as both fighters prepare for their Nov. 14 pay-per-view fight in Las Vegas.

Episode three of 24/7 PACQUIAO/COTTO debuts on SATURDAY, NOV. 7 (9:00-9:30 p.m.), while the finale debuts FRIDAY, NOV. 13 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), just one night before the fight. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

The executive producers of 24/7 PACQUIAO/COTTO are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon; producers, Scott Boggins and Bentley Weiner; writer, Aaron Cohen. Liev Schreiber narrates.

Universal Sports provides live coverage of the New York City Marathon tomorrow morning with NBC Sports providing a two hour recap later in the afternoon.

NBC SPORTS AND UNIVERSAL SPORTS PRESENT BROADCAST, ONLINE COVERAGE OF THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON THIS SUNDAY

Universal Sports, UniversalSports.com LIVE Coverage Begins at 9am ET; NBC Sports to Present a Two-Hour Special Beginning at 2pm ET

Multimedia Coverage Gives Fans Nationally, Globally Unprecedented Access to Iconic Race

LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK – October 29, 2009 – NBC Sports and Universal Sports will provide comprehensive, live broadcast and online coverage of the New York City Marathon this Sunday, November 1.  Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com will have live coverage from 9am – 2pm ET. NBC Sports will air a two-hour special presentation from 2 – 4pm ET this Sunday, Nov. 1. 

The online and broadcast coverage will showcase the 40th running of the 26.2-mile race seen by two million spectators as runners pace through New York City's five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, and finish at Tavern on the Green in world-famous Central Park.

Headlining the marathon's many storylines is the return of world record holder and veteran Paula Radcliffe, who is back after a series of injuries, including foot surgery, to defend her title and earn her fourth overall win. She'll face tough competition from Boston winner Kenyan Salina Kosgei and a field of other highly talented women. On the men's side, Brazil's Marilson Gomes dos Santos returns to defend his title, competing against a field that includes two-time winner Martin Lel of Kenya, 2004 winner Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, and Olympic Silver Medalist Jaouad Gharibof of Morocco.

"We are proud to support live multi-platform coverage of the NYC Marathon, one of world's greatest road races," said Universal Sports Chairman and CEO Claude Ruibal. "Universal Sports has established itself as the top destination for competitive running and road racing events such as the World Marathon Majors. We continue to deliver on our mission to elevate and deliver Olympic and lifestyle sports that exemplifies the best of the human spirit."

COVERAGE ON NBC SPORTS: New this year, NBC Sports will increase its national same day taped coverage of the Marathon from one hour to two hours from 2-4pm ET. The two hours of same day coverage is the only national TV network coverage of any major marathon outside of the Olympics. Coverage is hosted by NBC Sports' Jimmy Roberts.

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports, available in 56 million homes, will present a live broadcast on its 24-hour television network from 9am - 2pm ET. UniversalSports.com will offer a free, live webcast from 9am - 2pm ET, along with full-length videos, highlights, photos and recaps at UniversalSports.com. The online coverage will include three separate streams: the main broadcast, men's elite runners and women's elite runners. Universal Sports broadcast and online coverage will be simulcast from WNBC 4 New York's coverage.

Universal Sports is home to the World Marathon Majors (WMM), offering complete and in-depth television and online coverage of the five marathon majors: Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and the New York City Marathon. 

Here’s what else NBC is airing today and tomorrow.

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST KRISTI YAMAGUCHI HEADLINES HER SKATING SPECIAL THIS SUNDAY ON NBC

Weekend Programming Also Includes World of Adventure Sports

NEW YORK – October 29, 2009- Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi headlines "Kristi Yamaguchi and Friends" with music provided by pop sensations The Backstreet Boys, from the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz. this Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. 

Skating stars appearing on the ice alongside Yamaguchi are two-time Olympic gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva, four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, Olympic bronze medalist Jozef Sabovcik and three-time U.S. National Champion Michael Weiss.

JEEP WORLD OF ADVENTURE, SATURDAY, 3:30 P.M.ET
NBC Sports presents the Emmy Award winning World of Adventure Sports, an action and adventure sports series, this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The show highlights an array of adrenaline-inspired feats and adventurous sporting events from around the world. Featured sports include the Unsound Pro/Am surf contest, the Red Bull Panama Surf Expedition, tanker surfers, ski jumping and the Artic Man Challenge.

The Unsound Pro is a Pro/AM Surf contest in NYC known for one of the highest purses on the East Coast. Teton Gravity Skiers head up to North Cascades National Park in Washington for ski jumping. The Columbia Sportswear Pioneers tanker surfers ride the fast-moving wakes of massive oil tankers in Galveston Bay where surfers enjoy up to six miles of high-speed, nonstop swell. The Arctic Man Challenge heads to Summit Lake in the Alaskan wilderness for a competition that puts world-class skiers and snowboarders against each other. Competitors will soar from a 1,700-foot drop to be picked up at the bottom, by a rapidly speeding snowmobile which will tow them 2 1/4 miles up a canyon at speeds approaching 90 mph before whipping them over a second huge summit into a 1,000-foot plus descent to the finish line. The Red Bull Panama Surf Expedition explores the untapped potential of the 200-plus islands of Panama's Caribbean archipelago. 

Pat Parnell will call the action.

And my apologies to TNT for not posting this earlier. This is quotage from Thursday’s NBA doubleheader. I didn’t know where else to post this.

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, October 29, 2009

TNT’s NBA Thursday coverage continues Thursday, November 5 at 8 p.m. ET with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers followed by the San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz.

CLIP OF THE DAY

(click on link below to watch)

TNT NBA studio analyst Charles Barkley guesses which team five current players are on in the latest edition of “Who He Play For” on Inside the NBA

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TNT NBA Tip-off

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Kevin McHale

Spurs forward Richard Jefferson on what it means to be on a title-contending team: “I was very fortunate, I remember all the guys (on the Nets) – Jason Kidd, Lucious Harris – me and Jason Collins, we didn’t know how lucky were to come in the league and go right to the NBA Finals (in 2002 & 2003). Coming off the Final Four I thought I was kind of charmed. Low and behold seven seasons later, not out of the second round…now to be here at this time in my career where I really fully understand to be on a team like this, it’s a lot of fun.”

McHale on the addition of Spurs forward Richard Jefferson: “It’s going to energize the whole team, (Jefferson) gives them that athletic wing that can take it to the hole, he can finish. I like (Antonio) McDyess to make shots. I just think it will energize the whole team. I pick them to come out of the Western Conference. I love (head coach) Gregg Popovich and I think McDyess is going to be big for them all year long.”

Barkley on the excitement of having a chance to win an NBA title: “People talk about how much money you make, but there are very few times when you have a legit chance to win an NBA Championship. It’s great for (Richard Jefferson), it’s great for (Antonio) McDyess. The Spurs are right there with the Lakers in the West. To be on a team that has a legit shot has got to be a great jolt of energy for Richard Jefferson.”

Smith on what might prevent the Spurs from contending in the West: “I’ll be the anti-Spur. The question has never been if they have enough talent. To me, they have to stay healthy for the full season. That’s been the question for the last two years and they haven’t answered it. The Lakers are youthful, those batteries get charged a lot quicker. Tim Duncan can get hurt, (Manu) Ginobili can get hurt and all of a sudden you don’t have the same team. Is it going to be the same team on October 29 that is in April? If it’s not and Roger Mason is starting and George Hill is starting, than this is not a team that is going to contend with the Lakers.”

Barkley on the recent book excerpt from former NBA official Tim Donaghy that asserts officials play favorites amongst players: “Our officials are great. But the notion that they give the stars special treatment, they do it in every sport. The notion that certain officials don’t like certain guys, knock me over with a big old feather.”

McHale recounting his first NBA game where he was exposed to the ‘star treatment’ by NBA officials: “There has always been star treatment. I was in the NBA for my first game and I go up to do what I think is a good block and they blow the whistle. They yell, ‘foul on No. 32.’ I said, ’32? You mean 33? Larry (Bird) is the one who fouled him.’ He said, ‘you want Larry to have three or you to have one?’ I said, ‘my foul!’ They’ve always done that.”

Smith on not believing everything written by former NBA referee Tim Donaghy “I’m from LeFrak City, Queens, which is a nice neighborhood, however, there are guys who do underhanded things in Queens. Our rule of thumb was you can’t believe a guy from prison half the time and what he says and what he’s trying do to get out of prison. Any guy who exposes himself that way, you always took it with a grain of salt. We didn’t take that kindly in our neighborhood. You do the crime, do the time. Stop pulling people down with you.”

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Game 1: San Antonio Spurs (85) @ Chicago Bulls (92)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins with Cheryl Miller reporting

Collins on how the Spurs are attempting to return to championship basketball: “You are used to seeing San Antonio play with two bigs, David Robinson and Tim Duncan, but that position has morphed into a shooter now (with) Robert Horry later on in his career. We’re seeing that international style and it changed the Spurs defense last year to ninth, the lowest it’s been since Tim Duncan has been there. So what they’re trying to is they are trying to add more speed, quickness and score easier. But they want to get back to that championship defense that has won them four championships.”

Collins on the Bulls’ defense: “If you can’t guard the ball, you can’t defend in this league. If you get broken down off the dribble, guys get in the paint, it just breaks down your whole defense. That’s what Luol (Deng) plays, he’s a slasher, he’s a cutter, getting off the paint, great off-the-ball movement and finding open areas.”

Collins on Spurs rookie DeJuan Blair who fell to the 37^th pick in the NBA Draft: “(DeJuan Blair) had two knees he was red flagged with. And some guys just outsmart themselves. If a guy is a good player, take him. If he can only play three or four years, you get three or four years. It’s amazing when you see the guys who went ahead of him. Yes, he’s undersized, but he has something you can’t teach, he goes and gets the basketball. When he goes up there he has a way of finding the ball.”

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich after the first quarter..

Popovich on the Spurs’ first quarter energy:: “I didn’t like our energy and I thought that our competitiveness defensively, it was pretty poor. We were just chasing guys around.”

Popovich on Spurs guard Manu Ginobili believing he’s not in top condition: “I think (Ginobili) is a little better than he thinks he is.”

Collins on Spurs forward Richard Jefferson’s slow offensive night: “(Jefferson) has gotten nothing easy. All of his shots tonight have been jump shots. That’s an area he’s going to have work on because there are so many drive and kicks you get and he’s going to have to learn to pump fake a little bit and remember to drive the ball to the basket. He does not want to become just a spot-up shooter. He can make some threes, but he needs to get to the foul line. That’s why (the Spurs) like him, he can create his own shot, get in the lane, and they are hoping his defense is going to be revitalized. He came in the league and could defend. Then he had some slippage. When you start playing on a bad team you get bad habits. They’d like to tighten up his offensive and defensive game and get him back to where he was with the Nets when they went to the Finals.”

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Bulls guard Derrick Rose at halftime.

Rose on how his ankle felt during the first half: “It felt good. I’m a little stiff, I’m like Linds (Lindsey Hunter), an old man out there.”

Rose on the Bulls coming together for the start of the season: “We’re young, we gelled together kind of quick and we’re just happy to be out there playing.”

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Halftime

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and McHale

McHale on how Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is reacting to the first half in the locker room: “(Coach Popovich) Pop’s ripping some tails in there right now, I can tell you. When he gets after you, he gets after you in a big way. He’s got their attention right now. I guarantee you they will not give up 19 second chance points in the second half, he’s into them pretty good right now.”

Barkley on the Chicago Bulls: “Watching Chicago play, they’ve got Derrick Rose and the rest of the pieces are trying to fit together. They need to find a big guy who can score consistently. I love (Joakim) Noah, but they’ve got to find a dominant player so he can do all the dirty work. They are like a team in limbo.”

Barkley on the San Antonio Spurs: “The Spurs are tying to win a championship and they are trying to get everybody involved. One of the problems when you’re an older team is it’s tough to play back-to-back games, especially when you travel. They were a little sluggish, a little lackadaisical. Even though you’re in great shape and you weigh the same you did five years ago, once you play seven or eight years in the playoffs you are an older team. Clearly Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are older players and the same for Richard Jefferson.”

Barkley on a replay of Bulls center Joakim Noah, son of French Open Champion Yannick Noah, shooting a jump shot: “That looked like a tennis player shooting a jump shot.”

Smith on Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony falling in the shadow of other members of his 2003 NBA Draft Class: “There are certain guys who fell off your radar a little. Because of Dwyane Wade and what he’s done and what LeBron (James) has done, he got moved back in that (draft) class. This is his year to move back up.”

Barkley on the Portland Trail Blazers’ offensive problem: “The biggest problem with the Trail Blazers is they’ve got to learn to score inside, all their best players are jump shooters. You’re not going to win with four damn points in the paint, you’re not going to win with two seven-foot guys getting four points.”

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Collins on the defense played by the Bulls: “(The Bulls) play defense where they go for steals and they go for blocked shots, but tonight they are not playing high risk defense. They are defending the ball, they are keeping it out of the paint, they’re rotating and they’re really helping each other out. As a result, the Spurs have looked one step slower and not made the extra pass and no one has really gotten it going except for (Tim) Duncan.”

Collins on a reverse move by Bulls guard Derrick Rose: “If (Rose’s) ankle is sore, I want one of those.”

Collins on the Bulls running a simple but effective offense: “The Bulls have really simplified their offense, they are just running two or three simple things and they are running it well. That’s what you do, don’t be the jack of all trades, be the master of something. They are running good offense, albeit very, very simple.”

Collins on the Spurs still having some kinks to work out as a team: “We look at that game last night (Wednesday) with New Orleans. You see how the Spurs played and we all expected them to come in tonight and this (team) to be a finished product. It’s going to be a work in progress when you put in this many new pieces for the Spurs, it’s going to take them a while. Nights when they are a little out of synch they will have to win with the defense, and right now their defense is letting them down in the second half.”

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Game 2: Denver Nuggets (97) @ Portland Trail Blazers (94)

Announcers: Marv Albert, Mike Fratello and Reggie Miller with Craig Sager reporting

Fratello on the scoring ability of Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony: “I think (Carmelo Anthony) is one of the most natural scorers in the NBA. Scoring for him comes so easily. He knows how to score, he gets to the basket, gets to the free throw line and has extended his range. (He’s) so tough in the lane because of his strength.”

Miller on the Trail Blazers having two strong options at the center position: “What about the luxury that (Blazers coach) Nate McMillan has? In game one this year (Greg) Oden had 12 rebounds, but his backup, Joel Przybilla, who a lot of people think here in Portland think should be starting, had 10 rebounds. You’ve got 22 rebounds from your center position, so it’s a luxury that McMillan has. If the young fella (Oden) gets in foul trouble he can go to his veteran Joel Przybilla.”

Fratello on Trail Blazers guard Steve Blake having more impact against a defense than guard Andre Miller: “(Steve) Blake can stretch the defense more, he’s a better three-point shooter than (Andre) Miller is. The team is paying so much attention to Roy that Blake can drift to that open spot and make the defense play a little more from the perimeter than Miller can.”

Miller on Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla not taking a stand against Nuggets rookie guard Ty Lawson: “I wanted (Przybilla) to turn around and face (Ty) Lawson and take the charge in his chest instead of being Michael Jackson moon-walking. You’re 7-foot 1 big fella, stand in there and either block the shot or take a charge!”

TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Nuggets coach George Karl after the first quarter.

Karl on relying on forward Carmelo Anthony to win the game: “I need him to have a big game. I think we need a horse to ride and I think he’s our horse.”

Fratello on referring to Portland general manager Kevin Prichard as Mr. Prichard: “I call all GM’s ‘mister.’”

Miller: “Wow, you were sucking up to Charles (Barkley) last season. Now you’re sucking up to Mr. Prichard this season. You’re really anxious to get back in that hot seat, aren’t you?”

Fratello: “You have to show respect, Reg.”

Miller on Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony maturing: “This is the maturity we’ve all been waiting to see from ‘Melo (Anthony). It all stems from his stint on the Olympic team, hanging around Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. His first few years in the league he was only a one-way player offensively, but now he’s an MVP candidate. His numbers are down but his rebounds are going up and I’d like to see his assists go to four or five a game and then he will be a legitimate superstar and MVP candidate in this league.”

Miller on Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony’s strong first half performance: “George Karl understanding he needed a horse to ride tonight and Carmelo Anthony is Secretariat out here.”

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Halftime

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and McHale

Smith on the Nuggets not being big enough to beat the Trail Blazers: “The difference between Denver and Portland down the stretch is the size and length of the Nuggets. They got smaller without (Linas) Kleiza. I’m not sure they are going to be big enough to contend.”

Barkley on the Trail Blazers’ centers needing to increase their offensive production: “That is the problem with the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver is a small team, but because Portland’s big guys don’t score they can’t take advantage of it. You think if they take that many shots and they got the offensive rebounds they’d have more than a one-point lead. That’s always been my criticism of the Blazers, they’ve got a bunch of athletic guys on the wing, they’ve got the guards covered, but until they find a guy around the basket, to get them easy baskets instead of jump shots, they are going to struggle against better teams.”

Smith on the Blazers having 24 more shots than the Nuggets but only leading by one point: “(Portland) could get 48 more shots and only win by two.”

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Blazers guard Brandon Roy on having great performances when his team is on TNT: “I enjoy you guys coming. I think that the games that are on TNT are against big-time teams and I know in order to beat those teams I have to be really good. My goal is just to go out there and play well and play within myself, and I was fortunate to have some good games.”

Albert on Clippers forward Blake Griffin’s nickname from his teammates: “How about Blake Griffin’s nickname? His teammates call him ‘Amazing.’”

Miller: “That’s one of the dumbest nicknames I’ve heard in my entire life.”

Albert: “So you liked it?”

Miller on Nuggets rookie Ty Lawson needing to learn from veteran Chauncey Billups: “If I’m the rookie Ty Lawson I eat, sleep and breathe…and I go to Chauncey Billups each and every day to go over our individual game plans for each and every game because that’s how you’re going to learn to be a very efficient point guard in our league.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony after the game.

Anthony on beating the Trail Blazers after arriving in Portland late the previous night: “We knew we were a little fatigued from last night, getting in late. It was a gutsy win for us, we gutted this thing out. We got all the loose balls and all the rebounds when we needed them and we won the game.”

Anthony on his new and improved attitude this season: “It’s different, it’s me, my focus, my vision. I see something at the end of the tunnel and that’s that gold ball.”

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Inside the NBA

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and McHale

Barkley on the versatility of Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony: “(Carmelo Anthony) is the best flat-out scorer in the NBA. What I mean by that is he can shoot a jumper, he can post up. He is the only player in the NBA who is fantastic at both of those things. He’s a very good jump shooter and there are very few guys who can cover him on the floor and he can take them down to the box. He’s a scoring machine.”

Smith: “I think this year he will be the MVP of the league. He will have the best season because he is going to be demanded to do the most.”

McHale on what Nuggets rookie guard Ty Lawson brings to the team: “Ty Lawson pushes (the ball) up. He breaks people down and gets to the rim and even if he misses, Nene and (Kenyon) Martin are coming in and flushing those (shots). That really makes a big difference. When you can draw the big (center) over to block a shot and then come in from behind, you get so many offensive rebounds. I think Ty Lawson is really going to help (the Nuggets).”

McHale on the Bulls needing forward Luol Deng to bounce back this season: “(The Bulls) are going to need (Luol Deng). Without (Ben) Gordon, they are going to need Deng to finish games.”

Barkley on the Cavaliers not changing their offense to fit LeBron James’ strengths: “I’m concerned because they haven’t changed their offense. It’s the same thing I’ve been saying for the last three years. Making LeBron (James) go one-on-five is just stupid. LeBron should be finishing plays. They should get the ball out and LeBron should run the floor more. That would help him in a half-court (situation) to get easier baskets. To walk the ball up and down the court and let LeBron be the facilitator is a bad offense. It always shows deep in the playoffs. He should get 10-12 points a game on dunks because he’s finishing.”

Links will come up later.

World Series and Other Baseball-related Press Releases

I have some baseball-centric press releases here. Let’s get to them.

First, MLB is really happy about the World Series ratings.

2009 WORLD SERIES ATTRACTING BIG AUDIENCES

Game Two of the 2009 World Series on FOX registered 18.9 million viewers, a 48% increase over last year’s Game Two viewership, and was the most watched Game Two since 2004.

Philadelphia viewership continues to increase versus last year’s Phillies championship run. Forty-two percent (42%) of all households in Philadelphia last night were tuned into Game Two of the World Series, a remarkable 38% gain over last year’s Game Two.

Game Two of the World Series was the most watched Game Two in New York since the Subway Series in 2000.

Fans in the New England area watched in big numbers to see former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez duel against the Yankees. Boston ratings increased 15% and Providence ratings increased 24% over Game One.

MLB says it will air an anti-cancer spot tonight during Game 3 of the World Series. Anything to raise awareness on cancer, I’m definitely in favor.

GROUNDBREAKING LIVE “STANDING UP TO CANCER: PRICELESS” MASTERCARD SPOT TO AIR DURING GAME THREE OF THE WORLD SERIES

MLB, MasterCard Worldwide and Stand Up To Cancer Join Forces

for Historic Live In-Stadium and Televised Event

Actors Terrence Howard and Minka Kelly to Encourage Fans to “Stand Up” To Cancer From Inside Citizens Bank Park in Spot Produced by Filmmaker & SU2C Co-Founder Laura Ziskin

Major League Baseball, MasterCard Worldwide and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) have joined together for an historic live event to occur during Game Three of the 2009 World Series on Saturday, October 31, incorporating the live crowd inside Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia into a “Priceless” public awareness spot produced by Stand Up To Cancer Founding Member Laura Ziskin. The spot will air between the start of the second and end of the third innings and will be broadcast live on FOX as well as inside the stadium. Near the conclusion of the 30-second spot – which celebrates the powerful emotions baseball creates – the action will turn live to the ballpark, where actors Terrence Howard and Minka Kelly will encourage the rest of the crowd and the viewing audience to “stand up” to cancer.

Major League Baseball earlier this week announced that Game Three will highlight Stand Up To Cancer as part of its overall dedication of the 2009 World Series to community service, with each of the first four games devoted to a specific charitable initiative. In support of this effort, MasterCard expanded its charitable relationship with SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that raises funds for innovative research conducted primarily by teams of scientists, aimed at accelerating the development of new cancer treatments in order to save lives now. In addition to integrating the Stand Up To Cancer message into the “Priceless” spot and donating the time for it to air during the broadcast of Game Three on FOX, MasterCard will contribute $1 million to SU2C the first time a home run hits one of the two “Hit It Here” signs in the outfield during the game. MasterCard is also donating $1,000 for every home run hit throughout the entire 2009 Postseason. Through Game Two of the World Series, 50 home runs have been hit, resulting in a $50,000 donation thus far.

“Major League Baseball has been a proud supporter of Stand Up To Cancer from its very beginning, driving home its key message with our fans: that each and every person can play a role in helping the scientists who are working so hard to end this disease,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “We’re thankful to MasterCard for joining us in ‘going beyond’ to support this worthy cause, and encourage everyone to stand up with us and help eradicate cancer.”

“The 2009 MLB postseason has proven to be an extraordinary stage for MasterCard to stand up and support a cause that connects our employees, customers, cardholders and baseball fans across America“, said Larry Flanagan, Chief Marketing Officer for MasterCard Worldwide. “We’re honored to share the power of “Priceless” with the passionate and innovative approach that SU2C brings to fighting this disease. And, we’re expecting the Yankees and Phillies sluggers to compete for being the first one to land a home run on MasterCard’s “Hit It Here” sign for the $1 million donation to SU2C.”

Created by award-winning motion picture and television producer Laura Ziskin, the spot will mark the first-ever installment of the famed MasterCard “Priceless” platform to be dedicated to a non-profit. Ziskin’s film credits include the Spider-Man trilogy, As Good As It Gets and Pretty Woman, and she produced the 74th and 79th Academy Awards. A member of the Stand Up To Cancer leadership team, Ziskin also executive produced its 2008 televised fundraising special. One of every three American women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes and in 2004, Ziskin learned that she, herself, had breast cancer.

“Collaboration is central to Stand Up To Cancer,” Ziskin noted, “…whether its within the teams of scientists whose work we fund, in the extraordinary partnerships we have among the people and companies that make up the entertainment community, or in our remarkable relationships with MLB and other generous donors. We’re utilizing all these resources to build a movement of people excited about helping researchers who are on the cusp of major breakthroughs, but need additional funding.”

“The World Series is a major cultural touchstone,” Ziskin continued. “To be able to heighten awareness about the importance of supporting cutting-edge cancer research during it through one of the world’s largest, most recognizable, and award-winning advertising campaigns is, in a word, priceless. We are enormously grateful to both MLB and MasterCard.”

In less than one year from its May 2008 launch, Stand Up To Cancer raised more than $100 million — including a lead $10 million donation from Major League Baseball – due in part to an historic hour-long program simultaneously broadcast on three major television networks on September 5, 2008. On its one-year anniversary in May 2009, SU2C announced $73.6 million in three-year grants to its first five Dream Team collaborations, comprised of more than 200 researchers from over 20 leading institutions.

Stand Up To Cancer’s next round of funding, “high risk/potentially high reward” Innovative Research Grants for individual investigators (often not funded by conventional sources) will be announced soon. Philadelphia-based American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is Stand Up To Cancer’s partner, and is responsible for administering the grants, including distributing the funds to the institutions selected, developing methods of reporting and – in conjunction with the SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee, led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and David H. Koch Institute at MIT – providing scientific oversight.

And MLB Network will air Arizona Fall League games starting in November. Nice to see Fang’s Bites MLB TV Award-winner Victor Rojas calling games.

MLB NETWORK, MLB.COM TO AIR ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE GAMES LIVE ON NOVEMBER 7 & 21

Victor Rojas, Tony Clark & Daron Sutton to Call Games Featuring Major League Baseball’s Elite Prospects

Secaucus, N.J., October 30, 2009 – MLB Network today announced it will air two Arizona Fall League games in November, including the fourth annual Rising Stars Game and the Championship game. MLB Network’s Tony Clark and Arizona Diamondbacks announcer Daron Sutton will be in the broadcast booth for the Rising Stars Game on Saturday, November 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET live from Surprise Stadium. Clark, who played for the league’s Tempe Rafters in 1994, and MLB Network host Victor Rojas will call the 18^th annual AFL Championship game on Saturday, November 21 at 2:30 p.m. ET live from Scottsdale Stadium. MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, will co-produce and provide free live and on-demand video streams of the two games.

The Rising Stars Game is a showcase pitting elite prospects from each Major League Baseball organization in an East Division vs. West Division format. The East Division squad will feature prospects from the Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Rockies and Twins. The West Division will field players from the Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Indians, Mariners, Mets, Padres, Rangers, Reds, Royals, Tigers, White Sox, and Yankees. The Arizona Fall League annually pits its two division winners in a championship game. The Phoenix Desert Dogs have won championship rings each of the past years.

Several Major League Baseball standouts appeared in the first three Rising Stars Games, including Gordon Beckham (White Sox), Ryan Braun (Brewers), Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), Yunel Escobar (Braves), Tommy Hanson (Braves), Phil Hughes (Yankees), Kevin Kouzmanoff (Padres), Jed Lowrie (Red Sox), Daniel Murphy (Mets), Hunter Pence (Astros) and Matt Weiters (Orioles).

The Arizona Fall League, known throughout professional baseball as a “finishing school” for Major League Baseball’s elite prospects, is a six-team league owned and operated by Major League Baseball that plays six days per week in five Cactus League stadiums (Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise) in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The AFL began its 18^th season on October 13, 2009.

Ok, I’ll do a few more releases for this weekend and provide links later.

College Football Press Release Post

I have leftover press releases from the week and I should post them before the games start so let’s do these quickly.

First NBC has its first primetime Notre Dame game tonight in San Antonio.

IN THE SPIRIT OF ROCKNE, NOTRE DAME HOSTS WASHINGTON STATE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX THIS SATURDAY IN FIRST-EVER PRIMETIME GAME ON NBC

“I have not seen a better all around receiver this year than Tate.” - Haden

NEW YORK – October 28, 2009 – In the spirit of legendary Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne, the #23 (BCS) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-2) will host the Washington State Cougars (1-6) in a primetime off-site home game in San Antonio, Texas this Saturday on NBC Sports. Rockne pioneered traveling the team around the country to establish intersectional rivalries.  This marks the first time in the 19-year history of the Notre Dame-NBC relationship that NBC will broadcast a game in primetime.

Coverage begins at 7:30 pm ET from the Alamodome with Tom Hammond handling play-by-play duties, Pat Haden providing analysis and Alex Flanagan reporting from the sidelines.

HADEN ON THE MATCHUP: "The Irish take their show on the road this week to San Antonio to meet the Cougars of Washington State. Knute Rockne would be proud! The Irish have BCS bowl game hopes and their offense, led by Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate, remains very dynamic. I have not seen a better all around receiver this year than Tate. He is awesome, both before the catch getting open, and even more so after the catch where he is so difficult to tackle. He is fun to watch but difficult to defend."

NOTRE DAME'S OFF-SITE LEGACY: Rockne, the legendary Irish coach who accumulated an .881 winning percentage (105-12-5) during a 13-year tenure at Notre Dame (1918-30), was the first football coach to take his team all over the country and initiate intersectional rivalries. Saturday's game is the first in a series of Notre Dame off-site home games scheduled over the next seven seasons. Army is scheduled for next year on November 20 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

NOTRE DAME PRESIDENT FATHER JOHN I. JENKINS ON OFF-SITE GAMES: "We have scheduled teams who want to play us at offsite venues because it's as great for their program as for ours. The off-site games provide an opportunity to have a primetime game broadcast by NBC."

NOTRE DAME-WASHINGTON STATE MATCHUP: Notre Dame and Washington State have met just once before on September 6, 2003 when Notre Dame won 29-26 in overtime at home. Notre Dame is coming off a 20-16 win against Boston College at South Bend. Irish WR Golden Tate caught 11 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. The win snapped a six-game losing streak to the Eagles and moved Notre Dame to No. 23 in the latest BCS standings. The Irish have played in six consecutive games decided by seven points or less, the most in the FBS. Washington State lost, 49-17, to Cal last weekend dropping its record to 1-6.

NOTRE DAME RATINGS UP 24 PERCENT: Through the first five broadcasts of the season Notre Dame viewership on NBC Sports has jumped 24 percent compared to the first five broadcasts from last year (4.2 million vs. 3.4 million).  

The Oct. 17 USC-Notre Dame game on NBC Sports drew 6.5 million viewers, the most for a Notre Dame game on NBC since September 9, 2006 when the Penn St.-Notre Dame game drew 6.9 million viewers.

To FSN and quotage from SEC Gridiron Live.

SEC Gridiron LIVE – Week Nine

They Said It:

Randy Cross on whether Alabama and Florida are beatable

“I think both of these teams are imminently beatable. Both of these teams can be beaten. I think one of them is going to lose before that SEC Championship game. Neither one of them is improving. We thought the SEC was absolutely unbeatable for quite a few weeks. Right now, the two best teams aren’t getting any better.”

David Pollack on Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State offense

“Great offense, but Dan, you are not a charity. You are not a nonprofit. Offensive guys, take care of that rock. They got to take care of the ball. Ten fumbles. Eleven interceptions. If they are taking care of the ball, they are winning a heck of a lot more games. You’re not a charity. Make people earn it against you. Don’t give it to them.”

Randy Cross on Kentucky offensive threat Randall Cobb

“This might sound like a skipping CD, but they have Randall Cobb, and Randall Cobb is going to gain yards. He’s going to score points like he did last week, and if you’re going to stay on the field because you’ve got a bad run defense, it’s great to have a guy like Randall Cobb that can get you yards, get you points.”

SEC Gridiron LIVE names the Top 5 “Scariest Dudes in the SEC”

5. Eric Norwood (South Carolina)

4. Aaron Hernandez (Florida)

3. Rahim Alem (LSU)

2. Rolando McClain (Alabama)

1. Brandon Spikes (Florida)

Panel Picks:

David Pollack on the Auburn / Ole Miss game

“Auburn is struggling. I wasn’t drinking the Ole Miss Kool Aid, but I’m drinking it a lot more than I’m drinking this Auburn Kool Aid, so I’ll take Ole Miss.”

Charles Davis on the South Carolina / Tennessee game

“I think Monte Kiffin’s defense finds a way to get it done and gets their first big win.”

EMU/Arkansas: Charles/Arkansas, Randy/Arkansas, David/Arkansas

Tulane/LSU: Charles/LSU, Randy/LSU, David/LSU

Vanderbilt/Georgia Tech: Charles/Ga. Tech, Randy/Ga. Tech, David/Ga. Tech

Miss. St./Kentucky: Charles/Miss. St., Randy/Kentucky, David/Kentucky

South Carolina/Tennessee: Charles/Tennessee, Randy/South Carolina, David/Tennessee

Auburn/Ole Miss: Charles/Ole Miss, Randy/Ole Miss, David/Ole Miss

Florida/Georgia: Charles/Florida, Randy/Florida, David/Florida

Social Media Sound Off:

In response to the Thumb It In question – “Of the 5 SEC Teams Ranked in the BCS, who’s done the best coaching job”:

· Randy Cameron – As much as I like Darth Visor, it’s hard to argue with the Saban/Bama show. This year it’s Saban so far. Still a tough schedule ahead, so opinion is currently in a holding pattern.

gerritburke@SECGridironLIVE – I think the scariest people in the SEC are the ones hiring the officials.

Mike Hallman – Brandon Spikes will be a healthy boogie man in Jacksonville Saturday. Snatching all the Bulldog’s candy from them. Happy Halloween & GO GATORS!!!

SEC Gridiron LIVE presented by O’Charley’s airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET throughout the college football season to more than 24 million cable and satellite households on the FSN regional networks throughout the SEC territory – FOX Sports South, Sun Sports, FOX Sports Houston and FOX Sports Southwest. SEC Gridiron LIVE is hosted by Charles Davis with analyst Randy Cross and David Pollack and social media reporter Cassidy Hubbarth.

The annual Florida-Georgia is CBS’ SEC Game of the Week today.

“THE SEC ON CBS”

NO. 1 FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA ON SATURDAY, OCT. 31

AUDIBLES with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson

CBS Sports’ national coverage of the SEC “Game of the Week” continues on Saturday, Oct. 31 (3:30 PM, ET), with *No. 1-ranked Florida taking on SEC Eastern Division foe Georgia.

The CBS Television Network’s lead college football announce team of Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson call the action live from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Tracy Wolfson serves as lead reporter. Craig Silver, the Network’s coordinating producer of college football, produces and Steve Milton directs. CBS Sports’ broadcast of Florida-Georgia also will be broadcast in high definition.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, starts the day on CBS Sports (3:00 PM, ET) with host Tim Brando, along with analysts Spencer Tillman and Tony Barnhart. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY will keep viewers updated on all the games throughout the afternoon with scores and highlights. Vin DeVito produces and Linda Malino directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

CBS College Sports Network’s SEC TAILGATE show is live from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in prior to the game. This week’s show is broadcast from the grass area between P lots off of North Georgia Street. Former University of Florida quarterback Danny Weurffel and former University of Georgia kicker and College Football Hall of Fame member Kevin Butler join CBS College Sports Network as guest analysts.

Veteran SEC announcer Dave Baker hosts SEC TAILGATE, and is joined by CBSSports.com’s Lauren Shehadi and CBSSports.com senior college football writer Dennis Dodd. Sam Ryan anchors coverage from New York with former Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer and Brian Jones serving as analysts. The Florida-Georgia game will be streamed live and free of charge on CBSSports.com. Each week CBS Sports’ “SEC Game of the Week” is available exclusively on CBSSports.com and also can be accessed through a link on the websites of all CBS affiliates.

After CBS Sports’ live SEC game coverage each Saturday throughout the season, CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK takes over with SEC POSTGAME SHOW (7:00-PM, ET), providing a recap of all the news, scores and highlights from around the SEC. Ryan serves as host along with Jones and Fulmer, Stephan Van Engen produces.

*AP Poll as of 10/26/09

AUDIBLES with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson

(On Heisman Race): It’s still Tim Tebow’s Heisman to lose. He is in the driver’s seat. Of course he has to do something, but he is going to get the visibility to do it. Anybody who votes for the Heisman before Championship Saturday is over, with Tebow, Mark Ingram and Colt McCoy^th, their votes really shouldn’t count. You have to see what they are going to do in the Championship games before you vote this year. potentially playing in their championship on December 5

(On Florida): Teams have forced Florida away from their first option and what they like to do, running the ball inside with those really fast backs and then throwing the short passes to (Aaron) Hernandez and (Riley) Cooper. People are taking the first option away and forcing Florida to do something else. So far they have been making enough mistakes to keep people in the game. But, if Florida doesn’t turn the ball over inside the 20-yard line twice versus Tennessee, three times versus Mississippi State and four times against Arkansas, they would have blown all three of those teams out. So Florida is not quite as good as last year, but not as bad as what everybody thinks.

(On Tim Tebow): Tim is not playing like he played two years ago. First of all they don’t have the necessity for him to do that because they have a much better defense than in his Heisman Trophy year. They are managing him a little more, making sure that he is available to do different things. He also doesn’t have the fire power that turns a 10-yard pass into an 80-yard gain, because Louis Murphy and Percy Harvin aren’t there to turn simple plays into touchdowns. They have to earn every yard.

(On Georgia): If you were to summarize Georgia in one word you might use the word transition. They are really hurt from who they lost off last year’s team. In this conference, if you don’t have the playmakers with experience going against all the great defensives players you are flat-out going to struggle. And that is Georgia. With Knowshon Moreno, Mohamed MassaquoiMatthew Stafford all drafted, Georgia is just searching for experience at key spots and coming up empty. It is really affecting their team. and

And here’s CBS College Sports’ slate of games today.

CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK’S FOOTBALL ACTION FEATURES TEMPLE AT NAVY AND NEW MEXICO AT SAN DIEGO STATE

CBS College Sports Network continues its slate of college football action with two games this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 31 (3:30 PM, ET) CBS College Sports Network features Temple at Navy from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD. Play-by-play announcer Dave Ryan teams with analyst Randy Cross to call the action. The Network then broadcasts a Mountain West Conference match-up as New Mexico takes on San Diego State in primetime (7:30 PM, ET). Tom Hart and analyst Aaron Taylor announce.

INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL LIVE (3:00 – 3:30 pm, ET) brings fans the latest scores and highlights. Immediately following the New Mexico – SDSU game, INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL EXTRA (11:00 – 11:30 PM, ET) wraps up the day’s action with news and analysis. Adam Zucker hosts, along with analysts Brian Jones and Phillip Fulmer.

There you go. I hope to give you NFL previews from the networks and links, but it might be already turning into a crazy day.

1st Ever Fang’s Bites MLB TV Awards

With baseball ending its season with the World Series, it’s time to do the 1st Ever Fang’s Bites MLB TV Awards. This follows the 1st Ever Fang’s Bites Tennis TV Awards, the 1st Annual NHL TV Awards, the College Football TV Awards and the NFL TV Awards. I hope to do a College Basketball TV and Radio Awards down the line as well.

Let’s do this. Some of the choices may be obvious, others may not. Some may surprise you, others may not, but again, remember, this is just the Best and Worst, it’s not a competition, so please, no betting.

Starting with the top:

The Vin Scully Award for Best Play-by-Play: Named after the best play-by-play voice in baseball, bar none, this year’s award goes to Dan Shulman of ESPN and ESPN Radio. He’s no nonsense and really, one of the best multisport announcers as he also calls college basketball and the NBA quite well. Dan doesn’t yell, he doesn’t depend on catchphrases, he just does his job which is welcomed. He really should be ESPN’s number one announcer ahead of Jon Miller who seems to have slipped some this year.

Honorable Mention: Dave O’Brien, ESPN

Best Game Analyst: This is slim pickings as you have Tim McCarver, Joe Morgan, Rick Sutcliffe, Eric Karros and others as candidates. I’m going to choose Orel Hershiser of ESPN out of default. He doesn’t offend me as the other analysts and he does a pretty decent job. With Steve Phillips out of the picture at ESPN, I expect Orel to get more assignments whether on Monday Night or Wednesday Night Baseball on ESPN.

Honorable Mentions: Ron Darling, TBS and Jim Kaat, MLB Network

Best Debut: With the advent of league-owned TV networks such as NFL Network, NBA TV and NHL Network, it was only a matter of time for Major League Baseball to start one of its own and finally on New Year’s Day, MLB Network debuted, although not as smoothly as hoped. But once it got the glitches out of its system, MLB Network made splashes through big hires, coverage of breaking stories, live game coverage, going head-to-head with ESPN, and using its power to pick up live games whenever possible. In just 10 short months, MLB Network has become the Network of Record for Major League Baseball coverage, wresting the title from ESPN. Whether it be its signature show, MLB Tonight or being able to do live cut-ins at a moment’s notice, MLB Network has become a welcome addition to baseball fans.

Best Studio Show: MLB Tonight. The show is able to do live extended cut-ins unlike its ESPN counterpart, Baseball Tonight. There are cases as during a no-hitter when ESPN can cut-in, but those are only in special circumstances. Plus, whether the show is hosted by Victor Rojas or Matt Vasgersian, it moves quite well, although being on the air live for 6 hours can sometimes lead to some unfortunate comments, but for the most part, MLB Tonight has risen to the occasion to become the best studio show.

Honorable Mention: Inside MLB, TBS

Best Studio Host: In the past, it was Karl Ravech of ESPN, but he’s been overtaken by Victor Rojas of MLB Network. Victor is the answer to a nice trivia question. Who was the first person to be seen when MLB Network debuted and that answer is Victor Rojas. The former radio announcer to the Texas Rangers joined MLB Network and made a very good transition to studio host. While Matt Vasgersian and Greg Amsinger do most of the hosting for MLB Tonight, Victor is the best host the network has and should have been given a bigger role for MLB Network’s World Series coverage. And not only is he an excellent host, he’s also one of the funnier people on Twitter so follow him and also read his blog at MLB.com.

Honorable Mention: Karl Ravech, ESPN and Ernie Johnson, TBS

Best Studio Analyst: This is a tie between Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams of MLB Network. HR is a known commodity from his work at ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. But Mitch came over from Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and he’s fast becoming a star as a regular on MLB Tonight. HR explains baseball very well and can spot trends. Mitch can give perspective as a pitcher and is very funny. His one liners can break up the studio at a moment’s notice. Both HR and Mitch should be paired together during the 10-midnight hours of MLB Tonight.

Honorable Mention: Al Leiter, MLB Network

Best Game Coverage: Say what you will about its announcing crews, MLB on Fox does a very good job in its production of the games. Director Bill Webb does do a lot of crowd cutaways, but he and producer Pete Macheska do a bang-up job in finding right facts, pictures and replays to cover the stories that pop up during the 9 innings of a game. Very impressed by their work.

Honorable Mention: Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN

Most Valuable Network: Yeah, MLB Network. Yes, ESPN has Sunday and Wednesday Night games. Fox has coverage of the All-Star Game, LCS and World Series. TBS has Sunday afternoon games on the entire LDS, but in just less than a full season, MLB Network has shown it can juggle programming, add games, use the vast MLB historical archive and develop programming that can rival or surpass any of the league-owned channels. Color me impressed with MLB Network.

Best Move: MLB Network hiring Bob Costas away from HBO Sports to do play-by-play of the sport he loves and to host a regular interview show. It was only natural that Costas join MLB Network. I remember asking an MLB spokesman last year if the network was going to hire Costas and telling him it would be a natural fit. Sure enough, Costas came on board in February this year and made an immediate impact on the Alex Rodriguez steroids story. Hopefully, Bob will call more than just five or six games for MLB Network next season.

Honorable Mention: Fox hires Ozzie Guillen for the World Series

Worst Play-by-Play: Earlier this week during the Sports Media Weekly podcast, Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner gave praise to Chip Caray of TBS for his work during the MLB Postseason. From what I can tell, Jim is the only sports media writer to give Chip some love. I cannot. While I won’t take shots like some others have, I found Chip to be very annoying. His constant “FISTED” references plus miscalling plays early in the postseason led fans to go nuclear on Twitter and Facebook. Chip has done good work for the Cubs and the Braves, but he’s not worthy of being a number one announcer and shouldering the responsibility of leading a major broadcast. I hope TBS reconsiders and uses another announcer for next year. His work gave some fans a new appreciation for Joe Buck.

Worst Game Analyst: In a sport that has so many candidates, there’s only one who “wins” this award hands down. And it goes to Joe Morgan of ESPN. Morgan is dry, humorless, unwilling to see any team better than the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, no manager better than Sparky Anderson, no middle infielder better than him and adds nothing to the game. In an effort to spice up the Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts, ESPN brought in Steve Phillips to add another voice. It really didn’t work as Morgan continued to bore people at home. Why ESPN chose him to be its number 1 analyst and continues to use him in this capacity is beyond me. One of the worst analysts in sports television, period.

Dishonorable Mention: Rick Sutcliffe, ESPN and Tim McCarver, ESPN

Worst Game Coverage: World Baseball Classic, MLB Network. During March, MLB Network relied on the world feed for the games it was airing from Puerto Rico and Mexico. It resulted in pictures never matching what the announcers were saying and there were times when complete plays were missed. Replays were often the same angle that we had just seen on TV and some of the production was disjointed. For what was supposed to be a showcase for baseball on the world stage, viewers deserved better.

Dishonorable Mention: None

Worst Studio Host: Greg Amsinger, MLB Network. When I read he was hired, I thought it was would be as a backup to Matt Vasgersian and Victor Rojas, but for some reason, the former CBS College Sports host was given a prominent role during World Series coverage. He really doesn’t deserve it. Greg sounds like he smokes 60 packs of cigarettes a day. He raises his voice unnecessarily and he tries too hard to be funny. Leave the humor at home. I ask MLB Network to put Greg on its Quick Pitch show instead of MLB Tonight.

Dishonorable Mention: Chris Rose, Fox Sports

Worst Studio Analyst: Orestes Destrade, ESPN. What is that? Seriously. Why is he even on my TV?

Worst Way to End a Career: I don’t need to rehash the Steve Phillips affair. You all know what happened. But I have a feeling we won’t be seeing the end of Steve.

Worst Disappearing Act: TBS Hot Corner. I can go ad nauseum on how much I enjoyed TBS’ online coverage of the MLB Postseason when it began in 2007, but Hot Corner has gone from online studio show in 2007 to in-game reports last year, to virtually nothing this year. While we can see alternate angles, I wish TBS would go back to the online studio show it shared with MLB.com two years ago. And I would love to go back and forth with Beau Estes of Turner Sports once again. Please TBS, bring back the online show and a Friend of Fang’s Bites, Heather Catlin.

That concludes our first ever MLB TV Awards. We’ll back same time, next year with the 2nd Annual Awards.

On A Friday Megalinks Roll

Time for the Friday Megalinks as usual. Let’s get to these while we can.

You can always check out the Weekend Viewing Picks for the sports and primetime viewing for Saturday and Sunday.

Let’s go to the links.

National

USA Today’ Michael Hiestand says we may have not have seen the last of Steve Phillips on TV.

Sports Business Daily Assistant Managing Editor Brian Helfrich talks with three pundits (including yours truly) about ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series. Thanks to Brian for asking me to participate.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated talks with some of the TNT and NBA TV staff about the new season.

James Hibberd of the Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed blog writes that the World Series performed well in the ratings once again on Thursday.

Marc Berman at Mediaweek says the World Series lifted Fox to a rare Thursday primetime victory.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek writes that the New York Knicks are making a push to get fans into the seats.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks about Roger Federer’s new endorsement deal with a chocolate company.

Darren went one-on-one with new Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts.

Maury Brown in the Biz of Baseball says World Series viewership is up almost 50% from last year.

Maury Brown from the Biz of Football says the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are firing back at a radio report that the owners of the team were planning to sell the team.

The Big Lead interviews Big Ten Network studio host Dave Revsine.

The Sports Media Watch looks at Fox’s record ratings for its Week 7 NFL doubleheader.

SMW says CBS saw its lowest ratings for the NFL in Week 7.

SMW writes that Versus continues to see good ratings for the NHL.

And the SMW writes that the World Series is doing well through two games.

Chris Byrne’s Eye on Sports Media has another guest column from former Raycom and NBC Sports football analyst Dave Rowe.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has a look at the viewership of each Versus NHL game this season to date.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe profiles New Englander Ryen Russillo who has a regular gig with ESPN Radio.

Bill Doyle from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks with long time Celtics TV analyst Tommy Heinsohn.

Here’s Kristine Leahy of WEEI.com with the week ending edition of The Five.

Newsday’s Neil Best says ESPN’s Bobby Valentine was looking forward to working with Steve Phillips before all hell broke loose.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman writes that Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver spent Game 2 of the World Series complaining about the noise level at the Bronx.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post feels Buck and McCarver forgot what a “must-win” really means. Whatever.

To ESPN1050 in New York and Andrew Marchand who has five questions for Fox Sports’ Joe Buck.

Lisa Swan of the Subway Squawkers blog properly gets on a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter for complaining about covering the World Series. I’m not a Yankees fan, but I totally agree on reporters, writers and sports radio hosts who complain about their accommodations and/or assignments. No one wants to read or hear whining.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union talks with the great Ian Eagle of CBS Sports/YES/Westwood One Radio/Tennis Channel about his rather sedate schedule this time around. Yes, I’m being facetious.

Laura Nachman writes that the World Series has been a ratings winner thus far.

Rich Hofman of the Philadelphia Daily News says the Delaware Valley loves watching their Phillies.

Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com writes in Press Box that the TV sportscast is slowly falling by the wayside on Baltimore’s newscasts.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner writes about the big college football slate on Saturday.

And Jim looks at a DirecTV contest trying to determine the most diehard displaced NFL fan in the country.

South

Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald has some football announcing highlights and lowlights to date.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times says ESPN has forced out football analyst Shaun King in the middle of the season.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram likes the addition of Ozzie Guillen to the Fox World Series broadcasts.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Metroplex watched the World Series in droves on Wednesday, relatively speaking.

Barry says Fox’s Troy Aikman is gushing over Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin.

Barry writes that the inventor of the Arlington Stadium dot race will be honored next week.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle notes the increase in World Series ratings this year.

To Jerry Garcia in the San Antonio Express-News who says Fox is anticipating good news with a big market World Series this year.

Midwest

Michael Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says a local sports radio show features hosts who aren’t even in the same studio let alone same area code.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks with Fox Sports’ Troy Aikman about the Green Bay-Minnesota game and the return of Brett Favre to the area.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his usual winners and losers in sports business and media.

Ed writes that Comcast SportsNet Chicago is canceling its morning show co-hosted by Mike North and Dan Jiggets.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says ESPN is doing a 30 for 30 documentary on Steve Bartman.

Dave van Dyck of the Tribune writes that Ozzie Guillen is behaving during Fox Sports coverage of the World Series.

The Chicago Sun-Times talks with the new owner of the Cubs, Thomas Ricketts.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field becomes Must See TV on Sunday.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch isn’t a fan of Fox’s policy staying with blowout games.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News writes that maybe the Mountain West Conference’s TV exposure isn’t that bad after all.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Green Bay-Minnesota will be seen in most areas of the US, except for San Diego.

John Maffei of the North County Times feels the Chargers are always flirting with a local blackout at the last minute.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says Fox has been getting plenty of mileage from Joe Buck.

Jim writes that MLB Network looks back tonight at the 1989 Bay Area earthquake that forced the World Series to be temporarily postponed.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times writes that Fox will be all over Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay in more ways than one.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News learned what it was like to be a sideline mic operator.

In his blog, Tom has a story on Vin Scully misidentifying a home run in the NLCS and no one coming out to correct him during the game.

Tom has his usual media notes.

Canada

William Houston in his Truth and Rumours blog notes that the new ratings system in Canada is being very beneficial to sports programming.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy’s failed attempt to get his book published.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star (and at whom William Houston threw some shots today) writes about the Canadian Olympic Committee’s losing hope on launching its own cable channel.

Weekend Viewing Picks

Saturday, October 31

Boxing
Showtime Championship Boxing/Joseph Agbeko vs. Yonnhy Perez, IBF Bantamweight Title, Showtime, 9 p.m.
24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto – HBO, 11 p.m.

College Football Viewing Picks

English Premier League
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur – ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
Fulham vs. Liverpool – Setanta Sports, 10:30 a.m.
Bolton vs. Chelsea – Fox Soccer Channel, 11 a.m.
Manchester United vs. Black urn – Fox Soccer Channel, 1:30 p.m.
Everton vs. Aston Villa – Setanta Sports, 6 p.m. (same day coverage)
Sunderland vs. West Ham United – Fox Soccer Channel, 8 p.m. (same day coverage)
Stoke City vs. Wolverhampton – Setanta Sports, 9:30 p.m. (same day coverage)
Portsmouth vs. Wigan Athletic – Setanta Sports, 11 p.m. (same day coverage)

Golf
PGA Tour/Viking Classic, 3rd round – Golf Channel, 2:30 p.m.

MLB
World Series/Game 3, New York Yankees at Philadelphia – Fox, 7:57 p.m.

NHL
Carolina at Philadelphia – Fox Sports Carolinas/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Edmonton at Boston – Rogers Sportsnet West/NESN, 1 p.m.
Atlanta at Ottawa – CBC, 2 p.m.
New Jersey at Tampa Bay – MSG Plus/Sun Sports, 3 p.m.
Toronto at Montreal – CBC/RDS/NHL Network (US), 7 p.m.
Buffalo at New York Islanders – MSG Buffalo/MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Pittsburgh – Fox Sports North/FSN Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Dallas at Nashville – KDFI, 8 p.m.
Florida at St. Louis – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Midwest, 8 p.m.
Anaheim at Arizona – KDOC, 9 p.m.
Detroit at Calgary – CBC/Fox Sports Detroit Plus, 10 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Entertainment
Giada at Home: Todd’s Midwestern Favorites – Food Network, 1 p.m.
Top 20 Most Shocking: Escapes from Death – TruTV, 8 p.m.
Robin Hood – BBC America, 9 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team – CMTV, 9 p.m.
48 Hours Mystery – CBS, 10 p.m.

Sunday, November 1

English Premier League
Birmingham City vs. Manchester City – Fox Soccer Channel, 11 a.m.

Formula 1
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Speed, 7:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Viking Classic, 3rd round – Golf Channel, 2:30 p.m.

MLB
World Series/Game 4, New York Yankees at Philadelphia – Fox, 8:20 p.m.

NASCAR
Amp Energy 500 – ABC, 1 p.m.

NBA
New Orleans at Boston – NBA TV/Comcast SportsNet New England, 6 p.m.

NFL Viewing Picks

NHL
Boston at New York Rangers – NESN/MSG Network, 1 p.m.
San Jose at Carolina – Comcast SportsNet California, 1:30 p.m.
Columbus at Washington – Fox Sports Ohio/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 5 p.m.
Colorado at Vancouver – Altitude2, 10 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.

Running
New York City Marathon – Universal Sports/UniversalSports.com, 9 a.m. /NBC, 2 p.m. (same day coverage)

Tennis
WTA Tour/Sony Ericsson Championships, final – ESPN2, 10 a.m.

Entertainment
60 Minutes – CBS, 7 p.m.
The Amazing Race 15 – CBS, 8 p.m.
Curb Your Enthusiasm – HBO, 9 p.m
Dexter – Showtime, 9 p.m.
Californication – Showtime, 10 p.m.
Mad Men (season finale) – AMC, 10 p.m.
Snapped: Shannon Torez – Oxygen, 10 p.m.

Fox Is Really Doing Fine…It’s World Series Time

Face it, you may hate the Yankees, but you watch them. Another World Series game which made a ratings gain from the year before and it’s a very nice gain. A big 44% jump from last year’s Game 2 between the Phillies and Tampa Bay.

Check it out.

WORLD SERIES GAME 2 DOMINATES PRIME TIME

Audience is +48% Better Than Game 2 ’08; Rating +44%

Biggest Year-to-Year Gains for Any World Series Game in 19 Years!

The 2009 WORLD SERIES is dominating prime time and posting significant gains over last year. Game 2 between the Phillies and Yankees averaged 11.7/19 household rating/share and 18.9 million viewers last night on FOX according to “fast national” ratings issued by Nielsen Media Research. The 11.7 rating represents a huge +44% gain over last year’s 8.1/13 for Game 2 of Phillies-Rays, while the 18.9 million viewers is a +48% increase over Game 2 ’08. Both percentage increases are the biggest year-to-year gains for any World Series game in 19 years (Game 4 of the 1990 Reds-A’s World Series — +46% rating, +52% audience — over Game 4 ‘89).

Last night’s contest is the highest-rated and most-watched Game 2 since 2004 (15.9/24, 25.5 mill.).

The Primetime portion of the game also averaged an 11.7/19 (19.0 mill.) from 8:00-11:00 PM ET, making last night the highest-rated and most-watched Thursday night on any network since the BCS Championship Game in January. The game earned a 5.7 in prime time among Adults 18-49, FOX’s best Thursday night in over seven months. Game 2 easily controlled a night of tough competition. The prime-time 5.7 (the entire game drew a 5.8 adults 18-49) beat second-place ABC by +50% for the night (3.8).

PHILADELPHIA again topped all markets with a 42.5/57, a +38% gain over last year‘s 30.7/44 for Game 2 of the Phillies-Rays WS. NEW YORK tallied a 29.8/44, the second-best Yankee Game Two of the last ten years, beating 2003, 2001, and 1999 (the 2000 Subway Series was of course stronger, 42.1/56). A solid outing from former Red Sox superstar Pedro Martinez juiced ratings in Boston (15.7/26) and Providence (15.6/25), and those markets were up +15% and +24% respectively over their Game 1 ratings.

2009 World Series Summary

The first two games of the 2009 World Series earned 11.8/19 household rating/share, and has averaged 19.2 million viewers, a +37% gain over last year in rating (vs. 8.6/14) and a +40% increase in viewership (vs. 13.8 mill.). By both measures this is the best start to a World Series since 2004, when the Red Sox were looking to snap an 86-year World Championship drought. Among Adults 18-49, the Series is up +39% (6.1 vs. 4.4) and is also pacing at a five-year high. If we compare the World Series to top-rated season-to-date prime-time shows, the Fall Classic would rank No. 2 in households (behind NCIS) and No. 4 in A18-49.

The Yankees definitely bring viewers to the table. And nice to see Providence make a nice jump. Red Sox Nation was definitely interested in seeing Pedro Martinez again.

NFL Viewing Picks for Week 8, 11/01/09

NFL Gameday Morning – NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fox NFL Sunday – Fox, noon

1 p.m.
CBS Coverage Map
Cleveland at Chicago – Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Denver at Baltimore – Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Houston at Buffalo – Ian Eagle/Rich Gannon
Miami at New York Jets – Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

Fox Coverage Map
New York Giants at Philadelphia – Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
San Francisco at Indianapolis – Sam Rosen/Tim Ryan/Laura Okmin
Seattle at Dallas – Dick Stockton/Charles Davis/Nischelle Turner
St. Louis at Detroit – Ron Pitts/John Lynch

4 p.m.
CBS Coverage Map
Jacksonville at Tennesee – Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker
Oakland at San Diego – Dick Enberg/Dan Fouts

4:15 p.m.
Fox Coverage Map
Carolina at Arizona – Chris Myers/Brian Billick/Jamie Maggio
Minnesota at Green Bay – Thom Brennaman/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

7 p.m.
Football Night in America – NBC

11:30 p.m.
NFL Gameday Final – NFL Network

DirecTV Channel Assignments
Sirius Satellite Radio Channel Assignments
XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

College Football Viewing Picks for 10/31/09, All Times Eastern

Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College Gameday, live from Eugene, OR – ESPN, 10 a.m.

noon
Rutgers at UConn – Big East Network

New Mexico State at Ohio State – Big Ten Network

Indiana at Iowa – ESPN
Purdue at Wisconsin – ESPN2
Cincinnati at Syracuse – ESPNU
Akron at Northern Illinois – ESPN Plus

NC State at Florida State – Raycom

Ole Miss at Auburn – SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

12:30 p.m.
Nebraska at Baylor – Versus

1:30 p.m.
Missouri at Colorado – FSN

3 p.m.
College Football Countdown – ABC
College Football Today – CBS

3:30 p.m.
ABC Coverage Map
ESPN2 Coverage Map
California at Arizona State – ABC
Kansas at Texas Tech – ABC
Miami (FL) at Wake Forest – ABC/ESPN2
Michigan at Illinois – ABC/ESPN2

Florida vs. Georgia at Jacksonville, FL – CBS
Temple at Navy – CBS College Sports

UMass and UMaine – Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Comcast SportsNet New England/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

Central Michigan at Boston College – ESPNU

4 p.m.
Air Force at Colorado State – the mtn.

UNLV at TCU – Versus

4:30 p.m.
Penn State at Northwestern – ESPN

7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan at Arkansas – ESPNU

Kansas State at Oklahoma – FSN

Mississippi State at Kentucky – Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports South/Fox Sports Southwest/Sun Sports

7:30 p.m.
New Mexico at San Diego State – CBS College Sports

Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt – Comcast Sports South

Washington State vs. Notre Dame at San Antonio, TX – NBC

South Carolina at Tennessee – ESPN (7:45 p.m. kickoff)

8 p.m.
ABC Coverage Map
ESPN2 Coverage Map
Texas at Oklahoma State – ABC/ESPN2
USC at Oregon – ABC/ESPN2

Michigan State at Minnesota – Big Ten Network

Wyoming at Utah – the mtn.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Football
West Virginia at USF – ESPN2, 8 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Viking Classic, 2nd round – Golf Channel, 2:30 p.m.

NBA
Chicago at Boston – Comcast SportsNet New England/ESPN, 8 p.m.
Dallas at Los Angeles Lakers – ESPN, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
New York Islanders at Washington – MSG Plus/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Columbus – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Buffalo – Rogers Sportsnet Ontario/MSG Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
New York Rangers at Minnesota – MSG Network 2/KSTC, 8 p.m.
Florida at Dallas – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Southwest, 8:30 p.m.
Montreal at Chicago – RDS/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Anaheim – Rogers Sportsnet Pacific, 10 p.m.
Colorado at San Jose – Altitude/Comcast SportsNet California, 10:30 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.

Entertainment
Bud Greenspan Presents: Beijing 2008: America’s Olympic Glory – Sho2, 7 p.m.
Dateline NBC – NBC, 9 p.m.
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross – BBC America, 9 p.m.
20/20 – ABC, 10 p.m.
Rescue Ink Unleashed – National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.
Life on Top – Cinemax, 11:30 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Preview of 30 for 30 – "Without Bias"

I just saw the preview clips for the next ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, “Without Bias” about the death of the late Len Bias. For fans of Maryland or the Boston Celtics and anyone who was about the age of 20-25 at the time like I was can remember this incident as if it were yesterday. Drafted in 1986 by the Celtics, Bias died after using cocaine during a celebration in his frat house room. I recall being totally shocked to see this strong, young athlete dying all of a sudden. These things were not supposed to happen. The documentary looks into the events leading into Bias’ death as well as the impact.

I have the preview DVD and I look forward to bringing you a review early next week.

We have two preview clips. First, this looks at the death of Len.

Then, this powerful clip reviews the fateful night of Len’s death.

Director Kirk Fraser has intertwined historical news footage with present interviews and this looks like one of the stronger documentaries of the 30 for 30 series. “Without Bias” premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 7

Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I talk with Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner about a whole host of topics this week.

We discuss the whole issue of the Steve Phillips affair, Deadspin vs. ESPN, the World Series ratings, Joe Buck, Chip Caray plus Jim’s local beat which is the DC/Baltimore area. We talk about the sports radio wars in DC, the polarizing Anita Marks, Tony Kornheiser’s return to radio in DC as well as the transition of Newsday.com from a free site to a subscription site. It’s a lot of stuff to digest and good stuff with Keith, Jim and I. Take a listen right here.

Let’s Do Some Thursday Linkage

I’m going to give you some links today. If I get motivated later today, I’ll give you my 1st Ever Baseball TV and Radio Awards. It’s my way of giving you more content besides the links and press releases. In fact, I’m hoping to give you more original articles as more and more newspapers close off free access.

But here are some links for you.

The great Amanda Bruno from Batter-up with Bruno talks about the new look at Boston.com.

For some reason, Neil Best’s story at Newsday is available today. I’m not questioning it. Let’s run with it. Neil writes about Yankees radio announcer Suzyn Waldman being the first woman to call a World Series.

In his blog, Neil says NBA League Pass, the pay per view out-of-market cable package is open for a free preview for the first week of the season.

To Richard Sandomir of the New York Times who says the Jets are cutting prices of certain tickets.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman says World Series Game 1 was vintage Suzyn Waldman.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Daily News says Game 1 was quite a strong night for Fox’s Tim McCarver. I’ll disagree, but Phil is on his own island.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred finds some disturbing news about a large number of sportswriters.

Katie Baker of Mediaite is asking where is ESPN’s Ombudsman on the Steve Phillips affair?

Covers.com reports that a planned book authored by disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy has been canceled over potential liability concerns.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette has the high school basketball schedule for a local radio station.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record with contributions from Jess Krycio of the Pocono (PA) Record says there are plenty of outlets to follow the World Series.

Friend of Fang’s Bites Jerry Milani writes that the new LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan might be mean good news for New Jersey golf.

Keith Groller from the Allentown (PA) Morning Call gets a World Series prediction from an MLB Network reporter.

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia announces that NFL on Fox sideline reporter Jaime Maggio joins the network for its Sixers coverage.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says radio voice of the the Wizards is one of the busiest men in broadcasting.

The lovely Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun Sentinel took a look at the new Marlins Stadium that’s currently under construction.

The Rome (GA) News-Tribune says CBS College Sports will be in town in December for the NAIA Football National Championship.

Barry Horn in the Dallas Morning News wonders if the Cowboys can handle their smallest TV audience of the season.

Barry has the college football TV schedule in the Metroplex.

Barry is feeling melancholy hearing the 42 year old Troy Aikman talk about the 40 year old Brett Favre.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle has some sports programming updates.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is all over ESPN and late night TV tonight.

Elton Alexander of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer writes that the Mid-American Conference has an extensive basketball TV schedule this season.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has conflicting opinions on how the Packer faithful should treat prodigal son Brett Favre upon his return to Lambeau Field on Sunday.

Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette says even with the good ratings, baseball is still getting beat by the NFL

Chad Cripe and Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman write that ESPNU will air the Boise State-Idaho game in November.

To the Los Angeles Times and Diane Pucin who writes that the Lakers’ season opener steered TNT to a record rating for an NBA doubleheader.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News watch two World Series games, played 41 years apart, but aired at the same time and noticed a similarity.

Tom also notes a different type of billboard campaign for the NFL on Fox.

Jeff Smith of The Oregonian says the site for College Gameday on the Oregon campus has been selected for this Saturday.

Robert Cribb of the Toronto Globe and Mail says HDTV is turning Americans into the NHL and its translating into higher ratings for the sport.

William Houston in the Truth & Rumours blog says tomorrow, the first Canadian journalist will take part in the Olympic torch relay to Vancouver as conflict of interest criticisms continue to fly.

The Sports Media Watch has the weekend overnight ratings.

SMW researched the World Series TV ratings going all the way back to 1972.

And SMW says the MLS’ ratings are up by 15%.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says Monday Night Football helped to steer ESPN to a very good October.

Diego Vasquez of Media Life Magazine looks at the record ratings for TNT’s season opening NBA doubleheader on Tuesday.

Stuart Levine of Variety writes that Fox dominated last night’s ratings just like the Phillies did the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series.

Joe Favorito writes that Hebrew National hot dogs is striking while the iron is hot after Jets QB Mark Sanchez was caught on camera sneaking a hot dog last Sunday.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has a look at CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada’s ratings to date.

Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski says Tuesday’s Flyers-Caps game led to record ratings on Versus.

And as Steve points out, that record rating is not leading into record viewership for Versus.

To conclude, we leave you with Kristine Leahy of WEEI.com with today’s edition of The Five.

That does it for today.

Fox is Having A Good Week – World Series Ratings Up

Here’s another Fox Sports release, this one concerning the overnight ratings for Game 1 of the World Series which are up from last year. Phillies-New York with two of the Northeast’s biggest markets did better than last year’s Phillies-Tampa Bay. Here’s the release.

WORLD SERIES GAME 1 +29% OVER ‘08

Second Highest Game 1 of Decade

Game 1 of the 2009 WORLD SERIES averaged 11.9/19 (19.5 million viewers) last night (10/28) on FOX according to “fast national” ratings issued this morning by Nielsen Media Research.

Last night’s 11.9/19 for Game 1 of Phillies-Yankees is a +29% gain over last year’s 9.2/15 for Game 1 of Phillies-Rays. It’s also the second-best World Series Game 1 of the decade (2001-09), trailing only 2004’s 13.7/25 (Red Sox-Cardinals) and it’s FOX’s best rating for a non-decisive World Series game since Game 3 in 2004 (15.7/24).

The prime-time portion of Game 1 averaged 12.0/19 (19.7 mill.) from 8:00-11:00 PM ET, making it the highest-rated and most-watched single night of prime-time this season on any network, as well as the top Wednesday night on any network since FOX’s American Idol finale in May. WS Game 1 dominated the night’s Primetime battle by every meaningful standard. Game 1’s 6.3 rating among Adults 18-49 nearly matched the combined delivery of ABC (2.5), CBS (2.1), and NBC (2.1), who totaled 6.7 rating points. Among Adults 18-49, last night is the season’s second highest-rated night on any network, trailing only FOX on Monday, Sept. 21 (HOUSE premiere).

Viewing grew steadily throughout prime time, peaking at a 13.0/21 from 10:30-11:00 PM ET. Viewing fell slightly after 11:00 PM, dropping to a 12.1/21 as the Phillies extended their lead from 2-0 to 6-0 (final score was 6-1). Despite the Phils pulling away, the post-11:00 PM rating of 12.1/21 is still +2% better than the entire game rating, an indication that FOX is holding more audience through the final out because postseason games are starting earlier than ever before.

- PHILADELPHIA topped all markets with a stellar 44.5/59, a +25% gain over their Game 1 rating a year ago (35.7/53). NEW YORK notched a 29.7/43, which beats all six games of the last Yankees World Series in 2003, as well as Games 1 through 6 of the 2001 World Series. Cleveland, another market of note given that both starting pitchers are former Indians, earned a 12.0/18, up +71% over last year’s 7.0/12 for Game 1. Although the “Amtrak Series” pits northeastern cities whose ballparks are barely 100 miles apart, Game 1 rated well on the west coast. Last night’s game averaged a 10.8 in Pacific Time Zone markets, the best Game 1 on the west coast since 2004 and even better than Game 1 of the 2001 Series (9.9), which included the Arizona Diamondbacks.

There’s that “Amtrak” Series nickname which I’m not too happy over. Anyway, we’ll see how tonight’s game does.

UPDATE, 3:50 p.m.: And MLB has sent a release of its own regarding the ratings.

WORLD SERIES GAME ONE EARNS SECOND HIGHEST

TV VIEWERSHIP SINCE 1999

Last night’s 6-1 victory by the Phillies over the Yankees in Game One of the 2009 World Series on FOX was seen by 19.5 million viewers, which marks a +33% increase over last year’s Game One, and stands as the most viewers for any World Series Game One since 2004 (Red Sox-Cardinals), and the second-highest viewership since 1999 (Yankees-Braves).

The +33% increase in viewership also marks the second biggest year-to-year increase in World Series Game One viewership since data was first collected in 1968, trailing only 1976-77 (+56% increase).

Always glad to get these releases.

Fox Is Doing Fine … It’s Ratings Time

You know what that refers to. Anyway, Fox got excellent ratings for its Week 7 and I believe they’re going up for this Sunday especially with the football leading into the World Series that night and no Sunday Night Football game. Look out.

NFL ON FOX SETS DOUBLEHEADER AUDIENCE RECORD

FOX Sports kicked off an extraordinary week on Sunday (10/25) with the most-watched NFL Doubleheader in FOX history. Sunday’s WEEK 7 twin-bill averaged a remarkable 14.1/29 and 23.5 million viewers, which sets a new audience record. FOX’s previous high of 22.9 million was set on 11/12/95 (led by a 49ers/Cowboys national game). Sunday’s 14.1/29 average rating makes this FOX’s third highest-rated NFL doubleheader ever.

Sunday’s Doubleheader was kick-started by a record-setting (rating & viewership) 11.4/25 (18.5 million viewers) regional window in which most markets saw Vikings-Steelers. The national game, led by Atlanta-Dallas, earned a 16.8/32 (28.4 mill.), the highest NFL rating on any network this season and FOX’s most-watched Sunday NFL game in 13 years. Season-to-date, FOX continues to experience its strongest start ever, up +14% over last year in rating (11.4/24 vs. 10.0/21) and +18% on average audience (18.8 mill. vs. 15.9).

That’s it for now. I’m doing links. Back later.

A Few More Releases

I saw a few more releases to post.

First from MLB, we have the announcement of who’s singing the national anthem before tonight’s World Series Game 2.

Five-time Grammy Award winner John Legend will sing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium prior to Game Two of the 2009 World Series. The performance will coincide within the overall dedication of Game Two of the World Series to celebrating the legacy of Roberto Clemente and the spirit of community service.

Legend has sold more than five million albums world wide and garnered multiple hit singles, received countless awards and has been called one of the most compelling and important singer/songwriters of this generation. In 2007, Legend and his team launched the Show Me Campaign whose mission is to fight poverty through fostering sustainable development. Legend has recently been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2009 and has been honored with the 2008 Humanitarian Award from CARE and the 2008 Difference Award from OneXOne.

Legend will sing the National Anthem after New York natives Jay-Z and Alicia Keys perform of their hit single “Empire State of Mind” on FOX with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Next, Florida coach Urban Meyer appears on CBS College Sports on Friday.

FLORIDA COACH URBAN MEYER SITS DOWN FOR SPECIAL EPISODE OF CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK’S “ONE2ONE” INTERVIEW SERIES

“ONE2ONE: URBAN MEYER” Airs Friday, Oct. 30 at 8:00 PM, ET

CBS College Sports Network airs a special edition of the network’s in-depth interview series ONE2ONE on Friday, Oct. 30 (8:00 PM, ET), featuring Florida football coach Urban Meyer. CBS College Sports Network contributor and USA Today columnist Christine Brennan sits down with Meyer in advance of Georgia taking on No. 1-ranked Florida this weekend on CBS Sports.

Meyer discusses a range of topics, including starting the season 7-0 (the first time Florida has done so since 1996), his special relationship with Tim Tebow, growing up in Ohio and his love for Ohio State, his place alongside college football coaching legends and why the Georgia game is special.

To see a clip of Meyer discussing Tim Tebow’s concussion and the emotional affect it had on him, click here.

Christine Brennan is an award-winning sports columnist for USA Today, an ABC News and NPR commentator, a best-selling author and a nationally-known speaker. Twice named one of the country’s top 10 sports columnists by the Associated Press Sports Editors, she has covered 13 consecutive Olympic Games, summer and winter. Brennan, one of the nation’s most-read sports columnists, was the first woman sports writer at The Miami Herald in 1981 and the first woman to cover the Washington Redskins as a staff writer at The Washington Post in 1985.

ONE2ONE features personal sit-down interviews with the biggest names in sports. Since the show’s debut in December 2004, guests have included NFL Legend Dan Marino, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, NBA Commissioner David Stern, legendary Penn State coach Joe Paterno and Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, among others.

CBS College Sports Network is available across the country through local cable operators and via satellite on DIRECTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 152. For more information on how to get CBS College Sports Network, go to www.cbscollegesports.com.

Here’s quotage from NFL Network’s Gameday Highlights and Gameday Final from Sunday.

Week 7 (Oct. 25, 2009) – Quotable from NFL GameDay Final & NFL GameDay Highlights on NFL Network

(Airs Sundays at 7:30 PM ET & 11:30 PM ET)

**NEXT WEEK: SPECIAL 2-HOUR NFL GAMEDAY FINAL AT 7:30 PM ET**

FEATURES HIGHLIGHTS & FULL POSTGAME COVERAGE OF BRETT FAVRE’S RETURN TO GREEN BAY

“Usually when a quarterback throws three picks he goes into a shell. Not Drew Brees.”

– Deion Sanders on Saints QB Drew Brees, who led New Orleans to victory after throwing three interceptions

“Ugly win in some regards. But a fantastic win in other regards”

– Steve Mariucci on Saints victory despite an 18-point deficit, five sacks allowed and three interceptions

“That’s an Earl Campbell move.”

– Deion Sanders on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson running over a Steelers defender on a 29-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter

“This combination of [Tony] Romo to Miles Austin…look out.”

– Steve Mariucci on Cowboys QB-WR duo, which has combined for 421 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games

“He can go deep, he can go short, and he can make the tough catches.”

– Deion Sanders on Cowboys WR Miles Austin, who had 171 receiving yards and two touchdowns vs. Falcons

“The wrong guy might have been benched. Patrick Crayton has been one of the most consistent Cowboy receivers in the last several years. He dropped one ball in the playoffs which he caught a lot of flak for. If I’m going to put my best 11 out there, Patrick Crayton should be one of those guys.”

– Deion Sanders on Cowboys WR Patrick Crayton

“He should be mentioned with the top tight ends in the game.”

– Deion Sanders on Texans TE Owen Daniels, who leads NFL tight ends with 497 receiving yards

“All-rookie team.”

– Steve Mariucci on Bills S Jairus Byrd, who had two interceptions vs. Panthers. He is tops among rookies and second in the NFL with five interceptions.

“This is a good defense. Look out for the Cincinnati Bengals.”

– Steve Mariucci on 5-2 Bengals

“This is Cedric the Entertainer now.”

– Rich Eisen on Bengals RB Cedric Benson, who leads the NFL with 720 rushing yards

“When this offense gets it together, you can see the makings of something special with Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree.”

– Michael Irvin on the San Francisco 49ers offense

“They do a great job of selecting running backs.”

– Deion Sanders on the Indianapolis Colts and RB Donald Brown

*** Additional exclusive video clips from Sunday’s NFL GameDay are available on NFL.com. Click on the video segments. These videos include:

- Cowboys QB Tony Romo’s 311-yard, 3 TD performance vs. Falcons

- http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d813b1018/WK-7-Tony-Romo-highlights

- Deion Sanders’ “Let’s Go Primetime”

- http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d813b4903/Let-s-Go-Primetime

- And many more Week 7 game highlights and postgame video only on NFL.com.

**SPECIAL 2-HOUR NFL GAMEDAY FINAL AT 7:30 PM ET NEXT WEEK**

FEATURES HIGHLIGHTS & FULL POSTGAME COVERAGE OF BRETT FAVRE’S RETURN TO GREEN BAY

7:30 PM -8:30 PM ET: NFL GameDay Highlights

Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin

Following the late afternoon games, NFL GameDay Highlights offers analysis of the events of the day. Includes highlights from all completed games, insider commentary, on-field interviews and post-game press conferences.

11:30 PM -1:00 AM ET: NFL GameDay Final

Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Deion Sanders and Steve Mariucci

NFL GameDay Final is the definitive exclamation point on Sundays providing unlimited highlights of all the games, plus post-game press conferences, interviews from the field and locker room, audio captured throughout the day and expert analysis.

The NFL Network also gives us quotes from “The Head Coaches” on Monday.

Quotable from Week 7 Edition of The Coaches Show on NFL Network

(Airs Mondays at 6:30 PM ET with replays at 8:30 and 10:00 PM ET)

Quick Quotes:

“They have weapons galore and they are balanced on offense and defense…The Saints don’t run because they have to, they run it because they want to.” – Steve Mariucci on the New Orleans Saints and they’re balanced offense

“They were down 21 points and they didn’t blink.” – Steve Mariucci on the New Orleans Saints

“Embrace the job of being the head coach. Get excited about it, get this group motivated on both sides of the ball and get them rolling.” – Mike Martz on Redskins head coach Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins

“They’re a real tough football team, but in the fourth quarter, they’re bending an awful lot in each game we’ve seen them play.” – Mike Martz on the Pittsburgh Steelers

“He’s really taken over this football team. His personality is imprinted on both sides of the ball.” – Mike Martz on Bengals QB Carson Palmer

“This is why they’re going to contend for this division championship.” – Steve Mariucci on Martz’ thoughts regarding Bengals QB Carson Palmer

“The guys that can do this are the guys that stay in the league the longest.” – Steve Mariucci on the importance of running backs who are successful executors in pass protection schemes (see first video link below)

*** Additional exclusive video clips from Monday’s The Coaches Show and highlights from Week 7 are available on NFL.com. These videos include:

- Steve Mariucci and Mike Martz break down how a running back is crucial to pass protection

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-the-coaches/09000d5d813ba4ec/The-Coaches-RB-pass-protection

- The coaches analyze the Cowboys big win against the Falcons

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-the-coaches/09000d5d813ba2fc/The-Coaches-Cowboys-big-win

- Selected video clips from the entire season of The Head Coaches

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-the-coaches

- And many more Week 7 game highlights and postgame video only on NFL.com.

6:30-7:00 & 8:30-9:00 PM ET Monday: The Head Coaches Show (HD)

Host: Charles Davis Analysts: Mike Martz and Steve Mariucci

The Head Coaches takes an inside look at the previous Sunday’s games, analyzing the big plays and tough decisions made by NFL head coaches on the sidelines in a 30-minute, roundtable program (Replays at 8:30 and 10:00 PM ET Mondays).

And Showtime will get us ready for next Saturday’s Strikeforce card with a new installment of its Fight Camp 360 series.

SHOWTIME SPORTS® SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS WITH NEW INSTALLMENT:

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers

Premieres Tuesday, Nov. 3, 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME®;

For The First Time Ever, Film Crew Captures The Athlete, The Family Man and The Mystique of MMA’s # 1 Fighter, Fedor, in Russian Training Camp

NEW YORK (Oct. 22, 2009)—In the wake of the critically acclaimed debut of FIGHT CAMP 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic, SHOWTIME Sports® turns the spotlight to mixed martial arts with FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers.

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers will feature unrestricted access to one of the most enigmatic professional athletes of today, Fedor Emelianenko and his next opponent, the undefeated Brett Rogers, as they prepare to headline “STRIKEFORCE/M-1 Global Saturday Night Fights” to be broadcast LIVE on Saturday, Nov. 7 (9:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers will premiere on SHOWTIME® on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. The CBS Television Network will also make the show available to its 203 affiliated stations for broadcast in advance of the fight.

From director Ron Yassen, who is embedded in Fedor’s training camp in Stary Oskol, Russia: “Fedor is beyond captivating as a fighter, and more so, as a man. It’s a pure joy to film him so intimately as he strives for perfection in life and sport with grace and charm. While training for this most important match, he kindly opened up his life to us in and out of the ring, without the ego that often comes with being the very best at one’s craft.”

Produced in conjunction with Roadside Entertainment, FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers will showcase both fighters as they prepare for this historic fight. Nov. 7 marks the first time Fedor, widely considered the sport’s No. 1 fighter, will appear in front of a national broadcast television audience. Despite his iconic status within the sport, Fedor (30-1) remains shrouded in mystery, living and training in seclusion in a remote mining village in Russia far away from the spotlight afforded the sports’ very best.

Rogers lives and trains in Minneapolis, and enters the fight with an impressive 10-0 record after most recently dismantling former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Rogers, a quiet, soft-spoken giant outside the cage, who earlier this year quite his job as a tire technician at Sam’s Club, has the opportunity of a lifetime to dethrone the sport’s greatest in front of a national television audience.

“The response to our inaugural episode of Fight Camp 360°: Inside The Super Six World Boxing Classic chronicling the boxing tournament has been overwhelming,” said SHOWTIME Sports General Manager Ken Hershman, who commissioned the project. “Because of the subjects involved—the mysterious world champion set to fight a man living the American dream—we had to turn our lens in this direction. Special thanks to M-1 Global and STRIKEFORCE for affording us a level of access to both men that has been unparalleled in their respective careers.”

Scott Coker, president of STRIKEFORCE, added, ”This is a one of a kind opportunity for fans to go behind the scenes and take a close look at the extraordinary, number one fighter in the world – Fedor – and his opponent who has become a symbol of The American Dream.”

Below are the air dates and times for FIGHT CAMP 360°: Fedor vs. Rogers on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME 2®.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 9:30p (premiere) SHO

Tuesday, Nov. 3 10:00p SHO2

Wednesday, Nov. 4 11p SHO2

Thursday, Nov. 5 10p SHO2

Friday, Nov. 6 10p SHO2

Saturday, Nov. 7 4:30p SHO

Note: all times ET/PT

Versus tells us that Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be a guest host of “Sports Soup” on November 3.

PRO BOWL WIDE RECEIVER BRANDON MARSHALL TO CALL THE PLAYS ON NOV. 3 EPISODE OF SPORTS SOUP

NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 28, 2009)-VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country, today announced that Brandon Marshall, Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, will be guest hosting an episode of Sports Soup on Tuesday, November 3, at 10 p.m. ET. Marshall, one of the NFL's top wide receivers, will take the ball from Sports Soup starter, Matt Iseman, for one episode.   

Each week on Sports Soup Matt Iseman takes viewers around the entire world of sports to find the clips that are the most ridiculous, extreme and memorable for all the right and wrong reasons. Since the show launched on VERSUS in October 2008, it has gained a tremendous following among sports fans, celebrities and athletes alike. Shaquille O'Neal, Will Ferrell, Mike Tyson, Michael Irvin, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are just a few of the high-profile athletes and celebrities who have been interviewed on Sports Soup. With the NFL season well under way, the start of the NBA season having just tipped-off and the baseball playoffs in full swing, there will be no shortage of material for Marshall.    

"I'm excited to have Brandon Marshall guest host Sports Soup - it's not every day you get a Pro Bowl receiver filling in for you," said Matt Iseman. "Plus, he promised to return the favor and let me start the next time the Broncos play the Raiders. He thinks I should be good for at least a couple of touchdowns."

Marshall was selected by Denver in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL draft. After three impressive seasons, his career totals include 255 receptions for 3,231 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 29 receptions, 332 yards and four touchdowns so far this year. His unbelievable 2008 season earned him a starting spot in his first Pro Bowl with 104 catches, 1,265 receiving yards, 12.2 yards per reception and six touchdowns. In addition to his on-field contributions, last year Marshall also became involved with the "Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives" after-school program in Denver. His weekly visits on Tuesdays throughout the season have given him a chance to reach out to kids in need, provide encouragement and motivation, and help them with homework.

Finally, Fox Soccer Channel lists the UEFA Champions League games it’ll air next week.

TRIO OF UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REMATCHES FEATURED ON FOX SOCCER CHANNEL’S COVERAGE OF MATCHDAY 4

Los Angeles, CA (October 27, 2009) – Live UEFA Champions League Group Stage coverage continues on Fox Soccer Channel with Matchday 4, highlighted by three intriguing rematches of recently played contests.

The world’s most prestigious club soccer competition resumes Tuesday, Nov. 3 on Fox Soccer Channel with the live 30-minute UEFA Champions League Pregame at 2 p.m. ET, simulcast on FSN. Following a breakdown of all the day’s up-coming action from host Max Bretos and analysts Warren Barton and Bobby McMahon, Fox Soccer Channel viewers will enjoy the second Group D match-up in a two-week span between Atlético Madrid and Chelsea at 2:45 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday Nov. 4, Fox Soccer Channel will showcase a live UEFA Champions League doubleheader, beginning with the pregame show at a special time of 12 p.m. ET. Fresh off its improbable upset at the Nou Camp on Oct. 20, Rubin Kazan hosts FC Barcelona at 12:30 p.m. and looks to hand the defending champion a second straight loss. Immediately after, Lyon faces a Liverpool side eager to avenge a rare European defeat at Anfield.

Comprehensive coverage of every UEFA Champions League Group Stage match is available to U.S. viewers for the first time ever, thanks to a unique content-sharing agreement between Fox Soccer Channel, FSN, Fox Sports en Español, Setanta Sports and DirecTV. For a complete telecast schedule visit championsonfox.com, where links to live online video streaming of all UEFA Champions League contests are also accessible. Available on a subscription basis for $14.95 per month or $99.95 for a season pass, matches can also be purchased individually for $9.95 each.

WHAT: Live Coverage of UEFA Champions League Group Stage

Matchday 4 on Fox Soccer Channel

WHEN: Tuesday, November 3

Atletico Madrid (ESP) vs. Chelsea (ENG) 2:45 p.m. ET

(Coverage begins with UEFA Champions League Pregame at 2 p.m. ET)

Wednesday, November 4

Rubin Kazan (RUS) vs. FC Barcelona (ESP) 12:30 p.m. ET

Lyon (FRA) vs. Liverpool (ENG) 2:45 p.m. ET

(Coverage begins with UEFA Champions League Pregame at 12 p.m. ET)

*For a complete telecast schedule, visit championsonfox.com

WHERE: Fox Soccer Channel, America’s Soccer Network

I think we’re done for now. Linkage and perhaps a special feature coming up. Keep your feeds updated.

Press Release Potpourri

Here are various releases that have come in and I’ll just post them. Let’s get this done.

First, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco will appear on Late Show with David Letterman tonight.

CINCINNATI BENGALS WIDE RECEIVER CHAD OCHOCINCO TO PRESENT THE TOP TEN LIST ON CBS’s “LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN,” THURSDAY, OCT. 29

NEW YORK, Oct. 28 – Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco will present the Top Ten List on the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, Thursday, Oct. 29 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Ochocinco’s memoir, Ocho Cinco: What Football and Life Have Thrown My Way, which he co-wrote with sports writer Jason Cole, was released Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Also visiting the LATE SHOW on Thursday, Oct. 29 are actor Tom Hanks and alternative music stars Weezer, who will be performing the first of two consecutive nights on the broadcast. The LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN is a production of Worldwide Pants Incorporated. Barbara Gaines, Matt Roberts, Jude Brennan, Maria Pope and Rob Burnett are the executive producers.

Official CBS Web site: http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/

ESPN2 will air the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championship on Sunday.

Tennis: WTA Sony Ericsson Championship Live Sunday

The top women’s tennis player in the world for 2009 will be crowned live on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com Sunday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m., culminating the eight-player, round-robin Sony Ericsson Championship in Doha, Qatar. Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver will call the action, which will pit the champions of the two fields of four players each currently competing.

Four of the eight players have been No.1 in their career, three are Grand Slam champions, and four have been to at least one major final. Two of the field made their Top 10 debuts this season and are at the championships for the first time:

• the White group (the competitors have been divided into two groups named for the colors of the Qatari flag) comprises No. 1 seed Dinara Safina, No. 4 seed Caroline Wozniacki, No. 6 seed Victoria Azarenka and No. 8 seed Jelena Jankovic.

• the Maroon Group is made up of No. 2 seed Serena Williams, No. 3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova (the only player who arrives on a winning streak after her triumph at Beijing), No. 5 seed Elena Dementieva and No. 7 seed Venus Williams.

CBC announces the latest couple iced from Battle of the Blades.

JODEYNE HIGGINS AND KEN DANEYKO ARE THE NEXT TO BE ICED ON CBC-TV’s BATTLE OF THE BLADES

Christine Hough-Sweeney and Tie Domi back for another week

Jodeyne Higgins and Ken Daneyko, after a heartfelt and soulful performance, were the fourth pair iced, as the results were revealed during tonight’s broadcast on BATTLE OF THE BLADES. Christine Hough-Sweeney and Tie Domi are the fourth pair to be saved, joining the three remaining pairs for a chance to win $100,000 for the charity of their choice.

The two pairs with the fewest votes in the fourth week of competition were Higgins and Daneyko, who skated to James Brown’s I Got You, and Hough-Sweeney and Domi, who performed their routine to Robin Thicke’s Superman. Both pairs performed again before regular judges Sandra Bezic, Dick Button and guest judge Lanny McDonald for a final chance to remain on the show. McDonald is renowned for his years with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.

For their efforts, Higgins and Daneyko’s Canadian charity, Foundation Fighting Blindness, will receive a $25,000 donation. Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national charity organization that funds research into the causes, treatments and ultimately the cure for all retinal disease. Its annual Ride for Sight event is Canada’s largest motorcycle charity fundraiser in support of the Foundation.

The four pairs returning to compete on Sunday, November 1 are: Shae-Lynn Bourne and Claude Lemieux, Marie-France Dubreuil and Stéphane Richer, Christine Hough-Sweeney and Tie Domi, Jamie Salé and Craig Simpson. All will perform to songs inspired by movies and musicals.

Olympic gold medalist and figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi and her husband Bret Hedican, who won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes, will reside as guest judges for the fifth week of BATTLE OF THE BLADES, Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2. Yamaguchi and Hedican will draw from their knowledge of both sports to provide a combined score alongside regular judges Bezic and Button. All four will also determine who of the bottom two ranking pairs—as determined by viewer votes—gets iced on Monday’s skate-off show.

Viewers can learn more about the competitors at www.cbc.ca/battle, the official online portal for the series and the source for everything about BATTLE OF THE BLADES. In addition to videos and behind-the-scene photos, the site offers viewers the opportunity to become fans of their favourite pair and track each participant’s activity as they strive to be the final pair remaining at the end of the series.

BATTLE OF THE BLADES is the brainchild of Kevin Albrecht with development by Sandra Bezic. BATTLE OF THE BLADES executive producers are John Brunton, Barbara Bowlby and Kevin Albrecht. It is produced by Insight Productions in association with CBC Television.

This what ESPN is airing for motorsports on its various networks.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN and ABC

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Live from Talladega on ABC

The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup only has four races to go and this weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races on NASCAR’s longest track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, for 500 miles on Sunday, Nov. 1. ESPN’s live, flag-to-flag coverage of the AMP Energy 500 airs on ABC beginning with NASCAR Countdown at noon ET. The race’s green flag is at 1:19 p.m.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace, Brad Daugherty, co-owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief Ray Evernham in the ESPN pit studio.

Evernham, LaJoie, Craven on NASCAR Now Roundtable

NASCAR on ESPN analysts Ray Evernham, Randy LaJoie and Ricky Craven will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program on Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Allen Bestwick will host the edition of ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program.

Mike Massaro hosts half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday through Thursday of this week at 5 p.m., and Saturday at 1 a.m. (late Friday night). Massaro will be joined by LaJoie for the one-hour weekend edition that airs Sunday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway. The weekend wrap-up edition airs at 10 p.m. Sunday. Nicole Manske and Marty Smith will report from the speedway for both programs.

NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Bestwick and Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

Countdown to 1 Continues in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing

The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues its Countdown to 1 playoffs as the series visits The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. ESPN2 will air qualifying and eliminations action from the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals, with qualifying airing Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 p.m. ET. Eliminations action airs Sunday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m., with a re-air Monday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m. on ESPN Classic.

As the next-to-last event that will decide the season’s NHRA Full Throttle world championships, plenty is at stake in Las Vegas. Every run will be important because a slip at this point could be worse than snake eyes at the other Strip’s craps tables. The venue is the same as in the spring, but the weather may be different, making for high drama at an event where previous world champions have been crowned.

Paul Page anchors ESPN2’s coverage with analysis by 22-time NHRA winner Mike Dunn. Gary Gerould, Dave Rieff and John Kernan report from the pits. Rieff and Dunn host NHRA RaceDay on Sunday at 11 a.m. to set the stage for that day’s eliminations action.

The Big Ten Network goes over the championships it will air in November.

Big Ten Fall Championships to Air on Big Ten Network in November

Coverage to include cross country, field hockey and men’s soccer

CHICAGO – The Big Ten Network will once again provide coverage of all three Big Ten fall championships, including live broadcasts during the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament and Big Ten Men’s Soccer Tournament and delayed coverage of the Big Ten Cross Country Championships.

The Big Ten Network will be in East Lansing for the semifinals and final of the Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament. The games will air live at 12 PM and 2 PM ET on Friday, Nov. 6, as will the final on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Noon ET. Four Big Ten teams appear in national polls, including No. 8 Michigan State, which just clinched its first outright Big Ten Championship, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 18 Indiana and No. 20 Northwestern. Iowa has won the last three Big Ten Field Hockey Tournaments despite not holding the top seed in any of those events.

The Big Ten Network also will televise live the semifinals and finals of the Big Ten Men’s Soccer Tournament, hosted by Indiana University. Semifinal coverage will air live at 2 PM and 4:30 PM ET on Friday, Nov. 13. The final will be carried live at 2 PM ET on Sunday, Nov. 15. Northwestern currently leads all Big Ten teams at No. 12 nationally, while Michigan State will be out to defend its 2008 title.

In addition, the network will offer delayed coverage at 1 PM ET on Sunday, Nov. 15, of the Big Ten Cross Country Championships, which take place on Sunday, Nov. 1, and will be hosted by Penn State University. The Big Ten has two men’s teams ranked in the top 20, No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 18 Indiana. On the women’s side, five Big Ten teams are ranked in the top 25, paced by No. 13 Illinois. The Badgers will be looking for their 11^th straight conference title on the men’s side, while the Golden Gophers will be aiming for their third straight conference crown on the women’s side.

Entering this week’s action, the Big Ten has multiple teams ranked among the top 20 nationally in fall sports, including in men’s cross country (No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 18 Indiana), women’s cross country (No. 13 Illinois, No. 15 Minnesota, No. 18 Penn State), field hockey (No. 8 Michigan State, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 18 Indiana and No. 20 Northwestern), football (No. 4 Iowa, No. 12 Penn State and No. 17 Ohio State), men’s soccer (No. 12 Northwestern), women’s soccer (No. 15 Ohio State) and volleyball (No. 1 Penn State, No. 6 Illinois, No. 7 Minnesota and No. 13 Michigan).

2009 Big Ten Fall Sports Championships/Tournaments on Big Ten Network

Big Ten Field Hockey Tournament

Friday, Nov. 6 at Michigan State 12:00pm ET Semifinal #1 (LIVE)

Friday, Nov. 6 at Michigan State 2:00pm ET Semifinal #2 (LIVE)

Sunday, Nov. 8 at Michigan State 12:00pm ET Championship Game (LIVE)

Big Ten Men’s Soccer Championship

Friday, Nov. 13 at Indiana 2:00pm ET Semifinal #1 (LIVE)

Friday, Nov. 13 at Indiana 4:30pm ET Semifinal #2 (LIVE)

Sunday, Nov. 15 at Indiana 2:00pm ET Championship Game (LIVE)

Big Ten Cross Country Championship

Sunday, Nov. 1 at Penn State 10:45am ET Championship (Delay: 11/15, 1 PM ET)

Yardbarker and FoxSports.com have deepened their commitment to each other.

FOXSPORTS.COM ON MSN & YARDBARKER REACH SALES & CONTENT COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

FOXSports.com on MSN, the third most-visited sports Web site with approximately 14.5 million average monthly users and Yardbarker, the largest network of sports blogs on the web, have reached a multi-year sales and content agreement, it was announced today by Jeff Husvar, Senior Vice President & General Manager of FOXSports.com on MSN.

FOXSports.com on MSN is working with Yardbarker to collaborate on ad sales efforts and represent inventory across the Yardbarker Network and give Yardbarker the ability to leverage a large national sales team.

The new agreement also deepens the content partnership currently in-place between FOXSports.com on MSN and Yardbarker. FOXSports.com on MSN now has access to the Yardbarker’s unique voices and its array of independent blog content, athlete blogs and a variety of content that complements FOXSports.com on MSN’s big event coverage. The agreement also includes headline distribution across FOXSports.com on MSN and the Yardbarker Network, as well as editorial cooperation around event coverage.

“This agreement gives FOXSports.com on MSN access to Yardbarker’s unique content and younger demographic, which really helps us broaden our reach,” said Husvar. “It also allows us to build a wider selection of sales packages to better meet the needs of and attract a wider variety of advertisers.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with FoxSports.com and MSN,” said Yardbarker CEO Peter Vlastelica. “The talented bloggers in the Yardbarker Network deserve a larger audience and better access to premium advertisers, and this partnership will bring them both. Sports media is shifting toward conversation and authenticity, and its’ a credit to FoxSports.com on MSN that they’ve identified this partnership as an opportunity to move their business in that direction.”

In addition to Yardbarker content integration across FOXSports.com on MSN, Yardbarker content will receive promotion across the MSN network from time to time, while FOXSports.com on MSN content and Microsoft’s Bing search engine will be integrated across the Yardbarker Network.

That’ll do us for now.

Golf Channel Press Releases

Again this week, I’ve amassed press releases in the Fang’s Bites inbox and I need to post a whole slew of them.

Let’s start with the tournaments Golf Channel is airing this week.

GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

Oct. 29- Nov. 1, 2009

Viking Classic

Dates: 10/29 – 11/1

Venue: Annandale Golf Club, Madison, Miss.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)

Friday 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)

Saturday 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Live) / 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL Broadcast Team:

Rich Lerner (Play by Play)

Brandel Chamblee (Analyst)

Jerry Foltz (Tower)

Mark Lye (Tower)

Matt Gogel (On Course)

Inga Hammond (Interviews)

GOLF CHANNEL Broadcast Notes: The Viking Classic is the fourth of five events in the PGA TOUR’s Fall Series that will air exclusively on GOLF CHANNEL.

Charles Schwab Cup Championship

Dates: 10/29 – 11/1

Venue: Sonoma Golf Club, Sonoma, Calif.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 4:30 – 7 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m. – Midnight (Replay)

Friday 4:30 – 7 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 – 11 p.m. (Replay)

Saturday 4:30 – 7 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 – 11 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday 4:30 – 7 p.m. (Live) / 9:30 p.m. – Midnight (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL Broadcast Team:

Brian Hammons (Play by Play)

Frank Nobilo (Analyst)

Dave Marr III (Tower)

John Mahaffey (Tower)

Billy Ray Brown (On Course)

Donna Caponi-Byrnes (On Course)

Tim Rosaforte (Interviews)

GOLF CHANNEL Broadcast Notes: The Charles Schwab Cup Championship is the final event of 2009 Champions Tour season and features a 30-man field that will determine the winner of the Charles Schwab Cup and the $1 million annuity.

Volvo World Match Play Championship

Dates: 10/29 – 11/1

Venue: Finca Cortesin Golf Club, Malaga, Spain

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Live)

Friday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Live)

Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Live)

Sunday 9 a.m. – Noon (Live)

GOLF CHANNEL Broadcast Notes: The Volvo World Match Play Championship will feature some of the top players in the world such as Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, Paul Casey and Angel Cabrera… The tournament will air in HD.

Barclays Singapore Open

Dates: 10/29 – 11/1

Venue: Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club, Sentosa, Singapore

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 1 – 6 a.m. (Live) / 6 – 10 a.m. (Replay)

Friday 1 – 6 a.m. (Live) / 6 – 10 a.m. (Replay)

Friday 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. (Live) / 6 – 10 a.m. (Saturday)

Saturday 11 p.m. – 4 a.m. (Live) / 6 – 9 a.m. (Sunday)

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Football
North Carolina at Virginia Tech – ESPN, 7:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Viking Classic, 1st round – Golf Channel, 2:30 p.m.

MLB
MLB Tonight: Batting Practice Live – MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.

World Series/Game 2, Philadelphia at New York Yankees – Fox, 7:57 p.m.

MLB Tonight: World Series Live – MLB Network, midnight or immediately following Fox’s coverage

NBA
San Antonio at Chicago – TNT, 8 p.m.
Denver at Portland – TNT, 10:30 p.m.

Inside the NBA – TNT, 1 a.m.

NHL
Washington at Atlanta – NHL Network (US)/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/SportSouth, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Tampa Bay – TSN/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at Boston – MSG Plus/NESN, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Nashville – Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Tennessee, 8 p.m.
Phoenix at St. Louis – Fox Sports Arizona/Fox Sports Midwest, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Edmonton – TSN/Fox Sports Detroit, 9:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Los Angeles – Fox Sports West, 10:30 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 9:30 p.m.

Entertainment
Survivor: Samoa – CBS, 8 p.m.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – CBS, 9 p.m.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – FX, 10 p.m.
Private Practice – ABC, 10:01 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

The Amazing Race 15 – Episode 7 Promo

Here’s the latest promo from CBS regarding this Sunday’s episode of The Amazing Race. The racers leave Dubai and head to Europe, the Netherlands specifically.

This looks like a very fun episode.

Get Ready. Jack Is Back and He’s More Pissed Than Ever

I don’t need to say anything else. Thanks to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal for sending this to me.

Kim is back? Rut ro.

NFL Network Programming Through Next Week

Here’s the NFL Network programming release sent at dinner time on the East Coast. Here’s what you’ll see from tonight through next Tuesday.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (10/28-11/3)

INTERVIEW WITH VIKINGS QB BRETT FAVRE

SUNDAY ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING AT 9:00 AM ET

NFL Classic Games Features Vikings-Packers November 6, 2000 Matchup Friday at 9:00 PM ET

Vikings-Packers ’05, Seahawks-Cowboys ’07 & 49ers-Colts ’98 Featured on Greatest 4^th QTRS Thursday at 9:00 PM ET

Model Joanna Krupa Gives Her Week 8 Picks Friday on NFL Total Access

SUNDAY 9:00-1:00 ET ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING: Steve Mariucci 1-on-1 with QB Brett Favre

· Steve Mariucci sits down with Vikings QB Brett Favre to reminisce about his 16-year career in Green Bay, what it was like to play at Lambeau Field and what the Vikings’ game plan will be against the Packers.

· Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate various hot topics from around the league.

· This week Super Bowl Journey looks at Monday night’s Eagles-Redskins game from TE Chris Cooley’s perspective and documents his reaction to his ankle injury.

· Kara Henderson reports from Broncos-Ravens matchup

· Michael Lombardi reports from Dolphins-Jets matchup

· Lindsay Soto and Charles Davis report from Seahawks-Cowboys matchup

· Paul Burmeister reports from 49ers-Colts matchup

· Vic Carucci and Bob Papa report from Giants-Eagles matchup

· Steve Wyche reports from Vikings-Packers matchup

NFL Classic Games: Vikings vs. Packers (11/6/2000) – Friday at 9:00 PM ET & Saturday at 2:00 PM ET

After playing catch up the entire game, the Packers couldn’t pull ahead of the Vikings and the game went into overtime. In a driving rain, QB Brett Favre threw a 43-yard pass to WR Antonio Freeman. The ball bounced off Vikings CB Cris Dishman and into the hands of Freeman, who had slipped and was lying on his stomach. Freeman jumped up and dashed into the end zone for a 26-20 victory.

NFL Classic Games is the only show on television where fans can catch the complete network broadcasts of classic NFL regular season and playoff games airing exclusively throughout the spring.

Greatest 4^th QTRs – Thursday at 9:00 PM ET

This week’s Greatest 4^th QTRs highlights Week 8 matchups between the Vikings-Packers, Seahawks-Cowboys and 49ers-Colts with a look back at the following games:

November 23, 2005 – Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers: After K Paul Edinger gave the Vikings a 17-14 lead in the fourth quarter with a 24-yard field goal, QB Brett Favre led the Packers on a tying drive – capped by Ryan Longwell’s 46-yard kick with 3:03 left. The Vikings had plenty of time left to drive down the field and won 20-17 on a late field goal.

January 6, 2007 – Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys: With 1:19 left in the game, the Cowboys were unsuccessful on a game-tying PAT and the Seahawks were able to preserve their 21-20 lead for a playoff berth.

October 18, 1998 – San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts: After rallying from a 21-0 deficit, the 49ers were tied with the Colts 31-31 in the fourth quarter. With 1:08 left, Colts K Mike Vanderjagt missed a 53-yard field goal and the 49ers took over, marching down the field to set up K Wade Richey’s 24-yard winning field goal with five seconds left.

Greatest 4^th QTRs is a two hour compilation of three memorable fourth quarters in NFL history. Using NFL Films footage, Greatest 4^th QTRs preps viewers for the upcoming weekend’s games by reliving three of the most exciting finishes between teams set to faceoff on Sunday.

NFL Films Presents: Renegade – Thursday & Saturday at 4:30 PM ET

Steve Sabol sits down with Panthers WR Steve Smith who opens up about what drives him to be so relentless on the field and why he considers himself an introvert despite what people might see on camera. Also in this episode, we learn how and why the Styx song “Renegade” has become the battle cry of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL Films Presents explores the depth of the NFL Films archive – the world’s largest sports film library – with unique perspectives on football’s greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor.

THIS WEEK ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS: Model Joanna Krupa Friday

Wednesday, October 28

• Steve Wyche reports from the Packers’ training facility
• Matt Engel reports from the Vikings’ training facility
• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
• A look at the top 10 statistical performances from Week 7

Thursday, October 29

• Stacey Dales reports from the Cowboys’ training facility
• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’

Friday, October 30

• Model Joanna Krupa gives her Week 8 picks
• Steve Wyche goes ‘Around the League’

Saturday, October 31

• ‘Put up your Dukes’ with Jamie Dukes

Monday, November 2 – 90-minute Monday Night Football edition

• Steve Wyche reports from Falcons-Saints matchup
• Michael Lombardi goes ‘Around the League’
• A look back on all of Sunday’s action and a preview of the Falcons-Saints game

Tuesday, November 3

• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
• A look at the top 10 plays from Week 8

THIS WEEK ON AROUND THE LEAGUE:

Wednesday, October 28

· Houston Chronicle beat writer John McClain

Thursday, October 29

· LB Joey Porter on Dolphins Cam

Tuesday, November 3

· Colts president Bill Polian on Colts Cam

THIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK:

Wednesday at midnight ET – Recap Edition Playbook – Mike Mayock, Solomon Wilcots and Brian Billick discuss:

· How the Jets got back on track against the Raiders

· How QB Tony Romo and WR Miles Austin overwhelmed the Falcons

· How QB Matt Schaub and the Texans held off a furious 49ers comeback

· How the Chargers, led by QB Philip Rivers and WR Vincent Jackson, rebounded against the Chiefs

· A review of Sunday night’s matchup between the Cardinals and Giants

Thursday at 6:00 and 8:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook – Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann discuss:

· How the Jets’ running game can neutralize the Dolphins 3-4 defense

· How the Broncos offense keeps Denver unbeaten

· How the Colts will run over the 49ers

Friday at 6:00 and 8:00 PM ET – NFC Playbook – Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann discuss:

· Why the Falcons will struggle to slow down the Saints offense

· Why the Rams will get their first win of the season

· How the Eagles will attack the Giants defense

· Brian Billick explains why QB Brett Favre could be on the run against the Packers defense

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM:

Thursday, October 29

• 12 NOON ET – NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock chat
• 1:00 PM ET – NFL.com columnist Bucky Brooks chat
• 4:30 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes chat

Friday, October 30

· 11:00 AM ET – NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano chat

· 12 NOON ET – NFL.com columnist Vic Carucci chat

· 3:00 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp chat

Sunday, November 1

· 12 NOON ET – NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano chat

• 7:00 PM ET – NFL.com columnist Bucky Brooks chat

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

Wednesday, October 28

12 NOON – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

1:00 PM – NFL Replay: New Orleans Saints vs. Miami Dolphins (HD)

2:30 PM – NFL Replay: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (HD)

4:00 PM – Sound FX: Week 7 (HD)

4:30 PM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 7 (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants (HD)

9:30 PM – NFL Replay: Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

1:00 AM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 7 (HD)

1:30 AM – Sound FX: Week 7 (HD)

2:00 AM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants (HD)

3:30 AM – NFL Replay: Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys (HD)

Thursday, October 29

12 NOON – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

1:00 PM – Sound FX: Week 7 (HD)

1:30 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Giants (HD)

3:00 PM – NFL Replay: Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys (HD)

4:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Renegade (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

9:00 PM – Greatest 4^th QTRs

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – Playbook: AFC edition

1:00 AM – Greatest 4^th QTRs

Friday, October 30

10:00 AM – Greatest 4^th QTRs

12 NOON – Sound FX: Week 7 (HD)

12:30 PM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 7 (HD)

1:00 PM – Playbook: AFC Edition

2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Most Feared Tacklers

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Backfield Tandems

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Players Not in the Hall of Fame

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

9:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (11/6/2000)

12:30 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:30 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

2:30 AM – NFL Classic Games: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (11/6/2000)

Saturday, October 31

9:00 AM – NFL Films Presents: Renegade (HD)

9:30 AM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 7 (HD)

10:00 AM – Sound FX: Week 7 (HD)

10:30 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

11:30 AM – NFL Replay: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (10/5/2009)

1:00 PM – America’s Game: 1992 Dallas Cowboys (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (11/6/2000)

5:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

6:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Defenses

9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Characters

10:00 PM – NFL Follies: Legends of the Follies (2007)

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Defenses

1:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Characters

2:00 AM – NFL Follies: Legends of the Follies (2007)

3:00 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

Sunday, November 1

7:00 AM – Playbook: AFC edition

8:00 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL GameDay StatZone (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard (HD)

7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Monday, November 2

7:00 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 8 (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – 90-minute Monday Night Football edition

8:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

9:00 PM – NFL Film Session: Best Ever: Quarterbacks

10:00 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

10:30 PM – NFL Film Session: Best Ever: Runners

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – updated with postgame press conferences and analysis

1:00 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Tuesday, November 3

8:00 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

11:00 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 8 (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Defenses

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Characters

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Opening Days

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Matchup TBD (HD)

9:30 PM – NFL Replay: Matchup TBD (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

1:00 AM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 8 (HD)

That ends this release.

The Mid-Week Linkage

Now that I’ve finished my paperwork, I’ll do some links for you.

Beginning with the Nielsen Ratings Wire blog, it says this year’s World Series should give Fox some big market appeal and with that, ratings.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with Fox Sports MLB director Bill Webb about his approach to this year’s World Series.

The Sports Business Daily recaps an interesting appearance by an official from the DC NFL team on its flagship radio station, attacking media coverage.

Jon Kelly of Vanity Fair has an interview with “Muhammad and Larry” co-director Albert Maysles.

Sean Gregory of Time magazine takes a look at the ESPN vs. Deadspin feud.

Speaking of Deadspin, an ESPN employee leaked an anti-leaking memo to the site earlier this week.

Deadspin also breaks news that ESPN has let go of football analyst Shaun King.

Eric Deggans writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center wants to know why the ESPN Ombudsman has not weighed in on the whole Steve Phillips affair.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that the legal battle over the America’s Cup continues.

Darren says it appears that the Yankees will just about break even this year.

Darren is impressed over the financing for the Cubs sale.

Darren also profiles prolific baseball card collector Marshall Fogel who was one of the few who didn’t lose his shirt when the card market collapsed.

Mary Paoletti of trufan.com talks with the sometimes pretentious Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald.

Clark Hoyt of the New York Times has a letter exchange between HBO boxing analyst Larry Merchant and Times sports editor Tom Jolly about the perceived lack of coverage of the sweet science in the Grey Lady.

Mike Hale of the Times reviews the ESPN 30 for 30 doc, “Muhammad and Larry”.

To Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union who writes that the local Yankees Radio Network affiliate will have to carry the national ESPN Radio World Series broadcast.

Because I didn’t do links yesterday, I didn’t get to this story, that ESPN college football analyst Bob Griese was suspended by the network for one game over his “out having a taco” comment last Saturday.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette gives his World Series prediction.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News likes Tim McCarver, but Joe Buck, not so much.

Laura Nachman says Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia’s NLCS coverage was a ratings winner locally.

I’m a bit surprised at the number of Yankees fans I’ve befriended on Twitter with me being a Red Sox fan and all, but I’m doing a favor for my Yankee wife, Meg Marshall who was a guest on a podcast for legendary Philadelphia rock station 94WYSP. She talked about the World Series, of course.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says the local ratings for Monday Night Football involving the inappropriately named DC NFL team were very strong despite its pitiful performance.

Jim writes that Joe Buck is ready to call another World Series for Fox.

MASN is looking for Nationals fans to appear in a new reality TV series.

Tim Lemke from the Washington Times is following the Congressional hearings on concussions and football today.

Barry Horn in the Dallas Morning News says the Yankees in the World Series are no match in the ratings for the Cowboys, at least in the Metroplex.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says Texas A&M football will be back on TV, but not everyone will be able to see it.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Bengals garnered their biggest ratings in the ‘Nati in four years.

John writes that Bengals WR Chad “Do Not Call Me Johnson” Ochocinco will be appearing on Letterman on Thursday. Child, please.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the Bulls will be hard to find on the radio during the World Series.

Ed is looking forward to watching White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen on Fox during the World Series.

Ed has some questions for new Cubs owner Thomas Ricketts.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley writes that the NFL is the ratings king in Sudstown.

Heading out west, Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News has the college football TV schedule for SoCal.

Tom also has the NFL TV schedule for Week 8 and notes no Sunday Night game due to the World Series.

Tom looks at a new book hoping to get kids interested in sports.

Tom has Bryant Gumbel’s closing thoughts from last night’s Real Sports.

Tom could not believe Bob Griese was suspended for his taco comment last week.

William Houston in his Truth & Rumours blog still isn’t happy with the explanation on why
journalists are participating in the Canadian Olympic torch run.

William says don’t believe the rumors that CTV will try to bail on broadcasting the 2012 Olympics.

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star says hockey continues to rule the ratings roost in Canada.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at one Rogers Sportsnet host who is no longer with the network.

Continuing with the Canadian links, host of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Sirius, Jeff Marek talks with the Stay Classy blog.

How about one more link to Canada? Last month I was excited about the return of Peter Puck to television. You can check out the video vignettes to date, there are four produced thus far, that have aired on CBC’s Hockey Tonight pregame show and they are available for viewing here in the States. And you can watch the classic episodes as well.

These are late in getting up so I’ll end here for now. I hope to be back later with some links following World Series Game 1 tonight.

Bob Costas Interviews the Stars … Well, Baseball Stars

Just got this in from MLB Network, that Bob Costas will be putting his interviewing skills to work before Games 1 and 2 of the World Series. Check out this release: