Fang's Bites

Some Quick Wednesday Linkage

Let’s do some links now.

Austin Karp at Sports Business Daily says the MLB TV partners saw record low ratings this season.

Sports lllustrated’s Richard Deitsch reviews ESPN2′s first foray into pro hockey since losing the NHL in 2005.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that Bob Costas is back calling postseason baseball for the first time since 2000.

Chris Strauss at USA Today says Monday Night Football on ESPN easily beat the MLB League Division Series on TBS.

Gary Mihoces of USA Today writes that former NFL’er, Monday Night Football analyst and actor Alex Karras has died.

Len Pasquarelli writing for SI.com has this remembrance of Karras.

At Yahoo’s Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski recaps ESPN2′s telecast of Tuesday’s KHL game.

The Sherman Report’s Ed Sherman talks with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit about a resurgent Notre Dame program.

Ed says it appears that White Sox TV analyst Steve Stone won’t be splitting up with Ken Harrelson.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable notes that Andrea Kremer is joining NFL Network.

Diego Vasquez of Media Life Magazine looks at Philadelphia where there are a lot of radio and TV deals and where sports radio remains hot.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid has video of an awkward CNBC interview of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in regards to …. Tim Tebow.

Michael Bradley from the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says the media has to appeal to fans to show compassion in the wake of Kansas City fans cheering the injury to Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel.

Ryan Hannable at Boston Sports Media Watch talks with NESN’s Jenny Dell about her first season as the regional sports network’s Red Sox on-field reporter.

Anthony Sulla-Heffinger, George King III and Mark Hale at the New York Post note that the Jets beat the Yankees head-to-head in the local ratings on Monday night.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times discusses WFAN’s move to the FM dial.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record also talks about WFAN going to FM.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says a local sports radio station will air selected AHL games.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post says Nationals fans are angry about the early start time for today’s NLDS Game 3 against the Cardinals and the fact that it’s on MLB Network.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle gets Milo Hamilton’s reaction to the Astros letting go of its radio team.

David has some local and national ratings.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman has the ratings of various events over the weekend.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that Hall of Fame Reds voice Marty Brennaman will be throwing out the first pitch before today’s NLDS game against San Francisco.

Charles E. Ramirez, Ted Kulfan and Lynn Henning at the Detroit News remember long-time Red Wings public address announcer Budd Lynch who passed away this week.

Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune has new Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco talking about the league’s TV rights and possibly creating its own in-house network.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notices the omissions for the Ford C. Frick Award for the Baseball Hall of Fame Broadcasters Wing.

Tom talks with Jennifer Allen, the daughter of the late Los Angeles Rams coach George Allen, who narrates tonight’s NFL Network “Fearsome Foursome: A Football Life” documenary.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says losing Hockey Night in Canada would create huge holes for CBC in more ways than one.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says CBC is looking to fill NHL lockout holes with classic games as voted by viewers.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog says CBC is hurt the most as the NHL lockout goes further into the regular season.

The Classic Sports TV and Media site gives us a fascinating look at how ABC filled college football and MLB Postseason conflicts with its #1 announcer for both packages, Keith Jackson.

Joe Favorito has some suggestions on how MLB teams could make money during rain delays.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing looks at the Boston Globe’s crusty curmudgeon Dan Shaughnessy blaming the internet for just about everything wrong in the world.

Sports Media Watch notes that taped delayed English Premier League action on Fox beat a live MLS game on NBC.

And that’s going to do it.

NHL Releases The 2012-13 Regular Season National TV Schedules

This is like last year when the NBA released its national TV schedules in the midst of its lockout and nobody cared. Now, it’s the NHL’s turn to release this and until the lockout is settled between the league and its NHL Players Association, this means nothing.

After all the momentum the NHL built at the end of last season, there’s labor strife and Commissioner Gary Bettman seems to be in no hurry to end despite a nice fat TV contract with NBC and a TV negotiation upcoming in Canada that could further expand the league’s coffers.

Anyway, we have this press release from the National Hockey League talking about the number of games on NBC, NBC Sports Network, NHL Network, CBC, RDS and TSN.

NBC Sports Group will combine for over 100 regular season games including games on Sunday afternoons, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

CBC will carry 101 games including Hockey Night in Canada doubleheaders on Saturday nights.

TSN has Wednesday Night Hockey and will take 237 games on its combined TSN/TSN2 group.

RDS is the French language rightsholder for Canada and will carry all Montreal Canadiens games plus the Winter Classic and All-Star Weekend.

NHL Network will have 82 regular season games mostly from local feeds.

Take a look at what the NHL is saying. After that, I’ll post the press releases from the NHL’s TV partners in separate posts.

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE UNVEILS 2012-13 NATIONAL TELEVISION SCHEDULE

NEW YORK (August 30, 2012) – The National Hockey League (NHL) announced today the television schedules for national partners NBC, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TSN, TSN2, RDS and NHL Network-U.S. for the 2012-13 regular season.

In the U.S., NBC and NBC Sports Network enter the second season of the 10-year agreement with the NHL, the largest media rights deal in League history. It also is the eighth consecutive season both networks have served as a national television partner of the NHL in the U.S. In Canada, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada begins its 60th regular season of NHL® broadcasts. TSN, whose relationship with the NHL dates back to 1987, continues as the League’s national English-language cable partner. French-language telecast partner RDS has been televising NHL games since its inception in 1989 and enters its 10th consecutive season presenting every Montreal Canadiens game.

NBC Sports Group
Throughout the season, NBC Sports Group once again will offer hockey fans in the U.S. more than 100 games across NBC and NBC Sports Network. NBC Sports Network will air NHL games three consecutive nights each week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday nights will be exclusive, and in January, NBC Sports Network will add a second exclusive night on Sundays, giving NHL fans four straight nights of hockey action. The network will include a live pre-game (NHL Live™) and post-game (NHL Overtime™) show before and after every telecast. NBC Sports Network also will televise NHL All-Star Weekend live from Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 25-27, 2013. Coverage includes the NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft™, NHL All-Star Skills Competition™ and the NHL® All-Star Game.

For the second consecutive season, NHL on NBC broadcast coverage launches on Thanksgiving Friday, with the 2012 NHL Thanksgiving Showdown™ featuring the Boston Bruins playing host to the New York Rangers at 1:00 p.m. ET. NBC will follow up that broadcast with the 2013 NHL Winter Classic® on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at Michigan Stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan, before airing the weekly “Game of the Week” beginning Jan. 20. On Feb. 17, Hockey Day in America will be expanded to a triple-header, with two afternoon games on NBC followed by evening game on NBC Sports Network.

CBC
CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada returns for its 60th season, marking a new milestone for one of the longest running and most iconic programs in Canadian television history. The 60th anniversary season is highlighted by 101 regular-season games, including a special Thursday, Nov. 1, match-up between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, just as it did in 1952 when Hockey Night in Canada first took to the TV airwaves. The 2013 NHL Winter Classic® and the 60th NHL All-Star Game also return exclusively to CBC this season. Hockey Night in Canada on CBC will continue to honor Canada’s pastime as Hockey Day in Canada celebrates its 13th annual broadcast from Lloydminster AB/SK, Canada’s only border town, on Feb. 9, 2013. All Canadian teams will be featured on the day-long broadcast, which commemorates and highlights local hockey heroes.

With CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada continued commitment to connect Canadians to the NHL and the sport of hockey no matter where they are on game night, all 101 regular-season games will be streamed online as well as available for iPad and iPhone users.

TSN
TSN platforms will broadcast 237 NHL regular-season games during the 2012-13 season, its most extensive broadcast package ever. TSN will broadcast 88 regular-season games nationally, including 74 games featuring Canadian teams. TSN2 will air 63 games. Highlighting TSN’s 2012-13 NHL regular-season broadcast schedule is the Hockey Hall of Fame Game, airing for the first time on TSN. Featuring New Jersey at Toronto on Friday, November 9, the Hockey Hall of Fame Game honors 2012 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Pavel Bure, Adam Oates, Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin. In addition, TSN has exclusive Canadian coverage of the NHL Draft, NHL Draft™ Lottery and the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration while retaining the English-language exclusivity of “Wednesday Night Hockey” during which there is no other national or local NHL telecasts.

RDS
RDS will once again have French-language coverage of all 82 regular-season Montreal Canadiens games. RDS and RDS INFO also will broadcast a package of games featuring other NHL teams, including the 2013 NHL Winter Classic® and full coverage of the NHL All-Star Weekend.

NHL Network-U.S.
NHL Network-U.S. will televise 78 live games for its American audience this season, focusing on Thursday nights and Saturdays, including 14 doubleheaders and three tripleheaders. Regular-season coverage on NHL Network-U.S. gets underway on Friday, Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m. ET and features Nashville at Detroit. The Red Wings will begin their quest for a 22nd consecutive postseason berth against captain Shea Weber and the Predators, the very team that eliminated them from the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On Saturday evenings, NHL Network-U.S. will continue to incorporate the highly acclaimed CBC programming “Coaches Corner” and “Hotstove” into intermission content for American fans. Other highlights include eight appearances by the current Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and Zach Parise’s return to New Jersey when the Minnesota Wild take on the Devils on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

NHL Network’s signature show, NHL Tonight™ hosted by Kathryn Tappen and featuring a rotating cast of analysts, returns across North America, providing highlights and analysis of every NHL game on a nightly basis. In addition to NHL Tonight, the network also will feature live original programming each evening with  NHL Live™ and NHL On the Fly™. As always, NHL Network™ will continue to bring fans exclusive coverage from all of the NHL’s signature events throughout the season. Information on the dates and times of the NHL Network live-game schedule for Canadian viewers will be released in the near future.

2012-13 Regular Season
The NHL’s 2012-13 regular season is scheduled to commence on Thursday, Oct. 11, with a quartet of games. The following night – Friday, Oct. 12 – the Los Angeles Kings will raise the first Stanley Cup® Championship banner in franchise history in front of a national audience on NBC Sports Network.

Opening night will feature nationally televised double-headers in both the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S., NBC Sports Network will air the 2011 Stanley Cup® champion Boston Bruins visiting the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center as well as the St. Louis Blues taking on the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. In Canada, CBC and RDS will televise the Montreal Canadiens playing host to the Ottawa Senators at Bell Centre and the Calgary Flames battling the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Under the NHL scheduling matrix, each team plays six games against each team in its division (24 games), four games against the non-division teams within its conference (40 games) plus 18 non-conference games – including at least one game against each club in the other conference (15 games) and three other games against select teams.

The 2012-13 NHL regular season will conclude on Saturday, April 13, with 28 teams competing in what promises to be a thrilling 14-game fight to the finish.

NBC Sports Group’s schedule is coming up.

Our Monday Linkage

Let’s do some links on a rainy Monday in Southern New England.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today looks at NFL Network’s new morning show.

Michael says ESPN has not confirmed whether Chris Berman will call a Monday Night Football game on the opening weekend of the season.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that CBS is about 80% sold for the Super Bowl.

Terry Lefton of Sports Business Journal says Pepsi has signed a deal to sponsor the Super Bowl halftime show.

Mike Ozanian of Forbes notes that the Miami Heat is on the verge of getting a huge deal with Fox Sports Florida.

Former ESPN First Take co-host Dana Jacobsen writes in her blog that she was molested as a child. Courageous for her to speak publicly about this.

Scott Roxborough and Stuart Kemp of the Hollywood Reporter note that yesterday’s Italy-England EURO 2012 Quarterfinal game became the highest-rated and most watched game of the tournament in Europe.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at ESPN going all in at Wimbledon.

Rich Thomaselli of Advertising Age wonders now that LeBron James has won a championship, will he reach Michael Jordan levels in marketing?

Staci D. Kramer of paidContent says ESPN’s streaming of the NBA Finals drew a decent audience.

Ed Sherman from the Sherman Report writes that sportswriter Frank Deford will appear on tonight’s Colbert Report.

The Big Lead looks at alleged bias by the HBO Boxing crew from the Manny Pacquaio-Timothy Bradley fight.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing reviews the train wreck that was Charlie Sheen’s guest appearance on Fox Saturday.

Matt analyzes the moves by CBS and NBC to create their own sports radio networks.

Dylan Murphy at SportsGrid says a French soccer player cursed out a reporter after the team’s loss at EURO 2012 last week.

Also from SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty notes that Oprah Winfrey will interview LeBron James and the Miami Heat this weekend which has train wreck potential written all over it.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com writes that the NFL has a long way to go to get a foothold in Europe.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with some of the people who have worked at WFAN during its past 25 years.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick says college presidents’ pleas to pray for the Jerry Sandusky abuse victims ring hollow. Did Phil want them to go to Jerry Sandusky’s jail cell and shoot him dead?

And Phil goes after his favorite target, WFAN’s Mike Francesa.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY talks with WFAN Operations Manager Mark Chernoff about the nation’s oldest radio station turning 25.

Jerry says a 1010 WINS sports anchor wants to go after those who mispronounce “Wimbledon”.

Bob’s Blitz has the WFAN 25th Anniversary lineup for this Sunday.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says a New York-Penn League minor league baseball team won’t have a radio partner this year.

Greg Connors of the Buffalo News talks with Jim Rome about his CBS Sports Network show.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes that ESPN will be providing a lot of tennis action over the next fortnight.

At Chicago Sports Media Watch, Paul M. Banks talks with Danica Patrick about her transition from IndyCar to NASCAR.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post writes about ESPN’s extensive Wimbledon coverage.

Tom Hoffarth from the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for this week.

Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune says all of San Diego State’s football games will be seen on TV, the question is where?

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail suggests that the NHL expand Hockey Night in Canada to Sundays.

Raju Mudhar with the Toronto Star writes about technology and sports melding together.

At Frontstretch, Amy Henderson writes that TV is actually hurting NASCAR and turning fans off.

Back to Paul M. Banks at the Sports Bank and he has video of ESPN’s Jenn Brown taking batting practice at the College World Series.

MediaRantz reviews WFAN at 25.

MediaRantz says noted Florida sports radio bad boy Dan Sileo could be headed to the new CBS Sports Radio.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says NBC’s shuffle of the NHL Draft wasn’t great, but it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

Sports Media Watch says the NBA Finals’ ratings were down from last year.

SMW writes that MLB on Fox took a hit opposite the U.S. Open.

But SMW says this past weekend, MLB on Fox did significantly better.

Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo’s The Dagger blog writes that ESPN expects to replace analyst Hubert Davis with Jalen Rose on College GameDay.

Paul Magno at Yahoo says boxing may return to network TV as Oscar de la Hoya tries to bring a fight to CBS.

Kris Hughes at Rant Sports asks if Time Warner Cable could purchase the Longhorn Network from ESPN?

Gaslamp Ball talks with the head of Fox Sports San Diego.

And that will do us for today.

Some Thursday Links

After an outage that ruined things from Sunday through Tuesday and being busy yesterday, my goal to have links every day this week has gone out the window. However, I can get a few links out to you today.

Let’s get to them.

Starting with Ed Sherman from the Sherman Report who talks with ESPN resident Prince of Darkness Vince Doria who not only hates Twitter, but is concerned that the social media site could bring “diminished standards.” No, hiring Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith brings “diminished standards.”

Ed feels ESPN’s hiring of Darren Rovell away from CNBC is a good move for all sides.

Christopher Botta and John Ourand from Sports Business Journal write that despite having ratings downturns for the NHL Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final, NBC and its sponsors are happy with the results.

Christopher notes that a budding Northwest US MLS rivalry is bringing excellent sponsor activation in the region.

At the Bleacher Report, Dan Levy asks ESPN to respond to the heavy viewer criticism brought forth to the network every time Chris Berman does the U.S. Open.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says the ESPN Family is doing well with EURO 2012.

Peter Kafka at All Things Digital writes that the on-again/off-again Turner purchase of the Bleacher Report seems to be on again. I promise my friends over at Bleacher Report that I won’t publish the Tsunami screengrab like Deadspin does.

Speaking of Deadspin, John Koblin tells us that CNBC’s Darren Rovell, will be getting $500,000 from Disney to work at ESPN and ABC News.

The Big Lead notes that Jalen Rose will be heading to the basketball version of ESPN’s College Gameday.

Simon Dumenico of Advertising Age notes the high amount of Tweets devoted to Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Media Life Magazine notes NBC’s ratings for last weekend’s US Open.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com says while Roger Clemens was acquitted by a jury of his peers, he still has to get by the Hall of Fame jury known as the Baseball Writers of America.

Lance Venta at Radio Insight reports that with CBS Radio starting a new sports network, ESPN Radio will lose two affiliates in Florida.

To espnW where Amanda Rykoff went to an event which honored women in sports business including Kim Williams, the Chief Operating Officer of NFL Network.

Matt Rudnitsky at SportsGrid says today is D-Day for many Sports Illustrated employees. Godspeed to them.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group looks at how TNT tries to expand the fan experience during its six NASCAR Sprint Cup productions.

Jerry Barmash of FishbowlNY talks with MSG Network’s Walt “Clyde” Frazier about his popularity among Knicks fans.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says SNY’s Gary Cohen will be taking two rare days off this week.

Ken says WFAN will be airing Team USA Olympic basketball games.

And Ken talks about the launch of CBS Sports Radio.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says the Philadelphia Phillies’ troubles have become fodder for the local talk shows.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle notes that the city is about to get its 5th sports radio station thanks to the new CBS Sports Radio.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman says Game 4 of the NBA Finals set another local ratings record.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Reds’ ratings are up and they’re being noticed by Fox Sports.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Brewers analyst Bill Schroeder will work Saturday’s game against the White Sox for a different audience.

Paul M. Banks of Chicago Sports Media Watch says Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper guest tweeted on the White Sox official account this week.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily has begun a list of the top sports media voices of the landmark Title IX that gave women the opportunity to play sports. His first honoree is sports broadcasting pioneer Donna de Varona. Next is Mary Carillo. She’s followed by Ann Ligouri. Pam Ward is next. Basketball Hall of Famer Ann Meyers Drysdale follows. Read about Jeannine Edwards. Then look at the bio of Christine Brennan. Then there’s Michele Tafoya. Then Jamie Little. Next is Suzy Kolber. And she’s followed by Sally Jenkins. Great stuff by Tom.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail reports that the NHL doesn’t want Maple Leafs rightsholders Rogers and Bell to form a consortium to bid for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and they’ve been told to provide separate bids.

Michael Hill from Dolce Vita magazine profiles CTV Olympic host Brian Williams (not to be confused with NBC’s Brian Williams) about the many Games he has hosted over the years for either CBC or CTV.

Sports Media Watch speculates that NBC could be moving its NHL Game of the Week to Saturday afternoons for the 2012-13 season.

Tony Manfred at the Business Insider Sports Page has a slideshow on ESPN’s Erin Andrews who remains a free agent at this time.

Joe Favorito looks at the NBA possibly shutting the door on its players participating in the Olympics.

And that will do it for us today for the links.

Some Back To Work Tuesday Linkage

Back to work for many of you after the Memorial Day holiday. Because of my crazy schedule, I didn’t get to enjoy it, but you don’t care about that. Let’s do links.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that Cox Communications has dropped the New Orleans Hornets allowing Fox Sports to swoop up the rights.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News takes a look at the US TV coverage of the French Open.

Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter writes that UK’s Channel 4 plans extensive coverage of the 2012 London Paralympics which will be held two weeks after the Summer Olympics.

Tim Nudd of Adweek reviews the latest WatchESPN spot.

Alex Weprin of TVNewser reports that HBO’s Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel will co-host Live with Kelly next week.

Evan Weiner at Examiner.com explains how NBC’s huge rights fee effectively ended Qatar’s bid for the 2020 Olympics.

Ed Sherman from The Sherman Report interviews legendary sportswriter Frank Deford.

Ed writes that USA Today’s Sports section is changing its reporting strategy.

Media Rantz remembers the Marv Albert arrest 15 years later. Disclosure: I’m quoted in this very well-researched article.

Will Brinson at CBSSports.com writes that Showtime/NFL Films has quietly dumped Warren Sapp from “Inside the NFL”, however, he remains on NFL Network.

Evan Sporer of SportsGrid has the great video of a soldier home from Afghanistan surprising his daughters at Sunday’s Minnesota Twins game. It has nothing to do with sports media. I’m just a huge sucker for reunion videos.

Chadd Scott at ChuckOliver.net explores how TV money has led to the “Wal-Martization” of college football.

Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing notes that former ESPN college football crackpot Craig James is running below “Undecided” in the Texas U.S. Senate Republican primary. Always a good place to be when trying to run a successful campaign.

Bob’s Blitz says former Miami sports radio talker Sid Rosenberg has a new gig.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick actually heaps praise this morning. And he does it to Hall of Fame hockey voice Mike Emrick.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says Time Warner Cable will air some local high school lacrosse playoff games.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that the NBA Draft Lottery will air from New York’s Times Square for the first time ever.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that apparently NFL Network will no longer air CFL games.

Ken adds that there’s no New York City radio home of the 2012 Olympics as of yet.

Ken provides the Compass Media college football schedule for the 2012 season.

And Ken has the Sports USA college football schedule as well.

Tom Jones from the Tampa Bay Times looks back at the weekend that was in sports television.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes that embattled South Florida sports radio talk show Sid Rosenberg is about to start a new gig.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says a local sports radio station is about to acquire a rival FM station.

Jerry Garcia from the San Antonio Express-News says TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal spent some time talking to a local TV station and defending his co-hort Charles Barkley.

Roy Bragg of the Express-News says the Chuckster was glad to meet the peeps in San Antonio on Monday.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch has some linkage of his own to provide.

Scott D. Pierce at the Salt Lake Tribune talks with Utah Jazz TV voice Craig Bolerjack.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post looks at the mtn.: The Final Days.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that a hockey primer from 1993 still holds true today.

Steve Ladurantaye from the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that Rogers and TSN are smelling blood and plan to bid for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada package.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Globe and Mail says Rogers Sportsnet has snatched IndyCar rights away from TSN.

The Canadian Sports Media blog looks at the silly PR hockey wars being conducted by Rogers Sportsnet and TSN.

Sports Media Watch gives us the overnight ratings for the Indianapolis 500 on ABC.

Steve Lepore at SB Nation’s Puck The Media predicts the ratings for this year’s Stanley Cup Final.

Joe Favorito says things are looking good at NBC Sports.

Jordan Golson at MacRumors talks with ESPN’s NASCAR pit reporter Dave Burns about using an iPad for his reports.

That’s going to do it for now.

Finally Some Friday Megalinks

Let’s do some Friday megalinks. You’ve been owed some and I haven’t been able to do links for most of the week.

Of course, you have the Weekend Viewing Picks which provide plenty of college sports, soccer, baseball and the NBA and NHL postseason action.

Now let’s do your links.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today explores Jason La Canfora’s decision to leave NFL Network and bolt to CBS.

Media Rantz looks into the potential departure of Michelle Beadle from ESPN to NBC.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch says E! will produce a special on New York Jets QB Tim Tebow.

Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report hears from a Fox Soccer executive on why the Fox Sports Media Group chose to air so many English Premier League games on the final day of the season.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk writes that despite reports to the contrary, it appears that the New York Jets won’t make another appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks this summer.

Eriq Gardner at the Hollywood Reporter says a group of fans have filed a class action lawsuit against MLB and its TV partners on the antiquated and silly blackout policy.

Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel says while the Minnesota Vikings will finally get their long-awaited stadium, one state legislator attempted to sneak a bill ending all local NFL blackouts. I think that was a great idea.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News/Broadcasting & Cable writes the long-anticipated Time Warner Cable Los Angeles Lakers-centric regional sports network will launch in October.

At Adweek, Anthony Crupi writes that Fox has sold out its ad inventory for the UEFA Champions League Final.

Thomas Pardee of Advertising Age says social media is changing the way we watch sports.

In the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times says there are times when the N-word should to be published in full.

Eric Goldschein at SportsGrid says CBC Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean stretched his analogy too far in comparing the 9/11 First Responders to NHL players this week.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group looks at NBC/Golf Channel’s joint production of this week’s Players Championship.

Brandon Costa of SVG explores ESPN’s expanded multiplatform rights for NCAA Championships.

And SVG tells us about the Big East Conference’s in-house production of the league’s Baseball Tournament.

Kristi Dosh at ESPN.com looks into the dollars and cents of the major college sports TV rights contracts.

Patrick Rishe at Forbes says while the ACC signed a rich contract with ESPN, it still doesn’t compare to the Pac-12′s huge megadeal.

My Twitter Trophy Wife, Amanda Rykoff chronicles her day spent at the MLB Fan Cave for espnW.

Paulsen at Sports Media Watch crunches the numbers behind the ratings rise for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and the lower for the NBA Playoffs.

Joe Lucia of Awful Announcing also looks into the ratings for the NBA and NHL Postseasons.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead notes the disturbing arrest of the PA Announcer for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth looks at some of the sports media stories that are irking him this week.

East and Mid-Atlantic

I haven’t been able to address the death of Carl Beane, the Red Sox public address announcer. Carl was a radio reporter in Western Massachusetts and also free-lanced for ESPN Radio, CBS Radio, Fox Sports Radio to report on various NFL and college games. He died this week when he suffered a heart attack and crashed his car. He was 59. It seemed everyone in New England had some connection to Beane. I’ll give you some of the stories that have been written about him this week.

David Scott at ESPN’s Front Row PR blog gets reaction from people at the network who knew him.

Gordon Edes at ESPN Boston says Beane felt he was born to be the Fenway Park public address announcer.

WEEI’s Mike Petraglia writes about his personal connection to Beane.

Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox paid tribute to Beane at last night’s game by not having anyone do the PA.

Amanda Bruno of the Springfield Republican writes that Beane was a role model and mentor to her.

To other stories now, heading back to the Globe, Chad Finn says the ACC got its huge deal and it will affect member school Boston College in many ways.

Chad says former Red Sox voice Jerry Trupiano is getting some familial help in trying to get the Houston Astros radio gig.

Desmond Connor of the Hartford Courant says the Big East’s interim commissioner is hopeful his conference can cash in on the recent big spending by ESPN and other networks.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir talks with the legendary Vin Scully.

Richard profiles the person behind a fake Walt Frazier Twitter account.

Jack Bell of the Times interviews Fox Sports President Eric Shanks about Sunday’s unprecedented English Premier League coverage.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Times rails over player unions defending their membership for the wrong reasons.

The Post’s Justin Terranova talks with NBC’s Pierre McGuire.

Justin has five questions for TNT’s Kenny Smith.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY says a former local sports reporter is returning to her roots with Time Warner Cable’s Southern California network.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union says technical difficulties plagued a local radio broadcast of the Yankees.

Pete says many of NBC/Golf Channel’s cameras will be focused squarely on one hole at the Players Championship this week.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record explores the new SNY deal to air UConn women’s basketball games.

At the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner asks if high school football is doomed.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call watched the train wreck of former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens appearing on Dr. Phil this week and being confronted by his multiple baby mommas.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post says MLB Network compared the swings of the late Mickey Mantle and the Nationals’ Bryce Harper.

South

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says a new local sports radio morning host comes with some baggage from his old job.

David says Comcast and ESPN cut a deal this week for subscribers to watch the network online.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman notes that Fox Sports Oklahoma will air specials next week on the state’s two major college football programs.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Reds TV and Radio ratings are up this season.

Paul M. Banks of Chicago Sports Media Watch explores the Cubs’ Kerry Wood blowing up at the local media this week.

Paul Christian at the Rochester (MN) Post Bulletin looks at NBC’s coverage of The Players Championship.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that a local sports anchor gets to talk news on the radio.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times says the local media plans to cover Junior Seau’s public memorial today.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star notes that outgoing flagship TV station KCAL gave another farewell to the Los Angeles Lakers this week.

Jim looks at the 17th hole at the TPC Sawgrass which will get plenty of attention on NBC/Golf Channel at the Players Championship.

Jim provides his weekend viewing picks.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at Time Warner Cable’s new sports channels.

Tom tries to give Kings fans missing their local TV voices a silver lining.

Jon Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News goes over the latest developments at the Pac-12 Networks.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says CBC’s Ron MacLean had to clarify his 9/11 remarks before Game 6 of the New York Rangers-Washington Capitals series.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the announcing assignments for both CBC and TSN in the NHL Conference Final round.

And we are done. Enjoy your sports weekend.

NHL Conference Finals Games 1 & 2 Are Set

We have the press release from NBC Sports in regards to NHL Conference Finals Games 1 & 2. The Western Conference Finals will begin on Sunday on NBC Sports Network and TSN. The Eastern Conference Finals begin Monday night on NBCSN and CBC. The matchup will be determined after Game 7 between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

We know that NBC and NBC Sports Network will share the Conference Finals in the US.

In Canada, CBC has the entire Eastern Conference Finals. TSN will have Games 1-3 of the Western Conference Finals and then CBC will take over from Games 4 through 7.

We have three press releases in this post. We’ll begin with NBC Sports Network discussing its coverage of the Conference Finals.

GAMES 1 & 2 OF CONFERENCE FINALS SET

CAPITALS-RANGERS GAME 7 SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY NIGHT AT 7:30 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK
DAY 30 – 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs

NEW YORK – May 10, 2012 – Day 30 – The NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs continues Saturday night with an Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 7, and Sunday night with the first game of the Western Conference Final.

CONFERENCE FINALS SCHEDULE

The NHL announced the schedule for the first two games of both the Western and Eastern Conference Finals today. In the West, the #3 Phoenix Coyotes host the #8 Los Angeles Kings on Sunday and Tuesday nights. In the East, the #6 New Jersey Devils await the winner of the #1 New York Rangers and #7 Washington Capitals series. The Eastern Conference Final will begin on Monday night. (all times ET and subject to change)

8 p.m., Sunday, May 13	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 1)	NBCSN
8 p.m., Monday, May 14	Eastern Conference Final (Game1)	NBCSN
9 p.m., Tuesday, May 15	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 2)	NBCSN
8 p.m., Wednesday, May 16	Eastern Conference Final (Game 2)	NBCSN

GAME 7

The #1 New York Rangers host the #7 Washington Capitals in Game 7 of their series at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night on NBC Sports Network. With the series tied 3-3, both teams fight to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win. Neither team has won two consecutive games in this series. Five of the series’ six games have been decided by one goal with two ending in overtime. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst), and Pierre McGuire (Inside-the-Glass analyst) will call the game. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with NHL Live on NBC Sports Network.

“THE SPRING OF DOC”

In May 14^th’s issue of Sports Illustrated, Michael Farber writes: “Thirty-nine one-goal games, 20 decided in OT, three Game 7s: Nobody captures the drama of NHL Spring quite like the erudite Mike Emrick… This is the spring of Doc… He surely is among the most remarkable working in any sport. Emrick is a hybrid. He uses his voice like an instrument, modulating it to impute significance to a moment in the manner of classic old-school announcers… Beyond tracking the puck from Player A to Player B, he marbles his calls with information and pertinent digression and wry humor, which makes him as fresh as some of the other leading practitioners of hockey’s modern style.”

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time and the Conference Semifinals being carried exclusively on either NBC, NBC Sports Network or CNBC, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find those channels in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE

Comcast SportsNet, the local home for the Capitals, will closely follow hometown team playoff progress with pre- and post-game coverage, breaking news and analysis throughout each team’s playoff run. CSN Mid-Atlantic will have one-hour Capitals Postgame Live shows for all Capitals games in the second round. It will also have extensive coverage online.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group will provide unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 105 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Ten
NHL Network	Six

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress

That’s it for the NBC press release. A jump break and then the Canadian TV press releases.

(continue reading…)

CBC Covers The NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals

This makes sense when you have two TV partners, split up the playoffs by region, East and West. If you don’t have a Canadian team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, have one network cover the East while the other takes the West. That is exactly what is happening with CBC and TSN in Canada. CBC will air the Eastern Conference Semifinals, New York Rangers-Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils-Philadelphia Flyers.

Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy and Elliotte Friedman cover Rangers-Caps while Bob Cole, Gary Galley and Scott Oake handle Devils-Flyers.

We have CBC’s coverage plans and keep scrolling for a bonus CBC press release that arrived in the Fang’s Bites inbox as I was writing this post.

THE 2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS CONTINUE ON CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA WITH NEW YORK VS. WASHINGTON AND PHILADELPHIA VS. NEW JERSEY

Conference Semifinal action begins Saturday, April 28

Conference Semifinal action gets underway on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA with exclusive coverage of the New York Rangers/Washington Capitals series beginning April 28 and the Philadelphia Flyers/New Jersey Devils series which begins on April 29. Both series are available on CBC-TV and streaming online at CBCSports.ca.

The puck drops on the New York/Washington series at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 28 as Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals travel to Manhattan to take on Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers. Play-by-play for this series will be handled by Jim Hughson alongside analyst Craig Simpson with Glenn Healy providing additional analysis from between the benches and Elliotte Friedman reporting from rinkside.

The second Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup between Philadelphia and New Jersey hits the ice on Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. ET as Claude Giroux and the Flyers play host to Martin Brodeur and the Devils. The broadcast team for this series includes Bob Cole calling the play-by-play from the booth with analyst Garry Galley and Scott Oake reporting from rinkside.

“With all of the excitement, suspense and stunning upsets that filled the opening round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada can’t wait to share more with hockey fans across the country,” said Julie Bristow, CBC’s Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming. “NHL playoff hockey has become appointment viewing for everyone from intense fans to casual viewers and we will continue to provide them all with the world class, innovative coverage and analysis they expect from us.”

Each night during Round Two, Ron MacLean hosts CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’s coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs along with Kelly Hrudey and P.J. Stock, providing insight and analysis for all of the Conference Semifinal games. Don Cherry and Coach’s Corner returns in the first intermission while the second intermission features the Hot Stove and Andi Petrillo at the I-Desk.

Viewers on the go can download the Hockey Night in Canada mobile app providing instant access to news, analysis and game highlights. The ultimate “second screen” experience, Hockey Night Playoff Pulse, captures the heartbeat of a nation through in-game polls, pools and near-live access to the best three minutes from every game.

Hockey Night in Canada Radio on SiriusXM hosted Gord Stellick continues Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. ET on channel 157. Show podcasts are also available for download from the iTunes Store.

Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi continues with Harnarayan Singh handling play-by-play duties for Round Two with coverage of the New York/Washington series. The Punjabi broadcasts will be available on Rogers Cable channel 799, Shaw Digital TV channel 328, Shaw Direct classic channel 480 and advanced channel 429, TELUS Optik TV channel 131 and on Bell TV and FIBE TV channel 232 and will also be streamed live and on-demand on CBCSports.ca.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA: 2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
ROUND TWO – CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
All series best of seven.  Schedule subject to change.

NEW YORK RANGERS (#1) VS. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (#7)

Game 1 — Washington @ New York, Saturday, April 28 @ 3 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 2 — Washington @ New York, Monday, April 30 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 3 — New York @ Washington, Wednesday, May 2 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 4 — New York @ Washington, Saturday, May 5 @ 12:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 5* — Washington @ New York, Monday, May 7 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 6* — New York @ Washington, Wednesday, May 9 @ TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 7* — Washington @ New York, Saturday, May 12 @ TBD, TBD

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (#5) VS. NEW JERSEY DEVILS (#6)

Game 1 — New Jersey @ Philadelphia, Sunday, April 29 @ 3 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 2 — New Jersey @ Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 1 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 3 — Philadelphia @ New Jersey, Thursday, May 3 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 4 — Philadelphia @ New Jersey, Sunday, May 6 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 5* — New Jersey @ Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 8 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 6* — Philadelphia @ New Jersey, Thursday, May 10 @ TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 7* — New Jersey @ Philadelphia, Saturday, May 12 @ TBD, TBD

*If necessary

And after a jump break, a CBC press release on Hockey Night in Canada’s ratings.

(continue reading…)

The Wednesday Links

Let’s do some linkage today. Been doing pretty good in providing links this week and I don’t want to stop.

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, he talks with ESPN bloviator Chris Berman who compares himself to Ted Williams, then tries not to compare himself to Ted Williams, claims he doesn’t pay attention to criticism when he clearly does and then makes no sense about cameras. Yes, I’m showing my anti-Chris Berman bias.

Tom Weir of USA Today’s Game On writes that Jose Canseco’s Twitter account is back up and running. Oh joy.

At The Sherman Report, Ed Sherman looks at some classic anti-Mel Kiper rants from ESPN’s past coverage of the NFL Draft.

Sports Business Daily notes that Los Angeles Lakers nutjob Metta World Peace was a no-show on Conan O’Brien TBS program after his 7 game suspension for elbowing Oklahoma City Thunder forward James Harden.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal writes about Fox’s deal with Golden Boy Promotions that will put live fights on Fuel and Fox Deportes.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says NHL ratings are up significantly for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which seemingly condones violence on the rink.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable notes that ABC’s ratings for the NBA are up 10% over last year despite the lockout that wiped out the first month of the season.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says the Stanley Cup Playoffs are good to the NBC Sports Network.

Multichannel News says Speed has renewed the rights to the 24 Hours of LeMans road race.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page has video of Chelsea’s goal that put them in the UEFA Champions League Final, but the best part was Gary Neville’s on-air orgasm for Sky Sports.

Jim Edwards of the Business Insider Sports Page looks into NBC’s reasons for an almost $1 million price tag for a 30 second ad for its Thanksgiving Night NFL game.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has Mike “Doc” Emrick in the latest edition of his podcast.

Matt has great video of some awkward banter between SportsCenter anchors Steve Weissman and Sage Steele. Poor Sage.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell tells us that Shake Shack could be in more MLB parks around the country.

Leah Michaels of GoLocal Providence says ESPN’s Chris Berman was at his alma mater to honor Brown University’s athletic director.

All Access has Fox Sports Radio’s coverage plans for the NFL Draft.

Steven Beardsley of Stars and Stripes says NFL Network will feature cutaways during the NFL Draft to a battalion of troops based in Germany.

Kevin Paul Dupont in the Boston Globe provides a brief history on the greatest tradition in sports, the hockey handshake at the end of every playoff series.

In the New York Post, Phil Mushnick reports that ESPN Radio is close to deal with the New York Yankees that would put the team on FM after ten years of being on WCBS-AM.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at the ratings for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Newsday’s Neil Best says the ESPN and NFL Network made the right call in not spoiling draft picks before they’re announced.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union says we’re still waiting for the start times for the NHL Games 7 on Thursday.

Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal says he listened to the radio on Saturday over waiting for Fox to switch to Philip Humber’s perfect game.

Glenn Guilbeau in the Monroe (LA) News Star has New Orleans Saints interim coach Joe Vitt blasting ESPN for its latest story on the team.

KBTX in College Station, TX says Fox Sports Southwest received record ratings for the Pudge Rodriguez retirement ceremony before Monday’s Yankees-Rangers game.

George M. Thomas in the Akron Beacon Journal tells us that the networks are all over the NFL Draft.

Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune says swimmer Missy Franklin has become of the face of NBC’s Olympic promotional campaign.

Robert Kurson at Chicagoside Sports explains why after 25 years, he no longer listens to sports radio.

Matt Solinsky of the Desert (CA) Sun writes that Time Warner Cable and Fox Sports San Diego continue carriage talks that would put Padres games back on the provider.

Jamie Sturgeon of the Financial Post has CBC vowing in an increasingly expensive world to keep Hockey Night in Canada.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media talks about NBC Sports Group’s ratings for the NHL Playoffs on Monday.

Sports Media Watch explores ABC’s second straight year for record NBA TV ratings.

Joe Favorito looks at how sports brands can tap into National Train Day next month.

And that will put a wrap on the links.

CBC Has A Doubleheader Today

CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has a doubleheader today. It’ll air Boston-Washington at 3 p.m. ET and then Los Angeles at Vancouver at 8 p.m. ET.

Bob Cole and Garry Galley call Bruin-Capitals while Jim Hughson, Craig Simpson and Glenn Healey will be in Vancouver for CBC.

We have the CBC programming advisory for you.

UPDATED SCHEDULE FOR CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA Round One 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs broadcast schedule has been updated:

BOSTON BRUINS (#2) VS. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (#7)
Game 6 — Boston @ Washington, Sunday, April 22 @ 3 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (#1) VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS (#8)
Game 5 — Los Angeles @ Vancouver, Sunday, April 22 @ 8 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK

Leading into Game 5 of the Los Angeles/Vancouver series on Sunday, April 22 is Hockey Tonight with host Ron MacLean at 7:30 p.m. ET. All CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA game broadcasts throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs are also available live and on-demand at CBCSports.ca, along with the latest Playoff news, highlights and scheduling information.

The Vancouver/Los Angeles series will continue to be featured on Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi on Rogers Cable channel 799, Shaw Digital TV channel 328, Shaw Direct classic channel 480 and advanced channel 429, TELUS Optik TV channel 131 and on Bell TV and FIBE TV channel 232 and will also be streamed live and on-demand on CBCSports.ca.

That will do it for now.

Let’s Do Some Thursday Linkage

Why not do some links while I can?

We begin with USA Today and the national NFL TV schedule for this upcoming season.

Carolyn Giardana with the Hollywood Reporter writes that NBC will utilize Avid Technology systems to develop video feeds for the London Summer Olympics.

George Winslow at Broadcasting & Cable says NESN has selected Sony to manage its video content.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that NBC is utilizing the “TV Everywhere” initiative to stream the Olympics live to mobiles, tablets and computers.

Mike talks with MLB Network President and CEO Tony Petitti about the new “Strike Zone” feature and what the network has in store for the next 12 months.

MediaRantz looks at the reaction from sports broadcasters upon learning that American Bandstand and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve host Dick Clark had died.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that a baseball panel will settle a dispute between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals over how much MASN should pay the Nats for their media rights. The Nats’ rights are undervalued compared to what other teams are currently being paid.

A.J. Perez of Fox Sports talks with sports documentarian Sean Pamphilon whose audio of former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is front-and-center of the New Orleans Saints Bountygate scandal.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report feels sportswriters are unappreciated by the Pulitzer Prize committee. I agree.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing gets together with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch, Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand, Dan Patrick Show Executive Producer Paul Pabst to hold the first ever NFL Media Fantasy Draft. Great stuff from AA.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says the NFL wants ESPN and the NFL Network to stop spoiling draft picks.

Andrew Gauthier of TVSpy notes that a long-time sports anchor in Sioux City, IA is moving a seat to the right to become his TV station’s news anchor.

Gavin O’Malley at MediaPost says even though it’s not an Olympics rightsholder, Fox is making a commitment to cover the Olympics online.

David Goetzl of MediaPost writes that in this increasingly DVR timeshifting world, viewers still want to see their sports live and not delayed.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin noticed that a Miami TV station showed the wrong logo when reporting on the Florida Panthers win over the New Jersey Devils the other night.

Greg Wyshynski at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy finds that Hockey Night in Canada’s PJ Stock is endorsing Depends adult diapers in Canada????

The great Judy Battista of the New York Times talks with the NFL schedule maker Howard Katz who can’t please everyone.

Steven Silver at Philadelphia Magazine’s Philly Post blog wonders if national announcers are biased against the city as some fans perceive.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com profiles one Baltimore sports radio host who has changed stations, but vows to continue doing what he’s been doing.

Chris Korman of the Baltimore Sun says the Washington Nationals are looking to get more money from the Baltimore Orioles majority-owned MASN.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Capitals TV voice Joe Beninati about the team’s series with the Boston Bruins.

Chuck Carroll at CBS Washington looks at Britt McHenry’s decision to stay at WJLA-TV instead of taking a job with Fox Sports San Diego. Britt was also a candidate to replace Heidi Watney on NESN and Kim Jones on YES.

Tom Jones in the Tampa Bay Times talks with hockey charlatan Pierre McGuire about the perceived increased disrespect in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman says ESPN’s Skippy Bayless was ripping the Oklahoma City Thunder this week.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that NFL Network has another Top 100 show.

Howard Sinker of the Minneapolis Star Tribune gave ESPN a try to get a different perspective on the Minnesota Twins.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says Utah Jazz broadcasters Craig Bolerjack and Matt Harpring make no bones about rooting for their team, but don’t call them homers.

Rob Katowski of the Las Vegas Review-Journal says a proposed merger between the Mountain West and Conference USA could still happen as long as the two leagues agree on sharing TV rights.

Tim Sullivan with the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the impasse between Fox Sports San Diego and Time Warner Cable is preventing Padres fans from seeing their team.

Sports Media Watch says ESPN has a tapped a man no one has ever heard of to host The ESPY’s.

SMW notes that former Portland Trail Blazer and NBA analyst Steve “Snapper” Jones has been plagued by massive health issues.

SMW has some ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Game 2 of the Florida Panthers-New Jersey Devils series did very well for NBC Sports Network last Sunday.

Steven Morocco and John Morgan of MMA Junkie write that UFC wants a similar TV deal in the UK as it has with Fox in the States.

EPL Talk looks at Fox going all out for the English Premier League’s final day of the season next month.

Guyism notes that twice this week, MASN Nationals reporter Kristina Akra got soaked with Gatorade.

And that’s going to do it. Found more links than I thought I would and that’s very good for you.

CBC’s Comprehensive NHL Playoffs Coverage Complimented on TV, Radio and Online

With the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs starting tonight, we have a whole host of NHL-centric press releases for you. I’ll begin with CBC’s efforts on TV, radio and online for the two month odyssey that starts April 11 and ends sometime in June. Not only that, CBC will also utilize social networking sites like Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter to brings fans closer to the action.

Fans can also go to SiriusXM Radio where they can talk NHL on Hockey Night in Canada Radio with host Gord Stellick for the duration of the playoffs. Gord will have various guests and CBC analysts for extended chats.

Check it all out below.

HOME TO CANADA’S TEAMS, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA MOBILIZES A NATION FOR THE 2012 NHL PLAYOFFS

(April 10, 2012) The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here and CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is ramping up the excitement –carrying it nationally and punctuated by exclusive coverage of the Canadian teams and the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada keeps fans connected to the action and insights of the playoffs no matter where they are through innovative social media applications.  Hockey Night Playoff Pulse, the ultimate “second screen” experience features in-game pools, polls and plays. Whether fans are at home, work or out on the town, the Hockey Night Playoff Pulse keeps them connected with updated live pool leader boards showing top scores and rankings and daily playoff poll questions designed to keep the conversation going. In addition, a Microsoft-sponsored near-live three minute highlight package from each game will be available online and on mobile devices including tablets with game recaps going to Xbox.

Fans not already watching a live game stream on their iPhone or iPad can gain access to near-live highlights as they happen simply by downloading/updating the Hockey Night in Canada app. Watch highlights of every goal scored in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs minutes after they happen.

“As a dedicated partner of the NHL we are proud of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada’s long standing tradition of providing Canadians with the most comprehensive Stanley Cup coverage available,” said Julie Bristow, CBC’s Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming. “We are focused on continuing to elevate and innovate the way hockey fans everywhere view and participate in the playoff experience across all mediums.”

New in 2012, CBC’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA highlights the fun, social and lighter side of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs through Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/hockeynight/). Fans are encouraged to pin their favourite playoff party dishes and recipes, locations to watch games with friends, celebrity sightings or even best playoff outfits and painted faces.

In addition, fans can engage with CBC Sports and other Playoff loving fans through Facebook and Twitter by “liking” CBC Sports at facebook.com/cbcsports and following CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA Twitter feed (@hockeynight) to get all the breaking news as it happens throughout the playoffs – hashtag #HNIC. Fans are also encouraged to link their playoff parties to those going on across the country by sharing photos and Tweets, with the best ones being shared through the @hockeynight account and other CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA channels.

“CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada continues to offer everyone from the most passionate hockey fans to casual viewers numerous different ways to engage with the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” said John Collins, NHL Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to the new social media tools connecting fanatic and casual hockey fans to the playoff experience, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, via http://cbc.ca/hockeynightincanada, provides full access game and broadcast schedules, expert analysis and blogs and all the traditional show content enjoyed throughout the years.

From Coach’s Corner and Hotstove to the pregame Hockey Night in Canada Online from the I-Desk and postgame Daily Wrap, CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has fans covered with the news and insights they need when and where they need it. All shows are also available as podcasts from the iTunes Store.

In addition to television and online coverage, Hockey Night in Canada Radio on SiriusXM with host Gord Stellick offers comprehensive coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s Channel 157 airing Monday through Friday from 3-7 p.m. ET throughout the playoffs. Hockey Night in Canada Radio on SiriusXM podcasts are also available for download from the iTunes Store.

Looking ahead, fans can help celebrate CBC’s HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA legacy by selecting their top moments of all time (http://ithappenedonhockeynight.cbc.ca). Viewers can go online to submit their Top 10 moments, share their list via Facebook and Twitter and compare it against those of several celebrities. Between the second and third rounds of the playoffs, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA will present It Happened on Hockey Night – a 30 minute interactive television special counting down the best moments as seen on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA over the past 60 years.

The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs go mobile and CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has you covered and keeps you connected.

More NHL-related press releases are coming up.

CBC’s 2012 NHL Playoff Schedule

Let’s take a look at CBC’s Stanley Cup Playoff schedule. CBC will have both Canadian teams in the postseason, the #1 seed in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Canucks, and the eight seed in the Eastern Conference, the Ottawa Senators.

Overall, CBC airs four series while TSN carries the other four.

We have the press release and CBC’s schedule.

BECAUSE IT DOESN’T GET ANY BIGGER THAN THIS CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA IS HOME TO THE 2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Round One schedule features the Vancouver Canucks and Ottawa Senators series as well as marquee matchups featuring the NHL’s top teams and a special playoff preview show on April 10

April 8, 2012 – The road to the Stanley Cup begins Wednesday, April 11 and CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is the exclusive home of both Canadian playoff teams as they begin their quests for hockey’s biggest prize. Along with Canada’s Stanley Cup hopefuls, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA has two more marquee 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs matchups featuring some of the game’s brightest stars, all in High-Definition and available live online at cbcsports.ca.

“Watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada is a Canadian tradition for everyone from dedicated hockey fans to casual viewers,” said Julie Bristow, CBC’s Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming. “With 50 days and nights of coverage from the drop of the first puck to the final horn in the Stanley Cup Final, we’re proud to continue the great tradition of providing viewers with innovative world class coverage and analysis that is second to none.”

The 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA features a host of innovative social media applications that will make every game an interactive experience for viewers across the country. One such feature is the Hockey Night Playoff Pulse, which invites fans to engage online with cbcsports.ca through the ultimate “second screen” experience with in-game polls and pools where fans can challenge each other through Facebook and Twitter, plus live updated leader boards.

“Stanley Cup Playoff hockey is part of the Canadian fabric and, as the exciting action gets underway on Wednesday, we know millions of fans will be following closely to see who gets to hoist the Cup in June,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA NHL playoff broadcast coverage kicks off with the Stanley Cup Countdown on Tuesday, April 10 at 8 p.m. local (8:30pm NT), in front of a live studio audience. Host Ron MacLean and analysts Kelly Hrudey and P.J. Stock will breakdown all eight first-round series and analyze the chances of the 16 teams vying for the Stanley Cup.  Elliotte Freidman will also have breaking news from around the league.

The puck officially drops Wednesday, April 11 as CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA kicks off its schedule with a must-see doubleheader. Ron MacLean hosts the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs along with Kelly Hrudey and P.J. Stock as coverage gets underway at 8 p.m. ET when Pavel Datsyuk and the Detroit Red Wings visit Shea Weber and the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The broadcast team for this Western Conference Quarterfinal includes play-by-play commentator Mark Lee and analyst Kevin Weekes (please see below for complete first round broadcast schedule and distribution).

Following the Detroit/Nashville game on Wednesday night, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA heads to Rogers Arena in Vancouver at 10:30 p.m. ET as Henrik Sedin and the Canucks square off against Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings. This Western Conference Quarterfinal best-of-seven showdown will be called by play-by-play commentator Jim Hughson, analyst Craig Simpson and reporter Scott Oake.

The excitement continues on Thursday, April 12 with another two games, beginning at 7 p.m. ET with Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers hosting Daniel Alfredsson and the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden. The legendary Don Cherry and Coach’s Corner make their playoff debut during the first intermission, while play-by-play duties will be handled by Bob Cole who will be joined in the booth by analyst Garry Galley, with Glenn Healy providing analysis from between the benches and Cassie Campbell-Pascall reporting from rinkside.

Just after the puck drops in New York on the main CBC-TV network, CHEX has live coverage as Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals take on Zdeno Chara and the Boston Bruins at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET. Dean Brown will call the series alongside analyst Greg Millen supported by rinkside reporter Andi Petrillo.

On Saturday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET, CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA sets the stage with Hockey Tonight, the pre-game show, followed by game two of the Ottawa/New York series.

The Vancouver/Los Angeles series will be featured on Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi with Harnarayan Singh handling play-by-play duties. The Punjabi broadcasts will be available on Rogers Cable channel 799, Shaw Digital TV channel 328, Shaw Direct (channel TBD), TELUS Optik TV channel 131 and on Bell TV and FIBE TV channel 232 and will also be streamed live and on-demand on CBCSports.ca.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA: 2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
ROUND ONE – CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS BROADCAST SCHEDULE
All series best of seven.  Schedule subject to change.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS (#4) VS. DETROIT RED WINGS (#5)

Game 1 — Detroit @ Nashville, Wednesday, April 11 @ 8 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 2 — Detroit @ Nashville, Friday, April 13 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 3 — Nashville @ Detroit, Sunday, April 15 @ 12 noon ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 4 — Nashville @ Detroit, Tuessday, April 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 5** — Detroit @ Nashville, Friday, April 20 @ 8 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 6** — Nashville @ Detroit, Sunday, April 22 @ TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 7** — Detroit @ Nashville, Tuesday, April 24 @ TBD, FULL NETWORK

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (#1) VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS (#8)

Game 1 — Los Angeles @ Vancouver, Wednesday, April 11 @ 10:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 2 — Los Angeles @ Vancouver, Friday, April 13 @ 10 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 3 — Vancouver @ Los Angeles, Sunday, April 15 @ 10:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 4 — Vancouver @ Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 18 @ 10 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 5** — Los Angeles @ Vancouver, Sunday, April 22 – TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 6** — Vancouver @ Los Angeles, Tuesday, April 24 – TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 7** — Los Angeles @ Vancouver, Thursday, April 26 – TBD, FULL NETWORK

NEW YORK RANGERS (#1) VS. OTTAWA SENATORS (#8)

Game 1 — Ottawa @ New York, Thursday, April 12 @ 7 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK*
Game 2 — Ottawa @ New York, Saturday, April 14 @ 7 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 3 — New York @ Ottawa, Monday, April 16 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK*
Game 4 — New York @ Ottawa, Wednesday, April 18 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 5** — Ottawa @ New York, Saturday, April 21 @ 7 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 6** — New York @ Ottawa, Monday, April 23 – TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 7** — Ottawa @ New York, Thursday, April 26 – TBD, FULL NETWORK

BOSTON BRUINS (#2) VS. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (#7)

Game 1 — Washington @ Boston, Thursday, April 12 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, CHEX
Game 2 — Washington @ Boston, Saturday, April 14 @ 3 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 3 — Boston @ Washington, Monday, April 16 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, CHEX
Game 4 — Boston @ Washington, Thursday, April 19 @ 7:30 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 5** — Washington @ Boston, Saturday, April 21 @ 3 p.m. ET, FULL NETWORK
Game 6** — Boston @ Washington, Sunday, April 22 – TBD, FULL NETWORK
Game 7** — Washington @ Boston, Wednesday, April 25 – TBD, FULL NETWORK

*Excluding CHEX
**If necessary

TSN’s press release is next.

Ringing In Some Monday Linkage

Let’s do our Monday linkage today.

Michael Hiestand from USA Today writes that CBS/Turner’s Clark Kellogg will have a big “get” during halftime of Tuesday’s NCAA Tournament First Four game.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says MSG Network has a new show dedicated to the best and worst baseball trades and deals.

Mike says YES Network’s national feed will be seen by California cable subscribers for the first time.

Jason Del Ray of Advertising Age looks at SB Nation’s foray into producing original content for YouTube with former ESPN’ers Bomani Jones and Amy K. Nelson.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine says the NCAA Tournament can be a sports marketer’s dream.

Kevin Wagstaff of Time Magazine says YouTube will be the official video player for NBCOlympics.com, however, don’t expect to see live Olympics on the video streaming service.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead spent a day following ESPN’s Jay Bilas at the Big East Tournament.

Ty Duffy of The Big Lead wonders if NBC’s entrance into MLS will help to grow soccer in America.

Timothy Burke of Deadspin has the funny video of ESPN’s Dick Vitale being Dick Vitale during last night’s Bracketology show.

Ken Belson of the New York Times describes the Mets first-ever radio broadcast which included the late Howard Cosell as pregame host.

Michael O’Keefe of the New York Daily News talks with former ESPN’er Sean Salisbury who has been battling depression and hoping to make a TV comeback bid. The story never mentions Salisbury’s MTV2 gig with the Lingerie Football League.

Phil Mushnick at the New York Post writes that TV continues to ignore athletes’ bad behavior.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the tip times for the FIRST FOUR and 2nd Round games of the NCAA Tournament.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes that the voices of the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league affiliate get their call to the big club this week.

Bob Rossi in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says NBC will go all out for the NHL Playoffs this spring.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times reviews the weekend in sports television and I find that I disagree with a couple of his points.

Richard Connelly of the Houston Press says the new Comcast SportsNet Houston plans to build studios that will allow for a Today Show-like atmosphere outdoors.

Mel Bracht from The Oklahoman says former Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer is in talks to have a movie based on his interesting life.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says there wasn’t much anger directed at the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee this year from the TV analysts.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that Dan McLaughlin returned to Fox Sports Midwest Sunday after a long suspension over his drunk driving arrests.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says Peyton Manning’s visit to the Mile High City gave the local media plenty to talk about over the weekend.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times had a chance to tour Jon Gruden’s offices as he prepared to host several incoming NFL quarterbacks for his ESPN shows this Spring.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott about rebranding the conference.

Tom also has his sports calendar for this week.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that the Canadian NHL clubs want some changes in CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

Bruce also looks at the coverage of the death of Canadian skier Nik Zoricic over the weekend.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says when Don Cherry leaves Hockey Night in Canada, he will be sorely missed.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on Fox lost a million viewers for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 from the previous year.

Paul Kennedy at SoccerAmerica feels NBC Sports Network did well in its MLS debut.

SoccerNation says NBC has tapped a well-known composer to produce its MLS theme music.

And that’s going to do it for now.

What Should Be The Official Theme Tune For Each Sport?

Since television began, theme songs have helped us to identify our favorite programs. This is certainly the case in sports where the theme for Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, Wide World of Sports, the Olympics, The Masters and others have become iconic.

I thought about writing a post on which themes should be the “official” one for each sport since Paulsen at Sports Media Watch suggested ESPN trade for NBC’s “Roundball Rock” which became so identifiable with the NBA in the 1990′s.

Suggestion: ESPN trades the old 'NHL on ESPN' theme to NBC for 'Roundball Rock'. Works for both sides.

February 16, 2012 3:38 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@paulsen_smw

Paulsen

So in this post, I’m going to provide nominees for each sport from the various networks and have you vote on which one should be the “official” theme. Results will be released next Sunday.

Two examples of how themes are identified with sports. The Olympics on American television have been introduced with”Bugler’s Theme” composed by Leo Arnaud. Played originally on ABC’s coverage of the Olympics starting in 1968, it was purchased by NBC and used starting in 1992 all the way to the present.

Here’s Bugler’s Theme in its original version.

And this is the version used by NBC which is composed by John Williams combining “Bugler’s Theme” with “Olympic Fanfare” which was written for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Masters has its own theme that has been used on CBS and around the world. The theme’s name is “Augusta”.

Those are two examples of iconic sports theme tunes. Now let’s go through the nominees for each sport. There will be no more than three for each sport except for the NFL and NHL otherwise this post could get ridiculously long.

BASEBALL

I have three nominees for Baseball.

This is ABC’s Monday Night Baseball theme from the late 1970′s and one of my all-time favorites.

Here’s the MLB on ESPN theme. This is the current incarnation.

And the MLB on Fox theme that was used from 1996 through 2010, then Fox decided to use its NFL theme for all sports.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

CBS March Madness Theme recut for its partnership with Turner Sports.

NBC’s College Basketball Theme from the mid-1980′s. Yes, NBC once had college basketball, kids.

ESPN’s college basketball theme from 1995 through 2001.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Your choices:

The SEC on CBS theme first introduced for Super Bowl XXI and subsequently used on its college football coverage, first the old CFA package in the late 1980′s, brought back in 1996 when CBS came back into college football after losing the sport in the early 1990′s and has been used ever since.

ESPN’s present College Football theme.

ESPN’s old College Football theme used until 1999. I like this one better than the current theme.

NBA

Here’s the NBA on CBS theme used from 1982 until 1990 when it left the sport for good. This is a clean copy of its open utilized from 1982 through 1988. The black spots are for video and voiceover. One of my all-time favorites.

The current NBA on TNT theme as composed by Trevor Rabin.

And you can’t have an NBA theme poll without NBC’s Roundball Rock composed by John Tesh and considered by many as the best sports theme of all-time. I’m inclined to agree.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

We have four choices, one for each network.

This is known as the NFL on CBS “Pots and Pans” theme that was used from 1986 through 1988. I’ve preferred this theme over the others have been utilized since. And ignore the quality of the video, just listen to the theme. And it was called “Pots and Pans” because some fans thought it sounded like pots and pans banging.

The NFL on Fox theme, now the music used for all sports, originally composed in 1994.

NBC’s Sunday Night Football theme composed by John Williams. We’re not using the “I’ve Been Waiting All Day For Sunday Night” sung by Faith Hill for obvious reasons. Someone put a compilation of the current themes together. I like it.

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Heavy Action theme.

NHL

I’ll do five here.

The NHL on ESPN theme that was used through 2005.

How about the NHL on Fox theme that was used from 1995 through 1998? Here’s a compilation of the theme. You can still hear it on Fox Sports Net affiliates that carry the NHL locally.

Here’s the NHL on NBC theme that is currently being used. Different variation from its main theme, but you get the idea.

The Hockey Song by Stompin’ Tom Collins, probably the second most beloved hockey theme in Canada.

The old CBC Hockey Night in Canada theme which is now known as the Hockey Theme as it was purchased and now owned by TSN. Used since 1968.

TENNIS

We have three candidates for tennis.

The NBC Wimbledon theme which won’t be heard anymore as ESPN has the rights to the tournament.

When NBC was in the bad habit of tape delaying matches, I would find ways to watch BBC’s coverage which was always live. I got used to its Wimbledon theme and grew to like it.

And USA Network’s US Open theme music that we no longer hear unfortunately. Remember when USA actually had sports?

I don’t have a clean copy of ESPN’s tennis theme so the three we have will have to suffice.

SPORTS ANTHOLOGIES

Finally, we have the sports anthologies from the networks. This should be quite interesting to get your take. Anthology shows would put together various different events in one show, like track & field, barrel jumping, tennis or diving. ABC’s Wide World of Sports was the first of its kind on American television and then the other networks followed until the anthologies went extinct.

First, from across the pond, BBC’s Grandstand which was one of the longest running sports series on television. This ran until 2007. These are various opens from the 1990′s. This theme is catchy.

Here’s the open from the CBS Sports Spectacular from 1979 using Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

NBC had SportsWorld in the 1970′s and 1980′s. I like this music.

And the original that started it all in the U.S., ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The voiceover is from the late Jim McKay. This open is from 1984.

And that is going to do it. Vote and leave your comments on any omissions below.

A Friday Evening Megalink Thing

Let’s give you some linkage on this Friday. Been a busy day. You deserve some links

The Weekend Viewing Picks provide your sports and entertainment TV watching. And now to your links.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate whether networks should hire ex-coaches knowing full well they could make news and leave for another job.

ESPN Ombudsman Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute takes the Alleged Worldwide Leader to task for its failure to press the Bernie Fine/Syracuse story and holding a tape for eight years.

Alex Weprin of TVNewser writes that ESPN has hired Bloomberg News sports business reporter Michele Steele.

Over to Gregg Rosenthal of Pro Football Talk who has Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid angry at NFL Network for its portrayal of wide receiver DeSean Jackson after last night’s game with Seattle.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News discusses the viewership increase for Thursday Night Football.

Mike writes about the quintet of games that will open the NBA season on Christmas Day.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has an advance clip of a CNN Sunday interview with ESPN Vice President of News Vince Doria speaking about the handling of the Bernie Fine/Syracuse story.

Dan has a very strong promo for the return of the NBA.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid notes that on the Dan Patrick Show, TNT’s Charles Barkley had some fighting words for notorious sports self-promoter Skip Bayless.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group writes that mobile truck operators are happy to have the NBA back in action.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says while the NBA Lockout has been settled, there’s still a battle that will continue for several years.

Sports Media Watch looks at the NFL ratings for Week 12 for ESPN’s Monday Night Football, NBC’s Sunday Night Football, and NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing looks at the machinations behind a longer Thursday Night Football schedule.

East and Mid-Atlantic

At the Boston Globe, Chad Finn looks at how Twitter broke the Bobby Valentine-to-Boston story and he handicaps the race to replace Heidi Watney as NESN Red Sox reporter.

Howard Beck at the New York Times notes that current NBA players are returning slowly but surely to NBA TV which has been stuck showing games from the 1980′s and early 1990′s.

The New York Post’s Claire Atkinson reports that the NFL is looking for big bucks from NBC to renew the rights to Sunday Night Football.

The Post’s Phil Mushnick wants the networks to stop showing touchdown celebrations.

Brett Cyrgalis of the Post has five questions for ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler.

Newsday’s Neil Best bids adieu to WFAN’s Tracy Burgess who left the Boomer and Carton show today.

Neil looks at ESPN being a stepping stone for coaches who are looking for their next job.

Neil has a quickie review of the ESPN Films documentary on former quarterback Todd Marinovich.

And Neil notes that local football players aren’t making news on social networks, but the old fashioned way… on radio.

Bob’s Blitz has pictures of Tracy Burgess’ last day at WFAN.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Fox is trying to get the word out that it’s back in the college football business.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says Chris Herren, the subject of ESPN Films’ Unguarded documentary, will be in town to talk about his battle with addiction.

Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com has the latest Baltimore/Washington DC sports media news in this week’s Press Box.

In the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg tells us what happened to local sports radio host John Riggins who’s been missing as of late.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports’ Gus Johnson and Charles Davis about calling back-to-back conference championship games on successive nights.

South

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle talks with NFL on Fox sideline analyst Tony Siragusa who will be part of the crew calling the Atlanta-Texans game on Sunday.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks with ESPN college football analyst Todd Blackledge who will call the annual Bedlam game.

Mel says Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Tim Brewster are pulling double duty this weekend.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that Time Warner Cable will be busy with local high school football this weekend.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press writes that the Detroit Lions have received more national media attention whether it’s deserved or not.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob Wolfley has Fox’s Charles Davis talking about Wisconsin running Montee Ball’s Heisman Trophy chances.

Bob says NASCAR races will be airing on a different Milwaukee radio station next year.

In Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman has his weekly winners and losers.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says it’s going to be a busy weekend for Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Tim Brewster on Fox.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says St. Louis University may be a rising college basketball program, but it hasn’t translated to more national exposure.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times says local Cox subscribers will be able to see Time Warner Cable’s coverage of the state high school football championships this weekend.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says the Pac-12 Championship won’t be the showcase that Fox had in mind.

Jim says the SEC Championship will have BCS National Championship Game implications like it always does.

Jim has his weekend viewing picks.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Fox is doing its best to sell a less than stellar Pac-12 Championship Game matchup.

Tom has what didn’t make his column in his blog.

Tom says the new Los Angeles Dodgers radio flagship will hire former manager Kevin Kennedy as a postgame host.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail gleefully points out that Don Cherry’s Coach’s Corner segment on Hockey Night in Canada is drawing lower ratings than in the past.

And that’s going to do it for our linkage tonight.

Some Black Friday Sports Media Links

I hope you survived the Black Friday experience if you went out today. If you decided to shop online, better to do that than wait outside in the cold especially in the Northeast where the temperatures dropped below freezing overnight. No fun.

Anyway, I’ll provide the links. The Weekend Viewing Picks are here.

To the linkage.

National

At USA Today, Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate whether it’s appropriate to mention religion and faith in sports television.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that HBO will give viewers a 12 minute sneak peek on its new NHL-themed 24/7 series tonight.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the picture of Thanksgiving Day in which a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader got the start of her 15 minutes.

Tom Lorenzo at SportsGrid has a funny vidcap of a kid fast asleep during the Miami-Dallas game. Too much turkey, I guess.

Joe Favorito says hockey hopes to fill a void left by the NBA.

Sports Media Watch has the ratings for all NASCAR Sprint Cup races this season.

SMW notes that ESPN’s Monday Night Football saw a ratings increase for Chiefs-Pats.

SMW says NBC’s Sunday Night Football suffered a rare ratings and viewership drop in Week 11.

And SMW writes that last week’s Thursday Night Football gave NFL Network some early Thanksgiving treats.

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

The Awful Announcing staff lists the announcers it’s thankful for.

Overseas, BBC Sport, once a UK powerhouse, is now cutting back and it’s only doing half a schedule of one of its signature sports, Formula 1. It explains how it’s covering Formula 1 in 2012.

Owen Gibson of the London (UK) Guardian says BBC has won back the rights to the IAAF World Athletic Championships, an event it lost for the first time this year.

Jackie Pepper writes about a Kansas City Royals MLB.com beat reporter who received a life-saving transplant and then went to cover every single game this past season.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that NBC is looking to carve out a Thanksgiving niche for the NHL with a new Black Friday game.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post actually gives praise today! Stop the presses!

Justin Terranova of the Post has 5 questions for Sirius XM college football analyst Eddie George.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says ex-coaches don’t always make for the best broadcasters.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun thoroughly enjoyed NFL Network’s coverage of last night’s 49ers-Ravens game.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with an NHL official about its new “Thanksgiving Showdown”.

South

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle waxes poetic about losing the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry.

Chris Baldwin at CultureMap Houston says ESPN reminded Texas A&M fans why the school’s rivalry with Texas is ending when it promoted the Longhorn Network.

Midwest

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that Ndamukong Suh’s stomp on Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith got plenty of play on Fox yesterday.

Paul Christian of the Rochester Post (MN) Bulletin also writes about the TV reaction to Suh’s stomp.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says embattled Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin might be returning next season after all despite two arrests for DWI.

West

The Salt Lake Tribune’s Brian T. Smith says the Utah Jazz’s glory days can be seen on TV as fill for the NBA Lockout.

John Maffei at the North County Times reports that the San Diego Padres still have yet to sign a TV deal for next season.

Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star notes that LSU is playing another big game today on CBS.

Bill Shaikin from the Los Angeles Times says Fox is asking a judge for the Dodgers to throw in the parking lots in the team’s sale price rather than try to boost it and block its bid for the team’s media rights.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at some of the most dubious moments in sports media this year.

Joshua Myers of the Seattle Times notes that NBC is tapping Sounders voice Arlo White to be its MLS announcer.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says a new TSN documentary on the 20th anniversary of the Argonauts winning the CFL Grey Cup shows how far the team has sunk.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog goes inside the numbers of TSN’s coverage of this Sunday’s Grey Cup.

A Special Edition of Hockey Night in Canada Airs Sidney Crosby’s NHL Return on Monday

It’s a been long time since the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby has been on the ice. Due to his concussion on January 5, he’s missed a span of 61 regular season games. He’ll return on Monday with the Penguins as they take on the New York Islanders at the Consol Energy Center in the Steel City.

CBC sends its number one team, Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson with Glenn Healy on the ice.

The game will be sent throughout Canada. We have the special announcement from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

SIDNEY CROSBY TO MAKE HIS SEASON DEBUT ON CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA

Crosby returns to game action for the first time in 10 months on a special edition of CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA, Mon, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. ET

NHL superstar Sidney Crosby makes his highly anticipated return to the Pittsburgh Penguins line-up as they take on the New York Islanders on a special edition of CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA on Monday, November 21 at 7 p.m. ET.

The veteran play-by-play team of Jim Hughson and analyst Craig Simpson will call the game from the broadcast booth with Glenn Healy providing analysis from between the benches. Ron MacLean will set the stage for the game as he hosts from the CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA studio.

The Penguins’ captain has been out of the line-up since January 5, 2011, due to a concussion – a span of 61 consecutive regular-season games. The former league MVP and perennial all-star will rejoin his team at the start of a three-game home stand.

That does it.

Shoveling Through The Monday Links

Let’s do some links on this Monday. Some good stuff to get to.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that CBS’ Bill Cowher may make broadcasting a true second career after shooting down another coaching rumor.

At Fox Sports, Brian Lowry feels for the most part, Fox got the job done during the World Series.

Sports Business Journal has a very good roundtable featuring sports public relations pros discussing the in’s and out’s of their jobs and the increasing importance of social media.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that NFL Network is close to selling out its ads for Thursday Night Football which begins in a couple of weeks.

Interesting story from the hotel industry. Orly Ripmaster of Hotel News Now says room occupancy has jumped over 35% for Sunday Night Football games at the expense of Monday Night Football.

Toni Fitzgerald at Media Life Magazine says the World Series started out with a whimper, but ended with a ratings bang.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has video of Fox NFL Sunday’s Jimmy Johnson preferring death over taking Tiki Barber or Terrell Owens.

David Waldstein of the New York Times reports that the Yankees have opted to stay with WCBS-AM for one more season and thus John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman will return as well.

Someone check Phil Mushnick’s temperature. The New York Post media writer actually gives praise to an ESPN analyst today.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that Time Warner Cable will air three local high school football championship games.

Pete has the TWC local college basketball schedule.

And Pete has the TWC local college hockey schedule.

Bob Frye of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says TV and technology are cutting into the younger generation’s time in the great outdoors.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun feels former Ravens coach Brian Billick got the job done in the Fox booth for yesterday’s Arizona-Baltimore game.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes the media reaction to the DC NFL Team’s bad performance against Buffalo.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times looks at the weekend in sports television.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes Bill Cowher’s comments that he’s staying in TV for now.

David says Jags-Texans rated well locally.

This next set of links is on the passing of former Oklahoma and Oklahoma State radio voice Bob Barry, Sr. who passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday. Barry was not only the broadcaster for both the Sooners and Cowboys in a career than spanned 50 years, but also the sports director of KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City for 42 where he worked with his son, Barry, Jr. Barry retired just after last season and his death was shock to those who knew him.

Andy Rieger of the Norman (OK) Transcript has Barry’s obituary.

Clay Horning of the Transcript says you can’t measure Barry’s success.

John Klein of the Tulsa World says Barry was one of the good guys.

Berry Tramel of the Daily Oklahoman says Barry was part of the Sooner tradition.

Berry has highlights of Bob Barry, Sr.’s legendary 50 year career.

Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoman was truly a nice man.

John Rohe of the Oklahoman says Barry was one of the rare people who got to work both sides of the Bedlam rivalry game.

And at KFOR-TV, the station has this tribute.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter wonders why he can’t hear Ohio State football games in the local area.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business talks with Big Ten Conference Commissioner Jim Delany.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has Bob Costas’ salute to the Gateway City.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post talks about Joe Buck’s plagiarized call in Game 6 of the World Series.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes that Fox has more than a vested interest in the Dodgers bankruptcy case.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for this week.

Jimmy Bramlett of LAist tries to understand the phenomenon that is ESPN’s College GameDay.

David Shoalts in the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that a classic hockey movie gets a DVD release this week.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Globe and Mail wonders if the NHL can pick up the NBA’s slack.

Raju Mudhar in the Toronto Star notes that the Bills are finding ways to make their games in the Great White North profitable.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the regional schedule for Hockey Night in Canada in November.

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media says Versus did well with last week’s Buffalo-Tampa Bay game.

Steve has the national NHL TV schedules for this week.

Jon Bois of SB Nation feels NBC is doing Sunday Night Football the right way.

That’s going to do it for this set of links.

CBC Offers All Seven Canadian NHL Teams In Action Tonight

Canadians get a nice smorgasbord of hockey tonight. And for those subscribers to NHL Center Ice in the US and actually for everyone since the out of market pay per view package is still in a free preview, it’s a nice cornucopia of hockey as well.

CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada will have games featuring all seven Canadian NHL teams. There will be four games sent regionally to viewers at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The featured game will be Calgary at Toronto sent to most of the country. But CBC also has Colorado at Montreal, Ottawa at Washington and Winnipeg at Phoenix all in the early window.

The late game at 10 p.m. ET will feature Vancouver at Edmonton.

We have the press release from CBC.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA OFFERS UP A SUPER SATURDAY WITH ALL SEVEN CANADIAN TEAMS IN ACTION

All games available online at CBCSports.ca

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA presents five NHL games this Saturday, all of which are streamed live at CBCSports.ca, regardless of where you are in Canada.

The Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Calgary Flames will be broadcast nationally, outside of select markets, at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, at 10 p.m. ET.

Fans in Quebec will see the Montreal Canadiens take on the Colorado Avalanche. Ottawa and the Ottawa valley will see the Washington Capitals hosting the Ottawa Senators, while in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, the featured game will be the Winnipeg Jets vs. Phoenix Coyotes. All games are 7 p.m. ET starts.

That does it.

Some Thursday Links

I was hoping today would be quiet, but instead, the Hank Williams, Jr. story is released and all hell breaks loose. What can you do?

Anyway, let’s do some links while I can. With Hank Williams, Jr. being the stop story, I’ll start with those links first.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch.

USA Today’s Reid Cherner

Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter

Andrea Morabito in Broadcasting & Cable/Multichannel News

Leah Goldman with the Business Insider’s Sports Page

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir

Newsday’s Neil Best

The Los Angeles Daily News’ Tom Hoffarth

Sports Media Watch

The Big Lead

Awful Announcing

Yours Truly

I think those are enough links on Hank Williams, Jr.

Now to the other sports media stories of the day.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid says ESPN had Bobby Valentine and Herman Edwards get into an argument that made no sense.

Andrew Gauthier from Media Bistro’s TV Newser gets a video tour of the MLB Network studios. They’re nice.

Sports Video Group’s Ken Kerschbaumer remembers a legendary ABC Sports and Fox Sports director who passed away yesterday.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group writes about NHL Network getting a new master control area.

Bill Pennington of the New York Times profiles long-time Yankees radio voice John Sterling.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Syracuse’s game against Tulane will be seen in the New York area this Saturday.

The St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans notes the changes that Apple’s Steve Jobs made in TV viewing.

Chip Brown of OrangeBloods notes that the Longhorn Network will not air any high school highlights as part of a new agreement between Texas and the Big 12.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter remembers a local sportscaster who passed away today.

Craig Lyndall of Waiting For Next Year looks at the new Cleveland Cavs radio announcing team that will begin announcing the new season whenever the new season gets here.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that NBC’s Rodney Harrison is picking Green Bay to beat Atlanta on Sunday Night Football.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News takes a gander at the NFL TV ratings by market.

Tom has the college and pro football TV schedules for SoCal this weekend.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the Hockey Night in Canada regional splits for October.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog recaps some of the NHL TV partners offseason moves.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the viewership numbers for the NHL Opening Night numbers on US TV dating back to 2003.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page has the video of the Busch Stadium squirrel that wreaked havoc on yesterday’s Game 4 of the Phillies-Cardinals series. Of course, the squirrel now has its own Twitter account.

Joe Favorito says the lesson from Steve Jobs is never squash creativity.

And that’s where we’ll end it today.

Hockey Night in Canada Returns With A Vengeance

It seems just like yesterday when the Boston Bruins returned to their rightful place as Stanley Cup Champions. Ok, that’s an overstatement, but it seems like such a short time in between seasons and it is.

The 2011-12 NHL season begins on Thursday and CBC’s venerable Hockey Night in Canada, the longest running sports series in North America returns with games in a span of three out of the first four nights.

There’s a season opening doubleheader on Thursday involving the CBC’s two favorite markets, Toronto and Vancouver.

Then on Saturday, Hockey Night in Canada returns on it’s traditional night with Toronto taking on Ottawa and Pittsburgh visiting Calgary.

Finally on Sunday, CBC airs the return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL as they host Montreal.

On the off night Friday, CBC airs a special on the Jets return to Winnipeg.

With the new season comes some personnel changes. As Jeff Marek and Scott Morrison have left CBC for Rogers Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman takes over the I-Desk and David Amber of NHL Network becomes on-ice reporter for the main announcing team.

Here’s the CBC press release.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA LAUNCHES ITS 59th SEASON WITH MOLSON CANADIAN NHL FACE-OFF LIVE FROM WINNIPEG FOLLOWED BY BIG DOUBLE HEADER – THURSDAY, OCT. 6

The Maple Leafs take on the Canadiens followed by the Canucks versus the Penguins;
new weekly feature show “HNIC Game Day” premieres Saturday, Oct. 8

October 3, 2011 – The wait is finally over as CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA (@hockeynight) drops the puck on its 59th season with a dynamic, action-packed opening weekend featuring the best matchups, special events, features and broadcast talent in the industry. Plus, the Winnipeg Jets are back!

“The return of NHL action on CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is always cause for celebration, but it’s especially sweet this year as we say ‘welcome back’ to the great hockey city of Winnipeg and celebrate the return of the Winnipeg Jets,” said Julie Bristow, executive director of studio and unscripted programming for CBC Television.

It all gets underway on CBC Television, Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET, with NHL Face-Off, live from The Forks in Winnipeg, including live musical performances from Three Days Grace and hometown legends Bachman and Turner. Ron MacLean hosts the broadcast from the AirCanada Centre in Toronto, while CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos (@strombo) emcees the festivities from The Forks alongside new Hockey Night team member Andi Petrillo.

Following the celebration pre-game show, the game takes centre stage as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Montreal Canadiens, at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Vancouver Canucks versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, at 10 p.m. ET. Don Cherry makes his much-anticipated return with Coach’s Corner inthe first intermission of Leafs-Habs. Fans will also be treated to coverage of the Stanley Cup banner raising in Boston.

New to the CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA lineup is the weekly show HNIC Game Day, a full hour of hockey coverage every Saturday, debuting Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. ET. Hosted by the team’s newest member, Andi Petrillo, and veteran P.J. Stock, this one-hour show will set the table for the evening’s games, and also feature stories and interviews about the culture of hockey with the players, personalities and famous Canadians that love the game. Hockey Night favourite Stock begins his fifth season with the broadcast, while fan favourite Petrillo joins from Leafs TV, where she hosted and reported.

Saturday night then sees Hockey Tonight, at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by Ottawa at Toronto, at 7 p.m. ET, and Pittsburgh at Calgary, at 10 p.m. ET.

Rounding out the weekend, one of the most anticipated hockey games in recent memory, as the Winnipeg Jets return to the NHL against the Montreal Canadiens, Sunday, Oct. 9, live from Winnipeg. Hockey Tonight sets it all up, at 4 p.m. ET, then the puck drops at 5 p.m. ET. Prior to the game, glimpse the passion this city feels for their team with the documentary Fuelled by Passion – The Return of the Jets, an in-depth look at the re-birth of the NHL in Winnipeg and what it means to fans, players, teams and the league. It airs both Friday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT), and Sunday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. ET.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’s schedule this season includes special events such as the 2012 NHL Winter Classic featuring an outdoor game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers; the 2012 NHL All-Star SuperSkills and 59th NHL All-Star Game from Ottawa; and the much-anticipated Hockey Day in Canada, the 12th annual day-long celebration of the game featuring four Canadian matchups and coverage from Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I., on Feb. 11.

Coach’s Corner will be back every Saturday, with the legendary Don Cherry in his 32nd season with CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA. The Hotstove also returns with MacLean, Mike Milbury, Kelly Hrudey (@KellyHrudey), Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC), Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) and P.J Stock as regular contributors, providing commentary on the latest issues and rumours around the NHL. After Hours with hosts Scott Oake (@ScottOake) and Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) rounds out the full night of hockey with live post-game interviews featuring NHL players and personalities.

New this year is Elliotte Friedman’s role. He’ll be manning the iDesk, taking viewers behind the headlines with his insider reporting on the game’s biggest stories. Jim Hughson, Bob Cole, Mark Lee and Dean Brown will provide hockey fans from across the country with the very best in play-by-play. Expert analysts Craig Simpson, Glenn Healy, Greg Millen (@GregMillen), Garry Galley, Weekes, Hrudey and Milbury all return this season, and rink-side reporting duties and expert analysis will be provided by Elliotte Friedman, Cassie Campbell-Pascal (@CassieCampbell) and Oake.

Joining the all-star cast this season is David Amber (@DavidAmber), CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’s newest Eastern Conference rink-side reporter, while newcomers Rick Ball and Daryl Reaugh will join the West Coast broadcast team covering the Jets, Flames and Oilers.

Former NHL front office executive, author and veteran radio personality Gord Stellick (@GordStellick) also joins the Hockey Night family as host on HNIC Radio on SIRIUS Satellite Radio beginning Oct. 3 on Channel 97 and Chanel 127, airing Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.E.T. Stellick will be joined by co-hosts Hrudey, Simpson and Campbell throughout the season to provide insight and analysis on all matters in the world of hockey.

The complete broadcast schedule of the 2011-12 season is available on the newly re-designed CBCSports.ca, the fan’s online home for hockey. Along with its new look providing enhanced navigation for fans, the site will continue to include up-to-the-minute hockey news, live and on-demand video streaming of every game and expert blogs, including Friedman’s 30 Thoughts column, and regular insights from Tim Wharnsby (@WharnsCBCSports). Also new this year, are re-designs for Hockey Night’s popular iPhone and iPad applications, keeping fans up to date with instant access to stats and results from all NHL games, along with live streaming.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
Oct. 6 – 9, 2011

Thursday, Oct. 6:
6:30 p.m. ET – NHL Face-Off
7 p.m. ET – Montreal at Toronto
10 p.m. ET – Pittsburgh at Vancouver

Friday, Oct. 7:
8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – Fuelled by Passion – The Return of the Jets

Saturday, Oct. 8:
5 p.m. ET – HNIC Game Day
6:30 p.m. ET – Hockey Tonight
7 p.m. ET – Ottawa at Toronto
10 p.m. ET – Pittsburgh at Calgary

Sunday, Oct. 9:
3 p.m. ET – Fuelled by Passion – The Return of the Jets
4 p.m. ET – Hockey Tonight
5 p.m. ET – Montreal at Winnipeg

And we’re done.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday Megalinks Or The Return of Linkage

Due to being at jobsites for the last few days, I haven’t been able post links like I’ve wanted to. I apologize for that. I have tried to be diligent in updating as much as I can.

I have quite a bit to catch up with. I may be a blogging machine as I have to post a lot of things today. Plus, I to get ready to head to New York tomorrow for Blogs with Balls 4 so I’m going to be quite busy. Let’s get to the linkage.

But first, there’s always the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment planning.

National

John Ourand at Sports Business Journal writes that ESPN will do everything it can to head off NBC/Versus at the pass.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch asks if sports broadcasting and politics should mix?

Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press says the Big 12′s TV contracts helped to keep the conference together for now.

The Nielsen Ratings Wire blog notes that among various TV programming, sports in primetime continues to do well.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks with CBS/WFAN/Westwood One’s Boomer Esiason on how the NFL should investigate the Dallas Cowboys’ medical staff for clearing Tony Romo to play last Sunday.

Mike says ESPN is denying any responsibility for the recent college football chaos and says the Longhorn Network doesn’t have anything to do with it. I think Texas A&M, Missouri and other Big 12 schools would beg to differ.

Bob Velin of USA Today writes that CBS’ 48 Hours Mystery program will investigate the mysterious and unsettling death of boxer Arturo Gatti.

Mike McCarthy and Michael Hiestand of USA Today debate whether schools or TV wield the power in college sports.

John Taylor of College Football Talk writes that Brett Favre gets his first taste of being an analyst next week for CSS.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reports that the FCC has ruled that Cablevision-owned MSG Network cannot withhold its HD signal to other cable providers violating program-access rules.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that YES received its second highest rating ever for the American League East Division clinching game this week.

Mike says Golf Channel and NBC Sports are teaming up for a promotion to give a lucky viewer of “The Big Break” a chance to win a trip to see Notre Dame play in Ireland next year.

Tim Nudd of Adweek says the NFL has pulled an ad for its fantasy football product which used a picture of Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles after he was injured last week.

David Lieberman of Deadline reports that Time Warner Cable is planning to offer a low cost tier that will not include ESPN in the lineup.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown calling Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones something else.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has the sixth and perhaps final installment of New Era’s Yankees-Red Sox Alec Baldwin-John Kraskinski ads. They have been quite good. This latest one may have taken it a bit too far.

Also from SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty reviews the ESPN Films documentary “Catching Hell”, on Steve Bartman and the 2003 Chicago Cubs.

Sports Media Watch talks with the crew of ESPN’s College GameDay.

SMW says despite being on tape delay, Fox drew a decent audience for its first English Premier League game on Sunday.

SMW notes that the ratings for CBS’ 2nd game of its NFL doubleheader dropped from last year.

SMW says the NBA lockout has forced the cancellation of the start of training camp and over 40 preseason games.

And SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

Joe Favorito looks at one imaginative marketing campaign that helped Eye Black this week.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell reviews “Moneyball.”

Darren has some interesting facts on sports participation in America.

Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group looks at how CBS Sports Network was able to bring the Tim Brando Show into a TV simulcast from his base in Shreveport, LA.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.

Ben Koo from AA says tomorrow is when Gus Johnson and FX get their real grand opening in college football.

At The Stir, Maressa Brown feels ESPN’s Erin Andrews is unqualified to demonstrate CrossFit.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that WEEI’s Glenn Ordway has suffered a rather severe pay cut due to lower ratings for his afternoon drive show.

At SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch looks at a busy week in local sports media news.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette writes that Dale Arnold is pleased to be back with NESN after leaving in 2007.

Lang Whitaker and Ian Lovett of the New York Times give us an inside look at DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel and NFL Network’s RedZone.

John Jeansonne of Newsday reviews ESPN Films’ documentary on transgendered tennis player Renee Richards.

Newsday’s Neil Best says fans seem to be buying into the New York Islanders’ future.

Claire Atkinson of the New York Post has news that some Time Warner Cable subscribers have been waiting for, that the company appears to be close to a carriage agreement with NFL Network.

Phil Mushnick at the Post can’t stand ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Justin Terranova of the Post says last month’s Russian plane crash that killed 44 members of the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl really hit home for MSG Network analyst Joe Micheletti.

And Justin has five questions for Joe.

Lou Lumenick of the Post says “Moneyball” is one of the best baseball movies of all-time.

I’ll break my self-imposed embargo on the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman for a week for this story on the Yankees’ radio rights which are in flux and so are the fates of broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that MSG Network has named Steve Cangialosi to replace Mike “Doc” Emrick on New Jersey Devils games.

And Pete talks with Steve about his new gig.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette is not a fan of a new local sports talk show host.

Ken notes that NBC Sports is extending its “Summer at Saratoga” series for at least two more years.

At Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has announced its Capitals and Wizards schedules.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the college football conference merry-go-round could have some legal ramifications.

Jim says the ratings for the NFL in both Baltimore and Washington were very strong.

South

In the Miami Herald, Joseph Goodman notes the irony of ESPN possibly saving college football from massive chaos.

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel catches up with ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer.

Jeff Sentell of the Birmingham (AL) News says ESPN is not ponying up to air high school games from the region.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that an Astros broadcaster is celebrating 25 years with the club.

David asks readers if they find the idea of the Longhorn Network offensive.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says an Oklahoma State wide receiver will be profiled on ESPN’s College GameDay.

Midwest

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Cleveland MLB team radio voice Mike Hegan is leaving he broadcast after this season.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Reds voice Marty Brennaman can’t campaign on-air for his former partner Joe Nuxhall for the Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick Award.

Micahel Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press wonders why the DirecTV/NBC series “Friday Night Lights” didn’t do better in the ratings.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says actor Brad Pitt saw “Moneyball” as a compelling story.

Bob says the Green Bay Packers will be showcased aplenty in the late afternoon window on both CBS and Fox this season.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship failed to draw viewers away from the NFL on Sunday.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with WMAQ-TV sports anchor Paula Ferris.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders why Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin has been missing of late.

Kevin Haskin of the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal writes that CBS Sports Network was in town to air an NCAA Division II football game this week.

West

Jay Posner from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Big Ten Network won’t allow the local Cox system to pick up Saturday’s San Diego State-Michigan game on a one-time only basis.

The North County Times’ John Maffei writes that unless fans can find a sports bar, they’ll have to listen to San Diego State on the radio.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says it’s too bad Southern California couldn’t see the end of the exciting Oakland-Buffalo game due to silly NFL rules.

Jim says HBO will replay last Saturday’s controversial Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says a bankruptcy court has given the Dodgers permission to change their flagship radio station for next season.

Tom says the NFL secondary market rule needs to be changed.

Tom also has a few notes that he couldn’t get into his Friday column.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News looks at the Pac-12′s decision to stand pat, TV’s role in the whole thing and where BYU may be headed.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC’s P.J. Stock is regretting his initial comments on Wade Belak’s death.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog is not so fast to forgive P.J.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC has made some additions to its Hockey Night in Canada crew.

And there you have it for your links today.

Friday Megalinks Just For You

Let’s do some linkage.

The Weekend Viewing Picks give you everything to you need for your viewing pleasure.

Let’s do this.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that primetime is the right time for college football.

Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Daily reports that ESPN has sold out its ad inventory for its new NASCAR non-stop initiative which will allow fans to see continuous race action while commercials run.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says NFL Network used some creative methods in Boston to promote its Bill Belichick documentary.

If you watched the Belichick documentary, then you probably know about the best scene which was the coach yelling at the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Mason who was trash talking. Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the video.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group notes that Sports Illustrated has released a new Football Rivals mobile app.

Sports Media Watch says ABC is doing well with college football in its first two weeks of the season.

SMW notes that last Saturday’s Notre Dame-Michigan game on ESPN in primetime did better than the previous week’s Fighting Irish game on NBC.

SMW says last week’s NASCAR race in Richmond garnered a four year ratings high for ABC.

Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page says sports bars got hit the hardest by DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket technical difficulties last week.

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media has NHL Network’s preseason schedule that begins next week.

Joe Favorito says sports brands are now jumping into the corn field maze craze.

Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.

Parade talks with ESPN’s Erin Andrews.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe writes about some ex-Patriots players who have made the transition to TV.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald talks about 98.5 The Sports Hub winning the prestigious Marconi for Best Sports Station in the country over a former winner, WEEI.

Bill Doyle at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette praises the NFL Films documentary on Bill Belichick.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir looks at a rare film that followed the late Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto and other ex-Pinstripers to Austria for an exhibition game in 1994.

Daniel E. Slotnick of the Times writes that former New York Jet and broadcaster Sam DeLuca has passed away.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with statistician Steve Hirdt about his career and getting to work a “home” game for this week’s edition of Monday Night Football.

Neil says SNY is fortunate to have the Jets as a partner to help viewers forget about the Mets.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is angry at everyone.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for YES analyst Ken Singleton.

Jerry Barmash in Fishbowl NY writes that MSG Network brings back its signature hockey studio show for another season.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that local sports anchor Andrew Catalon gets a call-up to the NFL on CBS in October.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record talks with MLB Network’s Brian Kenny about why he left ESPN after almost a decade and a half.

Ken has more with Brian Kenny in his column.

Ken is tired of NHL Network rerunning last season’s playoffs.

South

Serena Moyle of the Tallahassee (FL) Democrat profiles ESPN’s Erin Andrews as she’s in town for the Oklahoma-Florida State game.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says you watched the NFL in droves last week.

David says ESPN is treating Longhorn Network differently than its other entities.

Mel Bracht from the Daily Oklahoman writes that Longhorn Network will pick up one Oklahoma State basketball game.

Mel has some news and notes.

Gina Mizell of the Oklahoman says ESPN is keeping a close eye on Oklahoma State and Texas A&M for a potential College GameDay visit.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Fox Sports Ohio expands its pregame show tomorrow to air highlights of Johnny Bench Night.

John says a local radio station has fired a long-time sports reporter and other parts of its staff.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with a long-time Division II college football radio voice.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says some local Time Warner Cable subscribers will have access to this Saturday’s Wisconsin game.

Bob explains why the Wisconsin game isn’t on TV.

Bob says the Brewers’ Prince Fielder will be seen in a profile on TBS Sunday.

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

Dan Caesar in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says all of the Blues games will be televised for the first time ever.

West

Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that ESPN’s deal with BYU has now become a recruiting tool for the school.

Matt Solinsky of the Desert (CA) Sun says the NFL Network documentary on Patriots coach Bill Belichick is definitely “must see TV”.

John Maffei from the North County Times tries to discover what the holdup is for the San Diego Padres’ TV and radio rights.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says Time Warner Cable has signed a long-term deal for California’s high school championships.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times talks with the Fox NFL Sunday crew.

T.J. Simers of the Times writes that Vin Scully can cause trouble at home.

Also from the Times, Eric Sondheimer has details of the Time Warner deal with the California Interscholastic Federation.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Jay “The Rat” Mariotti is determined to get the last word on his tumultuous year.

Tom has some media moves that didn’t make his column.

Tom says MLB Network will air a special on statistics.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says an 8 year delay will help Steve Moore in his lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi and the NHL stemming from an incident in Vancouver.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has finally made some moves to fill some personnel holes.

And that’s going to conclude the links for this Friday.

Finally Back To Linking

The last couple of days have been tough to provide links as I was out of the office. Glad to be back linking again, although you never know if I’ll be called away again. I’ll try to do what I can.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today attended the NFL on CBS media day on Tuesday which introduced the network’s announcing teams for this season. Mike got some interesting quotage from NFL Today analyst Boomer Esiason on Denver Broncos third string QB Tim Tebow.

Mike reported earlier this week that ESPN’s Brian Kenny is leaving the network to possibly take a position with MLB Network.

Erik Brady of USA Today writes that the late Al McGuire’s granddaughter, once a basketball player at Virginia, is now an accomplished model.

John Ourand at Sports Business Journal chronicles what NBC Sports Group is doing to position Versus as a major player in sports television.

Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable says CBS Sports officials were worried about a potential NFL lockout, but continued to sell ads and carried on with its business of getting ready for this season.

Tim Baysinger of  B&C has Marv Albert pleasantly surprised to be calling the NFL on TV again.

Over to Multichannel News and Mike Reynolds who writes that the Pac-12 Conference has hired a sports media veteran to run its seven Pac-12 Networks.

Mike says Tennis Channel has signed a new deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative that takes it off sports tiers on member’s cable systems.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel says MTV2 will air some live Lingerie Football League games starting on Friday.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that concerns over the NFL lockout led advertisers to turn to college football for commercial buys.

Crupi adds that NFL Network has signed up another cable provider leaving Cablevision and Time Warner as the last two major holdouts.

Gregg Rosenthal of Pro Football Talk writes that former Patriots, Dolphins and Saints running back Heath Evans will retire and join NFL Network’s large cadre of analysts.

Mike Florio of PFT says NFL owners realize that empty stadiums don’t make for exciting TV.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser writes that ESPN is hiring another WWE veteran to join its on-air staff.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid notes that ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown crew was dressed in SWAT uniforms for an promo shoot.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says the Baltimore Ravens are successfully producing all home preseason TV games in-house rather than outsource production to a local TV or cable network.

The Big Lead’s Barry Janoff recaps the NFL on CBS Media Day.

Rich Arden at ESPN’s Front Row PR blog says you can now put the Monday Night Football schedule into your Google calendar. Seriously!

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes that if it’s US Open time, then it must mean another battle between Cablevision and Tennis Channel.

Richard says after many repeated offers, MetLife is finally taking the plunge and buying the naming rights to the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Barry Bearak of the Times profiles former play-by-play announcer Dom Valentino who’s currently fighting several life battles.

Richard Huff of the New York Daily News reports that WCBS-TV sports anchor and sometimes CBS Sports reporter Sam Ryan is leaving to take a job with MLB Network.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks at MetLife slapping its name on New Meadowlands Stadium for a rather large fee.

During Tuesday’s NFL on CBS Media Day, Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union asked CBS Sports President Sean McManus about a few non-NFL related issues.

Pete says 18 years later, CBS NFL analyst Steve Tasker is still correcting those who think it was he who prevented Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett from scoring at Super Bowl XXVII.

Ken Schott in the Schenectady Gazette says the University of Albany is shifting its football season opener to a different radio station as its flagship has a conflict.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that Time Warner Cable won’t be airing any local high school football games this season.

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel talks with ESPN College GameDay analyst Desmond Howard about his new book and his usage of social media.

Henry Unger of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution speaks with NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus about replacing the former Emperor Dick Ebersol.

Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says the ESPN College GameDay crew will be in Austin to help launch the Longhorn Network.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Longhorn Network’s immediate future looks rather murky right now.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman notes that former Sooners safety Roy Williams will be a part of the school’s radio broadcasts this season.

Mel says the NFL preseason topped the local TV ratings.

Mike Baldwin of the Oklahoman says ESPN’s All-Access series on the Sooners is compelling TV.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Bengals garnered a huge local rating on Sunday.

John says the new Joe Morgan radio show is being heard locally.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will appear weekly on the local NBC station.

The Provo (UT) Daily Herald notes that ESPN has released the 2011-12 West Coast Conference men’s basketball schedule.

Ryan Casey of the Denver Post tells us that Root Sports Rocky Mountain will air the state high school football and basketball championships this year.

The Reno (NV) Gazette-Journal reports NFL Network will be seen on the local cable provider this season.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC is shooting down claims that it’s biased against Western Canadian NHL teams in its new Hockey Night in Canada schedule.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog says TSN and CBC are teaming up for coverage of this weekend’s LPGA Canadian Women’s Open.

Sports Media Watch says the PGA Championship’s ratings fell to a three year low.

SMW also has some various ratings news and notes.

Daniel Feuerstein of MLS Talk feels NBC will be a big boost for Major League Soccer.

Joe Favorito writes that Fordham University has been a fertile training ground for several of NYC’s sports voices.

Last night, I had the privilege to be a guest on the Sports-Casters podcast. Steven Bennett and Don Russ interviewed me on several subjects including the NFL on CBS, Marv Albert’s role at CBS, Joe Buck’s voice, NBC Sports Group, Olympics and a whole plethora of topics. I’m at 1:17:14 into the podcast. Michael Fabiano is also on so give it a listen.

The only Steeler fan I really like, Steelergurl, explains why she hasn’t been blogging lately. Get well soon, Lahne.

Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth looks at what NBC Sports Group is doing to improve Versus.

And that is going to finish out the links today.

The Friday Night Megalinks

I’ve been to Newton, MA and back, South Kingstown, RI and back and all over my hometown of North Kingstown, RI and all of this today. It’s time to do the megalinks and get them all done in one sitting.

There’s the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment programming.

National

Sports Business Daily goes over the UFC/Fox agreement that will put four live MMA events on network TV and plenty of ancillary programming on Fox’s cable networks.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that Fox Sports Media Group El Presidente Por Vida David Hill has done an about face on airing Mixed Martial Arts.

Sergio Non of USA Today writes that UFC will revamp its shows when they move from Spike and Versus to Fox’s networks.

Sergio has those who will take part in the first UFC on Fox card in November.

Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center that the success of the UFC on Fox all depends on whether the sport can have a breakout star.

Dave Meltzer at Yahoo! says UFC President Dana White couldn’t be happier in making this deal with Fox.

Also from Yahoo!, Kevin Iole says it will be the fighters who will benefit the most from the new UFC on Fox contract.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser has Spike announcing that the new season of UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter will be the last on its airwaves, naturally.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek looks into the particulars of the UFC on Fox deal.

Bill Cromwell of Media Life Magazine writes that the Fox contract gives UFC some instant mainstream credibility.

There will be more UFC on Fox stories sprinkled throughout the megalinks. Let’s move on to other stories now.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Tim Goodman wonders if Showtime’s “The Franchise” is bringing down the San Francisco Giants this season.

Georg Szalai of the Reporter reports that Comcast has withdrawn a lawsuit against DirecTV over an ad campaign for NFL Sunday Ticket.

David Goetzl of MediaPost notes that DirecTV plans to expand its fantasy offerings for NFL Sunday Ticket.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at Versus/NBC Sports Network’s new exclusive NHL night in the first year of its new 10 year contract with the league.

Andrew McMains of Adweek looks at a new inspiring web video produced for the US Olympic Committee.

All Access says the ESPN Radio affiliate in Minnesota’s Twin Cities has chosen the hosts for its midday show.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy explores which teams won and lost in the new NHL TV schedules.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser writes that former voice of the North Carolina Tar Heels, Woody Durham, will be honored for his contributions to college football.

The Big Lead wonders if Jay Bilas is the most respected voice at ESPN.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid investigates how former 2 Live Crew leader Luther Campbell managed to appear to appear on the Dan Patrick Show and the Colin Cowherd Show at the same time.

And Tim presents the Atlanta Braves’ Shake Cam and how it can make fans a bit too excited.

Sports Media Watch says the U-20 World Cup is scoring for Galavision.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has a look at some interesting sports media typos.

Matt shows us how the Baseball Tonight crew had trouble demonstrating its new touchscreen.

Joe Favorito looks at what’s new with professional lacrosse.

Patrick Stafford of Smart Company in Australia speaks with the owner of Footytips.com about how he sold his site to ESPN.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe says the limited classic programming on NBA TV during the current league lockout can only take the channel so far.

Sox & Dawgs has the video of NESN’s Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy wearing chicken hats in the booth.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes on how regional sports networks have increasing power and money to be a game changer for some professional teams.

Richard looks at the UFC on Fox deal that puts Mixed Martial Arts into the mainstream.

Dan Levin from the Times has a good story on how some athletes in Communist China are trying to buck their archaic system.

Mark DeCambre of the New York Post notes that the new Meadowlands Stadium now will have a sponsor when the new NFL season begins.

Justin Terranova in the Post looks at how Fordham University was a training ground for several NYC announcers.

Justin has five questions for SNY Jets analyst Anthony Becht.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes about Fox signing UFC for seven years.

Pete says local sports anchor Andrew Catalon’s call of tonight’s Browns-Lions game will be seen on NFL Network this weekend.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says a local radio station will air a full high school football schedule.

Ken says the NBC Sports Group is increasing its commitment to horse racing this fall.

And Ken writes that a new local sports radio talk show will be debuting soon.

To Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record who says the New York Rangers will be featured extensively on the national NHL TV schedules.

Crossing Broad has the audio of Philadelphia’s sports radio station WIP announcement that it’s taking over WYSP’s FM frequency killing off a heritage rock station.

Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Daily News says ‘YSP staffers were melancholy about CBS Radio’s announcement killing off the station.

Jeff Wolfe of the Delaware County Times writes about WIP’s displacement of WYSP just as the rocker’s ratings were increasing.

Mike White in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says two local high school games hit the ESPN family of networks this fall.

Shelly Anderson of the Post-Gazette says the Penguins TV announcing crew will return for another season.

In the Baltimore Sun, David Zurawik explains where Ravens fans can find the team on TV and radio.

Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com writes in Press Box that the Ravens did extremely well in the ratings in both Baltimore and Washington, DC in their NFL preseason opener.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with DC NFL Team radio voice Larry Michael.

And Jim writes that the Washington Capitals will have plenty of appearances on NBC/Versus (NBC Sports Network).

Mike Madden in the Washington City Paper says the local sports anchor is becoming a thing of the past.

Keith Loria of the Fairfax (VA) Times says native Lindsay Czarniak is about to make her debut on ESPN.

South

The Charleston (WV) Gazette notes that Root Sports Pittsburgh will carry some West Virginia and Marshall programming.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Bob Griese will be joining the Miami Dolphins radio broadcast team replacing the late Jim Mandich.

Andy Kent of the Miami Dolphins website has Griese’s thoughts about joining the broadcast team and also sharing thoughts about Mandich.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has some thoughts on the UFC/Fox deal, the Little League World Series on TV and CBS’ production of the PGA Championship.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel says Yahoo! Sports does a better job of investigating college sports than the NCAA.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that Saturday’s US National Gymnastics championships get a network primetime slot.

Mike Finger and Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News says the Longhorn Network hasn’t given up on airing high school football games in one form or another.

The Daily Oklahoman’s Mel Bracht looks at UFC getting a big payday from Fox.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer talks with NBC’s Cris Collinsworth who’s going into his third season as Sunday Night Football analyst.

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal now knows why DirecTV was so willing to give him a free subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket after learning that the service will be offered to Sony Playstation 3 owners.

The Grand Rapids (MI) Press’ Michael Zuidema notes that a Big Ten Network analyst feels Nebraska is a perfect fit for the conference.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is amazed at ESPN’s ever-expanding army of NFL analysts and mountain of NFL programming.

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

Scott Dochterman in the Iowa City Gazette says NFL Network has picked up Mediacom for cable subscribers in the Hawkeye State.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says it’s not known which network will air the October 15th contest between BYU and Oregon State.

Dick Harmon of the Deseret (UT) News speaks with BYUtv’s Executive Director in a lengthy interview. Part I of which is here. Read Part II here.

Larry Bohannan at the Desert (CA) Sun says there’s evidence of not much live golf shown in a PGA Tour telecast.

John Maffei of the North County Times weighs the pros and cons of airing the Little League World Series.

In the Ventura County Star, Jim Carlisle looks at the contrasting opinions that John and Patrick McEnroe had on the state of American tennis on HBO’s Real Sports this week.

Jim explores the UFC on Fox deal.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times says Fox paid a pretty penny to get UFC into the fold.

Meg James of the Times also writes about the UFC on Fox deal.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says when it came down to it, Fox didn’t have much of a choice but to sign UFC.

Tom says one sidebar to the UFC on Fox deal is the fact that Fox Sports Radio will also air MMA events.

Tom writes that former Dodgers radio voice Ross Porter has found his latest gig, calling high school sports online.

Canada

The Toronto Globe and Mail’s Bruce Dowbiggin feels TSN Radio isn’t getting the job done.

The Winnipeg Free Press notes that the Jets will get 22 games aired on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

And the number of links today are hearken back to the first two years of this blog. Lots of links. That’s it.

2011-12 CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada Schedule

On CBC, fans will have access to as many as 109 regular season games. This includes a season opening doubleheader on Thursday, October 6 involving Montreal at Toronto and Pittsburgh at Vancouver. CBC will also have extensive coverage of All-Star Weekend from Ottawa on January 28-29. And there’s the fabled Hockey Day in Canada on February 11, 2012 which will feature all seven Canadian teams including the relocated Winnipeg Jets.

We have CBC’s press release and then the schedule following that.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA ANNOUNCES 2011-12 SEASON SCHEDULE

109-game schedule starting with pre-season action Sept. 24; Regular season opens Oct. 6 with NHL Face-Off featuring Montreal at Toronto; NHL returns to Winnipeg Oct. 9

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA returns this September with a total of 29 all-Canadian match-ups and the game’s biggest stars, announcing a 109-game broadcast schedule (including pre-season games) for the 2011-12 season. The 2011-12 schedule features 22 Winnipeg Jets games, 28 Montreal Canadiens games, 26 Toronto Maple Leafs games, 20 Ottawa Senators games, 17 Vancouver Canucks games, 13 Edmonton Oilers games and 12 Calgary Flames games.

CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA will get fans primed for the season with two pre-season Saturday night doubleheaders, on Sept. 24 with Toronto at Buffalo and Anaheim at Vancouver, and Oct. 1 with Detroit at Toronto and Edmonton at Vancouver.  The re-born Winnipeg Jets will be seen for the first time on Sept. 26 in the Hockeyville game against Ottawa.

The 59^th regular season of CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA begins Thursday, Oct. 6, with NHL Face-Off featuring an Original Six contest between Montreal and Toronto, at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Pittsburgh battling Vancouver at 10 p.m. ET. The action continues on Saturday, Oct. 8, as pre-game show Hockey Tonight makes its regular season debut at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by Ottawa at Toronto at 7 p.m. ET, and then Pittsburgh at Calgary at 10 p.m. ET.  The next day on Sunday, Oct. 9, the Jets make their return to the NHL at home against the Canadiens at 5 pm ET.

Once again, all season long viewers will be able to watch the CBC game of their choice with live and on-demand streaming of all games, special features and much more, available at CBCSports.ca.

CBC remains the home of the NHL’s marquee events including the 2012 NHL All-Star Super Skills and 59^th NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 28/29 from Ottawa, and the 12^th annual Hockey Day in Canada from Prince Edward Island on Feb. 11. The NHL regular season will wrap on April 7, and the season culminates with the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs and CBC’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final. Complete broadcast details for the upcoming season of CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA will be available in the coming weeks. Additional games may be added to the broadcast schedule closer to the start of the season.

** Broadcast schedule below **

2011-12 NHL ON CBC SCHEDULE

DAY	DATE	VISITOR	HOME	EASTERN TIME	LOCAL TIME
Thu.	10/6	Montreal	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Thu.	10/6	Pittsburgh	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/8	Ottawa	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/8	Pittsburgh	Calgary	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sun.	10/9	Montreal	Winnipeg	5:00 PM	4:00 PM
Sat.	10/15	Calgary	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/15	Colorado	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/15	Ottawa	Washington	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/15	Winnipeg	Phoenix	7:00 PM	4:00 PM
Sat.	10/15	Vancouver	Edmonton	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	10/22	Toronto	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/22	Columbus	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/22	Carolina	Winnipeg	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	10/22	N.Y. Rangers	Edmonton	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	10/29	Ottawa	N.Y. Rangers	3:00 PM	3:00 PM
Sat.	10/29	Pittsburgh	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/29	Boston	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/29	Winnipeg	Tampa Bay	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	10/29	Washington	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/5	Boston	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/5	Buffalo	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/5	Winnipeg	New Jersey	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/5	Montreal	N.Y. Rangers	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/5	Edmonton	Phoenix	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/12	Ottawa	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/12	Winnipeg	Columbus	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/12	Montreal	Nashville	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	11/12	Calgary	Colorado	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	11/19	Philadelphia	Winnipeg	3:00 PM	2:00 PM
Sat.	11/19	Washington	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/19	N.Y. Rangers	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/19	Chicago	Edmonton	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	11/26	Edmonton	Colorado	7:00 PM	5:00 PM
Sat.	11/26	Winnipeg	Boston	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/26	Pittsburgh	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	11/26	Vancouver	San Jose	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/3	Montreal	Los Angeles	3:30 PM	12:30 PM
Sat.	12/3	Toronto	Boston	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/3	Ottawa	Washington	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/3	New Jersey	Winnipeg	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	12/3	Calgary	Edmonton	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	12/10	Montreal	New Jersey	1:00 PM	1:00 PM
Sat.	12/10	Vancouver	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/10	Winnipeg	Detroit	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/10	Edmonton	Calgary	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	12/17	Vancouver	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/17	New Jersey	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/17	Anaheim	Winnipeg	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	12/17	Edmonton	San Jose	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/31	Montreal	Florida	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/31	Ottawa	Buffalo	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	12/31	Toronto	Winnipeg	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	12/31	Vancouver	Los Angeles	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Mon.	1/2	N.Y. Rangers	Philadelphia	1:00 PM	1:00 PM
Sat.	1/7	Winnipeg	Buffalo	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	1/7	Detroit	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	1/7	Tampa Bay	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	1/7	Minnesota	Calgary	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	1/14	N.Y. Rangers	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	1/14	Ottawa	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	1/14	New Jersey	Winnipeg	3:00 PM	2:00 PM
Sat.	1/14	Los Angeles	Calgary	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	1/21	Montreal	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	1/21	Florida	Winnipeg	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	1/21	Calgary	Edmonton	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	2/4	Washington	Montreal	2:00 PM	2:00 PM
Sat.	2/4	Toronto	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	2/4	Detroit	Edmonton	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sun.	2/5	Winnipeg	Montreal	2:00 PM	2:00 PM
Sat.	2/11	Winnipeg	Pittsburgh	2:00 PM	2:00 PM
Sat.	2/11	Edmonton	Ottawa	2:00 PM	2:00 PM
Sat.	2/11	Montreal	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	2/11	Vancouver	Calgary	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	2/18	Toronto	Vancouver	7:00 PM	4:00 PM
Sat.	2/18	Calgary	Los Angeles	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sun.	2/19	New Jersey	Montreal	6:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	2/25	St. Louis	Winnipeg	2:00 PM	1:00 PM
Sat.	2/25	Washington	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	2/25	Boston	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	2/25	Philadelphia	Calgary	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Thu.	3/1	Minnesota	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/3	Toronto	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/3	Buffalo	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/10	Philadelphia	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/10	Buffalo	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/10	Montreal	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Fri.	3/16	Montreal	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/17	N.Y. Islanders	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/17	Toronto	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/17	Columbus	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/24	N.Y. Rangers	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/24	Pittsburgh	Ottawa	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/24	Montreal	Philadelphia	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/24	Winnipeg	Nashville	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	3/24	Vancouver	Colorado	10:00 PM	8:00 PM
Sat.	3/31	Ottawa	Philadelphia	1:00 PM	1:00 PM
Sat.	3/31	Buffalo	Toronto	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/31	Montreal	Washington	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/31	Winnipeg	Tampa Bay	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	3/31	Calgary	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	4/7	Ottawa	New Jersey	3:00 PM	3:00 PM
Sat.	4/7	Toronto	Montreal	7:00 PM	7:00 PM
Sat.	4/7	Tampa Bay	Winnipeg	7:00 PM	6:00 PM
Sat.	4/7	Edmonton	Vancouver	10:00 PM	7:00 PM

That’s all.

Some Thursday Linkage

Let’s provide a few links on this Thursday. Another rainy day in Southern New England. What joy.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News reports that HBO Pay Per View has signed Floyd Mayweather to his next fight in September.

Anthony Crupi at Adweek writes that the NBC Sports Group will make GolfChannnel.com into a more ad and social media-friendly site.

Bill Cromwell of Media Life says the NFL’s TV partners are hopeful in hearing that a new agreement is close between the league and its players association.

Ben Axelrod of SportsGrid has video of a Marine on Fox Sports Midwest playfully calling for the death of Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay. At least I hope so.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at what’s going on with the NFL collective bargaining talks.

All Access reports that a San Francisco radio station will flip to ESPN Deportes on Friday.

Michael Starr of the New York Post says there’s an online petition circulating appealing to Fox to have Vin Scully have a role at one last World Series. I can support that and will! You can go here to add your name to the petition.

Newsday’s Neil Best recaps the sometime contentious Mike Francesa-Tiki Barber interview that took place on WFAN on Wednesday.

Neil talks with ESPN Women’s World Cup analyst Mia Hamm.

Neil notes the influx of Fordham alums calling New York sports on TV and radio.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says get ready to see more of the CFL on NFL Network in the early part of the season.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers some thoughts after seeing a replay of Game 7 of the 1971 World Series on Root Sports.

Paul Farhi of the Washington Post reports that popular DC sports anchor Lindsay Czarniak is leaving the local NBC affiliate to become an anchor for ESPN.

At the Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg has video of some of the best moments in Lindsay’s time in DC.

Dan notes that DC is certainly an ESPN breeding ground.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner says local and national media will be all over the first round picks for the Wizards during tonight’s NBA Draft.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer gives us inside look at how Yankees voice John Sterling does his “Yankees win!” catchphrase.

At the Milwaukee Sentinel, Bob Wolfley talks with a fired local sports talk show host.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business says Cubs TV voice Len Kasper received a much deserved contract extension.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has an e-mail interview with Captain Blowhard about Grantland.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes that Fox will not support Dodgers owner Frank McCourt if he takes legal action to try to keep the team.

Sam Farmer of the Times says a former player with the USC Trojans and a later a Times writer admitted to taking money when he was in school.

Valerie Hauch of the Toronto Star says the Vancouver Riots Kissing Couple has hired an agent for possible endorsements.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes that a local sports talk radio host has been given the heave-ho.

Paul Lebowitz has several questions on Wednesday’s Mike Francesa-Tiki Barber interview.

Sports Media Watch has some news on some various personalities.

SMW says ratings for the NASCAR Nationwide Series on ESPN are up this season.

Now that the NHL’s 2011-12 schedule is out, Steve Lepore at Puck The Media speculates as to how next season’s NBC schedule will shape out.

And Steve does the same for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada schedule.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing wants you to sign the Vin Scully World Series petition.

Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball says Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is interested in buying the Dodgers.

Ryan Lambert at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy gives his best and worst of last night’s NHL Awards.

I guess I’ll end it there for today.

CBC’s Farewell To the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

At the end of every Stanley Cup Final, CBC wraps up its coverage by putting together one of the best montages you’ll ever see, piecing together some of the best moments of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Call it their version of “One Shining Moment” only without the song. This year, it’s more meaningful to me as the Boston Bruins have ended a 39 year drought bringing the Cup back to New England. CBC does a great job with this every year and to be honest, I hadn’t thought about embedding them even though they’re readily available on YouTube.

So without further delay, here’s this year’s closing montage introduced by host Ron MacLean, done to U2′s “One” and finishing off with the closing credits.

Very impressed. It also means no hockey until October. I do wish NBC would do something similar instead of run off the air so East Coast affiliates can get to local news. Maybe with the new contract next year, we’ll see something similar in the States. We can only hope.

Stanley Cup Final Game 7 Sets Viewership Record For CBC

The final and deciding game of the NHL Stanley Cup Final resulted with a record rating for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. It becomes the most watched NHL game on CBC, just ranking below the 2002 Olympic gold medal men’s hockey game in Salt Lake City. An average viewership of 8.76 million watched Boston defeat Vancouver last night. It marks the 4th time a record rating has been set in this series. Very impressive. Here’s the press release from CBC.

GAME 7 SETS ALL-TIME RATINGS RECORD FOR CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA

A record average audience of 8.76 million Canadians watched; Game reached 18.45 million Canadians

It was only fitting that a playoff run that delivered record ratings in each round ended with a Game 7 that broke all viewing records for CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA. A stunning average audience of 8.76 million Canadians tuned in, making it the most-watched NHL broadcast in CBC history*, and second-most watched sports broadcast ever, just behind the 2002 Olympic Men’s Hockey Final between Canada and the USA at 8.96 million.

The game, which saw Boston defeat Vancouver 4-0 to win their first Stanley Cup title since 1972, peaked at 11.2 million viewers at 9:40 p.m. ET with five minutes left in the 2^nd period.  The game reached a total of 18.45 million Canadians (more than half of the Canadian population), by far the most ever for the Final on CBC.

The game also delivered spectacular ratings in the key 25-54 demo, with an average audience of just over 4 million viewers.

Top 5 sports audiences in CBC history*:

1. 2002 Olympic Men’s Hockey Final, Canada vs. USA: 8.96 million
2. 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Game 7, Boston vs. Vancouver, 8.76 million
3. 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Game 6, Vancouver vs. Boston, 6.6 million
4. 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Game 5, Boston vs. Vancouver, 6.1 million
5. 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Game 1, Boston vs. Vancouver, 5.6 million

Average audience, overnight data, all games of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final:

Game 1 — 5.6 million (Vancouver 1-0 win)
Game 2 — 5.6 million (Vancouver 3-2 win OT)
Game 3 — 5.4 million (Boston 8-1 win)
Game 4 — 5.3 million (Boston 4-0 win)
Game 5 — 6.1 million (Vancouver 1-0 win)
Game 6 — 6.6 million (Boston 5-2 win)
Game 7 — 8.7 million (Boston 4-0 win)

(Source: BBM Canada, Total Canada, Preliminary Overnights, Ind.2+, 2011)
* Based on metered television audience data only

That is all.