Fang's Bites

NBC Promotes Carolyn Manno From Comcast SportsNet New England

NBC has announced it has promoted one of its reporters from Comcast SportsNet New England to the big club. Carolyn Manno who’s been with CSNNE since 2009 and has been doing work on NBC over the past year will now work for the network full-time.

She’ll be seen as a reporter on Football Night in America, college football and college basketball on NBC Sports Network plus a host on MLS coverage. Over the summer, NBC tapped Carolyn to be a reporter and SportsDesk anchor for its Olympic coverage.

We have the press release from NBC Sports Group.

CAROLYN MANNO SIGNS NEW MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH NBC SPORTS GROUP

Comcast SportsNet New England Anchor/Reporter Promoted to Fill a Number of Roles at NBC and NBC Sports Network

October 3, 2012 – Carolyn Manno, who joined the NBCUniversal family in August of 2009 as an anchor/reporter for Comcast SportsNet New England, and made her Olympic debut at the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London as a sports desk anchor and reporter, has signed a multi-year agreement with NBC Sports Group, it was announced today by Sam Flood, executive producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network.

As part of her new agreement, Manno serves as a reporter on NBC’s acclaimed NFL studio show, Football Night in America, as well as on NBC and NBC Sports Group coverage of college football and basketball. Additionally, she will be a host on NBC Sports Group’s MLS coverage, and SportsDesk updates, and will serve as a correspondent for NBC Sports Group’s action sports coverage, including the Dew Tour. Manno will also have a role in the new NBC Sports Radio Network as well as a role with NBC’s coverage of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.

“Carolyn is one of the up-and-coming broadcasters on television and did a terrific job as part of the broadcast team from London. We are excited to expand her role within the NBC Sports Group family,” said Flood. “Carolyn’s promotion recognizes the strength of the talent and sports news coverage that we have at our regional sports networks.”

Manno (@carolynmanno) has worked as an anchor/reporter for Comcast SportsNet New England and as a contributor to csnne.com. While in Boston, Carolyn played a major role in the network’s nightly news coverage of all New England sports, including coverage of Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, and NBA Finals appearances by the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and Celtics.

Prior to joining the NBC family, Manno, a Florida native and graduate of University of Florida, previously spent three years in South Bend, Ind., where she covered the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Chicago Bears, Cubs and White Sox, Indianapolis Colts and the Indy 500. While there, she earned multiple first place awards from the Associated Press, an Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Journalism and an Indiana Spectrum Award for journalistic excellence.

That’s it for this post.

A Few Monday Morning Sports Media Thoughts

A few sports media thoughts on this Monday. Yes, they’re in bullet form.

• I finally had an opportunity to see Fox’s college football production on Saturday. While Gus Johnson and Charles Davis were on top of their form for Nebraska-UCLA, the same cannot be said about the studio. I missed the Pregame, but watched halftime and the postgame with Erin Andrews, Eddie George and Joey Harrington. The chemistry isn’t quite there. Plus, both George and Harrington were quite shaky doing highlights.

  I can’t fault Fox for attempting its tried and true formula from the NFL studio, but it doesn’t quite work with college football yet. I’ll give it a few more weeks before writing a full review.

  I thought Erin did better with the Game Breaks and her chemistry going back and forth with Gus flowed better than with George and Harrington. Still, it’s early. It’s a work in progress.

• Kara Henderson has informed us where she went after leaving the NFL Network earlier this year. She left NFL Network over the summer and some had speculated why she departed. In this tweet from Sunday, she explains.
  

  Happy football season everyone!For all those who have been kind enough to ask.. left TV to get married and raise my boy- there’s a catch..

  — Kara Henderson (@KaraHenderson) September 9, 2012

  
  Congrats to Kara on her nuptials and glad to see she left on her own terms.

• Noticed that the Comcast SportsNets around the country have incorporated the iconic NBC peacock into their logos. I flipped to the CSN channels I receive on DirecTV and saw the peacock either through bugs on the screen or through top of the hour ID’s on affiliates in New England, DC, Chicago and San Francisco. I have to assume this is also the case for CSN Philadelphia and CSN Northwest, neither of which are available on the satellite provider.

  This is all part to weave Comcast SportsNet into the NBC Sports Group. I would expect that various NBC Sports programming will be syndicated on the CSN’s including simulcasts of NBC Sports Radio and some documentaries.

• In a related note, it appears that Fox Sports Net has moved on from Comcast SportsNet and has made deals in three local markets to air its national college football games. Fox has signed WLVI in Boston, WDCA in DC and KICU in Oakland, all are markets which have Comcast SportsNet affiliates. Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic is carrying Fox SportsNet’s regional ACC games, but that deal was made through the conference and was not affected by the CSN’s dropping en masse of Fox Sports Net programming.

That will do it.

NHL on NBC Sports Group 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule

Here we go, the entire NHL on NBC and NHL on NBC Sports Network schedule for the 2012-13, provided the lockout doesn’t wreak havoc on the games.

If the season starts on time and that’s a big “if”, the combined NBC/NBC Sports Network entity will air over 100 regular season games. NBC’s schedule includes its second annual Black Friday game featuring the New York Rangers at the Boston Bruins, the NHL Winter Classic at the Big House on the campus of the University of Michigan between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs and 9 “Game of the Week” telecasts plus the third annual Hockey Day in America on February 17.

NBC Sports Network will have games from Monday through Wednesday with division rivalries in mid-week. NBCSN will add Sunday nights in January. Here’s the press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S 2012-2013 NHL REGULAR-SEASON TELEVISION SCHEDULE FEATURES OVER 100 GAMES ON NBC & NBC SPORTS NETWORK

NBC Sports Network Nationally Exclusive Wednesday Night Game Will Feature Some of the NHL’s Biggest Rivalries
NBC Sports Network again hosts All-Star Weekend
Hockey Day in America Expanded to Triple-Header with Doubleheader on NBC Followed by Evening Game on NBC Sports Network
NBC highlights include second annual Thanksgiving Friday game; NHL Winter Classic from Michigan Stadium; and weekly “Game of the Week” broadcasts beginning Jan. 20
Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings Scheduled for Nine Exclusive Appearances; New York Rangers Scheduled for 11; Pittsburgh Penguins 11; Buffalo Sabres 12; Detroit Red Wings 11; Philadelphia Flyers 11 and St. Louis Blues 12

NEW YORK (August 30, 2012) — The NBC Sports Group today announced its coverage plans for the 2012-13 NHL regular season, which include the following highlights:

• More than 100 regular-season games on NBC and NBC Sports Network;
• Wednesday night exclusive coverage featuring some of the league’s biggest rivalries;
• The first ever Hockey Day in America tripleheader, including an evening game on NBC Sports Network between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers;
• The second annual Thanksgiving Friday game, the 2012 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown™, on NBC featuring the New York Rangers at the Boston Bruins;
• The 2013 NHL Winter Classic on NBC featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Detroit Red Wings from at Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan, which has a capacity of more than 109,000.
• NBC and the NBC Sports Network will combine to present nine games of the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, the most ever for the team on NBC Sports platforms.

OPENING NIGHTS: The season begins with a doubleheader on Thursday, October 11, when the Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. ET, immediately followed by the Colorado Avalanche at home against the St. Louis Blues at 10 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

The newly crowned 2012 Stanley Cup Champion L.A. Kings will open their season with a banner raising live on Friday, October 12 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network prior to their game against the N.Y. Rangers at 10:30 p.m. ET. During the regular season, NBC and NBC Sports Network will air several exclusive games from the NHL teams, including nine featuring the LA Kings, the most ever for the team on NBC Sports platforms, 12 Boston Bruins games and 11 games from the NY Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

EXCLUSIVE NIGHTS: NBC Sports Network’s exclusive Wednesday night coverage will now feature the biggest rivalries in the NHL. The network will include a live pre- and post-game show before/after every telecast and will continue with NHL Live and NHL Overtime. The network will air exclusive coverage Wednesday nights, and then in January, add a second exclusive night on Sundays, giving NHL fans four straight nights of hockey action.

WEDNESDAY RIVALRIES: NBC Sports Network’s nationally exclusive Wednesday night window will feature some of the NHL’s top rivalries throughout the season. They include:

Wednesday, October 17	New York Rangers	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31	Pittsburgh	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14	Washington	New York Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19	New Jersey	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 16	St. Louis	Chicago	8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 30	Montreal	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 13	Chicago	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20	Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27	Washington	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27	Montreal	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3	Pittsburgh	New York Rangers	7:30 p.m.

THANKSGIVING: For the second consecutive year, NBC commences its broadcast coverage with a special match-up on Friday, November 23, at 1 p.m. ET, the day after Thanksgiving. The Boston Bruins, who have a Thanksgiving Friday tradition and hosted last year’s inaugural game on NBC, will host the N.Y. Rangers live from the TD Bank Garden in Boston.

NBC’s “GAME OF THE WEEK”: NBC will continue its national “Game of the Week” coverage on Sundays, debuting on January 20 with a battle between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks from United Center in Chicago.

HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA: “Hockey Day in America” will celebrate America’s passion for hockey live from New York on Sunday, February 17, featuring nine hours of coverage and eight teams from some of the most avid U.S. hockey markets. The NBC Sports Group will broadcast three NHL games with the first two broadcasts, Detroit at Minnesota and Pittsburgh at Buffalo, airing regionally with staggered starts, followed by national coverage of Boston at Chicago at 3 p.m. ET. The final game that day will be between the Philadelphia Flyers and the N.Y. Rangers at 6 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

ALL-STAR WEEKEND: NBC Sports Network will televise NHL All-Star weekend live from Columbus, Ohio on Jan. 26-27, 2013. Coverage includes the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft, NHL Skills Competition and the NHL All-Star Game.

NHL WINTER CLASSIC: The Detroit Red Wings will compete against longtime rivals the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic from Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus on New Year’s Day, 2013 at 1 p.m. ET. The Maple Leafs will be the first Canadian team to participate in a Winter Classic. Michigan Stadium, also known as ‘The Big House,’ has a capacity for football of more than 109,000.

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

Date	Away	Home	Time
Friday, November 23	New York Rangers	Boston	1 p.m.
Tuesday, January 1	Toronto	Detroit	1 p.m.
Sunday, January 20	Philadelphia	Chicago	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 3	Los Angeles	Washington	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 10	Los Angeles	Pittsburgh	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17	Detroit	Minnesota	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17	Pittsburgh	Buffalo	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17	Boston	Chicago	3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3	Chicago	Detroit	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 10	Chicago	Philadelphia	3 p.m.
Sunday, March 17	Boston	Pittsburgh	12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31	Boston	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7	Washington	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 13	New York Rangers	Philadelphia	3 p.m.

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

Date	Away	Home	Time
Thursday, October 11	Boston	Philadelphia	7 p.m.
Thursday, October 11	St. Louis	Colorado	10 p.m.
Friday, October 12	New York Rangers	Los Angeles	10:30 p.m.
Monday, October 15	Florida	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 16	Detroit	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 17	New York Rangers	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Monday, October 22	Florida	New York Islanders	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 23	Detroit	Columbus	7 p.m.
Wednesday, October 24	New Jersey	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Monday, October 29	Washington	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 30	Los Angeles	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 31	Pittsburgh	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 5	Pittsburgh	Chicago	8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 7	Pittsburgh	Toronto	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 13	Dallas	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 14	Washington	New York Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 15 Monday, November 19	San Jose Pittsburgh	Dallas Detroit	8 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 20	Montreal	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21	Tampa Bay	Carolina	7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 26	Minnesota	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 27	New Jersey	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 28	Chicago	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Monday, December 3	Buffalo	Toronto	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 4	San Jose	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 5	New York Rangers	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Monday, December 10	Boston	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 11	Pittsburgh	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 12	Minnesota	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Monday, December 17	Buffalo	Montreal	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 18	Phoenix	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19	New Jersey	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 26	Washington	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Monday, December 31	New York Rangers	Florida	7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 2	New York Rangers	Chicago	8 p.m.
Sunday, January 6	Detroit	Chicago	8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 8	Tampa Bay	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 9	Boston	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 13	Boston	New York Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Monday, January 14	Dallas	Colorado	9 p.m.
Tuesday, January 15	Anaheim	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 16	St. Louis	Chicago	8 p.m.
Thursday, January 17	San Jose	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Sunday, January 20	Detroit	St. Louis	12:30 or 7:30 p.m.
Monday, January 21	Los Angeles	Nashville	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 22	San Jose	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 23	Colorado	Dallas	8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 29	Boston	St. Louis	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 30	Montreal	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 4	Boston	Colorado	9 p.m.
Tuesday, February 5	Los Angeles	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 6	Buffalo	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 10	Detroit	St. Louis	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12	Pittsburgh	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 13	Chicago	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 14	San Jose	Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 17	Philadelphia	New York Rangers	6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 19	Detroit	Chicago	8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 20	Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 24	Tampa Bay	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Monday, February 25	New York Rangers	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 26	Buffalo	Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 27	Washington	Philadelphia	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 3	Pittsburgh	St. Louis	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 4	Montreal	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5	Tampa Bay	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6	Colorado	Chicago	8 p.m.
Sunday, March 10	Boston	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 11	Colorado	Los Angeles	10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12	Phoenix	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13	Philadelphia	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17	Buffalo	Washington	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 18	San Jose	Dallas	8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19	Phoenix	Nashville	8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20	New York Rangers	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24	Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 25	Los Angeles	Dallas	8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26	Buffalo	Tampa Bay	7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27	Montreal	Boston	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31	Chicago	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 1	Minnesota	Chicago	8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2	Nashville	St. Louis	8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3	Pittsburgh	New York Rangers	7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7	St. Louis	Detroit	7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 8	Buffalo	Toronto	7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9	Los Angeles	Dallas	8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10	Boston	New Jersey	7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 11	Dallas	Minnesota	8 p.m.
Saturday, April 13	Boston	Buffalo	7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 13	San Jose	Phoenix	9 p.m.

That’s all.

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.

Comcast SportsNet Drops All Fox Sports Net Programming Including Dan Patrick

This story dropped onto my lap last night. Thanks to Matt Sarzyniak of Matt’s College Sports for bringing it to my attention. He received a tip that the Comcast SportsNet affiliates were no longer carrying Fox Sports Net programming including the Dan Patrick Show as of July 31.

We both checked our DirecTV guides and noticed that none of the CSN affiliates that had been carrying DP and had either infomercials or other programming in its place. And after checking with several sources within the NBC Sports Group/CSN family, it was confirmed that indeed FSN was not being cleared on the CSN networks in Chicago, New England, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, DC.

Both NBC Sports Group and Fox Sports Net gave statements on the matter to Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand. First, NBC:

“Our arrangement for the Dan Patrick Show expired and we couldn’t come to terms on a long-term deal. We’re still in negotiations and remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement.”

And Fox Sports Net:

“We were unable to reach a new agreement with the Comcast RSNs for the continued distribution of our programming.”

An NBC Sports spokesman tells me that talks are continuing between CSN and FSN and it’s hoped that the programming will return. In the interim, CSN viewers will have to make due without the Dan Patrick Show and Big 12 and Conference USA football.

NBC Airs The U.S. Women’s Open This Weekend

This from the NBC Sports Group. The U.S. Women’s Open has begun and both ESPN2 and NBC will share coverage under their contracts with the US Golf Association. NBC will have weekend coverage from Blackwolf Run in Kohler, WI. Dan Hicks will be at the tower on the 18th green with Dottie Pepper. Joining them will be Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam who makes her NBC debut. Assisting NBC in the coverage will be tower reporter Gary Koch, on-course reporters Roger Maltbie, Kay Cockerill and Jane Crafter.

Golf Channel will provide studio coverage for the event, but there will be no live golf action from the U.S. Women’s Open on the network.

Here’s the NBC Sports press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP TO AIR MORE THAN 30 HOURS OF U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN PROGRAMMING

Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam to Join Tournament and News Coverage
Six Hours of Weekend Tournament Coverage on NBC
Golf Central Team to Broadcast On-Site
Golf Central to Air on NBC Saturday and Sunday
“It will be a test of patience and perseverance.” – Annika Sorenstam
“Highlight of my season to cover the greatest championship in women’s golf.” – Dottie Pepper

ORLANDO, Fla., / NEW YORK – July 3, 2012 – NBC Sports Group will present more than 30 hours of combined, live tournament and wraparound news coverage of this week’s 2012 U.S. Women’s Open Championship – the third major championship on the women’s schedule this year – on both Golf Channel and NBC

“Golf Channel on NBC’s” weekend coverage on NBC will include three hours of live tournament action each day, which, for the first time, will be complemented by Golf Channel’s Golf Central pre-game show. Golf Channel’s wraparound coverage will originate from the tournament site throughout the week, featuring news, talk and instructional programming. GolfChannel.com also will provide comprehensive online coverage of the championship.

ANNIKA SORENSTAM TO MAKE NBC DEBUT – Hall-of-Famer and three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Annika Sorenstam will make her NBC on-air debut, joining analyst Dottie Pepper and play-by-play host Dan Hicks for a portion of the weekend tournament coverage. Sorenstam also will contribute to Golf Channel’s news shows throughout the week, including Golf Central, Golf Central Pre Game and Morning Drive.

TOURNAMENT BROADCAST TEAM – Host Dan Hicks and lead analyst Dottie Pepper will anchor coverage from the 18^th tower. They will be joined by tower reporter Gary Koch and on-course reporters Roger Maltbie, Kay Cockerill and Jane Crafter. Sorenstam will join Hicks and Pepper in the booth for a portion of the coverage each day.

ON-SITE NEWS COVERAGE – Golf Channel will provide the most extensive news coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open in its history, featuring live news reports, inside analysis, player interviews, special guest appearances and compelling features from the women’s third major championship of 2012.

Golf Central will broadcast live and on-site from Blackwolf Run throughout the week and will originate from a dedicated set near the 13th green – delivering news coverage before and after tournament play. Morning Drive, the network’s live, weekday morning show, will feature daily special guests from the tournament site. The Grey Goose 19^th Hole (Thursday night at midnight ET and Friday night at 2 a.m. ET) will feature news, highlights and interviews from the U.S. Women’s Open. Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee and Tom Abbott will anchor Golf Central and will be joined by contributors Annika Sorenstam, GolfChannel.com senior writer Randall Mell and other NBC analysts throughout the week.

GOLF CENTRAL ON NBC – For the first time at the U.S. Women’s Open, Golf Channel will prep NBC’s weekend tournament action with a 30-minute Golf Central on NBCpre-game show, airing exclusively on NBC from 2:30-3 p.m. ET. Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee and Tom Abbott will host the shows, and will be joined by NBC analysts and contributors.

U.S. Women’s Open Programming

Show	Network	Airtime (all times ET)
Thursday, July 5
Morning Drive	Golf Channel	6:30-8:30 a.m.
Golf Central Pre Game	Golf Channel	1:30-3 p.m.
U.S. Women’s Open	ESPN2	4-8 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	7-7:30 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	11:30 p.m.-Midnight
Grey Goose 19th Hole	Golf Channel	Midnight-12:30 a.m.
Friday, July 6
Morning Drive	Golf Channel	6:30-8:30 a.m.
Golf Central Pre Game	Golf Channel	1:30-3 p.m.
U.S. Women’s Open	ESPN2	4-8 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	7-7:30 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	1:30-2 a.m.
Saturday, July 7
Golf Central Pre Game	Golf Channel	1-2:30 p.m.
Golf Central on NBC	NBC	2:30-3 p.m.
U.S. Women’s Open	NBC	3-6 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	6-6:30 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	11:30 p.m. – Midnight
Sunday, July 8
Golf Central Pre Game	Golf Channel	1-2:30p.m.
Golf Central on NBC	NBC	2:30-3 p.m.
U.S. Women’s Open	NBC	3-6 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	6-7 p.m.
Golf Central	Golf Channel	11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

DIGITAL COVERAGE – GolfChannel.com senior writer Randall Mell will contribute daily columns, news articles, features and breaking news from the U.S. Women’s Open throughout the week.

That does it.

NBCUniversal’s Olympic Programming Schedule From July 25 Through July 29

What I received from NBC Sports was part of its programming schedule press release for the month of July. I’ve culled the Olympic TV schedule for NBCUniversal and you’ll notice that for the cable networks, Bravo, CNBC, NBC Sports Network among others, everything will be live. On NBC, there will be tape delayed coverage in primetime. And even for the weekend daytime coverage, it’ll be live on the East Coast, but delayed out West.

I wish NBC wouldn’t pull this tape delayed crap for viewers on the West Coast, but they’ll argue that ratings out West for the Olympics will be higher on the West Coast than in the East. It still should be live all over no matter what time it starts.

Here’s the schedule.

NBCUNIVERSAL 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES LISTINGS

• These listings, which are subject to change, offer daily highlights of the 24-Hour 2012 London Olympic programming on NBC, NBC Sports Network, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC & Telemundo. During the Olympic Games, please consult NBCOlympics.com for the most complete daily listings.
• For NBC primetime, late night and weekend daytime, all times listed are ET/PT. For NBC Sports Network, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Olympic Basketball and Soccer Channels, Telemundo and 3D, all times listed are ET.
• The cable channels, NBC Sports Network, Bravo, MSNBC and CNBC, are live across. 3D programming is next-day coverage.
• NBC Olympic Basketball and Soccer Channels are available on most major cable, satellite and telephone companies and distributors.
• More specific information and more precise versions of these listings will become available as any new information or changes arise after Olympic Trials.
• During the Olympic Games, NBCOlympics.com will have the most up-to-date listings and information.
• NBCOlympics.com will live stream every event and sport for the first time ever. In all, the site will live stream more than 3,500 total programming hours, including simulcast of the cable channels and the awarding of all 302 gold medals. Please go to NBCOlympics.com/LiveExtra for more details.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 (Day -2)

MSNBC

10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer – Qualifying Round (LIVE)

2:30 – 6 p.m.
Women’s Soccer – Qualifying Round (LIVE)

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Women’s Soccer – U.S. vs. France (LIVE)

6 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Re-air

12:30 a.m. – 7 a.m.
Re-air

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL

Noon – Midnight
Women’s Soccer –
U.S. vs. France (LIVE)
Columbia vs. North Korea (LIVE)
Great Britain vs. New Zealand
Japan vs. Canada
Cameroon vs. Brazil
Sweden vs. South Africa
U.S. vs. France (re-air)

TELEMUNDO

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. (ET/PT)
Olympic Preview

THURSDAY, JULY 26 (Day -1)

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round (LIVE)

6 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Re-air

MSNBC

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round (LIVE)

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL

7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round
Honduras vs. Morocco (LIVE)
Mexico vs. South Korea (LIVE)
United Arab Emirates vs. Uruguay (LIVE)
Great Britain vs. Senegal (LIVE)
Spain vs. Japan
Gabon vs. Switzerland
Egypt vs. Brazil
Belarus vs. New Zealand

TELEMUNDO

6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (LIVE)
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round
Mexico vs. South Korea
Honduras vs. Morocco
Brazil vs. Egypt
United Arab Emirates vs. Uruguay

Midnight – 1 a.m. (ET/PT)
Soccer Highlights Show

FRIDAY, JULY 27 (Day 0)

NBC

7:30 p.m. – Midnight (ET/PT)
Opening Ceremony

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Soccer Re-air

SATURDAY, JULY 28 (Day 1)

NBC

5 a.m. – 6 p.m. (ET/PT)
Swimming – Qualifying Heats
Men’s Cycling – Road Race (LIVE)
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Women’s Volleyball – U.S. vs. South Korea (LIVE)
Women’s Basketball – U.S. Game (LIVE)
Rowing – Qualifying Heats

8 p.m. – Midnight (ET/PT)
Swimming – Gold Medal Finals
Men’s and Women’s 400M Individual Medley
Men’s 400M Freestyle
Women’s 4 x 100M Freestyle Relay
Men’s Gymnastics – Team Competition
Beach Volleyball – U.S. Qualifying Round

12:30 a.m. – 1:30 a.m. (ET/PT)
Women’s Weightlifting – Gold Medal Final
Table Tennis – Qualifying Round

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

4 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Women’s Soccer – U.S. vs. Columbia (LIVE)
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Women’s Volleyball – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Equestrian – Eventing Dressage
Women’s Fencing – Individual Foil Gold Medal Final
Shooting – Men and Women’s 10M Air Rifle Gold Medal Finals
Men’s Archery – Team Gold Medal Final
Women’s Handball – Qualifying Round

BRAVO

7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tennis – Early Rounds (LIVE)

MSNBC

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Women’s Soccer – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Women’s Handball – Qualifying Round
Badminton – Qualifying Round
Table Tennis – Qualifying Round

CNBC

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Boxing – Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Boxing – Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL

4 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Women’s Basketball – Qualifying Round
Australia vs. Great Britain (LIVE)

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL

7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Women’s Soccer – Qualifying Round
Japan vs. Sweden (LIVE)
New Zealand vs. Brazil (LIVE)
U.S. vs. Columbia (LIVE)
France vs. South Korea (LIVE)
Canada vs. South Africa
Great Britain vs. Cameroon

TELEMUNDO

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (ET/PT)
Opening Ceremony
Swimming – Qualifying Heats
Women’s Volleyball – Qualifying Round
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round
Boxing – Elimination Bouts

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. (ET/PT)
Swimming – Gold Medal Finals
Men’s Gymnastics – Team Competition

3D

5 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Opening Ceremony

SUNDAY, JULY 29 (Day 2)

NBC

7 a.m. – 6 p.m. (ET/PT)
Women’s Gymnastics – Team Competition
Swimming – Qualifying Heats
Women’s Cycling – Road Race (LIVE)
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Men’s Volleyball – U.S. vs. Serbia (LIVE)
Men’s Water Polo – U.S. vs. Montenegro (LIVE)
Rowing – Qualifying Heats

7 p.m. – Midnight (ET/PT)
Women’s Gymnastics – Team Competition
Swimming Gold Medal Finals –
Women’s 100M Butterfly
Women’s 400M Freestyle
Men’s 100M Breaststroke
Men’s 4 x 100M Freestyle Relay
Women’s Diving – Springboard Synchronized Gold Medal Final

12:35 a.m. – 1:35 a.m. (ET/PT)
Canoeing – Whitewater Qualifying Heats

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

4 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Men’s Basketball –
U.S. vs. France (LIVE)
Spain vs. China (LIVE)
Women’s Field Hockey – U.S. vs. Germany (LIVE)
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Men’s Handball – Qualifying Round
Equestrian – Eventing Dressage
Women’s Shooting – Skeet Gold Medal Final
Women’s Archery – Team Gold Medal Final

BRAVO

7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tennis – Early Rounds (LIVE)

MSNBC

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round (LIVE)
Brazil vs. Belarus
Great Britain vs. United Arab Emirates
Weightlifting – Gold Medal Finals
Table Tennis – Qualifying Round
Badminton – Qualifying Round

CNBC

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Boxing – Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Boxing – Elimination Bouts (LIVE)

NBC OLYMPIC BASKETBALL CHANNEL

4 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Men’s Basketball – Qualifying Round
Brazil vs. Australia (LIVE)
U.S. vs. France (LIVE)
Spain vs. China (LIVE)
U.S. vs. France (re-air)

NBC OLYMPIC SOCCER CHANNEL

7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round
Egypt vs. New Zealand (LIVE)
Brazil vs. Belarus (LIVE)
Senegal vs. Uruguay (LIVE)
Great Britain vs. United Arab Emirates (LIVE)
Mexico vs. Gabon
Japan vs. Morocco
South Korea vs. Switzerland
Spain vs. Honduras

TELEMUNDO

7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (LIVE)
Men’s Soccer – Qualifying Round
Mexico vs. Gabon
Spain vs. Honduras
Senegal vs. Uruguay
Swimming – Qualifying Heats
Men’s Basketball – Qualifying Round
Boxing – Elimination Bouts
Beach Volleyball – Qualifying Round
Men’s Volleyball – Qualifying Round
Tennis – Early Rounds

Midnight – 2:30 a.m. (ET/PT)
Women’s Gymnastics – Team Competition
Swimming – Gold Medal Finals

3D

4 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Men’s Gymnastics – Team Competition
Swimming – Gold Medal Finals

When we get more listings, they’ll be posted on the site.

Jonesing For Tuesday Linkage

Ok, maybe you’re not jonesing for the linkage, but at least you can read them at your leisure. Sometimes I think way too long about the title of the post and this is the case today. Anyway, let’s get to the links.

Joel Schectman of the Wall Street Journal reports that NBC and Google are preparing for possible hacking or denial of service attacks of online Olympic streams next month.

Lindsay Rubino at Broadcasting & Cable writes that NBC with U.S. Olympic Trials coverage in Track & Field, Swimming and Gymnastics won primetime on Sunday.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says ESPN and ESPN2 are seeing huge ratings gains from Wimbledon.

Mike writes that NBC Sports Group has expanded its commitment to its Fight Night.

Anthony Crupi at Adweek says Fox Sports has sold out its ad inventory for the MLB All-Star Game.

Crupi says NBC scored with the U.S. Olympic Trials over the last week and a half.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost says if Sunday is any indication, NBC should do really well with the Olympics later this month.

George Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter notes that BBC’s sports broadcasts of EURO 2012 and Wimbledon are leaving rival ITV in the ratings dust.

Nat Ives from Advertising Age notes that NBC and Sports Illustrated are teaming up for a monthly show.

Sam Marmudi of Marketwatch.com says NBC is getting ready for an Olympic takeover.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! writes that MLB’s antiquated blackout policy is hurting the sport.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com says the media could be allowed to see the college football playoff selection process.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans from the Tampa Bay Times writes that Erin Andrews is another example of ESPN losing another big name star.

Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks about why it’s important for Fox to have Erin Andrews make her debut next week at the MLB All-Star Game.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says ESPN plans to change its production model of the X Games as it expands globally.

Darren Rovell bids farewell to CNBC.

At the ESPN PR Front Row blog, Mike Humes says the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest brings back memories for college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla.

Timothy Burke of Deadspin notes that Texas Rangers TV voice Dave Barnett who had a strange on-air moment last month, will be taking a medical leave for the rest of the season.

Andy Smith of the Providence Journal writes that almost a million people watched the America’s Cup World Series races on NBC over the weekend.

To Richard Sandomir of the New York Times, who looks at the on-going MLB TV rights negotiations. Some interesting news from Richard in the article.

Newsday’s Neil Best discusses MLB All-Star voting with Commissioner Bud Selig and Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

Bob’s Blitz has video of some of the WFAN gang with CBS Radio bigwigs ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange last week.

The Albany Times-Union’s Pete Dougherty says the PGA’s AT&T National on CBS set a six year ratings high.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record reports that NESN National is available to local Verizon Fios subscribers.

Ken says NBA TV is gearing up for Summer League games.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Bog has ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian predicting good things for the Nationals.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times reviews the weekend in sports television.

Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel recaps Erin Andrews’ appearance on the Dan Patrick Show today.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says Samantha Steele of the Longhorn Network could be the beneficiary of Erin Andrews’ departure from ESPN.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman talks about Dave Barnett’s decision to take a medical leave from calling the Texas Rangers.

Gregg Tunnicliff of the Flint (MI) Journal talks with a long-time racing commentator.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has MLB Commissioner Bud Selig not having a problem with the sudden surge of fan voting from the Bay Area for the All-Star Game.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Pac-12 Network is set to launch in 40 million homes next month.

Michael Gehiken of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the eased NFL blackout rules probably won’t affect the Chargers this coming season.

Sports Media Watch has some ratings news on the U.S. Olympic Trials and Baseball Night in America.

SMW notes that Wimbledon as an all-cable event is performing on par with last year.

Jason Lisk at The Big Lead is happy to note that ESPN blowhard Skip Bayless is wrong about racial profiling American white players in the NBA Draft.

Matt Yoder has some thoughts on ESPN’s EURO 2012 coverage.

Joe Favorito wonders if brands can make their Olympic sponsorship gambles pay off despite not having a name athlete to cling to.

And we’ll wrap up with Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth who looks back at WFAN’s 25 years in operation.

And we’re done.

“Sports Illustrated” Monthy Newsmagazine To Air on NBC Sports Group

Continuing to sign programming for inventory on both NBC and NBC Sports Network, we find this announcement from the NBC Sports Group that Sports Illustrated magazine will partner to create a new TV newsmagazine. This will air monthly on either NBC Sports Network or NBC. The first edition will premiere on July 24, just three days before the Olympics.

Various SI writers and reporters will appear on the program. No host has been named as of yet.

Here’s the NBC announcement.

“SPORTS ILLUSTRATED”, AN HOUR-LONG SPORTS MAGAZINE TV SHOW, SET TO PREMIERE JULY 24 ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (July 2, 2012) – The NBC Sports Group and the Time Inc. Sports Group will partner to produce “Sports Illustrated,” presented by Lexus, a monthly, hour-long sports magazine TV show. The announcement was made today by Jon Miller, President of Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network and Time Inc. Sports Group President Mark Ford. It was also announced that Lexus will be the program’s presenting sponsor.

“Sports Illustrated” debuts Tuesday, July 24, 9:00 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. The show will deliver the magazine’s DNA of award-winning storytelling through feature segments, original reporting and commentary from SI’s trusted journalists. It will also tap into the SI Vault to spotlight great stories from the past, updating our favorite characters and events. Emmy Award-winning Red Line Films has been tapped to produce the show

“Sports Illustrated is an iconic brand and the gold standard in long-form journalism,” said Miller. This programming fits incredibly well with our rich history of storytelling, and partnering with Sports Illustrated for this show adds even more quality programming to NBC Sports Group’s growing portfolio.”

The premiere episode will air just three days prior to the Opening Ceremony from the 2012 London Games with subsequent new episodes originating on either NBC Sports Network or NBC. At least one featured subject from the show will be chronicled in the magazine’s current issue and additional editorial vehicles across SI.com and NBCSports.com will surround and amplify each new episode.

“This is an exciting opportunity to further expand Sports Illustrated storytelling beyond the magazine and our digital offerings,” says Ford. “We have a terrific partner in the NBC Sports Group and are incredibly optimistic about the show’s potential for our franchise and for sports fans.”

“Sports Illustrated’s writing and photography have been intrinsically tied to television sports coverage for nearly 60 years,” said Terry McDonell, Time Inc. Sports Group Editor. “Working with the NBC Sports Group and Red Line Films takes us to a new level.”

The following is the show’s schedule (All times ET):

Episode #1 July 24 9:00 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Episode #2 September 12 9:00 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Episode #3 October 13 2:30 p.m. NBC Sports
Episode #4 November 3 2:30 p.m. NBC Sports
Episode #5 December 13 9:00 p.m. NBC Sports Network

More later.

NBC Expands Fight Night Boxing Series

NBC Sports Group has announced that it has extended its agreement with promoter Main Events to expand the Fight Night boxing series on NBC Sports Network. The deal which was originally for one year will now extend to 2014. In addition, the number of Fight Night cards will expand from the original six this year to a total of 16 over the life of the contract.

The Fight Night series will also air at least twice on NBC. The first Fight Night card on NBC is scheduled to air on December 22.

We have the NBC Sports Group press release for you below.

NBC SPORTS GROUP RENEWS FIGHT NIGHT BOXING SERIES

NBC Sports Network Extends Deal With Main Events For 2013-2014
Saturday Night Boxing Series To Expand From Six Telecasts To Up To 16

NEW YORK – July 2, 2012 – NBC Sports Group will partner with Main Events to produce a second season of the network’s successful primetime boxing series Fight Night. The Saturday night boxing series will expand from six telecasts to up to 16 and will showcase compelling match-ups between some of the world’s best fighters.

NBC Sports Group will continue to work with Main Events and Hall-of-Fame matchmaker J Russell Peltz, to once again feature a multi-promoter strategy for the series. Designed to produce the best quality fights, the collaboration allows any promoter the opportunity to get their boxers involved in these programs and allows viewers the ability to see world class match-ups that would not otherwise take place.

“We are once again reaching out to all promoters to get involved in the series.” said Kathy Duva, president, Main Events. “The multiple promoter format worked incredibly well during season one and we are hoping to continue to build on the momentum. All fighters who are willing to further their careers by engaging in compelling, interesting, meaningful matches are welcome.”

“This series is the best thing that has happened to boxing in years,” said Hall-of-Fame promoter/matchmaker J Russell Peltz. “In just four shows, we have seen the emergence of US heavyweight prospect Bryant Jennings and junior middleweight contender Gabriel Rosado. We have shown matches between world-rated fighters and that’s something you rarely see these days on television. On top of that, the fights have been promoted the old-fashioned way, in sold-out noisy venues in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Bethlehem and Newark. This is the way boxing was meant to be.”

“Fight Night has been a tremendous success. The unique approach to have multiple promoters competing to put fights on the NBC Sports Network has allowed us to produce compelling match-ups and incredibly exciting shows.” said Jon Miller, President of programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “The NBC Sports Group is committed to the property and we are looking forward to expanding the series from six telecasts to up to 16.”

Starting in 2013, a minimum of six Fight Night telecasts will take place each year on the NBC Sports Network. The NBC Sports Group will also look to place up to two Fight Night broadcasts on NBC.

As part of the agreement, an additional Fight Night telecast has also been added to the 2012 calendar. The show will air Saturday, December 22 on NBC, from 4-6 p.m. ET. The fight card will be announced at a later date.

2012-2013 NBC SPORTS NETWORK FIGHT NIGHT SCHEDULE
(All times ET and subject to change)

Saturday, December 22 4-6 p.m. NBC
Saturday, January 19, 9-11 p.m. NBC Sports Network
Saturday, March 9, 9-11 p.m. NBC Sports Network

Kenny Rice will continue to serve as the play-by-play commentator for all telecasts, and will be joined by Hall-of-Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach and cruiserweight contender B.J. Flores. Chris Mannix will continue to serve as the ringside reporter for each telecast.

FIGHT NIGHT 36: The NBC Sports Network will continue to use its all-access 36 series to compliment the Fight Night telecasts. In 2012, individual Fight Night 36 episodes featured fighters Zab Judah and Eddie Chambers. The collaboration between Fight Night 36 and Fight Night allowed fans a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes prior to each fight and see how the boxers train, spend time with their family and interact with fans.

One more NBC Sports press release coming up.

NBC Officially Unveils The Talent For the 2012 London Olympics

We have the official NBC press release which outlines all of the announcers and hosts for the networks of NBCUniversal involved in the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London.

The lineup is pretty close to what I gave you earlier today, but this list is complete. This includes all of the sports, all of the announcers, all of the analysts, hosts, correspondents and reporters for NBCUniversal.

The Olympics begin with the Opening Ceremony in London on July 27 on NBC.

NBC SPORTS GROUP ANNOUNCES TALENT ROSTER FOR LONDON OLYMPICS – 115 COMMENTATORS IN ALL

Bob Costas Returns for 10th Olympics, 9th as Primetime Host
Al Michaels & Dan Patrick to Host Daytime Show
Mary Carillo Again Anchors Late Night Show
Ryan Seacrest, John McEnroe, Bela Karolyi and Carillo to Serve As Olympic Contributors
Shaun White and Jimmy Fallon to Serve as Guest Commentators
NBC Talent Roster Has Won 45 Olympic Medals Including 25 Gold Medals

NEW YORK – June 28, 2012 – Bob Costas leads a record 115 NBC Olympic commentators as NBCUniversal will present an unprecedented 5,535 hours of London Olympic Games coverage across NBC, NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, Telemundo, NBCOlympics.com, two specialty channels, and the first-ever 3D platform, an unprecedented level that surpasses the coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by nearly 2,000 hours.

The lineup returns many of the network’s signature Olympic hosts, play-by-play commentators and analysts.

NBCUniversal Olympic commentator notes:

• Roster includes 28 Olympians who won a combined total of 45 Olympic Medals (25 Gold, 8 Silver and 12 Bronze). “Team NBC” would have finished sixth at the Beijing Olympics with 43 medals behind Australia with 46 and ahead of Germany who won 41.

• Group ranges from Al Michaels and Dan Patrick – who are hosting NBC’s Olympic Daytime show – to Olympic gold medal speed skating legend Apolo Ohno, who is making is Olympic broadcasting debut as a reporter, to NBA head coaches Doc Rivers and Doug Collins.

• John McEnroe and Ryan Seacrest make their Olympic debuts as primetime contributors.

• Mary Carillo again pulls double duty as NBC’s late night host and Olympic correspondent, her 11^th Olympic Games and eighth with NBC.

Here is a rundown of NBC’s Olympic roster:

NBC HOSTS:

• The 2012 London Games will be Bob Costas’ 10^th for NBC and his ninth as primetime host. After serving as late night host in 1988 from Seoul, South Korea, Costas earned acclaim for his work as primetime host from Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Athens, Turin, Beijing and Vancouver. Costas, who has the longest tenure of the network’s sports commentators, joined NBC in 1980.

• Al Michaels, one of the most renowned commentators of all-time and whose legendary “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” call at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games 32 years ago stands as one of the most famous calls in sports history, will work his second straight Olympics for NBC, serving as host of NBC’s live weekend and weekday daytime coverage from London. Michaels was the daytime host at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games in 2010, his first Olympic broadcast assignment in 22 years, when he covered hockey and hosted the Closing Ceremony at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics for ABC.

• Dan Patrick will make his Olympic hosting debut, joining Michaels as host of NBC’s live weekday and weekend daytime coverage from London. Patrick, host of Football Night in America and the Dan Patrick Show, served as an Olympic correspondent for NBC in Vancouver.

• Mary Carillo will host NBC’s late-night coverage for the third time, reprising her role from Beijing and Vancouver. Carillo will also serve as an Olympic correspondent and provide a look into life in the United Kingdom through a collection of features done in her own inimitable style, similar to her acclaimed work during the Beijing and Vancouver Games. London is Carillo’s 11^th Olympic Games and eighth for NBC.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

• Michelle Beadle makes her Olympic debut as a host on NBC Sports Network’s coverage from London. She will also serve as a correspondent for Access Hollywood during the Games. Beadle joined NBCUniversal in May of this year.

• Liam McHugh, one of the emerging voices in sports television today, continues to add to his rapidly growing workload as he hosts NBC Sports Network’s coverage from London. McHugh recently hosted NBC and NBC Sports Network’s studio coverage of the Stanley Cup Final.

• Willie Geist, host of MSNBC’s Up Way Too Early and co-host of Morning Joe, makes his Olympic debut as a host of NBC Sports Network’s coverage from London.

MSNBC

• Kelly Tilghman, a member of Golf Channel’s original cast and one of the network’s most versatile anchors, makes her Olympic debut as host of MSNBC’s coverage from 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

• Rob Simmelkjaer will make his Olympic debut as host of MSNBC’s coverage from 30 Rock. Simmelkjaer, who also serves as Senior Vice President of NBC Sports Ventures, is a host on the NBC Sports’ Update Desk and NBC SportsTalk on the NBC Sports Network.

CNBC

• Fred Roggin, the sports director at KNBC-TV, NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Los Angeles, will host CNBC’s Boxing coverage from 30 Rockefeller Plaza, his seventh Olympics assignment for NBC. Roggin’s previous Olympic assignments have included hosting curling coverage from the 2010 Vancouver Games and the 2006 Turin Games; CNBC’s coverage from the Athens Games; serving on the “Special Features Unit” at the Salt Lake Games in 2002; and working as the boxing reporter at the 2000 Sydney Games. Joining Roggin in the studio will be Laila Ali, a former professional boxer and daughter of legend Muhammad Ali, making her Olympic broadcasting debut.

BRAVO

• Pat O’Brien, a veteran of five Olympic Games as a commentator, will serve as host of tennis coverage on Bravo. The London Games will be O’Brien’s fourth Olympics for NBC and sixth overall. He last worked for NBCUniversal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

OLYMPIC CORRESPONDENTS:

• Top TV broadcaster Ryan Seacrest will make his Olympic broadcasting debut, serving as a contributor for NBC’s primetime coverage from London.

• Legendary tennis star and broadcaster John McEnroe will make his Olympic broadcasting debut in London. McEnroe, who has served as a tennis analyst for NBC since 1992, and dominated the tennis world in the 1980’s, winning three Wimbledon and four U.S. Open titles, will serve as an Olympic correspondent on NBC’s primetime coverage.

• Bela Karolyi, arguably the most successful coach in gymnastics history, is one of his sports’ most-recognized personalities. He has coached and trained world-renowned gymnasts for the Olympic Games from 1976-2004, and returns to NBC as an Olympic correspondent, the same role he filled during the Beijing Olympics.

• Jimmy Roberts, a 13-time Emmy Award winner, will contribute feature stories and essays and serve as an Olympic correspondent during NBC’s daytime coverage.

GUEST COMMENTATORS:

• Shaun White, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, will serve as guest commentators during portions of the London Games.

SPORT BY SPORT:

NBC’s signature announce teams return in gymnastics, swimming, track and field and diving. Following is a partial rundown, sport-by-sport. A complete roster is attached.

GYMNASTICS: Play-by-play commentator Al Trautwig is once again joined by Olympic gold medalist Tim Daggett and Elfi Schlegel, who have provided analysis on NBC’s Olympic gymnastics coverage since the 1992 Barcelona Games, and veteran Olympic reporter Andrea Joyce. Bela Karolyi, arguably the most successful coach in the history of his sport and one of its most recognized personalities, who has coached and trained world-renowned gymnasts for the past eight Olympics, will serve as a gymnastics studio analyst, reprising his role from Beijing.

SWIMMING: Dan Hicks has the call alongside analyst Rowdy Gaines – working their fifth Olympics together – with Andrea Kremer reporting in her second Olympics. Gaines, who won three gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, is working his sixth Olympics for NBC.

TRACK & FIELD: Tom Hammond, who has won acclaim for his memorable calls at the last five Summer Olympics, will once again call track & field. Ato Boldon (second Olympic Games) and Dwight Stones (11^th Olympic Games), return as analysts, with Lewis Johnson (fifth Olympic Games) serving as a reporter. Craig Masback, who worked as a track & field commentator for NBC in Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996 and Beijing in 2008, returns to provide analysis on the men’s marathon and distance races. Tim Hutchings, a former middle-distance runner who represented Great Britain at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, will provide analysis on the marathons.

DIVING: Ted Robinson, working his fifth Olympics, debuted as the diving play-by-play commentator for the 2004 Athens Games. Cynthia Potter, who made three Olympic teams and won bronze in 1976, returns as analyst, a role she’s handled for NBC since the 1992 Games. Alex Flanagan will report from the diving venue. London is her second Olympic assignment, having served as a sports desk reporter in Vancouver and as host of CNBC and USA Network’s coverage during Beijing.

BASKETBALL: Bob Fitzgerald, the voice of the Golden State Warriors for CSN Bay Area, will handle the play-by-play of the men’s and women’s competitions, his second Olympic broadcast assignment. He called the water polo competition in Beijing. He is joined by two respected analysts: Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Doug Collins (men’s), and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Ann Meyers (women’s). Collins, a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, takes on his third Olympic broadcasting assignment. Meyers, who won silver as a member of the U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1976, is working her fourth Olympics as a broadcaster. Craig Sager returns as reporter for both men’s and women’s hoops, a role he’s held since the 2000 Sydney Games. Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers will make his Olympic broadcasting debut as a studio analyst in London.

BOXING: Bob Papa and analyst Teddy Atlas will call boxing. London is Papa’s eighth Olympics, including calling boxing in Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. He also called water polo in Sydney in 2000 and a variety of winter sports in Salt Lake City in 2002, Torino in 2006 and Vancouver in 2010. Atlas analyzed the boxing competition from Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. Russ Thaler will serve as the boxing reporter, his first Olympic assignment.

SOCCER: NBC’s MLS play-by-play commentator Arlo White will call his first Olympics, working alongside men’s analyst Kyle Martino, who is also working his first Olympic Games, and women’s analyst Brandi Chastain, calling her second Olympics. Martino was a long-time Major League Soccer player, having played for the All Star team in 2003, and was 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year. Chastain has played in three Olympics (Athens, Sydney and Atlanta) and three Women’s World Cups (1991, 1999 and 2003). Reporter Drea Avent, in her Olympic debut, will cover women’s soccer in London.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Chris Marlowe (play-by-play) won a gold medal as captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team, and will return for his sixth Olympics as an NBC commentator. Kevin Wong (analyst) is making his Olympic debut. Wong is a beach volleyball Olympian, and a three-time All-American at UCLA where he led the Bruins to two NCAA Championships in 93’ and 95’. Heather Cox returns for her third Olympics as a reporter.

VOLLEYBALL: Paul Sunderland, a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. volleyball team at the 1984 Olympics, returns to call indoor volleyball, an assignment he had for NBC in Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Beijing. He is joined by two-time Olympian Kevin Barnett, in his second straight Olympic assignment.

WATER POLO: Emmy award-winning Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, the voice of the NHL on NBC and NBC Sports Network, will serve as the water polo play-by-play announcer for the second time, a role he served in Athens in 2004. Emrick worked six Winter Games as the play-by-play voice of men and women’s hockey. He is joined by Wolf Wigo, a three-time Olympian and former captain of U.S. men’s water polo team, and Julie Swail, former captain of the U.S. women’s water polo team that earned the silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Swail participated in NBC’s broadcast in 2004 as a water polo analyst in Athens. In 2008, she competed in the triathlon at the Beijing Olympics. She will also serve as the analyst for the triathlon competition.

WRESTLING Jason Knapp makes his Olympic debut as wrestling play-by-play announcer. He is joined by Olympic gold medalist and American wrestling legend Rulon Gardner, who will participate in his second Olympic broadcast after being an analyst in the 2008 Beijing Games. In 2000 at the Sydney Olympics, Gardner won the gold after defeating Aleksander Karelin. Karelin had been undefeated for 13 years and had not given up a point in six years prior to his loss in the gold-medal match to Gardner. At the end of the 2000 Olympics, Gardner was selected to serve as the U.S. flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony. He then followed with a bronze in 2004 at the Olympic Games in Athens, where he left his shoes on the mat, the sport’s traditional symbol of retirement.

NBCUniversal will provide 5,535 hours of coverage for the 2012 London Olympics across NBC, NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, Telemundo, NBCOlympics.com, two specialty channels, and the first-ever 3D platform, an unprecedented level that surpasses the coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by nearly 2,000 hours. The 5,535 hours are the equivalent of 231 days of coverage.

SPORT-BY-SPORT RUNDOWN:

GYMNASTICS/TRAMPOLINE:
Al Trautwig, Play-by-play
Elfi Schlegel, Analyst
Tim Daggett, Analyst
Andrea Joyce, Reporter

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS:
Andrea Joyce, Play-by-play
Elfi Schlegel, Analyst

TRACK & FIELD:
Tom Hammond, Play-by-play
Ato Boldon, Analyst
Dwight Stones, Analyst
Craig Masback, Analyst
Tim Hutchings, Analyst
Lewis Johnson, Reporter

RACE WALKING:
Randy Moss, Play-by-play
Chris Maddocks, Analyst

SWIMMING:
Dan Hicks, Play-by-play
Rowdy Gaines, Analyst
Andera Kremer, Reporter

OPEN WATER SWIMMING:
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-play
Rowdy Gaines, Analyst

DIVING:
Ted Robinson, Play-by-play
Cynthia Potter, Analyst
Alex Flanagan, Reporter

BEACH VOLLEYBALL:
Chris Marlowe, Play-by-play
Kevin Wong, Analyst
Heather Cox, Reporter

INDOOR VOLLEYBALL:
Paul Sunderland, Play-by-play
Kevin Barnett, Analyst

CYCLING (Road):
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-play
Paul Sherwen, Analyst
Todd Harris, Reporter

CYCLING (Track)
Todd Harris, Play-by-play
Paul Sherwen, Analyst

CYCLING (BMX/Mountain Bike)
Todd Harris, Play-by-play
Jamie Bestwick, Analyst

TRIATHLON:
Steve Schlanger, Play-by-play
Julie Swail, Analyst

BASKETBALL:
Bob Fitzgerald, Play-by-play (London)
Chris Carrino, Play-by-play
Dave Strader, Play-by-play
Doug Collins, Analyst (London)
Ann Meyers, Analyst (London)
Tim Capstraw, Analyst
Donny Marshall, Analyst
Lisa Leslie, Analyst
Carolyn Peck, Analyst
Craig Sager, Reporter (London)
Doc Rivers, Studio Analyst (London)

ROWING:
Terry Gannon, Play-by-play
Yaz Farooq, Analyst

CANOEING (Flat Water):
Terry Gannon, Play-by-play
Eric Giddens, Analyst

CANOEING (White Water):
Randy Moss, Play-by-play
Eric Giddens, Analyst

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING:
Randy Moss, Play-by-play
Heather Olson, Analyst

WRESTLING:
Jason Knapp, Play-by-play
Rulon Gardner, Analyst

WATER POLO:
Mike Emrick, Play-by-play
Wolf Wigo, Analyst
Julie Swail, Analyst

BOXING:
Bob Papa, Play-by-play
Teddy Atlas, Analyst
Russ Thaler, Reporter

MODERN PENTATHLON:
Eli Bremer, Analyst

WEIGHTLIFTING:
Jim Watson, Play-by-play
Shane Hamman, Analyst

EQUESTRIAN:
Tim Ryan, Play-by-play
Melanie Smith-Taylor, Analyst

SOCCER:
Arlo White, Play-by-play (London)
JP Dellacamera, Play-by-play
Glenn Davis, Play-by-play
Steve Cangialosi, Play-by-play
Allen Hopkins, Play-by-play and Analyst
Kyle Martino, Analyst (London)
Marcelo Balboa, Analyst
Shep Messing, Analyst
Cobi Jones, Analyst
Brandi Chastain, Analyst (London)
Kate Markgraf, Analyst
Cat Whitehill, Analyst
Angela Hucles, Analyst
Drea Avent, Reporter (London)

TENNIS:
Brett Haber, Play-by-play
Andrew Catalon, Play-by-play
Ted Robinson, Play-by-play (Men’s Final)
Justin Gimbelstob, Analyst
Rennae Stubbs, Analyst
John McEnroe, Analyst (Men’s Final)
Jon Wertheim, Reporter

HANDBALL:
Mike Gorman, Play-by-play
Dawn Lewis, Analyst

TABLE TENNIS:
Ari Wolfe, Play-by-play
Sean O’Neill, Analyst

BADMINTON:
Jim Kozimor, Play-by-play
Steve Kearney, Analyst

FENCING:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Jeff Bukantz, Analyst

ARCHERY:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Jason Knapp, Play-by-play
Rick McKinney, Analyst

SHOOTING:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Jason Knapp, Play-by-play
Shari LeGate, Analyst

FIELD HOCKEY:
Mike Corey, Play-by-play
Missy Meharg, Analyst

JUDO:
Craig Hummer, Play-by-play
Leo White, Analyst

SPORTSDESK REPORTERS:
Lester Holt
Michele Tafoya
Tamron Hall
Pierre McGuire
Stephanie Gosk
Carolyn Manno
Marshall Harris
Dr. Nancy Snyderman
Apolo Ohno

TELEMUNDO:
Andres Cantor, Host
Jessi Losada
Mónica Noguera
Sammy Sadovnik
Edgar Lopez
René Giraldo
Karim Mendiburu
Kaziro Aoyama
Oscar Guzmán
Leti Coo
Verónica Contreras

There you have it.

2012 NBC Olympics Hosts and Commentators

Ok, NBC’s press release on its 2012 Olympics hosts and announcers has yet to arrive. Thanks to an alert reader, I was tipped off to NBC Sports Group’s press release website which has the talent bios of its announcers for London. I’m not sure if NBC wants to make that site public, so I won’t link to it for now. But through this website, I’ll be able to piece together the announcing teams for you.

We already know the hosts for NBC and the hosts for Bravo (tennis), CNBC (boxing) and MSNBC. And this week, we learned the hosts for NBC Sports Network.

Ok, let’s list everything I’m able to compile. This is not complete as some sports are missing analysts and one is missing a play-by-play person, but it’s based on what I’ve been able to piece together from NBC’s PR site. I’ll provide reactions to the announcers later.

Randy Moss and Steve Schlanger will call multiple events during the Olympics. There are a couple of analysts who will provide color on multiple sports.

And when NBC finally sends its official press release with the complete announcing teams, I’ll publish that in a separate post.

Here we go.

STUDIO HOSTS

NBC
Today at the Olympics: Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera, Ann Curry, Al Roker
Weekdays/Weekend: Al Michaels, Dan Patrick
Primetime: Bob Costas
Late Night: Mary Carillo

Correspondents: Mary Carillo (primetime), Jimmy Fallon (primetime), Bela Karolyi (primetime) John McEnroe (primetime), Jimmy Roberts (daytime), Ryan Seacrest (primetime),  Shaun White (primetime)

MSNBC
Kelly Tilghman

NBC Sports Network
Morning: Michelle Beadle
Midday: Willie Geist
Afternoon: Liam McHugh

Olympic Sports Desk Reporters
Tamron Hall
Marshall Harris
Lester Holt
Carolyn Manno
Pierre McGuire
Carolyn Peck
Dr. Nancy Snyderman
Michele Tafoya

VENUE COMMENTATORS

Badminton
Jim Kozimor (play-by-play)
Steve Kearney (analyst)

Basketball (men’s & women’s)
Chris Carrino (play-by-play)
Bob Fitzgerald (play-by-play)
Dave Strader (play-by-play)
Doug Collins (analyst)
Lisa Leslie (analyst)
Ann Meyers (analyst)
Craig Sager (reporter)

Beach Volleyball
Chris Marlowe (play-by-play)
Kevin Wong (analyst)
Heather Cox (reporter)

Boxing (CNBC)
Fred Roggin (venue host)
Bob Papa (blow-by-blow)
Teddy Atlas (analyst)
Russ Thaler (reporter)

Canoe
Randy Moss (play-by-play)

Cycling
Todd Harris (play-by-play)
Steve Schlanger (play-by-play)

Diving
Ted Robinson (play-by-play)
Cynthia Potter (analyst)
Alex Flanagan (reporter)

Equestrian
Tim Ryan (play-by-play)
Melanie Smith Taylor (analyst)

Field Hockey
Mike Corey (play-by-play)
Missy Meharg (analyst)

Gymnastics
Al Trautwig (play-by-play)
Tim Dagget (analyst)
Elfi Schlegel (analyst)
Andrea Joyce (reporter)

Handball
Mike Gorman (play-by-play)
Dawn Allinger Lewis (analyst)

Judo
Leo White, Jr. (analyst)

Open Water
Steve Schlanger (play-by-play)
Rowdy Gaines (analyst)

Race Walk
Randy Moss (play-by-play)
Chris Maddocks (analyst)

Rowing
Terry Gannon (play-by-play)
Yasmin Farooq (analyst)

Shooting
Shari Legate (analyst)

Soccer
Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play)
Glenn Davis (play-by-play)
JP Dellacamera (play-by-play)
Arlo White (play-by-play)
Marcelo Balboa (analyst)
Brandi Chastain (analyst)
Allen Hopkins (analyst)
Cobi Jones (analyst)
Kyle Martino (analyst)
Shep Messing (analyst)

Swimming
Dan Hicks (play-by-play)
Rowdy Gaines (analyst)
Andrea Kremer (reporter)

Synchronized Swimming
Randy Moss (play-by-play)
Heather Olson (analyst)

Table Tennis
Ari Wolfe (play-by-play)
Sean O’Neill (analyst)

Tennis (Bravo)
Pat O’Brien (venue host)
Andrew Catalon (play-by-play)
Brett Haber (play-by-play)
Ted Robinson (play-by-play)
Justin Gimelstob (analyst)
Rennae Stubbs (analyst)
Jon Wertheim (reporter)

Track & Field
Tom Hammond (play-by-play)
Ato Boldon (analyst)
Craig Masback (analyst)
Dwight Stones (analyst)
Tim Hutchings (analyst -Marathon)
Lewis Johnson (reporter)

Trampoline
Al Trautwig (play-by-play)
Tim Dagget (analyst)

Triathlon
Steve Schlanger (play-by-play)
Julie Swail (analyst)

Volleyball
Paul Sunderland (play-by-play)
Kevin Barnett (analyst)

Water Polo
Mike Emrick (play-by-play)
Julie Swail (analyst)
Wolf Wigo (analyst)

Weightlifting
Jim Watson (play-by-play)

White Water
Randy Moss (play-by-play)

Wrestling
Jason Knapp (play-by-play)

That is your list for now. As stated above, when NBC provides the press release with the complete teams, I’ll put that on the site.

UPDATE, 1:35 a.m.: Through a check of Twitter and hearing from sources, I’ve added NBC MLS voice Arlo White to soccer, and through Drea Avent’s account and in particular, her tweet to me directly, she’ll be a reporter during the Games, in what capacity, we have not been able to confirm just yet. More to follow when it becomes available.

NBC Sports Group Announces Long-Term Extension For Tour de France

Announced today by the NBC Sports Group, the Tour de France will air primarily on NBC Sports Network and on NBC through 2023. The new agreement begins in 2014 and calls for a ten year contract. Most of the 21 stages will air on NBC Sports Network with some shown live on NBC.

NBC will own all television, digital and mobile rights for the Tour de France. Other events affiliated with the Tour de France including the Paris Marathon and the Dakar Rally will also be aired on NBCUniversal networks.

This year’s Tour de France will air on NBC Sports Network and NBC starting this Saturday at 8 a.m. ET. We have details of the new agreement below.

NBC SPORTS GROUP EXTENDS PARTNERSHIP WITH ASO FOR MULTI-PLATFORM RIGHTS TO TOUR DE FRANCE THROUGH 2023

New Agreement, Beginning in 2014, Includes All U.S. Television, Digital and Mobile Rights to Tour de France Though 2023
NBC Sports Network Continues to be Home of Tour de France
NBC Will Air Live Stages in Each Year Beginning in 2012

New York – June 26, 2012 – The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and NBC Sports Group today announced a 10-year multi-platform extension that includes exclusive U.S. television, digital and mobile rights for the Tour de France through 2023. As part of the agreement, which begins in 2014, the NBC Sports Group will continue as the exclusive U.S. television home of the Tour de France, with live coverage of every stage, including live coverage on NBC each year.

Additionally, the NBC Sports Group will continue coverage of several other ASO properties, including the Dakar Rally and the Paris Marathon, as well as spring classic cycling events including Paris Nice, Criterium International, Criterium du Dauphine, Paris Roubaix, Fleche Wallonne, Liege Bastogne Liege and the Paris Tours.

“The Tour de France has long been one of the tent pole events on the NBC Sports Network schedule, and now will be an integral part of our NBC broadcast schedule, with live coverage each year,” said Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the ASO on all of its properties for another decade.”

“We are very happy to see the Tour de France exposure growing in the United States,” said Yann le Moënner, Managing Director of ASO, organizers of the Tour de France. “Our long term agreement will give us the opportunity to work with the skilled storytellers at NBC to build a beautiful sports story during the next ten years. Beyond the Tour de France, this agreement continues NBC Sports Network’s coverage of all other ASO sporting events such as Paris-Roubaix, Dakar Rally and Paris Marathon, which will benefit from a large exposure on NBC Sports Group platforms.”

As previously announced, NBC Sports Group, the exclusive U.S. television partner of the Tour de France, will surround this year’s race with 295 total hours of coverage and robust digital offerings including:

• 19 of the 21 stages live on NBC Sports Network;
• Two stages (7 and 8) live on NBC; first ever live over the air coverage of the Tour de France;
• An average of more than 13 hours of race action per day, in full HD, throughout the 21-stage competition on NBC Sports Network including a nightly studio show;
• NBC recap shows on July 1 and July 22 for the first and final stages of the epic race.

The nightly studio show, 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, will feature a combination of race coverage and cycling insight, as well as highlights from some of the most compelling stories throughout the Tour. Each show will include analysis and strategy segments, as well as interviews with the riders at the start and finish lines.

NBC Sports Group’s live coverage of the 99th Tour de France begins on Saturday at 8 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, at the grand start in Liege, Belgium.

That will do it.

A Few Sports Media Bullet Points

Ok, as we’re all in denial over the Miami Heat winning the NBA Championship, it’s time for a few sports media thoughts. Too many things to go over, but I’ll do my best to cover as many things as I can.

As always, we do them in bullet form. And to drown out the thoughts of LeBron James celebrating, I’m listening to Korn on my iPad at the highest volume.

• Over 24 hours since first learning about Darren Rovell’s decision to leave CNBC for ESPN and I’m still baffled. Now, over all the sports media free agents I’ve mentioned or heard about for 2012, Darren’s name never came up. Darren who started his career at ESPN and left for CNBC in 2006 seemed to be happy with the NBCUniversal, having his own show on NBC Sports Network, his own CNBC site, and occasional appearances on NBC Sports events.

  But when the Worldwide Leader comes a’calling, you have to listen. Deadspin reported Thursday that Disney will pay Rovell $500,000 to file reports for both ABC News and ESPN.

  I don’t know if he’ll have his own show as he did with NBC Sports Network, I tend to doubt it. But the timing is rather interesting. Just after getting the sports business show that he had been clamoring, Darren leaves.

  ESPN has made a few recent sports business hires including Kristi Dosh and Michelle Steele. I wonder if ESPN is making a concerted effort to cover sports business again.

  And as we know, Darren is a prolific tweeter. Will his penchant for Twitter be controlled under ESPN’s social media policy? I’m sure this will all be addressed down the line.

• CBS Radio’s announcement that it was launching a sports radio network came as a surprise. The timing came just ten days after NBC announced it was launching a radio network of its own.

  This makes an already crowded radio scene even more so. Considering you have ESPN which has been firmly established since the 1990′s, Fox Sports Radio, Yahoo and even the Sports USA Radio Network, one wonders if there’s enough room for one more national radio net let alone two.

  Personally, I love to see more networks because competition can only lead to better programming, however, economic realities tell you that one of these fledgling entities may not make it.

  The eyeball test from the outset shows that CBS has the best infrastructure having already established sports stations in several major markets that will be part of CBS Sports Radio. Plus teaming with Cumulus Media’s 67 stations cross the country helps the reach.

  As for NBC, it’s just getting back into the radio business after General Electric had sold the Radio Network to Westwood One and its entire radio station group to various owners. It will partner with the former Westwood One now known as Dial Global.

  The question is whether this will lead to a bidding war for sports properties. ESPN Radio has the BCS, MLB and the NBA while Dial Global has the NFL, NCAA Championships and The Masters.

  Suddenly radio is red hot once again and I like it. And as SportsbyBrooks pointed out, it could lead to more poaching of ESPN talent by CBS and NBC to fill programming slots.

• I was disappointed to learn that Radio Wimbledon will not be handling the worldwide audio play-by-play of the Championships Wimbledon starting next week.

  Last October, Wimbledon’s parent, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club accepted a bid from IMG to take over the radio rights to call the matches. The new entity called Live@Wimbledon will be using some, but not all of Radio Wimbledon’s team. Over the years, Radio Wimbledon had been the only link to live tennis when NBC was pulling its tape delay shenanigans. Unfortunately, despite Radio Wimby attracting 2.7 million listeners in 2011, the AELTC decided to take IMG’s money and ruin a very good service for the fortnight.

  Radio Wimbledon will be missed.

• As Sports Business Journal reported this week, Fox Sports has begun talks with NASCAR in hopes of extending its current contract. It expires in 2014.

  As Fox has been successful in obtaining rights to the FIFA World Cup, Big 12 and Pac-12, the thinking behind many of these acquisitions has been to play keep away from NBC Sports Group. You know that with NASCAR rights in play, NBC Sports would love nothing more than to add inventory to NBCSN.

  If Fox is successful, it leaves only TNT’s mid-season Sprint Cup races and ESPN’s Chase for the Cup races being up for grabs. And both Turner and ESPN want to prevent NBC from grabbing their packages.

  With MLB, NASCAR, the Big East and the NBA negotiations all unsettled thus far, NBC still has a chance to lure one if not all to its war chest.

• Lastly, the aforementioned SportsbyBrooks tweeted that Chris Berman will call the late game for Monday Night Football’s season opening doubleheader on September 10. And in addition, he’ll call one preseason game as practice. If you thought the venom towards Berman is bad when he calls the U.S. Open or the All-Star Home Run Derby, just wait until he does the NFL. It’s probably best that ESPN public relations stay off social media on the nights Berman calls the NFL.

And that will conclude the thoughts. Enjoy your Friday.

NBC Sports Group All Over The Tour de France

It’s that time of year when we get notices on summer sports events. The Tour de France is no exception. When Versus was trying to get on the map, it was the Tour de France that helped the network gain a small foothold, especially when Lance Armstrong was in the midst of his run of victories.

Now, the NBC Sports Group will look beyond Lance and try to promote the event while the sport tries to recover from various doping scandals.

Starting next weekend and spanning through July 22, the Tour de France will run through 20 stages including various time trials. As usual, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen will call the live action in the morning and during the nightly recap shows. Liam McHugh will act as the roving host and be accompanied by analysts Bob Roll and Scott Moniger.

Two stages, 7 & 8 will be aired live on NBC which marks the first time ever, that Tour de France stages will be aired live on network TV.

We have the details of NBC’s coverage.

NBC SPORTS GROUP SURROUNDS THE 99TH ANNUAL TOUR DE FRANCE – THE MOST GRUELING CYCLING EVENT OF THE YEAR

Stages 7 & 8 Live on NBC; First Ever Live Network Coverage of Tour de France
295 Total Hours Including Each of the 21 Stages Live, Nightly Studio Show and Daily Stage Re-airs
Multi-platform Coverage Available with Tour de France LIVE on NBCSports.com and through Tour de France LIVE Mobile App
NBCSports.com Will Live Stream the Stages on NBC
“After the recent Dauphine race in France, Cadel Evans has shot himself into the favorite category to win the Tour for a second time.” – NBC Sports’ Phil Liggett on 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans

New York – June 21, 2012 – NBC Sports Group, the exclusive U.S. television home of the Tour de France, will surround the world’s most grueling cycling race with 295 total hours of coverage and robust digital offerings including:

• 19 of the 21 stages live on NBC Sports Network;
• Two stages (7 and 8) live on NBC; first ever live network coverage of the Tour de France;
• Nightly studio show and re-airs of each stage on NBC Sports Network;
• An average of more than 13 hours of race action per day, in full HD, throughout the 21-stage competition on NBC Sports Network.
• NBC recap shows on July 1 and July 22 for the first and final stages of the epic race;
• Tour de France LIVE, at NBCSports.com, and the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app.

The nightly studio show, 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, will feature a combination of race coverage and cycling insight, as well as highlights from some of the most compelling stories throughout the Tour. Each show will include analysis and strategy segments, as well as interviews with the riders at the start and finish lines.

Coverage of the 99th Tour de France begins on Saturday, June 30, at 8 a.m. ET, live on NBC Sports Network, at the grand start in Liege, Belgium. Full schedule is below.

COMMENTATORS: Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, the voices of cycling, will once again call all the race action for both the live and nightly shows, with Craig Hummer and Steve Porino contributing as field reporters. Liam McHugh, who will be on-site in Paris, will host NBC Sports Group’s coverage alongside former American cyclists Bob Roll and Scott Moninger. Robbie Ventura will report on the tech elements and equipment used by these elite athletes during the network’s three weeks of coverage.

PRODUCTION: Tour de France coverage will include exclusive live look-ins to team cars for Team Garmin-Barracuda, Team Sky, Team Omega Pharma-Quickstep and Team RadioShack Nissan Trek as they relay strategy and updates to their riders. New this year, reporters Hummer and Porino will be embedded with these teams, providing unprecedented access. NBC Sports Network will utilize several production features, including a pointer feature which will easily identify and focus on one rider in the peloton; exclusive, in-depth profiles and features on teams and riders; and an onscreen predicted time for the peloton riders who are trying to catch the leading riders. Individual rider profiles will include 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, Bradley Wiggins, sprinter Mark Cavendish, and American riders Tom Danielson, Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie, who will be riding in his 17^th Tour, breaking the record he held with Dutch rider Joop Zoetemelk for the most starts in history.

LIGGETT ON 2011 WINNER CADEL EVANS: “After the recent Dauphine race in France, Cadel Evans has shot himself into the favorite category to win the Tour for a second time. If he does, he will be the oldest since Firmin Lambot in 1922. However, he has yet to work out how to beat Bradley Wiggins, who will be trying to become the first British winner ever of the event. Evans has a great competitive spirit and will still start as the favorite to win.”

Tour de France LIVE and Tour de France LIVE Mobile: NBC Sports Group will surround its on-air coverage with Tour de France LIVE, unprecedented cycling content online at NBCSports.com, and through the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app. The network will offer users two premium-subscription products which will give fans a multi-platform, all-encompassing viewing experience to the Tour. Tour de France LIVE offers live streaming video of every stage in full HD, with the ability to pause, rewind and slow-mo the video. While watching live coverage online, viewers will also have access to a live GPS tracking map to follow the riders’ progress or to see an enhanced interactive map for each stage. Also, subscribers can personalize their Tour experience by choosing their favorite riders and teams to track throughout the Tour. To experience the Tour de France on the go, fans can also purchase the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app, which is available for iPhone and iPad, as well as Android devices. All the features of the NBCSports.com online experience will be mirrored in the Tour de France LIVE Mobile app, including live video of every stage, and is sold separately from the online product. Stages 7 and 8, which will air live on NBC, will also be streamed live for free, on NBCSports.com.

Other elements available to cycling fans at NBCSports.com and through the mobile apps, are listed below.

Before the Tour:

• Stage-by-stage descriptions and previews, featuring historical stage information, technical information and interesting travelogue vignettes
• Breakdown of top contenders
• Historical top 10 lists
• Look back at the best of the 2011 Tour de France

During the Tour:

• Recaps and highlights of each stage
• Route previews, course and stage maps, elevation profiles and stage descriptions
• Interviews with the top riders
• Live stage results and detailed standings
• Rider profiles by country and team
• Live news stream during every stage
• Photo slideshows
• Tour de France Twitter stream, which will showcase the top race authorities, including riders, analysts, officials and fans

Additional Features and Elements:

• The Ultimate Access Sweepstakes will give away a trip to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (Aug 24 – 27) where one lucky fan and a guest will get the chance to get insider’s access to one of the world’s premiere cycling team, RadioShack Nissan Trek. Additional prizes include Trek bikes, and team autographed helmets and jerseys. Fans register at http://ultimateaccess.nbcsports.com/ and enter the code word “Colo” (for Colorado).

Social Media: Fans can also keep up with the Tour de France through NBC Sports social media platforms throughout the race. Content will include:

• Behind the Scenes: Through the NBC cycling Facebook page and @NBCSNCycling on Twitter, fans will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video clips.
• News: Fans can follow NBC Cycling Facebook and @NBCSNCycling Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date reports and stories from around the cycling world.

NBC Sports Group’s Live Schedule (all times Eastern and subject to change):

DATE	STAGE	TIME	NETWORK
Sat., June 30	Prologue: Liege to Liege	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 1	Stage 1: Liege to Seraing	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 1	Recap Show	4 p.m. – 6 p.m.	NBC
Mon., July 2	Stage 2: Vise to Tournai	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Tues., July 3	Stage 3: Orchies to Boulogne-sur-mer	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Wed., July 4	Stage 4: Abbeville to Rouen	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Thurs., July 5	Stage 5: Rouen to Saint-Quentin	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Fri., July 6	Stage 6: Epernay to metz	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sat., July 7	Stage 7: Tomblaine to La Planche des Belles Filles	8 a.m. – Noon	NBC
Sun., July 8	Stage 8: Belfort to Porrentruy	8 a.m. – Noon	NBC
Mon., July 9	Stage 9: Arc-et-Senans to Bescancon	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Wed., July 11	Stage 10: Macon to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Thurs., July 12	Stage 11: Albertville to La Toussuire-Les Sybelles	7 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Fri., July 13	Stage 12: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Annonay Davezieux	6:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.	NBCSN
Sat., July 14	Stage 13: Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Le Cap d’Adge	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 15	Stage 14: Limoux to Foix	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Mon., July 16	Stage 15: Samatan to Pau	8 a.m. – Noon	NBCSN
Wed., July 17	Stage 16: Pau to Bagneres-de-Luchon	6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Thurs., July 19	Stage 17: Bagneres-de-Luchon to Peyragudes	7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Fri., July 20	Stage 18: Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde	8 a.m. – 11 a.m.	NBCSN
Sat., July 21	Stage 19: Bonneval to Chartres	8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	NBCSN
Sun., July 22	Stage 20: Rambouillet to Paris Champs-Elysees	8 a.m. – Noon	NBCSN
Sun., July 22	Recap Show	1 p.m. – 3 p.m.	NBC

That’s all.

NBC Sports Group Really Ramps Up Its Olympic Trials Coverage

Earlier this year, NBC Sports Group showed various Olympic Trials that lasted through May. Now with the London Olympics just a little more than a month away, the glamor events like Swimming & Diving, Track & Field and Gymnastics will all hold their trials starting this week.

Both NBC and NBC Sports Group will have live coverage including a lot of primetime hours devoted to the Olympic Trials. It begins with the Diving Trials starting at midnight Tuesday.

Starting this Friday, NBC will air the Track & Field Trials and then the Swimming Trials all live in primetime going all the way through to July 2. meaning 11 consecutive days of coverage on the air. A total of 15½ through that period.

NBC Sports Network will air the bulk of the trials with 39½ including live BMX, rowing, field hockey and exhibition water polo.

Covering the diving will be Ted Robinson, Cynthia Potter and new Olympics addition Alex Flanagan. The swimming will be called by the familiar crew of Dan Hicks, Rowdy Gaines and Andrea Kremer, holdovers from 2008. Gymnastics will be called by Al Trautwig, Tim Dagget and Elfi Schlegel. Track & Field will be led by Tom Hammond, Ato Boldon, Craig Masback and Dwight Stones with others included.

Here’s the NBC press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS MORE THAN 45 HOURS OF LIVE OLYMPIC TRIALS COVERAGE OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS

Includes 15.5 Hours on NBC in Primetime
14 Hours of Diving Trials Begins Tomorrow
12 Hours of Track & Field Trials Begins Friday
16.5 Hours, Including Every Night of Swimming Trials in Primetime on NBC, Begins Monday, June 25
8.5 Hours of Gymnastics Trials Begins Thursday, June 28

NEW YORK – June 18, 2012 – NBC Sports Group continues its coverage of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials with live diving, track and field, swimming and gymnastics trials beginning tomorrow. In the next three weeks, NBC and NBC Sports Network will air more than 45 hours of live trials coverage (56 total hours) including, for the first time ever, every night of the swimming trials in primetime on NBC.

DIVING: NBC Sports Group’s 14 hours of live diving trials begins tomorrow at Midnight ET on NBC Sports Network and includes five hours of weekend afternoon coverage on NBC. NBC’s Olympic diving broadcast team of Ted Robinson (play-by-play), Cynthia Potter (analyst) and Alex Flanagan (reporter) will call the competition from Federal Way, Wash.

TRACK AND FIELD: NBC Sports Group’s 12 hours of live track & field trials coverage begins this Friday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. It includes eight days of coverage; with four nights in primetime on NBC. NBC’s Olympic track and field broadcast team of Tom Hammond, Ato Boldon, Craig Masback, Tim Hutchings, Dwight Stones and Lewis Johnson report from Eugene, Ore.

SWIMMING: For the first time, every night of the swimming trials will be in primetime on NBC. In all, NBC Sports Group will air a total of 16.5 hours of the swimming trials beginning on Monday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, immediately followed by the first of eight straight nights in primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET. NBC’s Olympic swimming broadcast team of Dan Hicks, Rowdy Gaines and Andrea Kremer report from Omaha, Neb.

GYMNASTICS: NBC Sports Group’s 8.5 hours of gymnastics trials coverage begins Thursday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and includes four straight days of coverage ending with the women’s final in primetime on NBC on Sunday, July 1. NBC’s Olympic gymnastics broadcast team of Al Trautwig, Tim Daggett, Elfi Schlegel and Andrea Joyce report from San Jose, Calif.

Olympic Trials coverage highlights:

• More than 45 hours of live trials coverage on NBC and NBC Sports Network; including 15.5 hours on NBC in primetime;
• For the first time, every night of the swimming trials in primetime on NBC;
• Sunday, July 1: four hours primetime coverage including track & field, swimming and gymnastics on NBC;
• Rowing and BMX trials and live coverage of USA Women vs. Argentina in Field Hockey on Saturday, June 23;
• USA Women vs. China live water polo match on Sunday, July 8.

NBC SPORTS GROUP 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials – Remaining Television Schedule
Date	Time	Network	Event
Tues., June 19	12-2 a.m. ET	NBCSN	Diving – Semifinals: Men’s 10-meter (live)
Wed., June 20	10 p.m.-2 a.m. ET	NBCSN	Diving – Semifinals: Men’s 3-meter (live);Women’s 10-meter (live); Women’s 3-meter (next day coverage)
Thurs., June 21	10 p.m.-12 a.m. ET	NBCSN	Diving – Synchro Finals: Women’s 3-meter;Men’s 10-meter (live)
Fri., June 22	9-11 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Track & Field – Finals (live)
	11 p.m.-12 a.m. ET	NBCSN	Diving – Synchro Finals: Men’s 3-meter (live)
Sat., June 23	1:30-3:30 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Field Hockey – USA Women vs. Argentina (live)
	4-6 p.m. ET	NBC	Diving: Men’s 10-meter – Finals (live)
	6-7:30 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Rowing (from June 11-14) and BMX (from June 16)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Track & Field – Finals (live)
Sun., June 24	3-6 p.m. ET	NBC	Diving: Men’s 3-meter, Women’s 10-meter, Women’s 3-meter – Finals (live)
	7-8 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Track & Field – Finals (live)
Mon., June 25	6:30-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
	9-11 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Track & Field – Finals (live)
Tues., June 26	6:30-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
Wed., June 27	7-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
Thurs., June 28	4:30-5:30 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	5:30-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Gymnastics – Men’s Competition (live)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
	9-11 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Track & Field – Finals (live)
Fri., June 29	4:30-6 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	6-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Track & Field – Finals (live)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
	9-11 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Gymnastics – Women’s Competition (live)
Sat., June 30	4-6 p.m. ET	NBC	Gymnastics – Men’s Final (live)
	6:30-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
	9-10 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Track & Field – Finals (live)
Sun., July 1	6-7 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Swimming – Qualifying Heats (same day coverage)
	7-8 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Track & Field – Finals (live)
	8-9 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
	9-11 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Gymnastics – Women’s Final (live)
Mon., July 2	8-8:30 p.m. ET/PT	NBC	Swimming – Finals (live)
Sun., July 8	6-7:30 p.m. ET	NBCSN	Water Polo – USA Women vs. China (live)

Leading into the 2012 London Games, NBC Sports Group will have aired a record 67½ hours of event coverage – 43 on NBC Sports Network and 24½ on NBC – featuring 10 sports, including live primetime coverage of trials for diving, swimming, gymnastics and track & field, as well as events for field hockey. Trials coverage began in January and will conclude on Sunday, July 8, with the U.S Women’s Water Polo Olympic Team taking on the Chinese Olympic Team.

The 67½ hours of coverage on NBC and NBC Sports Network marks the most ever for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, topping the 49 hours of trials coverage in 2008 and 40½ hours in 2004. Additionally, NBC Sports Network and Universal Sports will re-air a combined 117 hours of trials coverage (74 hours on NBC Sports Network and 43 hours on Universal Sports).

There you have it.

Cranking Out Some Friday Megalinks

Ok, linkage has been really scarce over the last month and a half and I apologize for that. My schedules have been quite busy and it’s been tough to sit down for the time it takes to gather the links. I hope that changes over the next month or so.

I have some National links for you right now. I’ll follow up with more stuff later.

Here are the Weekend Viewing Picks for you.

National

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch speaks with the people at the Poynter Institute who are the ESPN Ombudsman.

Nate Davis at USA Today’s The Huddle has the Miami Dolphins not so enthusiastic about being on Hard Knocks this season.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with ESPN’s Sean McDonough who will undergo brain surgery later this year.

Ira Boudwell of Bloomberg Businessweek says ESPN is getting out of the high school sports business saying it’s not broad enough.

Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski says this week’s blowout between David Stern and Jim Rome proves that the NBA Commissioner needs to go.

John Ourand of Sports Business Daily says Fox Sports San Diego is launching an ad campaign against Time Warner Cable which has still not picked up the regional sports network.

Good Morning America’s and former ESPN SportsCenter host Robin Roberts says she will beat the rare blood disorder that will require a bone marrow transplant.

Michael O’Connell of the Hollywood Reporter notes that the NBA Finals are pacing ABC to good ratings this week.

At Broadcasting & Cable, Tim Baysinger writes that this week’s Dream Team documentary gave NBA TV its best viewership ever.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says GolTV scored with this week’s soccer international friendly match between Brazil and Argentina.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life reports that NBC will debut two new sitcoms right smack dab in the middle of the Olympics.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report looks at the geriatric broadcasting team calling the NBA Finals for ESPN Radio.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid notes that even after the winning the Stanley Cup this week, the Los Angeles Kings still aren’t getting respect from the local media.

Former Deadspin editor A.J. Daulerio returns to his former stomping grounds to do a massive takedown of Jay “The Rat” Mariotti.

Also from Deadspin, John Koblin writes that there doesn’t seem to be a clamoring for Erin Andrews beyond ESPN.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says NBA TV and NBA Entertainment are appealing to the hardcore basketball fan for their Finals coverage.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead says Sports Illustrated could be laying off part of its staff.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has tweets from people who hated Chris Berman on the U.S. Open yesterday.

Sports Media Watch notes that this year’s Stanley Cup Final did not resonate with viewers.

SMW also has some various ratings news and notes.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that Brooklyn Nets gear is selling very well.

MediaRantz tells us that Sean Salisbury will be getting a new internet radio gig.

UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Time for more linkage here.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe reports that May was a very good month for sports radio station WEEI as it finished ahead of 98.5 The Sports Hub.

At SB Nation, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch writes about golfer David Duval taking a turn in the broadcast tower at the U.S. Open.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette discusses Johnny Miller holding court for NBC at the U.S. Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco this week.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with ESPN college baseball analyst Kyle Petersen who will be introducing many Long Islanders to the College World Series today.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post goes after the Yankees for pricing out fans from the “Beautiful People” seats at Yankee Stadium.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY notes that SNY will unveil the all-time Mets team at a gala event on Sunday.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says the US Women’s National Soccer Team will be on TV and the web this weekend.

Ken says local Time Warner Cable subscribers will have access to the new Pac-12 Networks this summer.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says NBC Sports Group has announced the 2012 Summer at Saratoga schedule.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union talks with Jim Rome who marks his 16th year in New York’s Capital Region.

Pete says one of harness racing’s famous races changes networks this year.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call profiles a local cable TV sports reporter who is filling a double role this summer.

Keith has more on her in his blog.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com writes that a decision on the Washington Nationals TV rights has been delayed.

South

Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald has some NBA Finals Game 2 postgame reaction as well as Jon Barry saying he’s not a Miami Heat Hater.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says Fox Sports Houston was well-prepared and staffed for Wednesday’s perfect game thrown against the Astros by Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants.

Mel Bracht at The Oklahoman writes that ESPN on ABC was all over the non-foul call against the Thunder’s Kevin Durant during Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The Oklahoman rounds up what sports reporters are saying on Twitter about the NBA Finals.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter at the Cincinnati Enquirer says an all-star high school football game will be shown locally this weekend.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that ESPN is dropping its high school sports operation.

Bob criticizes Jim Rome for his questioning of NBA Communist China Sympathizer David Stern.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch says Cubs announcers Len Kasper and Bob Brenly were silent when comedian Jeff Garlin brought up trading Alfonso Soriano.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin notes the rare occurrence of the U.S. Open and the NBA Finals going head-to-head on TV this Father’s Day.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that viewers of Fox Sports Midwest may need a scorecard to tell who’s in the Cardinals TV booth over the next few days.

Dan notes that next week will mark a decade since the passing of Jack Buck and Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile.

West

Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman says this fall’s Boise State-Southern Mississippi game will get the Fox treatment.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says Utahans are nervous about getting the Pac-12 Networkcomparing it to their experience with the ill-fated the mtn.

John Maffei of the North County Times writes that Fox Sports San Diego has set its sights squarely on Time Warner Cable.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says ESPN’s NBA Countdown show seems to work fine without a host.

Jim talks with NBC’s Johnny Miller about the U.S. Open.

Jim has his weekend viewing picks.

Melissa Rohlin of the Los Angeles Times says Game 2 of the NBA Finals drew a good overnight number for ABC.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with former Kings voices about the Stanley Cup victory.

Tom has some more in his blog.

Canada

The Toronto Globe and Mail’s Bruce Dowbiggin blames both Jim Rome and David Stern for their ugly exchange this week.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog says the NBA and NHL Commissioners are taking it on their chins this week.

And that’s going to do it.

NBC Sports Group To Air 32 College Football Games This Season

Here’s another press release from last week that is being posted now. From the NBC Sports Group, over 30 college football games will air on NBC and the NBC Sports Network. NBC will show 7 Notre Dame games and the annual Bayou Classic between Grambling State and Southern University. NBC Sports Network will have a schedule consisting of games from the Mountain West Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, the Ivy League and the annual Atlanta Football Classic.

Liam McHugh, Doug Flutie and newbie analyst Hines Ward will be the NBC Sports college football studio team. Tom Hammond and Mike Mayock will call Notre Dame football. Other announcers for the Mountain West, CAA and Ivy League will be brought forth at a later date.

Here’s the NBC Sports Group college football schedule.

NBC & NBC SPORTS NETWORK TO TELEVISE 32 COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES IN 2012

2012 Coverage of Notre Dame, Mountain West, CAA & Ivy League Kicks Off Sept. 8
NBC to Broadcast Bayou Classic between Grambling & Southern for 21^st Consecutive Year; NBC Sports Network to Televise Atlanta Football Classic between Florida A&M & Southern for 5^th Straight Year

NEW YORK – June 7, 2012 – NBC and NBC Sports Network will combine to televise 32 college football games during the 2012 season, beginning with a triple-header on Saturday, Sept. 8. The combined NBC and the NBC Sports Network 2012 college football schedule is comprised of Notre Dame home games; games from the Mountain West Conference, the Colonial Athletic Association, and the Ivy League; the annual Bayou Classic between Grambling State and Southern, which NBC has broadcast every year since 1991; and the Atlanta Football Classic, this year between Florida A&M and Southern, which NBC Sports Network has televised since 2008.

Coverage kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 8, with Purdue at Notre Dame on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET and Delaware State at Delaware (CAA) at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Later that night, NBC Sports Network will air Army at San Diego State (MWC) at 7:30 p.m. ET. The first Ivy League telecasts air on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, Sept. 22, when Cornell hosts Yale at 1 p.m. ET followed by defending champion Harvard at Brown at 4:30 p.m. ET.

The NBC and NBC Sports Network 2012 college football schedule includes seven Notre Dame games, 10 Mountain West Conference games, six Colonial Athletic Association games, seven Ivy League games, plus the Bayou Classic and Atlanta Football Classic.

NBC Sports’ college football studio team of Liam McHugh, Doug Flutie and Hines Ward will provide pre- and post-game coverage on NBC and/or NBC Sports Network every Saturday. Game commentators will be announced closer to the start of the season.

Highlights of the 2012 College Football schedule include:

• Seven primetime/nighttime games, including Army at San Diego State on Sept. 8 on NBC Sports Network and Michigan at Notre Dame on Sept. 22 on NBC.
• Three quadruple-headers on Sept. 22, Nov. 10 (all on NBC Sports Network) and Nov. 17.
• Continuing its off-site home series, Notre Dame will host the Miami Hurricanes at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
• For the fifth consecutive year, NBC Sports Network will present the Atlanta Football Classic from the Georgia Dome at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 29. This year’s game features Florida A&M taking on Southern.
• Perennial Mountain West powerhouse Boise State plays four times on NBC Sports Network.
• The Game: Yale at Harvard airs at Noon ET on NBC Sports Network on Saturday, Nov. 17.
• On Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m. ET, NBC will broadcast the 39^th Annual Bayou Classic between Grambling State and Southern for the 21^st time from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La.

	NBC SPORTS GROUP COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (all times ET)
3:30 p.m.	Sat, Sept. 8	Purdue at Notre Dame	NBC
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 8	Delaware State at Delaware	NBCSN
7:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 8	Army at San Diego State	NBCSN
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 15	William & Mary at Towson	NBCSN
4:00 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 15	Miami (Ohio) at Boise State	NBCSN
1:00 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 22	Yale at Cornell	NBCSN
4:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 22	Harvard at Brown	NBCSN
7:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 22	Michigan at Notre Dame	NBC
10:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 22	Nevada at Hawaii	NBCSN
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 29	Penn at Dartmouth	NBCSN
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Sept. 29	Atlanta Football Classic: Florida A&M vs. Southern	NBCSN
1:00 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 6	Towson at James Madison	NBCSN
7:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 6	Miami at Notre Dame (Soldier Field)	NBC
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 13	Brown at Princeton	NBCSN
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 13	Stanford at Notre Dame	NBC
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 13	Fresno State at Boise State	NBCSN
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 20	Penn at Yale	NBCSN
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 20	BYU at Notre Dame	NBC
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 20	UNLV at Boise State	NBCSN
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Oct. 27	Delaware at Old Dominion	NBCSN
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 3	Towson at Delaware	NBCSN
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 3	Pittsburgh at Notre Dame	NBC
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 10	Harvard at Penn	NBCSN
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 10	Air Force at San Diego State	NBCSN
7:00 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 10	Boise State at Hawaii	NBCSN
10:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 10	Fresno State at Nevada	NBCSN
12:00 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 17	Yale at Harvard	NBCSN
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 17	Wake Forest at Notre Dame	NBC
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 17	Colorado State at Boise State	NBCSN
7:00 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 17	Old Dominion at James Madison	NBCSN
2:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 24	Bayou Classic: Grambling State vs. Southern	NBC
3:30 p.m.	Sat., Nov. 24	Air Force at Fresno State	NBCSN

That’s going to do it.

NBC Sports Group and Dial Global Radio Announce “NBC Sports Radio Network”

This from the NBC Sports Group, NBC and Dial Global Radio are forming the NBC Sports Radio Network. It will begin operation in September with hourly sports news updates and various commentaries. Then long form programming will start later with shows that will be streamed at both NBCSports.com and DialGlobal.com.

Programming will be made available as podcasts for personal downloading. Expect to hear commentaries from the likes of Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Erik “The Butcher” Kuselias, Michelle Beadle, Russ Thaler and others. Not sure if Dan Patrick’s radio contract would allow him to take part in this venture, but with Dial Global’s reach, perhaps he could change distributors down the line.

Here’s the announcement.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND DIAL GLOBAL PARTNER TO FORM THE NBC SPORTS RADIO NETWORK

New National Sports Radio Network Begins in September, to Include Regional Daily Sports Updates

NEW YORK, NY, June 11, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group and Dial Global (NASDAQ: DIAL) announced a partnership today to create the NBC Sports Radio Network. Beginning in September, the network will be distributed to radio stations nationwide by Dial Global.

The network’s content will include hourly sports news updates, daily features as well as full-length shows.
In addition to distribution on terrestrial radio stations, NBC Sports’ audio content will be available on a wide variety of digital platforms. Live shows will be streamed onNBCSports.com, DialGlobalSports.com, affiliate stations’ websites and other streaming services. On-demand short-form audio content will also be distributed online and through podcasts and other digital applications. Dial Global will be the exclusive ad and affiliate sales representative to the network.

“We are thrilled to bring the rich heritage of NBC Sports to listeners across national radio for the first time,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “By adding radio to our broadcast, cable, regional, and digital assets, the NBC Sports Radio Network will give sports fans a new way to interact with the NBC Sports Group day in and day out.”

“Dial Global is excited to partner with NBC Sports Group to expand upon Dial Global’s live play-by-play platform. We are confident that with NBC’s sports assets, we will create a leading full service sports network and bring great sports audio to listeners across America,” said Spencer Brown, Co-CEO of Dial Global.

Tapping into the NBC Sports Group’s unique mix of national and local assets, the NBC Sports Radio Network will provide stations both national and regional sports content. Listeners may hear hourly sports updates, long-form shows and features hosted by national NBC Sports voices, NBC Sports Regional Networks on-air personalities, or NBC affiliate sportscasters, depending upon location. Specific programming and commentator details will be announced at a later date.

“Dial Global is the perfect partner for us in this new endeavor because of their unsurpassed national radio experience, relationships and infrastructure,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures and International. “We look forward to growing the NBC Sports Radio Network together.”

“With the combination of Dial Global’s market-leading play-by-play and the growing NBC Sports Group’s brand and talent, we are building an exciting and unique opportunity for the market that will bring new voice to sports radio that will quickly make an impact” said Chris Corcoran, Executive Vice President/GM of Dial Global.

This partnership expands upon the existing radio relationship between Dial Global and NBCUniversal, which includes NBC News, The Weather Channel, NBC Olympics and more. Earlier this year, NBC News partnered with Dial Global to create NBC News Radio—a 24-hour radio news network distributing news reports and content to over 700 stations nationwide.

Back in the mid-1980′s under owner General Electric, NBC got out of the radio business, selling its radio network to Westwood One. Now under Comcast, NBC is getting back into radio through Westwood One’s new owners in Dial Global. What’s old is new again. And I’m happy to see NBC back into radio.

We’ll see if it can make a dent in a crowded sports network lineup that includes ESPN, Fox and Yahoo.

I’ll Have Another Goes For Horse Racing’s Triple Crown on NBC Sports Group

This Saturday, I’ll Have Another will attempt to become the first horse to win The Triple Crown since Seattle Slew achieved the feat in 1978. He’ll run in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. NBC Sports Group will be all over the race with coverage beginning on Thursday with re-airs on NBC Sports Network of the first two Jewels of the Triple Crown, this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Then on Friday, NBC Sports Network will show some classic Belmont races and a Live from Belmont program late in the afternoon.

On Saturday, NBC Sports Network and NBC will combine for 4½ hours of coverage. Here’s the NBC Sports Group press release.

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER SEEKS FIRST TRIPLE CROWN IN 34 YEARS AS NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS THE 144th BELMONT STAKES

11 Hours of Belmont-Week Coverage Begins Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET with I’ll Have Another – Charging Toward History on NBC Sports Network Coverage Culminates with 144^th Belmont Stakes on NBC, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET
NBC Sports Group’s Increased Coverage Includes 30 Extra Minutes on NBC, the I’ll Have Another Special, and Re-broadcasts of I’ll Have Another’s Thrilling Kentucky Derby and Preakness Victories

NEW YORK – June 4, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group will surround I’ll Have Another’s quest to become the first horse in 34 years to capture horse racing’s elusive Triple Crown with 11 hours of coverage across both NBC and the NBC Sports Network. Coverage includes: a 30-minute documentary I’ll Have Another – Charging Toward History on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET; re-broadcasts of I’ll Have Another’s victories in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes Thursday night on NBC Sports Network; Belmont classics on Friday on NBC Sports Network; a one-hour Live from Belmont on Friday on NBC Sports Network; and 4.5 hours of coverage from Belmont on both NBC and NBC Sports Network on Saturday. The coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on NBC, and is preceded by 1.5 hours of coverage on NBC Sports Network, and followed by a 30-minute post-race show on the channel.

COMMENTATORS: NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 144^th Belmont Stakes will feature co-hosts Bob Costas, a 23-time Emmy Award-winner, and NBC’s lead horse racing voice Tom Hammond; Hall-of-Fame jockey and three-time Belmont Stakes winner Gary Stevens; analyst Randy Moss; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; host Laffit Pincay, III; Hall-of Fame jockey and two-time Belmont Stakes-winner Jerry Bailey; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers and Jay Privman; and race caller Larry Collmus.

PRODUCTION TEAM: NBC’s coverage will be produced by Rob Hyland, the producer of this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and a veteran of the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001, and directed by Sunday Night Football and NBC Sports’ horse racing director, Drew Esocoff.

The coverage on NBC Sports Network is produced by Pierre Moossa and directed by Doug Grabert. Fred Gaudelli is the coordinating producer of NBC Sports Group’s Triple Crown coverage. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

ABC

14.8 MILLION WATCH KENTUCKY DERBY: NBC’s coverage of the 2012 Kentucky Derby drew 14.8 million viewers, the third most-watched Kentucky Derby in 23 years, and up two percent from last year’s Derby. Since implementing NBC Sports Group’s ‘Big Event Strategy,’ the last four Kentucky Derby races have all recorded at least 14.5 million viewers.

NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 12 years averages more than 2 million more viewers than the previous 12 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.12.0 million, up 17 percent).

8.1 MILLION WATCH PREAKNESS STAKES: NBC Sports coverage of the Preakness Stakes drew 8.1 million viewers, the fourth consecutive year that the Preakness drew more than eight million viewers. Since NBC began broadcasting the Preakness in 2001, every Preakness telecast on NBC over that period attracted more viewers than any Preakness telecast on ABC in the previous seven years. Viewership for the Preakness is up an average of 60% in the 12 years on NBC compared to the previous eight years on ABC.

That’s all.

NBC Sports Network Airs Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Tonight

Tonight, NBC Sports Network airs its next-to-last NHL game of the 2011-12 season, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final from Staples Center. The regular NHL on NBC crew will be on the case tonight with Mike “Doc” Emrick, Ed Olczyk and Pierre “Statue” McGuire calling the game. Liam McHugh, Keith Jones and Mike Milbury will be on the pregame, intermission and postgame shows.

Long-time Los Angeles Kings season ticket-holder Al Michaels will be part of the NHL Live pregame show tonight with a piece on the team and its history.

We have the NBC Sports Network press release which also keeps a running tally of the postseason games aired on the NBC Sports Group.

GAME 3 AIRS TONIGHT ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

Al Michaels to Appear on Pre-Game Show
Devils @ Kings – NBC Sports Network – Coverage Begins at 7:30 p.m. ET
Kings lead 2012 Stanley Cup Final 2-0

NEW YORK – June 4, 2012 -– Day 55 – NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final continues tonight between the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Kings at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Coverage begins tonight and every game night on NBC Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. ET with a half-hour pre-game show, NHL Live. NBC Sports Network will also present a half-hour post-game show after every game of the series.

Tonight’s and Wednesday night’s telecasts will be the 51^st and 52^nd by the NBC Sports Network of 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. The NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – across NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC and NHL Network — is the most by a single media company of a sport’s post-season in U.S. television history (82 games so far).

Games 1 and 2 both ended in overtime with Kings victories – their record ninth and 10th consecutive wins away from home – further continuing their reign on the road. The Kings are home tonight for the first time in the Final. There is hope for Devils fans despite losing the first two games. The Kings only two losses of the 2012 playoffs occurred at Staples Center, and two of the last three Stanley Cup champions also lost the first two games of their respective series.

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

All 2012 Stanley Cup Final games will air exclusively on NBC or the NBC Sports Network. Following is the remaining schedule (all times ET and subject to change):

Monday, June 4
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 3)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, June 6
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, June 9
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 5) *	NBC
Monday, June 11
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 6) *	NBC
Wednesday, June 13
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 7)*	NBC

* If Necessary

COMMENTATORS: Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action during each game. The studio team will feature host Liam McHugh and analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews, live on-location from either the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. or the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The team will cover intermission reports during games, and pre-game and post-game coverage on NBC Sports Network. Additionally, Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang will conduct on-ice segments and demonstrations as part of the coverage.

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 is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 87 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	Fifty*
NBC	Fourteen
CNBC	Thirteen
NHL Network	Six
Total	Eighty Three*

* Includes Devils-Panthers Conference Quarterfinal Game 7 that was joined in progress. The game also aired on NHL Network. There have been 82 games this NHL post-season.

That’s it. One more NHL-centric press release coming up.

Former Steelers WR Hines Ward Joins NBC Sports

We have the official press release from NBC Sports Group announcing the hiring of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward as a football analyst. He’ll span the Group from NBC on Football Night in America to NBC Sports Network on college football and NBC SportsTalk.

Ward has been branching out beyond sports as he appeared on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and did quite well. So he has a name recognition outside of the sports world, but I don’t think he’ll be pulling a Tiki Barber and attempt to become a morning show personality.

Anyway, we have the press release from NBC Sports Group for you below.

HINES WARD JOINS NBC SPORTS GROUP

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl WR and Super Bowl XL MVP to Serve as Analyst on NFL and College Football Coverage

NEW YORK – May 31, 2012 – Hines Ward, a four-time Pro Bowler who played 14 years for the Pittsburgh Steelers before retiring after the 2011 season, joins NBC Sports Group as an analyst across its NFL, college football and studio programming, it was announced today.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Ward will be a regular contributor to the critically- acclaimed Football Night in America; serve as an analyst every Saturday on NBC’s and NBC Sports Network’s college football studio programming with Liam McHugh and Doug Flutie; and will regularly appear on NBC SportsTalk with Mike Florio and Peter King to preview and recap the week in the NFL.

Ward, who appeared on NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI pre-game show, is a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion. The Super Bowl XL MVP finished his stellar 14-year career with 1,000 catches for 12,083 yards and 83 touchdowns, all Steelers’ records.

“We think Hines is a perfect match for television because he brings with him a unique combination of charisma and football experience, which he demonstrated on our Super Bowl pre-game show from Indianapolis,” said Sam Flood, executive producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “He’s an opinionated personality who can draw upon his 14 years of experience, having excelled at the highest levels of the game. Just don’t expect him to dance.”

“I am really excited! It’s not everyday that you get the chance to work for a powerhouse like the NBC Sports Group,” said Ward. “It is a big honor for me and I am looking forward to making the most of this great opportunity.”

MORE ON HINES WARD: Perhaps the greatest wide receiver in Steelers’ history and one of the best blocking wide receivers in NFL history, Ward owns every receiving record in Steelers franchise history: He is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, the MVP of Super Bowl XL, a four-time Pro Bowler, all-time Steleers leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns and he is the only receiver in Steelers history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for four straight seasons. Ward was named to the Steelers’ 75th Season All-Time Team, and on New Years Day 2012, Ward became only the 8th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions on what would be his last catch ever as a Pittsburgh Steeler.

Off the field, Ward has been equally impressive as a man of character in his community both locally and worldwide. He was named the Steelers’ “2008 Walter Payton Man of the Year,” was featured as ABC’s “Person of the Week,” has met and befriended four world leaders (two U.S. Presidents and two Korean Presidents), has founded and drives his Helping Hands Foundations both in the U.S. and Korea, is active with numerous other foundations (The Caring Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Pearl S. Buck International), and has started his own after school education program for kids in his home state of Georgia.

Ward has been featured on the cover of numerous publications (Newsweek, Time Magazine, Esquire, Sports Illustrated, Moves Magazine, Whirl to name a few) and was featured as one of GQ’s 2009 “Men of the Year.” On May 24, 2011, dance-stepping far outside his comfort zone, Ward, along with his partner Kym Johnson, won season 12 of Dancing with the Stars. And 2012 has found Hines appearing as guest correspondent for the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen Podcast at the 84th annual Academy Awards catching up with the likes of George Clooney on the Red Carpet, as well as making his own movie debut as a member of the fictional Gotham Rogues football team in the Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises”.

Born on March 8, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea to a Korean mother and an African American father. Moving to the Atlanta area when Hines was just 1-year-old, he was raised by his single mom. Ward became a top scholar-athlete in Georgia, not only as quarterback at Forest Park High School, but also on the baseball diamond. He was drafted at the end of his senior year by the Florida Marlins, but chose to pursue football, going on to play college football at the University of Georgia where he starred at quarterback and tailback before being made a full-time wide receiver in his junior year.

He earned All-SEC honors is senior year and finished his college career as Georgia’s second all-time receiver with 144 receptions. His total yards of 3,870 ranked second in Bulldogs history to Herschel Walker. The Pittsburgh Steelers took him in the 3rd round as the 92nd pick overall.

Among Ward’s NFL accomplishments:

• Four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection (2001-2004)
• Two-time All-NFL team selections (2002-2003)
• Super Bowl XL MVP
• Two Super Bowl Championships (XL and XLIII)
• Four consecutive 1000 yard seasons (2001-2004)
• Six 1000 yard seasons overall (2001-2004, 2008-2009)
• Steelers franchise record holder for receptions (1000), receiving touchdowns (85), and receiving yardage (12,083)
• Ranked 8th all-time in receptions (1000) and 18th all-time in receiving yards (12,083) among NFL receivers

That’s all.

NBC Sports Group Hires Hines Ward As Analyst

NBC has announced the hiring of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward as an analyst. He’ll be part of Football Night in America on NBC, contribute to NBC Sports Network’s college football studio shows and also be seen on NBC SportsTalk.

This follows his guest stint during Super Bowl XLVI on NBC in February during which I thought he did a decent job along with current Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Ward retired from the Steelers after last season and leaves behind a stellar career that included a Super Bowl MVP, as well as four Pro Bowl appearances.

He becomes the third analyst to be hired by NBC to appear as a guest on the network’s Super Bowl coverage then to be hired for the following season. Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy guested NBC’s Super Bowl XLIII pregame in 2009 and were hired shortly afterwards.

NBC Sports Presents The 2012 Stanley Cup Final

Seems like a two weeks have passed since the New Jersey Devils closed out the New York Rangers. Now, we’ve finally arrived at the Stanley Cup Final. And the Devils will host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday in Game One at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

As it’s been for the last couple of seasons, NBC will air Games 1-2 and if necessary, Games 5-7. NBC Sports Network will carry Games 3-4.

NBC’s crew will be the usual team, Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and hockey charlatan Pierre McGuire. Broadcast time will be 8 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports Network will air pregame and postgame shows surrounding the games whether they’re on NBC or on NBCSN.

Liam McHugh will be the pregame, postgame and intermission host for the entire series. Dan Patrick who had been host for the Final from Game 5 on the last two years is staying home in Connecticut. Keith Jones and Mike Milbury will be the studio analysts. Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang will also be part of the coverage.

Here’s the NBC Sports press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS THE 2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL

Game 1 between Kings and Devils airs tonight at 8 ET on NBC
NBC Sports Network to Air NHL Live Pre- and Post-Game Show Before and After Every Game
Games 1-2, 5-7 on NBC; Games 3-4 on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – May 29, 2012 – Day 49 — The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final begins tonight with Game 1 between the Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Kings at 8 ET on NBC from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. NBC will broadcast Games 1-2, and, if necessary, Games 5-7, while NBC Sports Network will present exclusive coverage of Games 3-4 of the series. Every game night, NBC Sports Network will present a one-hour pre-game show beginning at 7 p.m. ET and a half-hour post-game show.

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

All 2012 Stanley Cup Final games will air exclusively on NBC or the NBC Sports Network. Following is the full schedule (all times ET and subject to change):

Wednesday, May 30
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 1)	NBC
Saturday, June 2
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 2)	NBC
Monday, June 4
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 3)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, June 6
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, June 9
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 5) *	NBC
Monday, June 11
8 p.m.	New Jersey Devils @ Los Angeles Kings (Game 6) *	NBC
Wednesday, June 13
8 p.m.	Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils (Game 7)*	NBC

* If Necessary

COMMENTATORS: Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action during each game. The studio team will feature host Liam McHugh and analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews, live on-location from either the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. or the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The team will cover intermission reports during games, and pre-game and post-game coverage on NBC Sports Network. Additionally, Jeremy Roenick and Darren Pang will conduct on-ice segments and demonstrations as part of the coverage.

EMRICK ON THE DEVILS AND KINGS: “We always talk about a battle of attrition by the time you get this far and we lean on the old adage that everyone is hurt by now. However, these teams are coming in as rested as any two I can recall. The Devils had five days off before the Conference Final and three before the final. The Kings had six days off before the Conference Final and seven before the final. That’s a lot of healing time.”

MCGUIRE ON THE FINAL: “Two healthy and very focused teams. They play very similar aggressive style fore-check games. This should be a long, fast-paced series with timely goaltending being a huge factor. The four-line depth of both teams is excellent and should help make for a lively passionate Final.”

OLCZYK ON HOW THE DEVILS GOT TO THE FINAL: “Leadership and know how, it all starts at the top with Lou Lamoriello, (CEO, GM and President of the Devils), and filters all the way down.”

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

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 is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 87 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 Nine*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six
Total	Eighty*

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

NBCSPORTS.COM

NBCSports.com’s fast-growing ProHockeyTalk, which has experienced a 140% increase in unique visitors and a 289% in page views compared to last season, will anchor NBC Sports’ online and mobile coverage of the NHL Playoffs.

Featuring writers Jason Brough & Mike Halford, ProHockeyTalk provides unique, informative and entertaining news, commentary and analysis– updated around the clock — on all the stories surrounding the NHL Stanley Cup Final. ProHockeyTalk is also an integral part of the popular NBC Sports Talk app. Other NBCSports.com features will include:

• The debut of PHT Extra, a multiple-times-a-week. online-only. video segment, featuring ProHockeyTalk’s Brough and Halford
• Online-only videos featuring NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network hockey commentators previewing upcoming games and wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day
• “Second screen” companion programming on NBCSports.com for games airing on NBC will include live, in-game video highlights; a live chat with ProHockeyTalk’s Brough & Halford; “Star Cams” featuring alternating, video coverage of the best players on each team, and a newly-introduced “Spotlight Cam,” a just-above-ice-level/center ice look at the action
  

  SOCIAL MEDIA

In addition to broadcast, cable, regional and digital platforms, the NBC Sports Group will connect with NHL fans via numerous social media initiatives, including social integration, on-air integration and news:

• Social Integration:
  • #StanleyCup Hash Tag: NHL Fans can join the conversation by using the #StanleyCup hash tag across every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
  • Milestone Mania: With the launch of the new Facebook Timeline, fans can explore and answer Stanley Cup Playoffs trivia questions
  • NHL on NBC Sports Instagram: NHL fans can upload photos to Instagram and use #instahockey. The NHL on NBC Sports Instagram account “Because It’s the Cup” will feature the best fan photos
  • Live Twitter Chats: Fans will have the opportunity to have live Twitter chats with NHL and NBC Sports personalities and commentators throughout the playoffs
• On-Air Integration:
  • Playoff Polls: Fans can weigh in on a variety of NHL themed polls on Facebook and Twitter that commentators will discuss throughout the broadcasts
  • #MVPonNBC – During pre-game, post-game and in-game coverage, fans can tweet who they think the #MVPonNBC is. Commentators will discuss the fan favorites and weigh in with their own opinions
• News:
  • Fans can engange with Twitter (@NHLonNBCSports) and Facebook (facebook.com/NHLonNBCSports) to receive the most up to date tune-in information, scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk.

That’s going to do it

NBC To Offer 800 Million Hours of Olympic Coverage

Ok, maybe that’s being facetious, but NBCUniversal between its cable, over the air and online platforms will offer over 5,500 hours of coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, or known to the International Olympic Committee as the XXX Olympic Summer Games.

For NBC, it’s the seventh consecutive Summer Olympics dating back to 1988 in Seoul, Republic of Korea and the seventh consecutive Olympiad it will broadcast Winter or Summer since 2000 in Sydney. It seems to be forgotten that CBS aired all three Winter Olympiads in the 1990′s.

The 5,535 combined hours to be offered this year surpass the number from the Communist China Games of 2008 which totaled 3,600. Here’s a breakdown of what the platforms of NBCUniversal will offer.

• NBC will air a record 272½ hours including daytime coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET on weekdays, as early as 5 a.m. on weekends. Expect to see the glamor events that traditionally do well on NBC like Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Track & Field (a.k.a. Athletics) and Beach Volleyball. Hosts will be Bob Costas (primetime), Mary Carillo (late night), Al Michaels (daytime) and Dan Patrick (weekend & daytime).
• Bravo will carry 56 hours of tennis from the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon. Pat “You are so f&*kin’ hot!” O’Brien hosts.
• CNBC will provide 73 hours of men’s and women’s boxing coverage from the preliminary fights to the medal round. Fred Roggin is the host.
• MSNBC will offer 155½ hours of coverage with Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman as the host.
• NBC Sports Network will get the bulk of the cable coverage airing a total of 292½ hours focusing on basketball, soccer and other U.S. team sports. Hosts have not been announced, but expect to see NHL on NBC’s Liam McHugh and Bill Patrick to be part of the coverage.
• NBCOlympics.com will stream every event including medal rounds totaling 3,500 hours. Events to be aired on NBC in primetime will be archived after they air on the network.
• Telemundo will provide 173 hours focusing on boxing, swimming and soccer.
• NBC will also provide specialty channels on basketball and soccer to cable and satellite providers. And there will also be coverage in 3-D.

Got that? There will be a test later. Here’s the 2,555-word press release that adds to my 367-word wraparound.

NBCUNIVERSAL TO PROVIDE UNPRECEDENTED COVERAGE OF 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS

Record 5,535 Hours across NBC, NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, Telemundo, NBCOlympics.com, Two Specialty Channels & 3D
NBC to Broadcast 272.5 Hours, Most-Ever for an Olympic Broadcast Network

NEW YORK – May 23, 2012 – NBCUniversal will provide 5,535 hours of coverage for the 2012 London Olympics across NBC, NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, Telemundo, NBCOlympics.com, two specialty channels, and the first-ever 3D platform, an unprecedented level that surpasses the coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics by nearly 2,000 hours. It was also announced today that NBC will broadcast 272.5 hours of coverage, the most ever for an Olympic broadcast network, largely attributable to an increase in daytime coverage.

“We are only able to provide this level of coverage to U.S. viewers because of the unmatched array of NBCUniversal assets,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “Whether on television or online, on broadcast or cable, in English or in Spanish, NBCUniversal has the London Olympics covered, providing the American viewer with more choices than ever to watch the Games.”

Following are highlights of NBCUniversal’s coverage of the 2012 London Olympics (some of the following information has been previously announced):

· NBCUniversal is presenting its 13^th Olympic Games and seventh consecutive, both the most by any U.S. media company. ABC is second with 10 and four (twice), respectively.

o London will be NBCUniversal’s seventh consecutive Summer Games, having presented each one since Seoul in 1988.

· The 5,535 hours of Olympic coverage are the most ever and surpass Beijing’s coverage (3,600 hours) by nearly 2,000 hours.

o The 5,535 hours more than double the total amount of coverage of every Summer Games combined prior to Beijing (2,562 hours from 1960 Rome on CBS to 2004 Athens on NBC).

o The 5,535 hours are the equivalent of 231 days of coverage.

o NBCUniversal will average 291 hours of coverage per day over London’s 19 days (including two days of soccer competition prior to the Opening Ceremony).

· The networks of NBCU will provide coverage of all 32 sports and all 302 medal competitions.

· NBC will broadcast 272.5 hours of London Olympic coverage over 17 days, the most extensive coverage ever provided by an Olympic broadcast network, and nearly 50 hours more than the 225 hours for Beijing in 2008.

o Daytime coverage has increased significantly for London. Coverage will begin on most weekdays at 10 a.m. ET/PT, immediately following NBC News’ TODAY, which is originating from London.

o On weekends, NBC’s daytime coverage will begin as early as 5 a.m. ET/PT.

· NBC Sports Network will serve as the home to U.S. team sports, with 292.5 hours of total coverage from 2012 London Olympics this summer, including 257.5 hours of original programming – an average of more than 14 hours per day – the most-ever for an Olympic cable network.

· MSNBC will carry 155.5 hours of a wide variety of long-form Olympic programming over 19 days.

· CNBC will serve as the home of Olympic boxing this summer, including the debut of women’s boxing. The channel will televise 73 hours of boxing coverage over 16 days — from elimination bouts to the men’s and women’s finals.

· Bravo will act as the home of Olympic tennis this summer, televising 56 hours of long-form tennis coverage from July 28-August 3.

· NBCOlympics.com will live stream every event and sport for the first time ever. In all, the site will live stream more than 3,500 total programming hours, including the awarding of all 302 medals.

o NBCOlympics.com will live stream NBCU cable channels NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC and Bravo, which will only be available to authenticated cable, satellite or telco customers.

o Two apps – one focused on live streaming, one on short-form highlights, schedules, results, columns, and more – will be available for mobile and tablet users. The vast majority of content will only be available to authenticated cable, satellite or telco customers.

· NBCUniversal announced the most extensive Spanish-language Olympic coverage in the company’s history, offering more than 173 hours of the upcoming London 2012 Olympics on Telemundo, “The U.S. Home of the Olympic Games in Spanish.”

o The 173 hours of Spanish-language coverage by Telemundo nearly equals the total coverage broadcast by NBC for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (176.5).

· Specialty channels for basketball and soccer are available to cable, satellite and telco providers, and will total 770 hours of coverage.

· Panasonic Corporation of North America and the NBC Sports Group announced in January that they will partner to make the London 2012 Olympic Games available in 3D to all U.S. distributors who carry Olympic coverage on cable, satellite and telco — nearly 100 percent of the multichannel industry.

o The effort will produce 242 hours of coverage and mark the first time that the Olympic Games will be distributed in the U.S. in 3D.

NBC

NBC will broadcast 272.5 hours of London Olympic coverage over 17 days this summer, the most extensive coverage ever provided by an Olympic broadcast network, and nearly 50 hours more than the 225 hours for Beijing in 2008. Swimming — including Michael Phelps’ quest to become the most decorated Olympian ever — track and field, gymnastics, diving, and beach volleyball, among other sports, will serve as the centerpieces of NBC’s coverage, which begins with the Opening Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Friday, July 27.

Olympic coverage on NBC will again be divided into three day parts: daytime, primetime and late night. NBC’s primetime program, featuring the traditional, award-winning Olympic storytelling coverage that viewers have come to expect, will air 8-11:30 p.m. or Midnight ET/PT on most nights.

Daytime coverage has increased significantly for London. Coverage will begin on most weekdays at 10 a.m. ET/PT, immediately following TODAY, which is originating from London. On weekends, NBC’s daytime coverage will begin as early as 5 a.m. ET/PT. A one-hour late night show will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the primetime program. Primetime will be replayed following the late-night show.

It was announced in April that Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, returns as the primetime host for NBC’s coverage. For Costas, London marks his 10^th Olympic broadcast assignment and his ninth as the primetime host (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Salt Lake City, 2002, Athens 2004, Turin 2006, Communist China 2008, Vancouver 2010).

Al Michaels, who hosted daytime coverage at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, and Dan Patrick, making his Olympic hosting debut, will host NBC’s weekday and weekend daytime coverage, and Mary Carillo will once again host the NBC late night show.

Additionally, top TV broadcaster Ryan Seacrest, tennis legend John McEnroe, famed gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi, and Carillo, broadcasting her 11^th Olympic Games, will serve as Olympic correspondents during primetime coverage on NBC.

The majority of the following information about NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, NBCOlympics.com and Telemundo, has been previously announced:

NBC SPORTS NETWORK

NBC Sports Network will serve as the home to U.S. team sports, with 292.5 hours of total coverage from 2012 London Olympics this summer, including 257.5 hours of original programming – an average of more than 14 hours per day – the most-ever for an Olympic cable network. Coverage will begin on Wednesday, July 25, at 11:30 a.m. ET, two days before the Opening Ceremony, when Team USA takes on France in women’s soccer, live from Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

NBC Sports Network coverage, originating from Olympic Park in London, will air up to 20 medal rounds and 22 Olympic sports, including Team USA basketball, women’s soccer and field hockey.

NBC Sports Network, distributed in nearly 80 million homes – an increase of three million homes in the last year – will also carry soccer qualifying on Thursday, July 26. There will be no coverage on July 27 as there are no events scheduled on the same day as the Opening Ceremony. Coverage will conclude on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, August 12, the final day of competition. On most days, coverage will air from 4 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, which covers the live Olympic day in London.

MSNBC

MSNBC, NBCUniversal’s 24/7 cable news channel that is fully distributed in roughly 100 million homes, will carry 155.5 hours of a wide variety of long-form Olympic programming over 19 days. The channel will air up to 18 medal rounds and 20 Olympic sports, from badminton to basketball to soccer to wrestling.

NBCUniversal’s 2012 London Olympic coverage begins on MSNBC on Wednesday, July 25 – two days before the Opening Ceremony — when Great Britain faces New Zealand in women’s soccer, the first official competition of the Games, live from Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Coverage begins at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT.

The channel will also carry soccer qualifying on Thursday, July 26, but there will be no coverage on July 27 as there are no events scheduled on the same day as the Opening Ceremony. Coverage will conclude on MSNBC on August 12, the final day of competition.

On most weekdays, coverage will air from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET. There will be longer programming windows on Saturdays and Sundays.

Longtime Golf Channel commentator Kelly Tilghman will serve as MSNBC’s Olympic host, with London being her first-ever Olympic assignment. MSNBC has aired Olympic coverage for every Summer Games since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

CNBC

CNBC — NBCUniversal’s fully distributed cable business channel — will serve as the home of Olympic boxing this summer, including the debut of women’s boxing. The channel will televise 73 hours of boxing coverage over 16 days — every day from July 28-August 12 — from elimination bouts to the men’s and women’s finals. Same-day coverage will air from 5-8 p.m. ET during the week, with six hours of live coverage airing each day on the weekends. This marks the fourth consecutive Summer Games that CNBC has featured Olympic boxing.

Fred Roggin, the longtime lead sports anchor at NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Los Angeles, KNBC, will reprise his Beijing role as Olympic boxing host. This will be his seventh Olympics working for NBC and fourth working on Olympic boxing in some capacity.

BRAVO

Bravo, NBCUniversal’s fully distributed lifestyle cable channel, will act as the home of Olympic tennis this summer. The channel will televise 56 hours of long-form tennis coverage over seven days, from July 28-August 3. Live coverage will air from early morning until mid-afternoon (ET) on most days.

Pat O’Brien, a veteran of five Olympic Games as a commentator, will serve as host. London will be O’Brien’s fourth Olympics for NBC and sixth overall. He last worked for NBCUniversal at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the same year Bravo last carried Olympic competition.

NBCOLYMPICS.COM

NBCOlympics.com will live stream every event and sport for the first time ever. In all, the site will live stream more than 3,500 total programming hours, including the awarding of all 302 medals. By comparison, NBCOlympics.com live streamed 25 sports and 2,200 hours for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The site will also feature rewinds of all event coverage, a steady stream of athlete profiles, event highlights, a tour of London as the host city, and more.

NBCOlympics.com will live stream the Olympic content that airs on the four NBCU cable channels — NBC Sports Network, MSNBC, CNBC and Bravo. In addition, two apps – one focused on live streaming, one on short-form highlights, schedules, results, columns, and more – will be available for mobile and tablets users. The vast majority of content will only be available to authenticated cable, satellite or telco customers.

In another first, NBCOlympics.com will provide multiple concurrent streams for select sports, such as gymnastics (each apparatus), track and field (each event), and tennis (up to five courts). For example, during a session of track and field, instead of viewing only a single feed that moves from event to event, a user can choose to watch a stream dedicated to a specific event, such as the long jump or javelin.

TELEMUNDO

NBCUniversal announced the most extensive Spanish-language Olympic coverage in the company’s history, offering more than 173 hours of the upcoming London 2012 Olympics on Telemundo, “The U.S. Home of the Olympic Games in Spanish.” Telemundo’s comprehensive coverage will feature marquee disciplines such as boxing, swimming, basketball and soccer, which will be a major broadcast highlight.

Telemundo will deliver a complete 360° Olympic experience across its multiple platforms including its broadcast network, www.NBCOLYMPICS.COM.com/TELEMUNDO and its cable network mun2, which will offer a daily half-hour special featuring behind-the-scenes from the Games. Also, for the first time in the network’s history, Telemundo will offer live streaming of broadcast coverage together with exclusive digital-only content of Olympic events, news, announcements and information via www.NBCOLYMPICS.COM/TELEMUNDO, totaling more than 200 hours of digital content.

Deportes Telemundo’s Olympic team, headed by internationally acclaimed sportscaster Andrés Cantor, will include Jessi Losada, Mónica Noguera, Sammy Sadovnik, Edgar Lopez, René Giraldo, Karim Mendiburu, Kaziro Aoyama, Oscar Guzmán, Leti Coo and Verónica Contreras, as well as several former Olympic champions.

Coverage will be live from both London and the network’s studios, bringing the stories of Hispanics participating in the Olympics and the main events both on the field and around the Games to the homes of millions of U.S. Hispanic viewers. With soccer being one of the biggest passion points for U.S. Hispanics, the Olympics’ soccer tournament will represent a major focus of Telemundo’s broadcast, as already-qualified Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain and Honduras vie for the gold.

Features and storytelling will be a centerpiece of Telemundo’s Olympic programming, detailing the journey of Hispanic athletes on their quest for Olympic glory. Some of the top Hispanic hopefuls include Mexican diver and 2009 world champion Paola Espinosa, Cuban American multi-medal threat gymnast Daniel Leyva, Mexican American female boxer Marlén Esparza and Argentine NBA basketball player Manu Ginobili.

SPECIALTY CHANNELS

Specialty channels for basketball and soccer are available to cable, satellite and telco providers, and will total 770 hours of coverage. More information about these channels will be released soon.

3D

Panasonic Corporation of North America and the NBC Sports Group announced in January that they will partner to make the London 2012 Olympic Games available in 3D to all U.S. distributors who carry Olympic coverage on cable, satellite and telco — nearly 100 percent of the multichannel industry. The effort will produce 242 hours of coverage and mark the first time that the Olympic Games will be distributed in the U.S. in 3D. Panasonic is NBC’s exclusive Flat-Panel HDTV and Blu-ray Disc Player advertiser for the London Olympic Games.

Last year, Panasonic Corporation, a long time Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category, announced it would partner with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to make the London 2012 Olympic Games the first ever 3D Olympic Games.

The 3D broadcasts, which will be produced by OBS and shown on next-day delay, will span multiple competitions throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, gymnastics, diving and swimming. OBS will produce more than 200 hours of 3D coverage during the London 2012 Olympic Games by utilizing Panasonic’s state-of-art 3D production technologies including the AG-3DP1, a P2HD professional fully-integrated twin-lens Full HD 3D camera recorder. Cable, satellite, and telco providers who receive the Olympics package may distribute the 3D broadcast via the Comcast Media Center.

That is all.

After A Weekend Off, NBC Sports Network Airs The NHL Conference Finals

Tonight, the NBC Sports Network returns to airing the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Final tonight. It’ll be Game 4 between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils

NEW YORK RANGERS SHUT OUT NEW JERSEY DEVILS, 3-0, IN GAME 3 ON SATURDAY TO TAKE 2-1 SERIES LEAD

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Day 41
Game 4 of New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils, Tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – May 21, 2012 – Day 41 – The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 NHL Conference Finals continues tonight on NBC Sports Network with Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final. The #6 New Jersey Devils host the #1 New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET (Rangers lead series 2-1). With two of the three games in the series ending in a Rangers shutout, the team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET withNHL Live.

Continuing through the Stanley Cup Final, all Stanley Cup Playoff games will air exclusively on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Following is the schedule for the remaining Conference Finals games (all times ET and subject to change):

Monday, May 21
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Tuesday, May 22
9 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 5)	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, May 23
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Thursday, May 24
9 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, May 26
8 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

* If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

PRE-GAME & POST-GAME COVERAGE

NHL Live, NBC Sports Network’s NHL pre-game show, will air every game night before the puck drops. NHL Post-Game will air 30 minutes following the conclusion of game coverage every night of the playoffs.

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 is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 91 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 Five*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six

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

Done

NBC Officially Announces Michelle Beadle Joins Sports and Access Hollywood

NBCUniversal announces that Michelle Beadle, leaving ESPN2′s SportsNation at the end of this month, will be hosting a show for NBC Sports Network as well as being a New York-based correspondent for Access Hollywood.

This fits Michelle as she’ll have a role in sports and be seen on some of NBC’s big events such as the Olympics, the Triple Crown and the NFL Kickoff game.

NBC says Michelle will be seen on various NBCUniversal platforms. We have the announcement from the network.

NBCUNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES NEW MULTI-PLATFORM AGREEMENT WITH SEASONED BROADCASTER MICHELLE BEADLE

Beadle to Contribute to “Access Hollywood” and Several NBC Sports Group Platforms Including a Role at the London Olympic Games

NEW YORK – May 21, 2012 – NBCUniversal and former ESPN personality Michelle Beadle have forged a new multi-platform agreement that includes on-air duties for “Access Hollywood” and the NBC Sports Group.

Beadle, who will be based in New York, will serve as a correspondent for the nationally syndicated entertainment news program, “Access Hollywood,” which is anchored by Billy Bush. Beadle will cover all major red carpet events, including movie premieres and fashion week, plus report on all breaking Hollywood news. Beadle will also serve as a correspondent for NBC Sports Group’s big-event properties including this summer’s London Olympic Games, which she will also be covering for “Access Hollywood.” Beadle will also have a role in the 2012 NFL Kickoff and Horse Racing’s Triple Crown, as well as other NBC Sports Network programs. As part of the agreement, NBC Sports Group will develop new programming for NBC Sports Network featuring Beadle.

“Michelle Beadle is a perfect fit for ‘Access Hollywood’. She is a tremendous broadcaster, smart, clever with a terrific sense of humor,” said Rob K. Silverstein, Executive Producer of “Access Hollywood.” “Michelle’s sensibility will help Access to continue to separate itself from the pack.”

“I am thrilled to join the NBCUniversal family and to have the opportunity to work alongside many of the most talented and accomplished individuals in the business,” said Beadle. “This gig is the perfect blend of the two things I am most passionate about – sports and pop culture. I look forward to getting back to New York City and immersing myself into a myriad of NBCUniversal platforms, while trying to kick ass and have some fun along the way.”

“Similar to the agreement with Ryan Seacrest, this is another great example of attracting a talent who can contribute across multiple NBCUniversal platforms,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group

“Michelle’s energy and enthusiasm, coupled with her love and knowledge of sports, make her a perfect fit for the NBC Sports Group,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “She has a likability that pops through the screen, and we are excited to be able to feature her across multiple properties and events.”

Beadle joins NBCUniversal from ESPN where she most recently served as co-host of the studio show “SportsNation” on ESPN2, appeared on 1050 ESPN New York as the New York “SportsCenter” anchor for ESPN Radio’s “The Michael Kay Show,” and co-hosted “Winners Bracket” for ESPN Sports Saturday on ABC.

Prior to ESPN, Beadle worked on-air for YES Network, where she served as the pre- and post-game reporter for New Jersey Nets basketball telecasts, and as a studio anchor, reporter and host on shows such as the Emmy Award-winning “Ultimate Road Trip;” “SportsLife NYC;” and “Yankees on Deck.”

In addition to her work at YES, Beadle was hired in 2007 by People Magazine and People.com, where she hosted the online feature What You Missed over the Weekend, and served as a Red Carpet reporter for the Golden Globes, Grammy Awards, SAG Awards and the Tony Awards.

Beadle hosted the Major League Baseball Production’s magazine show “Cathedrals of the Game,” and was a feature reporter for the NFL Films syndicated program “NFL Under the Helmet.”

Beadle previously was a primary host and anchor for College Sports Television (CSTV), where she co-hosted the network’s flagship program, “The #1 College Sports Show,” in addition to CSTV pre- and postgame sports shows and specials.

Also, she hosted the Animal Planet series “Animal Planet Report;” co-hosted the Travel Channel’s Beach Week series; hosted the Discovery Channel reality series “Get Packing” and the network’s one-hour specials “Inside Orlando’s Resorts” and “Outrageous Room Service;” and hosted “I Want Your Job,” an original series on the Fine Living Network.

The deal for Beadle was brokered by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

That’s it.

Some Monday Morning Sports Media Thoughts

Let’s do some sports media thoughts for you on this back to work Monday. As usual, they’re in bullet form.

• Last week’s news that TBS would pick up the new single elimination MLB Wild Card Playoff games for this year and next was not a surprise. TBS has pleased MLB with its postseason coverage since 2007, gaining all of the League Division Series and one League Championship Series, sharing that round with Fox. Not only would TBS pay an extra $10 million for the new playoff games on top of its current fee, but it would also give two LDS games to MLB Network. Now that was a surprise.

  It gives MLB Network its first foothold into postseason games after increasing the amount of regular season game telecasts steadily over the network’s first four years of existence. As Richard Sandomir of the New York Times reported on Friday, MLB Network will have Bob Costas and Matt Vasgersian call the LDS games with yet to be named analysts (expect to see Jim Kaat and Mitch Wiiliams or even John Smoltz). It’s a big move for MLB Network. Just as with TBS’ postseason package, the games will be exclusive with no local simulcasts. However, it does give MLB Network some leverage with cable and satellite providers to spread its reach beyond the current 69 million households.

• Also last week, NBC Sports Group announced coverage plans for NBC Sports Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC and Telemundo. With each NBCUniversal channel assigned to certain carry certain sports, it will be a virtual feast for viewers to see the athletes compete. Add this to the live streaming that will be provided on NBCOlympics.com, fans should not miss anything from London this summer.

  Now the hosting assignments give us some interesting food for thought. Fred Roggin hosting boxing on CNBC shows consistency from 2008. I was quite surprised about the return of Pat O’Brien to the Olympics. While he really hasn’t been on the national radar since losing his job at Entertainment Tonight and The Insider due to his personal problems, it hasn’t stopped him from working at Fox Sports Radio and making regular appearances on Fox News Channel. I’ll be happy to see Pat make his puns and illiteration attempts from the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon during Olympic tennis.

  And I’ll be interested to see how Kelly Tilghman does on MSNBC as she’ll be hosting events there. Kelly has been host and done play-by-play for Golf Channel. I hadn’t seen her as an Olympic host and while she’s been polarizing to golf fans during her stint on GC, I think she’s been pretty decent as a studio host and interviewer, although she sometimes has her strange moments.

  We’ll be waiting to see who else will be hosting on NBC Sports Network and on NBC in London.

• And who would have thunk that Al Jazeera, the network known for ruffling feathers in the Middle East could be a player for soccer rights? It’s been steadily obtaining rights to soccer in the Middle East and is about to start networks in France and in the United States. Al Jazeera has the US rights to Spain’s La Liga, France’s La Ligue, and Italy’s Serie A. These had been previously on Gol TV as well as Fox Soccer. Some games were sublicensed to ESPN throughout the years. Now with Al Jazeera obtaining the games, it will create two networks called beIN Sport as Multichannel News’ Mike Reynolds reports. The whole issue is if beIN Sport’s channels, one in English, the other in Spanish can gain wide distribution. If Al Jazeera gets the English Premier League US rights over Fox Soccer and ESPN, then expect plenty of cable and satellite carriage pickups before the summer is out.

That’s going to do it.

NBC Carries The 2nd Leg of The Triple Crown With The Preakness Stakes

Today, NBC Sports Group has The Preakness Stakes live from Pimlico Race Course outside Baltimore, MD.

This is where it will be determined if I’ll Have Another has what it takes to be a Triple Crown Champion, the first since Affirmed in 1978. Bodemeister who finished second in the Kentucky  could have something to say about that.

The usual NBC horse racing crew led by Bob Costas and Tom Hammond will be on hand. Larry Collnus will call the race. Laffit Pincay III, Bob Neumeier, Mike Battaglia, Kenny Rice and Donna Brothers will lend support.

NBC Sports Network hits the air with preface coverage at 2 p.m. ET and NBC comes in at 4:30 p.m.

Here’s the NBC press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS THE  PREAKNESS STAKES
I’LL HAVE ANOTHER VS. BODEMEISTER

Coverage From Pimlico Begins Today at 2 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and Culminates with the 137^th Preakness Stakes on NBC on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET
“My feel on Bodemeister is he’s just had too many races. He’s had five this year, and the advantage that I’ll Have Another has, in my opinion, is that he’s the fresher horse. – NBC Sports Handicapper Bob Neumeier
“Every year I say I don’t like the new shooters, but the new shooters have been in the exacta eight times and in the trifecta nine times in the last 10 years.” – NBC Sports Handicapper Mike Battaglia
NBC Sports Group’s Triple Crown Coverage Continues with the Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 9

NEW YORK – May 17, 2012 – Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another leads the field as the NBC Sports Group presents 6½ hours of coverage of the 137^th running of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Coverage begins from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., today at 2 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, and culminates with the Preakness Stakes Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

With a win Saturday at the Preakness, I’ll Have Another will head to the Belmont in hopes of becoming the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed, with jockey Steve Cauthen, in 1978. NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the Belmont Stakes begins Friday, June 8.

COMMENTATORS: NBC’s coverage of the 137^th Preakness Stakes is hosted by Tom Hammond alongside two-time Preakness Stakes-winning jockey Gary Stevens; analyst Randy Moss; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; host Laffit Pincay, III; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers and Jay Privman; and race caller Larry Collmus, a Baltimore native.

Additionally, Hall-of-Fame jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby-winner Jerry Bailey will join NBC Sports Network’s commentary team on Preakness day. Bailey won the Preakness twice – aboard Hansel in 1991 and Red Bullet in 2000.

FEATURES AND STORYLINES: The features NBC Sports Group is preparing for its Preakness coverage include:

• A look at jockey Mario Gutierrez and his unlikely journey to win the Kentucky Derby;
• Randy Moss sit-down interview with Doug O’Neil, the controversial trainer of Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another;
• Feature on Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank and his commitment to horse racing in the state of Maryland. Plank’s horse Tiger Walk is entered in the Preakness.
• Stevens and Bailey will break down the Kentucky Derby trips of the returning horses: I’ll Have Another, Bodemeister, Went the Day Well and Creative Cause.

PRODUCTION TEAM: The coverage on NBC will be produced by Rob Hyland, a veteran of the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001, and directed by Sunday Night Football and NBC Sports’ horse racing director, Drew Esocoff. The coverage on NBC Sports Network is produced by Billy Matthews and directed by Doug Grabert. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

PREAKNESS STAKES
Saturday May 19	2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Preakness Stakes Saturday	NBC Sports Network
	4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.	Preakness Stakes	NBC
	6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.	Preakness Post-Race Show	NBC Sports Network

THE HANDICAPPERS

NBC Sports handicappers Neumeier and Battaglia provided their thoughts on the Preakness in separate interviews and came to similar conclusions about the race. Their answers are below:

THE PREAKNESS ACCORDING TO NEUMEIER: “There’s a reasonable chance that this race could be what they call a merry-go-round. That expression basically means that nobody passes anybody on the lead – it’s an old racing expression. Bodemeister should have a lead and I think he’ll be dogged by I’ll Have Another, barring something crazy. Bodemeister might get weary down the stretch and I’ll Have Another might pass him, but I like both horses – 1-2 on either side. Those are the favorites. That’s how it shapes up to me.”

THE PREAKNESS ACCORDING BATTAGLIA: “Bodemeister is going to have it a little easier on the front end than he did at the Derby. It’s not going to be that same suicidal pace. When you look at this race, there are four Kentucky Derby horses back and all are solid contenders. I think that Bodemeister has an edge because of the pace factor, but it’s tough to throw out the other three – I’ll Have Another, Creative Cause and Went the Day Well.”

BATTAGLIA ON DERBY WINNER NOT FAVORED AT THE PREAKNESS: “Normally the Derby winner is the favorite. But I think they got it correct here. I think that it’ll be a slight favoritism – not a big favoritism – for Bodemeister. He and I’ll Have Another will be close in wagering.”

NEUMEIER ON BODEMEISTER: “My feel on Bodemeister is he’s just had too many races. He’s had five this year, and the advantage that I’ll Have Another has, in my opinion, is that he’s the fresher horse. Bodemeister has had two more races this year than I’ll Have Another, and they only have so many in them, so that would be my only fear about Bodemeister. He’s just been overraced.”

NEUMEIER ON I’LL HAVE ANOTHER: “I’ll Have Another has an excellent chance to win this race. Absolutely. He’ll be dogging Bodemeister, and when the time comes to make the run, he’s certainly fresh enough with two weeks off.”

BATTAGLIA ON THE NEW SHOOTERS (Horses in the Preakness that didn’t run in the Kentucky Derby): “Every year I say I don’t like the new shooters, but a new shooter have been in the exacta eight times, and in the trifecta nine times in the last ten years.”

NEUMEIER’S PICKS: “If I were to rank them, I’d put I’ll Have Another first, Bodemeister second, Creative Cause and Went the Day Well a toss-up for third.”

BATTAGLIA’S PICKS: “It’s going to be Bodemeister. It’s the four Derby horses (finishing in the top four). I keep looking at Went the Day Well and think that he’s going to be able to close a little bit better, so I think that he could be there. It’ll be close between him and I’ll Have Another for second, Creative Cause will be right there in fourth, but I’ve got Bodemeister on top.”

PREAKNESS EXTRA

Similar to Kentucky Derby Extra, Preakness Extra is the online connection to coverage of the Preakness Stakes. Available at NBCSports.com with live streaming of the NBC broadcast of the Preakness, other features of Preakness Extra include:

• An online-only isolation camera on Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another during the race;
• Online-only analysis by NBC and NBC Sports Network commentators in days leading up to race plus post race, online commentary by NBC commentators;
• Replays and highlights from the Kentucky Derby and earlier prep races;
• A video simulation of how this year’s Preakness might play out with 2012 Preakness entrants in virtual competition simulating Preakness conditions and track.

PREAKNESS STAKES ALL-ACCESS

NBC Sports Group will implement its All-Access social media strategy for Preakness week on both NBC and NBC Sports Network. A dedicated social media producer will be on-site for behind-the-scenes content including Breaking News, photos and video from Pimlico.

Twitter: Viewers and Tweeters alike will be encouraged to join the conversation by using the hashtag #PREAKNESS. Reminders will appear on screen throughout all of NBC’s Preakness coverage.

• On-air integration of live tweets from celebrities, horse-racing experts and @NBCSN will be featured on screen throughout the broadcasts to keep viewers up to date with what’s happening and trending on Twitter.
• For the ultimate horse racing fan, @NBCSN will live tweet all week leading up to the Preakness, including the Preakness Draw, and provide interactive trivia and “Did You Know” tweets during the Preakness Classic broadcast. It will give fans behind the scenes access and information like never before.

Facebook: Fans will have the chance to join in on the Preakness broadcast:

• Everyone at home can pick their winner with the “Choose the Winning Horse” Facebook poll on www.facebook.com/NBCSports. The nation’s votes will be tallied and shown on-air during the Preakness broadcast.

PREAKNESS A RATINGS SUCCESS ON NBC:

Since NBC began broadcasting the Preakness in 2001, every Preakness telecast on NBC over that period attracted more viewers than any Preakness telecast on ABC in the previous seven years. Viewership for the Preakness is up an average of 63% in the 11 years on NBC compared to the previous eight years on ABC.

PREAKNESS ON NBC (2001-2011)

Year Viewers
2011 8.8 million
2010 8.4 million
2009 10.9 million
2008 7.9 million
2007 8.4 million
2006 10.1 million
2005 9.3 million
2004 11.6 million
2003 8.6 million
2002 9.2 million
2001 8.7 million

PREAKNESS ON ABC (1993-2000)

Year Viewers
2000 5.5 million
1999 4.9 million
1998 5.2 million
1997 6.9 million
1996 5.1 million
1995 4.7 million
1994 6.5 million
1993 7.0 million

14.8 MILLION WATCH KENTUCKY DERBY: NBC’s coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby drew 14.8 million viewers, the third most-watched Kentucky Derby in 23 years, and up two percent from last year’s Derby. Since implementing NBC Sports Group’s ‘Big Event Strategy,’ the last four Kentucky Derby races have all recorded at least 14.5 million viewers.

NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 12 years averages more than 2 million more viewers than the previous 12 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.12.0 million, up 17 percent).

Link to NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby and hear Larry Collmus call the race: http://fangsbites.com/2012/05/the-138th-kentucky-derby-replay/

That’s all. Enjoy The Preakness Stakes.

NHL Stanley Cup Conference Finals Continue This Weekend

With the NHL off for the second consecutive Friday, the Conference Finals resume on Saturday with the East back in action on NBC.

It’ll be Game 3 of the New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils series with Mike Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and Pierre “Hopeless” McGuire will be on the call. Gametime is 1 p.m. ET. And with the Preakness Stakes scheduled for 4:30 p.m., we have an overtime policy in effect. If the game is still ongoing when the Preakness Stakes is about to begin on NBC, the game will be shifted to CNBC.

There will be no such problem on Sunday with Game 4 of the Western Conference Final between the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings which will begin at 3 p.m. and be called by Dave Strader, Darren Pang and Brian Engblom.

Here’s the press release from NBC Sports.

CONFERENCE FINALS CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Days 38-40
New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils, 1 p.m. ET Saturday –- NBC (Series tied 1-1)

NEW YORK – May 18, 2012 –- Days 38-40 – The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive Conference Finals coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue this weekend on NBC with Game 3 of the Eastern Conference on Saturday and a potential series-ending Game 4 in the Western Conference on Sunday.

Saturday, the #1 New York Rangers visit the #6 New Jersey Devils at 1 p.m. ET on NBC. With the series tied 1-1, the team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

On Sunday, the #8 Los Angeles Kings could become the first team to advance to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final when they host the #3 Phoenix Coyotes in Game 4 of the Western Conference at 3 p.m. ET on NBC (Kings lead 3-0). The team of Dave Strader (play-by-play), Darren Pang (analyst) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action.

Continuing through the Stanley Cup Final, all Stanley Cup Playoff games will air exclusively on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Following is the schedule for the remaining Conference Finals games (all times ET and subject to change):

Saturday, May 19
1 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 3)	NBC
Sunday, May 20
3 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 4)	NBC
Monday, May 21
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 4)	NBC Sports Network
Tuesday, May 22
9 p.m.	8 Los Angeles Kings @ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Wednesday, May 23
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 5)*	NBC Sports Network
Thursday, May 24
9 p.m.	#3 Phoenix Coyotes @ #8 Los Angeles Kings (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)*	NBC Sports Network
Saturday, May 26
8 p.m.	#8 Los Angeles Kings@ #3 Phoenix Coyotes (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

*If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC and NBC Sports Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.
Click here for the channel finder.

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 is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 91 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 Six*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Ten
NHL Network	Six

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

And that’s it.