Fang's Bites

Almost 15 Million People Watch Kentucky Derby on NBC; 3rd Most Since 1990

NBC has sent a press release stating that Saturday’s Kentucky Derby was the 3rd most-watched Derby dating back to 1989. However, as the very sharp-eyed Paulsen at Sports Media Watch points out, NBC’s own press release is a bit skewed stating that in 1990, the race on ABC drew better numbers so in reality, Saturday’s race is the 3rd most-watched dating back to 1990, 22 years, not 23 as the press release states.

So moving onto the meat of the release, an average of 14.8 million people watched the Derby meaning that the numbers are 2% higher from last year. The final rating of a 9.0 and a 20 share is 6% higher than 2011. And NBC is quick to point out that its coverage of the Kentucky Derby is on an average drawing two million more viewers on the network over the last 12 years than when it was on ABC.

We have the numbers, plus a look at the Top 20 rated markets for the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

14.8 MILLION WATCH KENTUCKY DERBY ON NBC

Viewership up from Last Year; 3^rd Most-Watched Kentucky Derby in 23 Years
9.0 National Rating up 6% from Last Year
Fourth Straight Year NBC’s Coverage Surpasses 14.5 Million

NEW YORK – May 8, 2012 – NBC Sports’ 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 according to official national data provided today by The Nielsen Company. The household rating of 9.0/20 is up six percent from last year’s race. Since implementing NBC Sports’ ‘Big Event Strategy,’ the last four Kentucky Derby races have all recorded at least 14.5 million viewers.

NBC Sports’ 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).

Saturday’s race (6:06-6:54 p.m. ET), won by I’ll Have Another, is up two percent from last year’s 14.5 million, making it the third most-watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million). The household rating of 9.0/20 is up six percent from last year’s race (8.5/19).

KENTUCKY DERBY CONTINUES TO BE A HIT WITH FEMALE VIEWERS: The Kentucky Derby once again proved to be very popular with female viewers. In fact, 51 percent of Derby viewers 18+ were women, making it the only annual sporting event that draws more female than male viewers.

KENTUCKY DERBY VIEWERSHIP

2012 14.8 million NBC I’ll Have Another
2011 14.5 million NBC Animal Kingdom
2010 16.5 million NBC Super Saver
2009 16.3 million NBC Mine That Bird
2008 14.2 million NBC Big Brown
2007 13.8 million NBC Street Sense
2006 12.9 million NBC Barbaro
2005 13.6 million NBC Giacomo
2004 14.6 million NBC Smarty Jones
2003 11.8 million NBC Funny Cide
2002 12.8 million NBC War Emblem
2001 13.8 million NBC Monarchos
2000 9.1 million ABC Fusaichi Pegasus
1999 9.9 million ABC Charismatic
1998 9.5 million ABC Real Quiet
1997 11.3 million ABC Silver Charm
1996 11.0 million ABC Grindestone
1995 9.3 million ABC Thunder Gulch
1994 12.1 million ABC Go For Gin
1993 11.5 million ABC Sea Hero
1992 13.7 million ABC Lil E Tee
1991 13.4 million ABC Strike The Gold
1990 15.6 million ABC Unbridled
1989 18.5 million ABC Sunday Silence

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2012 KENTUCKY DERBY

1. Louisville, 31.7/59
2. Cincinnati, 18.3/37
3. Ft. Myers, 17.0/31
T4. Hartford, 13.4/26
T4. West Palm Beach, 13.4/24
T4. Buffalo, 13.4/27
7. Columbus, 13.3/27
8. Knoxville, 13.0/24
9. St. Louis, 13.1/28
10. Boston, 12.8/31
11. Indianapolis, 12.2/25
12. Tampa, 12.1/26
13. Orlando, 11.7/26
14. Baltimore, 11.1/24
15. Richmond, 11.0/21
T16. Pittsburgh, 10.9/25
T16. Greensboro, 10.9/21
18. Milwaukee, 10.7/22
T19. New York, 10.4/23
T19. Nashville, 10.4/20
T19. Providence, 10.4/21
T19. Dayton, 10.4/21

More stuff is on the way. Keep your feeds updated.

A Few Monday Links

I’m going to be away from a computer for most of the day so I’ll provide a few links for you now. If I can, I’ll provide more later when I’m back.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that Floyd Mayweather vs. Larry Merchant II did not materialize after Saturday’s Mayweather-Cotto fight on pay per view.

Mike says TNT is denying that Charles Barkley used a gay slur during its NBA pregame show on Sunday.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report notes that Phil Mushnick’s Sunday column was not A) posted on the New York Post’s main sports webpage, and B) did not reference the brouhaha over his Friday piece.

Sophie A. Schillaci of the Hollywood Reporter talks about Hollywood’s love affair with hockey.

Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable says CBS is receiving increased ad revenues for its SEC college football package due to a price increase.

R. Thomas Umstead writes that a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquaio pay per view fight could reap millions of dollars for both fighters when it finally becomes reality.

Noreen O’Leary of Adweek says a new Olympic ad is causing a firestorm in the UK for renewing old wounds from the 1982 Falklands War between the UK and Argentina.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing notes that ESPN’s Karl Ravech got his DC monuments mixed up during last night’s edition of Baseball Tonight.

Do you want to see ESPN Erin Andrews in her Kentucky Derby hat from Saturday? I think you do. It’s at The Big Lead.

Phil Mushnick at the New York Post still doesn’t address his controversial Friday column today, but has time to criticize SNY for one of its graphics.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY says Mushie is still feeling the heat today.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times pays tribute to former CBS and ABC wordsmith Jack Whitaker who received a Lifetime Achievement Sports Emmy Award last week.

To David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun who reports that WJZ-TV actually cut away from yesterday’s marathon Red Sox-Orioles game in favor of 60 Minutes and a feature on local Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

John-John Williams IV of the Sun says O’s fans took to Twitter to express their anger at the move. The game was also shown on MASN in the local area, however, there are still parts of Baltimore that are still not wired for cable so you can imagine the anger.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times enjoyed NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby.

However, Sports Media Watch says the overnight ratings for the Derby dropped 7% from last year and hit a six year low.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch can’t believe White Sox TV voice Hawk Harrelson remained silent for over a minute apparently despondent over a loss on Friday.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post feels ESPN’s Doris Burke gets the job done on NBA games.

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

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says CBC’s Bob Cole remains a polarizing figure among hockey fans.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star writes that the sale of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment to Canadian media giants Rogers and Bell is a home run.

And that’s it for now. I’ll try to do more when I return.

The 138th Kentucky Derby Replay

I have the video from NBC Sports which shows the running of the 138th Kentucky Derby. I’ll Have Another was the winner coming from behind defeating a gallant Bodemeister which went in front at the outset and tried to hold on, but tired at the end.

It was the first win for first-time Derby jockey Mario Gutierrez and also the first win for trainer Doug O’Neill. Great race and it shows why it’s called the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.

Also a great call by Larry Collmus now in his second year in calling the Triple Crown for NBC Sports. Overall, a very good job by NBC with the exception of the celebrity interviews and having Jenna Wolfe on board.

It’s hoped that I’ll Have Another and Bodemeister will face off again at the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Raceway in Baltimore in two weeks.

Here’s the race as called by Larry Collmus.

NBC will air the Preakness Stakes, the second leg in horse racing’s Triple Crown on Saturday, May 19.

Some Saturday Linkage

Wasn’t able to post as much as I wanted to yesterday and this weekend has been planned for me once again so I won’t be on too much here today and tomorrow. But if something breaks, I’ll do my best to post it here.

Let’s do some quick links today.

First, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is in a firestorm for writing this column Friday suggesting the Jay-Z-owned Brooklyn Nets be called the New York N-words. And then went farther by saying the cheerleaders be named the Brooklyn Bitches or Hoes.

After negative reaction, Bob’s Blitz got a hold of Mushnick and he refused to apologize for the column and the Post is backing him. At least for now.

Larry McShane of the New York Daily News looks at the reaction to Mushnick’s column.

MediaRantz says the Post needs to get rid of Mushnick.

Robert Littal of Black Sports Online also calls for the Post to fire Mushnick.

Joe Lucia from Awful Announcing can’t believe Mushnick went so far.

And Tommy Craggs at Deadspin calls Mushnick a troll.

This controversy won’t be going away anytime soon and unless the Post takes some kind of action, I suspect there could be a few protests outside the Post’s offices next week. Unbelievable.

To other stories now.

Rarely do I link to Grantland because most of the stories are boring and way too long, but this one from Bryan Curtis is quite the good read. This focuses on a group of old guard sportswriters known as “The Chipmunks” and how they once represented the best and brightest.

Today’s FA Cup Final in the UK between Chelsea and Liverpool will have a first on British television. ESPN UK’s Rebecca Lowe becomes the first woman to host a major soccer broadcast as Laura Williamon of the London Guardian reports.

Jay Yarow of the Business Insider Sports Page notes Captain Blowhard had to give up his NBA MVP vote because he actually made a wager on the award. Stupid.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report talks with NBC’s Tom Hammond about today’s Kentucky Derby.

The Big Lead notes that Dan Patrick is pissed at ESPN once again.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing says it’s DP vs. Colin Cowhack of ESPN Radio.

Richard Rys of Philadelphia Magazine looks at the dwindling sportscasts on local TV newscasts.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times wonders why announcers don’t report on no-hitters in progress.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News tackles the same subject.

And that’s where we’ll end it today.

NBC Planning Extensive Coverage of the Run For the Roses

Tomorrow, NBC airs the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg in horse racing’s Triple Crown. If you’ve been reading this site regularly, you’ll know that this is the third press release NBC has sent regarding the Derby. On Saturday, NBC and NBC Sports Network will combine for 8½ hours of coverage beginning at 11 a.m. NBC comes on at 4 p.m. and NBC Sports Network wraps it up at 7 p.m.

Bob Costas and Tom Hammond co-host. I wish NBC would put Al Michaels on the Triple Crown since he’s a big horse racing fan and has served as a co-host with Jim McKay when ABC Sports had the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. We know Bob isn’t much of fan of the horses, but that’s besides the point.

Other NBC staffers include Mike Battaglia and Bob Neuemeier, Donna Brothers, Randy “I’m not the wide receiver” Moss, and Larry Collmus. Gary Stevens, Laffit Pincay III (the man has really deep pipes, I kid you not), Kenny Rice and Jay Privman.

Here’s the NBC preview.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS UNPRECEDENTED COVERAGE OF THE 138th KENTUCKY DERBY

Oldest Continuous Sporting Event in the United States Contested Annually on the First Saturday in May
Coverage from Churchill Downs Continues Today and All Week on NBC and NBC Sports Network
“A depth of talent unlike any I can remember. There are literally 8 or 10 horses that could win the race.” – NBC Sports Group’s Tom Hammond
“I think it’s going to be a chess match the first time through the stretch… I think it will be interesting.” – NBC Sports Group’s Gary Stevens
“To be a part of the greatest horse race, there is just an unbelievable feeling.” – NBC Sports Group’s Race Caller Larry Collmus on calling the Kentucky Derby
“The excitement and fun of the Kentucky Derby never gets old to me.” – NBC Sports Group’s Mike Battaglia

NEW YORK – May 3, 2012 – It’s the first Saturday in May and that means it’s time for the Kentucky Derby. The NBC Sports Group broadcasts exclusive coverage of the 138^th Derby this Saturday with coverage starting on NBC Sports Network at 11 a.m. ET and culminating with the Run for the Roses on NBC starting at 4 p.m. ET.

NBC Sports conducted a conference call this week with its broadcasting and production crew. Below are comments from the call with participants, Rob Hyland, Tom Hammond, Gary Stevens, Larry Collmus, Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier:

HYLAND ON THE BROADCAST: “I’m really excited about leading the team for this year’s Kentucky Derby. I did the first Derby on NBC back in 2001, and this is my first year as the leader of the talented production group. I’ve done a number of Super Bowls, a number of Olympics, but there is nothing like the Kentucky Derby. It’s a unique day in sports that really is a combination of a great event, a great atmosphere, a scene that is unlike any other in sports. We’re really excited to showcase a number of great stories in this year’s race.”

HYLAND ON DERBY STORIES: “There’s such a talented field that includes a number of great stories like the story of Phyllis Wyatt of Union Rags, and Bob Baffert who suffered a heart attack a month ago in Dubai and is back and searching for Derby win number four. We have just a number of great stories we are going to be telling throughout the telecast.”

HAMMOND ON THE RACE: “This is one of the events that you look when the schedule comes out to see what day it lands on and you make your plans around it. A lot of people say, ‘Oh it’s just 2 minutes,’ but there’s so much more that goes with it. Horse racing has more stories than any other sport, all compelling stories, all interesting. We hope to capture the flavor of what the Derby really is. The crowd keeps getting bigger that’s for sure.”

HAMMOND ON THE FIELD: “A depth of talent unlike any I can remember. There are literally eight or 10 horses that could win the race… This year has the opportunity to be one of the classic Derby’s because a depth of talent unlike any I can remember in the last 10 years. A very talented field, a good mix of horses…. All the ingredients are there for what could be a classic Kentucky Derby.”

STEVENS ON PREPARTIONS: “You start preparing long before. You start watching all the horses. Which horses are going to be able to ride a mile and a quarter? You start running different scenarios how the race may line up. You must be able to adjust. It is so unpredictable. There are horses that just set off the pace. The Derby is always a tactical race. You’ve got four of five different plans and you better be able to adapt and adapt quickly.”

STEVENS ON THE FIELD: “It’s going to be a chess match the first time through the stretch… It will be interesting. It’s not just going to be a horse’s race but a jockey’s race, very tactical. It is going to be gentleman’s race. It is an adrenaline rush…I’m in the second best place working.”

COLLMUS ON BEING AT THE DERBY: “When the horses were going around the turn, my legs were shaking uncontrollably, the nervous energy. When they hit the wire and that feeling of exhilaration… To be a part of the greatest horse race there is just an unbelievable feeling. The nerves are a little less than last year…the race just shapes up unbelievably with the amount of talent.”

BATTAGLIA ON THE EVENT: “This is my 41st straight Derby and I finally picked a winner (last year with Animal Kingdom). The excitement and fun of the Kentucky Derby never gets old to me. Just to be a part of this event, for one year, but for 41 years is absolutely phenomenal. I just feel so blessed to be with this group. You want to have the winner but when the horses are coming down the stretch it doesn’t matter who wins that race. You get a feeling of excitement for them and who you pick is just so far back in your mind that it’s just the Derby experience itself. I think you just have to be here and experience it.”

NEUMEIER ON BEING PART OF THE DERBY: “The beauty of sports is its unpredictability. When they open the gate and 20 horses come steaming down that side, all bets are off. It’s kind of controlled chaos. You have to be very lucky. Anything can happen and that is the mystery of the Kentucky Derby that appeals to me. It is a phenomenal event and I am pleased and proud to be a part of it.”

NEUMEIER ON PICKING THE WINNER: “It’s kind of controlled chaos. So to actually select one, you’ve got to be very lucky. And I tip my cap to Mike Battaglia, who last year tapped Animal Kingdom, and I didn’t have him in my list. I know in Derby’s we’ve covered with Mine That Bird and Giacamo, who were certainly not on my list, so anything can happen and that is the beauty and the mystery — that’s a good word — the mystery of the Kentucky Derby that appeals to me and any viewer out there.”

COMENTATORS: The NBC Sports Group coverage of the Kentucky Derby will feature co-hosts Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award-winner, and veteran NBC Sports commentator Tom Hammond; three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; analyst Randy Moss; host Laffit Pincay, III; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers and Jay Privman; race caller Larry Collmus. Also, TODAY’s Jenna Wolfe will contribute features and Catt Sadler of NBCUniversal’s E! will talk Kentucky Derby fashions and handle celebrity interviews.

Additionally, Hall-of Fame jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby-winner Jerry Bailey will join NBC Sports Network’s commentary team on Derby Day. Bailey, who also won twice in the Preakness and twice in the Belmont, won the Kentucky Derby in 1993 (Sea Hero) and 1996 (Grindstone).

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 Rich O’Connor and directed by Patrick McManus. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

NBC SPORTS GROUP KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET):
KENTUCKY DERBY
Fri. May 4		4 p.m. – 5 p.m.		Derby Classics – Animal Kingdom		NBC Sports Network
		5 p.m. – 6 p.m.		Kentucky Oaks		NBC Sports Network
Sat. May 5		11 a.m. – 4 p.m.		Kentucky Derby Saturday		NBC Sports Network
		4 p.m. – 7 p.m.		Kentucky Derby 138		NBC
		7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.		Kentucky Derby Post-Race Show		NBC Sports Network

KENTUCKY DERBY EXTRA

Taking a page from Sunday Night Football Extra and Super Bowl Extra, Kentucky Derby Extra is the online connection to coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Available at NBCSports.com with live streaming of the NBC broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, other features of Kentucky Derby Extra include:

• Four online-only camera angles that showcase the activity happening across Churchill Downs on Derby day;
• Online-only analysis by NBC and NBC Sports Network commentators;
• Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey will answer fans’ questions and offer analysis throughout the broadcast;
• Replays and footage from all the key Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races;
• A video simulation of how this year’s Kentucky Derby might play out.

SOCIAL MEDIA AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY

DERBY ALL-ACCESS: NBC Sports will implement its All-Access social media strategy for Kentucky Derby week on both NBC Sports 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 Churchill Downs.

Twitter: Viewers and tweeters alike will be encouraged to join the conversation by using the hashtag #DERBYonNBC. Reminders will appear on screen throughout all of NBC’s Kentucky Derby week 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 the Kentucky Derby Draw Show on Wednesday and provide interactive trivia and “Did You Know” tweets during the Derby Classics shows Wednesday through Friday.

Facebook: Fans will have the chance to join the Derby party at Churchill Downs, by submitting their photos of their Derby parties and Derby hats no matter where they are, to the NBC Sports Facebook page where a selection of the fan images will be shown on-air. (Submit photos at www.facebook.com/NBCSports)

• 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 Kentucky Derby broadcast.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. Last year marked the first time that all three Triple Crown races appeared on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001. This year, the NBC Sports Group will present 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is also the home to Summer at Saratoga, Autumn at Keeneland, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provided live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

KENTUCKY DERBY: Last year the Kentucky Derby drew 14.54 million viewers; the fourth most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years. Since implementing NBC’s Big Event Strategy, the last three Kentucky Derby races have recorded at least 14.5 million viewers including the 2010 Derby, which was the most-watched for the event in 22 years.

NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 11 years averages more than 2½ million more viewers than the previous 11 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.11.5 million, up 23 percent).

That’s all.

NBC Officially in Kentucky Derby Mode

NBC Sports Network has already begun its coverage of Kentucky Derby Week today. It continues live coverage Thursday and Friday as well as airing the prep races on Saturday before giving way to NBC at 4 p.m. ET for the 138th running of the Run for the Roses live from Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY.

NBC is pulling out its “Big Event” strategy by pulling personalities from other NBC shows and NBCUniversal cable networks. For instance, the worst host in the history of television, Jenna Wolfe will be on hand for the Today show riding a horse on Saturday interviewing NBC’s Donna Brothers.

Darren Rovell will report live from Louisville for both CNBC and NBC Sports Network. And hosts from shows I’ve never heard of will also be on hand for celebrity interviews and to critique fashion.

Here’s NBC’s press release.

NBCUNIVERSAL SURROUNDS THE KENTUCKY DERBY

TODAY Show Segments Live from Churchill Downs Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Features and Segments from NBCUniversal Properties Including CNBC, Bravo, E!, Style, iVillage and Daily Candy

NEW YORK – May 2, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group will present 14½ hours of Kentucky Derby coverage beginning today on NBC Sports Network, and culminating with the 138^th running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, Saturday, May 5 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

Once again this year, a host of NBCUniversal properties will participate in promoting the food, fashion, celebrity and entertaining spectacle that is the Kentucky Derby.

Below is a summary of the NBCU properties that are supporting the Kentucky Derby:

TODAY SHOW: TODAY’s Jenna Wolfe will report live from Churchill Downs on Friday for TODAY, and continue Kentucky Derby coverage on Saturday’s Weekend TODAY when she interviews NBC’s on-horse reporter Donna Brothers (they will both be on horses for the interview). TODAY coverage from Churchill Downs continues on Sunday with an interview with the Derby-winning jockey and trainer. Wolfe will also be featured on NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage, where she will contribute features.

TODAY WITH HODA AND KATHIE LEE: For the third year in a row, TODAY’s Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb hosted a Kentucky Derby trip giveaway contest for the fan who created the most interesting Derby hat.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: Bob Costas, NBC’s Kentucky Derby host, will conduct a live interview with Super Bowl MVP and this week’s Saturday Night Live host Eli Manning during Saturday’s coverage of the Derby. Manning will be live from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center during his afternoon SNL rehearsal.

CNBC: CNBC’s sports-business reporter, Darren Rovell, will file reports live from Churchill Downs all day Friday. Rovell will also be a part of NBC Sports Network’s Kentucky Derby coverage.

Bravo: Cat Cora, co-host of Bravo’s new show, Around the World in 80 Plates, will be a participating chef in “Taste of the Derby,” and will appear on NBC Sports Network’s Kentucky Oaks coverage on Friday.

E!: E! News host Catt Sadler will interview celebrity guests at the Kentucky Derby for NBC’s coverage Friday and Saturday. Additionally, E! News is featuring Derby segments all week, including a hat-shopping segment with Catt and interviews with National Anthem performer Mary J. Blige and other celebrities in attendance.

Style: Jeannie Mai, host of How Do I Look, will be on-site at Churchill Downs breaking down the day’s fashion and Kentucky Derby style trends. This is the first time that NBC has included a fashion correspondent in on-air coverage of the Derby.

iVillage: iVillage, the essential digital brand for women which reaches over 30 million unique visitors per month, will celebrate this year’s Kentucky Derby by featuring a contest to win a new wardrobe and accessories from Vineyard Vines’ new Kentucky Derby collection.

DailyCandy: DailyCandy.com will feature Kentucky Derby editorial content on its homepage through a special editorial package titled “Derby Day 101.” The package will include over 40 articles about Derby parties, recipes, fashion, and everything a DailyCandy reader needs to know to get ready for the Kentucky Derby. In addition, DailyCandy’s Lilliana Vazquez will be a guest on TODAY with KLG and Hoda for a Kentucky Derby “Who Knew” segment.

Local Media & Comcast regional sports nets: NBC Kentucky Derby feature teasers were distributed to all 235 NBC affiliates and 11 Comcast Regional Sports Networks. Additionally, DailyCandy’s Lilliana Vazquez participated in a Satellite Media Tour about Kentucky Derby fashions and traditions, and a reporter from NBC NewsChannel will file live reports from Churchill Downs on Friday.

WEATHER CHANNEL: Throughout Kentucky Derby Week on NBCU, Weather Channel’s Wake Up with Al has been featuring the Louisville, Ky., forecast, and what weather viewers and attendees can expect at Churchill Downs throughout Derby weekend.

NBC SPORTS’ ‘BIG EVENT STRATEGY’ HELPS TO INCREASE VIEWERSHIP

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2011 Kentucky Derby drawing 14.54 million viewers, the fourth most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years. Since implementing this strategy, the last three Kentucky Derby races have recorded at least 14.5 million viewers including the 2010 Derby, which was the most-watched for the event in 22 years.

NBC Sports coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 11 years averages more than 2½ million more viewers than the previous 11 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.11.5 million, up 23 percent).

NBC SPORTS GROUP KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET):
KENTUCKY DERBY
Thur. May 3	4 p.m. – 5 p.m.	Derby Classics – Mine that Bird	NBC Sports Network
	5 p.m. – 6 p.m.	Live from Churchill Downs	NBC Sports Network
Fri. May 4	4 p.m. – 5 p.m.	Derby Classics – Animal Kingdom	NBC Sports Network
	5 p.m. – 6 p.m.	Kentucky Oaks	NBC Sports Network
Sat. May 5	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Kentucky Derby Saturday	NBC Sports Network
	4 p.m. – 7 p.m.	Kentucky Derby 138	NBC
	7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.	Kentucky Derby Post-Race Show	NBC Sports Network

That’s all for this post. One more coming up before I head for the evening.

NBC Sports Group All Over The Kentucky Derby

This Saturday is the first Saturday in May and that means it’s Kentucky Derby time. NBC will have extensive coverage of the Run for the Roses this week through NBC Sports Network and its main network.

Coverage begins on Wednesday with the Kentucky Derby draw which determines post positions for the horses in the race. Then Friday, NBC Sports Network airs the Kentucky Oaks and Saturday, NBC Sports Network and NBC will combine for a total of 8½ hours on raceday.

Bob Costas and Mr. Kentucky, Tom Hammond will co-host coverage. Gary Stevens, Mike Battaglia, Bob Neumeier, Randy Moss (horse racing’s and NFL Network’s Randy Moss, not the wide receiver), Laffit Pincay III, Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers, Jay Privman and Larry Collmus will all be part of the broadcasts. Weekend Today co-host Jenna Wolfe will be on hand to provide on-air miscues and inappropriate comments. And someone named Catt Sadler from E! will handle celebrity interviews and review the Kentucky Derby fashion.

Here’s the NBC Sports Group press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS 14½ HOURS OF KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE

Coverage From Churchill Downs Begins Wednesday and Continues All Week on NBC and NBC Sports Network
Bob Costas and Tom Hammond Host Kentucky Derby Coverage
Kentucky Derby Extra Provides Live Streaming on NBCSports.com with Additional Camera Angles and Live Commentary
Gary Stevens and Randy Moss Both Like Union Rags
NBC Sports Group Presents 27½ Total Hours of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown Over Next 5 Weeks

NEW YORK – April 30, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group will present 14½ hours of Kentucky Derby coverage beginning on Wednesday, May 2 at 4 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and culminating with the 138^th running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, Saturday, May 5 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

The expanded Kentucky Derby coverage, which includes 8.5 hours on Derby Day on NBC and NBC Sports Network, will include:

• Live coverage of the Kentucky Derby Draw on NBC Sports Network, which will determine the post positions;
• 11½ total hours on NBC Sports Network, which was re-branded from VERSUS earlier this year;
• Three hours of “Derby Classics” (Barbaro, Mine That Bird, Animal Kingdom) to air on NBC Sports Network.

COMENTATORS: The NBC Sports Group coverage of the Kentucky Derby will feature co-hosts Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award-winner, and veteran NBC Sports commentator Tom Hammond; three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; analyst Randy Moss; host Laffit Pincay, III; reporters Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers and Jay Privman; race caller Larry Collmus. Also, TODAY’s Jenna Wolfe will contribute features and Catt Sadler of NBCUniversal’s E! will talk Kentucky Derby fashions and handle celebrity interviews.

Additionally, Hall-of Fame jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby-winner Jerry Bailey will join NBC Sports Network’s commentary team on Derby Day. Bailey, who also won twice in the Preakness and twice in the Belmont, won the Kentucky Derby in 1993 (Sea Hero) and 1996 (Grindstone).

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 Rich O’Connor and directed by Patrick McManus. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

STEVENS’ DERBY TOP 5:
1. Union Rags
2. I’ll Have Another
3. Creative Cause
4. Bodemeister
5. Gemologist

MOSS’ DERBY TOP 5:
1. Union Rags
2. Creative Cause
3. Gemologist
4. Hansen
5. Bodemeister

27½ HOURS OF TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE: The NBC Sports Group will present 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont, including “classics” from the Preakness and Belmont, live racing from all three tracks prior to the three Triple Crown races, and post-race coverage of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont on NBC Sports Network. This marks the second straight year that all three Triple Crown races will air on NBC.

NBC SPORTS GROUP TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE (All Times ET):
KENTUCKY DERBY
Wed. May 2		4 p.m. – 5 p.m.		Derby Classics – Barbaro						NBC Sports Network
		5 p.m. – 6 p.m.		Kentucky Derby Draw						NBC Sports Network
Thur. May 3		4 p.m. – 5 p.m.		Derby Classics – Mine that Bird						NBC Sports Network
		5 p.m. – 6 p.m.		Live from Churchill Downs						NBC Sports Network
Fri. May 4		4 p.m. – 5 p.m.		Derby Classics – Animal Kingdom						NBC Sports Network
		5 p.m. – 6 p.m.		Kentucky Oaks						NBC Sports Network
Sat. May 5		11 a.m. – 4 p.m.		Kentucky Derby Saturday						NBC Sports Network
		4 p.m. – 7 p.m.		Kentucky Derby 138						NBC
		7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.		Kentucky Derby Post-Race Show						NBC Sports Network
PREAKNESS STAKES
Fri. May 18		3 p.m. – 4 p.m.				Preakness Classics		NBC Sports Network
		4 p.m. – 5 p.m.				Black Eyed Susan Stakes		NBC Sports Network
Sat. 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
BELMONT STAKES
Fri. June 8		4 p.m. – 5 p.m.			Belmont Classics		NBC Sports Network
		5 p.m. – 6 p.m.			Live from Belmont		NBC Sports Network
Sat. June 9		3 p.m. – 5 p.m.			Belmont Stakes Saturday		NBC Sports Network
		5 p.m. – 7 p.m.			Belmont Stakes		NBC
		7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.			Belmont Post-Race Show		NBC Sports Network

KENTUCKY DERBY EXTRA

Taking a page from Sunday Night Football Extra and Super Bowl Extra, Kentucky Derby Extra is the online connection to coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Available at NBCSports.com with live streaming of the NBC broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, other features of Kentucky Derby Extra include:

• Four online-only camera angles that showcase the activity happening across Churchill Downs on Derby day;
• Online-only analysis by NBC and NBC Sports Network commentators;
• Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey will answer fans’ questions and offer analysis throughout the broadcast;
• Replays and footage from all the key Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races;
• A video simulation of how this year’s Kentucky Derby might play out.

SOCIAL MEDIA AT THE KENTUCKY DERBY

DERBY ALL-ACCESS: NBC Sports will implement its All-Access social media strategy for Kentucky Derby week on both NBC Sports 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 Churchill Downs.

Twitter: Viewers and tweeters alike will be encouraged to join the conversation by using the hashtag #DERBYonNBC. Reminders will appear on screen throughout all of NBC’s Kentucky Derby week 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 the Kentucky Derby Draw Show on Wednesday and provide interactive trivia and “Did You Know” tweets during the Derby Classics shows Wednesday through Friday.

Facebook: Fans will have the chance to join the Derby party at Churchill Downs, by submitting their photos of their Derby parties and Derby hats no matter where they are, to the NBC Sports Facebook page where a selection of the fan images will be shown on-air. (Submit photos at www.facebook.com/NBCSports)

• 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 Kentucky Derby broadcast.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, which was broadcast on NBC from 1984-2005. Last year marked the first time that all three Triple Crown races appeared on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001. This year, the NBC Sports Group will present 27½ hours of Triple Crown coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

NBC Sports Group is also the home to Summer at Saratoga, Autumn at Keeneland, and, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, the Road to the Kentucky Derby series that provided live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

KENTUCKY DERBY: Last year the Kentucky Derby drew 14.54 million viewers; the fourth most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years. Since implementing NBC’s Big Event Strategy, the last three Kentucky Derby races have recorded at least 14.5 million viewers including the 2010 Derby, which was the most-watched for the event in 22 years.

NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 11 years averages more than 2½ million more viewers than the previous 11 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.11.5 million, up 23 percent).

PREAKNESS STAKES: Last year’s coverage of the Preakness Stakes on NBC drew 8.8 million viewers, a gain of five percent over 2010 and the second most-watched Preakness in five years.

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.

BELMONT STAKES: Last year, NBC’s first broadcast of the Belmont Stakes since 2005 drew 6.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched Belmont in a non-Triple Crown year since NBC last broadcast the Belmont in 2005.

Since its involvement in the Triple Crown, NBC Sports has been honored with 11 Eclipse Awards for its thoroughbred racing coverage, Preakness (2002-03-05-06-08), Kentucky Derby (2007), Belmont (2004) and Breeder’s Cup (2001). Additionally, NBC Sports has won three Eclipse Awards in the features category: 2002 on War Emblem (Preakness broadcast), 2005 Afleet Alex (Kentucky Derby broadcast) and 2009 Mine That Bird (Preakness broadcast), and the 2005 and 2006 Preakness broadcasts were nominated for the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special.

That is it.

The Best in Sports Broadcasting in 2011

I’m not going to go too wild on this. Other sites are doing similar posts as well.

I’ll provide what I feel are the best calls in Sports Broadcasting this year. The only way to do this is to post videos and that’s what I’ll do. I know I said Best and Worst earlier, but the search is taking too long. We’ll provide the best calls in 2011.

We’ll go sport-by-sport and you can either agree or disagree.

Baseball

Dan Shulman, ESPN Radio — Game 6, World Series, David Freese Walk-off home run

Gary Thorne, MLB International — Same as above. Two great calls of the same moment.

Boxing

Larry Merchant vs. Floyd Mayweather, HBO Pay Per View — Floyd cursed out Larry and then Larry had the comeback of the year.

College Basketball

Gus Johnson, CBS Sports — Pac-10 Championship, Isiah Thomas hits the game-winning shot. “COLD BLOODED!”

College Football

Joe Tessitore, ESPN — “TOUCHDOWN! THEY DID IT!!” Iowa State upsets Oklahoma State knocking the Cowboys out of the BCS.

Joe Tessitore, ESPN on ABC — “Iowa State, USC and Baylor just made a mess of the BCS.” Baylor upsets Oklahoma less than 24 hours later and Joe Tessitore was there.

Golf

Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller and the Golf Channel on NBC crew — The 72nd hole for Rory McIlroy as he wins the US Open at Congressional. Great job by Dan and Johnny as they describe Rory McIlroy winning his first major championship.

Horse Racing

Larry Collmus, NBC — The 137th Kentucky Derby. It marked Larry’s first race for NBC as he replaced Tom Durkin who left in 2010. And he got a huge upset as Animal Kingdom won the race.

Jack Edwards Calls of the Year

Living in New England and having access to NESN and Jack Edwards is the gift that keeps on giving. He was in rare form in 2011. We begin with Jack mocking Chad LaRose of the Carolina Hurricanes with a “Yapping, yapping, yapping all the way to the box.” Classic Jack.

“GET UP!” In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Roman Hamrlik of the Montreal Canadiens went down and Jack decided to yell at him.

In Game 7, Hamrlik went down again, but the Bruins went on to score and Jack decided to rub it in.

And after the B’s closed out the Habs, Jack decided to make some puzzling final comments about royalty and having fun. Eight months later, I’m still trying to figure them out.

NFL

none

NHL

Mike Emrick, Versus — Tim Thomas makes a tremendous save in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Women’s World Cup

Ian Darke, ESPN — “ABBY WAMBACH HAS SAVED THE USA’S LIFE IN THIS WOMEN’S WORLD CUP!” Ian Darke had a tremendous call of the goal that tied Brazil in extra time in the quarterfinals.

And that will do it for us.

NBC Sports Group Announces “Road To The Kentucky Derby” Series

Following the new “Summer at Saratoga” and “Autumn at Keeneland” horse racing series that premiered this year on both NBC and Versus, the NBC Sports Group has announced a spring horse racing series that will lead up to the First Saturday in May which is when the Kentucky Derby is held and marks the first leg of the Triple Crown. NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC will air prep races that will thin out of the field and provide the three year old contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Among the races that NBC has obtained the rights to include the Santa Anita Derby, the Wood Memorial, the Arkansas Derby and the Florida Derby. NBC Sports Network will be on for the first two programs followed by NBC and then CNBC rounds out the package.

We have details from the NBC Sports Group.

THE JOCKEY CLUB PARTNERS WITH NBC SPORTS GROUP AND RACETRACKS TO BROADCAST “ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY” SERIES

Four Consecutive Weekends on NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC in the Spring of 2012

NEW YORK – November 8, 2011 – The Jockey Club, in collaboration with the NBC Sports Group, CNBC and six racetracks, will provide live coverage of six major prep races for the 2012 Kentucky Derby over four consecutive weekends next spring, it was announced today.

The series will be highlighted by a 90-minute live broadcast on NBC featuring the New York City Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and the Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park on April 7, 2012.

The other four Kentucky Derby prep races are the Spiral Stakes from Turfway Park on March 24 and the Florida Derby from Gulfstream Park on March 31, both of which will air on the NBC Sports Network (which will be renamed from VERSUS on Jan. 2, 2012), and the Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland Race Course and the Arkansas Derby from Oaklawn Park, which will air on CNBC on April 14.

“The Jockey Club is proud to work with our television and racetrack partners to bring more of our sport’s best racing to a national audience,” Ogden Mills Phipps, Chariman of The Jockey Club said. “Increasing the television presence of Thoroughbred racing is just the first step in a long term, multi-media strategy focused on fan retention and development. Together with racetracks and other industry organizations, we plan to aggressively cross-promote Thoroughbred racing on a variety of traditional and new digital media platforms.”

“These races are important steppingstones to the Kentucky Derby,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “And this programming further demonstrates the NBC Sports Group’s commitment to the sport of Thoroughbred racing, which already includes long-term deals for the Triple Crown races as well as with Saratoga and Keeneland.”

Increased television coverage of Thoroughbred racing and the development of a new digital media strategy were among nine recommendations identified in the major economic study of the Thoroughbred industry that was commissioned by The Jockey Club, and conducted in association with the management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, earlier this year. The findings and recommendations were announced in August at The Jockey Club’s Round Table Conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET)

Saturday, March 24, 2012, 5-6 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Spiral Stakes and Bourbonette Oaks (Turfway Park)

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 5-6 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Florida Derby and Gulfstream Oaks (Gulfstream Park)

Saturday, April 7, 2012, 4:30-6 p.m. (NBC)
New York City Wood Memorial (Aqueduct Racetrack) and Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita Park)

Saturday, April 14, 2012, 6-7 p.m. ET (CNBC)
Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland) and Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park)

That will do it.

Chugging Along On A Thursday Linkage Edition

Time for the linkage here on this Thursday getting a late charge out of the gate as I’ve had to visit a jobsite and then had to run a couple of office errands, but we’re back inside ready to give you some linkage. Lots of stuff to get to now.

We begin with some sad news from Chicago. Sports anchor Daryl Hawks of WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate, was found dead this morning in an Atlanta hotel room as he was going to cover tonight’s Bulls-Hawks game. He was 38. No other details are available.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business says this is the 2nd unexpected death to happen to the WMAQ-TV sports staff in less than a decade.

Robert Feder at TimeOut Chicago says Hawks’ friends and colleagues are stunned.

If I get more details about Hawks’ death, I’ll post it here.

From USA Today’s Arin Kariminian, we learn that the NFL players are suing for over $700 million in damages from the league over the disputed broadcast revenues that led to the lockout in the first place.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal who’s been wearing bow ties for charitable causes, tells us that he’ll be wearing one this week for the Red Sox-Yankees game that will be near and very dear to his heart. We at Fang’s Bites wholeheartedly support this.

Etan Vlessing from the Hollywood Reporter says the owner of Canadian sports TV network The Score has purchased the third largest sports mobile app provider in the US.

To Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser who tells us that ESPN3.com will stream the entire season of the National Lacrosse League.

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

In the Indiana National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times does not want athletes to stop tweeting their thoughts.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at one restaurant chain that is allowing customers to drink beer for free as long as the NFL lockout continues.

Darren suggests that Disney buy Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom if he wins the next leg of the Triple Crown.

Public relations maven Bill Hofheimer in ESPN Front Row talks with two ESPN’ers who hope to have their CBS sitcoms picked up in the network upfronts later this month.

Adam Proteau from the Hockey News says fans rallying around Sean Avery’s gay marriage stance and denouncing of Uptown Sports’ tweets against it shows a true evolution in the sport.

In the Boston Herald, Ian R. Rapoport has video of Tom Brady explaining why he cried during the ESPN/NFL Films documentary, “The Brady 6.”

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman writes an appreciation of collegue, cartoonist Bill Gallo who passed away at the age of 88.

The Daily News’ Flip Bondy has Gallo’s obituary.

And Mike Lupica says Gallo will live on through his work.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette writes about ESPN airing a college basketball game from a military aircraft carrier on Veterans Day.

A related note from the Associated Press and picked up by the Sporting News: the carrier that buried Osama bin Laden at sea could be the one that hosts the game.

Ken says the NBC Sports Group will be airing horse racing from Saratoga Race Course over the summer.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes that NASCAR fans in the DC area will be flocking to Dover this weekend.

Garry Smits from the Florida Times-Union looks at the NBC Sports Group airing the Players Championship this week.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times says a popular local sports radio host has signed a new contract with his current station.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that police confiscated some 30 phony passes including some labeled “NBC Sports” from people attempting to attend the Kentucky Derby.

John E. Hoover at the Tulsa World notes that the Oklahoma-Florida State game will be aired in primetime by either ESPN or ABC.

Amanda Van Benschoten from the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth has been named to a national fitness panel.

Alan Babbitt of the Holland (MI) Sentinel says ESPN’s Outside the Lines will air a segment Sunday on the high school basketball team that had a player pass away on court earlier this year.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Arena Football League’s Mustangs will be heard on local radio.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business explores the latest troubles with Jay Mariotti.

Mariotti’s former paper, the Chicago Sun-Times uses wire copy to construct the latest story on his latest arrest on stalking and domestic violence charges.

John Vornhof, Jr. from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal writes that Fox Sports North jumps into the WNBA game this summer.

Scott Dochterman in the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette notes that Big Ten Network will air a new original series on conference coaches.

Ben Kaplan of the National Post writes about a new documentary on Donald Trump’s efforts to build a golf course in Scotland that was first chronicled by HBO’s Real Sports.

The Toronto Sports Media blog notes that a Rogers Sportsnet host who weighed in on the gay marriage debate on Twitter regarding Sean Avery’s stance, was fired yesterday.

Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star says the host, Damian Goddard is standing by his tweets.

The Big Lead looks at the first review of Captain Blowhard’s Grantland site.

The Pretty in Pinstripes blog takes down the SNY “More Sports, More Testosterone” ad campaign that was very inexplicably created by women.

Sports Media Watch says the Miami Heat series clincher over Boston took in a good rating, but not as good as Game 4.

Joe Favorito explores the new magazine being published by energy drink manufacturer Red Bull.

And that is where we’ll end it for today. Lots of links for you today.

Bringing You Some Mid-Week Links

On this Wednesday, it’s time to provide some linkage. Some stuff to get to. Let’s not delay any further.

Steve Wieberg of USA Today writes that the NCAA spent a lot of money to protect the March Madness™ trademark.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today looks at Gus Johnson leaving CBS for Fox Sports.

Eben Novy-Williams at Bloomberg News delves into Gus’ departure from CBS.

The great Maggie Hendricks at Yahoo’s Cagewriter says while Gus is leaving CBS, he will remain at corporate sibling Showtime to call boxing and MMA.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports says while fans are cheering the Lakers’ exit now, they’ll regret it later.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that TNT scored an across-the-board ratings win in key demographics for Game 4 of the Miami-Boston NBA Playoff game.

Mike Farrell of Multichannel says Disney’s CEO is saying that the Olympics could help ESPN get more money from cable providers.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek says Disney’s CEO isn’t too worried about an NFL lockout hurting ESPN.

Crupi writes a weak field in the Kentucky Derby offset NBCUniversal’s heavy promotion for the Run for the Roses.

Tony Fitzgerald of Media Life also looks at the lower ratings for the Derby on NBC.

Sean Martin at Golfweek says college golf could see more airtime with the new megarights deals with the Pac-12 and University of Texas.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser notes that ESPN will air the MLS Cup against Sunday Night Football again (provided there is an NFL season).

Cam has video of ESPN’s Barry Melrose comments about gays on NHL teams which really has to be seen to be believed.

Stephen Douglas a.k.a. Cousins of Ron Mexico at The Big Lead shoots down point-by-point, a guest column written by celebrity-wannabe Rob Kardashian in ESPN.com’s Page 2 section.

Speaking of ESPN.com, the Et tu, Mr. Destructo blog has a review of the soft launch of Captain Blowhard’s Grantland site. The review is almost as long as the two articles that launched the site.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says he got to meet a star before she become one.

Darren says Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is hoping to fill a void in fantasy camps.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has a story on Jack Edwards signing an extension with NESN to call Bruins games.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about Gus Johnson moving to Fox Sports.

At the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg wonders if Captain Blowhard is recruiting Tony Kornheiser to write for Grantland.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says Maryland and Miami will open the ACC football season in primetime on ESPN.

Joe Reedy at the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals have renewed their radio rights deal with Clear Channel Radio.

The South Bend Tribune reports that ESPN/ABC may put a November Notre Dame road game in primetime.

Anthony Schoettle from the Indianapolis Business Journal says IndyCar officials are talking about placing more of their races on ABC in the next TV contract.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that HBO’s Real Sports will profile Brewers voice Bob Uecker.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says a suspended sports talk show host returns to the air today.

Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune suggests the International Olympic Committee should take NBC’s overbid for the 2010/12 Games into account for the bid for the ’14/’16 Olympics.

Dom Izzo at WDAY-TV in Fargo, ND says Twins fans are being shut out from a number of games thanks to a dispute between Fox Sports North and the local cable provider.

Scott D. Pierce in the Salt Lake Tribune doesn’t understand why ESPN did not choose Real Salt Lake for its MLS TV schedule.

In the Phoenix Business Journal, Patrick O’Grady writes that the Pac-12 Network could find it difficult to gain carriage into Arizona homes.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times discusses Gus Johnson signing with Fox to become its main college sports announcer.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says the controversy over Sean Avery’s support of gay marriage and the condemnation by Uptown Hockey has opened a Pandora’s Box.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog feels Uptown Hockey and NHL agent Todd Reynolds should not have gone there.

Lost Letterman wonders if ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla could be headed back into coaching.

Matt Sarzyniak at Matt’s College Sports Media analyzes the ESPN/ABC Pac-12 schedule.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Dan Patrick will host NBC’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Final, more specifically, the later games.

Sports Media Watch has some various NHL ratings news and notes.

And that will do it.

Ratings For Kentucky Derby Down, But Viewership Constant

This year’s ratings for the Run for the Roses were off by 13% last year, an 8.5 rating and a 19 share, compared with 9.8/23 for the previous two years. Viewership was at 14.5 million, the 3rd straight year the race has drawn that many viewers and the 4th highest in the last 21, although this year’s race was also down 12% from last year. At least NBC isn’t hiding from the downturn. We have the press release direct from NBC Sports.

14.5 MILLION WATCH KENTUCKY DERBY ON NBC

Third Straight Year NBC’s Coverage of the Derby surpasses 14.5 Million; 4^th Most-Watched in 21 Years

NEW YORK – May 10, 2011 – NBC Sports’ coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby drew 14.54 million viewers, the fourth most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years according to data provided by The Nielsen Company. Since implementing NBC’s Big Event Strategy, the last three Kentucky Derby races have recorded at least 14.5 million viewers including last year’s Derby, which was the most-watched for the event in 22 years.

NBC Sports coverage of the Kentucky Derby over the last 11 years averages more than 2½ million more viewers than the previous 11 Kentucky Derby broadcasts on ABC (14.1 million vs.11.5 million, up 23 percent).

Saturday’s race (6:06-6:54 p.m. ET) was off 12 percent from last year’s 16.5 million, and 10 percent off from 2009’s 16.3 million, the two most-watched Derby’s since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million). The only other Derby viewership to surpass Saturday’s since 1990 was in 2004 when superhorse Smarty Jones won the Derby (14.6 million).

KENTUCKY DERBY IS A HIT WITH THE WOMEN: The Kentucky Derby once again proved to be very popular with female viewers. In fact, 51 percent of Derby viewers 18+ were women, making it the only annual sporting event that draws more female than male viewers.

KENTUCKY DERBY VIEWERSHIP
2011 14.5 million NBC Animal Kingdom
2010 16.5 million NBC Super Saver
2009 16.3 million NBC Mine That Bird
2008 14.2 million NBC Big Brown
2007 13.8 million NBC Street Sense
2006 12.9 million NBC Barbaro
2005 13.6 million NBC Giacomo
2004 14.6 million NBC Smarty Jones
2003 11.8 million NBC Funny Cide
2002 12.8 million NBC War Emblem
2001 13.8 million NBC Monarchos
2000 9.1 million ABC Fusaichi Pegasus
1999 9.9 million ABC Charismatic
1998 9.5 million ABC Real Quiet
1997 11.3 million ABC Silver Charm
1996 11.0 million ABC Grindestone
1995 9.3 million ABC Thunder Gulch
1994 12.1 million ABC Go For Gin
1993 11.5 million ABC Sea Hero
1992 13.7 million ABC Lil E Tee
1991 13.4 million ABC Strike The Gold
1990 15.6 million ABC Unbridled
1989 18.5 million ABC Sunday Silence

Saturday’s race coverage notched an 8.5 national rating and a 19 share, down from a 9.8/23 each of the past two years.

VERSUS LIVE COVERAGE OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY SEES INCREASED VIEWERSHIP: Friday’s 90-minute live coverage of the Kentucky Oaks on VERSUS drew 235,000 viewers, an increase of four percent from last year’s Oaks that aired on Bravo and an increase of 180 percent over VERSUS’ prior four-week time period average.

• Overall, live Kentucky Derby coverage from Churchill Downs on VERSUS drew an average of 280,000 viewers, an increase of 143 percent over the network’s prior four-week time period average.

PREAKNESS STAKES ON NBC SPORTS, MAY 21: In two weeks, Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will take one more step to try to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 33 years, since Affirmed in 1978. NBC Sports Group coverage of The Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md., begins Friday, May 20 at 3 p.m. ET.

Fri. May 20, Preakness Classics, 3-4 p.m., VERSUS
Fri. May 20, Black Eyed Susan Stakes, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 21, Live from Pimlico, 2:30-4:30 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 21, Preakness Stakes, 4:30-6:30 p.m., NBC
Sat. May 21, Preakness Wrap-up, 6:30-7 p.m., VERSUS

TOP 20 METERED MARKETS FOR 2011 KENTUCKY DERBY

1. Louisville, 34.4/62
2. Cincinnati, 21.2/37
3. West Palm Beach, 18.4/32
4. Dayton, 16.2/28
5. Ft. Myers, 16.1/31
6. Indianapolis, 15.5/32
T7. Nashville, 14.9/28
T7. Columbus, 14.9/31
9. Hartford, 14.1/28
10. Knoxville, 13.1/22
11. Buffalo, 13.0/28
12. Cleveland, 12.9/30
T13. Tampa, 12.6/28
T13. Pittsburgh, 12.6/25
15. Boston, 12.5/27
T16. Orlando, 11.8/25
T16. New Orleans, 11.8/22
18. Philadelphia, 11.7/24
T19. Baltimore, 11.5/25
T19. Greensboro, 11.5/23

And that will do it.

Going For The Tuesday Links

Let’s do some linkage on this Tuesday. News broke last evening about Gus Johnson leaving CBS and possibly going to Fox. We’ll be following this story today and anything else that breaks.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk examines the move by CBS to allow Gus to walk away.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today bids adieu to Gus.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today takes a look at the ratings from the weekend including those of the Kentucky Derby.

Bruce Horovitz of USA Today notes that energy drink Red Bull is expanding into the lifestyle magazine market.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost examines the extensive rebranding of Comcast’s sports networks under the guidance of NBC Sports.

Also at MediaPost, Gavin O’Malley has a story on ESPN consolidating its print and digital media operations.

Jason Fry at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center tells aspiring journalists not to heed Rick Reilly’s advice and not be afraid to write for free.

Daniel Libit of the Columbia Journalism Review looks at the unique blogging arrangement between former Chicago Tribune NBA beat writer Sam Smith and the Chicago Bulls.

Todd Spangler from Broadcasting & Cable writes that ESPN has launched its Watch ESPN app for Android phones and tablets.

Anthony Crupi at AdWeek wonders if the Los Angeles Lakers’ exit from the NBA Playoffs will mean lower ratings for ESPN/ABC and TNT.

To Yahoo’s Puck Daddy and Greg Wyshynski who writes about a controversy brewing after an NHL player agent anti-gay marriage tweets on his business account following Sean Avery’s vocal support of the issue.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser notes that the Kentucky Derby’s overnight ratings were down slightly from last year.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell has an extensive look at the horse that sired Derby winner Animal Kingdom.

Jason Dachman from Sports Video Group writes about the new man who will head Turner Sports’ digital golf group.

To TV NewsCheck to look at a new urban TV network that hopes to serve the African American community with news, sports and other programming.

Richard Sandomir at the New York Times reveals that the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was an FBI informant on more than one occasion.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has your first look at the NBA Western Conference Finals schedule.

Dan Gross at the Philadelphia Daily News notes that the Comcast SportsNet regional networks will be rebranded under NBC Sports soon.

The Charlotte Observer says ESPN’s E:60 will profile a family who recently moved to the area to be closer to a minor league hockey team and better medical care.

Garry Smits with the Florida Times-Union recaps last night’s World Golf Hall of Fame ceremonies which posthumously inducted the late CBS producer Frank Chirkinian.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times notes that a popular local sports radio host could be leaving the #1 station in the market.

W. Scott Bailey of the San Antonio Business Times writes about a new reality show on Fox Sports Southwest that will focus on Texas-San Antonio’s effort to launch a new college football program.

Rob Hernandez of the Capital (WI) Times talks with a former local sports anchor will appear on Oprah to show off a huge transformation.

Chris Vetter of the Eau Claire (WI) Leader-Telegram wonders why there’s hardly any interest in the NBA in the local area.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says there should be no doubt about the legacy of Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

In the Daily Dunklin (MO) Democrat, ESPN video editor Dustin Sullivan gives some greetings to his hometown.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News gives TNT’s Charles Barkley the final say on the Lakers’ ignominious exit from the NBA Playoffs.

James Day in the Salem (OR) Statesman-Journal says Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott followed through on his promise to get a lucrative TV deal for the league.

At Awful Announcing, Ben Koo suggests that Gus Johnson may have had to make the move away from CBS now out of necessity.

Matt Sarzyniak of Matt’s College Sports and Matt’s College Sports Media Blog looks one more time at the Pac-12 media deals and a look ahead to this season.

Kat Hasenauer of SportsGirlKat says hockey agent firm Uptown Sports taking an anti-gay marriage stance is bad for business.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog reviews the UEFA Champions League coverage in Canada.

Sports Media Watch says TNT saw good numbers for Monday night’s NBA Playoff doubleheader.

SMW notes ESPN/ABC scored well for the weekend NBA games.

And my good Twitter friend, Stephanie Gordon at Not Your Typical Girl says sports organizations forget that women are sports fans too.

We will end it there.

Bringing Out The Monday Linkage

This weekend was a very lost weekend for me and for you on the blog as I was unable to do anything either Saturday and Sunday. I attended a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday in Massachusetts and that took most of the day, then I went to a sports bar that night to see the Manny Pacquaio-Sugar Shane Mosley fight and I’m glad I did not have to pay a cover as Mosley just did not do anything. I fought to stay awake as the fight was very boring.

And on Mother’s Day, I had several errands to run so the blog was very quiet. I was happy nothing broke because I would not have been able to do anything. But we’re back today and let’s get cracking on some overdue linkage.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says ESPN/ABC’s NBA analysts were very down on the Los Angeles Lakers’ effort in their series-ending loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Sports Business Daily has Screamin’ Gus Johnson calling reports of his departure from CBS “premature.”

SBD notes that the NBA Playoffs did very well in the weekend overnight ratings.

SBD also looks at the NFL possibly working under different rules from last year if the lockout is lifted.

Lacey Rose at the Hollywood Reporter writes that Golf Channel is giving CBS’ David Feherty his own primetime show.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says the Pacquaio-Mosley fight will most likely lead to more boxing pay per view events.

Mike goes inside the new Pac-12 Conference media rights deals.

Rich Thomaselli of Advertising Age talks with NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins about the league and its media rights deal with Comcast/NBC.

Diego Vasquez at Media Life Magazine writes on how sponsors can get true brand activation at the Preakness Stakes.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser has video of what Oracle is doing to make the viewing of this year’s America’s Cup more enjoyable to fans at home.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid reviews the silly Captain Blowhard-Keith Olbermann renewal of their Twitter feud over the weekend.

That wasn’t the only Twitter feud this weekend, supermodel Chrissy Teigen and Jay Mohr had one also. Very silly these Twitter fights.

At Yahoo’s Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski looks at whether Versus’ Jeremy Roenick crossed the line or was being candid when he said San Jose’s Patrick Marleau was “gutless” following the team’s surprising loss to Detroit last night.

At ESPN Front Row, PR specialist Josh Krulewitz speaks with Hannah Storm on sports and Mother’s Day.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says Animal Kingdom owner Bill Irwin’s candor during NBC’s Kentucky Derby broadcast enlightened an otherwise technical glitch-filled broadcast.

Jonathan Bombulie of The Citizens’ (PA) Voice notes that ESPN’s E:60 newsmagazine will profile the young fan of a minor league hockey team, who has been battling a debilitating disease.

Mark Brown from the Baltimore Sports Report talks with legendary Maryland Terrapins voice Johnny Holliday about Gary Williams’ retirement.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that the local ESPN Radio affiliate had egg on its face for reporting a false rumor on Maryland’s coaching situation.

Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times has ESPN’s Herman Edwards giving some advice to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on enduring the filming of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” as the Bucs are a candidate for the series this summer, provided there is a season.

Rodney Page of the Times has a look at the weekend in sports TV.

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel says the Pac-12 came out smelling like a rose in its new TV deals.

Bud Withers of the Daily Oklahoman notes that the Pac-12 can no longer be considered a college sports doormat.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business talks with Bulls radio voice Chuck Swirsky.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post writes that fans got to see the Lakers’ fatal flaws yesterday.

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

Steve Gress from the Corvallis (OR) Gazette-Times says Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott definitely delivered for the league.

Eric Degerman of the Tri-City (WA) Herald says MLB Network has a nightly tribute to the late Seattle Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail has the ratings for the Fan 590 and TSN 1050 in April.

Raju Mudhar in the Toronto Globe and Mail says the city’s courtship of the NFL through the Ford family has one glaring omission.

Paul Kennedy at Soccer America feels ESPN2′s MLS soccer highlights last Saturday did the league a great disservice.

Daniel Feuerstein at MLS Talk has his thoughts on Fox Soccer Channel’s inaugural Soccer Night in America broadcast.

Sports Media Watch notes that the camera operator is the anonymous person who is a big part of the sports broadcast you watch.

SMW says Bulls-Hawks has been a big draw for TNT.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the ratings for Night 23 of the NHL Playoffs.

Joe Favorito says boxing and horse racing are taking baby steps in getting back into the national conscience.

The Big Lead says ESPN’s Erin Andrews was among the beautiful people attending the Kentucky Derby and why not as Erin is a beautiful person.

And I’ll end the links there.

Friday Megalink Action

With me not having to drive in between two offices, I’m able to provide you with the Friday megalinks during the day. And with things planned for me during the day for Saturday, it’s best to get these in now so it can tie you over while I’m gone.

The Weekend Viewing Picks provide your sports and entertainment programming for Mother’s Day and before.

To the links. Lots to get to today.

National

In USA Today, Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate whether Donald Trump should have pulled out of driving the pace car at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

Mike McCarthy broke news last night that Champion fired Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall over his tweets on Osama bin Laden’s death.

Sports Business Daily looks at the final sports TV ratings from this week.

At Sports Video Group, Carolyn Braff says the Pac-12 Network will take lessons from the Big 10 Network when it launches in 2012.

Cam Martin at SportsNewser notes a new website launch for the National Sportcasters and Sportswriters Association.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell has an extensive look at whether the newest marketing plan by Gatorade can bring the company to new heights.

Cork Gaines of the Business Insider’s Sports Page notes that the new Pac-12 rights deal will immediately pay dividends for two schools.

Ed DeRosa of the Thoroughbred Times profiles Larry Collmus who is the new Voice of the Triple Crown for NBC.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the ratings for Night 22 of the NHL Playoffs.

At SportsGrid, Glenn Davis is keeping track of whether Gus Johnson will stay at CBS or go to Fox.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing also has an update on the Gus Johnson saga.

The Nielsen Wire blog has news that will make NBC really happy, the Kentucky Derby is growing in popularity.

Dave Kohl at Major League Programs looks at the college conference rights megadeals and other sports media news that occurred this week.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Pawtucket Red Sox announcer Steve Hyder is very proud of his radio partner Dan Hoard for getting the call to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe says the NFL Network appears to have finally gotten its Thursday Night Football announcing booth down.

Dan Lamonthe of the Red Sox Monster blog in the Springfield Republican chuckles at the “so bad, it’s good” Sullivan Tire ad with second baseman Dustin Pedroia and pitcher Jon Lester.

Newsday’s Neil Best has New York Jets coach Rex Ryan realizing that he’s been doing too many interviews this week.

I’m not sure what Phil Mushnick is saying in today’s New York Post.

Justin Terranova of the Post has five questions for SNY analyst Ron Darling.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that a local radio personality gets to take his passion for NASCAR to a national level.

Tom Luicci of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger speaks with Larry Collmus of Monmouth Park who will call the Kentucky Derby for NBC.

Evan Weiner in the New Jersey Newsroom says sports business seems to carry on despite the sluggish economy.

Laura Nachman says Phillies radio analyst Larry Andersen has won a reader’s poll.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says Root Sports has a decision to make on its Penguins announcing team.

Mark Madden of the Beaver County (PA) Times also looks at the Penguins announcing situation.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun notes that MASN is seeing higher ratings for the Orioles especially among younger viewers.

Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com has a look at what’s going on in Baltimore and DC sports media in Press Box.

Steven Goff of the Washington Post says the MLS’ DC United and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic have forged a rights deal.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner likes how NBC and Versus are sharing coverage of the Kentucky Derby.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is a fan of ESPN/ABC NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy.

Jeff Shain from the Orlando Sentinel looks at Golf Channel’s documentary on the late Frank Chirkinian of CBS Sports. It is a good documentary and airs tonight at 8 and throughout the weekend on Golf Channel.

Joe Biddle of The Tennessean notes that the new NHL TV contract with NBC/Versus gives the league stability, but hurts the younger generation with late starting times.

Jon Solomon of the Birmingham (AL) News says Alabama native Rece Davis returns to report on the recent tornadoes for ESPN and how sports is helping the region to recover.

Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre tells WDAM-TV of Hattiesburg, MS that coaching or TV is in his future. Stay away from my TV, Brett.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle attempts to catch up with two weeks worth of sports media news in one column.

Peter Lim of the Chronicle says two local boxers get their national spotlight this weekend.

Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News takes a look at the control the University of Texas has over the ESPN-owned and operated Longhorn Network.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman profiles ESPN basketball analyst Doris Burke of North Providence, RI.

Mel has various sports media tidbits in his weekly notebook.

Midwest

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal says it was the Big 10 Conference that paved the way for the Pac 10/12 to cash in on its media deals.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer looks into why the Bengals chose to change play-by-play announcers.

Mike Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press has NBC’s Kentucky Derby crew talking the horses in advance of Saturday’s race.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers this week.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Kentucky Derby has lost ties to the local area with the departure of race caller Tom Durkin.

West

Bill Husted of the Denver Post writes that ESPN’s Rick Reilly returned to his alma mater in Boulder, CO to give the final commencement address to its Journalism School.

Lya Wodraska of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Pac-12 Network has the potential to give Utah plenty of exposure.

Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star gives us a peek at how the Pac-12 Network might look like when it launches next year.

John Maffei from the North County Times notes that the Pac 10/12 has hit Powerball.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says keeping ownership of its own network is key for the Pac-12 Conference.

Jim talks about Michele Tafoya joining NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times says Golf Channel will pay tribute to the late CBS golf producer Frank Chirkinian tonight.

Diane says the Pac-12 media deals show how valuable sports is to television executives.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that the Pac-12 member schools are going to be very rich under the new rights deals.

Tom looks at the very busy week in sports media.

Tom FitzGerald of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Pac-12 contract means more options for viewers.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail feels Rashard Mendenhall and other athletes should think before they tweet.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the ratings for CBC and TSN for the first games of the 2nd round of the NHL Playoffs.

The Toronto Sports Media blog has the April sports radio ratings for the local stations.

And that is going to conclude the Megalinks.

Sirius XM Airs 137th Running of The Kentucky Derby

One more Derby-related release for you. Sirius XM, the official satellite radio provider of the Triple Crown, carries the Kentucky Derby on Saturday via the Horse Racing Radio Network. In addition, Sirius XM will provide various programming related to the Derby. Check it out.

SiriusXM Covers 137^th Running of The Kentucky Derby

Live race broadcast will air on Sirius channel 93 and XM channel 209
SiriusXM talk shows “At The Races” and “Down The Stretch” provide daily news and pre-race analysis

NEW YORK – May 5, 2011 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) will offer comprehensive coverage of the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, from Churchill Downs, this Saturday, May 7.

Sirius and XM listeners will hear Horse Racing Radio Network’s live race call of the 137^th “Run for the Roses” starting at 5:00 pm ET on Sirius channel 93 and XM channel 209.  The live broadcast will also be available to listeners on the Sports Zone channel on SiriusXM Internet Radio and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for the Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and several BlackBerry and Android-powered smartphones.

Prior to the race broadcast and throughout the week, SiriusXM’s horse racing talk shows will provide listeners with the latest news and analysis leading up to the event on Sirius channel 93 and XM channel 209.

Every weekday afternoon At The Races with Steve Byk will broadcast live from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET from Churchill Downs in Kentucky.  Byk will conduct daily interviews with handicapping experts and trainers and provide listeners with an in-depth look at the field.

On Saturday a special pre-Derby edition of Down The Stretch, hosted by Dave Johnson and Bill Finley, will air live from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ET.  Johnson, the acclaimed track announcer who called the Derby for 24 years, and Finley will discuss all the stakes races happening that day at Churchill Downs, provide the latest Derby news and pre-race analysis, and interview jockeys, trainers and owners.  Guests on the program are scheduled to include Kentucky Derby-winning jockeys Steve Cauthen, who rode Affirmed to win the Triple Crown, and two-time winner Eddie Delahoussaye, plus trainers Nick Zito, Graham Motion and Jinks Fires, owner Mike Repole and others.

SiriusXM will broadcast all three races of the 2011 Triple Crown.  Listeners will hear HRRN’s call of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, the 136^th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 21, and the 143^rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11.  All three race broadcasts will air live starting at 5:00 pm ET.  Visit www.siriusxm.com for more information.

We’re done with Derby stuff. Next I’ll post an NFL-centric release.

NBC Sports Group Covers The Kentucky Derby Like A Rose Blanket

You see what I did there? Kentucky Derby? Run for the Roses? Play on words? No? Ok, you don’t care. Anyway NBC Sports has sent a very long press release informing us about its extensive coverage of the Kentucky Derby. If you watch Versus, the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, USA, E!, Oxygen, Access Hollywood or the tons of channels that NBCUniversal airs both on cable, network and in syndication, then you’ve probably seen the promos for this year’s running for the Run for the Roses. There’s that Run for the Roses again. Ok, you don’t care, I’ll stop.

Coverage has already begun on Versus with the Kentucky Derby Draw on Wednesday and some coverage yesterday. There will be more today with the Kentucky Oaks, the race for mares. And if you saw the Today show this morning, you already saw Al Roker and Donna Brothers riding fake horses. Some stellar television if I do say so myself and I’m totally being sarcastic if you can tell.

So I’ll stop the cynicism. You read the press release and I’ll continue posting more stuff throughout the day.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS UNPRECEDENTED COVERAGE OF THE 137th KENTUCKY DERBY

Oldest Continuous Sporting Event in the United States Contested Annually on the First Saturday in May
“This is one of the most wide open Kentucky Derby’s that any of us can remember.” – NBC Sports Group’s Tom Hammond
“It’s a wide-open race, and we could actually see a 50-1 shot win this.” – NBC Sports Group’s Gary Stevens
“It’s a dream come true.” NBC Sports Group’s Race Caller Larry Collmus on Calling the Kentucky Derby
“Put this on your bucket list. It’s a fantastic scene.” – NBC Sports Group’s Mike Battaglia on the Derby

NEW YORK – May 5, 2011 – It’s the First Saturday in May and that means it’s time for the Kentucky Derby. The NBC Sports Group broadcasts exclusive coverage of the 137^th Derby this Saturday with coverage starting on VERSUS at 11 a.m. ET and culminating with the Run for the Roses on NBC starting at 4 p.m. ET.

COMMENTATORS: The NBC Sports Group coverage of the Kentucky Derby will once again feature co-hosts Bob Costas, who won his 22^nd Emmy Award on Monday, and veteran NBC Sports commentator Tom Hammond; three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Brothers.

Added for this year’s expanded coverage are race caller Larry Collmus, the track announcer at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park who replaces Tom Durkin; Laffit Pincay, III, son of Hall-of-Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr., will host the coverage on VERSUS; veteran horse racing analyst Randy Moss; the Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman; TODAY Show’s Jenna Wolfe will contribute features; Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos will handle celebrity interviews; and celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

NBC Sports conducted a conference call Thursday with Hammond, Stevens, Collmus, Neumeier, Battaglia, Brothers and Rice.

HAMMOND ON THIS YEAR’S DERBY: “This is one of the most wide open Kentucky Derby’s that any of us can remember. Completely wide open and anybody can win it. That’s part of the charm, of course, of the Derby that a 50-1 shot can win it. That’s why it’s America’s race and why it has so much appeal to the viewers and to the people that come in person because it’s a whole pageant and it is the food, the fun, the drink, the hats and everything that goes with it. It’s become one of the mega sports events in America and I think it’s one of the must attend or must watch events on the American sports calendar.”

STEVENS ON THIS YEAR’S FIELD: “I can make a case for about 17 out of the 20 horses that if I was riding I would say, ‘Alright, I’m going to do this. This is how I can win the race,’ and not be out of line. It’s a wide-open race and we could actually see a 50-1 shot win this. I don’t think it will be Calvin Borel this year because Calvin is going to get a lot of action bet on him just because it’s Calvin going for his fourth Kentucky Derby in the last five years and it’s never been done before in this time period.”

COLLMUS ON HIS FIRST KENTUCKY DERBY: “It’s great to be the new guy on the scene here. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I’d be doing this and ever since there’s been a lot of excitement and phone calls from friends. But at the same time it’s a great time to start preparing for this. I’m looking forward to getting started with the VERSUS show today, calling a couple of races, calling the Kentucky Oaks on VERSUS tomorrow and of course the Turf Classic to kick off the Kentucky Derby broadcast. When it comes time to call the Kentucky Derby I’ve got to keep those nerves under check and get ready to do it. It’s a terrific thing for me to be a part of this great scene here at NBC.”

COLLMUS ON CALLING THE KENTUCKY DERBY: “It is a dream come true…it really is. Since I started calling races at the age of 18, it’s the one thing an announcer dreams about is to be able to call the Kentucky Derby. And when I first got that phone call, I thought it was some sort of gag that somebody was playing on me because I had no idea that Tom Durkin was stepping down. Once I found that out that it was all for real, and this thing all came to be, it’s become just a complete thrill for me and I can’t wait for the Derby.”

COLLMUS ON TOM DURKIN: “Tom Durkin did the job so eloquently and amazingly over the years. I have some big shoes to fill.”

BATTAGLIA ON THE STORIES OF THIS YEAR’S KENTUCKY DERBY: “There are so many great stories with Kathy Ritvo, the Louisville native with a heart transplant. The stories about Uncle Mo, and is he right physically? Every year is different.”

BATTAGLIA ON HANDICAPPING THIS YEAR’S RACE: “This is my 40^th straight Derby and the fact that there are 20 horses in here makes it so much tougher to handicap, so much tougher to call, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It makes it unique.”

BATTAGLIA ON COMING TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: “It’s something that if you haven’t been here you better make plans to come. Put this on your bucket list. It’s a fantastic scene.”

NEUMEIER ON THIS YEAR’S FIELD: “What’s remarkable about this Derby to me is I’ve probably asked 100 trainers, guys that talk horses, guys that can speak figures, ‘Who do you like? Who do you like? Who do you like?’ And they all say the same thing, ‘I don’t know,’ which makes it interesting.”

BROTHERS ON HER INTERVIEW TOMORROW WITH AL ROKER (ON THE TODAY SHOW; LAST YEAR, SHE FELL OFF HER HORSE): “Well, hopefully I won’t create another YouTube video tomorrow morning on with Al Roker and fall off my horse again. I’ll do the best that I can there.”

BROTHERS ON PREPARING FOR HER POST-RACE INTERVIEW: “Typically I have to have really good information on about five of the jockeys and the connections because those are the big stories, maybe five to 10. The other 10 I can be prepared by just saying, “You’ve just won the upset today,” and go from there. I’m not going to be able to have that luxury this year. This year I’m going to actually have 20 different types of questions formatted for the jockeys. It makes my job a lot tougher, but who cares, it also makes it way more interesting. I think it’s going to be exciting and I’ll be as excited as anybody to find out who I’m going to be talking to after the race.”

RICE ON THE POPULARITY OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY: “In other sports that I do, you can mention you do the Kentucky Derby and everybody knows immediately. It’s one the few iconic sports events. You don’t have to explain the Kentucky Derby. I have friends that grew up in Kentucky that really don’t watch horse racing, but they watch the Kentucky Derby. So that always makes its interesting because they watch for the stories.”

RICE ON THE “WALK-OVER”: “The walk-over is always one of the most special things no matter how many times you’ve done it. I’ve done it for a decade now and when you look up at the grandstands and look over at the infield there are 150,000 people and you see the trainers – even trainers that have done this for twenty years – you can see there’s emotion in their face. It’s one of the few moments I think that always stands out. The walk-over is a special moment.”

STEVENS ON PRODUCER FRED GAUDELLI: “He has embraced this and spent a lot of time doing film, watching race coverage. It’s refreshing.”

STEVENS ON RACE SIMULATION: “We are doing a brief simulation, a virtual race, prior to. And I’ve kind of put myself on the line. What I’ve done is picked out five horses in the race and where I think they’re going to be throughout the running of the race. It’s really unique and it will give the fan at some least some kind of idea of where these horses will be. I didn’t want to pick a winner but if they ‘held a gun to my head’ and I had to pick a winner… You’ll get to see that on Saturday afternoon. I’m not going to tell you who it is right now but it is a close finish.”

NBC SPORTS GROUP KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET):

KENTUCKY DERBY
Friday, Derby Classics – Mine That Bird, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Friday, Kentucky Oaks, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Saturday, Live from Churchill Downs, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., VERSUS
Saturday, Kentucky Derby, 4-7 p.m., NBC
Saturday, Kentucky Derby Wrap-up, 7-7:30 p.m., VERSUS

PRODUCTION TEAM: The coverage on NBC will be produced by Fred Gaudelli and directed by Drew Esocoff, NBC Sports’ Emmy Award-winning “Sunday Night Football” production team. VERSUS’ coverage is being produced by Rob Hyland, who has worked on the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001 and also produces NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football, and directed by “NHL on NBC” director Jeff Simon. The executive producer of NBC Sports and VERSUS is Sam Flood, who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

NBC SPORTS DIGITAL AT THE DERBY: For the first time ever, the Kentucky Derby will be streamed live on NBCSports.com. In addition to the NBC broadcast of the race, viewers can choose from up to four different camera angels, similar to the experience of “Sunday Night Football” Extra. Additionally, there will be:

• Live Twitter feeds from horse racing experts, trainers, owners and many more aggregated together in the Kentucky Derby player on NBCSports.com.
• Online-only analysis with NBC Sports Group horse racing experts.

NBC SPORTS GROUP SOCIAL MEDIA AT THE DERBY: “Like” NBC Sports on Facebook and follow @nbc_sports for all things Derby on NBC Sports and VERSUS

#DerbyonNBC: This hashtag will be utilized for all NBC Sports and VERSUS Derby related content throughout Derby Week on Twitter.

Derby All-Access: NBC Sports will implement its “Sunday Night Football All-Access” social media strategy for Derby week on both NBC Sports and VERSUS. A digital producer will be on-site for behind the scenes content including photos, video and news from the Draw Show to the morning workouts to the Red Carpet and more.

Broadcast Integration: NBC Sports and VERSUS is integrating social media throughout the week. It began with the Draw Show on VERSUS on Wednesday and will continue throughout Derby Day coverage. Fans on Facebook and Twitter have been encouraged to submit photos of their Derby Day hats, ask questions to the talent and participate in polls on Facebook where there feedback will be featured throughout the Derby week coverage.

DERBY DREAM BET: A Chicago man has won a chance to place a life-changing $100,000 win bet in Saturday’s 137^th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.

Dave Flores, who lives in the Southside of Chicago, was randomly drawn to place the free wager in conjunction with the $100,000 Derby Dream Bet Sweepstakes, which was offered for the second consecutive year thanks to a partnership between Churchill Downs and NBC Sports. A year ago, Glen Fullerton of Houston, Texas won $900,000 when Super Saver won the Kentucky Derby at odds of 8-1.

Flores says he “never misses” the Kentucky Derby, and estimates that he’s attended the race at least 20 times. This year, he’ll have a VIP trip for two to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (includes airfare, lodging and ground transportation) and the chance to place a $100,000 win bet on any horse in the Kentucky Derby. If the horse wins, Flores will keep the winnings, just as Fullerton did a year ago.

Flores, who met his fiancé, a Louisville native, at the Kentucky Oaks four years ago, works in a metal manufacturing shop. When notified about winning the opportunity to place the $100,000 Derby Dream Bet, he thought it was a prank.

• KENNY RICE ON THE DERBY DREAM BET WINNER: “I will talk with the guy (on NBC’s broadcast) who’s going to make the $100,000 dollar bet. Last year a man did it and won $900,000. I’ll be talking to the guy that won the $900,000 last year and see if has any tips for the guy trying to win maybe more than that this year considering I don’t think there is going to be a strong favorite.”

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is now the exclusive home to Horse Racing’s Triple Crown. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001.

KENTUCKY DERBY: In the 10 years that Churchill Downs and NBC Sports have been together the event has experienced remarkable growth. The Kentucky Derby is now seen by 7.4 million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs. 9.1 million, up 51 percent).

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2010 Kentucky Derby being the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years, in addition to the year prior which was the most-watched Derby in 20 years. Last year’s Kentucky Derby averaged 16.5 million viewers, the most watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

Since its involvement in the Triple Crown, NBC Sports has been honored with 11 Eclipse Awards for its thoroughbred racing coverage, Preakness (2002-03-05-06-08), Kentucky Derby (2007), Belmont (2004) and Breeder’s Cup (2001). Additionally, NBC Sports has won three Eclipse Awards in the features category: 2002 on War Emblem (Preakness broadcast), 2005 Afleet Alex (Kentucky Derby broadcast) and 2009 Mine That Bird (Preakness broadcast), and the 2005 and 2006 Preakness broadcasts were nominated for the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special.

I told you this was a long press release. More than 2,000 words and yes, I counted! More stuff coming up.

NBCUniversal Is All Over The Kentucky Derby

For the last few years, NBC Sports has taken a philosophy to promote certain events all over the NBCUniversal platform. The Olympics are a perfect example and the Kentucky Derby is another. If you or a significant other watches NBCUniversal’s vast cable empire including USA, Oxygen, Bravo, E!, G4, CNBC, MSNBC, The Weather Channel, Syfy and the tons of other channels under the Comcast/NBC banner, then you’ll probably have seen the promos for the race run on the first Saturday in May. This year is no different and with Comcast in the fold with NBC this year, the promotion has expanded even further. If you’ve watched the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Versus, then you’ll have seen promos as well.

Take a look at the NBCUniversal press release on how the organization plans to promote the Kentucky Derby as coverage begins today on Versus.

NBCUNIVERSAL SURROUNDS THE KENTUCKY DERBY

NBCU Marketing Council Designates Derby a “Cross-Channel Priority”
TODAY Show Segments Live from Churchill Downs Starting Thursday
Features and Segments from NBCUniversal Properties Including CNBC, Access Hollywood, Weather Channel, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, E!, Style, iVillage, Daily Candy

NEW YORK – May 3, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group will present 14½ hours of Kentucky Derby coverage beginning Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on VERSUS and culminating with the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, Saturday, May 7 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2010 Kentucky Derby being the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years, in addition to the year prior which was the most-watched Derby in 20 years. Last year’s Kentucky Derby averaged 16.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won (18.5 million).

In the 10 years that Churchill Downs and NBC Sports have been together the event has experienced remarkable growth. The Kentucky Derby is now seen by 7.4 million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs. 9.1 million, up 51 percent).

CROSS-CHANNEL PRIORITY: Kentucky Derby coverage on NBC and VERSUS has been identified by NBCUniversal’s Marketing Council as a cross-channel priority. It is receiving the benefit of extensive promotion across NBCUniversal’s 20 channels and more than 40 websites. Also, once again this year, a host of NBCUniversal properties will participate in promoting the food, fashion, celebrity and entertaining spectacle that is the Kentucky Derby.

Below is a summary of the NBCU properties that are supporting the Kentucky Derby:

TODAY Show: The TODAY Show, the No. 1 morning news show (averaging 6 million viewers/week), is featuring Derby segments highlighting the food, fashion, celebrity and entertaining elements of the Derby everyday this week. Al Roker and Jenna Wolfe will be live from Churchill Downs Thursday, Friday and Saturday and their coverage will include interviews with NBC Sports horse racing analyst Gary Stevens and reporter Donna Brothers, who last year in a live interview with Roker was thrown from her horse and became a viral hit.

The Today Show with Hoda and Kathie Lee (4th hour): For the second straight year, Hoda and Kathie Lee are featuring a Derby trip giveaway contest for the fan who creates the most interesting Derby hat. The contest began Wednesday, April 27 and concludes this Wednesday. Viewers are asked to send in pictures of their originally-created hats, and one viewer will be selected to win a trip for two to the Derby. KLG and Hoda are promoting the contest through the show, on TODAYShow.com and through their Facebook page and Twitter accounts.

TodayShow.com: TodayShow.com is featuring a special Derby video player for viewers to replay all the Today Show Derby segments that are running throughout the week.

Weekend Today: The No. 1 weekend morning news show will air live segments from the Derby this weekend with Jenna Wolfe featuring interviews with NBC Sports talent on Saturday and scheduled to interview the winning connections on Sunday.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: Jimmy Fallon and his creative team developed a Derby sketch that will premiere in Saturday’s Derby coverage on NBC. Fallon also created pre-Derby coverage that will air in his show this week.

Access Hollywood and AH Live: Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live will highlight the Derby in a segment featuring Derby attendee and Celebrity Apprentice’s Niki Taylor shopping for her hat for Derby weekend. In the past years, Access shopped with Paris Hilton and Tinsley Mortimer as they prepared for the Derby.

CNBC: CNBC’s sports-business reporter, Darren Rovell, will report live from Churchill Downs all day Friday.

WEATHER CHANNEL: Al Roker and Stephanie Abrams will broadcast live from the Derby Friday and Saturday morning with “Wake Up with Al.” Abrams will also host “Your Weather Today” and “Weekend View” from the Derby.

E!: E! News is featuring Derby segments this week, including hat shopping with Sports Illustrated model and Derby attendee, Marisa Miller, and an interview with Jordin Sparks, who will perform the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby.

Eonline.com is the premiere destination for breaking entertainment news and celebrity inside information to over six million unique users per month and will feature five distinct Derby-themed photo galleries each day of Derby week.

Style: MyStyle.com premieres Derby-themed photo galleries each day of Derby week and will also feature a Derby Day photo gallery with up-to-the minute Derby pictures from Churchill Downs.

Local Media & Comcast sports nets: Feature clips from NBC Sports Group’s Kentucky Derby coverage are being distributed to all 235 affiliates as well as the 11 CSN’s this week. NBC is also producing a satellite media tour with Betsy Berns, horse racing expert.

IVillage: iVillage, the essential digital brand for women, which reaches over 30 million unique visitors per month, will celebrate this year’s Derby by hosting a “Derby Yourself” application on its thriving Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ivillage), where fans can enter to win a fabulous new wardrobe and accessories from Vineyard Vines’ brand-new Kentucky Derby collection. Users can visualize themselves at the historic Churchill Downs race by creating their own avatar and dressing them in the height of Derby fashion, with fancy clothes, outrageous hats and all the accessories perfect for watching the event that marks the official start of the racing season.

DailyCandy: DailyCandy.com will feature Derby editorial content on its homepage each day of Derby Week and feature Derby fashion in their new feature, “Round-Ups.” In addition, a Derby-themed “Party Time” section will be featured in all DailyCandy editions and links to Derby content in DailyCandy Local and Everywhere emails will be present all week.

Swirl by DailyCandy: DailyCandy’s sister sample sale site, Swirl, launched a Derby-inspired sale this week featuring spring dresses, hats and other Derby attire. DailyCandy and Swirl content will link with iVillage Derby content.

NBC SPORTS GROUP KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE (All Times ET):
KENTUCKY DERBY – 14½ Hours

Wednesday, May 4, Derby Classics – Smarty Jones, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS

Wednesday, May 4, Kentucky Derby Draw, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS

Thursday, May 5, Derby Classics – Barbaro, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS

Thursday, May 5, Live from Churchill Downs, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS

Friday, May 6, Derby Classics – Mine That Bird, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS

Friday, May 6, Kentucky Oaks, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS

Saturday, May 7, Live from Churchill Downs, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., VERSUS

Saturday, May 7, Kentucky Derby, 4-7 p.m., NBC

Saturday, May 7, Kentucky Derby Wrap-up, 7-7:30 p.m. VERSUS

And I have a few more press releases to post before moving to links. Keep your feeds updated.

Bringing Out The Tuesday Linkage

Again, I’ve been all over the place and can’t really blog like I want to, but I do what I can. Some links while I’m free and not committed to anything.

The Pac 12 media deals with ESPN and Fox will be made official later this week, but we do know some details. First, it’s a $3 billion deal over a span of 12 years meaning the Conference will get $250 million a year to distribute to its member schools. Second, both ESPN and Fox will air primetime games on over the air TV. Third, it increases the amount of games shown on television.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says one part of the new TV world for the conference will be a new Pac 12 Network that will be fully owned and operated by the league.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News writes that NBC/Comcast was shut out of obtaining any rights at least on the cable and network deals.

Jon also has some details from the new deal.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says the new TV contract will give the University of Utah much more money than it would have made in the Mountain West Conference.

George Schroeder of the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard writes that Pac 12 schools will start to see a financial windfall thanks to increased revenue from the new TV contract.

Jon Weisman of Variety says the new contract is now the most lucrative in college sports.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the Pac 12 contract proves that sports is the engine that drives TV ratings.

To other stories now.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports says small market teams are doing their best to play with the big boys.

Eriq Gardner from the Hollywood Reporter says Miami Heat star Chris Bosh is suing the mother of his child and the producer of the VH1 reality show, “Basketball Wives” for infringing on his “life rights” and using his “mark” illegally.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable discusses the Sports Emmy Awards which were handed out on Monday.

Tim also looks at Fox Soccer Channel rebranding its MLS coverage.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes that the number of TV’s have dropped since its last survey.

R. Thomas Umstead from Multichannel News says the Manny Pacquaio-Shane Mosley fight will be made available online for the same pay per view TV price.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel writes TNT saw a record audience for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Current’s Keith Olbermann writing in his MLB.com blog takes ESPN.com’s Fantasy Baseball to task for not updating its stats quick enough and throws some shots at the Mothership in the process. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

The Big Lead notes that noted FoxSports.com basketball writer Drew Goodman could be headed to CBSSports.com.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid says NBA fans get angry when Ernie Johnson, Jr. takes a day off from Inside the NBA.

At ESPN’s Front Row, Sheldon Spencer profiles the network’s Senior Coordinating Producer of the NFL Draft who got his baptism-by-fire this past weekend.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred looks at new media and how the rules of covering established events apply to it.

To Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union who notes a local reporter gets a minor league baseball announcing gig.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner notes that sports leagues, sports organizations team owners and athletes don’t have their priorities straight.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that a trio of CNN reporters were watching or attending Game 2 of the Tampa Bay Lightning-Capitals series when they were notified to get to work to report on the Osama bin Laden story.

Cindy Boren from the Post’s Early Lead blog says Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall tweeted about Osama bin Laden’s death and 9/11.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the Capitals are back in action tonight with an early start on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Iliana Limon of the Orlando Sentinel has Conference USA rejecting ESPN’s argument that it ventured into a media rights agreement.

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth has now won an even dozen Sports Emmy Awards.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says viewership for the NFL Draft was down from last year.

Diane Pucin from the Los Angeles Times talks with ESPN’s Dan Shulman about him addressing the Osama bin Laden story on Sunday Night Baseball.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on Fox’s overnight ratings were flat compared to last year.

SMW notes that the opening game of Celtics-Heat scored for ABC on Sunday.

SMW says the series clinching win for the Memphis Grizzlies over the San Antonio Spurs did not resonate with viewers as much as last year’s comparable game.

And SMW writes that the Mavericks-Lakers opener on Monday did very well for TNT.

Ed De Rosa of the Thoroughbred Times says NBC is tapping Sunday Night Football producer Fred Gaudelli for this year’s Kentucky Derby broadcast.

Puck The Media’s Steve Lepore is happy to see Mike Emrick win the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Play-by-Play.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog feels TSN Radio should avoided politics on Election Day.

Cork Gaines at the Business Insider’s Sports Page wonders if sports leagues can survive Detroit’s declining population.

And that will conclude the links for today.

Doing Some Monday Links

Been shuffling in between two offices and haven’t been able to provide you with the latest information, but luckily, it hasn’t been sports media news that’s been breaking, it’s been the Osama bin Laden news that’s been dominating our news cycles since 10 last night. You can go to the news sites to get the latest information on how the commando raid was conducted and how the President approved the mission. It’s all quite compelling reading, but my suggestions are to go to the New York Times, Politico, CNN and Mashable (it has how Twitter blew up during the announcement). It’s all amazing and stuff you should read when you have a chance.

I’ll do the links now.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that this year’s ratings for the NFL Draft showed that viewers were wary of lockout news.

Hiestand talks with Sunday Night Baseball announcer Dan Shulman who broke the news of Osama bin Laden’s killing to some viewers.

And Michael says Game 1 of the NBA’s Miami Heat-Boston Celtics 2nd round playoff series was a ratings blockbuster for ESPN on ABC.

Spencer E. Ante and Nat Worden of the Wall Street Journal report that the NFL is negotiating with several cable and satellite providers to put NFL Network programming on tablets.

Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated says NFL Network had the big scoop of NFL Draft weekend.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk writes that ESPN and Suzy Kolber are hearing criticism for her manipulative interview at the NFL Draft with Mark Ingram.

Barry Pachesky of Deadspin goes inside the moment when Suzy Kolber made Mark Ingram cry on national television.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says there are three California sports teams whose media rights are in a state of flux currently.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Jason Fry has five reasons as to why it’s still a good time to become a sportswriter.

Sean Deveney at the Sporting News says the NBA’s TV ratings continue their upward trend.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter says hockey has helped UFC become extremely popular in Canada.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the audio of WFAN’s Mets voice Howie Rose explaining why there were chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” during last night’s Mets-Phillies game.

Over to Sean Leahy of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy who says NBC has made contingency plans in case Saturday’s Game 5 of Tampa Bay-Washington runs into the network’s Kentucky Derby coverage.

Kelly Dwyer at Yahoo’s Ball Don’t Lie blog notes the super ratings for TNT’s NBA playoff coverage.

At the Biz of Baseball, Maury Brown goes inside MLB’s social media policy.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes that Super Bowl ads take most of the spots in the 10 Most Liked Ads of 2011 to date.

The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham notes that NESN’s Jerry Remy will miss his 6th consecutive Red Sox game behind the mic due to health problems, but this one is not as serious as his cancer scare in 2009.

Jim Gerweck of The Daily New Canaan (CT) has ESPN Dictator George Bodenheimer waxing poetic on the early days of the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

Mike Cardillo of the Stamford (CT) Advocate prefers the way Versus presents the NHL over ESPN’s old approach.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with ESPN’s Bobby Valentine who was shaken over the news that Osama bin Laden was killed.

Neil says ESPN proceeded with caution as to when to break the bin Laden killing to the Sunday Night Baseball audience.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post finds it hard to listen to Yankees radio voice John Sterling.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette writes that the local Fox affiliate will air its Sunday NASCAR show tonight following a pre-emption last night.

Ken says his Phillies fans came through last night as the Osama bin Laden story broke.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette defends the work of blatant Penguins homer announcer Paul Steigerwald.

Cindy Boren at the Washington Post’s Early Lead blog says Giants coach Tom Coughlin and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling both weighed in on the bin Laden killing.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner notes that the NBA Playoff’s TV ratings are setting records again.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times goes over the weekend in sports television. I totally disagree with his thoughts on hockey charlatan Pierre McGuire.

In the Louisville Courier-Journal, ESPN’s Pat Forde recounts the time he substituted for Erin Andrews and disappointed a lot of fans.

Mac Engel at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram asks ESPN and other sideline reporters to stop using “told me” in a sentence.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says playoff thrillers are helping the NBA’s popularity and ratings.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has a look at the Southern California sports calendar for this week.

Marty James from the Napa Valley (CA) Register has NBC’s Johnny Miller hoping to attract a pro golf event to a local resort he co-owns.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says Twitter and social media are giving sports teams plenty of agita.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that UFC helped Torontonians forget about their troubles for one night.

Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.

SMW says NBA TV averaged just over half a million viewers for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says NBC had a mixed bag for its pair of NHL playoff games over the weekend.

Steve also has the local ratings for NBC’s NHL games.

Joe Favorito says sports marketers should be tapping New York’s Times Square for more events.

Stephen Douglas of The Big Lead talks with former ESPN.com golf writer Jason Sobel about why he’s moving to Golf Channel.

That’s going to do it for today. I hope to get back onto a regular schedule for blogging tomorrow.

NBC Sports Group All Over Kentucky Derby & The Triple Crown

Got this press release yesterday, but with everything going on, I did not have time to post it, but now I have some time. This is from The Group talking about Kentucky Derby coverage for next week. Some 14 hours will be aired on Versus and NBC starting on Thursday. NBC no longer shares Kentucky Derby Week with ESPN, it has the entire event to itself. Live coverage begins Wednesday with the Kentucky Derby draw and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, then Versus will have preliminary coverage Saturday morning starting at 11. Then NBC takes over with three hours of coverage at 4 p.m.

As mentioned yesterday, Tom Durkin has stepped down as Voice of the Triple Crown. He’ll be replaced by Larry Collmus, the track announcer at Gulfstream and Monmouth Parks. And NBC will have mainstays Bob Costas, Tom Hammond, Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier, Kenny Rice and Donna Brothers on hand.

Versus will have Laffit Pincay III, the son of legendary jockey, Laffit Pincay, Jr., host its coverage along with the multi-faceted Randy Moss. Unfortunately, one of the worst hosts in the history of television, Jenna Wolfe will be on hand. The always lovely Maria Menounos of Access Hollywood will conduct celebrity interviews as the beautiful people love to go to Churchill Downs. Look for features on mint juleps and the hats worn by the women.

We have your press release from the NBC Sports Group.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS 14 HOURS OF KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE

Coverage From Churchill Downs Begins Wednesday, May 4 and Continues All Week on NBC and VERSUS
In All, NBC Sports Group Presents 27 Hours of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown
“Sunday Night Football” Producer Fred Gaudelli and Director Drew Esocoff Lead NBC Sports Group Production
Larry Collmus, Laffit Pincay III, Randy Moss, Jay Privman, Maria Menounos, Jenna Wolfe Added to Coverage

NEW YORK – April 27, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group will present 14 hours of Kentucky Derby coverage beginning on Wednesday, May 4 at 4 p.m. ET on VERSUS and culminating with the 137^th running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, Saturday, May 7 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

The expanded Kentucky Derby coverage, which includes eight hours on Derby Day on NBC and VERSUS, will include many new elements:

• Live coverage of the Kentucky Derby Draw, which will determine the post positions
• Additional commentators including a new race caller, Larry Collmus
• New production team
• 11 total hours on VERSUS, now part of the NBC Sports Group, including live coverage of the Kentucky Oaks and Derby Day races
• Three hours of “Derby Classics” (Smarty Jones, Barbaro, Mine That Bird) to air on VERSUS

27 HOURS OF TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE: The NBC Sports Group will present 27 hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont, including additional “classics” from the Preakness and Belmont, live racing from all three tracks prior to the three Triple Crown races and post-race coverage of the Preakness and Belmont on VERSUS. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005.

COMENTATORS: The NBC Sports Group coverage of the Kentucky Derby will once again feature co-hosts Bob Costas, a 21-time Emmy Award-winner, and veteran NBC Sports commentator Tom Hammond; three-time Kentucky Derby winner Gary Stevens; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Brothers.

Added for this year’s expanded coverage are race caller Larry Collmus, the track announcer at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park who replaces Tom Durkin; Laffit Pincay, III, son of Hall-of-Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr., will host the coverage on VERSUS; veteran horse racing analyst Randy Moss; the Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman; TODAY Show’s Jenna Wolfe will contribute features; and Access Hollywood’s Maria Menounos will handle celebrity interviews.

PRODUCTION TEAM: The coverage on NBC will be produced by Fred Gaudelli and directed by Drew Esocoff, NBC’s Emmy Award-winning “Sunday Night Football” production team. The VERSUS coverage will be produced by Rob Hyland, who has worked on the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001 and also produces NBC Sports’ Notre Dame Football, and directed by “NHL on NBC” director Jeff Simon. The executive producer of NBC Sports and VERSUS is Sam Flood who has produced 11 Triple Crown races for the network.

FLOOD ON NBC SPORTS GROUP COMMENTATORS: “We have had the premier broadcast team for NBC Sports’ Triple Crown races in place for years with Bob, Tom, Gary, Mike, Neumy, Kenny and Donna. Now, as we significantly expand our coverage on VERSUS, we are fortunate to add Laffit, Randy, Jay, Jenna and Maria to the team, along with Larry, who is a tremendous race caller.”

FLOOD ON PRODUCTION TEAM: “Fred Gaudelli is one of the most talented and dedicated producers in television sports. He and director Drew Esocoff set the gold standard for NFL coverage and will bring that same passion to covering the Triple Crown. We are lucky to have them for the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.”

NBC SPORTS GROUP TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE (All Times ET):

KENTUCKY DERBY
Wed. May 4, Derby Classics – Smarty Jones, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Wed. May 4, Kentucky Derby Draw, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Thurs. May 5, Derby Classics – Barbaro, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Thurs. May 5, Live from Churchill Downs, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Fri. May 6, Derby Classics – Mine That Bird, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Fri. May 6, Kentucky Oaks, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 7, Live from Churchill Downs, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 7, Kentucky Derby, 4-7 p.m., NBC

PREAKNESS STAKES
Fri. May 20, Preakness Classics, 3-4 p.m., VERSUS
Fri. May 20, Black Eyed Susan Stakes, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 21, Live from Pimlico, 2:30-4:30 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. May 21, Preakness Stakes, 4:30-6:30 p.m., NBC
Sat. May 21, Preakness Wrap-up, 6:30-7 p.m., VERSUS

BELMONT STAKES
Fri. June 10, Belmont Classics, 4-5 p.m., VERSUS
Fri. June 10, Live from Belmont, 5-6 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. June 11, Live from Belmont, 3-5 p.m., VERSUS
Sat. June 11, Belmont Stakes, 5-7 p.m., NBC
Sat. June 11, Belmont Wrap-up, 7-7:30 p.m., VERSUS

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is now the exclusive home to Horse Racing’s Triple Crown. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001.

KENTUCKY DERBY: In the 10 years that Churchill Downs and NBC Sports have been together the event has experienced remarkable growth. The Kentucky Derby is now seen by 7.4 million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs. 9.1 million, up 51 percent).

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2010 Kentucky Derby being the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years, in addition to the year prior which was the most-watched Derby in 20 years. Last year’s Kentucky Derby averaged 16.5 million viewers, the most watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

PREAKNESS STAKES: Since NBC Sports 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 69% in the 10 years on NBC compared to the previous seven years on ABC.

BELMONT STAKES: NBC Sports broadcast the Belmont from 2001-05, including three straight years in which the Belmont had a Triple Crown at stake. The 2004 Belmont featuring Smarty Jones racing for the Triple Crown was seen by 21.9 million viewers, the most for a Belmont broadcast since Seattle Slew captured the elusive Triple Crown in 1977.

Since its involvement in the Triple Crown, NBC Sports has been honored with 11 Eclipse Awards for its thoroughbred racing coverage, Preakness (2002-03-05-06-08), Kentucky Derby (2007), Belmont (2004) and Breeder’s Cup (2001). Additionally, NBC Sports has won three Eclipse Awards in the features category: 2002 on War Emblem (Preakness broadcast), 2005 Afleet Alex (Kentucky Derby broadcast) and 2009 Mine That Bird (Preakness broadcast), and the 2005 and 2006 Preakness broadcasts were nominated for the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special.
And that will do it.

Tom Durkin Steps Down As Voice of the Triple Crown

This comes as surprising news as legendary horse racing announcer Tom Durkin has left NBC as the Voice of the Triple Crown. When NBC took over the Triple Crown from ABC in 2001, Durkin did the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. He continued to call all three races even when ESPN/ABC took the rights to the Belmont in 2006 so he’s had a streak of the last 30 Triple Crown races.

As NBC signed the rights to all three races again this year, Durkin citing stress told NBC he was resigning. Then he quickly had a change of heart, but just recently told NBC he was opting out of the races.

David Grening of the Daily Racing Form says Durkin had to seek treatment for stress before last year’s Triple Crown.

Before NBC acquired the Triple Crown, he was the original voice of the Breeder’s Cup calling the first 22 runnings before ESPN took over the rights.

Durkin will continue to call the Belmont as he works for the New York Racing Association, although only the in-house audience will be able to hear it. Durkin is one of the best at calling horse racing. He will be missed.

NBC says it will have a new caller of the Triple Crown. I’d love to hear Dave Johnson and his famous call of “And down the stretch they come!” but it appears the network is leaning towards Larry Collmus of Gulfstream and Monmouth Parks whose 2010 call of the “My Wife Knows Everything” and “The Wife Doesn’t Know” became viral.

Thanks to Marcus Vanderberg of Sports Newser for the link.

Sirius XM To Air All of Horse Racing’s Triple Crown

Starting on the first Saturday in May, which falls on May 7 this year, and running through June 11, Sirius XM will carry all three races of this year’s Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby on the aforementioned May 7, the Preakness Stakes on May 21 and then the Belmont Stakes on June 11. NBC will carry all three races on TV, but through the Horse Racing Radio Network, Sirius XM will also air the races live for satellite radio subscribers.

In addition to being carried on satellite radio receivers, those who listen to Sirius XM on mobile devices can hear the races through their iPads, iPhones, iPods and some Android and Blackberry platforms.

The press release:

SiriusXM to Broadcast 2011 Triple Crown Nationwide

Live broadcasts of Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes will be available to satellite radio subscribers from coast to coast

NEW YORK – April 11, 2011 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) announced today an agreement to broadcast all three races of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown nationwide.

Both Sirius and XM radio listeners will hear HRRN’s broadcast of the 137^th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7, the 136^th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 21, and the 143^rd Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11. All three race broadcasts will air live starting at 5:00 pm ET.

The broadcasts of all three Triple Crown races will also be available to listeners on SiriusXM Internet Radio and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for the Apple iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and several BlackBerry and Android-powered smartphones.

“The Triple Crown represents three of the most anticipated events on the sports calendar and we’re very pleased to deliver every second from all three races to our subscribers,” said Steve Cohen, SiriusXM’s Senior Vice President of Sports Programming. “On race day, we’ll bring SiriusXM listeners so close to the action they’ll feel like they are standing at the rail.”

“We are thrilled that our award-winning race coverage will be available to the millions of subscribers on SiriusXM,” said Mike Penna, President of HRRN. “Our goal is to make listeners feel as if they are sitting next to us at the races and SiriusXM provides a tremendous platform for HRRN to share the unique experience of horse racing’s premier events.”

The Horse Racing Radio Network is the Eclipse Award-winning broadcast organization, providing live radio coverage of many of the sport’s biggest races. In addition to the Triple Crown events, SiriusXM will carry HRRN’s coverage of a select number of stakes races throughout the year, including the 137^th Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 6, starting at 3:00 pm ET.

Since 2005, SiriusXM has provided horse racing fans coverage of the Sport of Kings, offering live broadcasts of thoroughbred and harness races from around the country plus racing talk shows that offer a steady stream of news and analysis. Throughout the year, listeners can tune in to hear Down The Stretch, hosted by acclaimed track announcer Dave Johnson and journalist Bill Finley (Saturdays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET) and At The Races with Steve Byk (weekdays, 4:00 – 7:00 pm ET). Both programs air nationwide on Sirius channel 126 and XM channel 243.

And we’re done here.

Let’s Do Some Tuesday Links

Time for linkage now.

Jun Yang at Bloomberg Businessweek reports that YouTube is in talks with the NBA and NHL to stream live games. Now that would be cool if it happens, but I’m skeptical that it will.

At MediaPost, Barry Janoff looks at some of the particulars of CBS/Turner’s NCAA Tournament programming and marketing opportunities.

Fox Sports’ Brian Lowry says the NBA and Hollywood have a genuine ongoing love affair.

John Eggerton at Broadcasting & Cable says the first melding of Golf Channel and NBC Sports will occur tomorrow at the World Golf Championship-Match Play Championships.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News notes that AT&T U-Verse has added Fox Soccer Channel HD to its lineup.

Bill Cromwell with Media Life Magazine takes a look at the ratings from some of the weekend’s biggest sporting events.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Jason Fry marvels at the power of the web.

Trefis Team at Forbes says it’s ESPN that helps drives the Disney revenue engine.

Brad Cohen of SportsGrid noticed that ESPN’s Stuart Scott returned to SportsCenter sooner than expected following his cancer diagnosis.

Dylan Stableford at The Wrap says Stuart Scott’s return to ESPN was supposed to last an hour and instead ended up being a three hour marathon.

Ed DeRosa of the Thoroughbred Times writes about the Triple Crown returning to one network.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if MSG will become a hot stock now that Carmelo Anthony has (finally) been traded to the New York Knicks.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says a former WEEI personality made some waves with a Facebook rant.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about the NHL’s landmark deal naming Molson Canadian as its official beer.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman looks at the Carmelo Anthony media circus.

Newsday’s Neil Best also writes how the Carmelo Anthony saga was good for the NBA and the Knicks beat writers.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes about NBC re-obtaining all of the legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette examines how Versus will be involved in Triple Crown programming.

Ryan Sharro in the Baltimore Business Journal takes a look at NBC reupping the Preakness Stakes for five years.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes Versus’ role in NBC’s plans for the Triple Crown.

The Tampa Tribune says Sun Sports will once again be the exclusive carrier of Tampa Bay Rays games.

To the Dallas Morning News and Barry Horn who has a short post on the Daytona 500 and NBA All-Star Game ratings.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle reviews three sports documentaries.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says the NBA All-Star Game on TNT got a big ratings boost from last year.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has Fox Sports Wisconsin’s coverage plans for the Brewers.

Warren Gerds of the Green Bay Press Gazette writes about CBS/Turner’s plans for the NCAA Tournament.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business talks with former sports columnist Dave Kindred who’s now teaching journalism in his native Illinois.

Pete Toms at the Biz of Baseball looks at what the Time Warner Cable deal with the Los Angeles Lakers means for the Dodgers.

Emma Carmichael at Deadspin writes about ESPN’s history of its personalities schilling for products.

Sports Business Watch explores Golf Channel’s rebranding when it’s on NBC.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has some suggestions on how to improve Hockey Day in America for next season.

And I’ll end it there.

Horse Racing’s Triple Crown Back on the Networks of NBC

CNBC’s Darren Rovell had this earlier today, that the NBC Sports Group was re-obtaining the rights to the entire Triple Crown after airing 2/3 of the pie for the past five years. Now, the puzzle is complete once again. The NBC Sports Group has re-acquired the rights to the Belmont Stakes, piecing it together with the Kentucky Derby which was kept by NBC last October and the Preakness Stakes which was also kept in-house.

And Versus will be brought into the equation and through the new agreements with all three races, a total of 25 hours of coverage will be aired between the cable network and NBC Sports. As with the Kentucky Derby, the new agreements with the Preakness and the Belmont run through 2015. Here’s the announcement from The Group.

NBC SPORTS GROUP REASSEMBLES TRIPLE CROWN

Multi-Year Agreements to Renew Preakness Stakes and Reacquire Belmont Stakes
Previously Announced Kentucky Derby Extension Now Includes Increased Programming
More Than 25 Hours of Triple Crown Coverage on NBC and VERSUS

NEW YORK – February 22, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group will broadcast all three legs of horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, renewing the rights to the Preakness Stakes and reacquiring rights to the Belmont Stakes. As previously announced, NBC and Churchill Downs, Inc. renewed rights to the Kentucky Derby. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC aired them in 2005. The agreements were announced today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports Group, Tom Chuckas, President and Chief Operating Officer, Maryland Jockey Club, and C. Steven Duncker, NYRA Chairman. Like NBC Sports’ agreement with Churchill Downs, each agreement announced today gives NBC exclusive rights to the Preakness and Belmont through 2015.

The agreements include coverage of the Black Eyed Susan Stakes and other Preakness-day and Belmont-day programming on VERSUS. Additionally, expanded Derby week programming including the Kentucky Oaks and Derby day programming will air on VERSUS. In all, the NBC Sports Group will broadcast more than 25 hours of Triple Crown coverage (detailed schedule to be released at a later date). Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“Everyone at NBC Sports Group is delighted that the Triple Crown has been reassembled. We are now uniquely positioned to significantly expand the reach of these iconic events with extensive coverage on VERSUS,” said Ebersol. “As we previously announced, we are continuing our long-standing partnership with the Kentucky Derby. To add this extension with the Preakness while reacquiring the Belmont gives our new NBC Sports Group the three most important events in thoroughbred racing. And we want to thank Churchill Downs Incorporated and CEO Bob Evans for his leadership in paving the way for the Triple Crown to return to NBC.”

“We are pleased to renew our broadcast partnership with NBC Sports,” said Chuckas. “Our relationship with NBC allows us the opportunity to reach more than just sports fans. The partnership not only affords us the stature and exposure of a continued presence on network television but provides the added benefit of NBC’s consistent promotion through the Kentucky Derby leading into the Preakness.”

“We are thrilled to return our premier race to NBC Sports,” said Duncker. “They have done a terrific job covering horse racing, including their Kentucky Derby and the Preakness broadcasts over the prior decade. With an excellent production team that has pioneered innovative camera angles, and a tremendous group of on-air talent that offers unique insights into the races, NBC Sports will be a great partner for the Belmont Stakes.”

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is now the exclusive home to Horse Racing’s Triple Crown. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001.

KENTUCKY DERBY: In the 10 years that Churchill Downs and NBC Sports have been together the event has experienced remarkable growth. The Kentucky Derby is now seen by 7.4 million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs. 9.1 million, up 51 percent).

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2010 Kentucky Derby being the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years, in addition to the year prior which was the most-watched Derby in 20 years. Last year’s Kentucky Derby averaged 16.5 million viewers, the most watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

PREAKNESS STAKES: Since NBC Sports 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 69% in the 10 years on NBC compared to the previous seven years on ABC.

BELMONT STAKES: NBC Sports broadcast the Belmont from 2001-05, including three straight years in which the Belmont had a Triple Crown at stake. The 2004 Belmont featuring Smarty Jones racing for the Triple Crown was seen by 21.9 million viewers, the most for a Belmont broadcast since Seattle Slew captured the elusive Triple Crown in 1977.

Since its involvement in the Triple Crown, NBC Sports has been honored with 11 Eclipse Awards for its thoroughbred racing coverage, Preakness (2002-03-05-06-08), Kentucky Derby (2007), Belmont (2004) and Breeder’s Cup (2001). Additionally, NBC Sports has won three Eclipse Awards in the features category: 2002 on War Emblem (Preakness broadcast), 2005 Afleet Alex (Kentucky Derby broadcast) and 2009 Mine That Bird (Preakness broadcast), and the 2005 and 2006 Preakness broadcasts were nominated for the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special.

And that will do it.

DEVELOPING: The Group Secures The Rights to Horse Racing’s Triple Crown

This comes from CNBC’s Darren Rovell, the NBC Sports Group will announce today that it has secured the rights to all three races of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

In October of last year, NBC announced that it had reupped with the Kentucky Derby for five more years. Then last week, ESPN announced it was dropping out of the bidding for the Belmont after holding the rights since 2005.

Darren reports that Versus will be involved in the package airing the preliminary races and combined with NBC, will air an estimated 25 hours of Triple Crown coverage.

I’ll provide more details as they become available.

Launching Some Friday Megalinks

It has been a very busy Thursday into Friday. I worked all night into this morning and haven’t slept so I’m going on fumes here. But I still do the linkage because it is what you come to expect from the site so let’s get cracking.

You have the Weekend Viewing Picks that provide your sports programming, but primetime not so much. But you can check them out for yourself.

To the links now.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand and Michael McCarthy debate whether the MLB Postseason or the NFL is more compelling to watch.

Good column from the great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated previewing the latest 30 for 30 documentary and talking with Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson, Jr. about his MLB play-by-play assignment.

Georg Szalai at the Hollywood Reporter looks at the new carriage agreement between ESPN and Verizon Fios that brings new features to the cable provider.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that MSG Network is offering disgruntled Dish Network subscribers a chance to win tickets to see an NHL or NBA game in person as the satellite provider removed the channel from its lineup.

Bill Cromwell of Media Life Magazine says the NHL enters a new season with red hot TV ratings and increased fan interest.

Michael David Smith at Pro Football Talk says a furniture store helped the Detroit Lions avoid a local TV blackout this Sunday.

Mike says the NFL is now looking into the Jenn Sterger allegations that she received lewd photos from Brett Favre.

The NFL Chick feels ESPN is showing its bias towards certain athletes by completely ignoring the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger story.

The Big Lead points out that this week’s political problem involving ESPN’s Lou Holtz is not the first time he’s gotten into trouble for endorsing Republican policies.

Sports Media Watch notes that NBC kept the Kentucky Derby and staved off a strong bid from Fox in the process.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the NHL’s New York Islanders signing with Hofstra University’s student radio station to air their games.

Darren feels the new movie, Secretariat won’t do as well as another horse racing movie, Seabiscuit.

Greg Wyshynski at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy says Versus is improving, but still has a ways to improve.

SportsGrid notes that the New York Post is having plenty of fun with the Brett Favre/Jenn Sterger story.

Russell Scibetti at the Business of Sports explores how the new Broadway play on Vince Lombardi is using social networking to promote the performances.

East and Mid-Atlantic

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn feels ESPN is going way overboard by maintaining a full-time presence with the Miami Heat.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette notes a local college athlete has hit ESPN for tying the fastest goal in NCAA Division III soccer history.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with Entourage star Kevin Connolly who is in the new movie “Secretariat” playing a former Newsday sportswriter.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says TBS should label taped interviews with managers during the League Division Series should be labeled as such.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels TBS isn’t having a good start for the LDS. 

Eric Mirlis has his take on Hofstra University’s radio station taking over the New York Islanders game broadcasts.

UPDATE, 10/9/10, 11:25 a.m.: I got tied up working Friday night so I never got to finish this. I’ll give you what I had. I’ll do some Saturday links today. 

NBC Sports To Air Kentucky Derby For Five More Years

This just in to the Fang’s Bites inbox, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs have announced a new five year agreement to air the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. This was announced today.

Under the agreement, NBC will air the Derby through 2015 at a reduced rights fee (according to CNBC’s Darren Rovell) and include the Kentucky Oats, Kentucky Derby Day programming, plus coverage of the Red Carpet as celebrities enter Churchill Downs.

We have the official announcement from NBC Sports.

CHURCHILL DOWNS AND NBC SPORTS RENEW KENTUCKY DERBY AGREEMENT

NEW YORK – October 7, 2010 – Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) and NBC Sports have reached a five-year agreement in principle extending the network’s exclusive rights to the Kentucky Derby through 2015. The announcement was made today by Bob Evans, President and CEO, Churchill Downs Incorporated and Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. The new agreement extends the partnership, which began in 2001. The agreement also includes rights to the Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks day programming, including coverage of the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Our approach of showcasing four key elements surrounding the race – food, fashion, party and purpose – has elevated the Kentucky Derby from simply an iconic sporting event to a transcendent cultural experience,” Evans said. “Together, NBC and Churchill Downs have changed the presentation of horse racing on TV, and it paid off earlier this year with 16.5 million viewers. We’re excited to continue our relationship and build upon the momentum we’ve created over the past several years. NBC’s combination of world-class sports programming and a spectrum of news and entertainment assets make it an ideal partnership for Churchill Downs.”

“I don’t think America truly moves to springtime until the first Saturday in May and I am delighted that we will be bringing this iconic American event to homes across America for five more years,” Ebersol said. “We’re excited to extend our relationship with the Derby and our business partnership with Churchill Downs, a partnership that is one of the finest examples of two organizations coming together to build an event. The extraordinary growth the Derby has experienced in recent years is a testament to the vision of Bob Evans and his team at Churchill Downs who have worked so closely with Ken Schanzer and Mike McCarley at NBC Sports – I thank and congratulate them on creating a successful partnership.”

CHURCHILL DOWNS AND NBC SPORTS ‘BIG EVENT STRATEGY’ DRIVES RECORD VIEWERSHIP: In the 10 years that CDI and NBC Sports have been in business together, the Kentucky Derby is now seen by 7.4 million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs. 9.1 million, up 51 percent).

The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2010 Kentucky Derby being the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years, in addition to the year prior which was the most-watched Derby in 20 years. Last year’s Kentucky Derby averaged 16.5 million viewers, the most watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

The Kentucky Oaks, which aired on NBC Universal-owned Bravo the last two years, saw a dramatic shift in its viewership. The average age of the viewer dropped by nearly a decade (58.1 on ESPN to 49.1 on Bravo) and the male-female audience skew was much closer to the audience delivery for the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby stands as America’s oldest continuously held major sporting event; the 137^th Run for the Roses is Saturday, May 7, 2011.

More coming up.

NBC Crows About Kentucky Derby Ratings

We heard how much that the Kentucky Derby likes the way NBC airs the race every first Saturday in May and now it has even more reason to. A rainy day with a sloppy racetrack led to high ratings for the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports, in fact, the highest in over two decades.

MOST WATCHED KENTUCKY DERBY IN 21 YEARS

16.5 Million Viewers Watch Super Saver and Calvin Borel Win, Topping Last Year’s Derby (16.3 Million)

In 10 Years the Kentucky Derby is Now Seen By 7 Million More Viewers

**16.5 Million in 2010 on NBC vs. 9.1 Million in 2000 on ABC**

“You didn’t have to be a horse racing fan to thoroughly enjoy NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage and, when you think about it, that’s the sign of a tremendous production.” – St. Petersburg Times, May 2, 2010

NEW YORK – May 4, 2010 – NBC Sports’ coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby was the most viewed Kentucky Derby in 21 years according to data provided by The Nielsen Company. The race averaged 16.5 million viewers, topping last year’s 16.3 million and two million more than the 14.2 million in 2008. Saturday’s race was the most watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

NBC Sports coverage of the Kentucky Derby now reaches more than seven million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs.9.1 million, up 51 percent).

KENTUCKY DERBY VIEWERSHIP
2010 – 16.5 million/NBC – Super Saver
2009 – 16.3 million/NBC – Mine That Bird
2008 – 14.2 million/NBC – Big Brown
2007 – 13.8 million/NBC – Street Sense
2006 – 12.9 million/NBC – Barbaro
2005 – 13.6 million/NBC – Giacomo
2004 – 14.6 million/NBC – Smarty Jones
2003 – 11.8 million/NBC – Funny Cide
2002 – 12.8 million/NBC – War Emblem 
2001 – 13.8 million/NBC – Monarchos
2000 -  9.1 million/ABC – Fusaichi Pegasus
1999 -  9.9 million/ABC – Charismatic
1998 -  9.5 million/ABC – Real Quiet
1997 – 11.3 million/ABC – Silver Charm
1996 – 11.0 million/ABC – Grindestone
1995 -  9.3 million/ABC – Thunder Gulch
1994 – 12.1 million/ABC – Go For Gin
1993 – 11.5 million/ABC – Sea Hero
1992 – 13.7 million/ABC – Lil E Tee
1991 – 13.4 million/ABC – Strike The Gold
1990 – 15.6 million/ABC – Unbridled
1989 – 18.5 million/ABC – Sunday Silence

“In this time of a fragmented television landscape amassing this large audience is a real accomplishment, a testament to the vision of Bob Evans and his team at Churchill Downs to reach the broadest possible audience and to help make this great American tradition even bigger,” said Ken Schanzer, President, NBC Sports.

Saturday’s race coverage notched a 9.8 national rating and a 23 share, tying last year’s Kentucky Derby as the highest rating in 18 years (1992 won by Lil E Tee, 10.3/30), and an 11 percent increase over 2008 (8.8/21) fueled by the hype of “Super Horse” Big Brown.

PREAKNESS STAKES ON NBC SPORTS, MAY 15: In two weeks, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver with jockey Calvin Borel, who has won three of the last four Kentucky Derby’s, will take one more step to try to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 32 years, since Affirmed in 1978. NBC Sports’ coverage of The Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md., begins Saturday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

After the race, Borel told NBC Sports reporter Donna Brothers, “You know what? I’m gonna win the Triple Crown this year.”

CRITICS PRAISE NBC’S KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE:

“NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage represents a triumph of packaging. It transforms a sports event that lasts about two minutes into a three-hour TV show and creates story lines around athletes who literally aren’t quotable…and it scores at the TV box office.”
– USA Today

“NBC’s broadcast had a little something for everyone, from the diehard horse racing enthusiast to the casual observer who tunes in just to watch celebrities in silly hats sipping mint juleps. There were compelling features on owners, horses and jockeys that were interesting, informative and entertaining, even to those who watch this one horse race a year. Host Bob Costas did his usual masterful job running things, while reporter Donna Brothers was the star of the broadcast with her reports, mostly from horseback. You didn’t have to be a horse racing fan to thoroughly enjoy NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage and, when you think about it, that’s the sign of a tremendous production.”
- St. Petersburg Times

“NBC had some very good stuff. A feature on the 25 regular Joes (and at least one Josephine) who shared the $10,000 purchase of Noble’s Promise was particularly good. At the piece’s end, NBC analyst and ex-jockey Gary Stevens provided some neat gift wrap, reminding us that working stiffs don’t own NFL or MLB teams, but they can own a horse in the Kentucky Derby.”
- New York Post

Amazing ratings.

Kentucky Derby Gets Best Overnight Ratings in 18 Years

This weekend was pretty much a wash for me being away in Ithaca, NY on Saturday and then attending Boston Sports Blogapalooza on Sunday. I was hoping to blog from a Starbucks in the Collegetown section of Ithaca, but with it being exam time, every chair was filled and I could not get access to wireless. And of course, yesterday I was mingling with fellow bloggers in Boston so blogging was out as well.

I give you this press release that came into the Fang’s Bites inbox yesterday. NBC Sports had a very good rating for the Kentucky Derby.

BEST KENTUCKY DERBY OVERNIGHT RATING IN 18 YEARS

NEW YORK – May 2, 2010 – NBC Sports’ coverage of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby earned the highest overnight rating for the race in 18 years since Lil E Tee won the Derby in 1992 (10.9/23 on ABC), according to data provided today from The Nielsen Company. The 10.3 overnight rating and 23 share of yesterday’s Kentucky Derby race showed a gain of one percent over last year’s race (10.2/22) and is up seven percent from 2008’s 9.5/21 rating that was fueled by the hype of super horse Big Brown.

These are preliminary overnight ratings. When the final viewership and national ratings are made available on Tuesday, the viewership for yesterday’s race should rival last year’s 16.3 million viewers that was the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 20 years.

NBC’S STRATEGIC ‘BIG EVENT’ MARKETING PAYS OFF, FIRST HOUR OF COVERAGE UP 21%: NBC Sports once again utilized used its strategic ‘Big Event’ approach to promote the Kentucky Derby to assemble the broadest possible audience. The broad-based promotion again proved successful with the first hour of coverage, that contained a mix of entertainment and horse racing elements, up 21 percent over last year. The 4-5 p.m. ET hour earned a 3.4 overnight rating vs. a 2.8 for that hour last year.

PREAKNESS STAKES ON NBC SPORTS, MAY 15: In two weeks, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver with jockey Calvin Borel, who has won three of the last four Kentucky Derby’s, will take one more step to try to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 32 years, since Affirmed in 1978. NBC Sports’ coverage of The Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Md., begins Saturday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

After the race, Borel told NBC Sports reporter Donna Brothers, “You know what? I’m gonna win the triple crown this year.”

Good stuff.