Some Early Monday Morning Sports Media Thoughts

Time for some sports media thoughts once again. I owe you some since I wasn’t able to do them after last Monday’s post. As always, they come in bullet form.

• Since I was out for most of the afternoon on Sunday, I missed the Pregame coverage and 3/4 of the AFC Championship Game, but I was able to see the entire 4th quarter and watched all of the NFC Championship. From what I saw of the AFC Championship Game, I thought CBS did a decent job, but there was a glaring omission in the last minute.

  First, by not having a rules analyst like Fox with Mike Pereira, CBS really didn’t delve into whether a ruled incompletion thrown by Joe Flacco to Lee Evans should have been reviewed or discussed whether it was an incompletion in the first place. As it was later explained later, it was ruled correctly, but not until after CBS went off the air.

  And CBS never tried to get an answer as to why Ravens place kicker Billy Cundiff ran onto the field late, influencing his missed game tying field goal attempt. Jim Nantz didn’t even mention Cundiff’s tardiness as it was happening. And the NFL Today postgame show didn’t discuss either issue.

  For the NFC Championship, Fox was on its game from the call of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, to key replays showing that 49ers punt returner Kyle Williams muffed fielding a kick when the ball glanced off his knee. Replays were very conclusive. I thought Fox had one of its best broadcasts of the season and it ended the 2011-12 NFL campaign by going out in top.

  CBS could have done a better job by servicing its viewers at the end of the game.

• Thanks to its third overtime in the last five NFC Championship Games, I expect Fox to get a huge viewership number, somewhere near 60 million viewers. I’m not kidding. If records were set for the NFL Wild Card and Divisional Playoffs, why not for Championship Sunday?

  And NBC has to love having the New England Patriots and the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. With two teams with national followings, plus a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, I think another viewership record will be broken this year for the Big Game.

• Two changes on the national radio coverage of the NFL. First, Westwood One has been officially taken over by Dial Global. The two companies merged last year, but earlier this month, Westwood One was rebranded as Dial Global Sports.

  In addition, Dial Global’s broadcasts of the Conference Championship Games and the Super Bowl are no longer blacked out in the home markets. In Boston, Dial Global affiliate WEEI aired the AFC Championship opposite New England Patriots radio flagship WBZ-FM. And WEEI will air the Dial Global’s feed of the Super Bowl as well. So stations that carry Dial Global’s NFL schedule won’t have to stop with the Divisional Playoffs in case the team in their local market makes it to the Conference Championship and beyond.

• Being a tennis fan, I am loving the combined Tennis Channel/ESPN2 coverage of the Australian Open. I also love as a DirecTV subscriber having six channels to choose from, either the network coverage, or individual court channels showing commercial-free, uninterrupted action.

  A couple of complaints. ESPN2 could spend some more time showing live matches instead of constant talking from the set. I don’t mind postmatch interviews with players, but sometimes, ESPN2 falls into the trap of too much discussion while matches are underway.

  We are definitely missing Mary Carillo in Melbourne. For some reason, she chose to take this year’s Australian Open off and her presence has been missed. I do love having Tracy Austin on Tennis Channel this year and I hope she’ll be used during the French Open. And could John McEnroe be borrowed from Fox Sports Australia for ESPN2 or Tennis Channel? He’s been missed also.

That will do it. Enjoy your Monday.

Churning Out Some MLK Day Linkage

Let’s do some linkage on this MLK Day, a holiday for some of you.

We’ll begin with a story from an unusual source, Newsweek/The Daily Beast. Nick Summers of Newsweek writes about how ESPN’s subscriber fees could force cable providers to place the network on pay tiers.

Michael Hiestand at USA Today reports that CBS wants Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow as a guest analyst for The NFL Today before Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Hiestand delves into the overnight ratings for NFL Divisional Playoffs Sunday.

Mike McCarthy at USA Today notes that several TV analysts and national radio hosts ripped the officiating in yesterday’s New York Giants-Green Bay Packers NFL Divisional Playoff Game.

Ben Grossman at Broadcasting & Cable says filmmaker Peter Berg who’s “On Freddie Roach” series premieres on HBO this week, wants to produce a similar series on Washington State head football coach Mike Leach.

Michael Malone from B&C tells us that Sunbeam-owned TV stations in Boston and Miami were pulled from DirecTV forcing viewers to scramble to find ways to watch yesterday’s NFL action and the Golden Globe Awards.

Alex Weprin at TVNewser says Current TV host Keith Olbermann went to visit MLB Network, which housed his former MSNBC offices and found some interesting mementos.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid has video of a Chicago Blackhawks fan professing his love for Comcast SportsNet reporter Sarah Kustok.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group looks at how the College of Charleston produces its own basketball telecasts for ESPN3 and local TV affiliates.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell doesn’t like how colleges and universities are restricting their student-athletes from using social media.

The Tennis Times has a video giving us an inside look at the Australian Open Media Day.

Dan Lamothe of the Springfield Republican’s Red Sox Monster blog notes that former NESN Red Sox reporter Heidi Watney returns to New England next month for a charity auction.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at the Tim Tebow TV phenomenon.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is not a fan of Daryl “Moose” Johnston.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that the Dial Global/Westwood One broadcasts of the NFL Conference Games will be heard locally.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says a local talk show host is heading to Motown.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun actually praises CBS’ production of the Houston-Baltimore game.

The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins conducted the first interview with former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno since the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke.

Sally also answered readers questions on the interview and how she got Paterno to speak with her.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with ESPN tennis analyst Darren Cahill about the Australian Open.

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

Also from the Times, Eric Deggans wonders why news anchors were doing promos for a local Monster Truck event.

One more from the Times, Laura Keeley says Florida State fans lined up to be part of ESPN’s College GameDay’s appearance on campus on Saturday.

At the Houston Chronicle, David Barron isn’t a fan of the two minute commercial CBS gave to Subway during The NFL Today postgame show yesterday.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman reports that ESPN has settled a wrongful termination lawsuit put forth by former play-by-play man Ron Franklin.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the NFL insiders were reporting on possible Packers coaching news yesterday.

In Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman looks at the 20th anniversary of sports talk radio in the Windy City with several local personalities.

To the Denver Post where Dusty Saunders talks with CBS’ Jim Nantz about the demise of the Broncos and Tim Tebow on Saturday.

Dawn C. Chmielewski of the Los Angeles Times looks at how ESPN is trying to push 3-D on the unwanting American people.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with ESPN Radio LA host Marcellus Wiley about his acute memory loss and also has his 20th annual bests and worsts in SoCal sports talk radio.

Tom has more with Marcellus in his blog.

Tom also has his SoCal sports calendar for the week.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail notes how slow motion has revolutionized sports television.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing is echoing what I’ve been saying the last couple of weeks, and that he’s becoming a fan of Joe Buck.

Sports Media Watch also looks at the ratings of the New York Football Giants and Green Bay Packers on Fox.

The Wiz of Odds looks into ESPN allegedly taking credit for a story originally reported by someone outside of the network. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

Joe Favorito wonders what’s next for Tim Tebow both as a player and as a marketer.

And that will conclude our linkage for today.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 17, 01/01/12, All Times Eastern

NFL TV Coverage Maps (the506.com)

Blackouts: None

NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon

1 p.m.
CBS
Buffalo at New England — Don Criqui/Randy Cross
Indianapolis at Jacksonville — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
New York Jets at Miami — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Tennessee at Houston — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker

FOX
Carolina at New Orleans — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Chicago at Minnesota — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Detroit at Green Bay — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
San Francisco at St. Louis — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jennifer Hale
Washington at Philadelphia — Ron Pitts/Charles Davis/Drea Avent

4:15 p.m.
CBS
Baltimore at Cincinnati — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (“The Bird” and “The Beard)
Kansas City at Denver — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Pittsburgh at Cleveland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
San Diego at Oakland — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Seattle at Arizona — Sam Rosen/Chad Pennington/Jody Jackson
Tampa Bay at Atlanta — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jaime Maggio!!!

7 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC

7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network

8:30 p.m.
NBC — Sunday Night Football
Dallas at New York Giants — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

Midnight
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network

Westwood One Radio
12:30 p.m.
New York Jets at Miami — Howard David/Tony Boselli

3:45 p.m.
Kansas City at Denver — Kevin Kugler/Mark Malone

7:30 p.m.
Dallas at New York Giants — Dave Sims/James Lofton/Hub Arkush

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM Week 17 NFL Schedule
NFL RedZone

NFL Viewing Picks for Week 16, 12/24/2011, All Times Eastern

NFL TV Coverage Maps (the506.com)

Blackouts: Buffalo, Cincinnati

NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fox NFL Sunday —  Fox, noon

1 p.m.
CBS
Cleveland at Baltimore — Spero Dedes/Rich Gannon
Denver at Buffalo — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Jacksonville at Tennessee — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Miami at New England — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (“The Bird” and “The Beard”)
Oakland at Kansas City — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

FOX
Arizona at Cincinnati — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Minnesota at Washington — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
New York Giants at New York Jets — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
St. Louis at Pittsburgh — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Tampa Bay at Carolina — Sam Rosen/Chad Pennington

4:05 p.m.
CBS
San Diego at Detroit — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

4:15 p.m.
FOX 
Philadelphia at Dallas — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
San Francisco at Seattle — Ron Pitts/Charles Davis/Drea Avent

7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network

8 p.m.
NFL Primetime — ESPN2

Westwood One Radio
12:30 p.m.: New York Giants at New York Jets — Howard David/Tony Boselli
|3:30 p.m.: San Diego at Detroit — Kevin Kugler/Mark Malone

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM NFL Schedule
NFL RedZone

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 15, 12/18/11, All Times Eastern

NFL Coverage Maps (the506.com)

Blackouts: Buffalo

NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon

1 p.m.
CBS
Cincinnati at St. Louis — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Miami at Buffalo — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Indianapolis — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (“The Bird” & “The Beard”)

FOX
Carolina at Houston — Ron Pitts/Charles Davis/Drea Avent
Green Bay at Kansas City — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
New Orleans at Minnesota — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Seattle at Chicago — Chris Myers/Tim Lynch/Jaime Maggio!!!
Washington at New York Giants — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

4:05 p.m.
FOX
Detroit at Oakland — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4:15 p.m.
CBS
Cleveland at Arizona — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New England at Denver — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
New York Jets at Philadelphia — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

7 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC

7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network

8:30 p.m.
NBC
Sunday Night Football
Baltimore at San Diego — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

midnight
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network

Westwood One Radio
12:30 p.m.
New Orleans at Minnesota — Mark Champion/Mark Malone

3:45 p.m.
New England at Denver — Howard David/Tony Boselli

7:30 p.m.
Baltimore at San Diego — Dave Sims/James Lofton/Scott Kaplan

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM Radio Week 15 Schedule
NFL RedZone

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 13, 12/04/11, All Times Eastern

NFL Coverage Maps (the 506.com)

Blackouts: Buffalo, Tampa-St. Petersburg

NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon

1 p.m.
CBS
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Indianapolis at New England — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Kansas City at Chicago — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
New York Jets at Washington — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (“The Bird” and “The Beard)
Oakland at Miami — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Tennessee at Buffalo — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein

FOX
Atlanta at Houston — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Carolina at Tampa Bay — Ron Pitts/Jim Mora/Drea Avent
Denver at Minnesota — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

Westwood One Radio
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Howard David/Tony Boselli

4:05 p.m.
CBS
Baltimore at Cleveland — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker

4:15 p.m.
FOX
Dallas at Arizona — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Green Bay at New York Giants — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
St. Louis at San Francisco — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

Westwood One Radio
Green Bay at New York Giants — Kevin Kugler/Mark Malone

7 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC

7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network

8:30 p.m.
NBC: Sunday Night Football
Detroit at New Orleans — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

Westwood One Radio — Dave Sims/James Lofton/Kevin Kiley

midnight
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM NFL Week 13 Schedule
NFL RedZone

Back With Monday Links

This past weekend was spent preparing for my sister’s baby shower and then grilling for those in attendance so I was very busy after posting last Friday’s megalinks. My apologies for not being able to blog as I wanted this past weekend, but I do appreciate your patience. Let’s get to the linkage as we have quite a few stories to provide today.

First, USA Today’s Michael Hiestand reports that Fox Sports will unveil their NFL announcing lineup today with a few revamps and reboots, but nothing new in their top three teams.

John Ourand at Sports Business Journal notes that talks with potential suitors are heating up on the new Thursday Night Football package.

Dan Rafael of ESPN.com writes that boxer Manny Pacquaio’s next fight will be heading back to HBO after a one bout hiatus to Showtime.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that while the NFL lockout was ongoing, advertisers still continued to buy commercials on the networks showing their confidence that there would be a season.

Over to Kristi Dosh, the SportsBizMiss, in the Business of College Sports who looks at ESPN’s contract for the Longhorn Network.

Dan Fogarty of SportGrid notes that Stephen A. “A is for Anguish” Smith increased his vocal volume over Tiger Woods’ former caddie, Steve Williams jumping for joy over helping Adam Scott win over the weekend.

Timothy Burke at SportsGrid has video of yesterday’s NASCAR Countdown pre-race show which was a complete mess.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell feels college football coaches who ban their team from tweeting are missing the point.

Jim Romanesko at the Poynter Institute has former Los Angeles Times NBA beat writer Mark Heisler writing about how he was laid off from the paper and how he was not too unhappy about it.

Cam Martin of SportsNewser notes that ESPN saw its best overnight ratings of the season for Sunday Night Baseball thanks to another Yankees-Red Sox matchup.

Richard Lawler at Engadget says ESPN 3D is doubling its college football schedule from last year.

The Radio & TV Business Report has Westwood One Radio’s NFL announcing crews for this season.

Brian Straight of the Hartford Business Journal writes about the long-standing relationship between ESPN and Bristol, CT.

Joe Brescia from the New York Times speaks with new NFL Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick is not a fan of YES’ Michael Kay.

Phil wants TNT to spill the beans on the Tiger Woods-Charles Barkley split. Like that will ever happen and who really cares?

The New York Daily News’ Gatecrasher tells us that Lifetime (a.k.a. The Network That Hates Men) has pulled the plug on a Serena Williams reality TV project.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette has the transcript and video of caddie Steve Williams’ interview with CBS’ David Feherty following Adam Scott’s win in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner looks at CBS/Showtime’s new reality show on the Army-Navy rivalry.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times feels ESPN’s Merril Hoge may have an agenda against Denver quarterback Tim Tebow.

Stephen F. Holder and Rick Stroud of the Times write that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may fall victim to more local blackouts this season.

Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business wishes the Bears would take care of their turf.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post talks with Colorado Rockies analyst George Frazier.

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

Tom reviews the incendiary comments Fox Sports Radio’s Tony Bruno made on his Twitter account Friday night as the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies had a full-scale brawl.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle has Giants manager Bruce Bochy irate over Bruno’s tweet.

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at the Canadian sports media battle between giants Rogers and Bell.

Raju Mudhar from the Toronto Star previews Rogers’ entry into the sports magazine market.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing says the NFL pregame shows are inundated with Hall of Famers.

Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.

And SMW has more ratings news here.

Joe Favorito has a primer on keeping notes and how they could save you in the long run.

And that is all for today.

Westwood One Radio Unveils Announcing Teams for 2011-12 NFL Season

This just in from Westwood One Radio, we have the announcing teams for Thursday, Sunday and Monday Night Football plus the Sunday afternoon doubleheaders. Not too many changes. We have Kevin Harlan back on Monday nights teamed with either Boomer Esiason or Dan Fouts. Dave Sims and James Lofton are the Sunday Night Football team and Ian Eagle will be joined by Trent Green on Thursdays. Howard David and Kevin Kugler will call the Sunday afternoon games.

Westwood One has been the main rightsholder dating back to when CBS Radio reobtained the NFL radio rights in 1987. We have your press release detailing the men who will call the action.

WESTWOOD ONE ANNOUNCES ALL-PRO BROADCAST LINEUP FOR THE 2011-2012 NFL SEASON

– Kevin Harlan & Boomer Esiason Return as Lead Monday Night Football Team –
– Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback Dan Fouts joins the NFL on Westwood One with James Lofton, Trent Green, Tony Boselli, Mark Malone, Dave Sims, Ian Eagle, Kevin Kugler and Howard David rounding out the lineup –

New York, NY – August 8, 2011 – Westwood One announced today its lineup of all-star broadcasters for the 2011-2012 NFL season. Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason will return as the lead announcers for Monday Night Football and Super Bowl XLVI. In addition, Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts joins Westwood One and will provide play-by-play and analysis for select Monday Night games and the Playoffs. Dave Sims and James Lofton return as the Sunday Night broadcast team. Ian Eagle and Trent Green will once again pair up for Westwood One’s Thursday Night broadcasts.

“The NFL season is on and Westwood One has assembled some of the best broadcasters in the business to bring America’s favorite sport to fans nationwide,” said Rod Sherwood, President of Westwood One. “The popularity of NFL football is at an all-time high and we look forward to helping our advertisers and station affiliates seize the moment and connect with more fans than ever before.”

Full broadcast teams for the NFL on Westwood One are as follows:

Sunday Night Football
Play-by-Play: Dave Sims
Color Analyst: James Lofton

Monday Night Football
Play-by-Play: Kevin Harlan
Color Analyst: Boomer Esiason (or Dan Fouts)

Thursday Night Football
Play-by-Play: Ian Eagle
Color Analyst: Trent Green

Sunday Afternoon Doubleheaders
Play-by-Play: Howard David
Color Analyst: Tony Boselli

Play-by-Play: Kevin Kugler
Color Analyst: Mark Malone

Westwood One is the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL primetime package, broadcasting the most games and the best match-ups throughout the entire NFL season. Westwood One has been an NFL network radio partner for more than four decades and the exclusive network radio partner since 1987. The Westwood One 2011-2012 NFL broadcast schedule features 57 national games, including:

Opening Kickoff game, 17 Monday Night games, including one doubleheader, 17 Sunday Night games (including Christmas Night), 7 Thursday Night games (including Thanksgiving Night), one Saturday Night game, a Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, 12 Postseason games, including the NFL Playoffs, the AFC and NFC Championship Games, the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis. Westwood One also delivers specialty programs, including: The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, NFL Sunday, and NFL Fantasy Football Forecast.

In addition to the 57 game primetime package, Westwood One will also present a weekly doubleheader starting on Sunday, September 11, 2011 and continuing each Sunday through January 1, 2011. These games will be chosen as the season progresses to ensure the best possible matchups. All stations airing Westwood One’s NFL Football coverage can be found using the Station Finder located at www.westwoodone.com beginning Wednesday, September 9, 2011.

WESTWOOD ONE 2011-2012 NFL BROADCASTERS

Kevin Harlan makes his return to Westwood One as the play-by-play voice for Monday Night Football games. Harlan was the play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football games throughout the 2009 and 2010 NFL seasons as well as for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four on Westwood One from 2003-2007. Harlan also currently calls play-by-play for CBS Sports’ coverage of the NFL and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, as well as NBA Basketball on TNT. Harlan joined CBS Sports in 1998 as an NFL play-by-play announcer, after having served in the same capacity for Fox Sports since 1994. A veteran football and basketball broadcaster, this will be his 27th consecutive season broadcasting the NFL and this year’s NBA season marks his 24th broadcasting the NBA. Harlan spent nine seasons (1985-93) as the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and was the voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves for nine seasons as well.

Boomer Esiason provides color commentary for Westwood One’s critically acclaimed Monday Night Football broadcast team and this marks his twelfth year broadcasting for the network. Esiason co-host’s The NFL Today for CBS Sports and also served as the Monday Night Football analyst for ABC Sports for two seasons before joining Westwood One. Boomer also spends mornings co-hosting a daily radio show on WFAN in New York, and co-hosts NFL Preview each week on Westwood One as well. Prior to embarking on a broadcasting career, Esiason was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history. He spent 14 years in the NFL and quarterbacked the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII. In 1988, Esiason was named NFL MVP by the Pro Football Writers of America and the Associated Press and was named the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1995.

Dan Fouts will serve as analyst for select Monday Night games this season in addition to his duties as an analyst for THE NFL ON CBS. He has been an analyst for THE NFL ON CBS for the past 3 seasons, as well as from 1988-93. Fouts worked for ABC Sports from 1997-2008, most notably alongside Al Michaels and Dennis Miller for two seasons as an analyst on “Monday Night Football”. Additionally, he served as play-by-play announcer for ABC’s coverage of Pac-10 college football. An NFL Hall of Famer, Fouts retired after 15 seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Upon his retirement, he held 42 team records and eight NFL records, including most 300-yard passing games, and his 43,040 total passing yards made him the second-most-prolific passer in NFL history. Fouts earned NFL and AFC Player of the Year honors in 1982, and was named AFC Most Valuable Player in 1979 and league co-MVP in 1982.

Dave Sims returns for his sixth season as Westwood One’s play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football. Before switching to primetime, Sims called Westwood One Sunday afternoon games as well as the NFL Playoffs for nearly a decade. The two-time Emmy Award winner has also called play-by-play for NCAA Basketball regular season games and tournament coverage for the past eight years and in 2003, also hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four. In addition to his Westwood One duties, Sims called the Big East Football TV Game of the Week for many years, has written for the New York Daily News and is currently the TV play by play voice of the Seattle Mariners.

James Lofton returns for his third season as an analyst for Sunday Night Football on Westwood One. Lofton served as analyst and sideline reporter for the NFL on Westwood One from 1999 – 2001 and rejoined the Network after a seven-year coaching stint with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. He was the No. 1 draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1978, beginning a long career as an NFL wide receiver. In 16 season playing for Green Bay, the Los Angeles Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles, Lofton caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards, which was the most in NFL history at the time of his retirement. In 13 playoff games, Lofton caught 41 passes for 759 yards and eight touchdowns, including a seven-reception game in Super Bowl XXVI. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Ian Eagle enters his fourth year as play-by-play announcer for Westwood One’s NFL Thursday night coverage. For the past four years, Eagle also called the action for Westwood One’s coverage of the SEC Basketball Championship and the Regional Semi-Finals and Finals of the NCAA Tournament. Eagle is primarily known for his work with CBS Sports, calling NFL games and NCAA Basketball games since 1998. He also has served as the play-by-play announcer for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets television broadcasts since 1995, after having called play-by-play for radio broadcasts the previous year. He was the play-by-play radio voice for the New York Jets in 1997 and hosted Jets pre- and post-game shows on WFAN from 1993 to 1996. Eagle joined WFAN Radio in New York in 1990 as a producer and debuted as host of his own show in 1992. Eagle was awarded the Bob Costas Award for Outstanding Sportscasting while attending Syracuse University.

Trent Green returns to Westwood One for his second season as the Thursday Night game analyst after serving in a similar capacity for one year on Sunday’s with FOX Television. In addition, Green also serves as a studio analyst for the NFL Network and as an analyst for preseason games on television for the Kansas City Chiefs. Green spent 15 seasons in the NFL, playing quarterback for five different franchises. He was a member of the Super Bowl XXXIV Champion Rams, but enjoyed his best seasons with Kansas City from 2001-2006. While wearing a Chiefs uniform, he became only the 4th quarterback in NFL history to have three consecutive seasons of 4,000 yards or more passing. He finished his career with 162 touchdowns and over 28,000 yards passing.

Howard David will once again serve as play-by-play announcer for Sunday Afternoon games. David returned to the network in 2009 after an eight-year hiatus. He previously spent 23 years with CBS Radio/Westwood One broadcasting College Football, College Basketball, Masters Golf, US Open Tennis, the Olympics and NFL Football including six seasons as the voice of Monday Night Football and the Super Bowl. David’s broadcast background also includes calling play-by-play for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, as well as NBA Basketball with the New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. He has also hosted talk shows at WQAM in Miami, Sporting News Radio and currently co-hosts a show for Sirius NFL Radio. David was chosen as New Jersey Sportscaster of the Year four times, the NY “Air Award” for broadcast excellence and is also a recipient of a New York Emmy Award.

Tony Boselli returns for his second season as full-time color analyst for Westwood One’s broadcasts of Sunday Afternoon NFL games. Boselli began his national broadcasting career in 2007, working as a game analyst for the NFL on FOX. In 2009, he joined Westwood One where he worked as a part-time analyst for both NFL and College Football. In addition, Boselli has also co-hosted a local daily morning radio show in Jacksonville. The first player ever drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Boselli was chosen #2 overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. After six seasons with the Jaguars, which included five Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and two trips to AFC Championship Game, injuries forced him to retire in 2006. Selected as a member of the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team, Boselli was the first inductee into the Jaguars ring of honor, and received the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award in 2000. Boselli is a 1994 graduate of the USC where he was a 3-time All-American and winner of the 1994 Morris Trophy, given annually to the top offensive lineman in the Pac 10.

Kevin Kugler returns for his third season as play-by-play announcer for Sunday Afternoon NFL games. He also serves as the lead announcer for Westwood One’s coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and Final Four. Kugler has served the voice of the College World Series for the past seven years, and has done play-by-play for Westwood One’s coverage of the Masters, College Football, and the 2008 and 2010 Olympic Games. Kugler also co-hosts a daily sports talk show in Omaha, and recently won the Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year Awards for the 7th time in eight years.

Mark Malone returns for his fourth season as both a booth analyst and sideline reporter for the NFL on Westwood One, and his third season as the host of NFL Insider. Prior to joining Westwood One, he served as Sports Director for WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he garnered four Emmys for his work. Malone also spent a decade with ESPN where he hosted many NFL shows including Edge NFL Match-up, NFL Tonight, and Monday Night Countdown. Malone, an All-American quarterback at Arizona State and first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, played for 10 years in the NFL, quarterbacking the Steelers to the 1984 AFC Championship Game.

Jim Gray joined Westwood One in 2001 as host of the network’s Monday Night Football pre-game and halftime shows and this marks his eleventh season fulfilling the same role for the network. Gray also serves as courtside reporter for Westwood One’s coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four and as on-course reporter for the Masters. A prominent network television reporter for over two decades, Gray currently covers boxing for Showtime, has been a contributor to the Golf Channel, and also has served as a courtside reporter for the NBA on CBS, NBC, ABC and most recently ESPN. Gray’s numerous credits include: seven Olympic Games, 22 Masters, thirteen Super Bowls, seven World Series and 15 NBA Finals. Gray has won eight Emmy Awards and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Scott Graham returns for his third season as pregame, halftime and postgame host for the network’s Sunday NFL coverage. Graham has spent over twenty years as a radio and television sportscaster including play-by-play for both the NFL and NFL Europe on FOX. He has also spent the last 15 seasons as The Comcast Network’s primary play-by-play voice of college basketball, and continues to call college hoops for ESPN. On the radio side, Graham served as the play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Phillies for eight seasons from 1999-2006. For nearly a decade prior to that, he hosted the pregame and postgame shows for the Phillies on CBS Radio in Philadelphia. Since 2003, Graham has narrated a variety of programs, commercials, and features produced by NFL Films. His voice has most often been heard on NFL Game of the Week, in weekly game previews on NFL.com, and in various season highlight films for NFL teams.

And that does it.

A Quiet Wednesday Linkfest

Was out of the office again earlier today so I’m getting to these rather late. Let’s look at what we have today.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says the new CBS Sports/Showtime documentary on this year’s Army-Navy football game will have touches of reality TV.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today notes that TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal and ESPN bloviator Skippy Bayless are throwing insults at each other.

At the Hollywood Reporter, Carolyn Giardina and Adrian Pennington report that at least 10 Olympic venues in London are expected to get the 3-D TV treatment. About 16 people in the US will be able to watch that.

George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable says ESPN will make its news feeds available to the Pulse mobile app.

Gregg Rosenthal at Pro Football Talk cites a Phil Mushnick report that the man who helped ruin the Cleveland Browns, Eric Manmoron Mangini will be an ESPN NFL analyst this season.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggan of the St. Petersburg Times previews the ESPN Films documentary on the real-life Rocky Balboa who got his shot at the championship.

Lauren Indvik of Mashable looks at how Sports Illustrated is on top of digital technology by publishing a tablet edition of its magazine.

In SportsNewser, Marcus Vanderberg talks with Bomani Jones about the end of his morning show at The Score on Sirius Satellite Radio in Canada.

Cam Martin at SportsNewser tells us to get ready for the NASCAR-themed drama “Tits in the Pits”. You can’t make this shit up.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid notes that ESPN’s Merril Hoge took to Twitter to say that Tim Tebow isn’t going to be a good NFL quarterback.

Former Boston Sports Media Watch blogger David Scott writes in ESPN’s Front Row about the Alleged Worldwide Leader breaking ground on a new building and pledging to create an additional 200-800 new jobs in Connecticut over the next five years.

Kristi Dosh, the SportsBizMiss, of the Business of College Sports tries to predict the future and creates four potential BCS “Superconferences” out of the remains of the Big 12 and the Big East.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that video game manufacturer EA Sports could stand to lose one billion dollars if a lawsuit by college athletes goes against it.

Darren talks with Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott about the league’s upcoming regional sports networks.

And Darren looks at a new venture that could bring fans closer to their favorite athletes by consolidating social media and personal websites into one site.

John Talty of the International Business Times writes that the NBA lockout won’t be much of a drain on the economy, only to the league’s fans.

Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal writes about the Big East Conference looking forward to a potential huge media rights payday in two years.

Kevin says Big East Commissioner John Marinatto is denying reports that the conference may have to drop a few schools in order to get big TV money.

Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant says the next TV negotiations for the Big East will be the league’s most important in its history.

Mara Lee of the Courant talks about ESPN’s planned expansion in Connecticut.

JC Reindl of the Day of New London (CT) writes that Connecticut came up with plenty of tax breaks so ESPN could expand its Bristol headquarters.

Pete Thamel of the New York Times writes that despite conventional wisdom, the Big East is a big player in college sports.

Lenn Robbins of the New York Post says a lucrative TV contract will ensure the Big East’s success in the long term.

Sean Daly of the Post says NBC is really going after ESPN with its rebranding of Versus.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that the winner of SNY’s Kidcaster contest got to call a Mets home run last night.

Neil says ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit is now downplaying reports that overzealous Ohio State fans forced him to move from his native Columbus to Tennessee.

Neil writes that there appears to be a cease fire between WFAN’s Mike Francesa and the New York Jets.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says two local radio stations will pick up Compass Media’s NFL schedule this fall.

Ken says this month’s US Open tennis coverage will be divided among three networks again.

And Ken has the preliminary Westwood One Radio NFL schedule for the first six weeks of the season.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner says the NFL and the league’s Players Association may not be done negotiating yet.

To the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog where Dan Steinberg notes previews from Sports Illustrated’s Peter King and ESPN Radio Hack Colin Cowherd on the DC NFL Team.

Bridget Cary of the Miami Herald says ESPN Deportes Radio is changing stations to get a better signal in South Florida.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman looks at the local ratings from the weekend.

Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman says the Longhorn Network has made Texas untouchable to other BCS conferences.

Jim Thomas of the Canton (OH) Repository profiles local native Dan Dierdorf on his second career as an NFL analyst.

Shane Hoover of the Repository notes that the NFL continues to find new fans via social and new media.

Steve Ballard of the Indianapolis Star notes that Sunday’s Brickyard 400 scored for ESPN.

David Brauer of MinnPost says the Twin Cities’ ESPN Radio affiliate is pulling Colin Cowherd and inserting a local talk show in his place.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says it’s not known if the NHL’s marriage to Versus will pay off in the long run.

To the Biz of Baseball and Maury Brown who reports that one section of Ohio that was hit with blackouts of the Cleveland Indians and the Pittsburgh Pirates won’t be blacked out anymore.

Larry Brown Sports has former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach sticking up for suspended ESPN.com writer Bruce Feldman on Fox Sports Radio last night.

The Days of Y’Orr Boston Bruins blog notes the creation of a new Jack Edwards soundboard. It’s tremendous.

Kissing Suzy Kolber notes that ESPN’s sponsored segments are getting a bit out of hand.

Melina Travis of Pro Sports Communications talks about the power of sports documentaries.

Ty Duffy at The Big Lead wonders if the Big East has any juice with fans.

Awful Announcing kicks around some ideas for the next batch of ESPN Films documentaries.

We have a lot of links today. That’s good for you. I’ll be back later tonight.

Westwood One Radio Merges With Dial Global

This is part of a busy Monday in the world of sports media. Westwood One Radio which was once one of the most powerful syndicators in the medium has merged with Dial Global. At one time, Westwood One Radio was part of CBS and was able to amass rights to most of the country’s biggest sporting events through its agreements with MLB, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Notre Dame football, the College Football Association, The Masters^®, and Olympics. While it no longer has MLB, NHL, Notre Dame and major college football games, Westwood One still is able to air NFL, the NCAA Tournament, The Masters^® and the Olympics.

Today, we have word that Westwood One has merged with Dial-Global of the Triton Media Group. Dial-Global is a radio sales marketing and syndication company. Its programming includes Weather Channel Radio, Michael Smerconish, Ed Schultz and plenty of other formats.

Westwood One Radio offers plenty of programming itself including Dennis Miller, Loveline, and still retains a relationship with CBS Radio.

Here’s the joint press release from Westwood One and Dial-Global.

WESTWOOD ONE TO MERGE WITH DIAL GLOBAL

Merger Creates a Diverse Radio Programming, Services and Advertising Sales Company

NEW YORK, NY, August 1, 2011 — Dial Global, a division of Triton Media Group, LLC, and Westwood One, Inc. (NASDAQ: WWON), today announced a definitive agreement to merge in a stock for stock transaction. The new entity will remain listed on NASDAQ. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011, subject to customary closing conditions and expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

The combination of assets of Dial Global and Westwood One creates a diverse radio programming, services and advertising sales company, enhancing the array of products and services provided to radio stations and national advertisers. In addition, the merged entity will expand national advertising sales representation to independent content producers and networks.

“This transaction brings together a highly complementary portfolio of programming assets that will better serve our clients and customers,” said Spencer Brown, David Landau and Ken Williams co-CEO’s of Dial Global. “We will focus on utilizing the combined company’s expanded content and sales platform to enhance the services and value we offer to our current and future clients.”

Rod Sherwood, President of Westwood One, commented, “We are excited about this merger and the benefits it will bring to our customers by complementing our existing portfolio of sports, talk, news, music and entertainment programming. Our employees have worked hard to create a diverse portfolio of assets that, when combined with Dial Global, will better serve our clients.”

Neal Schore, President and CEO of Triton Media Group, stated, “Following the contemplated merger, we will continue to work closely with Dial Global, as well as the entire industry to develop innovative technologies that will help the radio industry continue to evolve. Triton Media Group will focus exclusively on operating our remaining division, Triton Digital, which is the leading digital platform company for the radio industry.”

Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor to Dial Global. Moelis & Company and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP acted as financial advisor and legal advisor, respectively, to Westwood One. Berenson & Company rendered a fairness opinion, while General Electric Capital Corporation, ING Capital LLC and Macquarie Capital have committed to provide debt financing in support of the transaction.

Triton Media Group is a portfolio company of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. Westwood One is a portfolio company of The Gores Group, LLC.

About Triton Media Group
Triton Media Group is a provider of applications, services and content to the media industry. Its Triton Digital division provides digital services to the radio industry with more than 6,000 station affiliations. Through its Triton Radio Networks division, Triton owns and operates Dial Global, which provides sales representation and syndication services to national radio production companies and produces more than 100 different programs and services. For more information about Triton Media Group, visit www.tritonmedia.com.

About Dial Global
Dial Global (www.dial-global.com) provides national advertising sales representation to over 200 radio programs, services and networks on over 8,000 stations. In addition, Dial Global produces the Dial

Global 24/7 Formats, well as Prep Services, Jingles and Imaging as well as long and short form radio programs which it distributes to over 6,000 radio stations nationwide.

Dial Global is owned by Triton Media Group, LLC, a leading supplier of digital products and services to the media industry.

I have another piece of radio news coming up.

WEEI Radio Network Remains Home of NFL on Westwood One

This comes from WEEI in Boston. Its radio stations from Boston to Central and Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be the home of Sunday and Monday Night Football broadcasts via Westwood One Radio. Through this contract, WEEI will also be able to carry all of the NFL postseason games all the way to the Super Bowl. For the first time, the home markets for the Conference Championships and Super Bowl will not be blacked out from the national radio broadcasts. Previously, the home markets were blacked out, however, Westwood One was able to get that lifted in this new contract that begins with the 2011-12 season.

So if the Patriots reached the Super Bowl, Boston would be able to hear Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason call Super Bowl XLVI on WEEI as well as on flagship station 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Here’s the press release from WEEI and Entercom.

WEEI Sports Radio Network Announces Sunday and Monday Night Football Extension

WEEI will remain the exclusive home of NFL Network programming  

July 19, 2011 (Boston) WEEI announced today that it will maintain its agreement with Westwood One to carry Sunday and Monday night football which includes the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

WEEI 850 AM, WEEI 103.7 FM, WVEI 1440 AM and WVEI FM 105.5 FM will again air the full slate of games offered by the network. The regular season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 8^th when the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers host the New Orleans Saints.

The 2011 season is also the first year the NFL broadcast blackout restriction has been lifted in home markets for the conference championship games and the Super Bowl. Because of this change, WEEI will be allowed to air the national radio feed of those two games if the Patriots were to advance that far in the postseason. The broadcast would air on WEEI 850 AM in Boston, WEEI 103.7 FM in Providence, WVEI 1440 AM in Worcester and WVEI 105.5 FM in Springfield.

Jason Wolfe, VP of Programming for WEEI said, “The success of the Patriots in the last decade has made the NFL incredibly popular in New England and especially in Boston, and I’m excited to again, be able to offer the national games to our listeners. And since the league has modified the postseason broadcast rules starting this season, it’ll be a real thrill for Patriot fans to be able to hear Boomer Esiason on the call of the Super Bowl, should the team get there. He’s the best analyst in the business.”

That’s it.

Some Monday Night Linkage Which Goes Into Tuesday Linkage

I was trying to post links last night and was making really good progress when, you guessed it, I fell asleep with the computer on again. That’s not good. So I’ll combine the full set of links that I found last night with this edition so you have a pretty good set of stories to sift through. That’s good for you. So let’s give you a lot of links today.

Joe Posnanski has a very thoughtful post on Tara Sullivan’s ordeal at The Masters, plus the really sexist and ignorant comments left at her story at NorthJersey.com.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid notes that former Boston Globe columnist Jackie MacMullen weighed in on the Tara Sullivan controversy during ESPN’s Around the Horn.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today reports that Charlie Rymer of Westwood One was kicked out of Augusta National Golf Club while he was covering The Masters for violating a rule on cell phone usage.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the NFL Network will have extensive coverage of the NFL Draft later this month.

To John Ourand at Sports Business Journal who writes that the NHL has three strong bids for the US TV rights including a surprising one from Turner Sports.

At MediaPost, David Goetzl writes that ESPN was wise to take a wait-and-see attitude on iPad advertising for its app.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life says The Masters pulled decent ratings despite having a no-name winner.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk says Fox NFL Sunday co-host Terry Bradshaw says he is feeling the effects of the six concussions and numerous blows to the head from his playing days in the 1970′s.

Mike goes over the Jenn Sterger interview on Good Morning America and she doesn’t come off too well.

Mike talks about how a potential owner of a Los Angeles NFL team is predicting a huge TV rights windfall for the league in the next network negotiation.

To Yahoo’s Puck Daddy and Greg Wyshynski who writes that NBC/Versus have some heavy competition for the NHL TV contract.

Sports TV Jobs interviews YES Network host Nancy Newman about her experiences moving from Canada’s TSN to CNN Sports to YES.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if golf’s popularity has truly returned with Tiger Woods out of contention of many tournaments.

Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald says Tom Brady cries over the memory of his sixth round pick by the New England Patriots in a new ESPN/NFL Films documentary.

Newsday’s Neil Best says YES will produce postgame shows for all Yankees games no matter which network airs them.

Neil writes that the NBA’s TV partners are happy to see the Knicks in the playoffs.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times notes that The Masters saw some ratings slippage.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union says MSG Network has set its studio and game announcers for Knicks playoff games.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette talks about The Masters’ TV ratings.

Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Root Sports will have the entire Penguins-Lightning series.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has chosen its top story in the last ten years of local sports reporting.

Dan with the help of Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic recaps the last Capitals-Rangers playoff series in 2009.

Dan says one local DC radio personality is mocking the Washington Nationals’ radio deal.

Rusty Ray from the Pee Dee (SC) Morning News says a big crowd turned out for a live appearance by ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike.

David Barron and Joseph Duarte from the Houston Chronicle report that the Texas Bowl has a new sponsor.

Blair Kerkhoff from the Kansas City Star talks about a few college sports issues including the NCAA Tournament on CBS/Turner and the new Big 12 TV contract.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says a local sports anchor doesn’t understand the distinction of an event airing on a local CBS affiliate while not being a network program.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News says once the Pac 12 TV contract is done, Commissioner Larry Scott will look to sign deals overseas, especially in Asia.

At Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Matt Maiocco says new 49ers radio analyst Eric Davis will have big shoes to fill.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says TSN Radio is debuting with guns locked and loaded.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail also talks about TSN Radio’s debut.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that TSN received good ratings for curling.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR in primetime on Fox scored well.

To Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says NBC ended the NHL regular season on an upnote.

Steve also has the local rightsholders which will carry first round NHL Playoff games.

Joe Favorito says cricket is gaining in popularity not just worldwide, but also in the US.

Plenty of links today. Lots of good stuff. I hope you have time to look over all of the links.

Westwood One Radio Covers The NCAA Tournament; Jim Gray Returns to the Airwaves

I don’t have announcing assignments for the earlier rounds, but I do have this press release from Westwood One Radio in regards to the coverage plans for the Final Four^® which will have Omaha’s own Kevin Kugler, John Thompson and Bill Raftery on the call. For the second year in a row, Bill Walton will provide pregame, halftime and postgame analysis. And Jim Gray returns to the mic to work the sidelines, but this and The Masters will probably be his only gigs for the year, providing the NFL doesn’t return to play this year depending on how long the lockout goes.

Anyway, I don’t have the schedules for the early rounds, but this will have to suffice.

WESTWOOD ONE’S NCAA RADIO NETWORK PRESENTS COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE 2011 NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

– Coverage to Air on Over 450 Radio Stations Nationwide–

New York, NY – March 15, 2011 — Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network is proud to present complete coverage of the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament beginning on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Full play-by-play coverage from 35 men’s basketball games includes the newly created “First Four”, action from all eight second-round and third-round sites, four select regional semifinals, all four regional finals and all three games from the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Houston.  Westwood One will also broadcast the Division II Men’s Basketball Championship game from Springfield, MA on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Complete tournament coverage will be heard on over 450 radio stations nationwide. Additionally, Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network will provide Sirius/XM Satellite Radio with the broadcast of all 67 games in their entirety and all 67 Men’s Division I games will be streamed online for millions more to enjoy via the web.

“68 teams, 21 days, one network. Only Westwood One brings every second of the most anticipated college sports event of the year to radio and online listeners nationwide,” said Howard Deneroff, SVP and Executive Producer of Westwood One Sports. “This year, with more teams and more games than ever before, we are even more excited for the madness to begin.”

Kevin Kugler will provide play-by-play from the Final Four, with former Georgetown and Hall of Fame coach John Thompson and former Seton Hall coach Bill Raftery adding color commentary.  Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Player of the Year Bill Walton will also provide analysis during the pregame, halftime and postgame shows. Emmy-winning sportscaster Jim Gray returns as courtside reporter and John Tautges completes the lineup as pregame and halftime host for Westwood One’s Final Four^™ coverage.  Westwood One will also present The Final Four Show and Championship Monday, hosted by John Tautges.  The Final Four Show will air two and a half hours prior to the National Semifinals, while Championship Monday will air two hours before the National Championship game.

Fans who wish to find a radio station airing Westwood One’s broadcast of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in their area can log on to the nationwide station finder at  www.westwoodonesports.com

In addition to coverage of the men’s games, Westwood One also produces an outstanding lineup of college basketball programming including: the one-hour daily feature The NCAA Tournament Today hosted by John Tautges; Great Moments in Tournament History, a 60-second daily historical feature, narrated by Kevin Kugler, as well as Selection Sunday, hosted by John Tautges and John Thompson.

Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network will also originate three games of play-by-play coverage from the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Indianapolis on April 3^rd and April 5^th.  Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli will broadcast the NCAA Women’s Final Four to radio stations nationwide. Joe Tolleson will host pregame, halftime and postgame coverage. Additionally, Westwood One will once again provide coverage of all four NCAA Women’s Regional Finals on March 28^th and March 29^th.

Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network is the exclusive provider of complete NCAA basketball coverage including major conference championships, March Madness^®, the NCAA Men’s Final Four^™ and Championship Game, as well as the NCAA Women’s Final Four^® and Championship Game.

And that will do it for us.

Sirius XM To Provide Every Game of the NCAA Tournament

One of the benefits of having satellite radio is the ability to having access to all 67 games of the NCAA Tournament. Sirius XM has the channel capacity to carry all of the games from start to finish. Westwood One Radio will provide the broadcasts and Sirius XM will air them. Let’s take a look at the press release from Sirius XM.

SiriusXM Offers Every Game Of The 2011 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship

Sirius and XM listeners nationwide get every minute of every game
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s exclusive SiriusXM show, ‘Basketball and Beyond with Coach K,’ will air throughout the tournament
SiriusXM College Sports Nation and Mad Dog Radio channels to offer daily analysis, interviews with coaches and players, and fan reactions

NEW YORK – March 11, 2011 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) will broadcast every game of the 2011 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship nationwide, offering both Sirius and XM subscribers uninterrupted access to play-by-play of every match-up from the First Four™ on March 15 and 16 through the Final Four® and National Championship game in Houston on April 2 and 4.

All tournament games will be available to both Sirius and XM listeners in their entirety, with no blackouts, on Sirius channels 91, 122, 125, 126 and 127 and XM channels 143, 241, 242, 243 and 244.  SiriusXM’s Steve Torre will anchor the coverage on these channels, providing up-to-the-minute scores and highlights during game breaks and directing listeners to other games around the dial.

Tournament match-ups and Sirius and XM channel assignments will be available at www.siriusxm.com/collegesports starting Monday, March 14.

On Selection Sunday, March 13, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Steve Torre will host a special Mad Dog Radio Tournament Selection Show live from 5:00 to 9:00 pm ET on Mad Dog Radio, Sirius channel 123 and XM channel 144, providing listeners with live updates as tournament teams and match-ups are announced.  Russo and Torre will interview special guests, including team coaches as well as selection committee chairman Gene Smith, and give fans a place to call in and share their reactions and opinions as the field is revealed.

Throughout the tournament, Sirius and XM listeners can tune in to several exclusive sports talk shows that will offer comprehensive tournament coverage.

Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of the defending National Champion Duke Blue Devils, will continue to host his weekly talk show, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K, throughout the tournament.  Listeners can hear the show Wednesdays (7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT) on Mad Dog Radio. Additionally, Coach K will join Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo on Russo’s show, Mad Dog Unleashed (airing weekdays, 2:00-7:00 pm ET), at various times during the tournament for updates.

Fans can also follow everything happening throughout the tournament on SiriusXM College Sports Nation (Sirius channel 122 and XM channel 143), SiriusXM’s all-college sports channel.  Listeners will hear live play by play of tournament games plus daily talk and analysis from a roster of hosts that includes former University of Vermont head coach Tom Brennan, former Ohio State star and 1992 UPI Player of the Year Jimmy Jackson, former Georgia Tech star Kenny Anderson, and veteran college basketball voice Mark Packer.

Tom Brennan, Jimmy Jackson, Mark Packer and Jason Horowitz will be in Houston broadcasting live from Friday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 5, delivering fans all the latest news and talk from the Final Four.

SiriusXM will also offer coverage of the NCAA® Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, providing listeners from coast to coast with full coverage of every regional final, the Women’s Final Four and championship game.

All NCAA Tournament games are provided to SiriusXM by Westwood One.

I’ll do some linkage for you today. Keep your RSS feeds updated.

NFL Viewing & Listening Picks For Super Bowl Sunday

All Times Eastern

NFL GameDay Morning – NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown – ESPN, 10 a.m.

Road to the Super Bowl – Fox, noon
Inside the Rings with Troy Aikman – Fox, 1 p.m.
Fox Super Bowl Sunday – Fox, 2 p.m.
Curt Menafee (host)/Terry Bradshaw (host)/Howie Long/Michael Strahan/Jimmy Johnson/Jay Glazer/Pam Oliver/Chris Myers/Frank Caliendo/Maria Menounos

Super Bowl Preview – Westwood One Radio, 3 p.m.
Scott Graham (host)

Super Bowl XLV, Cowboys Stadium, Irving Texas
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers – Westwood One Radio, 5 p.m./Fox, 6 p.m. (kickoff approximately 6:29 p.m.)
Fox announcers – Joe Buck/Troy Aikman; sideline reporters: Pam Oliver/Chris Myers
Westwood One Radio announcers – Jim Gray (host); Kevin Harlan/Boomer Esiason; sideline reporters: Mark Malone/James Lofton

Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Super Bowl XLV Postgame show – Fox, approximately 10 p.m.
NFL Primetime – ESPN, approximately 10:15 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final: Super Bowl Edition – NFL Network, immediately following Fox postgame coverage

Some Late Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning Links

My plans to provide a full set of linkage got shot to hell when the car I was riding in got stuck in a snow bank during the ice storm in RI on Wednesday. So I spent three hours trying to get the vehicle out. Eventually, I got AAA to pull it out, but also spent a lot of time chipping the ice from the driveway, so it was exactly how I wanted to spend my day. Anyway, I’ll give you a short set of links here.

Brian Costa, Matthew Futterman and Michael Rothfield says the New York Mets may sell part of its stake in SNY if can help attract a minority buyer for the club.

In a related note, CNBC’s Darren Rovell reports that the principal owners of the Met who are being sued by a Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme victim, say they don’t owe any money. Donald Sterling and Saul Katz recommended Madoff to several clients.

At Yahoo’s Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski explores any potential complications or non-complications regarding the NHL’s new US TV deals.

Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser feels it’ll be a long time before Dallas hosts another Super Bowl.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media speculates as to why the NHL All-Star Game saw a ratings increase from when the game was last played.

Milton Kent at Fanhouse goes over the new management structure at NBC Sports/Comcast.

Brad Cohen in SportsGrid feels Charles Barkley’s new website is just what the doctor ordered.

The Big Lead points out that the Pro Bowl did better in the ratings than Game 3 of the 2010 World Series.

Karolos Grohmann of Reuters reports that the Tour de France won’t be shown live in Germany starting in 2012 due to lack of interest and doping problems.

Kimberly Nordyke from the Hollywood Reporter has viewing alternatives for those who don’t want to watch the Super Bowl.

Have your first look at Volkswagen’s mini-Darth Vader Super Bowl ad.

And here’s the Volkswagen Black Beetle Super Bowl ad.

Michael Malone at Broadcasting & Cable reports that a group of local stations are back on DirecTV ensuring subscribers will see the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says thanks to the BCS, ESPN swept the January cable ratings.

Bill Cromwell from Media Life Magazine notes that after Pizza Hut dropped out of the Super Bowl, Fox found another advertiser to take its place ensuring a sellout once again.

Amy Austin of the Washington City Paper has written a public response to DC NFL Team owner Daniel Snyder’s threats to sue the publication after what he perceived was an unflattering profile.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner looks at the new NBC Sports management team.

Gary West from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speaks with Friend of Fang’s Bites Michelle Beadle who’s been co-hosting ESPN2′s SportsNation live from Sundance Square.

Mitchell Schnurman of the Star-Telegram says the ESPN live productions from downtown Fort Worth have been promoting the city better than any advertising campaign.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business says a Windy City media company is busy at the Super Bowl this week.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News continues his series on asking various play-by-play men on what they can learn from Vin Scully.

First, we get answers from LA Kings Hall of Fame voice Bob Miller.

Then Tom speaks with Kings radio voice Nick Nickson.

Tom finds UCLA Bruins voice Chris Roberts to get his response.

Tom turns to Clippers voice Ralph Lawler.

Tom gets a response from USC basketball voice Chris Fisher.

Tom makes contact with minor league baseball announcer Jeff Lasky.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the Super Bowl Sunday programming from both CTV and Fox.

Sports Media Watch notes that the rematch of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final did slightly better than last year’s NHL on NBC debut.

SMW has various ratings news and notes.

Matt Yoder from Awful Announcing has a very good interview with the multifaceted Kevin Harlan who will be calling the Super Bowl on Westwood One Radio this Sunday.

And that’s going to do it. I need to sleep.

Westwood One Announces Its Crew For Super Bowl XLV

The NFL-related releases keep rolling in. Westwood One Radio tells us that Kevin Harlan will call his first Super Bowl for a national audience this Sunday. He’ll be joined by Boomer Esiason in the booth and James Lofton and Mark Malone on the sidelines. Also joining Westwood One for Super Bowl Sunday will be Jim “The Decision” Gray and Scott Graham. Here’s the skinny from Westwood One.

WESTWOOD ONE ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR BROADCAST TEAM FOR SUPER BOWL XLV

-- Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, Mark Malone, James Lofton, Jim Gray and Scott Graham –

--- Multi-Platinum Country Trio Lady Antebellum Kicks Off Coverage with a Special Version of Their Song “Stars Tonight” —

New York, NY – January 31, 2011 – Westwood One, the exclusive network radio home of the National Football League (NFL), is proud to announce the all-star broadcast team for Super Bowl XLV featuring: Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, Mark Malone, James Lofton, Jim Gray and Scott Graham. Super Bowl XLV airs live from the Cowboys Stadium in North Texas on Sunday, February 6, 2011 as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers.  Super Bowl XLV will be heard on over 650 radio stations across America.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET, the Monday Night Football broadcast team of Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason will call their first Super Bowl together. Hall of Fame Packers receiver James Lofton will patrol the Green Bay sidelines and former Steelers quarterback Mark Malone will report from the Pittsburgh sidelines. Jim Gray hosts the pregame and halftime shows, as well as provides interviews and insight from athletes and celebrities in attendance, and Scott Graham kicks off the coverage hosting Super Bowl Preview at 3:00 p.m. ET, followed by Super Sunday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Irvin will also contribute to the Westwood One Super Bowl pregame show.

GRAMMY award winning trio Lady Antebellum will kick off Westwood One’s coverage of Super Sunday with a special version of their song “Stars Tonight” mixed together with highlights of the Green Bay Packers’ and Pittsburgh Steelers’ seasons as they continue their quest for the Vince Lombardi trophy.  The reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year’s current album NEED YOU NOW has spawned three consecutive number one hits and was recently certified TRIPLE PLATINUM bringing the group to a career total of over five million albums sold. In addition, Westwood One’s Super Bowl game broadcast will kick off live from Cowboys Stadium with a special rendition of Little Engine Records recording artist, Sean Patrick McGraw’s song “Git Yer Cowboy On”, off his current EP My So Called Life.

“They say everything is bigger in Texas, and this Super Bowl matchup may just prove them right,” said Howard Deneroff, Executive Producer and SVP of Westwood One Sports. “The Packers and the Steelers are two of the most storied franchises in sports, and our all-star broadcast crew is eagerly anticipating kickoff and bringing all the excitement of Super Sunday to millions of listeners nationwide, and to our troops overseas.”

Super Bowl XLV will also be heard on American Forces Radio Network which provides programming to America’s military forces around the globe. The American Forces Radio Network serves over one million men and women in uniform, Department of Defense personnel, American Embassies and Consulates in over 175 countries and territories as well as on more than 250 U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Military Sealift Command ships at sea. In addition, Westwood One’s Super Bowl broadcast will also be heard on nfl.com/fieldpass for the first time. Fans looking for the station in their area airing the broadcast can visit www.westwoodone.com/superbowl. The website will feature a nationwide station finder and announcer bios from Westwood One’s broadcast crew.

And I have another announcement for you, but it has nothing to do with the NFL or Super Bowl.

Westwood One Unveils Announcers for NFL Conference Championship Games

Last release I’ll provide tonight.

Westwood One Radio has provided the announcers for the NFC and AFC Championship Games for Sunday. Kevin Harlan calls the NFC while Dave Sims will be in Pittsburgh for the AFC. Because CBS has the NFL Today crew in New York once again, it prevents Boomer Esiason from calling a game live. CBS used to be at the AFC Championship Game site, but in recent years due to economic cutbacks, it has chosen to stay at the CBS Broadcast Center. It used to be fun seeing Boomer live on the NFL Today, then hearing him on the radio, but that hasn’t happened in the last few years.

Anyway, here’s Westwood One’s announcement.

WESTWOOD ONE PRESENTS THE EXCLUSIVE NATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS OF NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY

New York, NY – January 20, 2011 — Westwood One, the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL, is proud to present play-by-play coverage of Conference Championship Sunday, January 23, 2011. Westwood One will broadcast every game of NFL post-season play including Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas. In addition, Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts are streamed online at NFL.com, simulcast on Sirius/XM satellite radio, as well as NFL Mobile on Verizon wireless devices.

Westwood One’s broadcast schedule for NFL Conference Championship Sunday is as follows:

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears - 2:00 p.m. ET, Kevin Harlan/Randy Cross/Mark Malone

New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers - *6:15 p.m. ET, Dave Sims/James Lofton/Hub Arkush

*broadcast of game two begins when broadcast of game one ends

To find out where to hear Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts in your area please use the Station Finder on westwoodonesports.com

That’s going to do it. I’m shutting down for the night.

Westwood Radio Announces Announcing Teams For NFL Divisional Playoffs

It used to be that Westwood One Radio would provide me with its announcing assignments throughout the regular season, but since receiving its announcing teams press release back in August, I haven’t been updated on the schedule. And last season, I received numerous complaints from readers that I wasn’t providing the service. I had to explain that I wasn’t receiving WW1 releases as in the past.

Well, we have the announcing assignments for the NFL Divisional round this weekend and that is very welcomed here at Fang’s Bites. Thanks to the busy people at Westwood One for sending this over. Familiar names like Dave Sims, Kevin Harlan and Ian Eagle will be on the case this weekend. Check out what games they’re calling by scrolling down.

WESTWOOD ONE PRESENTS THE EXCLUSIVE NATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS OF NFL DIVISIONAL WEEKEND

New York, NY – January 11, 2011 — Westwood One, the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL, is proud to present play-by-play coverage of NFL Divisional Weekend. Westwood One will broadcast every game of NFL post-season play including Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in North Texas. In addition, Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts are streamed online at NFL.com, simulcast on Sirius/XM satellite radio, as well as NFL Mobile on Verizon wireless devices.

Westwood One’s broadcast schedule for NFL Divisional Weekend is as follows:

Saturday, January 15

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:00 p.m. ET, Dave Sims/James Lofton/Steve Tasker

Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons, *7:45 p.m. ET, Ian Eagle/Tony Boselli/Scott Kaplan

Sunday, January 16

Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears, 12:30 p.m. ET, Kevin Kugler/Mark Malone/Hub Arkush

New York Jets @ New England Patriots, *4:15 p.m. ET, Kevin Harlan/Randy Cross/Kevin Kiley

*broadcast of game two begins when broadcast of game one ends

To find out where to hear Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts in your area please use the Station Finder on westwoodone.com

That’s it for now.

Westwood One Radio Signs Cumulus Stations For Robert Wuhl Show

Launching later this month, Westwood One Radio will syndicate the Robert Wuhl Show, hosted by the actor who headed the HBO series, “Arli$$” as well as playing in sports movies “Bull Durham” and “Cobb”. Wuhl who’s a big sports fan will talk about sports, but the show will also veer into entertainment.

Westwood One is telling us that 9 Cumulus Media stations will be picking up the show when it premieres on January 17.

CUMULUS MEDIA SIGNS ON FOR THE LAUNCH OF WESTWOOD ONE’S THE ROBERT WUHL SHOW

– Nine Cumulus Media Stations Will Begin Airing The Robert Wuhl Show Upon its Debut on January 17, 2011. –

New York, NY – January 3, 2011 – Westwood One, Inc. (NASDAQ: WWON) announced today that upon its January 17^th debut, The Robert Wuhl Show will be heard on Cumulus Media stations in nine markets nationwide. Hosted by sports fanatic, actor, and comedian Robert Wuhl, the three-hour daily talk show will air live Monday – Friday from 3p-6p ET from the Westwood One studios in Culver City.

“There is a real buzz in the marketplace for Robert Wuhl from sports talk stations around the country,” said Dennis Green, EVP Westwood One Affiliate Sales. “With so much going in the world of sports, there is no better time to get a fresh take that is both fun and informative. We are delighted Cumulus has come on board for the initial launch clearances and look forward to many more to come.”

“There is some very innovative programming coming from Westwood One these days and that includes sports talk,” said John Dickey, President Cumulus Media. “Robert Wuhl has a wealth of sports knowledge, the connections of a Hollywood insider, plus the wit and delivery of a seasoned writer and comedian. Wuhl is a sure hit and we are excited to be part of his radio debut this January.”

Robert Wuhl is well known for his role as sports super-agent Arliss Michaels on the HBO program Arliss. The Robert Wuhl Show is a fresh, new sports talk program offering an entertaining take on sports with a unique comedic twist and celebrity interviews with the biggest stars from the worlds of sports and Hollywood.

And we’re closing the blog down for the night. Back on Tuesday.

Westwood One Radio Renews Rights with NFL

This just in from the last half hour, Westwood One Radio and the National Football League have announced a new multi-year agreement for the network to continue airing Sunday Night, Monday Night, Thursday Night as well as the entire postseason. No terms were announced. It was speculated that Westwoood One might lose the NFL after several long-time executives left the company in the last year. However, the NFL decided to remain with its radio partner that has had the rights since 1987.

WESTWOOD ONE AND NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AGREE ON NEW MULTI-YEAR DEAL

– Westwood One to Continue as the NFL’s Exclusive Network Radio Partner –

New York, NY – December 22, 2010 – Westwood One and the National Football League (NFL) announced today a new multi-year agreement for Westwood One to continue as the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL. Westwood One has been an NFL network radio partner for more than four decades and the exclusive network radio partner since 1987.

“We are proud to extend one of the strongest partnerships in sports broadcasting history – Westwood One and the National Football League,” said Rod Sherwood, President of Westwood One. “America’s most popular sport generates a huge audience that brings great value to Westwood One, our affiliates and our advertisers, and reinforces Westwood One as the preeminent nationwide radio sports broadcaster.”

“Westwood One has been an outstanding broadcast partner and we are pleased that NFL fans will continue to enjoy the highest quality when it comes to the presentation of our games on network radio,” said Steve Bornstein, NFL Executive Vice President of Media.

Westwood One will continue to broadcast the regular season primetime package and all postseason NFL games, including Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, the NFL Playoffs, the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl. In addition, Westwood One’s NFL broadcasts are streamed online at NFL.com, simulcast on Sirius/XM satellite radio and NFL Mobile on Verizon wireless devices.

As the exclusive radio partner of the NFL, the Westwood One 2010 NFL broadcast schedule features 58 national games, including: the Hall of Fame game, Opening Kickoff game, 17 Monday Night games, including one doubleheader, 17 Sunday Night games, 8 Thursday and Saturday Night games (including Thanksgiving Night), Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, 12 Postseason games, including the NFL Playoffs, the AFC and NFC Championship Games, the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLV in North Texas. Westwood One also delivers specialty programs, including: The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, NFL Sunday, and NFL Fantasy Football Forecast.

Westwood One is the leader in play-by-play sports broadcasts on radio. Westwood One’s sports lineup includes regular season NFL football, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl; NCAA Football and Basketball; the Masters, the Olympics, The Robert Wuhl Show, Westwood One Sports Prep and more.

More coming up.

Westwood One Radio Launches A New Sports Prep Service For Member Stations

This month, Westwood One Radio will premiere a new service for its member stations. This will provide sports stories as well as audio sound bites. Take from me as I’ve worked in radio, it’s important to have sound to accompany news and sports stories. Stations will go to a private website and will cull the stories and sound that their reporters can use throughout the day. Here’s the press release from Westwood One.

WESTWOOD ONE PARTNERS WITH BROADCASTER MARKETING SERVICES TO LAUNCH NEW SPORTS PREP SERVICE

-- Stations can now get the best sports stories of the day from across America in one easy-to-use prep service complete with audio. –

New York, NY – Westwood One (NASDAQ: WWON) has announced a long-term agreement with Broadcaster Marketing Services (BMS) to launch a new sports prep service for radio stations beginning this November. Westwood One’s Sports Prep will comb the sports press for the country’s best sports stories, combine them with relevant air-ready audio and put it all into an easily searchable web platform. The service will be constantly updated with the latest sports news and will be available for stations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“As stations continue to seek out products and utilities to help simplify their operations, Westwood One is meeting their demand head on,” said Dennis Green, Westwood One EVP Affiliate Sales. “Westwood One’s Sports Prep not only gives stations easy access to the best sports stories and columnists from thousands of media outlets across the country, it delivers relevant air-ready audio which we are confident will make it the one-stop-shop for all things sports.”

”We’re excited to be partnering with the recognized leader in the field to create what we believe will be the country’s premier sports prep service,” said David Brody, President, Broadcaster Marketing Services. “Our combined resources will fill an acute need for the creation of sports oriented content.”

More stuff later.

Westwood One Radio Renews Agreement With The Masters

This just announced. Westwood One Radio has signed a renewal of its annual one year agreement with the Augusta National Country Club to air radio coverage of The Masters. In conjunction with former parent, CBS, Westwood One will carry full four round coverage to affiliates across the country in addition to Sirius XM which is the official satellite radio partner of the tournament.

Here’s the press release.

WESTWOOD ONE, MASTERS TOURNAMENT RENEW EXCLUSIVE NETWORK RADIO AGREEMENT

New York, NY — October 19, 2010 — Westwood One and the Masters Tournament announced today the renewal of an agreement maintaining Westwood One as the exclusive radio play-by-play provider for the 2011 event. The renewed agreement provides Westwood One with on-course radio rights, including live hole-by-hole coverage. In addition, the broadcast will also be streamed live on the Tournament’s official Web site, www.masters.com.

“Westwood One is committed to maintaining its long-standing leadership position in play-by-play sports on radio,” said Westwood One President Rod Sherwood. “This renewal continues the longest running national radio broadcast partnership in all of sports, and we are looking forward to an exciting season of bringing listeners the highest quality sports broadcasts on the air in 2011.”

Westwood One has been the radio home of the Masters for nearly 60 years, providing exclusive play-by-play coverage of historic Tournament victories from defending champion Phil Mickelson to those of four-time champion Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and many more. In 2011, the tradition continues as Westwood One presents live coverage of the world’s best players vying for the Green Jacket. Tournament dates are April 7-10, 2011.

Westwood One is the leader in play-by-play sports broadcasts on radio. Westwood One’s sports lineup includes: regular season NFL football, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl; NCAA Football and Basketball including the Final Four; College World Series; Frozen Four; the Olympics and more.

More stuff coming up. We have a lot of press releases.

Westwood One Radio’s NFL Announcing Team For 2011-12 Season

We have the NFL announcers for Westwood One Radio. Westwood One has Sunday afternoon doubleheaders as well as Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Saturday night football. Here are the announcers plus their biographies.

WESTWOOD ONE ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR ANNOUNCERS FOR THE 2010 NFL SEASON

– Kevin Harlan joins Boomer Esiason on Monday Nights with Randy Cross, Dave Sims, James Lofton, Ian Eagle, Trent Green, Tony Boselli, Mark Malone, Kevin Kugler and Howard David rounding out the lineup.

New York, NY – August 27, 2010– Westwood One announced today its lineup of all-star broadcasters for the 2010-2011 NFL season. Veteran NFL broadcaster Kevin Harlan will join Boomer Esiason as the lead play-by-play voice for Monday Night Football and Super Bowl XLIV. In addition, Randy Cross will also provide analysis for select Monday Night games and the Playoffs. Dave Sims returns as play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night games and will be joined by NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton. Ian Eagle and Trent Green will team up for Westwood One’s Thursday Night broadcasts.

“Three nights a week and twice on Sunday afternoon, football fans nationwide get their NFL from Westwood One. They deserve the best and that’s exactly what we are giving them this fall,” said Gary Schonfeld, President of Westwood One Network. “The best match-ups, the most expansive schedule of games and the engaging voices that immerse fans in all the excitement unfolding on the fields of America’s most popular sport. It’s time to get back to football.”

Full broadcast teams for the NFL on Westwood One are as follows:

Sunday Night Football

Play-by-Play:                Dave Sims

Color Analyst:            James Lofton

Sunday Afternoon Doubleheaders

Play-by-Play:              Howard David

Color Analyst:            Tony Boselli

Play-by-Play:              Kevin Kugler

Color Analyst:            Mark Malone

Monday Night Football

Play-by-Play:              Kevin Harlan

Color Analyst:            Boomer Esiason (or Randy Cross)

Thursday Night Football

Play-by-Play:              Ian Eagle

Color Analyst:            Trent Green

Westwood One remains the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL primetime package, broadcasting the most games and the best match-ups throughout the entire NFL season.  Westwood One has been an NFL network radio partner for more than four decades and the exclusive network radio partner since 1987. As the exclusive radio partner of the NFL, the Westwood One 2010-2011 NFL broadcast schedule features 58 national games, including: the Hall of Fame game, Opening Kickoff game, 17 Monday Night games, including one doubleheader, 17 Sunday Night games, 10 Thursday and Saturday Night games (including Thanksgiving Night), Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, 12 Postseason games, including the NFL Playoffs, the AFC and NFC Championship Games, the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLV in North Texas. Westwood One also delivers specialty programs, including: The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, NFL Sunday, and NFL Fantasy Football Forecast.

In addition to the 58 game primetime package, Westwood One will also present one weekly doubleheader starting on Sunday, September 12, 2010 and continuing each Sunday through January 2, 2011. The first few weeks of doubleheader match-ups are listed below, while the remaining weeks will be chosen as the season progresses to ensure the best possible games. All stations airing Westwood One’s NFL Football coverage can be found using the Station Finder located at www.westwoodone.com beginning Wednesday, September 8, 2010. 

Westwood One is the leader in play-by-play sports broadcasts on radio. Westwood One’s sports lineup includes regular season NFL football, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl; NCAA Football and Basketball including the Final Four; College World Series; Frozen Four; the Masters, the Olympics and more.

WESTWOOD ONE 2009-2010 NFL BROADCASTERS

Kevin Harlan makes his return to Westwood One as the new full-time play-by-play voice for Monday Night Football games. Harlan was the play-by-play voice of select Monday Night Football games throughout the 2009 NFL season as well as for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four on Westwood One from 2003-2007. Harlan also currently calls play-by-play for CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and NBA Basketball on TNT. Harlan joined CBS Sports in 1998 as an NFL play-by-play announcer, after having served in the same capacity for Fox Sports since 1994. A veteran football and basketball broadcaster, this will be his 26^th consecutive season broadcasting the NFL and this year’s NBA season marks his 23^rd broadcasting the NBA.  Harlan spent nine seasons (1985-93) as the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs and was the voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves for nine seasons as well.

Boomer Esiason provides color commentary for Westwood One’s critically acclaimed Monday Night Football broadcast team and this marks his tenth year broadcasting for the network. Esiason co-host’s The NFL Today for CBS Sports and also served as the Monday Night Football analyst for ABC Sports for two seasons before joining Westwood One.  Boomer also spends mornings co-hosting a daily radio show on WFAN in New York, and co-hosts NFL Preview each week on Westwood One as well. Prior to embarking on a broadcasting career, Esiason was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history. He spent 14 years in the NFL and quarterbacked the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl XXIII. In 1988, Esiason was named NFL MVP by the Pro Football Writers of America and the Associated Press and was named the NFL’s Man of the Year in 1995.

Randy Cross will serve as analyst for select Monday night games this season after filling the same role last year for Westwood One’s coverage of Thursday  Night Football. He previously worked games for the network from 1990-92, including Super Bowl XXIV. Cross also served three years as a studio analyst for THE NFL TODAY on CBS and four years at NBC Sports as an analyst for its NFL broadcasts, selected Notre Dame games, the 1995 Fiesta Bowl and as a reporter for Super Bowl XXXII. A 13-year NFL veteran and three-time Pro Bowler, Cross was a center and guard for the San Francisco 49ers and helped lead the team to three Super Bowl championships.  A two-time All-American at UCLA, he was the 49ers’ second-round pick in 1976 and missed only eight games over 13 years.

Dave Sims returns for his fifth season as Westwood One’s play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football.  Before switching to primetime, Sims called Westwood One Sunday afternoon games as well as the NFL Playoffs for nearly a decade. The two-time Emmy Award winner has also called play-by-play for NCAA Basketball regular season games and tournament coverage for the past seven years and in 2003, also hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four. In addition to his Westwood One duties, Sims called the Big East Football TV Game of the Week for many years, is currently the TV play by play voice of the Seattle Mariners and has written for the New York Daily News.

James Lofton returns for his second season as an analyst for Sunday Night Football on Westwood One.  Lofton served as analyst and sideline reporter for the NFL on Westwood One from 1999 – 2001 and recently rejoined the Network after a seven-year coaching stint with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. He was the No. 1 draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1978, beginning a long career as an NFL wide receiver. In 16 season playing for Green Bay, the Los Angeles Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles, Lofton caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards, which was the most in NFL history at the time of his retirement. In 13 playoff games, Lofton caught 41 passes for 759 yards and eight touchdowns, including a seven-reception game in Super Bowl XXVI. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Ian Eagle enters his third year as play-by-play announcer for Westwood One’s NFL Thursday night coverage. For the past three years, Eagle also called the action for Westwood One’s coverage of the SEC Basketball Championship and the Regional Semi-Finals and Finals of the NCAA Tournament. Eagle is primarily known for his work with CBS Sports, calling NFL games and NCAA Basketball games since 1998. He also has served as the play-by-play announcer for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets television broadcasts since 1995, after having called play-by-play for radio broadcasts the previous year. He was the play-by-play radio voice for the New York Jets in 1997 and hosted Jets pre- and post-game shows on WFAN from 1993 to 1996. Eagle joined WFAN Radio in New York in 1990 as a producer and debuted as host of his own show in 1992. Eagle was awarded the Bob Costas Award for Outstanding Sportscasting while attending Syracuse University.

Trent Green joins Westwood One as a game analyst after spending last season in the same capacity with FOX Television. Prior to beginning his broadcast career last year, Trent spent 15 seasons in the NFL, playing quarterback for five different franchises. He was a member of the Super Bowl XXXIV Champion Rams, but enjoyed his best seasons with Kansas City from 2001-2006. While wearing a Chiefs uniform, he became only the 4th quarterback in NFL history to have three consecutive seasons of 4000 yards or more passing. He finished his career with 162 touchdowns and over 28,000 yards passing. In addition to his role as Thursday Night Football Analyst on Westwood One, Green also serves as a studio analyst for the NFL Network and as an analyst for preseason games on television for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Howard David will once again serve as play-by-play announcer for Sunday Afternoon games. David returned to the network last season after an eight-year hiatus. He previously spent 23 years with CBS Radio/Westwood One broadcasting College Football, College Basketball, Masters Golf, US Open Tennis, the Olympics and NFL Football including six seasons as the voice of Monday Night Football and the Super Bowl. David‘s broadcast background also includes calling play-by-play for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, as well as NBA Basketball with the New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. He has also hosted talk shows at WQAM in Miami, Sporting News Radio and currently co-hosts a show for Sirius NFL Radio. David was chosen as New Jersey Sportscaster of the Year four times, the NY “Air Award” for broadcast excellence and is also a recipient of a New York Emmy Award.

Tony Boselli has been elevated to full-time color analyst for Westwood One’s broadcasts of Sunday Afternoon NFL games. Boselli began his national broadcasting career in 2007, working as a game analyst for the NFL on FOX.  In 2009, he joined Westwood One where he worked as a part-time analyst for both NFL and College Football. In addition, Boselli also co-hosts “Sports Final Radio,” a local daily morning radio show on 1010 XL AM in Jacksonville. The first player ever drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Boselli was chosen #2 overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. After six seasons with the Jaguars, which included five Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and two trips to AFC Championship Game, he retired in 2006.  Selected as a member of the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team, Boselli was the first inductee into the Jaguars ring of honor, and received the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award in 2000. Boselli is a 1994 graduate of the USC where he was a 3-time All-American and winner of the 1994 Morris Trophy, given annually to the top offensive lineman in the Pac 10. 

Kevin Kugler returns for a second season as play-by-play announcer for Sunday Afternoon NFL games. For the previous four seasons he has been the lead voice of the College Football Game of the Week and has called the past six College World Series for the Network as well. Kugler also serves as the radio play-by-play announcer for the NCAA Men’s Final Four broadcast and as the lead announcer for Westwood One’s regular season college basketball package. In addition, Kugler broadcast the Masters and the 2008 Summer Olympics for Westwood One, including calling the Gold Medal Basketball game in Beijing. Kugler also co-hosts a daily sports talk show in Omaha, and recently won the Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year Awards for the 5^th time.

Mark Malone returns for a third season as an analyst and sideline reporter for the NFL on Westwood One, and will second season as the host of NFL Insider. Malone spent a decade with ESPN where he hosted many NFL shows including Edge NFL Match-up, NFL Tonight, and Monday Night Countdown. Prior to joining Westwood One, he served as Sports Director for WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he garnered four Emmys for his work. Malone, an All-American quarterback at Arizona State and first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, played for 10 years in the NFL, quarterbacking the Steelers to the 1984 AFC Championship Game.

Jim Gray joined Westwood One in 2001 as host of the network’s Monday Night Football pre-game and halftime shows and this marks his tenth season fulfilling the same role for the network. Gray also serves as courtside reporter for Westwood One’s coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four and as on-course reporter for the Masters. A prominent network television reporter for over two decades, Gray currently covers boxing for Showtime, is a contributor to the Golf Channel, and also has served as a courtside reporter for the NBA on CBS, NBC, ABC and most recently ESPN.  Gray’s numerous credits include: seven Olympic Games, 22 Masters, twelve Super Bowls, seven World Series and 15 NBA Finals. Gray has won eight Emmy Awards and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Scott Graham returns for his second season as pregame, halftime and postgame host for the network’s Sunday NFL coverage. Graham has spent over twenty years as a radio and television sportscaster including play-by-play for both the NFL and NFL Europe on FOX. He has also spent the last 13 seasons as The Comcast Network’s primary play-by-play voice of college basketball, and continues to call college hoops for ESPN. On the radio side, Graham served as the play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Phillies for eight seasons from 1999-2006. For nearly a decade prior to that, he hosted the pregame and postgame shows for the Phillies on CBS Radio in Philadelphia. Since 2003, Graham has narrated a variety of programs, commercials, and features produced by NFL Films.  His voice has most often been heard on NFL Game of the Week, in weekly game previews on NFL.com, and in various season highlight films for NFL teams.

There are your announcers for Westwood One this season.

Kevin Harlan Is The New Radio Voice of Monday Night Football

This just in. Westwood One Radio has named Kevin Harlan as the new voice of Monday Night Football for this upcoming season. It’s a natural choice as Kevin worked most of the Monday Night Football games last season. If you remember earlier this year, Marv Albert stepped down as the announcer. Harlan will partner with Boomer Esiason. Here’s the press release.

WESTWOOD ONE NAMES KEVIN HARLAN NEW MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER

-- Kevin Harlan partners with Boomer Esiason as Play-by-Play Voice of the Westwood One Monday Night Football Broadcast Team –

New York, NY – June 29, 2010– Westwood One announced today that veteran NFL broadcaster Kevin Harlan will join Boomer Esiason as the lead play-by-play voice for Monday Night Football and Super Bowl XLV. Harlan becomes only the fifth regular Monday Night Football play-by-play announcer since the CBS Radio/Westwood One national radio broadcast began in 1978. Harlan follows in the footsteps of Marv Albert (2002-2009), Howard David (1996-2001), Jack Buck (1978-1984, 1987-1995) and Don Criqui (1985-1986).

“Anyone who has ever heard Kevin call a game knows exactly why we are thrilled to add an announcer of his caliber to our NFL talent roster – full-time,” said Gary Schonfeld, President of Westwood One Network. “Fans, stations and advertisers are going to be very happy this fall.”

“I am honored to have been selected as part of Westwood One’s Monday Night Football broadcast team with Boomer Esiason,” said Harlan. “I am truly humbled by the great voices that have held this position, including one of the legends of broadcasting, Marv Albert.”

“Kevin’s detailed descriptions and infectious energy will have NFL fans nationwide huddled around their radios,” added Howard Deneroff, Executive Producer of Westwood One Sports. “I am looking forward to a super season as Kevin and Boomer continue the long legacy of great broadcast teams that have brought the game to life for millions of listeners on Monday nights.”

Kevin Harlan was the play-by-play voice of select Monday Night Football games throughout the 2009 NFL season, as well as for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four on Westwood One from 2003-2007. Harlan currently calls NFL games for CBS Sports, where he has worked continuously since 1998, after having served in the same capacity for Fox Sports since 1994. He also spent nine seasons (1985-93) as the radio voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, and this marks his 26^th consecutive season broadcasting the NFL. Harlan also is well-known nationally for his basketball broadcasts, describing both CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Men’s Tournament and the NBA on TNT for more than a decade. Prior to that, Harlan spent nine seasons as the voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Good move by Westwood One.

Some Sunday Links

I’ll do a few links on this Sunday before I head out to check out Baltimore today. Nice to see the Red Sox fans whom I had exchanged tweets on Twitter over the last year in person last night. Certainly a fun time.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News talks with Gavin Harvey, the new CEO of the Sportsman Channel.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times has a brief look at Marv Albert’s departure from Westwood One Radio and Monday Night Football.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News says New York Knicks owner James Dolan got an unlikely assist from former adversary Mayor Michael Bloomberg in courting free agent LeBron James.

Phil Mushnick in the New York Post decides to handicap the US-England World Cup match.

From the Buffalo News, Greg Connors profiles a local sports talk show host.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says the NBA Finals Game 1 got good ratings.

Friend of Fang’s Bites Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner looks at TNT taking over for Fox on the NASCAR beat.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News has your World Cup primer.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lobbies for Kevin Harlan to take over for Marv Albert on Monday Night Football.

Artie Gigantino from the San Francisco Examiner calls Larry King’s interview of LeBron James, “a gem”

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the video of how many Los Angelenos found out about former UCLA coach John Wooden’s passing.

The Sports Media Watch says Fox had its lowest ratings ever for NASCAR. Again.

SMW also has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.

To Puck The Media and Steve Lepore who has the preliminary Versus college football schedule.

Ian Bethune of Sox & Dawgs has the hilarious video of NESN’s Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy reacting to two women at Friday’s Red Sox-Orioles game asking them out on a date.

I’m going to end it there as it’s checkout time here at the Mt. Washington Conference Center. Had a great time with the Red Sox tweeps. I hope to do it again soon.

BREAKING NEWS: Marv Albert Leaves Monday Night Football

After doing Monday Night Football on Westwood One Radio for 8 seasons, Marv Albert has announced that he will no longer do play-by-play on the package. Albert took over for Howard David in the 2002-03 season and continued through the 2009 season, calling postseason games and the Super Bowl in each of those years.

Marv says he wants to commit fully to calling NBA games. He’s been cutting back on his schedule, reducing his load of New Jersey Nets games for YES Network and now this. Marv, who’s been one of the best announcers of his generation, will be missed.

Boomer Esiason who has been doing Monday Night Football on TV and radio since the 1998 season will remain as the analyst for Westwood One. 

MARV ALBERT STEPS ASIDE AS PLAY-BY-PLAY VOICE OF MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ON WESTWOOD ONE

New York, NY – June 4, 2010 – Westwood One announced today that legendary sportscaster Marv Albert will be leaving Westwood One’s NFL broadcast team. Boomer Esiason will continue to serve as lead analyst for Westwood One’s Monday Night Football and Super Bowl broadcasts alongside a play-by-play announcer that has yet to be determined.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my eight seasons with Boomer Esiason and the rest of the Westwood One crew, but I just felt that with my commitments to NBA telecasts and other projects, I wanted to cut down my schedule moving forward,” said Albert on his departure.

“We thank Marv for eight great seasons as the voice of Monday Night Football and the Super Bowl,” commented Executive Producer of Westwood One Sports, Howard Deneroff. “There’s only one Marv Albert, and his unmistakable voice and signature style made listening to him as much of a joy as it was working with him. We wish him well in future endeavors.”

Thinking about who could succeed Marv at the Monday Night Football announcer and quickly coming to mind are Sunday Night Football voice Dave Sims and Thursday Night Football voice Ian Eagle. Kevin Harlan is another possibility. It’s been fun listening to Marv call games on the radio for the last 8 seasons.

Westwood One Radio’s Statement on Ernie Harwell

Throughout his career, Ernie Harwell worked postseason games for Westwood One Radio when it had the national contract with Major League Baseball. When Ernie was unceremoniously let go by the Detroit Tigers in 1991, he joined Westwood One to call the Game of the Week for the 1992 and continued to work for the network until 1997 when ESPN Radio took over the contract. And Ernie also worked for ESPN Radio for the postseason as well.

Here’s a statement from Westwood One.

Westwood One Mourns the Passing of Ernie Harwell

Ernie Harwell’s legendary voice reached beyond the borders of Detroit to a national audience as he called play-by-play for Westwood One’s coverage of Major League Baseball from 1992-1997. Executive Producer of Westwood One Sports Howard Deneroff worked closely with Harwell during that time.

“Westwood One is deeply saddened by the news of Ernie Harwell’s death and we mourn his passing with his immediate family, and also his extended family, Tiger nation,” said Deneroff “Harwell’s southern charm and unique style graced our (CBS Radio) national airwaves for 6 seasons in the early 90′s and we feel honored to have been able to work with him, and allow the rest of the country to hear and understand why fans in Michigan were enraptured for decades. Ernie liked to say ‘he was a part of all of those that met him’, but we are the lucky ones for having met him, and for having listened to him for so long. The warmth of his voice was only matched by the warmth of his heart and personality. He was a legend both on and off air, and he will be missed greatly.”

More later.

Westwood One Radio’s NFL Primetime Schedule

Westwood One Radio has announced its schedule for Sunday, Monday and Thursday Night Football as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas games. Here’s your schedule.

WESTWOOD ONE ANNOUNCES 2010-2011 NFL PRIMETIME BROADCAST SCHEDULE

 -- Westwood One is the NFL’s Exclusive Network Radio Partner --

New York, NY – April 29, 2010 – Westwood One announced today its primetime NFL broadcast schedule for the 2010-2011 season. Westwood One remains the exclusive network radio partner of the NFL, broadcasting the most games and the best match-ups throughout the entire NFL season. The NFL on Westwood One kicks off the regular season on Thursday, September 9, 2010, with a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game as the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings. Primetime play-by-play of week one of the 2010-2011 NFL season continues on Westwood One as the Washington Redskins host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night and culminates with a Monday Night Football doubleheader featuring the first primetime game from the New Meadowlands Stadium as the New York Jets host the Baltimore Ravens followed by an AFC West Division rivalry game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers.

KEY FACTS:

• Westwood One is the only radio network with exclusive national broadcast rights to NFL games

• Westwood One will exclusively broadcast ALL primetime NFL games, including
• Five games featuring the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints
• Seven games featuring the Dallas Cowboys
• Nine games featuring the NY Jets or NY Giants

• Westwood One owns the rights to broadcast games involving all 32 teams via the primetime NFL package and Flex Games

• Westwood One will broadcast and/or distribute two Sunday Afternoon doubleheaders (4 games) every week of the season

“The 2010 NFL Regular Season schedule is filled with spectacular games, drama, late-season divisional rivalries and significant rematches from years’ past,” said Gary Schonfeld, President, Westwood One Network. “Our fans and affiliate stations will love the intensity each and every week and all of this combines to be the perfect environment for our advertising partners to capture their consumers and deliver their message every week.”

Westwood One has been an NFL network radio partner for more than four decades and the exclusive network radio partner since 1987. As the exclusive radio partner of the NFL, the Westwood One 2010-2011 NFL broadcast schedule features 58 national games, including: the Hall of Fame game, Opening Kickoff game, 17 Monday Night games, including one doubleheader, 17 Sunday Night games, 10 Thursday and Saturday Night games (including Thanksgiving Night), Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, 12 Postseason games, including the NFL Playoffs, the AFC and NFC Championship Games, the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLV in North Texas.  Westwood One also delivers specialty programs, including: The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, NFL Sunday, and NFL Fantasy Football Forecast.

In addition to the 58 game primetime package, Westwood One will also present two weekly Sunday afternoon doubleheaders starting Sunday, September 12, 2010 and continuing each Sunday through January 2, 2011. The doubleheader match-ups will be announced as the season progresses to ensure the best possible games. All stations airing Westwood One’s NFL Football coverage can be found using the Station Finder located at www.westwoodone.com beginning Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

WESTWOOD ONE’S 2010-2011 NFL FOOTBALL PRIMETIME BROADCAST SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, 8/8/10, HALL OF FAME GAME (CINCINNATI BENGALS VS. DALLAS COWBOYS), 7:30  PM ET

THURSDAY, 9/9/10, MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 9/12/10, DALLAS COWBOYS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 9/13/10, BALTIMORE RAVENS @ NEW YORK JETS – 6:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 9/13/10, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 9:45 PM ET

SUNDAY, 9/19/10, NEW YORK GIANTS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 9/20/10, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 9/26/10, NEW YORK JETS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 9/27/10, GREEN BAY PACKERS @ CHICAGO BEARS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 10/3/10, CHICAGO BEARS @ NEW YORK GIANTS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 10/4/10, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 10/10/10, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 10/11/10, MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ NEW YORK JETS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 10/17/10, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 10/18/10, TENNESSEE TITANS @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 10/24/10, MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 10/25/10, NEW YORK GIANTS @ DALLAS COWBOYS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 10/31/10, PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 11/1/10, HOUSTON TEXANS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 11/7/10, DALLAS COWBOYS @ GREEN BAY PACKERS – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 11/8/10, PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS – 8:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 11/11/10, BALTIMORE RAVENS @ ATLANTA FALCONS, 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 11/14/10, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 11/15/10, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS, 8:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 11/18/10, CHICAGO BEARS @ MIAMI DOLPHINS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 11/21/10, NEW YORK GIANTS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES* – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 11/22/10, DENVER BRONCOS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, 8:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 11/25/10, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ DETROIT LIONS – 12:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 11/25/10, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ DALLAS COWBOYS** – 3:45 PM ET

THURSDAY, 11/25/10, CINCINNATI BENGALS @ NEW YORK JETS** – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 11/28/10, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS* – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 11/29/10, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS – 8:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 12/2/10, HOUSTON TEXANS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 12/5/10, PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS* – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 12/6/10, NEW YORK JETS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – 8:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 12/9/10, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ TENNESSEE TITANS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 12/12/10, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ DALLAS COWBOYS* – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 12/13/10, BALTIMORE RAVENS @ HOUSTON TEXANS – 8:00 PM ET

THURSDAY, 12/16/10, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – 8:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 12/19/10, GREEN BAY PACKERS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS* – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 12/20/10, CHICAGO BEARS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS – 8:00  PM ET

THURSDAY, 12/23/10, CAROLINA PANTHERS @ PITTSBURGH STEELERS – 8:00 PM ET

SATURDAY, 12/25/10, DALLAS COWBOYS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS – 7:00 PM ET

SUNDAY, 12/26/10, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS* – 7:30 PM ET

MONDAY, 12/27/10, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ ATLANTA FALCONS – 8:00  PM ET

SUNDAY, 1/2/11, TBD* – 7:30  PM ET

                                                                                                            

* Tentative Sunday Night “placeholder” game - subject to change - will be confirmed (or replaced) by NFL approximately two weeks prior to the game date, so as to ensure the best possible match-ups.

** Airtime for these games is approximate and not hard start times. Actual airtimes will be ten seconds after the conclusion of the preceding broadcast.

That’s it.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 04/03 & 04/04/10

Saturday, April 3

Men’s

College Gameday live from Indianapolis, IN – ESPN, noon
Coaches’ All-America Team Special – CBS, 3 p.m.
The Road to the Final Four: “Outside the Games” – CBS, 3:30 p.m.
The Final Four Show – CBS, 4 p.m.

National Semifinals, Indianapolis, IN (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg, CBS; Kevin Kugler/John Thompson/Bill Raftery, Westwood One Radio)

Butler vs. Michigan State – CBS, 6:07 p.m.
Duke vs. West Virginia – CBS, approximately 8:47 p.m.

NCAA March Madness Highlights – CBS College Sports, 11:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 4

Women’s

2010 Women’s Final Four Special – ESPN, 6:30 p.m.

National Semifinals, San Antonio, TX (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke/Rebecca Lobo/Holly Rowe, ESPN; Beth Mowins/Deb Antonelli, Westwood One Radio)

Oklahoma vs. Stanford – ESPN, 7:04 p.m.
Baylor vs. UConn – ESPN, approximately 9:30 p.m.