Fang's Bites

Former Steelers WR Hines Ward Joins NBC Sports

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

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

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

HINES WARD JOINS NBC SPORTS GROUP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Among Ward’s NFL accomplishments:

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

That’s all.

NBC Sports Group Hires Hines Ward As Analyst

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

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

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

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

ESPN2′s SportsNation Bids Farewell To Michelle Beadle; Welcomes Charissa Thompson

In a span of just four days, it’ll be out with the old and in with the new at SportsNation. Michelle Beadle will say goodbye on her last official show which will air on Friday. From what the press blurb says, Michelle will go out with a bang. I heard it will involve a cannon. I’m not joking.

And on Monday, Charissa Thompson, the host of ESPN2′s Numbers Never Lie will take Michelle’s place as official co-host of SportsNation taking the side of ESPN Radio Hack Colin Cowherd.

It’s all here in black and white for you.

SportsNation Bids a Fond Farewell to Michelle Beadle on June 1, Welcomes Charissa Thompson as the New Co-Host on June 4

SportsNation’s new co-host Charissa Thompson will make her debut on Monday, June 4, opposite co-host Colin Cowherd. The pair will continue the off-beat SportsNation tradition of discussing the day’s hottest and weirdest sports topics weekdays at 5 p.m. on ESPN2. ESPYS host Rob Riggle recently attempted to congratulate Thompson on her new gig, though there was clearly some confusion on his part: http://bit.ly/CharissaT

Thompson, a familiar face to the SportsNation audience thanks to her guest appearances, joined ESPN in September of 2011 and has served as host of ESPN2’s Numbers Never* Lie. Prior to joining ESPN, Thompson appeared on multiple sports networks including The Big Ten Network, Versus (now NBC Sports), NFL Network, Speed Network and Yahoo! Sports. Thompson was also a co-host of Fox Sports Network’s The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

On Friday, June 1, SportsNation will bid a fond farewell to Michelle Beadle with a “Beadle Bash” celebrating her last appearance on the show. The episode will highlight unforgettable Beadle moments and memories, and will feature a special surprise goodbye to send Beadle off with a “bang.”

Fans can follow the show on Twitter at @SportsNation and Charissa Thompson at @CharissaT.

There you have it.

Networks of ESPN To Air 83 Games of NCAA Division I Baseball Championship

Starting this weekend, the ESPN Family of Networks will begin airing the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. In total, 83 games will be aired over ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3. It begins with the regionals this weekend, then the Super Regionals the following weekend and one of college sports’ greatest events, the College World Series in Omaha, NE to be played for the second time at TD Ameritrade Park.

This is a very long press release that will require a page break so get ready to scroll if you want to take a look at the entire NCAA Baseball Championship schedule.

We’ll begin with the text of the announcement, then do the jump break.

Record-Setting 83 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Games Scheduled

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 will combine to provide a record schedule of up to 83 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship games from June 1 to June 26, culminating with the College World Series. The addition of up to 14 games from two more Regional series surpasses the previous high of a maximum 69 games set last year.

The schedule includes complete coverage of six Regionals (up to 42 games from June 1-4), two more than the previous two championships; all eight Super Regionals sites (up to 24 games from June 8-11); and every College World Series game (up to 17 games from June 15-26) from the TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.

ESPN3 will double its exclusive coverage from last year – its first for exclusive games – offering a possible 28 contests from five Regionals sites. ESPNU will televise up to 20 games from the Regionals and Super Regionals while ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to cover a maximum 35 games from all three rounds, including the entire NCAA Men’s College World Series for the 10th straight year.

Every game will also be available via WatchESPN, which delivers live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 on PCs, smartphones and tablets to fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV.

Seven of the analysts have played in the College World Series: Chris Burke (Tennessee), Randy Flores (USC), Jay Payton (Georgia Tech), Kyle Peterson (Stanford), Nomar Garciaparra (Georgia Tech), Ben McDonald (LSU) and Paul Lo Duca (Arizona State).

Studio Coverage
Mike Rooney and Ben McDonald will provide analysis from the studio for the Regionals, Super Regionals and College World Series. Tennessee baseball coach Dave Serrano will serve as an ESPNU guest analyst during the Regionals on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June. 2. In addition to providing pre- and post-game analysis, they will contribute on ESPNU’s SportsCenterU programs June 1 to June 3 at 3 p.m. ET, 10 p.m. and 2:30 a.m.

ESPNU will also provide extensive pre- and post-game studio reports during the College World Series as well as telecasts of the teams’ press conferences Thursday, June 14 at 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 23, at noon.

Regionals (June 1-4): ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 will offer complete and exclusive coverage of six Regionals sites.

• Each site will feature four teams competing in a double-elimination format and each site winner (a total of 16 sites) will advance to the Super Regionals. 
• Adam Amin, Joe Davis, Justin Kutcher, Clay Matvick, Mark Neely and Ducis Rodgers are scheduled to provide play-by-play while Nick Belmonte, Chris Burke, Randy Flores, Danny Kanell, Jay Payton and Kyle Peterson will provide analysis.

And the jump break here. Then the schedules for the Regionals, Super Regionals and College World Series.
(continue reading…)

Bringing Out The Thursday Linkage

Here to provide some links for you today. Looks like I’ll be out on Friday so posting may be scarce, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

In the meantime, I have some links for you now.

This week, CBSSports.com Deputy Managing Editor Craig Stanke passed away at the age of 56. He joined the site as a deputy editor when it was known as SportslineUSA.com. During his time, he helped to attract a number of writers and build CBSSports.com’s stable to a point where it challenges the best sports news websites. Stanke worked at a number of newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, the Palm Beach Post among others.

We have a number of links.

First, CBSSports.com’s Mark Swanson writes Stanke’s obituary.

Scott Miller, CBS Sports’ Senior Baseball Columnist mourns Stanke’s passing.

CBS Sports’ national columnist Gregg Doyel says Stanke continued to teach him even after his death.

Stanke’s good friend, T.J. Simers at the Los Angeles Times, the man who hired Stanke for his first job, says he can’t believe his friend is gone.

To other stories now.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com notes that no matter how much the Big 12 expands, the TV payout money will remain the same. And Dodd tells us that the league’s TV deal with ESPN and Fox will be announced any day now.

Brian Steinberg at Advertising Age reports that CBS is 50% sold for Super Bowl XLVII and could reach 80% soon.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says despite CBS/Showtime dropping Warren Sapp from Inside the NFL this season, NFL Network has signed the controversial snitch for another year.

Reid Cherner at USA Today writes that many feel last night’s NBA Draft Lottery on ESPN was fixed in New Orleans’ favor.

Patrick Burns of Deadspin notes that almost a quarter of all of SportsCenter’s editions last week was devoted to the Miami Heat.

Richard Deitsch from Sports Illustrated has his monthly Media Power List.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says the 2012 NHL postseason has had the most viewers in ten years.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the viewership of all of the completed 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs to date.

Steve tweets the overnight ratings for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final were down significantly from last year.

And Steve has a story on the overnights at Puck The Media.

Tim Nudd of Adweek reviews the NHL’s newest Stanley Cup spot. It’s a winner, but still doesn’t hold up to last year’s “No Words” promo.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center writes that newspapers are dropping the printed word for digital content.

Eric Goldschein of SportsGrid has the video of Chicago White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson going nuts.

In the Sherman Report, Ed Sherman talks about Hawk’s homerism and his love of all things White Sox.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says talk about concussions may affect youth football participation.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk writes that the Miami Dolphins were the first pick of NFL Films for this year’s Hard Knocks and if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union tells us that Sunday’s motorsports races finished in a ratings dead heat.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that the Anaheim Angels Radio Network is now being nationally syndicated.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that a colleague, Tarik El-Bashir, is leaving the paper to join Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

At the Miami Herald, David J. Neal says NFL Films won’t have a problem finding story lines for Hard Knocks with the Miami Dolphins.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman talks with ESPN softball analyst Michele Smith about the Women’s College World Series which starts today.

Daniel Dorfman at Chicago Side Sports talks with unabashed White Sox homer Hawk Harrelson.

Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that San Diego State stands to get more TV money when it enters the Big East than from the Mountain West.

The Toronto Star’s Cathal Kelly rips CBC’s online attempt at satire of last night’s Stanley Cup Final Game 1.

To the Canadian Sports Media Blog which notes that Sportsnet has signed a deal to remain the home of the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package which even includes NBC’s Thanksgiving Night game.

Sports Media Watch notes that ESPN received a good overnight number for Game 2 of the Celtics-Heat NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

I Am A GM notes that 10 NBA players are crying conspiracy over last night’s Draft Lottery.

At Awful Announcing, the Brothers Yoder list their favorite NBA announcers.

And that’s going to do it.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Softball
Women’s College World Series, Oklahoma City, OK
Bracket Play-Double Elimination
South Florida vs. Oklahoma — ESPN2, 1 p.m.
LSU vs. Cal — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
Tennessee vs. Alabama — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Oregon vs. Arizona State — ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.

Golf
European PGA Tour: Wales Open, 1st Round — Golf Channel, 9:30 a.m.
PGA Tour: The Memorial Tournament, 1st Round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

Minor League Baseball
Columbus Clippers at Buffalo Bisons — MLB Network, 10:30 a.m.

Mixed Martial Arts
UFC on Fuel TV: Weigh-In — Fuel TV, 7 p.m.
MMA Uncensored — Spike, 11 p.m.

MLB
American League
Detroit at Boston — MLB Network/Fox Sports Detroit/NESN, 7 p.m.

National League
Houston at Colorado — Fox Sports Houston/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 8:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Los Angeles Dodgers — MLB Network/Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.

The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 10 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Friday)

NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Finals
Game 3: San Antonio at Oklahoma City — TNT, 9 p.m. (San Antonio leads series, 2-0)

NBA Tip-Off — TNT, 8 p.m.
Inside the NBA — TNT, 11:30 p.m.

NHL
NHL 36: Niklas Lidstrom — NHL Network, 10:30 a.m.
Detroit Red Wings News Conference: Niklas Lidstrom Announcement — NHL Network, 11 a.m.
NHL Live — NHL Network, 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Edition — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Soccer
International Friendly
Mexico vs. Bosnia at Soldier Field, Chicago — Univision, 8:50 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
SportsNation: 44 Jeers of May — ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.

Tennis
French Open: Men’s & Women’s 2nd Round — ESPN2. 5 a.m./Tennis Channel, 10 a.m.

French Open Tonight — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.

Entertainment
National Spelling Bee — ESPN2, 10 a.m.
Touch (season finale) — Fox, 8 p.m.
National Spelling Bee — ESPN, 8 p.m.
Breaking Pointe (series premiere) — The CW, 8 p.m.
Cold Blood: Nightmare in Nashville — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
World’s Dumbest … — truTV, 9 p.m.
Gettysburg — H2, 9 p.m.
Kathy — Bravo, 10 p.m.
Mountain Men: Winter is Coming (series premiere) — History Channel, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: Ghent, Belgium — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Red Light Comedy-Live From Amsterdam (series premiere) — Showtime, 11 p.m.
Girls of Sunset Place — Showtime, 12:10 a.m. (Friday)

NHL Network To Air Niklas Lidstrom Announcement

Thursday morning, NHL Network will carry the Detroit Red Wings press conference that will unveil the future of celebrated captain Niklas Lidstrom. It’s expected that the Wings will announce that the 42 year old defenseman will call it a career. And he’s had a great career that has spanned 20 consecutive playoff appearances with Detroit plus winning the Norris Trophy seven times for Best Defenseman in the league.

NHL Network will celebrate Lidstrom by airing the NHL 36 documentary that focused on him and was originally shown on NBC Sports Network earlier in the season before and after the press conference.

The presser is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET. NHL.com will also stream the event live.

NHL NETWORK AND NHL.COM TO PROVIDE LIVE COVERAGE OF RED WINGS NEWS CONFERENCE TOMORROW

NEW YORK (May 30, 2012) – NHL Network will broadcast live and NHL.com will stream the Detroit Red Wings news conference featuring team Executive Vice President & General Manager Ken Holland and captain Nicklas Lidstrom Thursday, May 31, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Before and after the news conference, NHL Network will air NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET.

NHL Network Broadcast Schedule for May 31 (All Times Eastern)

10:30 a.m. — NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom
11:00 a.m. — Red Wings News Conference
After News Conference — NHL 36: Nicklas Lidstrom
5:00 p.m. — NHL Live
10:00 p.m. — NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final

That will do it.

Surprise! The Pro Bowl Will Be Back in 2013… On NBC

If you were not able to access Fang’s Bites earlier today, you weren’t alone. For most of the day, the site was down. Still trying to figure out what was the cause, but I’m going to blame the Communists for now.

Anyway, the National Football League formally announced on Wednesday that the much maligned Pro Bowl, supposedly in danger of being eliminated, will be played again in 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

As I reported last month, CBS passed on airing the Pro Bowl and the NFL has given the 2013 game to NBC.

And based on this year’s ratings for NBC, any reports of the Pro Bowl’s demise are premature.

Here is the press release from the NFL.

ALOHA!
2013 PRO BOWL TO BE PLAYED IN HAWAII ON NBC WEEK BEFORE SUPER BOWL XLVII

The 2013 Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii for the 33^rd time, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced today.  The game will be televised live on Sunday, January 27 on NBC at 7 PM ET and again serve as the signature event to kick off the week leading up to the Super Bowl.  CBS will televise Super Bowl XLVII a week later on Sunday, February 3 from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

“The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii,” said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson. “We will support the players on this initiative to improve the Pro Bowl. We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognize that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards. We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season’s game.”

“The players believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition,” said NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth.  “We worked hard with the league to make sure the best players in the NFL are honored for their achievements on the field.”

The NFL’s All-Star Game will be played the week before the Super Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. The 2012 Pro Bowl on NBC was watched by an average of 12.5 million viewers, the second most-watched NFL All-Star game since 2001 behind 2011’s game (13.4 million viewers). The Pro Bowl was the most-watched all-star game in all of sports in the 2011 season.

The Pro Bowl was held consecutively in Hawaii from 1980 to 2009. In 2010, the NFL moved the game to the week before the Super Bowl for the first time and it was held in South Florida, site of Super Bowl XLIV. The Pro Bowl returned to Hawaii for the 2011 and 2012 games.

That’s going to do it.

NBC Sports Presents The 2012 Stanley Cup Final

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s the NBC Sports press release.

NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESENTS THE 2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL

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

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

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

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

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

* If Necessary

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

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

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

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

CHANNEL FINDER

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

Click here for the channel finder.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 87 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty Nine*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six
Total	Eighty*

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

NBCSPORTS.COM

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

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

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

  SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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

That’s going to do it

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Golf
On the Range: Memorial Tournament — Golf Channel, 8 p.m.

MLB
American League
Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay — WGN America/Sun Sports, 1 p.m.
Oakland at Minnesota — Fox Sports North, 1 p.m.
Baltimore at Toronto — MASN/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Boston — Fox Sports Detroit/NESN, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Texas — Root Sports Northwest/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
New York Yankees at Anaheim Angels — ESPN2/YES/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
San Diego at Chicago Cubs — Fox Sports San Diego/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2:20 p.m.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Ohio/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York Mets — WPHL/SNY, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Atlanta — Fox Sports Midwest/SportSouth, 7 p.m.
Washington at Miami — MASN2/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Houston at Colorado — Fox Sports Houston/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 8:30 p.m.
Milwaukee at Los Angeles Dodgers — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco — Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10:15 p.m.

The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 1 a.m. (Thursday)
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Thursday)

NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Finals
Game 2: Boston at Miami — ESPN, 8:30 p.m. (Miami leads series, 1-0)

NBA Draft Lottery — ESPN, 8 p.m.

NFL
The Top 100: Players of 2012, 50-41 — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
The Top 100: Players of 2012, Reactions — NFL Network, 9 p.m.

NHL Stanley Cup Final
Game 1: Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils — NBC, 8 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network, 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Pregame — NHL Network, 7 p.m.
NHL Live — NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.
NHL Live Postgame — NBC Sports Network, 11 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Postgame — NHL Network, 11 p.m.

Olympics
Countdown to London — Universal Sports, 8 p.m.

Soccer
International Friendly
Spain vs. Republic of Korea — ESPN2, 1:55 p.m.
United States vs. Brazil — ESPN2, 7:50 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Sportfolio — Bloomberg, 9 p.m.

Tennis
French Open: Men’s & Women’s Second Round — ESPN2, 5 a.m./Tennis Channel, 10 a.m.

French Open Tonight — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.

Entertainment
Dogs in the City (series premiere) — CBS, 8 p.m.
A Lonely Place To Die — Sho2, 8 p.m.
There Will Be Blood — Sundance Channel, 8 p.m.
Open Water — IFC, 8 p.m.
Hatfields & McCoys, Part 3 — History Channel, 9 p.m.
I (Almost) Got Away With It: Got to Prey on Tourists — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Black Swan — HBO, 9 p.m.
Restaurant: Impossible: Pollard’s Bar-B-Que — Food Network, 10 p.m.
White Heat — BBC America, 10 p.m.
Locked Up Abroad: Cocaine Mule Mom — National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: Puerto Rico — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.

Tennis Channel Re-Airs Serena Williams-Virginie Razzano Match

Earlier today, Serena Williams lost her very first match in a Grand Slam Tournament first round. She had previously won all of her 45 first round Grand Slam tournament matches, but after winning the first set 6-4, she lost the last two sets, 7-6 and 6-3. The last game was epic taking over 20 minutes and Serena fighting off 8 match points before finally succumbing.

The match lasted three hours and three minutes. If you missed any part or all of the match, Tennis Channel will air it in its entirety on French Open Tonight which is on three times at 7 p.m., 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

If I heard it right, Ian Eagle and Lindsay Davenport called the match.

Here’s the press blurb from Tennis Channel.

Tennis Channel French Open Programming Alert

Serena Williams lost in the first round of a major tournament for the first time in her career, falling to Virginie Razzano of France 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 Tuesday at the French Open.

Tennis Channel will show this match in its entirety tonight (May 29) at 7 p.m., 10 p.m., and 1 a.m. ET as the first part of French Open Tonight.

That’s it.

Some Back To Work Tuesday Linkage

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

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

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

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

Tim Nudd of Adweek reviews the latest WatchESPN spot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joe Favorito says things are looking good at NBC Sports.

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

That’s going to do it for now.

HBO & NFL Films Announce Hard Knocks with the Miami Dolphins

After getting rejected left and right by teams and after a season’s absence, HBO and NFL Films have found a willing partner in the Miami Dolphins for Hard Knocks.

While you might think the Dolphins might be dull after the last edition of Hard Knocks with media darlings, the New York Jets in 2010, you think wrong. With a new coach in Joe Philbin and a potential quarterback controversy and an outspoken owner, the Dolphins might give HBO some juice.

The series will debut on August 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT marking the first time Hard Knocks will premiere on Tuesday each week instead of the customary Wednesday nights.

Let’s take a look at the HBO/NFL Films announcement plus a brand spanking new logo for the series.

HBO SPORTS^®, NFL FILMS AND THE MIAMI DOLPHINS JOIN FORCES FOR A NEW SEASON OF THE ULTIMATE SPORTS REALITY SERIES WHEN HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, CHRONICLING THE RIGORS AND DAILY DEMANDS OF NFL TRAINING CAMP, DEBUTS TUESDAY, AUG. 7, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Miami Dolphins team up for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS debuts in August. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – kicks off its five-episode seventh season, presented in HD, TUESDAY, AUG. 7 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Tuesdays at the same time, with an encore play every Wednesday in August at 11:00 p.m., culminating in the Sept. 4 season finale.

“We are delighted that HARD KNOCKS will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on the Miami Dolphins, a venerable franchise that had an exciting off-season activity,” says Ken Hershman, president, HBO Sports. “This marks the first time that the series has featured a first-year head coach (Joe Philbin) and we are extremely grateful to both Coach Philbin and the entire organization for agreeing to participate. As always, there will be plenty on the line for veterans, free agents and rookies.”

“On the 40^th anniversary of the greatest season in NFL history–Don Shula’s perfect ’72 Dolphins– it is perfectly fitting that Hard Knocks is heading to Miami to capture the start of a new era for one of the league’s proudest teams,” says NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “After Hard Knocks’ hiatus last summer, I know our team at NFL Films can’t wait to get back on the field.”

The cinema verité series will focus on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the intriguing Miami Dolphins, who compete in the ultra-competitive AFC East, prepare for the 2012 NFL season. HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS will chronicle first year head coach Joe Philbin and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the preseason. Each week, players will experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.

“We are excited that the premier company in sports filmmaking history, NFL FILMS, and HBO Sports have chosen the Miami Dolphins to appear on their award-winning series Hard Knocks,” said Joe Philbin, head coach of the Miami Dolphins.  “We are looking forward to connecting with our many fans across the country as the program chronicles our 2012 training camp. The series will highlight the outstanding men who comprise our team and represent our organization admirably, both on and off the field, as they compete for a coveted position on our roster.

“The Miami Dolphins have long been synonymous with success on the filed as evidenced by our five Super Bowl appearances and the only perfect season in NFL history,” added Philbin. “That heritage serves as a constant reminder to our players and staff of the great legacy that has been left for us to uphold. Our team embraces that rich past and looks confidently to the future as we begin this journey back to the top of the NFL.

“All the decisions that have been made this off-season have had one guiding principle — will it help our players and organization reach its full potential? This one is no different. We are convinced that our affiliation with NFL FILMS and HBO will allow football fans everywhere an opportunity to comprehend the significant sacrifices and demands that our players endure each day along their journey in training camp as a Miami Dolphin. We eagerly await the opening of training camp on July 26 and the 2012 NFL regular season that lies ahead of us.”

A 24-person NFL Films crew will live at the Dolphins’ training camp in South Florida, shooting more than 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will be given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, dormitories and practice fields.

This summer’s edition of Hard Knocks marks the first time the series will premiere on Tuesday nights in prime time; previously the series debuted on Wednesdays.

HARD KNOCKS launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. The series resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Sports Emmy^®. In 2008, the series returned to the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy^® for production excellence. In 2009 HARD KNOCKS spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals franchise and the show captured two more Sports Emmy^® Awards for “Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology” and “Outstanding post-produced Sound/Audio.” The most recent season of HARD KNOCKS in 2010 featured the New York Jets and the series captured three Sports Emmys^®, including the trophy for “Outstanding Edited Series/Anthology.”

Rolling Stone noted that Hard Knocks is, “A smash hit series” while Time Magazine called the program, “riveting.”

The New York Post wrote, “Hard Knocks is a hell of a show and it becomes must-see TV for football fans.”

Sports Illustrated.com said Hard Knocks is the “most entertaining reality show on TV.”

The New York Times concluded, “It is a rare glimpse into the psyche of a team,” while The Wall St. Journal notes the show is “captivating television.”

That’s it

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Golf
Big Break Academy: Short Game Test — Golf Channel, 7 p.m.

MLB
American League
Baltimore at Toronto — MASN/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Boston — ESPN/Fox Sports Detroit/NESN, 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Cleveland — Fox Sports Kansas City/STO, 7 p.m.
Oakland at Minnesota — Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Seattle at Texas — Root Sports Northwest/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
New York Yankees at Anaheim Angels — YES/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
San Diego at Chicago Cubs — Fox Sports San Diego/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2:20 p.m.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Ohio/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York Mets — Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/SNY, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Atlanta — Fox Sports Midwest/SportSouth, 7 p.m.
Washington at Miami — MASN2/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at Los Angeles Dodgers — MLB Network/Fox Sports Wisconsin/KCAL, 10 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco — MLB Network/Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10:15 p.m.

The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 10 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Wednesday)

NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Finals
Game 2: Oklahoma City at San Antonio — TNT, 9 p.m. (San Antonio leads series, 1-0)

NBA Tip-Off — TNT, 8 p.m.
Inside the NBA — TNT, 11:30 p.m.

NFL
The Top 100: Players of 2012: Halfway Recap — NFL Network, 8 p.m.

NHL
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day — NHL Network, noon
NHL Plays of the Week: Plays of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs — NHL Network, 7 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day Recap — NHL Network, 8 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.

Tennis
French Open: Men’s & Women’s First Round — ESPN2, 5 a.m./Tennis Channel, 10 a.m.

French Open Tonight –Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.

Entertainment
Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed — Bravo, 8 p.m.
Deadliest Catch: The Aftermath — Discovery, 8 p.m.
20/20 on ID: Wrongful Revenge — Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m.
Civilization: The West and the Rest with Niall Ferguson –PBS, 8 p.m.
The King’s Speech — Showtime, 8 p.m.
America’s Got Talent — NBC, 9 p.m.
Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed — Bravo, 9 p.m.
American Ninja Warrior: Midwest Regional Finals — G4, 9 p.m.
Hatfields & McCoys, Part 2 — History Channel, 9 p.m.
Amish: Out of Order: Change of Faith — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
No Kitchen Required: Belize — BBC America, 10 p.m.
48 Hours Mystery: Murder in the O.C. — CBS, 10 p.m.
Reel Crime/Real Story: Monster (series premiere) — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Narrow Escapes of World War II: The Black Battalion Holds The Line — Military Channel, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: Paris — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.

Olympic TV Promos From Abroad

Let’s take a look at Olympic television promos from outside the United States. I provided you with NBC’s Olympic trailer. I’ll provide you with promos from other rightsholders.

This is from 9 Network in Australia. The theme for its coverage is “One Heart/Million Voices” from the band New Empire. This is not bad. The footage from past Olympics is from previous Australian Olympics rightsholder 7 Network.

Here’s one from CTV in Canada. This promo is an offshoot from 2010′s promotional campaign of “I Believe”, now it’s “We Believe”. Actress Ellen Page is the narrator.

Here’s another CTV promo titled “Road to London,” but it’s not embeddable (damn you, CTV). This is very good.

Let’s move to the host broadcaster, BBC, which is in the midst of covering the Olympic Torch Relay throughout the United Kingdom. The network which has had some stellar Olympic promos for 2008 and 2010, does a very nice one with the animation here.

If I find more, I’ll post them as we get closer to the Olympic Games.

NBC’s 2012 London Olympics Trailer

We have NBC’s Olympics Trailer. It’s a pretty good one. The only drawback is seeing no-talent hack Ryan Seacrest, but you do have that iconic moment from 2008 of Bela Karolyi all over Bob Costas from the Communist China Games.

This tells you what NBC’s coverage will entail plus introduce you to the athletes who will be heavily promoted (Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Missy Franklin and Jordyn Wieber). If some of those names aren’t familiar to you, don’t worry, they will be.

I like this promo. Gets you ready for the Olympics in July.

And of course, I’ll be keeping an eye on what NBC does and how it handles this Olympiad as opposed to others in the past.

Memorial Day Viewing Picks

College Baseball
NCAA Baseball Road to Omaha Selection Show — ESPNU, noon

College Lacrosse
NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, Foxboro, MA
Loyola (MD) vs. Maryland — ESPN, 1 p.m.

Golf
Big Break Atlantis: Castles Made of Sand — Golf Channel, 9 p.m.
Feherty: Roger Maltbie — Golf Channel, 10 p.m.

MLB
American League
Detroit at Boston — Fox Sports Detroit/NESN, 1:30 p.m.
Oakland at Minnesota — Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports North, 2 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Tampa Bay — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Sun Sports, 3 p.m.
Kansas City at Cleveland — Fox Sports Kansas City/STO, 4 p.m.
Baltimore at Toronto — MASN/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Texas — MLB Network/Root Sports Northwest/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
New York Yankees at Anaheim Angels — MLB Network/YES/Fox Sports West, 9 p.m.

National League
Philadelphia at New York Mets — MLB Network/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/SNY, 1 p.m.
St. Louis at Atlanta — MLB Network/Fox Sports Midwest/SportSouth, 1 p.m.
Washington at Miami — MASN/Fox Sports Florida, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Ohio/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m.
San Diego at Chicago Cubs — Fox Sports San Diego/WGN America, 2:20 p.m.
Houston at Colorado — Fox Sports Houston/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 3 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco — Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 5 p.m.
Houston at Colorado — Fox Sports Houston/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 8 p.m.
Milwaukee at Los Angeles Dodgers — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 8 p.m.

MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 4 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, midnight

NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Finals
Game 1: Boston at Miami — ESPN, 8:30 p.m.

NHL
NHL Live — NHL Network, 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview — NHL Network, 9 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Best of the Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation: 44 Jeers of May — ESPN, 5 p.m.
Best of ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.

Tennis
French Open: Men’s & Women’s First Round — ESPN2, 5 a.m./Tennis Channel, 10 a.m.

French Open Tonight — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.

Entertainment
America’s Got Talent — NBC, 8 p.m.
The Bridge on the River Kwai — Turner Classic Movies, 8 p.m.
The Tuskegee Airmen — TV One, 8 p.m.
American Ninja Warrior: Finals Region 2 — NBC, 9 p.m.
Hatfields & McCoys, Part 1 — History Channel, 9 p.m.
Single Ladies (season premiere) — VH1, 9 p.m.
Outlaw Empires: South Boston Irish Mob — Discovery, 10 p.m.
Fatal Encounters: Living on the Edge — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: Morocco — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.

Inside Mad Men, Season 5, Episode 11 — “The Other Woman”

Just two more episodes left after tonight.

Tonight’s episode entailed Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce receiving an indecent proposal from one of Jaguar’s dealers asking to have a night with Joan. And it also affirmed Pete Campbell as one of the slimiest characters in the history of television. And while SCDP was auditioning for Jaguar, Megan was auditioning for a Broadway play. Peggy had money thrown in her face by Don, she went to talk to another agency and accepted their offer.

Let’s go over the episode in this video with Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, Jon Hamm, Jared Harris, Matthew Weiner and Elisabeth Moss talk about what happened tonight.

Costume designer Janie Bryant goes over what Joan, Megan and Peggy wore tonight.

And here’s a look at next week’s episode.

The next episode airs next Sunday night at 10 ET/PT on AMC.

NASCAR on Fox Is In Charlotte Today

It’s the Coca-Cola 600 in primetime tonight. Starting at 5:30 p.m., the season’s longest race takes place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip will call the race high above trackside. Chris Myers, DW and Michael Waltrip will be live from the Hollywood Hotel for preace coverage.

Of course, there will be obligatory looks at Danica Patrick who has yet to do anything in NASCAR.

Here are the particulars from Fox.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NASCAR on FOX Revs Up For Coca-Cola 600 Sunday at 5:30 PM ET
Prerace Features Special Memorial Weekend Tribute to Fallen Servicemen & Women
Danica Patrick Heads to Charlotte to Make Third Sprint Cup Start

JOHNSON LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING FORM ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND – The five-time champ is back. Fresh off of his first victory of the year in Darlington and a trip to victory lane in the All-Star Race, Jimmie Johnson aims to start a run of dominance on Sunday, May 27 (5:30 PM ET) in the Coca-Cola 600 from Charlotte Motor Speedway. FOX Sports presents NASCAR’s longest race starting in daylight and ending under the cover of darkness with drivers adjusting to temperature changes on the track. Who will navigate the Sprint Cup Series’ longest race?

Coverage starts with FOX NASCAR SUNDAY prerace show hosted by Chris Myers, with up-to-the-minute reports, live interviews with drivers, crewmen and officials shaping the day’s action, and analysis from Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip.

During this weekend’s Memorial Day holiday prerace coverage, FOX Sports is proud to remember and honor the memories of the United States servicemen and women that have lost their lives fighting for our country over the past year.  A special scroll displays the names of over 400 fallen personnel and the tribute includes personal messages of thanks from current NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers and their families.  The remembrance begins with an invocation from NASCAR on FOX’s Darrell Waltrip.

Veteran analyst Jeff Hammond takes his extensive experience as a former championship-winning crew chief to where the action is, in the garages and pit road.  Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy is alongside analysts Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol the pits for reports on teams and pit stops.

PATRICK CHOOSES CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY THIS WEEKEND – In the last 20 years, the month of May has meant something much different to Danica Patrick than it does this year as the full-time stock car driver made her choice to race in the Coca-Cola 600 on FOX Sunday, May 27 (5:30 PM ET).  FOXSports.com senior NASCAR writer Lee Spencer reports that between practices and qualifying last weekend from Iowa Speedway, where Patrick raced in the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports, she kept a close eye on the action in Indianapolis.  Patrick’s former car, driven by James Hinchcliffe, qualified second.  “This is the first day I’ve thought much about it, to be honest,” Patrick said during her time with the media at Iowa on Saturday. “Because this is the first day that something’s counted, obviously.”  While Patrick is focuses on Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend where she’ll make only her third career start in the Sprint Cup Series, she is optimistic about her performance in stock car racing this season.  “It’s been an up-and-down season.  There have been times when we have caught some bad luck. There have been times when we’ve just had some disappointing races. There have been times when we’ve been good but things just didn’t happen right. So, there are a lot of things – a lot of great stuff that has happened.”

To read the complete version of Lee Spencer’s story on Danica and for additional NASCAR coverage click here:  http://on-msn.com/JmUm1r

2008 CHAMP STEWART TAKES EARLY LEAD IN LUCAS OIL PRO MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS – James Stewart, the 2008 Champion of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships, has taken the early lead in the overall points standing this season. He’ll try to continue his winning ways on Saturday, May 26 (2:00 PM ET) when FUEL TV provides live coverage of the opening motos from the Freestone Raceway in Texas, for the Miller Electric Freestone National, presented by Yamaha. Stewart made the first big statement of the season in the 450 Class by sweeping the FMF Hangtown Motocross Classic. The 2008 champion made his highly-anticipated return to full-time competition at the Nationals and didn’t disappoint in his debut for the factory Suzuki squad he just joined two weeks ago.

That’s it.

ESPN Airs The NBA Eastern Conference Finals

ESPN has what looks like to be the glamor portion of the NBA Conference Finals, the Eastern portion between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. ESPN will carry the entire series. No games will be shuffled to ABC so the next game the network will air will be Game 1 of the NBA Finals in June. All games will air at 8:30 p.m.

Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy will call the games. Ms. Doris Burke will handle sideline duties.

Here’s the schedule.

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Tip Off Monday on ESPN

ESPN Radio to Nationally Broadcast All Conference Finals Games

ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals – Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers – will begin with Game One on Monday, May 28, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Mike Breen, analyst Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Doris Burke will provide commentary for all games. The Eastern Conference Finals will also be available on ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV and via the WatchESPN app.

ESPN Radio’s 17^th season of exclusive, live, national coverage of the NBA postseason will continue with broadcasts of every Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals game. Jim Durham and Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay will call the Eastern Conference games (7:30 p.m.) and Kevin Calabro and Hubie Brown will call the Western Conference games between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m.). Will Purdue will serve as studio analyst for all Conference Finals games.

NBA Countdown will precede every Eastern Conference Finals telecast on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. (except Wednesday, May 30, at 7 p.m.) with a one-hour show. ESPN NBA Analysts Magic Johnson, Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon and Chris Broussard will preview the games.

Eastern Conference Finals Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Commentators	Networks
Mon, May 28	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Celtics at Heat Gm. 1	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN
Wed, May 30	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Celtics at Heat Gm. 2	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN
Fri, June 1	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Heat at Celtics Gm. 3	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN
Sun, June 3	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Heat at Celtics Gm. 4	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN
Tues, June 5	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Celtics at Heat Gm. 5 *	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN
Thurs, June 7	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Heat at Celtics Gm. 6 *	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN
Sat, June 9	8:30 p.m.   ESPN Radio: 7:30 p.m.	Celtics at Heat Gm. 7 *	ESPN: Breen, Van Gundy, Burke ESPN Radio: Durham, Ramsay	ESPN, ESPN Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Mobile TV, WatchESPN

*If necessary

2012 NBA Draft Lottery – The Draft Lottery will be televised on ESPN during NBA Countdown on Wednesday, May 30, at 7 p.m. and the Lottery drawing at 8 p.m. This will mark the first year the Draft Lottery is held at ABC’s Times Square Studios in New York. Mark Jones will host the Lottery with analyst Jay Bilas and reporter Heather Cox.

ESPN.com’s NBA section will offer extensive coverage of every Conference Finals game, including Daily Dime; Daily Dime Live chat; Video highlights; Special Series Page; Special Hollinger PER Diem; NBA Today podcasts.

ESPN’s NBA Facebook page will include highlights, polls, quirky stories and imagery, instant reactions to great moments, This Day in NBA History series and more.

ESPN International will present the Eastern Conference Finals in Latin America, Brazil, Caribbean, Middle East/North Africa, Atlantic (sub-Saharan Africa),  Pacific Rim and in the UK.  ESPN’s Pac-Rim networks will also be airing the Western Conference Finals.

That’s all.

TNT Has Exclusive Coverage of NBA’s Western Conference Finals

Starting tonight, TNT will air the entire NBA Western Conference Finals between Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Tonight’s and next Saturday’s Game 4 will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET. Weeknight coverage will air at 9 p.m.

Before each game, TNT will have NBA Tip-Off starting at 8 p.m. each night. Of course, Ernie Johnson, Jr., Charles Barkley, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Shaquille O’Neal will be on the case for TNT. And after each game, the gang return for Inside the NBA. The guys will shuffle between OKC and the Alamo City for the entire series.

Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Reggie Miller will be courtside for each game. Craig Sager and his loud wardrobe will cover the sidelines.

We have the TNT press release.

TNT’s Exclusive Coverage of the Western Conference Finals Tips Off Sunday, May 27

TNT will provide exclusive coverage of the 2012 NBA Western Conference Finals featuring the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder beginning Sunday, May 27, at 8 p.m. ET. TNT’s Marv Albert will call the Western Conference Finals with analysts Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller and reporter Craig Sager. The first two games of the best-of-seven series between the Spurs and Thunder -– the two teams with the best records in the Western Conference during the regular season -– will be televised live from AT&T Center in San Antonio. The Spurs have swept its first and second round playoff opponents and haven’t lost a game since April 11.

NBA Tip-Off with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, will be on site to preview each Western Conference Finals game. Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith will return following each game for the Sports Emmy® Award-winning Inside the NBA. Additionally, TNT’s Cheryl Miller will provide reports from the Eastern Conference Finals.

TNT OverTime on NBA.com will provide multiple camera angle coverage including an “Action Cam” and a “Backboard Cam” throughout the Western Conference Finals. Fans will have the ability to vote for the player they would like the “Home Player Cam” and “Away Player Cam” to follow each quarter. Fans can also watch each camera individually, with picture-in-picture or the mosaic view. They can also participate in “Ask The Expert” Cover It Live chats where they can direct questions to NBA insiders questions during the games.

2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS ON TNT (All Times ET)

TIME/DATE	GAME
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs (Game 1) Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
Tuesday, May 29
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
9 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs (Game 2) Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
Thursday, May 31
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
9 p.m.	San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 3) Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
Saturday, June 2
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.	San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 4) Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
Monday, June 4
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
9 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs (Game 5*) Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
9 p.m.	San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 6*) Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
Friday, June 8
8 p.m.	NBA Tip-Off Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
9 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs (Game 7*) Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Sager (reporter)
Postgame	Inside the NBA Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst)
	*If necessary

That’s all.

MLB on TBS Ships Up To Boston Today

Today’s MLB on TBS game is Tampa Bay at Boston.

Dick Stockton who has been really slipping lately will be on the call with Ron Darling. Dick called last night’s Rays-Red Sox game for Fox and there were quite a few mistakes. Now not every announcer is flawless and there are going to be mistakes, but Dick’s been having them quite a bit whether it be on MLB or the NBA.

We have the announcement from TBS and the tally of announcers below.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Features A.L. East Showdown Tampa Bay @ Boston at 1:30 p.m. ET

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on May 27 with an American League East match-up featuring David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox hosting B.J. Upton and the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:30 p.m. ET at Fenway Park. Clay Buchholz (4-2) is scheduled to start for the Red Sox against Rays’ probable starter Jeremy Hellickson (4-1). Calling the action will be Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst).

In October, TBS will exclusively televise the American League (AL) and National League (NL) Wild Card games and will once again provide exclusive coverage of all four MLB Division Series (DS) and the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

TBS also is the exclusive home of the 2012 MLB All-Star Selection Show airing Sunday, July 1. The network will announce future games on its schedule coinciding with its selection windows. The games included in the TBS MLB package will not be televised in the team’s home television territory.

TBS has broadcast MLB games for more than 30 years, serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Sunday, May 27
1:30 p.m. (ET)	Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox
	Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sunday, June 3
1 p.m. (ET)	New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers
	Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play), John Smoltz (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)
Sunday, June 10
1 p.m. (ET)	New York Mets @ New York Yankees
	Announcers: Steve Physioc (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS GAMES CALLED BY PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCERS

Ernie Johnson, Jr.	3
Brian Anderson	4
Dick Stockton	1
Steve Physioc	0

We’re done.

Sunday’s Viewing Picks

Australian Rules Football
West Coast Eagles vs. Fremantle Dockers — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:30 a.m.

College Baseball
ACC Championship, Greensboro, NC
Georgia Tech vs. Miami — ESPN2, noon

Big East Championship, Clearwater, FL
St. John’s vs. South Florida — ESPNU, noon

Big 12 Championship, Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma vs. Missouri — Fox Sports Net, 2 p.m.

Conference USA Championship, Pearl, MI
Memphis vs. UAB — CBS Sports Network, 2 p.m.

SEC Championship, Hoover, AL
Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.

College Softball
NCAA Division I Softball Championship
Super Regionals

Knoxville, TN
Game 2: Tennessee vs. Georgia — ESPN, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Georgia vs. Tennessee — ESPN, 3:30 p.m. (if necessary)

Columbia, MO
Game 2: Missouri vs. LSU — ESPNU, 3:30 p.m.
Game 3: LSU vs. Missouri — ESPNU, 6 p.m. (if necessary)

Berkeley, CA
Game 2: Cal vs. Washington — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Washington vs. Cal — ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.

Cycling
Giro d’Italia: Stage 21 — Universal Sports, 9:30 a.m.

Formula 1
Grand Prix of Monaco — Speed, 7:30 a.m.

Golf
Champions Tour: Senior PGA Championship, Final Round — NBC, 3 p.m.
European PGA Tour: PGA Championship, Final Round — Golf Channel, 9 a.m.
PGA Tour: Colonial Invitational, Final Round — CBS, 3 p.m.

Hockey
2012 Memorial Cup, Shawinigan, Quebec
Final
Shawinigan vs. London — NHL Network, 7 p.m.

IndyCar
Indianapolis 500 — ABC, noon

MLB
American League
Kansas City at Baltimore — Fox Sports Kansas City/MASN, 1:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Boston — TBS/Sun Sports/NESN, 1:30 p.m.
Cleveland at Chicago White Sox — STO/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota — Fox Sports Detroit/Fox Sports North, 2 p.m.
Toronto at Texas — Rogers Sportsnet/Fox Sports Southwest, 3 p.m.
Anaheim Angels at Seattle — Fox Sports West/Fox Sports Northwest, 4 p.m.
New York Yankees at Oakland — YES/Comcast SportsNet California, 4 p.m.

National League
Colorado at Cincinnati — Root Sports Rocky Mountain/Fox Sports Ohio, 1 p.m.
San Diego at New York Mets — Fox Sports San Diego/SNY, 1 p.m.
San Francisco at Miami — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/Fox Sports Florida, 1 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh — WGN America/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at St. Louis — WPHL/Fox Sports Midwest, 2:15 p.m.
Houston at Los Angeles Dodgers — Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 4 p.m.
Milwaukee at Arizona — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Arizona, 4 p.m.
Washington at Atlanta — ESPN, 8 p.m.

Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 12:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 1 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 7 p.m.
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 8 p.m.
Plays of the Week — MLB Network, 9 p.m.
Quick Pitch– MLB Network, 11 p.m.

MLS
Sporting KC vs. San Jose — NBC Sports Network, 4:30 p.m.

NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series: Coca-Cola 600 — Fox, 5:30 p.m.

NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Finals
Game 1: Oklahoma City at San Antonio — TNT, 8:30 p.m.

Inside the NBA — TNT, 11 p.m.

NHL
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Preview — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Tennis
French Open, Men’s & Women’s First Round — ESPN2, 5 a.m./Tennis Channel, 10 a.m./NBC, noon

French Open Tonight — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m.

U.S. Olympic Trials
Water Polo: USA vs. Hungary — NBC Sports Network, 3 p.m.

Entertainment
CBS News Sunday Morning — CBS, 9 a.m.
I Hate My Kitchen: Wild Side — HGTV, 9:30 a.m.
I Hate My Bath: 90′s Flower Power — HGTV, 10 a.m.
The Best Thing I Ever Made: Garlic Power — Food Network, 11:30 a.m.
60 Minutes — CBS, 7 p.m.
National Memorial Day Concert — PBS, 8 p.m.
Today’s Special: NY Indian — Cooking Channel, 8 p.m.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi — Spike, 8 p.m.
The Killing — AMC, 9 p.m.
American Ninja Warrior: Midwest Regional Qualifying Round — G4, 9 p.m.
Game of Thrones — HBO, 9 p.m.
Snapped: Mary Winkler — Oxygen, 9 p.m.
Veep — HBO, 10 p.m.
Mad Men — AMC, 10 p.m.
Unusual Suspects: Bathtub Killer — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
American Ninja Warrior: Midwest Regional Qualifying Round — G4, 10 p.m.
Girls — HBO, 10:30 p.m.
The Pitch — AMC, 11:04 p.m.

Saturday’s Viewing Picks

Boxing
24/7 Pacquaio./Bradley (series premiere) — HBO, 9:30 p.m.

College Baseball
ACC Tournament, Greensboro, NC
Clemson vs. Virginia Tech — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Fox Sports Arizona/Fox Sports North Plus/Fox Sports South/Sun Sports, 11 a.m.
Florida State vs. Virginia — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Fox Sports Arizona/Fox Sports North Plus/Fox Sports South/NESN/Sun Sports, 3 p.m.
North Carolina vs. North Carolina State — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Fox Sports Arizona Plus/Fox Sports North Plus/Fox Sports South/NESN/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.

Big Ten Tournament, Columbus, OH
Championship Round
Michigan State vs. Indiana — Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m.
Purdue vs. Michigan State/Indiana — Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.

SEC Tournament, Hoover, AL
Semifinals
Kentucky vs. Mississippi State — CSS, 1 p.m.
Vanderbilt vs. Florida — CSS, 4:30 p.m.

College Lacrosse
NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, Foxboro, MA
National Semifinals
Loyola (MD) vs. Notre Dame — ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
Duke vs. Maryland — ESPN2, 5 p.m.

College Softball
NCAA Division I Tournament
Super Regionals

Norman, OK
Game 2: Arizona vs. Oklahoma — ESPN, noon
Game 3: Oklahoma vs. Arizona — ESPN, 2:30 p.m. (if necessary)

Knoxville, TN
Game 1: Georgia vs. Tennessee — ESPNU, noon

Tampa, FL
Game 2: South Florida vs. Hofstra — ESPNU, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: Hofstra vs. South Florida — ESPNU, 5 p.m. (if necessary)

Austin, TX
Game 2: Texas vs. Oregon — ESPN, 5 p.m.
Game 3: Oregon vs. Texas — ESPN, 7:30 p.m (if necessary)

Columbia, MO
Game 1: LSU vs. Missouri — ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.

Berkeley, CA
Game 1: Washington vs. Cal — ESPN, 10 p.m.

Cycling
Giro d’Italia: Stage 20 — Universal Sports, 8:30 a.m.

Golf
Champions Tour: Senior PGA Championship, 3rd Round — NBC, 3 p.m.
European Tour: PGA Championship, 3rd Round — Golf Channel, 9 a.m.
PGA Tour: Colonial Invitational, 3rd Round — CBS, 3 p.m.

Gymnastics
U.S. Classic — Universal Sports, 6 p.m.

Mixed Martial Arts
UFC 146: Preliminaries — FX, 8 p.m.
UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir — Pay Per View, 10 p.m.

MLB
American League
Detroit at Minnesota — MLB Network/Fox Sports Detroit/Fox Sports North, 2 p.m.
Toronto at Texas — Rogers Sportsnet/Fox Sports Southwest, 3 p.m.
Cleveland at Chicago White Sox — STO/WGN America, 4 p.m.
Kansas City at Baltimore — Fox Sports Kansas City/MASN2, 4 p.m.
New York Yankees at Oakland — YES/Comcast SportsNet California, 4 p.m.
Anaheim Angels at Seattle — Fox, 7:15 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Boston — Fox, 7:15 p.m.

National League
San Diego at New York Mets — MLB Network/Fox Sports San Diego/WPIX, 1 p.m.
San Francisco at Miami — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/Fox Sports Florida, 4 p.m.
Washington at Atlanta — MASN/Peachtree TV, 4 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh — Fox, 7:15 p.m.
Colorado at Cincinnati — Fox, 7:15 p.m.
Philadelphia at St. Louis — Fox, 7:15 p.m.
Houston at Los Angeles Dodgers — MLB Network/Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.
Milwaukee at Arizona — MLB Network/Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Arizona, 10 p.m.

MLB Player Poll — Fox, 3 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 5 p.m.
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 7 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 9:30 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Sunday)

MLS
Houston vs. LA Galaxy — NBC Sports Network, 2:30 p.m.
Toronto vs. Philadelphia — Sportsnet One/The Comcast Network, 4:30 p.m.
Columbus vs. Chicago — Univision Deportes/Fox Sports Ohio/WMAQ, 7 p.m.
DC United vs. New England — Comcast SportsNet New England, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado vs. Montreal — Altitude/TVA, 9 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs. Dallas — KUCW/Fox Sports Southwest, 9 p.m.
Vancouver vs. Portland — TSN/RDS/Root Sports Northwest, 10 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Seattle — Fox Sports West/KING, 10:30 p.m.

NASCAR
Nationwide Series: History 300 — ABC, 2:45 p.m.

NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 7: Philadelphia at Boston — ABC/TSN, 8 p.m. (Series tied 3-3)

NHL
NHL Tonight: Conference Final Edition — NHL Network, 7 p.m.

Soccer
International Friendly
Brazil vs. Denmark — Gol TV, 9:30 a.m.
France vs. Mexico — Telemundo, 2 p.m.
US vs. Scotland — NBC Sports Network/Galavision, 8 p.m.

Tennis
ATP Tour: World Team Cup, Finals — Tennis Channel, 11:30 a.m. (same day coverage)
ATP Tour: Open de Nice Côte d’Azur, Final — Tennis Channel, 5:30 p.m. (same day coverage)
WTA Tour: Brussels Open, Final — Tennis Channel, 9:30 a.m.

Entertainment
Mexican Made Easy: Farm Fresh — Food Network, 9 a.m.
How Bruce Lee Changed The World — H2, 11 a.m.
French Food at Home: Stuffed! — Cooking Channel, noon
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back — Spike, 8 p.m.
America’s Book of Secrets: Area 51 — H2, 8 p.m.
Mom Caves: Maui Retreat Master Bedroom — HGTV, 8:30 p.m.
Meg’s Great Rooms — HGTV, 9 p.m.
Billie Jean King on Equal Opportunity — C-SPAN, 9 p.m.
River Monsters Unhooked: Asian Slayer — Animal Planet, 9 p.m.
Bizarre ER: Toasted by a Toaster — Discovery Fit and Health, 10 p.m.
48 Hours Mystery: One of Their Own — CBS, 10 p.m.
Serial Killer Earth: Tornado vs. Airport — H2, 10 p.m.
Scorned: Love Kills: Sub-Prime Murder — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Undercover Boss Abroad: PoundWorld — TLC, 10 p.m.

Fox Saturday Baseball/Baseball Night in America Continues

Fox’s foray into primetime baseball is in its second week and Fox will spread five games across the country. As it was last week, Fox Saturday Baseball Pregame will hit the air at 7 p.m. ET and then the games will start about 7:15 p.m.

Joe Buck will be back again this week meaning he’ll have called a total of six out of a possible eight games which is quite good for him. He won’t have to travel far as he, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal will be in the Gateway City for the Philadelphia at St. Louis game.

Other games to be aired Saturday night by Fox will be Tampa Bay at Boston, Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, Anaheim Angels at Seattle and Colorado at Cincinnati.

Fox will again use some local announcers to fill its teams including Brian Anderson from Sun Sports for Rays-Red Sox, Bob Brenly from Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN America on Cubs-Bucs and Victor Rojas from Fox Sports West calling the Angels-Mariners. Fox also taps MLB Network to rent Mitch Williams and Eric Byrnes for this week.

Your assignments and regional splits.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

MLB on FOX Presents Baseball Night in America Saturday in Primetime at 7:00 PM ET

BASEBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA – BASEBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA returns Saturday, May 26 (7:00 PM ET) with five enticing matchups. The MLB on FOX crew visits the home of the World Series champs as Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran lead the Cardinals against the Phillies.  Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal call the action from Busch Stadium. In Boston, AL East rivals meet as David Ortiz and the Red Sox host David Price and the Rays. Also, the Pirates welcome the Cubs to Pittsburgh. Out west, a rejuvenated Albert Pujols and the Angels face Felix Hernandez and the Mariners in Seattle. The hard-hitting Reds combo of Jay Bruce and Joey Votto look to out-slug Troy Tulowitzki and the Rockies.

Coverage begins with the BASEBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA PREGAME SHOW, originating live from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art Studio 3 in Secaucus, NJ. The show is hosted by MLB Network studio host Matt Vasgersian, who is joined by analysts Harold Reynolds and Billy Ripken.

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

Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals — Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, going to 47% of USA
Busch Stadium – St. Louis, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Kansas City, Knoxville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tulsa, Washington
Probable Pitchers: Kyle Kendrick, RHP (0-4, 5.23 ERA) vs. Jaime Garcia, LHP (3-2, 3.55 ERA)

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox — Dick Stockton & Brian Anderson, going to 25% of USA
Fenway Park – Boston, MA
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Jacksonville, Miami, New York, Orlando, Providence, San Diego, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Probable Pitchers:  David Price, LHP (6-3, 2.88 ERA) vs. Josh Beckett, RHP (4-4, 4.38 ERA)

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates — Kenny Albert & Bob Brenly, going to 10% of USA
PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Chicago, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Pittsburgh
Probable Pitchers:  Paul Maholm, LHP (4-3, 4.73 ERA) vs. Kevin Correia, RHP (1-5, 4.50 ERA)

Anaheim Angels at Seattle Mariners — Victor Rojas & Eric Byrnes, going to 11% of USA
Safeco Field – Seattle, WA
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle
Probable Pitchers:  Jerome Williams, RHP (4-2, 3.74 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez, RHP (4-3, 2.80 ERA)

Colorado Rockies at Cincinnati Reds — Thom Brennaman & Mitch Williams, going to 6% of USA
Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati, OH
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Albuquerque, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Louisville, Salt Lake City
Probable Pitchers:  Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (2-2, 5.55 ERA) vs. Mike Leake, RHP (1-5, 5.32 ERA)

IS NEW WILD CARD STRUCTURE SAVING MANAGERS FROM HOT SEAT? – Struggling skippers like Boston’s Bobby Valentine are usually on the hot seat by this point in the season.  FOXSports.com National MLB writer Jon Paul Morosi examines why not this year. “Three teams changed managers last June – the A’s, Marlins and Nationals – and none finished with a winning record. In 2010, six clubs replaced their manager during the season. All ended up below .500. In-season firings happen every year, except maybe this one.  At the risk of underestimating the inevitable turmoil of a baseball season, no big league manager is in immediate danger of losing his job.” After speaking to number of GMS, Morosi worked through some theories on the stability for managers this season.

EXPANDED PLAYOFFS = INCREASED HOPE

“The Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies are on the short list of baseball’s most disappointing teams, all hovering around the .500 mark. But the most important column in the standings is not record or winning percentage. It is games back. And in that regard, things don’t look as bad for the East Coast titans. For that, they have the second wild card to thank.”

WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR

“Many current managers haven’t been on the job long enough to really screw up, with 19 starting their jobs since the end of the 2009 season. Some fans called for Miami’s Ozzie Guillen and Boston’s Bobby Valentine to be fired last month — albeit for very different reasons. But that wasn’t going to happen during the early weeks of their multiyear contracts, even if Valentine is signed only through next year. In that regard, the landscape could have a much different look one year from now. Seventeen managers have contracts that will expire after the 2013 season, including those with some of the highest-profile franchises in the sport: the Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Cardinals, Braves and Giants. If your idea of fun is speculating about where Terry Francona will manage next, my suggestion is to wait another 12 to 16 months and stay busy in the interim with this year’s midsummer trade rumors.”

For more from Morosi, visit: http://tinyurl.com/7nhb53k

That does it.

NHL Network & NHL.com Reveal Stanley Cup Final Coverage Plans

We have this announcement from the National Hockey League in regards to this year’s Stanley Cup Final coverage. NHL Network will carry pregame coverage on days of the game.

It will begin Final coverage on Tuesday, May 29 at noon ET with Media Day at the home of the Eastern Conference Champion. Then the following day, NHL Tonight will air live an hour preceding the game and will do so on gamedays. Postgame coverage immediately following CBC and NBC going off the air and will have press conferences, interviews and analysis.

We have the announcement live from the National Hockey League. Check it all below.

NHL NETWORK AND NHL.COM UNVEIL COVERAGE PLANS FOR THE 2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL

Live Broadcast of Media Day, Fans Online Can Choose Live Stream of Three Podiums
New NHL Original Productions Program and Special Guest Analysts Among Highlights

NEW YORK (May 25, 2012) – NHL Network™ and NHL.com will be front and center throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup® Final between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Kings and the Eastern Conference champion, reporting on every angle and providing fans with the most comprehensive coverage of the NHL’s ultimate event.

NHL Network

NHL Network will begin its Stanley Cup Final coverage live from the Eastern Conference champion’s home on Tuesday, May 29, at Noon, ET, with four hours of exclusive programming from the League’s annual “Media Day” — a gathering of every player, coach and GM participating in the Final. For fans who aren’t able to watch the coverage live, NHL Network will air a recap show at 7:30 p.m. ET delivering all of the highlights from the day’s event.

On game days, NHL Network will have three hours of live coverage leading up to the contest beginning with NHL Live from 5-7 p.m. ET, followed by NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show. Once the game is completed, NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Post-Game Show takes to the air to review every pass, hit, shot, block and goal. On non-game days, NHL Network will air NHL Live from 5-7 p.m. ET on weeknights, and NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Edition every night.

On Sunday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET, NHL Original Productions will roll out its latest program titled Inside the Cup. Throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, NHL Original Productions has made the most of its access to the League by having selected players wear microphones during games and capturing honest commentary straight from those battling on the ice every night in pursuit of the ultimate trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup. Inside the Cup weaves that unique footage and audio to tell how the remaining two teams beat the odds and earned their spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

On-Air Talent

NHL Tonight will be anchored by Kathryn Tappen, former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes and Barry Melrose – the former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings who led the franchise during its last Stanley Cup Final run in 1993.

The show also will feature a number of special guest analysts. Darren Pang joins fellow NHL alumnus Doug Weight, who currently serves the New York Islanders as assistant coach and special assistant to the general manager. Joe Micheletti will join broadcaster Steve Mears.

NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek will host NHL Live on all game days and non-travel days. NHL alumnus Mike Johnson will cover the Eastern Conference and various NHL Network talent will rotate as guest analysts in the West. On off-days, NHL Live regulars Deb Placey and Bill Pidto will take the helm live from the New York studio.

Longtime Los Angeles Kings host Heidi Androl will join the Network crew in the West to deliver feature content, interacting with fans and players while reporting on the atmosphere surrounding the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

All NHL Network programming will be carried in high-definition to U.S. audiences. NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable, satellite or telco providers. For more information or for an updated program schedule, please visit
www.nhlnetwork.com.

NHL .com

NHL.com will stream NHL Network original programming in addition to delivering original content created by a team of reporters, writers and videographers attending every press conference, practice and game. New this year, NHL.com will feature multiple camera choices for fans watching a live stream of NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day, allowing them to pick from three podiums at any point during the event to ensure they catch interviews with their favorite player or coach.

NHL.com also will live stream all post-game press conferences and feature extensive behind-the-scenes coverage of the Championship celebration with the Cup-winning club. Additional coverage includes pregame CoveritLive chats with popular NHL.com reporters and blogs submitted by hockey notables involved with the Final.

NHL Social™

NHL Social will be on location and behind the scenes at the Final, delivering real-time updates through the League’s official accounts on multiple social networking websites. Follow the NHL on Twitter (@NHL), Facebook (Facebook.com/NHL and Facebook.com/StanleyCup), FourSquare (foursquare.com/NHL), Instagram (@NHL) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/TheNHL). To join the conversation, fans are encouraged to use the official hashtags #StanleyCup and #Becauseitsthecup.

NHL Network Schedule: May 28 – June 3 (all times ET and subject to change)

Monday, May 28
NHL Tonight 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview – 9 p.m.

Tuesday, May 29
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Preview (encore) – 11 a.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day – 12 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day (encore) – 4 p.m.
NHL Plays of the Week: Plays of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – 7 p.m.
NHL Tonight: 2012 Stanley Cup Final Media Day Recap – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 30
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show – 7 p.m.
Game 1 – Los Angeles at TBD (NBC, CBC, RDS) – 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Post Game Show – Immediately following game

Thursday, May 31
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition – 10 p.m.

Friday, June 1
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition – 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 2
NHL Live – 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Pre-Game Show – 7 p.m.
Game 2 – Los Angeles at TBD (NBC, CBC, RDS) – 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Post Game Show – Immediately following game

Sunday, June 3
Inside the Cup: 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight: Stanley Cup Final Edition – 9 p.m.
Inside the Cup: 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs (encore) – 11 p.m.

That’s all.

Game 6 of Rangers-Devils Airs Tonight on NBC Sports Network

Game 6 of what could be the last game of the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Final is tonight. NBC Sports Network will air the contest starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Mike “Doc” Emrick will have the call and he’ll be joined by Eddie “Edzo” Olczyk in the booth and Pierre “No Mind” McGuire in between the benches.

NHL Live begins at 7 p.m. ET with Liam McHugh.

NBC tells us that Wednesday’s Game 5 of Devils-Rangers registered a 6.47 rating in New York making it the best rating for an NHL game on the network in the local market.

And for the Western Conference Final between Los Angeles and Phoenix, NBCSN averaged 1.02 million viewers for the series, outpacing last year’s WCF between Vancouver and San Jose.

Let’s look at the press release, shall we?

DEVILS-RANGERS GAME 6 AIRS TONIGHT AT 8 ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK (Devils lead series 3-2)

Western Conference Finals Viewership Up 18%
New York Generates Best-Ever NHL Rating on NBC Sports Network for Devils-Rangers Game 5

NEW YORK – May 25, 2012 – Day 44 – The NBC Sports Group’s exclusive coverage of the 2012 NHL Conference Finals continues tonight on NBC Sports Network with a crucial Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The #6 New Jersey Devils lead the series 3-2 and host the #1 New York Rangers at the Prudential Center at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. With a win, the Devils can advance to their first Stanley Cup Final since 2003. The Eastern Conference winner will meet the Los Angeles Kings. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET with NHL Live.

Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-glass’ analyst) will call the action.

REMAINING EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL SCHEDULE

Friday, May 25
8 p.m.	#1 New York Rangers @ #6 New Jersey Devils (Game 6)	NBC Sports Network
Sunday, May 27
8 p.m.	#6 New Jersey Devils @ #1 New York Rangers (Game 7)*	NBC Sports Network

*If Necessary

VIEWERSHIP

The 2012 Western Conference Finals, won in five games by the Los Angeles Kings over the Phoenix Coyotes, averaged 1.02 million viewers for the four games on NBC Sports Network, up 18 percent over last year’s Western Conference Finals (San Jose-Vancouver, 863,000). NBC Sports Network aired Games 1, 2, 3 and 5. NBC aired Game 4, averaging 1.4 million viewers, down slightly vs. last year (San Jose-Vancouver, 1.5 million).

For Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, played Wednesday night between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, the New York market registered a 6.47 rating, the best rating for the market ever for an NHL game on NBC Sports Network. The telecast surpassed NBC Sports Network’s previous best rating in New York, which was a 6.21 for Game 1 of the same series. The NBC Sports Network was the No. 1 cable network in New York during the game. National ratings for Game 5 and the Eastern Conference Finals to date will be available later today.

Overall, the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs are averaging 973,000 viewers on NBC Sports Network through Tuesday, May 22, up 21% vs. last year (805,000).

PRAISE FOR MIKE ‘DOC’ EMRICK

Twitter was abuzz with acclaim for Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick last night as he called the play-by-play for Rangers- Devils Game 5.

• Brian Costello, New York Post writer: “Doc Emrick is absolutely amazing at his job.”
• Art Stapleton, The Record writer: “What Gus Johnson does/did for March Madness, Doc Emrick does for the NHL Playoffs. Incredible.”
• Wes Durham, voice of George Tech and Atlanta Falcons: “Whether it’s game 5 or game 7. Give me Doc Emrick in a 3rd period tie any night of the playoffs. #sogooditssick”

KINGS OF THE WEST

Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Penner scored at 17:42 of overtime against the Phoenix Coyotes to send the Kings to the Stanley Cup Final for the first since 1993 and the second time in franchise history. Penner’s decisive goal was his first career playoff overtime goal.

2012 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE

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

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

* If Necessary

CHANNEL FINDER

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

Click here for the channel finder.

PRE-GAME & POST-GAME COVERAGE

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

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group is providing unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 89 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network	Forty Eight*
CNBC	Thirteen
NBC	Twelve
NHL Network	Six
Total	79*

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

There you have it.

CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada Heads To Alberta/Saskatchewan

CBC has announced that its iconic Hockey Day in Canada celebration will be held in the only town that borders two provinces, Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. Over the years, Hockey Day in Canada has been hosted by several Canadian locations like Prince Edward Island this year and Toronto when the concept first started. It has mostly been hosted by smaller towns since CBC began this tradition.

And Lloydminster will be a bit more special as the 2012-13 season will be the 60th consecutive year that Hockey Night in Canada has been aired on Canada’s public broadcaster.

The Hockey Day concept has been cloned in the United States especially by Fox Sports North for its annual Hockey Day in Minnesota and of course, NBC has its own Hockey Day in America which for the last two years has been held a week after Hockey Day in Canada.

While you won’t get journalism on Hockey Day, I do eat up the stories by CBC celebrating Canada’s game. It’s a great day to watch the stories and fall in love with hockey all over again.

We have details from CBC on 2013′s edition of Hockey Day in Canada which will be held in February of next year and will be simulcast in the US on NHL Network.

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA ON CBC BRINGS ITS 13^TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION TO CANADA’S ONLY BORDER CITY, LLOYDMINSTER, AB/SK, IN FEBRUARY 2013

Canada’s annual celebration of hockey, HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA, will head west in February, 2013, to Lloydminster, AB/SK. Ron MacLean will host the live broadcast that culminates a week of community activities and events celebrating the game across Lloydminster.

“Hockey Day in Canada is one of our favourite events each year and we’re thrilled to be bringing our annual celebration of grassroots hockey to Lloydminster in 2013,” said Julie Bristow, CBC’s Executive Director of Studio and Unscripted Programming. “The 2013 season represents Hockey Night in Canada’s 60^th year and with an eager group of volunteers ready to get started, Lloydminster will be enthusiastic and welcoming hosts for this extra special event.”

Canada’s only border city, Lloydminster straddles the boundary between Alberta and Saskatchewan and is home to more than 30,000 residents. The community’s passionate hockey fans support teams on a variety of levels. The Jr. B Bandits are a perennial powerhouse in the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League, while the Junior A Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League are community owned by 87 local investors and were featured on the 2012 Hockey Day in Canada broadcast. The Senior AAA Border Kings won the Allan Cup in 2001 and 2007 and hosted the Championship for the third time since 2000 this past spring at the Centennial Civic Centre.

“One of the best parts of Hockey Day in Canada every year is the chance we get to highlight local hockey heroes from coaches to homegrown NHLers to volunteers that keep the game growing in communities across the country,” said Trevor Pilling, Head of Programming, CBC Sports and Hockey Night in Canada. “The Lloydminster community has a rich hockey heritage and is a shining example of why the game continues to be such a great source of pride and passion for players and fans of all ages.”

The Lloydminster minor hockey program has produced dozens of NHL alumni as well as current NHL players Scott Hartnell, Andrew Ference, Braden Holtby, Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur.

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA’S 13^th annual broadcast in February 2013 marks the continuation of an important Canadian hockey tradition. Winner of three Gemini Awards, it was recognized for Best Sports Program (2004) and Best Host in a Sports Program (Ron MacLean in 2004 and 2006). Previous host locations include Prince Edward Island (2012), Whitehorse, YT (2011), Stratford, Ont. (2010), Campbellton, N.B. (2009); Winkler, Man. (2008); Nelson, B.C. (2007); Stephenville, Nfld. (2006); Shaunavon, Sask. (2004); Iqualuit, Nunavut (2003); Windsor, N.S. (2002); Red Deer, Alta. (2001); and Toronto, Ont. (2000).

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA will also be available live and on-demand at CBCSports.ca.

And we’ll have more throughout the day. Maybe even linkage if I can squeeze it in tonight.

ABC To Air Sixers-Celtics Game 7

This just in from ESPN, ABC will air Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinal between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics live from TD Garden in Boston.

ABC to Exclusively Broadcast Celtics-Sixers Game Seven

ABC will exclusively broadcast Game Seven of the Boston Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Saturday, May 26, at 8 p.m. ET. Mike Breen and analyst Jeff Van Gundy will call the game with reporter Doris Burke. The NBA Countdown pregame show will precede game coverage at 7:30 p.m. with analysts Magic Johnson, Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon and Chris Broussard previewing the game. In addition, ESPN Radio will nationally broadcast the contest with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. Jim Durham and Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay will describe the action.

You’re all set here.

NESN & WJAR-TV Form New Partnership

Just as NESN and WBZ-TV formed a partnership last month, NESN and Providence television station, WJAR have formed a strategic partnership. It means that NESN’s Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and/or Jenny Dell will make appearances (probably via tape) on WJAR’s noon and 6 p.m. newscasts.

In addition, WJAR sports director Frank Carpano will make appearances on NESN’s pregame show and the channel’s meteorologist Mark Searles will be seen giving weather forecasts.

Check out what NESN is saying about the whole thing below.

NESN AND WJAR/NBC 10 ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

May 22, 2012 – NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, and WJAR/NBC 10, the top-rated broadcast station in Providence, Rhode Island, announced today that they have entered into a content sharing partnership associated with NESN’s Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The partnership, which is similar to NESN’s content sharing deal with WBZ-TV in Boston, will utilize NESN’s Providence DMA signal. The Providence DMA ranks as the 53^rd largest TV market in the country and includes all of Rhode Island as well as Bristol County, Massachusetts. Several regularly scheduled game-day activities targeted at fans in the Providence market will debut over two nights on Tuesday, May 29^th and Wednesday, May 30^th, including:

1. NESN Live Shots for WJAR/NBC 10 Newscasts
   NESN will provide live pre-game reports from Fenway Park and all NESN road telecasts to NBC 10 News at 6 and NBC 10 News at Noon. The live shots, which will primarily feature NESN’s Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy or Jenny Dell, will take place throughout the baseball season.
2. WJAR/NBC 10 Sports Anchors on NESN
   WJAR sports director and 10-time Rhode Island Sportscaster of the Year Frank Carpano will appear as a guest on NESN’s Boston Red Sox pre-game shows, joining NESN host Tom Caron and Hall of Famers Dennis Eckersley, Jim Rice, Peter Gammons, and NESN’s newest analyst, former MLB slugger Matt Stairs.
3. Storm Team 10 Weather Updates on NESN

Storm Team 10, led by meteorologist Mark Searles, will deliver Providence area weather updates to NESN viewers in Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts during NESN’s Red Sox pre and post-game shows.

“WJAR has been a leader in providing the Providence market with the best news and sports coverage for decades,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with WJAR and excited to provide Rhode Island sports fans with more localized coverage through this exceptional affiliation.”

“We are proud and honored to partner with NESN, the region’s top-rated sports network,” said Vic Vetters, WJAR / NBC 10 General Manager.  “Red Sox and Bruins sports fans in Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts are loyal and serious when it comes to sports coverage. Bringing WJAR together with NESN, two powerhouse media organizations, is the perfect fit and we’re excited to bring viewers even more local weather and sports content during the Red Sox and Bruins seasons.”

There you have it.