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2013 NFL on CBS Schedule

Lots of stuff to post and we continue the NFL schedule posts with what you’ll see on CBS this season. As the home of the American Football Conference, the Tiffany Network will air 103 regular games over 17 weeks, then air four postseason games including the AFC Championship Game on January 19, 2014.

CBS will have nine weeks of doubleheaders starting in Week 2 and ending in Week 17. Some of the highlights for the NFL on CBS include Denver at the New York Giants in Week 2, Indianapolis at San Francisco in Week 3, Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota in London in Week 4, Baltimore at Pittsburgh in Week 7, San Diego at Washington in Week 9 and Pittsburgh at Green Bay in Week 16.

CBS’ Thanksgiving Day game will be Oakland at Dallas at 4:30 p.m. ET.

This is what CBS is saying about its 2013 schedule.

AFC MATCH-UPS

Houston-Baltimore (9/22)
Baltimore-Pittsburgh (10/20)
New England-N.Y. Jets (10/20)
Pittsburgh-New England (11/3)
New England-Houston (12/1)
Denver-Houston (12/22)

AFC-NFC MATCH-UPS

Cincinnati-Chicago (9/8)
Denver-New York Giants (9/15)
Indianapolis-San Francisco (9/22)
Denver-Dallas (10/6)
Cleveland-Green Bay (10/20)
Buffalo-New Orleans (10/27)
San Diego-Washington (11/3)
Oakland-New York Giants (11/10)
Baltimore-Chicago (11/17)
Kansas City-Washington (12/8)
Pittsburgh-Green Bay (12/22)

Other AFC-NFC match-ups during the season include: San Diego-Philadelphia (9/15), Jacksonville-Seattle (9/22), Jacksonville-St. Louis (10/6), Tennessee-Seattle (10/13), Tennessee-St. Louis (11/3), Houston-Arizona (11/10), Indianapolis-Arizona (11/24) and Buffalo-Tampa Bay (12/8).

AFC DIVISIONAL RIVALRIES

Along with near-weekly divisional battles, AFC games highlighted include Pittsburgh-N.Y. Jets (10/13), Pittsburgh-Oakland (10/27), Denver-San Diego (11/10), N.Y. Jets-Baltimore (11/24); and Week 17 with teams from the four AFC Divisions squaring off against each other in games that could have major playoff implications: Baltimore-Cincinnati, Pittsburgh-Cleveland, Jacksonville-Indianapolis, N.Y Jets-Miami, Buffalo-New England, Houston-Tennessee, Denver-Oakland and Kansas City-San Diego (12/29).

LONDON CALLING

In Week 4 (9/29) THE NFL ON CBS, for the fifth-of-the-past-six years, travels across the Atlantic Ocean to cover the Pittsburgh Steelers-Minnesota Vikings clash live from Wembley Stadium in London, England.

THANKSGIVING DAY GAME

Thanksgiving Day (11/28) will feature the Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys.

OPENING KICK-OFF

THE NFL ON CBS kicks off Week 1 with singleheader coverage on Sunday, Sept. 8 (12:00 Noon-4:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show. The day’s NFL action is highlighted by an AFC-NFC tilt with Cincinnati taking on Chicago and an early AFC East match-up with New England and Buffalo. Other regional action that day on THE NFL ON CBS includes Miami-Cleveland, Oakland-Indianapolis, Kansas City-Jacksonville and Tennessee-Pittsburgh games live on the CBS Television Network.

PRESEASON

CBS Sports’ NFL pre-season schedule begins on Friday, Aug. 23 (8:00 PM, ET) when the Green Bay Packers host the Seattle Seahawks live in prime time on the CBS Television Network. THE NFL ON CBS will conclude its two-game preseason schedule the following night as the St. Louis Rams take on the Denver Broncos live in prime time on Saturday, Aug. 24 (8:00 PM, ET).

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms are the lead announce team for the Network’s coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. THE NFL TODAY, CBS Sports’ NFL pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, begins on Sunday, Sept. 8 (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown, along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports and serves as the Executive Producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of the NFL. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports. 

And the entire NFL on CBS schedule is coming after a jump break.

(continue reading…)

Pat Summerall Broadcasting Timeline

With the sad news of the passing of former NFL player and broadcaster Pat Summerall, I’ll provide you with a timeline of his broadcasting career. Summerall was one of the best NFL play-by-play announcers of all time. One of the few who did both play-by-play and analysis during his career, he also branched out to call both college and pro basketball, boxing, golf and tennis.

Summerall was also a host for NFL Films along with eventual partner Tom Brookshier. Together, they called three Super Bowls (X, XII, XIV). And he was teamed with John Madden with whom he called eight Super Bowls.

He began his career with CBS back in 1962 and remained with the Tiffany Network until 1994 when the network lost the rights to the NFL to Fox. Summerall then moved to Fox where he stayed through the 2002 season. He worked the Cotton Bowl for the network from 2007 until 2010.

Summerall also filled in on ESPN’s Sunday Night Football in 2004.

Here’s the timeline.

1962 — Summerall joins CBS Sports after retiring from the NFL. He’s teamed with Chris Schenkel on New York Giants games.

1965 — Summerall is moved to DC NFL Team games with Jim Gibbons.

1967 — Calls the first half of Super Bowl I with Ray Scott, then moves to the sidelines for the second half to make way for Jack Whitaker and Frank Gifford in the booth. (UPDATE: Classic Sports TV and  Media says Summerall only worked the sidelines)

1968 — Begins calling The Masters and US Open Tennis on CBS. Also CBS abandons its practice of assigning announcing teams to one team. Summerall is shifted to the network’s number one team with Ray Scott. He and Scott call Super Bowl II.

1970 — Calls Super Bowl IV with Jack Buck and Frank Gifford.

1972 — Calls Super Bowl VI with Ray Scott.

1974 — Calls his last Super Bowl (VIII) as analyst with Ray Scott. Becomes the lead play-by-play man for the first season of the NBA on CBS through the finals between Boston and Milwaukee. CBS reassigns him to play-by-play on the NFL and teams him with Tom Brookshier, his partner on the NFL Films show, “This Week in Pro Football.”

1975 — Hosts the Pan American Games in Mexico.

1976 — Calls Super Bowl X with Brookshier.

1978 — Calls Super Bowl XII in New Orleans.

1980 — Calls Super Bowl XIV, his last with Brookshier.

1981 — Splits the first 8 weeks of the season between Hank Stram and John Madden. After Week 8, CBS decides to team Summerall and Madden permanently.

1982 — Summerall calls Super Bowl XVI with Madden.

1983 — Replaces Vin Scully on the 18th hole at The Masters and teams with Ken Venturi on the PGA on CBS for the rest of his time on the network.

1984 — Summerall and Madden team for Super Bowl XVIII.

1985 — Calls the NCAA Tournament with Larry Conley.

1987 — Summerall and Madden team for their third Super Bowl (XXI).

1990 — Summerall and Madden call Super Bowl XXIV.

1992 — Summerall and Madden call Super Bowl XXVI. Is admitted to the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment of alcoholism.

1994 — Summerall and Madden call their last NFL game for CBS, the NFC Championship between San Francisco and Dallas at Texas Stadium. Summerall calls his final Masters on CBS and is replaced on the 18th hole by Jim Nantz. Summerall and Madden join Fox Sports.

1997 — Summerall and Madden call their first Big Game in five years, Super Bowl XXXI on Fox.

1999 — Summerall and Madden pair for Super Bowl XXXIII.

2002 — Summerall and Madden call Super Bowl XXXVI, their final Big Game together. Madden leaves Fox to join Al Michaels on Monday Night Football. Summerall retires, then decides to return to Fox calling primarily Dallas Cowboys calls with Brian Baldinger. After the 2002 season, Summerall leaves Fox after the network would not guarantee he could work mostly Dallas games.

2004 — Substitutes for Mike Patrick on ESPN’s Sunday Night Football and partners with Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire on preseason and early season games until Patrick returns.

2007 — Returns to Fox to call the Cotton Bowl.

2010 — Calls his last Cotton Bowl for Fox.

2011 — Makes his final appearance on Fox on the Cotton Bowl pregame show.

A Couple of Mid-Week Sports Media Thoughts

I haven’t done a sports media thoughts post in quite some time. You’re owed some, so lets not waste any time. Two thoughts today with a promise I’ll provide more with some regularity down the road. They’re in bullet form as always.

• Bizarre story that broke on Tuesday through Boston Sports Media Watch that Red Sox Radio Network host and fill-in announcer Jon Rish is leaving later this month. It’s a sad story that Rish has to leave a dream job over a proposed 30% pay cut by flagship station WEEI. As Rish told the Boston Globe’s Chad Finn, he could see the writing on the wall and started preparing for the future. Rish has four children and wants to plan for the future so he’s getting out of the radio business and becoming a software developer.

  It’s too bad that Rish had to make that decision, but with WEEI in dire straights, I can understand his thinking. As someone who has worked in radio and seen all types of cost cutting through personnel, salaries, benefits and other measures, it’s the rank and file who suffer, not the executives. Rish leaves just as the season begins, but as I wrote on Tuesday, the behind-the-scenes jockeying by management can be taxing on the workers, no matter what the job is. Rish says he had to think of his family and he’s at peace with his decision. Not many people have the opportunity to leave radio on their own terms. It seems Rish has done exactly that. Here’s wishing him nothing but the best as he goes on a new career path.

• The NCAA Tournament is over and as CBS/Turner Sports crow over a successful three week period that brought the highest viewership in almost two decades, there are some items upon which the CBS/Turner consortium can improve.

  First, cut down on the clutter in the studio. Charles Barkley told the New York Daily News that he’s overexposed during the Tournament and would like to cut his workload especially during the Second Round games. I wholeheartedly endorse this. In fact, let’s jettison Chuck out of the Tournament altogether. The Charles Barkley-Kenny Smith experiment on the NCAA Tournament just isn’t working. Keep Ernie Johnson, Jr. in the Atlanta studio and have him work with coaches and Steve Smith. In New York, reunite Greg Gumbel with Greg Anthony and Seth Davis. That trio works well together.

  Do not, do not, do not, do not bring Doug Gottlieb back to the studio. If he has to have a role, keep him on game analysis. It’s the lesser of two evils for the American people. If the viewing public has to be subjected to Gottlieb, then keep him at game sites where he can do less damage.

  If TBS is going to air the Final Four in 2014 as reported, let’s hope Turner won’t place Reggie Miller at courtside with Marv Albert and Steve Kerr. And I wouldn’t mind having Craig Sager and Rachel Nichols as reporters if Turner plans to put its stamp on the event.

  And why not bring Bill Walton over from Dial Global as a studio analyst?

That’s it.

Get Ready to hear “Augusta” Numerous Times This Week

The Masters begins on ESPN on Wednesday with the Par 3 Contest and then the 1st and 2nd Rounds on the Alleged Worldwide Leader followed by weekend coverage on CBS. It also means the repeated playing of its iconic theme, “Augusta” on both networks. The Masters’ theme is so associated with the event, that other rightsholders around the world play it as well.

So to get you in the mood, here’s “Augusta” in its entirety.

I would embed the vocal version, but I think you would revolt so I won’t. You can find it on YouTube if you try hard enough.

2013 NCAA Tournament is the Most-Watched Since 1994

CBS/Turner Sports is certainly happy about this year’s NCAA Tournament. The average rating for the 67 games on CBS/TBS/TNT/tru TV was 6.7 with a 14 share. That’s up 10% from 2012′s 6.1/13. It’s the highest average rating for the tournament dating back to 2005 when the entire run was solely on CBS.

The average viewership was an impressive 10.7 million which is up 11% from 9.6 million in 2012. And it’s the highest average viewership  in 19 years which was 11.2 million.

For the National Championship Game on Monday night, CBS saw the fast national household rating resulting in 14.0/22 which is up big from last year’s 12.3/19. And the average viewership was 23.4 million which is in comparison on a par with the best Sunday Night Football audiences.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is Most-Watched Tournament in 19 Years

2013 Championship Game Scores with Double Digit Increases in Rating and Viewers
Louisville’s Win Delivers Rating/Share of 14.0/22 and 23.4 Million Total Viewers

The 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV is the most-watched NCAA Tournament in 19 years, according to Nielsen.  The 2013 NCAA Tournament averaged 10.7 million total viewers, up 11% from last year’s 9.6 million total viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament in 19 years (11.2 million; 1994).

The National Championship game, which saw Louisville defeat Michigan on CBS on Monday, April 8, earned an average fast national household rating/share of 14.0/22, up 14% from last year’s 12.3/19 (Kentucky-Kansas). The National Championship game averaged 23.4 million viewers, up 12% from last year’s 20.9 million.

The championship game coverage peaked in HH rating/share with a 16.1/27 and average viewers with 27.1 million, from 11-11:30 p.m. ET.

Coverage for the entire 2013 NCAA Tournament across Turner Sports and CBS Sports averaged a HH rating/share of 6.7/14, up 10% from last year’s 6.1/13, and is the highest average NCAA Tournament rating in eight years (6.9/15; 2005).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/09/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/02/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

Quite impressive.

Overnight Ratings for 2013 NCAA Championship Up Big Over 2012

After three weeks of increased ratings for the NCAA Tournament and the Final Four, the Championship Game gave CBS/Turner a very nice cherry on top of the cake with a big overnight rating. Thanks to a game that was compelling, exciting and went down to the final minutes, Louisville-Michigan garnered a big 14.3 overnight number with a 23 share, up a huge 18% from last year’s 12.1/19 for Kentucky-Kansas. Last night’s numbers were the highest for the NCAA Championship Game since 2010.

Overall, this year’s tournament finished at a 7.2/15 up 9% from 2012′s tournament.

In the local markets, the highest-rated were Louisville with a huge 54.0/70 and Detroit with 33.5/47. Rounding out the top five were Columbus, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FEATURING LOUISVILLE OVER MICHIGAN SCORES 14.3/23 RATING/SHARE IN METERED MARKETS, UP 18%

Overall 2013 NCAA Tournament Across Turner Sports and CBS Sports Delivers 7.2/15 Average Rating, Up 9%

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship game on Monday, April 8, which saw Louisville beat Michigan on CBS, delivered an average overnight household rating/share of 14.3/23, up 18% versus last year’s 12.1/19, according to Nielsen.

The overall 2013 NCAA Tournament average-to-date rating in the metered markets scored a 7.2/15, up 9% from a 6.6/14 in 2012. The 7.2/15 tied with 2011 as the highest overall average for the NCAA Tournament in eight years (7.3/14; 2005).

The 2013 NCAA Championship game rating/share peaked at 17.3/32 rating from 11:30-11:45 PM, ET.

Top five rated metered markets: 

1. Louisville – 54.0/70
2. Detroit – 33.5/47
3. Columbus, Ohio – 26.4/40
4. Indianapolis – 25.1/39
5. Cincinnati – 24.7/38

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/08/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/09/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

We’ll have the final numbers later today.

One Shining Moment — 2013

After a great game between Michigan and Louisville, won by the Cardinals, we always wait for CBS’ annual version of “One Shining Moment.” This year was no disappointment. Glad that it’s available early. Normally, I’ve waited in the neighborhood of an hour to post it. Take a look at it. And of course, Kevin Ware is part of the video. Enjoy.

Thanks to college basketball for giving us a great Final Four and now we await next season which will be quite different. And if the reports are correct, this will end CBS’ 32 consecutive year streak of airing the Final Four as TBS is hoping to produce the event in 2014. But let’s celebrate the 2012-13 college basketball season and look forward to another great season starting in November.

[Awful Announcing]

CBS/Turner Sees Ratings and Viewership Increase for the Final Four

CBS/Turner Sports has a reason to crow as this year’s NCAA Tournament has become a ratings bonanza. And thanks to two compelling games last night, the ratings for the Men’s Final Four^® received an average rating of 9.4 with an 18 share, up four percent from last year’s 9.0/17.

Average viewership for the game 15.7 million viewers, up slightly from last year’s 15.26 million.

For Louisville-Wichita State, the numbers were 8.7/18 and 14.468 million viewers.

And for Michigan-Syracuse, the game saw a 10.2/18 and 17.1 million viewers. Both numbers quite impressive for a Saturday night.

The overall numbers are the highest for the Final Four on CBS since 2005.

Here’s what CBS/Turner is saying about the ratings.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ FINAL FOUR COVERAGE IS HIGHEST-RATED AND MOST-WATCHED IN EIGHT YEARS

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is Most-Watched and Highest-Rated Tournament-to-Date Since 2005

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four^® on CBS on Saturday, April 6, earned an average fast national household rating/share of 9.4/18, up 4% from last year’s 9.0/17, and is the highest-rated Final Four in eight years (10.5/19 in 2005), based on Nielsen Fast Nationals.

The 2013 Final Four averaged 15,702,000 total viewers, up 3% from last year’s 15,256,000 total viewers, which is the highest viewership average for the two Final Four games since 2005 (16,647,000 for Illinois/Louisville and North Carolina/Michigan State).

The first game, Louisville beating Wichita State, earned an average household rating/share of 8.7/18 and 14,468,000 total viewers, both up 4% from last year’s 8.4/17 and 13,908,000 total viewers.

The second game featuring Michigan’s victory over Syracuse delivered a 10.2/18, up 6% from last year’s 9.6/17. The corresponding 17,104,000 total viewers are up 3% compared with last year’s 16,603,000 total viewers.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is averaging 10,174,000 total viewers-to-date, up 10% from last year’s 9,213,000 total viewers, and is the highest viewership average for the NCAA Tournament through the Final Four in eight years (10,183,000 in 2005).

The 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship has delivered the best overall tournament-to-date ratings since 2005. The overall tournament average-to-date rating/share is a 6.4/13, up 8% from last year’s 5.9/12. The 6.4/13 is the highest average rating for the NCAA Tournament through the Final Four in eight years (6.6/14 in 2005).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/06/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/31/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round. 

That is all.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 04/06 & 04/07/2013, All Times Eastern

Saturday, April 6

Pregame & Studio Shows
The Best of College Basketball 2013 — CBS, 1 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 1:30 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Fandemonium — CBS, 3 p.m.
CNN All Access at the Final Four — CNN, 3 p.m.
College GameDay live from Atlanta, GA — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Human Highlight Reel — CBS, 3:30 p.m.
The Final Four Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 11:30 p.m.
Inside March Madness — truTV, 11:30 p.m.

Men’s
NCAA Division I Championship, Atlanta, GANational Semifinals
Louisville vs. Wichita State — CBS, 6:09 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg/Steve Kerr//Tracy Wolfson)
Michigan vs. Syracuse — CBS, approximately 8:49 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg/Steve Kerr//Tracy Wolfson)

Women’s
Women’s National Invitation Tournament
Championship
Utah at Drexel — CBS Sports Network, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 7

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.

Men’s
NCAA Division II Championship, Atlanta, GA
Drury vs. Metro State — CBS, 4 p.m. (Tim Brando/Dan Bonner//Lewis Johnson)

NCAA Division III Championship, Atlanta, GA
Amherst vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor — CBS Sports Network, 12:30 p.m.

Women’s

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four Special — ESPN, 6 p.m.

NCAA Division I Championship, New Orleans, LA
Cal vs. Louisville — ESPN, 6:30 p.m. (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke//Rebecca Lobo//Holly Rowe)
UConn vs. Notre Dame — ESPN, 9 p.m. (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke//Rebecca Lobo/Holly Rowe)

CBS Airs NCAA Division II Men’s Championship on Sunday

CBS Sports continues its college basketball coverage on Sunday with live coverage of the NCAA Division II Men’s Championship live from Philips Arena in Atlanta. Metro State takes on Drury. Tim Brando and Dan Bonner will have the call with Lewis Johnson on the sidelines.

In addition, Greg Gumbel, Doug Gottlieb and Seth Davis will be on hand for the halftime festivities. The game takes the air at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Before that, CBS/Turner Sports offers taped coverage of the College All-Star Game at 2 p.m. ET.

Here’s the press release from CBS Sports.

CBS SPORTS HOOPS IT UP ON SUNDAY WITH NCAA DIVISION II MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

CBS Sports and Turner Sports Present Reese’s College All-Star Game

CBS Sports continues its live college basketball coverage from Atlanta on Sunday, April 7 with the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship and College All-Star game.

For the 23^rd consecutive year, CBS Sports broadcasts the NCAA Men’s Division II Basketball Championship. Metro State takes on Drury live from Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga. at 4:00 PM, ET.  Tim Brando, Dan Bonner and reporter Lewis Johnson call the action. Ken Mack produces and Andy Goldberg directs.

AT THE HALF, CBS Sports’ halftime studio show, hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Doug Gottlieb and Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis, provide all the day’s news, scores and highlights live from Phillips Arena. Eric Mann produces and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports present the College All-Star game (2:00 PM, ET; Taped 4/5) from the Georgia Dome featuring the top senior college basketball players. Turner Sports’ Matt Winer, Greg Anthony, Mike Gminski and reporter Tracy Wolfson are courtside to handle the call. Mack produces and Goldberg directs.

And ESPN’s coverage plans at the Women’s Final Four is next.

CBS/Turner’s Plans for the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four

CBS and Turner Sports go into their third year producing the NCAA Men’s Final Four^® for America’s viewing pleasure. For the 32^nd straight (and possibly last) year, CBS will air the Final Four on broadcast television.

CBS begins its coverage on Saturday with the Final Four Show live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA at 4 p.m. ET hosted by Greg Gumbel and accompanied by analysts Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Doug Gottlieb and Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Seth Davis will be a reporter to the show and Basketball Hall of Famer Lesley Visser will be a contributor.

Then after the pregame show, National Semifinals begin. Overall number 1 seed Louisville will take on Cinderella Wichita State starting at 6:09 p.m. ET. That will be followed at approximately 8:49 p.m. with Michigan and Syracuse. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will call the action from their courtside position. Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson will report what is happening from the benches.

We have the CBS/Turner preview of its coverage plans for Saturday.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ “ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR” CONTINUES IN ATLANTA WITH EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF NCAA^® MEN’S  FINAL FOUR ON CBS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6

Louisville, Wichita State, Michigan and Syracuse Vie for College Basketball’s National Championship

Louisville, Wichita State, Michigan and Syracuse march in to Atlanta as Turner Sports and CBS Sports provide exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four. For the 32^nd consecutive year, CBS Sports broadcasts the national semi-final games live on Saturday, April 6 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and the National Championship game on Monday, April 8 (9:00 PM, ET-conclusion) from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.

Saturday’s Final Four features Wichita State versus Louisville with tip-off scheduled for 6:09 PM, ET. Forty minutes after the game concludes, Syracuse takes on Michigan to determine the other participant in Monday night’s Championship game. CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg, and Turner Sports’ Steve Kerr call the games, with Tracy Wolfson serving as reporter. Nantz calls his 28^th Final Four and National Championship, Kellogg works his fifth, and Kerr joins Nantz and Kellogg for the third time.

Leading in to the semi-final games on Saturday, April 6 (4:00-6:00 PM, ET) is THE FINAL FOUR SHOW on CBS, hosted by Greg Gumbel with analysts Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb. Seth Davis reports and Lesley Visser contributes. The show features tournament highlights, analysis of the four participating teams and interviews with coaches and players live from the Georgia Dome.

Included in the broadcast are features on:

* LOUISVILLE’S KEVIN WARE

“Just go win the game,” is what Louisville sophomore guard Kevin Ware said after suffering a compound fracture to his right leg during the first half of the Cardinals’ Midwest Regional Final against Duke. Coach Rick Pitino used Ware’s comments to rally the team. After surgery last Sunday night, Ware, who hails from nearby Conyers, Ga. joins his teammates in Atlanta at the Final Four. He talks about how his Louisville family helped him cope with the injury. The Cardinals’ Russ Smith, Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan reveal what it was like to witness the awful injury to their friend and teammate. They also discuss how they were emotionally able to compose themselves to persevere and defeat Duke. Joe Zappulla produces.

* MICHIGAN’S ALL IN THE FAMILY

As Michigan makes its first Final Four appearance in 20 years, family ties is the dominant theme. Some of the names on the roster; Robinson, Hardaway and Horford are familiar to basketball fans. What roles have their relatives played on the Wolverines path to the Final Four? Although the young Wolverines may follow in the footsteps of their famous basketball fathers and brothers, Coach John Beilein’s squad has built a legacy of its own by overcoming a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat Kansas in overtime before dominating Florida in the South Regional Final. Alanna Campbell produces.

* SYRACUSE’S MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS

As Syracuse was playing in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, star Orange point guard Michael Carter-Williams had something else on his mind, a tragedy that happened in Hamilton, Mass. His childhood home, where his family resided, was destroyed by a fire. During the Orange’s game against California in the third round of the Tournament, Carter-Williams glanced up to see his mother Mandy crying in the stands. He had no idea what had occurred. After the game, Carter-Williams ran out of the Syracuse locker room to find his family. After he embraced his mom, she told him about the situation, and more importantly, that their family was fine. Since then, Syracuse’s success in the postseason has inspired his family during a time of great need. Sarah Rinaldi produces.

* WICHITA STATE’S CARL HALL

Wichita State has enjoyed a spectacular season knocking out No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 Ohio State to become the first ninth-seed in 34 years to reach the Final Four. But the Shockers’ surprising success has been especially sweet for senior forward Carl Hall. Six years ago, the 6’8” 240-pound forward was told he would never play basketball again following a diagnosis of neuro-cardiogenic syncope, a heart condition that produces an irregular heartbeat. This condition caused him to pass out on the court on several occasions. In 2009, his doctors introduced him to a medication that would control the problem. Slowly, Hall began his return to basketball, eventually earning a scholarship offer from Wichita State. Now he is living out his dream, playing in the Final Four, not far from his hometown of Cochran, Ga. Jeff St. Arromand produces.

Special Features

* PAT SUMMITT

With more than 1,000 wins and eight national championships during her Hall of Fame career, Pat Summitt’s accomplishments as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers are unsurpassed.  Now, she is facing another type of opponent, Alzheimer’s. For the first time ever, the legendary coach and her 22-year-old son, Tyler, sit down together to share their inspirational story. The two reveal to Lesley Visser why Summitt went public so early with her illness and why they remain so optimistic during this latest and most challenging chapter of her life. Charlie Bloom produces.

* JIM ROME INTERVIEWS FINAL FOUR COACHES

Two of this year’s Final Four head coaches, Gregg Marshall of Wichita State and John Beilein of Michigan, have never advanced to the National Semi-Finals. For Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and Louisville’s Rick Pitino, it’s relatively familiar territory. Boeheim has led his Orange to four Final Four appearances, winning it all in 2003. Pitino has guided three schools, Providence, Kentucky and Louisville to a total of seven Final Four appearances. His 1996 Wildcats won the national title defeating Boeheim and Syracuse. All four coaches sit down together with CBS Sports’ Jim Rome to provide an inside look at this year’s Final Four match-ups. Charlie Bloom produces.

* * * * *

Also on Saturday, CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR broadcasts THE BEST OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL 2013 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET). Hosted by Greg Gumbel, the show recaps the college basketball season looking at the biggest headlines, break- out players, best stories and plays of the year. Also, CBS Sports’ Tim Brando and Bill Raftery along with reporter Lewis Johnson are on hand for the HIGH SCHOOL SLAM DUNK & 3-POINT CHAMPIONSHIPS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; taped 4/5/13), which highlights the nation’s elite high school players as they compete in Atlanta over Final Four weekend in a Slam Dunk contest and the Boy’s and Girl’s 3-Point Championships.

Hosted by Greg Gumbel, NCAA MARCH MADNESS FANDEMONIUM (3:00-3:30 PM, ET) celebrates basketball through the eyes of some of the most passionate and ardent fans of the game. Following, HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL (3:30-4:00 PM, ET) celebrates the achievements of five former NCAA student athletes Jeff Keith, Kelly Brush, Jeff Faine, Curtis Pride and Jason Thompson who made a difference off the field. Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson hosts.

Mark Wolff, coordinating producer of CBS Sports’ NCAA basketball coverage, produces the 2013 Final Four and Bob Fishman directs. Eric Mann produces the preview and halftime programs, and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

That will do it.

CBS Announces its 2013 NFL Preseason Schedule

CBS Sports will carry two NFL preseason games on consecutive nights on Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24. Both games will be at two iconic NFL cities, Green Bay and Denver.

Announcers for each game will be announced at a later date.

Here’s the CBS announcement about its schedule.

CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCES 2013 NFL PRESEASON GAMES 

THE NFL ON CBS Preseason Schedule Kicks Off with Green Bay Packers Hosting Seattle Seahawks Live in Prime Time on Friday, August 23
St. Louis Rams Take On Denver Broncos for THE NFL ON CBS’s Second Preseason Game Following Night on August 24 on CBS Television Network

The CBS Television Network is scheduled to begin its 54^th year broadcasting the NFL with two preseason games during the 2013 season.

The preseason schedule for THE NFL ON CBS begins on Friday, Aug. 23 (8:00 PM, ET) when the Green Bay Packers host the Seattle Seahawks live in prime time on the CBS Television Network.

THE NFL ON CBS will conclude its two-game preseason schedule the following night as the St. Louis Rams take on the Denver Broncos live in prime time on Saturday, Aug. 24 (8:00 PM, ET).

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports, and serves as Executive Producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

That’s all. ESPN’s preseason schedule is next.

2013 NFL Preseason Schedule

The National Football League has released the schedule for the 2013 Preseason. ESPN will have four games, while Fox has three and CBS and NBC will have two each. NFL Network will carry everything else including a gaggle of games live.

The NFL Preseason kicks off on August 4 with the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game between Dallas and Miami in Canton, OH. NBC will carry that game. We have the entire NFL Preseason schedule for you below.

2013 PRESEASON SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED;
NATIONAL TV GAMES FEATURE 2012 PLAYOFF FIELD

The NFL’s slate of 11 nationally televised preseason games will feature the entire 2012 playoff field, one of the highlights of the 65-game 2013 NFL preseason schedule announced today.

The 2013 preseason will kick off on Sunday, August 4 (NBC, 8:00 PM ET) in Canton, Ohio when the Dallas Cowboys face the Miami Dolphins in the NFL/Hall of Fame Game.

The Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens will be showcased on national TV when the club faces the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, August 22 (ESPN, 8:00 PM ET) at M&T Bank Stadium.

Following is the complete 2013 NFL preseason national television, week-by-week and team-by-team schedule:

2013 NFL PRESEASON NATIONAL TELEVISION SCHEDULE
(All times Eastern)

DATE	GAME	NETWORK (TIME)
Sunday, August 4	NFL/Hall of Fame Game, Canton, OH: Dallas vs. Miami	NBC (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 1 (August 8-11)
Thursday, August 8	Cincinnati at Atlanta	ESPN (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 2 (August 15-19)
Thursday, August 15	San Diego at Chicago	ESPN (8:00 PM)
Friday, August 16	Tampa Bay at New England	FOX (8:00 PM)
Sunday, August 18	Indianapolis at NY Giants	FOX (8:00 PM)
Monday, August 19	Pittsburgh at Washington	ESPN (8:00 PM)
Preseason Week 3 (August 22-25)
Thursday, August 22	Carolina at Baltimore	ESPN (8:00 PM)
Friday, August 23	Seattle at Green Bay	CBS (8:00 PM)
Saturday, August 24	St. Louis at Denver	CBS (8:00 PM)
Sunday, August 25	New Orleans at Houston	FOX (4:00 PM)
Sunday, August 25	Minnesota at San Francisco	NBC (8:00 PM)

The entire week-by-week preseason schedule is after the jump.
(continue reading…)

The Fang’s Bites College Basketball TV Awards: NCAA Tournament Edition

Last month, I gave you my College Basketball TV Awards for the 2012-13 regular season. As promised, I’ll provide you with the NCAA Tournament Edition featuring my picks for Final Four, Regional Final and First Week levels. Those not worthy and there will be a couple, will get the infamous Carton of Chinese Cigarettes handed out from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Communist China.

I’ll provide the awards first for play-by-play, then game analysts, reporters and finally the studio.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Final Four Level

Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan – Marv is Marvelous. The man is a Hall of Fame announcer and during the Michigan-Kansas game, was able to pick up on the Wolverines’ comeback late in the second half and his call of Trey Burke’s three pointer to tie the game was perfectly understated.

Ian Eagle showed his versatility in calling NCAA Tournament games on both TV and radio. Does both well and allows the action to come to him. Ian had a very good call of the Davidson-Marquette game that went down to the wire.

Kevin Harlan was outstanding especially as Ohio State’s Aaron Craft hit a jumper with :02 in its Sweet Sixteen game against Arizona.

Regional Final Level

Brian Anderson, Verne Lundquist, Jim Nantz – Having this trio in the Tournament shows some very good depth on the CBS/Turner Consortium. Brian Anderson is a rising star. Calls games on Big Ten Network during the winters, then moves to his best sport, baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers and TBS Sunday Afternoon games. Could easily be on a Regional Final team down the line.

What can you say about Uncle Verne Lundquist that hasn’t already been said? He and Bill Raftery form one of the fun broadcast teams and you know that Verne plays the perfect straight man to Raft. He’s perfect at the Regional Final level.

Jim Nantz is perfect here. He would go higher except that he calls only one to two regular season games a season, yet he’s on the “A” team that goes to the Final Four. Nantz calls a good game, but I think there are several announcers who are better.

First Week Level

Tim Brando – Tim is good, but sometimes falls back on cliches. He’s perfect on the ACC Tournament on the Raycom-produced ACC Network. A nice fit with long-time partner Mike Gminski.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Spero Dedes – Dedes provided some real lackluster and sleep-inducing calls. When Harvard upset New Mexico, Dedes failed to rise to the occasion and when the game ended, he gave us quite a forgettable call. His partner, Doug Gottlieb overpowered him at times.

ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Clark Kellogg, Steve Kerr, Bill Raftery – Clark Kellogg knows his stuff and provides good analysis of the action. He’s able to spot trends and finds the right words. He also stepped up during the Louisville-Duke game when Kevin Ware broke his leg in a horrific sequence. And as Jim Nantz tried to collect himself in the minutes following the injury, Kellogg did his best to describe the emotions on the court.

When Steve Kerr found out that he was going to call the NCAA Tournament three years ago, he found work with Fox Sports to call Sunday night Pac-10 games and quickly got re-immersed in the college game. It was that preparation that puts him on the Final Four Level. And teamed with Marv Albert for the first two weeks of the Tournament, Kerr provides some really good tidbits especially during Michigan-Kansas.

Bill Raftery is the Mayor of College Basketball. Perfectly teamed with Uncle Verne Lundquist, Raft provides great anecdotes, one-liners and always knows when to use his signature “ONIONS!” call. I’d love for Raft to call a Final Four on TV, but you can always hear him on radio for the event.

Regional Final Level

Len Elmore and Jim Spanarkel – Len was the last ESPN exclusive holdover to remain on the Tournament after Turner came on board. Jay Bilas wasn’t kept and while Bill Raftery also works for ESPN, he does games for CBS during the regular season, pulling a rare network double. Elmore when Reggie Miller doesn’t step all over him, provides some salient points. He really could work solo with Kevin Harlan and doesn’t need Miller along side.

Jim Spanarkel works very well with Ian Eagle. It’s hard to believe that they’ve worked 17 previous tournaments together and they’re a very good team. Spanarkel was on top of trends especially when Marquette was coming back on Davidson in the second round.

First Week Level

Dan Bonner and Mike Gminski – Both ACC Network veterans, Bonner and Gminski are perfect analysts for the first weekend of games.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Doug Gottlieb and Reggie Miller – Gottlieb will harp on points to where you want him to shut up. Reggie Miller must have pictures on a network executive somewhere as he’s a terrible analyst. I understand calling NCAA Tournament games was a dream for Gottlieb, but CBS/Turner should pull the plug on him working games next year. As for Miller, he’s basketball’s version of Marcelo Balboa, a person who makes statements just to hear himself talk and makes ridiculous points.

REPORTERS

Final Four Level

Jamie Maggio, Rachel Nichols, Craig Sager

Regional Final Level

Lewis Johnson, Marty Snider, Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson

First Week Level

Allie LaForce, Otis Livingston

STUDIO HOSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson, Jr.

Regional Final Level

Matt Winer

STUDIO ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Anthony

Regional Final Level

Seth Davis and Steve Smith

First Week Level

Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith – I understand why Barkley and Smith are there, but they’re much better on the NBA than college basketball. Charles’ candor on the NBA works against him on the Tournament as in the case where he harped against the Big Ten.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Doug Gottlieb — Who else? Failed joke aside, Gottlieb has not differentiated himself from the pack. He overpowers people on the set. He comes off as abrasive as sandpaper.

So there you have the Awards for the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

2013 NCAA Tournament Continues to Score in the Ratings

I keep thinking the bottom is going to fall out on the ratings for the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Games haven’t been great, but despite that, the ratings for the NCAA Tournament on the CBS/Turner combination continue to rise. Sunday was no exception. Despite two blowouts, ratings for Sunday’s Elite Eight action were up significantly from last year and so was the average viewership.

The two games on CBS, Michigan-Florida and Louisville-Duke averaged a 7.4 Fast National household rating with a 17 share. That’s up an amazing 25% from 2012′s 5.9/12. Average viewership for the Regional Finals was 12.82 million and that is up by an astonishing 31% from last year.

To date, the Tournament is averaging a rating/share of 6.2/13 which is up 9% from last year’s 5.7/12. And the average viewership of the games on CBS/Turner is 9.7 million and that is up by 11%. So you can see, the NCAA Tournament is attracting viewers as it’s the most watched since 1994.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 19 Years, Averaging  9,701,000 Total Viewers

Sunday’s Regional Finals on CBS Delivers 31% Increase in Viewers and 25%  Increase in Rating vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9,701,000 total viewers-to-date, up 11% from last year’s 8,717,000 viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Sunday Regional Finals in 19 years (9,728,000; 1994).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.2/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.7/12, and is the highest rating to date since a 6.3/14 in 2005. Sunday’s Regional Final coverage on CBS averaged 12,819,000 total viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals, up 31% from last year’s 9,795,000 viewers. Regional Final coverage on Sunday earned a HH rating/share of a 7.4/17, up 25% from last year’s 5.9/12.

The first broadcast window (2:19-4:28 PM, ET), in which Michigan topped Florida, earned a 5.7/15, up 14% from a 5.0/11 in 2012. The second broadcast window (4:55-7:34 PM, ET) which featured Louisville beating Duke, registered an 8.8/19, up 24% from a 7.1/14 in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/31/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/2/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

That will do it.

Despite Blowouts, NCAA Elite Eight on Sunday Draws Higher Overnights Than 2012

There weren’t too many surprises in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday as Michigan and Louisville took their games with relative ease.

However, the big surprise may have been the overnight ratings for the South and Midwest Regional Finals. Both games on CBS averaged an 8.9 number with a 19 share. CBS’ overrun into primetime also won the night for the network. The overnight ratings are 25% better than last year which received a 6.4/13. The ratings may have been helped by Duke losing big to Louisville.

In fact, Louisville-Duke received a 9.4/21 rating which was 21% higher than the game in the timeslot last year.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner Sports.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ COVERAGE OF SUNDAY’S 2013 NCAA^® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP REGIONAL FINALS EARNS 8.0/19, UP 25% VS. 2012 IN METERED MARKETS

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Final on Sunday, March 31 on CBS delivered an average overnight household rating/share of 8.0/19, up 25% vs. last year’s 6.4/13, according to Nielsen.

Sunday’s first telecast window (2:15-4:30 PM, ET), which saw Michigan defeat Florida, earned a 6.2/16, up 17% from a 5.3/12 in 2012.  The second telecast window (5:00-7:30 PM, ET), which featured Louisville beating Duke, registered a 9.4/21, up 21% from a 7.8/15 in 2012.

The overall 2013 NCAA Tournament average-to-date ratings in the metered markets are a 6.7/14, up 8% from a 6.2/13 in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream.  3/19/13 to  03/31/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/25/12.  2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data.  2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD.  2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That is all.

2013 Final Four Tip Times

Here are the tip times for the Final Four^®. Wichita State-Louisville tips off first and that will be followed by Michigan-Syracuse.

2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four Tips Off Saturday, April 6, on CBS

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four^® on Saturday, April 6 (6-11 p.m. ET), will tip off with Wichita State against Louisville at 6:09 p.m. on CBS. Syracuse will then take on Michigan 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will call the games along with reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Coverage will begin with The Final Four Show® (4-6 p.m.) hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

That is all.

Saturday’s Elite Eight Action from the 2013 NCAA Tournament Up Slightly From 2012

I hope you’re having a good Easter. The CBS/Turner combo tells us that Saturday’s Elite Eight Regional Finals were up slightly from last year. This despite some ugly basketball especially in the first game between Syracuse and Marquette.

Saturday’s two regional finals generated a 5.8 Fast National household rating with a 12 share, up 2% from last year’s 5.6/12. Average viewership for the games averaged 9.4 million which is 6% better than last year’s 8.9 million.

Overall, the NCAA Tournament is averaging a 6.1 rating and a 13 share, better than 5.6/12 last year. And the viewership for the tournament to date is averaging 9.4 million up from 8.6 million last year. Viewership is at its highest since 1993.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 19 Years, Averaging 9.4 Million Total Viewers

NCAA Tournament Viewership and Ratings Up 9% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.4 million total viewers to date, up 9% from last year’s 8.6 million viewers, and is tied with 1994 as the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Saturday Regional Finals in 19 years (10.7 million, 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.1/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.6/12, and is tied with 2005 as the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.3/15; 1998).

Saturday’s Regional Final coverage on CBS averaged 9.4 million viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals, up 6% from last year’s 8.9 million viewers.  

Regional Final coverage on Saturday earned a HH rating/share of a 5.8/12, up 4% from last year’s 5.6/12.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/30/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/1/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That’s all

NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals Scores on CBS/TBS on Friday

Another press release from CBS/Turner Sports must mean good news for the NCAA Tournament and it does. Friday’s Sweet 16 action which included an exciting overtime Kansas-Michigan game which ended in a Wolverines win, scored in the ratings and in viewership.

CBS and TBS saw a big Fast National household rating of 8.2 and a 16 share, up a whopping 22% from last year’s 6.7/12. And viewership for the four games split evenly among CBS and TBS averaged 13.1 million viewers, again up by 20% from 2012′s 10.9 million.

For the tournament to date, CBS/Turner is averaging 9.4 million viewers which is the most since 1993. As my friend, Amanda Rykoff points out, Michigan was last in the Final Four in … 1993.

So here’s the press release from CBS and Turner Sports.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 20 Years, Averaging 9.4 Million Total Viewers

Friday’s Regional Semi-Finals Deliver 13.1 Million Total Viewers; Most Viewed in 20 Years
NCAA Tournament Viewership and Ratings Up 9% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.4 million total viewers to date, up 9% from last year’s 8.6 million viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Friday Regional Semi-Finals in 20 years (10.5 million; 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.1/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.6/12, and is the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.2/14; 1998).

Friday’s Regional Semi-Final coverage across CBS and TBS was the most-watched in 20 years, averaging 13.1 million viewers, up 20% from last year’s 10.9 million viewers. 

Regional Semi-Final coverage on Friday earned a Fast National HH rating/share of  8.2/16, up 22% from last year’s 6.7/12, and the highest average Friday Regional Semi-Final rating in 19 years (8.6/17; 1994).   

*  * * * *

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/29/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/31/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That is all.

CBS Serves Up Tennis Before Elite Eight This Weekend

Before the NCAA Tournament Regional Final action today and tomorrow, CBS will offer the women’s and men’s final of the Sony Open. Today at noon ET, it’s the women as #1 seed Serena Williams takes on the #3 seed Maria Sharapova. On Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET, the men’s final pits Andy Murray against David Ferrer.

CBS’ tennis voices of Bill Macatee and Mary Carillo will call the matches. Mary Jo Fernandez works courtside.

CBS SPORTS SERVES UP SONY OPEN WOMEN’S AND MEN’S FINALS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 30 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 31

Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray vs. David Ferrer

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR broadcasts the women’s and men’s finals of the SONY OPEN live on Saturday, March 30 (12:00-2:30 PM, ET) and Sunday, March 31 (11:30-2:00 PM, ET), respectively, from Crandon Stadium in Miami, Fla.

Saturday’s women’s final will see world No. 1 Serena Williams take on No. 2 Maria Sharapova. On the men’s side world No. 3 Andy Murray takes on No. 5 David Ferrer in the men’s final on Sunday.

CBS Sports’ Bill Macatee, Mary Carillo and Mary Joe Fernandez call the action from Miami. CBS Sports’ Bob Mansbach produces and Andy Goldberg directs. Harold Bryant is the Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

That’s all.

CBS/Turner Posts Highest Friday Night NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Overnights in 23 Years

From the CBS Sports/Turner Sports consortium, we have Friday’s overnight ratings for the Regional Semifinal action and thanks to a Kansas-Michigan game that went to overtime on TBS, the NCAA Tournament posted the highest overnight ratings for that night since 1990. The ratings resulted in an 8.9 with a 17 share which beat last year’s numbers by a whopping 20%.

CBS/Turner adds that this year’s Tournament is running 6% ahead of last year’s pace averaging a 6.6/14. So overall, going into the Elite Eight today and tomorrow,  CBS/Turner is quite happy with how this year’s tourney is shaping up.

And if Duke advances to the Final Four, you can rest assure that CBS/Turner will be extremely happy. There may be simultaneous cartwheels and summersaults done down the CBS Sports and Turner corridors in New York and Atlanta. In fact, executives may even do a cartwheel and summersault competition, that’s how elated they would be. Ok, I may have gone too far with the elation and joy, but you get the idea.

Here’s the press release.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Nets Highest Rated Friday Regional Semi-finals in 23 Years

Friday Regional Semi-final Ratings Up 20% vs. 2012; Tournament to Date Up 6%

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semi-finals on Friday, March 29, averaged a metered HH rating/share of 8.9/17, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, to become the highest rated Friday Regional Semi-final in 23 years, when the tournament expanded to its current format. The 8.9/17 is up 20% compared with a 7.4/14 last year.

Exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.6/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, up 6% compared with a 6.2/13 tournament to date in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/29/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/23/12. 2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

Elite Eight action starts today on CBS with the East Regional Final between soon-to-ex Big East rivals Marquette and Syracuse at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.

CBS/Turner Announce Tip Times for Elite Eight Games on Sunday, March 31, 2013

Tip times are set for Sunday’s Elite Eight. The South Regional Final will tip on CBS at 2:20 p.m. ET. That will be followed by the Midwest Regional Final, also on CBS, at 5:05 p.m.

Details are below.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP TIMES
FOR REGIONAL FINALS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 31 ON CBS

Exclusive Coverage Continues with Regional Finals on Saturday, March 30 on CBS

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 31, on CBS (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Michigan will take on Florida in the first game at 2:20 PM, ET followed by Duke playing Louisville at 5:05 p.m.

Host Greg Gumbel and analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb will provide studio coverage throughout the day on CBS.

Below are the tip times and announce assignments for this weekend’s Regional Finals. The winners will meet in the Final Four from Atlanta on Saturday, April 6.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game.  The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

REGIONAL FINALS SATURDAY, MARCH 30
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
4:30 p.m.	CBS	Washington, DC	Syracuse vs. Marquette	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:05 p.m.	CBS	Los Angeles	Wichita State vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson
REGIONAL FINALS SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
2:20 p.m.	CBS	Arlington, TX	Florida vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
5:05 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis	Duke vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson

That’s going to do it. The next CBS/Turner press release will set the Final Four tip times for next Saturday.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 03/30 & 03/31/2013, All Times Eastern

Saturday, March 30

Men’s

Pregame & Studio Shows
Road to the Final Four — CBS, 2:30 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Press Conference — Big Ten Network, 4 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 4:30 p.m.
Big Ten Basketball & Beyond: Tournament Edition — Big Ten Network, 9 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 12:30 a.m. (Sunday)
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, 1:30 a.m. (Sunday)

NCAA Tournament
Regional Finals

East Region, Washington, DC
Syracuse vs. Marquette — CBS, 4:30 p.m. (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols)

West Region, Los Angeles, CA
Wichita State vs. Ohio State — CBS, 7:05 p.m. (Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson)

NCAA Division II Tournament, Louisville, KY
Semifinals
Metro State vs. West Liberty — CBS Sports Network, noon (Brad Johansen/Dan Bonner)
Western Washington vs. Drury — CBS Sports Network, 2:30 p.m. (Brad Johansen/Dan Bonner)

Women’s

NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals

Bridgeport Region, Bridgeport, CT
Delaware vs. Kentucky — ESPN, noon (Beth Mowins/Doris Burke//Holly Rowe)
Maryland vs. UConn — ESPN, 2:30 p.m. (Beth Mowins/Doris Burke//Holly Rowe)

Spokane Region, Spokane, WA
Georgia vs. Stanford — ESPN, 9 p.m. (Dave Pasch/Debbie Antonelli//LaChina Robinson)
LSU vs. Cal — ESPN, 11:30 p.m. (Dave Pasch/Debbie Antonelli//LaChina Robinson)

Sunday, March 31

Men’s

Pregame & Studio Shows
Knight and Auriemma: A Coaches Conversation — ESPNU, 10:30 a.m.
Road to the Final Four — CBS, 2 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 2:30 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Press Conference: Elite Eight Postgame — Big Ten Network, 5 p.m.
Big Ten Basketball & Beyond: Tournament Edition — Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, 9 p.m.

NCAA Tournament
Regional Finals

South Regional, Arlington, TX
CBS, 2:20 p.m. (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager)

Midwest Regional, Indianapolis, IN
CBS, 4:55 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson)

Women’s

NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals

Norfolk Regional, Norfolk, VA
Kansas vs. Notre Dame — ESPN, noon (Dave O’Brien/Stephanie White//Jeannine Edwards)
Nebraska vs. Duke — ESPN, 2:30 p.m. (Dave O’Brien/Stephanie White//Jeannine Edwards)

Oklahoma City Regional, Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma vs. Tennessee — ESPN, 4:30 p.m. (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo//Maria Taylor)
Louisville vs. Baylor — ESPN, 7 p.m. (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo//Maria Taylor)

2013 NCAA Tournament Viewership Highest in 20 Years

Thanks to the fine people at the CBS Sports and Turner Sports PR departments, we learn that viewership for the 2013 NCAA Tournament is up 8% from 2012. Even with the amount of blowouts we’ve seen, interest in the tournament has increased over last year.

According to Nielsen, the NCAA Tournament is averaging 9 million viewers through Thursday’s Regional Semifinals compared to 8.3 million last year.

And the tournament is averaging a 5.9 rating and a 12 share as compared to 5.5/12 in 2012.

Here’s the joint announcement.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv is Most Watched in 20 Years, Averaging 9.0 Million Total Viewers

NCAA Tournament Viewership Up 8% and Ratings Up 7% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.0 million total viewers to date, up 8% from last year’s 8.3 million viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Thursday Regional Semifinals in 20 years (10.2 million; 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 5.9/12, up 7% from last year’s 5.5/12, and is the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.1/14; 1998).

Thursday night’s coverage across CBS and TBS averaged 10.4 million viewers, up 4% from last year’s 10.0 million viewers; and earned a Fast National HH rating/share of a 6.7/12, up 3% from last year’s 6.5/12. 

* * * * *

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/28/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/22/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That’s all.

CBS/Turner Says Thursday Night’s Sweet 16′s Overnight Ratings Up From Last Year

This from CBS/Turner, overnight ratings for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal games are up 4% from 2012. The games on CBS and TBS averaged a 7.3 and a 14 share, up from last year’s 7.0/12. Ratings were up despite the fact that three of four of the games were blowouts.

Overall, the ratings for the NCAA Tournament are up 5% from last year’s Big Dance averaging a 6.4/14.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals Up 4% vs. 2012

2013 NCAA Tournament to Date Ratings Up 5% vs. Last Year

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals on Thursday, March 28, averaged a 7.3/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, an increase of 4% over a 7.0/12 last year.  Ratings improved despite three of the four games being decided by 10 points or more.

Exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.4/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, up 5% compared with a 6.1/13 tournament to date in 2012.

Regional Semifinal coverage continues tonight, March 29, with the following slate of games:

Regional Semifinals – Friday, March 29 (7 p.m.-Midnight ET)
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
7:15 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis I	Oregon vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
7:37 p.m.	TBS	North Texas I	Kansas vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
After conc. I	CBS	Indianapolis II	Michigan State vs. Duke	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
After conc. I	TBS	North Texas II	Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager

There you have it.

Doug Gottlieb Apologizes for the White Man’s Perspective

It occurred early in CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. As host Greg Gumbel introduced Doug Gottlieb to the studio joining Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Gottlieb tried to make a diversity joke and it backfired.

You can clearly see Anthony, Barkley and Smith glaring at Gottlieb and forcing laughter. It did catch them off-guard. And while I don’t believe Gottlieb meant anything malicious towards the four African-American men on the set, the joke sank like a 500 pound boulder in water. Had Gottlieb been more likable, he might have gotten some laughs.

For its part, CBS has issued a statement from Gottlieb:

“It was not a smart thing to say and I apologize.”

Barkley did come to Gottlieb’s defense later in the evening on TBS, but that was after reaction went negative to the comments.

Former ESPN colleague Mark May called for Gottlieb to be fired, but I don’t think CBS needs to go that far.

Certainly an interesting start to the second week of the NCAA Tournament and one in which CBS would probably want a mulligan.

CBS/Turner Announce Tip Times for Elite Eight Games on Saturday, March 30, 2013

This in from CBS and Turner Sports. The tip times for the first half East and West Regional Finals have been set. Both games will be on CBS Sports. The East Regional in Washington, DC will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET while the West Regional Final will tip off at 7:05 p.m.

All tip times and announcing assignments are listed below.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP-TIMES FOR REGIONAL FINALS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 30 ON CBS

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip-times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 30 on CBS.  Marquette will take on Syracuse in the first game at 4:30 PM, ET followed by Wichita State playing Ohio State at 7:05 PM, ET.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR^® tips-off the day’s action on CBS (2:30 PM, ET) with host Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb.

Below are the tip-times and announce assignments for Saturday’s Regional Final games. Tip times for Sunday’s Regional Final games will be announced after the conclusion of Friday’s games.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game. The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

REGIONAL FINAL GAMESSATURDAY, MARCH 30
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
4:30 p.m.	CBS	Washington, DC	Syracuse vs. Marquette	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:05 p.m.	CBS	Los Angeles	Wichita State vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson

And we’re done.

The Tim McCarver Broadcasting Timeline

No matter what you think of Tim McCarver and judging from the reaction on social media, a lot of people are happy he’s leaving the Fox broadcast booth after this season. I was not a fan and felt he was overrated by the New York media when he was with the Mets in the 1980′s into the 1990′s. In addition, I thought he was verbose and overexplained things. However, you can’t deny his longevity in the booth and his career.

He’s been either the number analyst or co-number dating back to 1985 when he was with ABC Sports. McCarver has worked with some of the game’s best broadcasters including Jack Buck, Bob Costas, Dick Enberg, Sean McDonough and Al Michaels. He’s one of the few broadcasters who has worked for ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. And behind the mic, he’s been witness to some of the game’s greatest moments either as a local or national announcer.

So thanks to Fox Sports, we have a timeline of McCarver’s broadcasting career in addition to the partners with whom he’s shared the mic.

Here’s the timeline.

TIM McCARVER’S BROADCASTING CAREER HISTORY

Tim McCarver’s notable broadcasting career began as his standout four-decade baseball career concluded. A three-time Emmy Award winner, he established his reputation as a first-guesser, which has always set him apart from other analysts, during a local broadcasting career that spanned 23 seasons and as MLB’s predominant national voice since 1984. His analysis and astute observations have become synonymous with Major League Baseball’s jewel events and most dramatic moments for 30 years. Below is a summary of McCarver’s impressive broadcasting credits:

LOCAL BROADCAST CREDITS

• 23 seasons as a local team analyst:
  • Philadelphia Phillies: (WPHL) 1980 – 1982, 3 seasons
  • New York Mets: (WOR) 1983 – 1998, 16 seasons
  • New York Yankees: (WNYW) 1999 – 2001, 3 seasons
  • San Francisco Giants: (KTVU) 2002, 1 season
• One of only three broadcasters to call local games for the Mets and Yankees

NATIONAL BROADCAST CREDITS

• 30 seasons as a national network MLB analyst
  • NBC: 1980 – Analyst – Game of the Week
  • ABC: 1984 – 1989 (6 seasons) – Analyst & Field Reporter
    • Monday Night Baseball
    • National League Championship Series – 1984, 1986, 1988
    • World Series – 1985, 1987, 1989
    • All-Star Game – 1986, 1988
  • CBS: 1990 – 1993 (4 seasons) – Lead Analyst
  • • Game of the Week
    • National League Championship Series (1990-1993)
    • World Series (1990-1993)
    • All-Star Game (1990-1993)
  • ABC: (The Baseball Network) 1994 – 1995 (2 seasons) – Lead Analyst
  • • Baseball Night in America
    • National League Division Series – 1995 (Inaugural Season)
    • National League Championship Series – 1995
    • World Series – 1995
  • FOX: 1996 – through 2012 (17 seasons) – Lead Analyst
  • • FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week – 1996 – 2012
    • World Series – 1996, 1998, 2000-2012
    • American League Championship Series – 2001, 2003 – 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
    • National League Championship Series – 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012
    • American & National League Division Series 1996-2007
    • All-Star Game – 1997, 1999, 2001 – 2012
• 2012 Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
• Only MLB analyst to work for all four major broadcast networks
• Won three straight Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Event Analyst (2000 – 2002)
• Worked on-air every postseason since 1984 (28 consecutive)
• Called 23 World Series – a record
• Called 20 All-Star Games – a record
• Called Mark McGwire’s record breaking 62nd regular season home run in 1998
• Teamed with Joe Buck, his MLB on FOX play-by-play partner, a record 17 years as the network’s lead national baseball broadcast team
• Co-hosted HBO’s Race For the Pennant in 1978
• Field reporter for the National League Championship Series for ABC Sports in 1984
• Hosts the syndicated sports interview program, The Tim McCarver Show, currently in its 12th season

BROADCAST PARTNERS

Dick Enberg (NBC Sports 1980)
Bob Costas (NBC Sports 1980)
Richie Ashburn (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Harry Kalas (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Andy Musser (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Chris Wheeler (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Fran Healy (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Ralph Kiner (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Tom McCarthy (Mets local WOR 1997-1998)
Bob Murphy (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Gary Thorne (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Don Drysdale (ABC Sports 1984)
Keith Jackson (ABC Sports 1984)
Al Michaels (ABC Sports 1985-1989 & The Baseball Network/ABC Sports 1994 & 1995)
Jim Palmer (ABC Sports 1985-1989 & The Baseball Network/ABC Sports 1994 & 1995)
Jack Buck (CBS Sports 1990-1991)
Sean McDonough (CBS Sports 1992-1993)
Jim Kaat (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)
Bobby Murcer (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)
Ken Singleton (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)
Suzyn Waldman (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)

FOX SPORTS

Joe Buck (1996-2013)
Bob Brenly (1996-2000)
Kenny Albert (2003-2013)
Thom Brennaman (2003-2013)
Josh Lewin (2003-2012)
Mel Proctor (2003-2005)
Dick Stockton (2003-2013)
Matt Vasgersian (2003-2013)

TIM McCARVER’S MEMORABLE ON-AIR MOMENTS

• Steve Garvey’s game-winning home run off Lee Smith in Game 4 of the 1984 NLCS
• Umpire Don Denkinger’s infamous blown call in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series
• The classic 16-inning sixth game of the 1986 NLCS between the Mets and Astros
• The memorable seven-game World Series in 1987 between the Twins and Cardinals (home team won every game)
• The Dodgers/Mets seven-game NLCS in 1988
• The 1989 Earthquake Series between the A’s and Giants
• The heart-stopping 1991 World Series between the “worst to first” Twins and Braves, considered by many to be the greatest Fall Classic ever (all seven games were won by the home team)
• The base hit by Atlanta’s Francisco Cabrera that scored Sid Breem with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of the seventh game of the 1992 NLCS
• Joe Carter’s World Series-winning home run off Mitch Williams in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series
• The Yankees return to glory as they came back from an 0-2 deficit to beat the Braves in the 1996 World Series
• Mark McGwire breaking Roger Maris’ single season home run record in 1998
• David Cone’s perfect game for the Yankees on July 18, 1999
• The 2000 Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees
• The post-9/11 World Series in October 2001, a series that saw:
• The Diamondbacks take a 2-0 lead at home
• the Yankees roar back with three wins at Yankee Stadium, all by one run and Games 4 and 5 in extra-innings after needing to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie
• the Diamondbacks win Games 6 and 7 at home
• Arizona’s come-from-behind win in the ninth-inning of game 7 (on-air McCarver noted: “The problem with bringing the infield in against a guy like Rivera is that left-handed hitters tend to get a lot of broken-bat hits to…the shallow part of the outfield,” thus predicting Luis Gonzalez’ game-winning hit)
• The Angels first-ever World Series win the seven-game All-California World Series vs. San Francisco in 2002
• The nail-biting 2003 ALCS between the Yankees and Red Sox that featured Aaron Boone’s walk-off pennant-winning home run in Game 7
• The Red Sox historic comeback from an 0-3 deficit to beat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS
• The Red Sox sweep the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series
• The White Sox end their 88-year World Championship drought in 2005
• The Giants win the franchise’s first World Championship since 1954, and it’s first-ever in San Francisco in 2010
• The 2011 Rangers/Cardinals World Series including the epic Game 6 where St. Louis come back from deficits in the 9th and 10th innings and David Freese hit the game-winning, 11th inning solo home run to force Game 7
• Giants’ Pablo Sandoval’s three home runs against Tiger’s Justin Verlander in Game 1 of 2012 World Series

Some interesting material there.

CBS Signs New Contract with the Whatever the Old Big East Plans to Call Itself Next Season

This coming in from CBS Sports, the Tiffany Network has signed a new contract with the Old Big East. Under the terms of the new contract, CBS will air Old Big East men’s basketball games for six years through the 2019-20 season, mirroring ESPN’s agreement with the conference.

CBS will get the rights to as many as 12 conference, non-conference and neutral site games. The network will get first selection. CBS will have Louisville in the conference next season before it heads to the ACC. UConn, Memphis and other refugees from Conference USA will remain after 2014-15.

CBS has been with the Old Big East since 1983 and has remained a partner for 30 years. This ensures a partnership through the end of this decade.

Here’s the press release.

CBS SPORTS AND CURRENT BIG EAST CONFERENCE AGREE TO LONG-TERM DEAL WITH RIGHTS THROUGH 2019-20 SEASON

CBS Sports to Broadcast the Conference’s Top Men’s Basketball Games with Priority Game Selections

CBS Sports and the soon to be renamed Big East Conference have agreed to a new long-term deal with rights through the 2019-20 season, it was announced today by Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports and Commissioner, Mike Aresco. CBS Sports will broadcast the top Big East men’s basketball games, retaining the right to have the first selections among conference, non-conference and neutral site games.

The agreement with CBS Sports provides for national exposure for men’s regular-season basketball and up to 12 appearances per year.

“CBS Sports has been a partner of the Big East for 30 years,” said McManus. “As the conference enters into a new and exciting era, we are proud to continue our relationship and showcase the conference’s best games.”

“We are delighted to be extending the historic and successful relationship that we have enjoyed with CBS Sports since 1983,” Aresco said. “This agreement further illustrates the excitement and anticipation that surround the re-invention of our Conference, and it will provide our fans across the country the opportunity to watch our games on network television.”

CBS Sports broadcasts an extensive regular-season schedule of college basketball that annually features over 40 games, including conference championships from the Big Ten, Atlantic 10, Mountain West and Conference USA.

That is all.

2013 NCAA Tournament Grabs Most Viewers Since 1993

The ratings and viewership for the NCAA Tournament continue to set records. CBS/Turner Sports note that the average 8.9 million combined viewers for the first week of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV are the most dating back twenty years. Last year, the first week average was 8.2 million viewers.

The Tournament is to date, averaging 5.8 rating and 12 share which is up 7% from 2012. Sunday’s final average household rating was 7.1/14 for the eight games on Sunday across the CBS/Turner consortium. That’s up an amazing 27% from last year.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

THE 2013 NCAA^® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ON TBS, CBS, TNT AND truTV SCORES MOST-WATCHED FIRST WEEK IN 20 YEARS

First Week of Tournament Averages 8.9 Million Total Viewers and
Delivers 7 % Ratings Growth
Sunday’s Third-Round Coverage is Highest Rated in 13 Years, Up 27%

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV combined to deliver the most viewed first week of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years (1993), according to Nielsen Fast National ratings.

The combined coverage averaged 8.9 million total viewers, up 9% over last year’s 8.2 million.

The 2013 NCAA Tournament is averaging a HH rating/share of 5.8/12, up 7% from a 5.4/12 last year, and is the highest average rating for the Tournament’s first week in 15 years (1998; 5.9/15).

Sunday’s coverage averaged 11.1 million viewers, up 29% from last year’s 8.6 million, making it the most watched first Sunday in 15 years.

Third-round coverage on Sunday, March 24 combined to deliver an average fast national HH rating/share of 7.1/14, up 27% from last year’s 5.6/11. The 7.1/14 is the highest rating for the first Sunday of the Tournament in 13 years (7.2/17; 2000).

Third round coverage on Sunday, March 24 scored with ratings increases across all four telecast windows:

• The first daytime telecast window (12:00-2:41 PM, ET) averaged a 5.0/12, up 39% over last year’s 3.6/9, the highest rating for the window in 11 years (5.2/13; 2002).
• The second daytime telecast window (2:57-5:18 PM, ET) averaged a 6.8/14, up 26% over last year’s 5.4/12, the highest rating for the window since 2006 (7.0/16).
• The first primetime telecast window (5:18-9:20 PM, ET) averaged a 10.9/20, up 31% over last year’s 8.3/16, the highest rating for the window in 20 years (12.6/27; 1993).

The second primetime window (8:01 PM-12:12 AM, ET) averaged a 5.9/10, up 4% vs. a 5.7/9 in 2012.

Social Buzz
Additionally, according to Bluefin, the opening week of the NCAA Tournament generated over 6.3 million comments across social media with comment volume up 154% over the same period last year.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/24/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/18/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round. Social Media data based on Bluefin for the same dates of the Tournament.

That’s it.