Fang's Bites

Tiger Woods Coverage Starts Anew

With Tiger Woods participating in the WGC-CA Championship at the Blue Monster at Doral, coverage on the Golf Channel and NBC Sports will ramp up once again.

First, Golf Channel will air Tiger’s press conference today live.

Woods’ News Conference Live on GOLF CHANNEL Today at 1 p.m. ET

Golf Central Pre Game Expands to One Hour Thursday

GOLF CHANNEL will air Tiger Woods’ pre-tournament news conference live from the WGC-CA Championship today (Wednesday) at 1 p.m. ET.

Thursday, Golf Central Pre Game will expand to an hour and begin at 1 p.m. ET to prepare viewers for live, opening round coverage of the WGC-CA Championship. Kraig Kann and Frank Nobilo will host Golf Central Pre Game from the network’s Orlando studios, with Steve Sands and Rich Lerner reporting from Doral.

WGC-CA Championship TV Times

Thursday: Golf Central Pre Game, 1 – 2 p.m. ET

WGC-CA Championship Round One, 2 – 6 p.m. ET (Live)

WGC-CA Championship Round One, 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Replay)

Friday: Golf Central Pre Game, 1:30 – 2 p.m. ET

WGC-CA Championship Round Two, 2 – 6 p.m. (Live)

WGC-CA Championship Round Two, 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Replay)

And NBC will have 8 hours of coverage this weekend of the CA Championship.

TIGER RETURNS AS NBC SPORTS BROADCASTS 8 HOURS FROM WGC-CA CHAMPIONSHIP AT DORAL

I think this is an important week for him…because he might start doubting his form.” – NBC’s Miller on Tiger

“I don’t think Tiger doubts himself… I expect him to do very well at Doral.” – NBC’s Maltbie on Tiger

NEW YORK – March 11, 2009 – Tiger Woods returns to action seeking his fourth victory in the last five tries at Doral as NBC Sports broadcasts live high definition coverage of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship Saturday 2-6 p.m. ET and Sunday 3-7 p.m. ET, from Doral's "Blue Monster" in Miami, Fla. The field includes the top 50 players in the world led by Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, defending champion Geoff Oglivy and Ernie Els (2002 champion).

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 10th season together as NBC's lead golf team, will anchor the coverage from the 18th hole tower. They are joined by tower reporters Gary Koch (1983 Doral champion) and Bob Murphy; course reporters Roger Maltbie, Dottie Pepper and Mark Rolfing; and interviewer/essayist Jimmy Roberts. NBC's golf coverage is produced by Tommy Roy, among the most nominated persons in the history of the Sports Emmys.

JOHNNY MILLER ON TIGER: "He's played great at Doral. I think this is an important week for him either to win or have a chance to win because he might start doubting his form getting ready for Augusta."

ROGER MALTBIE ON TIGER: "I don't think Tiger doubts himself, at least not yet. Getting back into competition gives him a much better barometer on where his game is at. Now he can practice with a purpose. I expect him to do very well at Doral."

MALTBIE ON VILLEGAS: "He's a star everywhere but he's a really big star in South Florida. They love him down here and he's the kind of guy who thrives from the attention."

MALTBIE ON THE 18TH HOLE AT DORAL:  "I can't think of a harder finishing hole in golf. With the lengthening of the tee box, it had gotten to a point there for a while that with the players length they could pull the ball left off the tee and carry the water. They can still do that given the right wind condition, but it has to be something that is helping. So without that, it's pretty much restored to what it was when I was playing the tour and when Johnny (Miller) was playing the tour. If you went left you went in the water.  That's all there was to it. The angle of the hole, and now with the new tee and the resurrection of the length, makes it hard to feel comfortable on any shot on that hole. It's a great, great hole."

WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Doral event transitioned into a World Golf Championship event in 2007. One of four World Golf Championship events, the CA Championship will feature the top-50 players from the Official World Golf Ranking along with top finishers on the money lists of the six Tours comprising the International Federation of PGA Tours (PGA TOUR, European Tour, Australasian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour and Sunshine Tour).

There you have it.

Some Wednesday Links

I give you some links today. I have to deal with work shit today and some other stuff so I’ll be short on the links.

Michael McCarthy of USA Today says CBS’ Clark Kellogg gets a bigger platform as he moves from the studio to game analyst on the NCAA Tournament.

Good post by SportsByBrooks which states that ESPN Radio wants to squeeze $100,000 from local affiliates for all of its programming.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick says a Mike Francesa-Max Kellerman combination on WFAN would be an egofest.

Newsday’s Neil Best wonders if WFAN will be Kellerman’s next stop. Neil adds his thoughts on the whole Kellerman departure from ESPN Radio NY. Neil talks with CBS/YES’ Ian Eagle about why he turned down the offer to be Mike Francesa’s sidekick.

Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News says the national media do not share Bills fans’ love for the signing of Terrell Owens.

Bill Fleischman of the Philadelphia Daily News says KYW Radio has cut commentaries from the Dean of Philly sportscasters, Bill Campbell from its schedule.

From Crain’s Chicago Business, Ed Sherman says sports radio personality Harry Teinowitz is lucky to be alive after falling off a horse during a stunt last week. Ed says yesterday’s DePaul-Cincinnati game in the Big East Tournament was not heard on local radio. Ed says The Big Ten Network is becoming a cash cow.

Roman Modrowski from the Chicago Sun-Times looks at the schedule for Mike North’s internet sports webcasts.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi seeing Marquette as a #7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Daily Oklahoman looks at the ratings of college games in the local area.

Helene Elliot of the Los Angeles Times talks with Kings voice Bob Miller and former voice Jiggs McDonald about the team’s late GM Larry Regan who passed away this week.

Dan Fost from the LA Times says websites including ESPN are supersizing their ads, known as pushdowns, to get the attention of their readers.

From Douglas McIntyre of the Wall Street 24/7 blog through Time magazine, Yahoo and the Big Lead, he predicts the 10 Most Endangered Major Newspapers in the country.

Michael David Smith of AOL Fanhouse writes that Bob Knight swore on the air during ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning show.

West Virginia University will look at the evolution of Sports Journalism later this month and some of the speakers including Sports Illustrated’s Frank Deford, Deadspin’s A.J. Daulerio and WRC-TV’s Lindsay Czarniak.

EPL Talk is not pleased with ESPN’s coverage of the Champions League.

That’s it for now.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball

Big East Tournament
DePaul vs. Providence – ESPN, noon
St. John’s vs. Marquette – ESPN, 2:30 p.m.
West Virginia vs. Notre Dame – ESPN, 7 p.m.
Seton Hall vs. Syracuse – ESPN, 9:30 p.m.

Big Sky Championship
Portland State vs. Montana State – ESPN2, 10:30 p.m.

Big 12 Tournament
Nebraska vs. Baylor – Big 12 Network, 12:30 p.m.
Texas vs. Colorado – Big 12 Network, 3 p.m.
Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State – Big 12 Network, 7 p.m.
Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech – Big 12 Network, 9:30 p.m.

Mountain West Tournament
Colorado State vs. Air Force – the mtn., 5 p.m.

Northeast Conference Championship
Mount St. Mary’s vs. Robert Morris – ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.

Pac 10 Tournament
Oregon State vs. Stanford – FSN, 9 p.m.
Washington State vs. Oregon – FSN, 11:30 p.m.

NBA
Boston at Miami – Comcast SportsNet New England, 7:30 p.m.
New York at Detroit – NBA TV, 7:30 p.m.
New Jersey at Golden State – NBA TV, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Tampa Bay at Ottawa – TSN/NHL Network (US)/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Carolina at Chicago – Fox Sports Carolinas/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 9:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Anaheim – Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.

World Baseball Classic
Netherlands vs. Puerto Rico – ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.
Venezuela vs. USA – MLB Network, 6:30 p.m.
Mexico vs. Australia – MLB Network, 10 p.m.

Entertainment
Scrubs – ABC, 8 p.m.
Criminal Minds – CBS, 9 p.m.
Ghost Hunters – SciFi, 9 p.m.
Earth: The Sequel – Discovery, 10 p.m.
Damages – FX, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

From MLB Network

A quick announcement from MLB Network….

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

MLB NETWORK TO RE-AIR LAST NIGHT’S EXTRA-INNINGS VICTORY BY THE NETHERLANDS OVER THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET this morning, MLB Network will air an encore presentation of last night’s thrilling 2-1 extra innings victory by The Netherlands over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. With the loser facing elimination in the World Baseball Classic, the game remained scoreless heading into extra innings. In the top of the 11^th inning, Jose Reyes scored the first run of the game for the Dominicans on a fielding error by Eugene Kingsdale in right field. But The Netherlands came storming back in the bottom of the inning, as Kingsdale redeemed himself by driving in the tying run, and then scoring the winning run on a fielding error by Dominican first baseman Willy Aybar. The game also included memorable pitching performances by Ubaldo Jimenez, who started the game for the Dominican team and struck out a World Baseball Classic record 10 batters in only four innings of work, and three-time Cy Young award winner Pedro Martinez, who pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Jimenez. The bullpen of The Netherlands also came up big, with Alexander Smit, Rob Cordemas, Dennis Neuman, Diegomar Markwell and Leon Boyd combining to pitch seven innings of relief, allowing only two hits and no earned runs.

I’m doing Primetime and Late Night Viewing Picks. Back later.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Women’s/Big Ten Tournament, Wisconsin vs. Northwestern – Big Ten Network, noon
Women’s/Big Ten Tournament, Indiana vs. Michigan – Big Ten Network, 2:30 p.m.
Women’s/Big Ten Tournament, Penn State vs. Illinois – Big Ten Network, 5 p.m.
Big South Tournament/Liberty vs. VMI – ESPNU, 6 p.m.
St. Joseph’s at Temple – CBS College Sports, 7 p.m.
Tennessee at South Carolina – ESPN, 7 p.m.
Providence at Villanova – ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Big South Tournament/North Carolina-Asheville vs. Radford – ESPNU, 8 p.m.
Illinois at Penn State – ESPN, 9 p.m.
Dayton at Xavier – ESPN2, 9 p.m.
Cal at Arizona – FSN, 10:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Honda Classic, 1st Round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

MLB
Chicago White Sox vs. Chicago Cubs – MLB Network/WGN, 4 p.m.

NBA
Dallas at New Orleans – TNT, 8 p.m.
Portland at Denver – TNT, 10:30 p.m.
Inside the NBA – TNT, 1 a.m.

NHL
Calgary at Philadelphia – Comcast SportNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
New York Rangers at New York Islanders – MSG Network/MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
Phoenix at Boston – KAZT/NESN, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Washington – Rogers Sportsnet Ontario/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Ottawa – Rogers Sportsnet West/Rogers Sportsnet East, 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Florida – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Columbus at Nashville – Fox Sports Ohio, 8 p.m.
NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 9 p.m.
Dallas at Los Angeles – Fox Sports Southwest, 10:30 p.m.
Minnesota at San Jose – NHL Network (Canada)/Fox Sports North/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10:30 p.m.
NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 1 a.m.

Entertainment
Survivor: Tocantins – CBS, 8 p.m.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – CBS, 9 p.m.
Hell’s Kitchen – Fox, 9 p.m.
Burn Notice (season finale) – USA Network, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Sirius XM to Carry College Conference Tournaments

When Sirius and XM merged late last year, this was one of the reasons why Sirius subscribers were so happy. Those of us on the Sirius side could listen to the NCAA Tournament, but we could not hear the major college conference tournaments, the ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 10 and SEC and were restricted to the mid-majors. Now, that has all changed as we’ll get to hear everything through the Best of XM package.

Starting this week, the conference tournaments begin and we have the schedule right here.

SIRIUS XM RADIO TO BROADCAST GAMES FROM 22 NCAA BASKETBALL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS

Men’s and Women’s college basketball tournaments will be available

to SIRIUS and XM listeners

NEW YORK – March 5, 2009 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that it will broadcast games from 22 NCAA Division I college basketball conference tournaments this month, offering both men’s and women’s games to a nationwide audience.

Every men’s tournament game from all six major conferences – ACC, Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, PAC 10 and SEC – will be available to both XM subscribers and SIRIUS subscribers with the “Best of XM” programming package. Women’s tournament action from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, PAC 10 and SEC will also be available to XM subscribers and SIRIUS subscribers with the “Best of XM” package.

Additionally, SIRIUS subscribers will have access to 11 other men’s conference tournaments, including games from the Big West, Colonial Athletic Association, Horizon League, Mid-American, MAAC, Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, Southern Conference, Sun Belt, West Coast and Western Athletic Conference Championships. XM subscribers will have access to the championship games of the Ohio Valley and Missouri Valley conference tournaments. XM subscribers with the “Best of SIRIUS” package will be able to hear the championship games from the Big West, Colonial Athletic Association, Horizon League, Mid-American, MAAC, Southern Conference, Sun Belt, West Coast and Western Athletic Conference tournaments.

A list of conference tournaments available on SIRIUS and XM appears below. Please visit www.sirius.com/collegesports and www.xmradio.com/collegesports for more info on SIRIUS XM’s college sports programming and schedules of upcoming games.

Men’s Conference Tournaments

Tournament games available to XM subscribers and SIRIUS subscribers with the “Best of XM”:

ACC Tournament (March 11-15) – XM 190,191 / SIRIUS 212 (Best of XM)

Big East Tournament (March 10-14) – XM 203 / SIRIUS 217 (Best of XM)

Big Ten Tournament (March 12-15) – XM 196 / SIRIUS 213 (Best of XM)

Big 12 Tournament (March 11-14) – XM 231 / SIRIUS 216 (Best of XM)

PAC 10 Tournament (March 11-14) – XM 193 / SIRIUS 215 (Best of XM)

SEC Tournament (March 12-15) – XM 199 / SIRIUS 214 (Best of XM)

Tournament games available to SIRIUS and XM subscribers*:

Ohio Valley Conference Tournament (March 3-7) – SIRIUS 121 / XM 141*

Missouri Valley Conference Tournament (March 5-8) – SIRIUS 121, 122 / XM 141*

(* = XM will carry only tournament championship games.)

Tournament games available to SIRIUS subscribers and XM subscribers with “Best of SIRIUS”**:

Big West Conference Tournament (March 11-14) – SIRIUS 113 / XM 104 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Colonial Athletic Association Tournament (March 6-9) – SIRIUS 126 / XM 103 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Horizon League Tournament (March 3-10) – SIRIUS 113 / XM 102 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament (March 10-14) – SIRIUS 122 / XM 102 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament (March 6-9)–SIRIUS 161 / XM 105 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Southern Conference Tournament (March 6-9) – SIRIUS 130 / XM 104 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Sun Belt Conference Tournament (March 4-10) – SIRIUS 91 / XM 103 (Best of SIRIUS)**

West Coast Conference Tournament (March 6-9) – SIRIUS 125 / XM 102 (Best of SIRIUS)**

Western Athletic Conference Tournament (March 12-14) – SIRIUS 126 / XM 103 (Best of SIRIUS)**

(** = XM will carry only tournament championship games.)

Women’s Conference Tournaments

Tournaments games to XM subscribers and SIRIUS subscribers with the “Best of XM”:

ACC Tournament (March 5-8) – XM 190 / SIRIUS 216 (Best of XM)

Big East Tournament (March 9-10) – XM 203 / SIRIUS 213 (Best of XM)

Big Ten Tournament – (March 7-8) – XM 196 / SIRIUS 215 (Best of XM)

SEC Tournament (March 5-8) – XM 199 / SIRIUS 217 (Best of XM)

PAC 10 Tournament (March 14-15) – XM 193 / SIRIUS 220 (Best of XM)***

(*** = SIRIUS will carry only Pac 10 Championship game)

(Schedule is subject to change. Not all tournament games are scheduled to air.)

Great stuff.

Thursday Morning Linkage

I have quite a few things to link to this morning. Let’s get to them without further delay.

First, David Scott of Boston Sports Media Watch looks at the sudden closing of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting which boasts Artie Lange of the Howard Stern Show as an alum.

My great friend, LC over at the 38Cliches blog thinks the MLB Network is a piece of crap. I think it’s doing a very good job, but I don’t have to agree with every link I put up. I’ll link to LC as long as he runs his blog.

Dan Lemothe from Red Sox Monster has an interview with Red Sox public address announcer and the very creepy Carl Beane. Thanks to The Big Lead.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says get ready to eat a lot when you go to the ballpark.

Newsday’s Neil Best has some unsolicited advice for Alex Rodriguez. Neil writes that A-Rod is singlehandedly keeping newspapers in business. Neil looks at YES’ and SNY’s ratings in the afternoon time slot. Neil writes that an interview with New York Islanders owner Charles Wang will air on MSG Plus tonight.

Justin Terranova of the New York Post says the first day of the Big East Tournament will not be on TV.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the announcing teams for the MAAC and America East Tournaments.

Bill Fleischman of the Philadelphia Daily News talks with new Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia General Manager Brian Monahan.

The Baltimore Sun’s Ray Frager says Tuesday’s Maryland-Wake Forest game did not score well in the ratings. Ray says one local sports radio show went overboard with the racial overtones.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times talks with Versus president Jamie Davis about the Indy Racing League which premieres on the channel in April.

Roger van der Horst of the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer laments the fact that he won’t be able to watch Braves game as MLB has deemed North Carolina as Orioles and Nationals territory. And Roger likes that ESPN is picking up a heavyweight championship fight later this month.

Bill Vilona of the Pensacola (AL) News Journal says Alabama’s Spring Football game has attracted ESPN.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says ESPN’s Keyshawn Johnson had some more comments on former Cowboys’ WR Terrell Owens.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the Wall Street Journal is expanding its spots coverage. And Ed profiles Chicago sports personality Chet Coppock.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says the Dodgers are offering Spring Training games for free on its website. Tom writes about the passing of Mike Lockert, the Voice of the Notre Dame hockey, who was also a SoCal native.

John Ryan from the San Jose Mercury News writes that the Sharks set a TV ratings record on Tuesday.

Gary Washburn of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says MLB is putting a lot into the World Baseball Classic.

Michael Grange of the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN and Rogers Sportsnet tried to do a lot with so little news during their NHL Trade Deadline shows.

Mike Shields of the Hollywood Reporter writes that CBS is nearly sold out for the NCAA Tournament.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says WFAN’s Mike Francesa plans some changes for his YES simulcast.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine says tonight’s Illinois-Penn State game on ESPN is a highlight for primetime viewing.

The Sports Media Watch says the NFL Draft is moving closer and closer to being a primetime event. And SMW has the ESPN/ABC NBA playoff schedule.

Joe Favorito looks at how indoor soccer’s New Jersey Ironmen are trying to make inroads in the community and make a name for themselves in a crowded sports market.

Christopher Byrne of the great Eye on Sports Media blog has a look at how banks try to get bangs for their bucks through sports advertising.

FSN will carry the Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships starting today.

And those are the links for today.

Wednesday’s Press Release Action

Now that I’ve come down from watching tonight’s great episode of “Lost” and tonight’s great episode of “Damages”, I can provide you with the press releases that hit my inbox.

Regular readers should know that Mondays are reserved for “24, Wednesdays for “Lost” and “Damages”, Thursdays for “Hell’s Kitchen” and Sunday for “The Amazing Race” and Showtime’s lineup. And yes, I do keep track of sports in between, but again, that’s is what the DVR was invented for.

Anyway, let’s get to the releases. First, Fox previews its coverage of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race which is in Atlanta.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NASCAR on FOX Takes a Bite Out of The Peach State For Kobalt Tools 500

Race Analyst Larry McReynolds Visits The Weather Channel

NASCAR on FOX is on Twitter

KYLE BUSCH IS OUT TO MAKE ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY SECOND HOME – NASCAR on FOX rolls into Atlanta for week four of the 2009 season on Sunday, March 8 at 1:30 PM ET for the Kobalt Tools 500. Following a Sprint Cup victory at home last weekend, Kyle Busch returns to his unofficial second home where he celebrated twice in victory lane last year by winning the Truck race & Sprint Cup race in the same weekend. Prerace host Chris Myers along with analysts Jeff Hammond and Darrell Waltrip bring fans all the news and features from the Hollywood Hotel, FOX Sports’ traveling prerace set. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy will be alongside 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 up-to-the-second reports on teams and pit stops.

NASCAR ON FOX PRERACE SHOW FEATURES FIFTH GRADER’S ULTIMATE JOY RIDE WHEN ASK.COM’S BOBBY LABONTE DRIVES HIM TO SCHOOL – In recognition of Outstanding Internet Safety Education, NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte will drive fifth grader William Starr of Cotton Indian Elementary School in Stockbridge, GA to school this Friday (3/6). Labonte will be driving a Ford Fusion wrapped to look like his #96 Ask.com race car before presenting a donation of new computers to William’s elementary school as part of Ask.com’s Safe Search Schools Program (www.safesearchschools.com). The exciting day will be chronicled on NASCAR on FOX’s prerace show beginning at 1:30 PM ET this Sunday. Students were asked to come up with ways for kids to ensure safety when using the internet. While all the student submissions were commendable, William’s idea to create a board game for students with cards featuring “bad” and “good” websites was the most creative and thoughtful.

WALTRIP: ‘DON’T BE SHOCKED IF LABONTE DOMINATES ATLANTA’ – Following a top-five finish last week in Las Vegas and vaulting himself into the top-10 in the points standings, NASCAR on FOX analyst Darrell Waltrip feels Bobby Labonte is poised for big things: “Labonte loves Atlanta. His crew chief, Todd Parrott, loves Atlanta. Don’t be shocked, if Bobby Labonte goes to Atlanta and wins the pole and wins the race. I have that much confidence in him at that race track. Bobby gets around there great, Todd knows how to set that car up and they have Yates’ power. They’re coming off a great finish in Vegas and that is exactly what he needed. He needed something that would give him a little confidence and give him a little push. Watch the No. 96 car. That will be the car to beat in Atlanta.”

WATCH OUT JILLIAN! LARRY MCREYNOLDS MAKES A PIT STOP AT THE WEATHER CHANNEL AS GUEST FORECASTER – While in Atlanta this weekend, analyst Larry McReynolds makes a pit stop to cable’s 24-hour weather network, the Weather Channel. Larry Mac will serve as ‘guest weatherman’ during “Your Weather Today” to talk about the affects of weather on race tracks, drivers, cars and how it factors into a crew chiefs strategy. “I don’t think that any other sport is effected by weather as much as NASCAR. Since so much of NASCAR is dependant on equipment, the weather heavily affects the performance of these race cars. It changes the way engine tuners tune their engines and the way crew chiefs set up the cars. If the track gets hot, the car loses grip and if the track cools down it’ll gain grip and you’ll have to make more adjustments. Bottom line, the more precise information you have, the better prepared your team will be,” said the former crew chief. McReynolds will make his venture into the world of weather prognosis, live this Friday, March 6 at 7:40 AM ET.

NASCAR ON FOX DOMINATES SPORTS COVERAGE FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE WEEK – Sunday’s race from Las Vegas Motor Speedway scored as the most-watched and highest-rated weekend sports event giving NASCAR on FOX that distinction for the third consecutive week. According to Nielsen Media Research, FOX Sports’ 11.1 million viewership average for Sunday’s race is up 5% over average viewership (10.6 million) for Sprint Cup Racing at LVMS from 2001 to 2008 on FOX. Sunday’s 6.5/12 national household rating/share ranks as the second-highest rating for the event since 2003‘s 6.9/15.

NASCAR ON FOX JOINS TWITTER NATION – Twitter is one of the fastest growing communication methods in the world, and beginning this week, Twitter users are able to follow the latest news and notes from NASCAR on FOX. Race fans can follow by logging on to www.twitter.com/NASCAR_ON_FOX.

FOX SPORTS HONORED BY ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION – Tonight, at a star-studded benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association known as “A Night at Sardi’s,” FOX Sports will be recognized for their efforts in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The network will receive the first Advocacy Award presented by Alzheimer’s Association for their association with FOX Sports Supports. The partnership helped raise awareness, provide financial assistance, and spur volunteerism for the Alzheimer’s Association during the 2009 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) on FOX. David Hill, Chairman & CEO of FOX Sports Television Group, Ed Goren, President of FOX Sports and Bill Wanger Sr. Vice President of Programming & Research, FOX Sports will accept the award on behalf of the network.

Over to Westwood One which recently was sold and will have extensive coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

WESTWOOD ONE’S

NCAA RADIO NETWORK

PRESENTS COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE

2009 NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

-- Coverage To Air On Over 450 Radio Stations Nationwide--

New York, NY – March 4, 2009 - Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network (WWON:OB) is proud to present complete coverage of the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament beginning on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Full play-by-play coverage from 29 men’s basketball games includes the opening round game, action from all eight first-round and second-round sites, four select regional semifinals, all four regional finals and all three games from the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Detroit. Once again, Westwood One will also broadcast the Division II Men’s Basketball Championship game from Springfield, MA on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Complete tournament coverage will be heard on over 450 radio stations nationwide. Additionally, Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network will provide Sirius Satellite Radio with the broadcast of all 65 games in their entirety and all 64 Men’s Division I games will be streamed online for millions more to enjoy via the web on NCAA.com.

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

In addition to coverage of the men’s games, Westwood One also produces an outstanding lineup of college basketball programming including: March to Madness with John Thompson; the one-hour daily feature The NCAA Tournament Today; as well as Selection Sunday.

Westwood One’s NCAA Radio Network will also originate three games of play-by-play coverage from the NCAA Women’s Final Four in St. Louis, MO on April 5^th and April 7^th. Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli will broadcast the NCAA Women’s Final Four to radio stations nationwide. Joe Tolleson will host pregame, halftime and postgame coverage. Additionally, Westwood One will once again provide coverage of all four NCAA Women’s Regional Finals on March 30^th and March 31^st.

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

Now that the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing is over, the focus now shifts to Florida where the next four tournaments will be played. NBC will have coverage of them all and it begins with the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens.

“THE BEAR TRAP” LOOMS AS NBC’s PGA TOUR COVERAGE MOVES TO PALM BEACH GARDENS WITH HONDA CLASSIC SATURDAY & SUNDAY AT 3 PM ET

NBC Tees Up Week Two of Seven Straight Weekends of
PGA TOUR Coverage

Pepper on “The Bear Trap”: “The finish is one of the very best in golf.”

NEW YORK – March 4, 2009 – "The Bear Trap" looks to catch a field led by Sergio Garcia, defending champion Ernie Els, Boo Weekley and Camilo Villegas (runner-up in 2007) as NBC Sports tees up week two of seven straight weeks of PGA TOUR broadcast coverage at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m. ET, presented in high definition.

The Honda Classic enters its third year at the Jack Nicklaus re-designed PGA National Championship Course, with its signature 15th, 16th and 17th holes, a daunting test known as "The Bear Trap." The 17th hole is a 172-yard par three over water. The course played host to the 1983 Ryder Cup and 1987 PGA Championship.

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 10th season together as NBC Sports' lead golf announcers, will anchor the coverage from the 18th hole tower. They are joined by tower reporters Gary Koch and Bob Murphy; course reporters Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper; and interviewer/essayist Jimmy Roberts. NBC's golf coverage is produced by Tommy Roy, among the most nominated persons in the history of the Sports Emmys.

"Villagas really started coming on at the end of last year and that has continued at the start of this year," said Maltbie. "As he's shown, he knows how to play this course. He's definitely a force to be reckoned with."

Pepper said: "I played three PGA Junior Championships on this course and I can honestly say there wasn't a hole that I didn't like. The finish is one of the very best in golf with two par threes, 15 and 17, and 15 in particular, that I believe will decide the event. Water is in play on each of the four closing holes and coupled with the usual Florida winds, the players have their hands full."

To HBO which has a new edition of Boxing After Dark this Saturday.

HBO SPORTS SERVES UP A TRIPLE HEADER OF ACTION WHEN HBO BOXING AFTER DARK^®: JAMES KIRKLAND VS. JOEL JULIO, VICTOR ORTIZ VS. MIKE ARNAOUTIS AND ROBERT GUERRERO VS. DAUD YORDAN IS SEEN SATURDAY, MARCH 7

HBO Sports serves up a triple header of action when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: JAMES KIRKLAND VS. JOEL JULIO, VICTOR ORTIZ VS. MIKE ARNAOUTIS AND ROBERT GUERRERO VS. DAUD YORDAN is presented SATURDAY, MARCH 7 at 10:00 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT), from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Cal., exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of Bob Papa, Lennox Lewis and Max Kellerman will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The main event features two fighters known for their aggressive style and heavy hitting, as undefeated James Kirkland (24-0, 21 KOs) of Austin, Tex. and Joel Julio (34-2, 31 KOs) from Monteria, Columbia battle in a scheduled ten-round junior middleweight contest. Kirkland has quickly become a top prospect in the division with a knockout-to-victory ratio in the high 80% range. Julio, another top prospect with an equally impressive percentage of KO victories, has suffered only two losses. Both men see the match as an important step toward a title in the division.

The middle bout has rising prospect Victor Ortiz (23-1-1, 18 KOs) from Oxnard, Cal. going against top contender Mike Arnaoutis (21-2-2, 10 KOs) from Atlantic City in a scheduled 12-round face-off. On a fast rack to stardom, Ortiz has been steadily notching victories against top fighters. Arnaoutis, a hot prospect in the junior lightweight division who is now fighting as a junior welterweight, looks to put the brakes on Ortiz’s rise.

The evening kicks off when two-time featherweight champ Robert Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KOs) from Gilroy, Cal. takes on undefeated Daud Yordan (23-0, 17 KOs) from Kalimantan, Indonesia in a scheduled ten-round junior lightweight contest. Guerrero won titles in the featherweight division at ages 24 and 25. Now 26, he is moving up in weight to seek a third crown. Yordan will be fighting in the U.S. for only his second time and is looking for a victory to affirm his status in the division.

The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Mike Sheehan.

We stay with boxing and the announcement from ESPN that it will carry a heavyweight championship fight! Yes, it’s true. It will be live and on basic cable. You won’t have to pay extra. What a concept!

First-Ever Live, World-Ranked Heavyweight Championship on ESPN will Feature Klitschko-Gomez Title Bout

WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Juan Carlos Gomez on Saturday, March 21, at 5 p.m. ET from Stuttgart, Germany, in the first live, world-ranked heavyweight championship bout on ESPN. It will be Klitschko’s first title defense since coming out of retirement last October, when he beat defending champion Samuel Peter.

The bout will also be presented live on ESPN360.com, ESPN’s broadband sports network, and ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN’s real-time service for mobile devices.

Klitschko is among only a handful of boxers in history — along with Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis — who have won the heavyweight crown three times. Klitschko was WBO Heavyweight Champion from 1999 until 2000 and WBC Heavyweight Champion from 2004 until 2005. He has a record of 36-2 with 35 knockouts.

Gomez is No. 1 in the WBC rating and the official challenger with a record of 45-1 with 35 knockouts. A former WBC cruiserweight champion, he won the title in 1998 and defended it successfully 10 times before vacating the title to move up in weight. He became the mandatory heavyweight challenger with two wins in elimination bouts.

Play-by-play announcer Brian Kenny and analyst Teddy Atlas will call the action for ESPN.

It won’t be the same not having HBO’s Jim Lampley, Emanuel Steward and Larry Merchant on the call, but let’s see how this works out. If the ratings pan out, we could get more championship bouts on basic and possibly free TV and that is definitely good for the consumer.

And NFL Network provides us with its programming for the next week as it prepares to televise the Draft in April.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (3/4-3/10)

DERRICK MASON, T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH, TEDY BRUSCHI & HINES WARD IN-STUDIO ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS THIS WEEK

Top Draft Prospect – Boston College DT B.J. Raji In-Studio on Path to the Draft Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET

NFL Classic GamesMonday through Saturday at 8:00 PM ET

THIS WEEK ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS

Thursday, March 5

• Ravens WR Derrick Mason in-studio
• ‘Draft Journey’ – An inside look at the journey to Draft Day for prospects Michael Crabtree, Matthew Stafford and Brian Cushing.

Friday, March 6

• Ravens WR Derrick Mason in-studio

Monday, March 9

• Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh in-studio

Tuesday, March 10

• Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi in-studio
• Steelers WR Hines Ward in-studio

THIS WEEK ON PATH TO THE DRAFT

Wednesday, March 4

• Boston College DT B.J. Raji in-studio
• First Draft: Maryland WR Darius Heyward-Bey
• On the Clock: Chris Stueber, NFL draft analyst for Scout.com takes a look at the Tennessee Titans draft needs.

Thursday, March 5

• First Draft: Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno
• On the Clock: Keith Idec, columnist for Giantinsider.com takes a look at the New York Giants draft needs.

Friday, March 6

• First Draft: Texas DE Brian Orakpo

Monday, March 9

• First Draft: Sam Houston State QB Rhett Bomar

Tuesday, March 10

• First Draft: Alabama OT Andre Smith

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET):

Wednesday, March 4

6:30 PM – Path to the Draft

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: 1998 NFC Wildcard (Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers)

Thursday, March 5

1:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 13 Greatest Comebacks

2:00 PM – Path to the Draft: Wednesday edition

2:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Single Season Performances

3:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Draft Classes

4:30 PM – 2009 NFL Scouting Combine: Linebackers, Defensive Line

6:30 PM – Path to the Draft

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: 2006 AFC Championship (New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts)

Friday, March 6

1:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 50 Greatest QBs

2:00 PM – Path to the Draft: Thursday edition

2:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Comebacks

3:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Draft Steals

4:30 PM – 2009 NFL Scouting Combine: Running Backs, Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers

6:30 PM – Path to the Draft

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: 1992 AFC Wildcard (Houston Oilers vs. Buffalo Bills)

Saturday, March 7

Path to the Draft – Full Week Encore

10:00 AM – Path to the Draft: Monday edition

10:30 AM – Path to the Draft: Tuesday edition

11:00 AM – Path to the Draft: Wednesday edition

11:30 AM – Path to the Draft: Thursday edition

12 NOON – Path to the Draft: Friday edition

12:30 PM – Path to the Draft: Monday edition

1:00 PM – Path to the Draft: Tuesday edition

1:30 PM – Path to the Draft: Wednesday edition

2:00 PM – Path to the Draft: Thursday edition

2:30 PM – Path to the Draft: Friday edition

3:00 PM – Prime U (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: 1992 AFC Wildcard (Houston Oilers vs. Buffalo Bills)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Week in Review

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: 1995 NFC Championship (Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys)

Sunday, March 8

9:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Team Nicknames

10:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Records That Will Not Be Broken

11:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Weather Games

12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Biggest Upsets

1:00 PM – NFL Replay Real Time: Week 1

2:00 PM – NFL Replay: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins (2008, Week 1)

3:30 PM – NFL Replay: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (2008, Week 1)

5:00 PM – NFL Replay: Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts (2008, Week 1)

6:30 PM – NFL Replay: Carolina Panthers vs. San Diego Chargers (2008, Week 1)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay Real Time: Week 1

9:00 PM – NFL Replay: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins (2008, Week 1)

10:30 PM – NFL Replay: Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (2008, Week 1)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Replay: Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts (2008, Week 1)

1:30 AM – NFL Replay: Carolina Panthers vs. San Diego Chargers (2008, Week 1)

Monday, March 9

Live Wire Marathon

6:00 AM – Live Wire: Wildcard Weekend

6:30 AM – Live Wire: Divisional Playoffs

7:00 AM – Live Wire: Championship Sunday

7:30 AM – Live Wire: Super Bowl XLIII

8:00 AM – Live Wire: Week 3

8:30 AM – Live Wire: Week 5

9:00 AM – Live Wire: Week 6

9:30 AM – Live Wire: Week 7

10:00 AM – Live Wire: Week 8

10:30 AM – Live Wire: Week 9

11:00 AM – Live Wire: Week 10

11:30 AM – Live Wire: Week 11

12 NOON – Live Wire: Week 12

12:30 PM – Live Wire: Week 13

1:00 PM – Live Wire: Week 14

1:30 PM – Live Wire: Week 15

2:00 PM – Live Wire: Week 16

2:30 PM – Live Wire: Wildcard Weekend

3:00 PM – Live Wire: Divisional Playoffs

3:30 PM – Live Wire: Championship Sunday

4:00 PM – Live Wire: Super Bowl XLIII

4:30 PM – Live Wire: Wildcard Weekend

5:00 PM – Live Wire: Divisional Playoffs

5:30 PM – Live Wire: Championship Sunday

6:00 PM – Live Wire: Super Bowl XLIII

6:30 PM – Path to the Draft

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers (Nov. 3, 1985)

Tuesday, March 10

11:00 AM – NFL Classics: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers (Nov. 3, 1985)

2:00 PM – Path to the Draft

2:30 PM – NFL Film Session: 1995 Year in Review

3:00 PM – NFL Film Session: Lombardi

4:00 PM – NFL Film Session: Montana: Fire Inside

5:00 PM – NFL’s Greatest Games: New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns – 1986 AFC Divisional Playoff

6:30 PM – Path to the Draft

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – Game of the Week: 1999 AFC Wildcard – Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans

9:00 PM – Game of the Week: 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff – Oakland Raiders vs. New England Patriots

And that will conclude the press releases for Wednesday.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Northwestern at Purdue – Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
DePaul at West Virginia – Big East Network/ESPN Plus, 7 p.m.
Seton Hall at Louisville – Big East Network/ESPN Plus, 7 p.m.
North Carolina at Virginia Tech – ESPN, 7 p.m.
Boston College at NC State – ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Marquette at Pittsburgh – ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.
Memphis at Houston – CBS College Sports, 8 p.m.
Florida at Mississippi State – Raycom, 8 p.m.
Georgia at Kentucky – Raycom, 8 p.m.
BYU at Wyoming – the mtn., 8 p.m.
Wisconsin at Minnesota – Big Ten Network, 8:30 p.m.
Oklahoma at Missouri – Big 12 Network/ESPN Plus, 9 p.m.
Texas A&M at Colorado – ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Kansas at Texas Tech – ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.
Air Force at UNLV – CBS College Sports, 10 p.m.
Colorado State at San Diego State – the mtn., 10 p.m.

MLB
Team Australia vs. Seattle – MLB Network/FSN Northwest, 9 p.m.

NBA
Boston at New Jersey – Comcast SportsNet New England, 7:30 p.m.
San Antonio at Dallas – ESPN, 9 p.m.

NHL
Montreal at Buffalo – TSN/RDS/NHL Network (US)/MSG Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Detroit at Colorado – Fox Sports Detroit/Altitude, 9 p.m.
NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Entertainment
Knight Rider – NBC, 8 p.m.
Lost – ABC, 9 p.m.
Hudson Plane Crash: What Really Happened – Discovery, 9 p.m.
Damages – FX, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

The Amazing Race 14 – Episode 4 Promo

We have our very first twist in the race. It’s the BLIND U-TURN. I have an idea what this means, but it’s only speculation at this point. Thanks to puddin at Reality Fan Forum for finding this promo.

I like the twist. Looks like Mel & Mike were the ones who were U-Turned and were forced to do both Detour tasks.

2009 MLB on Fox Schedule

This just in… Fox has announced its MLB schedule. No introduction needed. Just scroll down.

One change from last season. There is no pregame show. Fox will just into the games at 4 p.m. ET.

FOX SPORTS ANNOUNCES 2009 FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE

2009 Game of the Week Begins Saturday, April 11 at New Time: 4:00 PM/ET

World Champion Phillies, Yankees, Cubs, Mets Scheduled Eight Times

AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays Double Previous Appearances

New York & Los Angeles – As teams in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues fine-tune their line-ups and rotations for what all hope is a chance at postseason glory, the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK is gearing up for another season of excitement, drama and unforgettable moments. FOX Sports airs 26 consecutive weeks of regular season coverage, the 80^th All-Star Game from St. Louis, the American League Championship Series and the 104^th World Series. The 2009 season is FOX Sports’ 14^th straight as the primary national broadcast television home of Major League Baseball. In that time, FOX Sports has aired 11 World Series, 19 League Championship Series and 10 All-Star Games.

The 2009 FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK schedule features up to three regionalized games and this year most begin at a new 4:00 PM ET time. The final two Saturdays of the regular season are designated as “wild card” dates, allowing FOX Sports to choose up to three games of significance each day.

FOX Sports begins its 2009 coverage on Saturday, April 11 (4:00 PM ET) with a rematch of last year’s ALDS as American League MVP Dustin Pedroia and the Boston Red Sox travel west to face Vladimir Guerrero and the new-look Anaheim Angels. Other “Opening Day” on FOX action includes the Minnesota Twins taking on the Chicago White Sox, who last season squared off in a one game playoff for the AL Central title, and the Houston Astros visiting the St. Louis Cardinals, opponents in both the ’04 and ’05 NLCS.

The 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies make eight MLB on FOX appearances with their first coming on Saturday, May 2 (3:30 PM ET) as they host David Wright and their division rival New York Mets. The season’s schedule also boasts five appearances by the Tampa Bay Rays, defending American League Champions, including a rematch on Saturday, May 9 with their division rival Boston Red Sox, who they battled in last year’s exhilarating seven-game ALCS. The Rays’ five appearances on FOX this season doubles the club’s total since its 1998 inception. Prior to 2009, the Rays appeared on the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK schedule only once in 2000 and 2003. Last season, three games were added to the FOX schedule down the stretch given the team’s remarkable and unexpected division-winning run. The FOX schedule also has the Rays playing the Indians, Twins and Tigers plus an interleague matchup against the Mets on Saturday, June 20, FOX’s first look at Citi Field, the Mets’ new home.

The initial FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK schedule features at least seven games with traditionally strong teams including the Red Sox (7), Yankees (8), Mets (8), Cubs (8), Braves (8), Indians (8), White Sox (9), Angels (9), Twins (9), Dodgers (9), and Cardinals (9). FOX is allowed a maximum of nine appearances per team.

FOX and a national broadcast audience get their first look at the new Yankee Stadium on Saturday, April 18 when the Bronx Bombers take on the Cleveland Indians in just the third regular season game ever played in the new facility. The following week, Saturday, April 25, FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK showcases the first of three matchups featuring one of sports’ most storied rivalries when the Yankees travel to Boston to square-off with the Red Sox. On Saturday, August 8, the Yankees and Red Sox clash at Yankee Stadium and on Saturday, August 22 the Boston/New York battle shifts back to Fenway Park.

Interleague play on FOX begins on Saturday, May 23 (4:00 PM ET), when the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies travel to New York to face the Yankees and the Texas Rangers travel to Houston to take on the Astros in a battle for the Lone Star State. Interleague play continues Saturday, June 13, when the new Yankee Stadium plays host to its first ever Subway Series, while the Indians play host to the Cardinals and the White Sox travel to Milwaukee.

After the network’s regular-season coverage, FOX Sports provides live coverage of this year’s American League Championship Series and the 104^th World Series. The All-Star Game and all regular and postseason games are broadcast in HD.

David Hill and Ed Goren are the Executive Producers of FOX Sports. Bill Brown is Senior Producer. Scott Ackerson is the Coordinating Producer of MLB on FOX’s studio coverage. Don Bui serves as pregame producer. Pete Macheska is coordinating producer of FOX Sports’ Major League Baseball coverage. Bill Webb directs.

2009 MLB on FOX REGULAR SEASON BROADCAST SCHEDULE

(Note: Schedule Subject to Change; All Times 4:00 PM Eastern unless otherwise noted *)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Boston Red Sox at Anaheim Angels

Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox

Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, April 18, 2009 (*3:30 PM ET)

Cleveland Indians at New York Yankees

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

Anaheim Angels at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, April 25, 2009

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, May 2, 2009 (*3:30 PM ET)

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies

Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves

Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, May 9, 2009 (*3:30 PM ET)

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, May 16, 2009

New York Mets at San Francisco Giants

Cleveland Indians at Tampa Bay Rays

Anaheim Angels at Texas Rangers

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees

Texas Rangers at Houston Astros

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs

Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks

Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers

Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox

Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners

Saturday, June 13, 2009

New York Mets at New York Yankees

St. Louis Cardinals at Cleveland Indians

Chicago White Sox at Milwaukee Brewers

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Mets

Los Angeles Dodgers at Anaheim Angels

Milwaukee Brewers at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Boston Red Sox at Atlanta Braves

Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox

Anaheim Angels at Arizona Diamondbacks

Saturday, July 4, 2009

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Indians

Saturday, July 11, 2009

New York Yankees at Anaheim Angels

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – 8:00 PM ET

2009 MLB All-Star Game

Busch Stadium – St. Louis, MO

Saturday, July 18, 2009

New York Mets at Atlanta Braves

Baltimore Orioles at Chicago White Sox

Houston Astros at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, July 25, 2009

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies

Minnesota Twins at Anaheim Angels

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, August 1, 2009

New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox

Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves

Houston Astros at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees

Texas Rangers at Anaheim Angels

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks

Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, August 22, 2009

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, August 29, 2009

New York Mets at Chicago Cubs

Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers

Houston Astros at Arizona Diamondbacks

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox

Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians

San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers

Saturday, September 12, 2009

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies

Chicago White Sox at Anaheim Angels

Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, September 26, 2009

TBA*

Saturday, October 3, 2009

TBA*

* The final two Saturdays are considered “wild card” dates. Any game or games (up to three) on that day’s schedule can be chosen at the network’s discretion, given proper identification to Major League Baseball.

If there are any revisions, I’ll make them here. Bookmark this post.

It’s the Mid-Week Links

Let’s do some linkage as it’s still early on NHL Trade Deadline day. Usually the trades don’t start happening until sometime after noon, then it’s a flurry to the finish, although Ottawa and Columbus made the first trade of the day just before 10 a.m., forward Antoine Vermette goes to the Blue Jackets for goaltender Pascal Leclaire and a second round pick.

Heading to USA Today’s Michael Hiestand, he writes that former Kansas City coach Herman Edwards is looking forward to being an ESPN NFL analyst for a long time.

Ken Davidoff and Neil Best of Newsday have your World Baseball Classic viewing guide. Neil says the WBC will carry on even if Alex Rodriguez sits out. Neil says WFAN’s Mike Francesa is out sick today showcasing the reason why he wants to get an on-air partner soon. And Neil writes that YES set a ratings record yesterday during which Derek Jeter played against his beloved Yankees.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell likes the Minnesota Timberwolves’ plan to allow those who have lost their jobs to return their season tickets.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says most of the MAAC Tournament will be available on TV, but all of the games can be seen online for a fee.

The Reading (PA) Eagle says the Reading Phillies have named a new radio announcer.

Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the NHL’s US TV Partners have failed its fans yet again during Trade Deadline Day. I agree.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun notices that he gets the most reaction on his blog to posts about local sports talk radio hosts. And Ray has a fictitious phone conversation between a team executive and a radio station.

Jim Williams of the DC Examiner says there’s been plenty of rip jobs against former Nationals GM Jim Bowden. And Jim writes that MLB Network will carry Ken Griffey’s return to the Seattle Mariners tonight.

Speaking of the MLB Network, the Big Lead has the video of MLB Tonight host Matt Vasgersian throwing an “F” bomb live on the air. Oops.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has an update on Michael Irvin’s reality show on Spike. Barry notes the changing opinions of John Tortorella on the New York Rangers’ pissant Sean Avery.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob Wolfley has former CBS and NBC college basketball analyst Billy Packer seeing the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson showdown in the NCAA Tournament as pivotal for the sport.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News says a local sports radio host recently celebrated 25 years on the air.

Stephen Brunt of the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders if anyone thinks like Don Cherry these days.

Tim Arsenault of the Halifax (Canada) Chronicle Herald says NHL Trade Deadline makes for Must See TV.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says the Scouting Combine brought plenty of viewers to the NFL Network.

Awful Announcing has a preview of Season 2 of FSN’s Emmy Award winning “Sport Science”.

CBS’ Jim Nantz has signed an endorsement deal with Furnitureland South.

Johnathan Starling at the EPL Talk blog has today’s US TV schedule for the English Premier League.

That’s going to do it for now.

Keeping Track of the NHL Trade Deadline

There are several ways to monitor the busiest day in the NHL. When I wrote my column at Digital Sports Daily last night, I gave several options for you to track the trades. I have an update on the streaming coverage.

First, you can watch TSN’s excellent coverage online. It is available in the United States and you can launch the coverage through this link (make sure you right click and open it in a new window or tab).

Rogers Sportsnet which last year allowed its coverage to be seen in the U.S. has now closed it off to Canadian viewers only. You can go to its Trade Deadline page which will refresh when trades are made.

CBC will start its Hockey Night in Canada Radio show early today at noon (normally, it airs at 4 p.m.). Sirius subscribers will hear the show on channel 97 at noon, then channel 123 joins at 4 p.m. However, you don’t have to be a Sirius subscriber to listen. It will stream live at CBC.ca. It’s currently doing a live blog at its own Trade Deadline page.

NHL Network will produce its own show for the first time and air it at 3 p.m. Why NHL Network chose to do its own show and not pick up TSN’s coverage in the past is beyond me.

In New England, NESN will have its own two hour Trade Deadline special at 2:30 p.m., but it will not be streamed online. UPDATE, 10:07 a.m. – A NESN spokesman says video of any news from the show will be posted on its website so if the Bruins make a trade, NESN.com will have it. NESN.com is also doing a live blog and is updating it as trades happen. Thanks to NESN for responding to my questions on its coverage.

So you have plenty of sources to see check on the moves throughout the day. The deadline is 3 p.m.

Just A Few Late Night Links

I’ll provide a few links tonight just before closing my eyes for the night.

The Sports Media Watch says the Match Play Championship’s ratings fell from last year as expected. The SMW has the weekend ratings.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media doesn’t like NBC’s choice for NHL Game of the Week on March 15.

Keith Thibeault of Sports Media Journal says CBS is pulling out all of the stops for its March Madness on Demand feature this year.

A.J. Daulerio at Deadspin writes that ESPN The Weekend wasn’t fun for one particular ESPN staffer.

John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant says many UConn fans won’t be able to watch the Huskies play in the Big East Tournament quarter or semifinals because they will be carried on ESPNU and the channel is not on most of Comcast’s systems in the Constitution State.

Stu Hackel of the New York Times writes that NHL Network is producing its own Trade Deadline special preventing viewers in the US from seeing TSN’s coverage from Canada.

John Kieswetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notices that Fox Sports Ohio and the Reds have not announced their HDTV schedule as of yet.

Leonard Shapiro of the Washington Post reviews Golf Channel’s show on improving Charles Barkley’s swing.

Bob Molinaro of the Virginian-Pilot looks back at the 30th anniversary of the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson, Indiana State-Michigan State NCAA basketball championship game with CBS’ Seth Davis.

Roger van der Horst of the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer wonders why Tuesday night’s Carolina Hurricanes-Washington Capitals game was not picked up by Fox Sports Carolinas.

Gentry Estes of the Mobile (AL) Press-Register writes that ESPN will be picking up the Crimson Tide’s Spring Football game on April 18.

Jonathan Okanes of the Oakland Tribune says A’s fans will have complete access to their team as Comcast SportsNet California becomes available on digital basic as of Wednesday.

I have a column at Digital Sports Daily previewing the World Baseball Classic and online coverage of Wednesday’s NHL Trading Deadline.

David Tanklefsky of Broadcasting & Cable says MLB Network is ready to air the WBC.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says ESPN, sports leagues and theater owners plan to sue the FCC over its decision to allow unlicensed devices to use the “white spaces” digital spectrum.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News looks at the comments made by Mary Carillo, John McEnroe and Billie Jean King during HBO’s coverage of the Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup.

Tennis Channel will cover the inaugural WTA MPS Group Championships in April.

Over to MLS and DC United which will have 15 games on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic this season.

I found more than a few links. I’ll be back Wednesday with your mid-week links.

NESN is Having Technical Difficulties

During tonight’s Philadelphia Flyers-Boston Bruins game at TD Banknorth Garden, NESN started having audio difficulties. They began late in the second period when Andy Brickley’s microphone died in the middle of a replay. Jack Edwards had to go solo for a time, when NESN’s engineers gave both men regular stick microphones instead of their headset mics that you often see.

While the second intermission was ongoing, NESN tried to fix the problems, but could not. At the beginning of the third period, studio analysts Barry Pederson and Mike Milbury along with host Kathyrn Tappen were seen (luckily, NESN has their studio crew live from the Garden for home games). They explained that Barry and Mike would do the play-by-play and color as Jack and Andy were heading to their broadcast position behind one of the goal’s. Luckily, this lasted for just 13 seconds when we heard Jack & Brick coming in, but they were uncomfortable from a new vantage point.

They did adjust, but during a commercial break, we saw Barry & Mike again, explaining that Jack & Andy were going back to their regular broadcast position. Mike was about to do play-by-play, but that experiment ended just before the faceoff as we heard Jack & Andy return. Since then, there have been no more audio problems, but it certainly made for an interesting broadcast.

At least NESN did not have to resort to having someone call a game off a monitor as it did last year during a Hockey East game.

Hopefully, someone will pull the video and put it up on YouTube. I’ll post it here if it goes up tomorrow.