Fang's Bites

Three CBS Sports Super Bowl Press Releases

While I attended the Bloomberg Sports Baseball launch in New York today, three press releases from CBS Sports flew into the Fang’s Bites inbox. I could not post them right away, but I give them to you now. All deal with the Super Bowl which CBS Sports is airing next Sunday.

First, CBS tells us that NFL Today studio analyst Boomer Esiason will be pulling double duty during the Super Bowl, being part of the Super Bowl Today pregame show as well as being the game analyst on Westwood One Radio. This is a duty that Esiason has performed twice before for CBS/Westwood One.

CBS SPORTS’ BOOMER ESIASON DOES DOUBLE DUTY IN SOUTH FLORIDA AT SUPER BOWL XLIV

Esiason to Serve in Studio as Analyst on CBS Television Network’s Pre-Game Show, THE SUPER BOWL TODAY, then in Booth as Game Analyst with Call of Westwood One’s Broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV

            CBS Sports’ Boomer Esiason will play two positions for the CBS Television Network and Westwood One’s broadcasts of Super Bowl XLIV live from Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla. on Sunday, Feb. 7.

            Esiason will join James Brown, Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher in anchoring the CBS Television Network’s pre-game show, THE SUPER BOWL TODAY (2:00-6:00 PM, ET), in previewing the game with news, features, highlights and analysis, as well as all the excitement leading up to Super Bowl XLIV. 

Immediately following CBS Sports’ SUPER BOWL KICKOFF SHOW (6:00-6:25 PM, ET), Esiason will make his way up to the Westwood One broadcast booth to join play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, along with Mark Malone and James Lofton as sideline reporters, to call the game on radio. 

Esiason also pulled double duty for both CBS Sports and Westwood One for Super Bowl XXXVIII (Houston) and Super Bowl XLI (Miami). This year marks his 10^th year broadcasting the Super Bowl on Westwood One and his fourth as part of CBS Sports’ Super Bowl coverage. 

CBS also previews the “Phil Simms All-Iron Team: Super Bowl Edition” program that airs before the Super Bowl Today next Sunday.

“PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM:  SUPER BOWL EDITION” HIGHLIGHTS ALL-TIME SUPER BOWL TEAM TO BE UNVEILED ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, FEB. 7 ON CBS SPORTS

CBS Sports lead NFL analyst, New York Giants Super Bowl XXI MVP and 15-year NFL veteran Phil Simms, along with his play-by-play partner, Jim Nantz will unveil the PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM:  SUPER BOWL EDITION on Sunday, Feb.7 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET), prior to THE SUPER  BOWL TODAY on the CBS Television Network.

           

Hosted from Miami, Fla., home of Super Bowl XLIV, this year’s All-Iron Team highlights the All-Time Super Bowl Team. These men make up Simms’ All-Time Super Bowl team that best represent the qualities of Iron Men and have defined their roles in their teams winning a championship.

            Traveling all over the world from Hawaii to Ireland, the PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM includes the first broadcast interview in 20 years with Jake Scott, a safety from the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team and Super Bowl VII MVP, who now lives a simple life in Hawaii. The show also looks at a day-in-the-life of Steelers owner Dan Rooney, who is currently serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. 

            In addition, the one-hour special also includes an in-depth look at legendary defensive guru Buddy Ryan, architect of the famed “46-Defense” which led the Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX and father of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. 

            The All-Iron Team consists of six Hall of Famers, 37 combined Super Bowl wins, 46 combined Super Bowl appearances, seven combined Super Bowl MVP Awardees and four combined NFL MVPs.

CBS Sports showcases all 12 All-Iron players, coaches and owner with their game highlights and up close and personal profiles, both on and off-the-field.

The All-Iron Team trophy is an old fashion cast “iron” signifying Simms’ obsession with ironing. According to Simms’ mom, Barbara, “As a child Phil even ironed his football and baseball uniforms.” To this day, he is still committed to his creases.

Steve Karasik produces and Pete Radovich directs. Mark Wolff is Coordinating Producer of the All-Iron Team.

And CBS will unveil some high speed cameras and new graphics packages for the Big Game.

HIGH-SPEED CAMERAS AND HIGH-TECH GRAPHICS HIGHLIGHT CBS SPORTS’ TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES FOR SUPER BOWL XLIV COVERAGE

            When CBS Sports presents Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday, Feb. 7 (6:00 PM, ET) from Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla. live on the CBS Television Network, highlighted among the technological advances that will be incorporated during its coverage are high-speed cameras and informative high-tech graphics displays. Super Bowl Sunday also features the CBS Television Network’s biggest one day of programming in high definition television format.

?HIGH-SPEED CAMERAS

THE SUPER BOWL ON CBS will feature six high-speed cameras, known as SuperVision, that will be in hard and hand-held configurations located on the field, in the stands and on sideline carts. Each camera will have the ability to shoot 300-500 frames per second (normal cameras shoot 60 fps) in 1080i high definition format. These Vision Research Phantom V-640 cameras are supplied by Inertia Unlimited and are particularly used in determining questionable calls on the field (ie. fumbles, receptions, out-of-bounds, etc.) from all different angles.

?HIGH-TECH GRAPHICS

In addition to the regular first down line, available on CBS Sports’ primary cameras throughout the 2009 NFL season, five other cameras will be calibrated with the first down line by SportsVision including Skycam and endzone cameras.  As was done during the regular-season, EyeVision will be utilized as a multi-dimensional tool for Phil Simms’ analysis. Given the situation of a field goal or an extra-point conversion that passes above the goal posts, virtual extensions of the goal posts can be added to determine the flight path of the ball and whether the kick was good or not. Hyper Zoom, provided by ORAD, will allow CBS Sports’ coverage to zoom into any video utilizing high resolution. And, the launch of a new animation package for new elements for transitions, roll outs and open animation will be integrated to upgrade existing graphic elements.

?SAP (Secondary Audio Programming)

CBS Sports will broadcast the Super Bowl in SAP. Armando Quintero and Benny Ricardo will call the action for the Network’s SAP broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV.

?HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION

CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLIV will be the Network’s biggest one day of programming in high definition television format as SUPER BOWL XLIV (6:28 PM, ET, kickoff), the pre-game show, THE SUPER BOWL TODAY (2:00 PM, ET), and the halftime show, as well as all it’s ancillary pre-game programming including THE ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL (12:00 Noon, ET) and PHIL SIMMS ALL-IRON TEAM: SUPER BOWL EDITION (1:00 PM, ET), will be broadcast in HDTV. CBS Sports’ Super Bowl XLIV HDTV broadcasts will feature the highest definition television format – 1080i lines of picture resolution – and 5.1 digital surround sound.

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call the play-by-play of SUPER BOWL XLIV, along with Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots reporting. Lance Barrow will produce and Mike Arnold will direct.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports and serves as executive producer for the Network’s coverage of the NFL and Super Bowl XLIV. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.  Ken Aagaard is Executive Vice President, Engineering, Operations & Production Services, CBS Sports.

That does it for this post. Time to shut the blog down for the night.

Wrap Up of The Bloomberg Sports Baseball Launch

Today, I had the opportunity to attend the unveiling of a new statistical program developed by Bloomberg, the same people behind the financial network which helps clients analyze stocks and trends. The unveiling took place at Bloomberg headquarters in New York and representatives from the company as well as MLB.com were on hand to describe the program and to show those of us in attendance what we can expect when the product goes public on February 18.

Bloomberg has taken the same approach for financial markets and applied this to statistical analysis for baseball. The program will help fantasy owners choose players for their leagues and also give them real-time stats for their drafts as well as provide updated information so they can decide on trades, cuts and pick-ups.

In addition, teams have a powerful version of the program which gives them more information and can allow for prediction of pitches, analyze swings and arm slots. Currently, teams are using Bloomberg Sports Baseball on a trial basis for the offseason and Spring Training. I learned the program is being tweaked throughout the trial period to give teams exactly what they want. We’ll see if this is a gamechanger in both fantasy and in MLB overall. This certainly has the potential.

For fantasy league owners, Bloomberg has complete access to MLB databanks and can tap into real-time information. What this program can do is marry all of your leagues together. You can draft your teams from whatever league your team is based, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, Yahoo, it doesn’t matter. You can manage them in Bloomberg Sports, make changes from there and apply them to your leagues. You don’t have to go to each website to make changes. That’s a big advantage.

Your Draft Kit looks like this and players are shown like a baseball card. You can also make them appear in a grid if you wish.

What’s interesting is that if you click on a player, statistical information will appear like a baseball card and you can choose from certain views to see batting average, on-base percentage, ERA, WHIP, etc. Where you might have had to buy a fantasy magazine to get this information, you now have Bloomberg Sports as a one stop shopping destination for the stats you need.

If you’re considering a certain player, you can call him up to find the latest information. Let’s say you want to know what’s going on with Jason Bay of the New York Mets, you do a search and you will get articles, not only from Bloomberg and MLB.com, but from blogs, newspapers and other websites. Bloomberg will not only gather this information, but also link back to the original source driving traffic to the site.

Now, let’s go from the draft kit to the actual in-season program. You can do a side-by-side comparisons of players with charts, graphs, and plenty of bells and whistles which you can access to make the right decision on which one to keep and which one to drop.

For instance, if you want to look at Ryan Braun’s statistics, you can do a search and this will give you his offensive production and if you click on the pic here, you will also find fielding information. It’s quite fascinating what Bloomberg has done here to bring all of this information.

And the interface seems to be user-friendly from all appearances. Now this may change once people start using it, but the format seems easy on the eyes and doesn’t scream or force you to squint.

The information for pitchers is in similar format to batters, and you can find charts showing trends plus statistical data to assist in your assessment of whether to keep, drop or trade, if you league allows you to do so.

We also learned that writer Jonah Keri will become of the Head of Content for Bloomberg Sports. He’ll lead a staff of writers which will provide fresh content for MLB.com and for subscribers. That staff will be announced in the coming days.

Teams have been using a souped-up version since the Winter Meetings in December and the Biz of Baseball’s Maury Brown reviewed the program when it was officially unveiled at that time.

MLB.com is already taking orders for the program, which comes in three categories, Draft Kit, In-Season Tools or both. The Draft Kit is $19.95, In-Season Tools is $24.95 while getting both will cost you $31.95.

Quite a fascinating program and I thank Bloomberg Sports for inviting me to watch the demonstration. It was also a great opportunity to meet baseball bloggers and also meet up with my trophy wife, Amanda Rykoff, the OCD Chick, with whom I have conversed extensively on Twitter, but didn’t have the chance to formally talk in person until today.

Thanks to Joe Favorito for inviting me and thanks to Bloomberg for feeding us. That goes a long way.

Live from Bloomberg Headquarters, Part 5

We’re now in a question and answer period of the Bloomberg Sports/MLB presentation. I will ask to see if I can get some screen grabs of the program.

Some good stuff was demonstrated. You can get more info about the program from The Biz of Baseball.

Live from Bloomberg Headquarters, Part 4

We’re now getting a demonstration of the pro product for the Bloomberg/MLB program and to sign in, one has to use fingerprint verification. Biometric identification! That’s cool.

Hitters can be broken down into averages in certain areas in the strike zone. The program can show where hitters hit the best. It also shows where a certain pitcher’s strength against the hitter lies.

For pitchers, you can see which pitches are best used against a certain hitter and really break down the hitting zone. It’s a fascinating program.

You also get info from a pie chart that shows every pitch and can even predict what will be thrown next based on the statistical data. 

Teams are using this on a trial basis right now, but when the season starts, there will be a fee, but this really gives scouts and general managers a great tool to chart hitters and pitchers.

Live from Bloomberg Headquarters, Part 3

After being fed lunch and commiserating with the always lovely OCD Chick, Amanda Rykoff, we’re finding more about the Bloomberg Sports/MLB product.

Writer Jonah Keri is going to be the head of content for Bloomberg Sports and provide articles for MLB.com for those subscribers to the fantasy program. You’ll be able to compare players stats and make a projection of his stats. In addition, you can find real-time stats and news. The program will have a real-time scrolling ticker.

Bloomberg’s site will also cull from blogs and newspapers and provide links to the articles that will bring even more content to subscribers.

Check out more at the Bloomberg/MLB site for subscription information.

More later.

Live from Bloomberg Headquarters, Part 2

I’m live Tweeting from the MLB.com/Bloomberg launch event so if you want some full reactions, you can go to twitter.com/fangsbites to read my reactions, plus if you search #BBGSports on Twitter, you’ll see various bloggers and others who give their reactions as well.

The program has a lot of bells and whistles. The fact that MLB has given total access and cooperation for this program is big. Plus, it’s quite cheap for fantasy players in its first year: Draft kit is $19.95 and in-season service is $24.95. Entire package costs $31.95.

More later.

Live from Bloomberg Headquarters, Part 1

Here at Bloomberg headquarters in New York City and finding some interesting info about its new MLB fantasy product. It will allow you to marry your league from ESPN.com, Yahoo, CBSSports.com, etc. and you can change your roster from the Bloomberg program and post it to your fantasy league.

It also gives you a way to analyze players, project their statistics and find the best player for your league. In addition, statistics are updated in real time from the Bloomberg/MLB.com website. This is definitely a gamechanger.

More later.

Live From New York, It’s Bloomberg Sports

Your humble blogger is at Bloomberg headquarters in New York City today for the launch of a sports data program for MLB.com. Can’t say much about it right now, but suffice to say it’s going to be quite interesting.

I’ll blog and hopefully be able to take pictures with my iPhone. If I can’t, you’ll certainly get a written description.

Keep your RSS and Twitter feeds updated.

Videos of the Week – 2002 Winter Olympics

Last week, I took a break from doing the Videos of the Week and the look back at previous Winter Olympics. Time to do it again, this week, we look back at NBC’s first Winter Olympics since Sapporo, Japan in 1972. Back then, Curt Gowdy was the overall host for NBC. In 2002, it was Bob Costas. In 1972, much of the coverage, a total of 37 hours, was live via satellite as events were held in the morning which translated to primetime on the East Coast. In 2002, NBC aired 375.5 hours from Salt Lake, much of it live as the network was able to utilize its cable networks, MSNBC and CNBC to air hockey and other spillover events. As usual, NBC took the glamor events such as figure skating.

We’ll look at how NBC and CBC covered the events. Both networks were in the midst of long streaks of televising the Olympics and would continue throughout the decade.

This was the first Olympics after 9/11 and there were concerns how security would respond. It turned out to be ok. 

This is NBC’s official promo for the 2002 Salt Lake games that was given to the affiliates and sales clients. I like this.

This is NBC’s open for the games. Why it’s so small here, I’m not sure, but I’ll link you to a better quality version in a second. NBC borrowed Jim McKay to introduce various features during the Games and he joined Bob Costas and Katie Couric at the Opening Ceremony. Here, Jim starts the open and Bob joins later.

Here’s a better quality version. I can’t embed it, but you can see it here.

This is CBC’s open with veteran host Brian Williams at the helm.

Here’s how the Opening Ceremony began as CBC Sports’ Brian Williams is joined by CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge.

This is the lighting of the Olympic cauldron which is always kept a secret and you can see who gets the torch at the end. Plenty of famous American Olympic athletes get to touch the torch as it makes its way through Eccles-Rice Stadium. Again, CBC’s Brian Williams and Peter Mansbridge are on the call.

During the 2002 Olympics, we had controversy early in the figure skating pairs competition. This is the NBC call of Canada’s Jamie Sale and David Pelletier in the free skate portion. They skate to Love Story and did it flawlessly. And when they got their marks, it was rather obvious something rotten in Utah was going on. However, as I look back, I think the judges actually got it right. Tom Hammond, the lovely Sandra Bezic and Scott Hamilton are in the booth and I like the way they remain quiet during the program, but then go crazy as the marks are given. I’ll explain my reasoning later.

From the Eurovision feed, this is the performance from Russian pair Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze who after looking at this, skated better than Sale & Pelletier. This is a beautiful performance.

And here is NBC’s Jimmy Roberts giving a report on the whole scandal using Days of Our Lives to help explain the whole thing. This was filed in 2006, but it’s the best way to explain what happened in 2002.

Let’s move to hockey, shall we? The men’s hockey tournament turned out to be one for the ages. The USA and Canada went undefeated and led to a gold medal showdown. The game did not disappoint. This video is from the CBC DVD and the call is by legendary Hockey Night in Canada team Bob Cole and Harry Neale.

Here’s the Coach’s Corner with Don Cherry and Ron MacLean trying to hold court from the USA-Canada gold medal game that aired in the first intermission on CBC. Don shows some of the greatest goals in Team Canada history.

I’m so happy I found an Olympic Coach’s Corner segment. Been looking for one for a long time.

This is CBC’s tribute to Team Canada for winning the gold medal in Olympic competition for the first time in 50 years.

Let’s go to short track speedskating and the 1,000 meters final in which Apolo Anton Ohno was the overwhelming favorite, but he fell leading the way for Australian Steven Bradbury to steal the gold. Ted Robinson and Eric Flaim are on the call for NBC.

This is Bob Costas interviewing Ohno the day after the 1,000 meters.

One more short track race, the men’s 1,500 meters final and Apolo Anton Ohno wins the gold here, but again, there’s some controversy as the Korean skater that crossed the line first was disqualified and Ohno who finished second was awarded the gold. This led to Koreans giving death threats to Ohno.

Here’s CBC review of the 16 days of competition with this video with the winning moments for Canada and other countries, but this is mostly Canada-centric.

CBS Sports Makes News Twice In One Day

CBS Sports had some opportunity to make news Saturday and did. During the Duke-Georgetown game at the Verizon Center in DC, President Obama joined Uncle Verne Lundquist and Clark Kellogg courtside for a brief interview.

President Obama joined CBS Sports’ Verne Lundquist and Clark Kellogg during CBS Sports’ broadcast of Duke-Georgetown on Saturday, Jan. 30. The President put on the headset and helped breakdown the game and provide commentary. Below are excerpts from the broadcast:

President Obama on CBS Sports’ lead college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg:

Nobody can keep up with Clark. He’s the best color man in college basketball. That’s what I am talking about.

President Obama on his next career:

After retirement I am coming after your job Clark. I am just letting you know. You either have three more years or seven, I am not sure which. But you need to plan accordingly because I am going to do some play-by-play.

Then during CBS’ first PGA Tour broadcast, the Farmers Insurance Open, Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo addressed the Tiger Woods situation and good on them for not avoiding the issue.

OPENING REMARKS ON TIGER WOODS FROM CBS SPORTS’ JIM NANTZ AND SIR NICK FALDO AS CBS SPORTS TEES OFF 2010 GOLF COVERAGE

Jim Nantz, now in his 25^th  year covering golf at CBS, serves as anchor of CBS Sports’ golf coverage.  Sir Nick Faldo, winner of six majors and more than 40 tournaments worldwide serves as lead analyst alongside Nantz in the 18th tower. 

Following are Nantz and Faldo comments from today’s broadcast as CBS Sports third-round coverage began at the PGA TOUR’s FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN from La Jolla, Calif.

Jim Nantz: Of course everyone knows one player not here this week, on an indefinite leave of absence is Tiger Woods. That’s no news to anyone, but when he comes back that’s really just a random guess. I am not sure he even knows. I believe he’ll be back for Augusta but we shall see. But once Tiger does return what do you believe it will be like for him?

Sir Nick Faldo: I think very much a difference…what will he be? The most powerful thing Tiger had was his presence, wasn’t it? When he stood on that tee –we used that term “two up” –- he was way more than two up. You look at his lead into win ratio it was outrageous. He had that magnetism using the power from the crowd, from the television, to elevate his game and he must have felt so good that he had the game of golf literally in the palm of his hands. And with all of that, you’ve got to have great self-esteem for that all to happen. Now, when Tiger heads to his tee, wherever that is – maybe in 2010 – he’s going into a totally different environment now.  He doesn’t know what to expect he doesn’t know how people are going to react. He knows how the media world has reacted to him. He knows how the business world has reacted to him. This is a man – he’s the number one gossip in the world and he’s a very sensitive man. He’s very sensitive to even just criticism. No, more than criticism, even just comments. I think this is going to play a very important factor for him because he now has to get back on the golf course and be comfortable with himself with so much going on. He needs to get back on the golf course. This is where his whole career has been created. I think the important thing is can he get out there? When can he get out there? He may have to change team Tiger a little bit to get out there. So for me, he has an awful lot to get through. But the priority as a golfer, chasing Jack Nicklaus’ record, is to get back out there as soon as he can so he can get comfortable in this environment. And then can he have the same self-esteem as before?

Nantz: With all those things now changing, do you think when he does return and given time will he be the same player that he was in the past? Will he win as frequently?

Faldo: That is very difficult. But he has to. But after what has gone on, I feel he has to come back and be a winner again. Then it would probably be a greater comeback then winning here (Torrey Pines) on a broken leg. That’s the most important thing. That’s his life. Golf is his life. It’s almost like he’s starting again as a kid. As we have always said, let your golf club do the talking. Go out there and win and everything will take care of itself.

So CBS giving quotage on a Saturday is very much appreciated.

A Saturday Link Thing

Let’s give you links on this very cold morning on the East Coast. I’m cold as the boiler in my house is malfunctioning again, but hopefully, it’ll get warm later.

Brad Adgate of Advertising Age says the ratings for the NFL defy the problems currently surrounding network TV.

Also from Ad Age, Brian Steinberg writes that NBC Universal is expanding its viewer research for the Winter Olympics.

One more from Advertising Age, Jeremy Mullman says it appears that the Clydesdales will make an appearance in the Super Bowl after all.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that a Super Bowl advertiser found some spots at a bargain price. 

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says a new Nike ad is bringing the NBA handgun issue to the forefront again.

Alan Pergament from the Buffalo News says Bills running back Marshawn Lynch will take part in ESPN’s Sport Science special next week.

From the Wilmington (DE) News Journal, we learn of the passing of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back and CBS NFL analyst Tom Brookshier. Before Pat Summerall and John Madden became the “A” broadcasting team for CBS, Brookie and Summerall were the most popular broadcasting duo in the late 1970′s. Brookie was the comedian and Pat was the straightman. Both were very good friends and Brookie was there for Summerall when Pat was sent to rehab for alcohol abuse. Brookie was also a morning host on Philadelphia sports radio station, WIP.

In Press Box, Larry Harris discusses the passing of a Pro Football Hall of Fame sportswriter who covered the Baltimore Colts in their heyday.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner looks forward to seeing the Australian Open men’s final on ESPN2 early Sunday morning.

Writing in the Daily Caller, Jim says the Super Bowl hype machine is about to begin.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times talks with Jon Gruden about his first season on Monday Night Football. 

Tim Lemke says ESPN360 is hoping for big growth this year. 

In his Saturday column in the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn talks with Michael Irvin about his local sports radio show.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks back at the week in blogging. And thanks to Tom for the two links to Fang’s Bites!

William Houston of Truth & Rumours wishes Hockey Day in Canada would tackle some serious hockey issues instead of being all syrupy.

The Sports Media Watch has some ratings news for us.

First, the NHL on NBC saw a ratings uptick last Sunday.

Figure skating drew solid ratings for NBC last weekend.

College basketball did well for CBS.

People tuned out the ESPN gimmick of Dick Vitale calling an NBA game.

And we have some ratings news and notes from the SMW.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media looks at CBS’ rejection of a gay-themed Super Bowl ad.

Joe Favorito looks at how the New Jersey Nets try to get fans in the arena while undergoing a huge losing season.

We’ll end it for now. Back later.

The First 4:13 of Lost Season 6

Well! What do we have here? Yes, it’s the very first scenes of Lost Season 6, picking up where Lost Season 5 left off. We know that Juliet fell down the hatch, seriously injured and managed to set off the nuclear bomb. Did it change everything as Jack had hoped? If you want to be spoiled a bit and see what happened in the minutes after Juliet set the bomb off, by all means, click on the video below to see. But if you don’t want to be spoiled, then hit back or scroll down to the regular sports media content that I provide. But I do have the first 4:13 of the season premiere thanks to the great Dark UFO site.

Lost returns Tuesday, but don’t forget there’s a one hour review show at 8 p.m. before the 2 hour premiere at 9. Don’t get fooled by ABC’s marketing.

NFL Network Programming For the Next Few Days

This release came on Thursday and normally, I would receive it on Wednesday and because I’ve been busy, I haven’t been able to post it until now so I’ll do some editing so this won’t be out of date.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (1/30-2/2)

SUPER WEEK IN SOUTH FLORIDA!

MORE THAN 50 HOURS LIVE FOR SUPER BOWL XLIV

Record 8 ½ Hour NFL GameDay Morning Pregame Show

Super Bowl Sunday at 9:00 AM ET

Double Coverage of Super Bowl Media Day at Sun Life Stadium on NFL Network & NFL.com Tuesday at 9:30 AM ET

Every Super Bowl Press Conference from Media Center Including Queen Latifah, Carrie Underwood and ‘The Who’ Thursday at 2:30 PM ET

2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Show,

Saturday, February 6 at 5:00 PM ET

RECORD 8½ HOUR NFL GAMEDAY MORNING SUPER BOWL SUNDAY PREGAME FROM SOUTH FLORIDA: 9:00 AM-5:30 PM ET

On-air personalities include:

• From the Sun Life Stadium field sets: Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Rich Eisen
• From the Sun Life Stadium booth: Fran Charles, Rod Woodson
• From NFC and AFC hotels: Scott Hanson, Kara Henderson
• From South Beach set: Alex Flanagan, Jamie Dukes, Tom Waddle

Featured content:

• A look inside the Indianapolis Colts defense with Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Gary Brackett.
• How Colts WR Pierre Garcon and Saints LB Jonathan Vilma are bound together by the disaster relief effort in Haiti.
• A closer look at what the Saints organization and players mean to the city of New Orleans, straight from the fans.
• Steve Sabol gives his take on how the legacy of Colts icon Peyton Manning now includes taking on his father’s team in Super Bowl XLIV.
• Super Bowl Journey – Saints DT Anthony Hargrove visits the Miami rehabilitation facility that he was in a year ago.
• In Memoriam – A reflection on the NFL icons that were lost in 2009
• Sabol chronicles the best decade of Super Bowl matchups

NFL TOTAL ACCESS: LIVE FROM 2010 PRO BOWL JANUARY 30-31, SENIOR BOWL JANUARY 30 & SUPER BOWL XLIV FEBRUARY 1-5

Saturday, January 30

• Senior Bowl pregame coverage from Los Angeles studios

Sunday, January 31

• Postgame coverage from 2010 Pro Bowl and a preview of Super Bowl week

Monday, February 1

• Full coverage of Colts and Saints team arrivals from South Beach
• Reports from both AFC and NFC team hotels

Tuesday, February 2

• Recap of Super Bowl XLIV Media Day from Sun Life Stadium

Wednesday, February 3

LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center (11:00 AM-6:00 PM ET)

• Live coverage and sound from New Orleans Saints media availability
• Cardinals QB Kurt Warner
• Jets QB Mark Sanchez
• Former Steelers RB Jerome Bettis
• 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee Emmitt Smith
• Deion Sanders 1-on-1 with Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald
• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer
• NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira

Thursday, February 4

LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center (11:00 AM-6:00 PM ET)

• Super Bowl pregame entertainment press conference with Queen Latifah and Carrie Underwood
• Super Bowl halftime entertainment press conference with ‘The Who’
• Live coverage and sound from New Orleans Saints media availability
• Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly
• Deion Sanders 1-on-1 with Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco
• Deion Sanders 1-on-1 with Giants DE Osi Umenyiora
• Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana & former 49ers teammate Dwight Clark
• Deion Sanders 1-on-1 with Bills WR Terrell Owens
• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer

LIVE from South Beach (7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Steelers WR Hines Ward (guest analyst)

Friday, February 5

LIVE press conference coverage from Super Bowl Media Center (8:00-1:00 PM ET)

• Colts head coach Jim Caldwell press conference
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year press conference
• Saints head coach Sean Payton press conference
• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell press conference

LIVE from South Beach (1:00-6:30 & 7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Former University of Texas QB Colt McCoy
• CBS News’ Bob Scheiffer
• Giants QB Eli Manning
• Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (guest analyst)

Saturday, February 6

LIVE from Media Center (4:30-5:00 PM ET)

• Coverage of 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Show

LIVE from South Beach (7:00-8:30 PM ET)

• Dolphins LB Joey Porter (guest analyst)

2010 PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENT SHOW, SATURDAY AT 5:00 PM ET

The NFL’s next class of players to earn the distinguished honor of being named the greatest to play the game will be announced exclusively on NFL Network. The 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Show Saturday at 5:00 PM ET live from the Super Bowl Media Center.

Following a year-long selection process, the 2010 enshrinees have been chosen from a pool of 17 finalists voted upon by a selection committee of 44 media members. Hall of Famer Steve Young joins NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, Michael Irvin, Rod Woodson and Stacey Dales for coverage of announcement show.

THE COACHES SHOW: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 & THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 6:00 PM ET

Super Bowl week features two episodes of The Head Coaches Wednesday, February 3 and Thuarsday, February 4 at 6:30 PM ET from South Florida. Steve Mariucci, joined by host Fran Charles and guest analyst Jim Mora discuss the all the decision-making and preparation that Colts head coach Jim Caldwell and Saints head coach Sean Payton will face all week long heading into Super Bowl XLIV. Additional guests include Titans head coach Jeff Fisher and NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira.

FULL COVERAGE FROM SOUTH FLORDIA OF SUPER BOWL XLIV AVAILABLE ON NFL.COM:

In addition of NFL Network’s coverage, fans can also experience all aspects of Super Bowl XLIV on NFL.COM with dynamic video programming, new community features and in-depth event coverage.

Fans can watch live online streaming of all of the week’s biggest events including Super Bowl Media Day, the Commissioner’s news conference and the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010.

At Super Bowl Media Day Tuesday, February 2 at 10:00 AM ET, users have their choice of 12 camera views at the 12 podiums featuring players from each team, as well as one camera with NFL Network reporter and NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson exploring the event.

 

NFL SUPER BOWL CLASSICS: FIVE MEMORABLE GAMES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1 –SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Monday, February 1 at 8:30 PM & 1:00 AM ET – Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots

A stunning catch by Giants WR David Tyree on critical 3^rd-and-5 helped keep the Giants’ game-winning drive alive that was sealed by QB Eli Manning’s 13-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress for a 17-14 win over New England.

Tuesday, February 2 at 8:30 PM & 1:00 AM ET – Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

49ers WR Jerry Rice earned Super Bowl MVP honors, connecting with QB Joe Montana on 11 receptions for a record 215 yards to booth San Francisco to its third Super Bowl title with a 20-16 win over Cincinnati. Montana also had a record-setting day finishing 23-36 for 357 yards and two touchdowns.

Wednesday, February 3 at 9:30 PM & 3:00 AM ET – Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

After losing in Super Bowl X and XIII to the Steelers, the Cowboys earned their first Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh and the NFC’s 12^th consecutive league title over the AFC with a 27-17 win in Super Bowl XXX. Dallas CB Larry Brown’s two interceptions led to 14 second-half points for the Cowboys, sealing the win and a Super Bowl MVP honor for Brown.

Thursday, February 4 at 9:30 PM & 3:00 AM ET – Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears (includes halftime performance by Prince)

Colts QB Peyton Manning earned his first Super Bowl ring, accompanied with a Super Bowl MVP honor as Indianapolis defeated the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Miami.

Saturday, February 6 at 9:30 PM & 3:00 AM ET – Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals (includes halftime performance by Bruce Springsteen)

A 100-yd TD return by Steelers LB James Harrison gave the Steelers momentum at the close of the first half, but a six-yard touchdown catch by WR Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left on the clock sealed the 27-23 win over Arizona for Pittsburgh’s record-setting sixth Super Bowl victory

Super Bowl Classics is the only show on television where fans can catch complete network broadcasts of classic NFL Super Bowl matchups.

 

ON PLAYBOOK: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS & NEW ORLEANS SAINTS EDITIONS FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH SEAN PAYTON, PEYTON MANNING, RAHEEM BROCK AND GARY BRACKETT

Wednesday, February 3 at 6:30 PM ET – New Orleans Saints defense edition – Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger and Joe Theismann discuss:

• Brian Billick explains how the Saints defense can continue its ball-hawking ways
• How the Saints front-seven will try to shut down the Colts offense
• Why the Saints might struggle to contain RB Joseph Addai
• Why TE Dallas Clark could have a field day against the Saints defense

Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 PM ET – Indianapolis Colts defense edition – Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger and Joe Theismann discuss:

• Saints head coach Sean Payton explains how QB Drew Brees can deal with the Colts blitz schemes
• LB Gary Brackett goes into the film room to break down the basics of the Colts pass defense
• What the Colts secondary needs to do to prevent big plays by Drew Brees
• How the Colts linebackers will attack the Saints running game

Friday, February 5 at 6:30 PM ET – New Orleans Saints offense edition – Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger and Joe Theismann discuss:

• Sean Payton goes into the film room to explain some of the different ways QB Drew Brees can keep the Colts defense off-balance
• Why the Saints running game could pose problems for the Colts defense
• How the Saints offense use multiple formations to create mismatches
• Why the Saints offense could be its own worst enemy against the Colts Defense

Saturday, February 6 at 6:30 PM ET – Indianapolis Colts offense edition – Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger and Joe Theismann discuss:

• Brian Billick analyzes how the Colts can keep their offense on schedule against the Saints pass rush
• Mike Mayock goes into the film room to show how the Saints defense will try to generate pressure against Peyton Manning
• How the Colts offensive line will give Peyton Manning time to make throws
• How WR Austin Collie and TE Dallas Clark are the same players in different bodies

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

Saturday, January 30

9:00 AM – Pro Bowl Practice

10:00 AM – Pro Bowl Practice

11:00 AM – Playbook – Indianapolis Colts

11:30 AM – Playbook – New Orleans Saints

12 NOON – USA vs. The World – LIVE from South Florida

3:00 PM – NFL Total Access – Senior Bowl Pregame Show

4:00 PM – 2010 Senior Bowl – LIVE from Mobile, AL

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – Super Bowl I – Green Bay vs. Kansas City

8:30 PM – Super Bowl II – Green Bay vs. Oakland

9:00 PM – Super Bowl III – New York Jets vs. Baltimore

9:30 PM – Super Bowl IV – Kansas City vs. Minnesota

10:00 PM – Super Bowl V – Baltimore vs. Dallas

10:30 PM – Super Bowl VI – Dallas vs. Miami

11:00 PM – Super Bowl VII – Miami vs. Washington

11:30 PM – Super Bowl VIII – Miami vs. Minnesota

12 MIDNIGHT – Super Bowl IX – Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota

12:30 AM – Super Bowl X – Pittsburgh vs. Dallas

1:00 AM – Super Bowl XI – Oakland vs. Minnesota

1:30 AM – Super Bowl XII – Dallas vs. Denver

2:00 AM – Super Bowl XIII – Pittsburgh vs. Dallas

2:30 AM – Super Bowl XIV – Pittsburgh vs. Los Angeles Rams

3:00 AM – Super Bowl XV – Oakland vs. Philadelphia

3:30 AM – Super Bowl XVI – San Francisco vs. Cincinnati

4:00 AM – Super Bowl XVII – Washington vs. Miami

4:30 AM – Super Bowl XVIII – Los Angeles Raiders vs. Washington

5:00 AM – Super Bowl XIX – San Francisco vs. Miami

5:30 AM – Super Bowl XX – Chicago vs. New England

Sunday, January 31

6:00 AM – Super Bowl XXII – Washington vs. Denver

6:30 AM – Super Bowl XXIII – San Francisco vs. Cincinnati

7:00 AM – Super Bowl XXIV – San Francisco vs. Denver

7:30 AM – Super Bowl XXV – New York Giants vs. Buffalo

8:00 AM – Super Bowl XXVI – Washington vs. Buffalo

8:30 AM – Super Bowl XXVII – Dallas vs. Buffalo

9:00 AM – Super Bowl XXVIII – Dallas vs. Buffalo

9:30 AM – Super Bowl XXIX – San Francisco vs. San Diego

10:00 AM – Super Bowl XXX – Dallas vs. Pittsburgh

10:30 AM – Super Bowl XXXI – Green Bay vs. New England

11:00 AM – Super Bowl XXXII – Denver vs. Green Bay

11:30 AM – Super Bowl XXXIII – Denver vs. Atlanta

12 NOON – Super Bowl XXXIV – St. Louis vs. Tennessee

12:30 PM – Super Bowl XXXV – Baltimore vs. New York Giants

1:00 PM – Super Bowl XXXVI – New England vs. St. Louis

1:30 PM – Super Bowl XXXVII – Tampa Bay vs. Oakland

2:00 PM – Super Bowl XXXVIII – New England vs. Carolina

2:30 PM – Super Bowl XXXIX – New England vs. Philadelphia

3:00 PM – Super Bowl XL – Pittsburgh vs. Seattle

3:30 PM – Super Bowl XLI – Indianapolis vs. Chicago

4:00 PM – Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants vs. New England

4:30 PM – Super Bowl XLIII – New York Giants vs. New England

5:00 PM – NFL Total Access – Pro Bowl Pregame Show – LIVE from South Florida

7:30 PM – Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders – Episode #1

8:30 PM – Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders – Episode #2

9:30 PM – Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders – Episode #3

10:30 PM – NFL Total Access – Pro Bowl Postgame Show

Monday, February 1

11:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

12:30 PM – Game Changers – Drew Brees and Harry Connick, Jr.

1:00 PM – NFL Film Session – 2006 Indianapolis Colts

1:30 PM – Game of the Week – Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears

2:30 PM – America’s Game – 1970 Baltimore Colts

3:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from South Beach with coverage of team arrivals

8:30 PM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots (Halftime featuring Tom Petty)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

1:00 AM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots (Halftime featuring Tom Petty)

Tuesday, February 2

9:30 AM – Super Bowl XLIV Media Day Live – Indianapolis Colts

11:00 AM – Super Bowl XLIV Media Day Live – Bonus Coverage

12:00 NOON – Super Bowl XLIV Media Day Live – New Orleans Saints

1:30 PM – Super Bowl XLIV Media Day Live – Indianapolis Colts (encore)

3:00 PM – Super Bowl XLIV Media Day Live – Extended Sound

4:00 PM – Super Bowl XLIV Media Day Live – New Orleans Saints (encore)

5:30 PM – NFL Film Session – Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears

6:00 PM – America’s Game – 2006 Indianapolis Colts

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from South Beach

8:30 PM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

1:00 AM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Wednesday, February 3

8:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE AFC press conference

11:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE NFC press conference

6:00 PM – The Head Coaches

6:30 PM – Playbook – New Orleans Saints defense

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from South Beach

8:30 PM – Saints Road to the Super Bowl – 2009 New Orleans Saints

9:30 PM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

12:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

2:00 AM – Saints Road to the Super Bowl – 2009 New Orleans Saints

3:00 AM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Thursday, February 4

8:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE AFC press conference

11:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE NFC press conference

2:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – Pregame Entertainment Press Conference

3:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – Halftime Entertainment, The Who Press Conference

6:00 PM – The Head Coaches

6:30 PM – Playbook – Indianapolis Colts defense

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from South Beach

8:30 PM – Colts Road to the Super Bowl – 2009 Indianapolis Colts

9:30 PM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears (Halftime show featuring Prince)

12:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

2:00 AM – Colts Road to the Super Bowl – 2009 Indianapolis Colts

3:00 AM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XLI: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears (Halftime show featuring Prince)

Friday, February 5

8:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center

8:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – AFC Head Coach Press Conference

9:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Press Conference

9:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – NFC Head Coach Press Conference

11:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – Commissioner Goodell Super Bowl Press Conference

1:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

6:30 PM – Playbook – New Orleans Saints offense

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from South Beach

8:30 PM – Best of the Decade – The 2000s

9:30 PM – Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials

10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10 – Top 10 Super Bowl Performances

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

Saturday, February 6

7:30 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl (encore)

9:00 AM – America’s Game – 1970 Baltimore Colts

10:00 AM – America’s Game – 2006 Indianapolis Colts

11:00 AM – Best of the Decade – The 2000s

12 NOON – Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials

1:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10 – Top 10 Super Bowl Performances

2:00 PM – Colts Road to the Super Bowl – 2009 Indianapolis Colts

3:00 PM – Saints Road to the Super Bowl – 2009 New Orleans Saints

4:00 PM – Can’t Miss Plays of 2009

4:30 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl

5:00 PM – 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Show

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from South Beach

8:30 PM – Playbook – Indianapolis Colts offense

9:30 PM – Super Bowl Classics – Super Bowl XLIII: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals (Halftime show featuring Bruce Springsteen)

Sunday, February 7

8:00 AM – Playbook (Indianapolis Colts offense; encore)

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning at the Super Bowl – LIVE from Sun Life Stadium and South Beach

5:30 PM – 2009 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

6:30 PM – Super Bowl StatZone

10:00 PM – NFL GameDay Final – LIVE from Sun Life Stadium

Monday, February 8

8:30 AM – Super Bowl XLIV MVP Press Conference

9:30 AM – NFL GameDay Final

6:30 PM – The Head Coaches

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – Playbook – Super Bowl XLIV

That does it for this post.

Stuff for Next Week

I have some releases for next week’s programming so instead of letting them pile up and take up space in the Fang’s Bites inbox, let’s post them now so I can free up room.

I’ll begin with ESPN2′s season premiere of NASCAR Now on Monday.

ESPN2’s NASCAR Now Returns Feb. 1

Daily NASCAR News Program Originating from Daytona Feb. 8-14

ESPN2’s daily NASCAR news and information program NASCAR Now returns for its fourth season on Monday, Feb. 1, at 5 p.m. ET, to coincide with the beginning of the 2010 NASCAR season. The program includes highlights, opinion, debate, analysis and the latest news from drivers, crew chiefs and insiders.

 

With hosts Nicole Briscoe, Mike Massaro and Allen Bestwick, NASCAR Now originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn., with reporters and analysts checking in from locations around the country wherever NASCAR news is happening. In addition to reports from races, NASCAR Now reporters also visit race shops and special events.

 

The program regularly airs at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with all weekday programs 30 minutes except for a one-hour Monday roundtable discussion edition with ESPN analysts and reporters. ESPN2 also airs an hour-long edition at 9 a.m. on the morning of each NASCAR Sprint Cup race, and a weekend wrap-up edition will begin in July.

 

NASCAR Now will originate from Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., site of the NASCAR season-opening Daytona 500, with special hour-long programs Feb. 8-14. Massaro will host the first week of episodes beginning Feb. 1, with Briscoe reporting from Daytona starting Feb. 4.

 

The first two weeks of the program will include a focus on the top 10 teams in the sport, looking back at the 2009 season and looking ahead to 2010 with predictions from ESPN analysts. In addition, the first week of the program will feature drivers of the decades, starting on Feb. 1 with drivers from the 1960s.

 

The NASCAR Now team also includes Terry Blount, motorsports writer for ESPN.com; analyst Tim Brewer,Angelique Chengelis, Detroit News writer and columnist; D.J. Copp, tire changer in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series; analyst Ricky Craven, a former winning driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series; and analyst Brad Daugherty, five-time NBA All-Star and NASCAR team owner. two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion crew chief; reporter

 

Others are analyst Ray Evernham, three-time NASCAR Cup champion crew chief; Ed Hinton, motorsports writer for ESPN.com; analyst Randy LaJoie, two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion; Ryan McGee, motorsports writer for ESPN the Magazine; David Newton, motorsports writer for ESPN.com; and NASCAR Now lead reporter and ESPN Insider Marty Smith.

 

Shannon Spake, a pit reporter on ESPN’s NASCAR race coverage, will report for NASCAR Now this season and occasionally host while also reporting for SportsCenter and other ESPN platforms covering NASCAR.

 

NASCAR Now viewers also will see analysis and reports from the NASCAR on ESPN race coverage team including analysts Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace and Andy Petree and pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch.

 

Live NASCAR racing returns to the ESPN networks for the 2010 season when ESPN2 airs flag-to-flag coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series 300-mile from Daytona on Saturday, Feb. 13. NASCAR Countdown airs at noon ET, with the race’s green flag at 1:34 p.m.

NBA TV has lots of programming in store for next week including live games.

NBA TV’s Fan Night Features Memphis Grizzlies @ Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA TV’s Tuesday Fan Night match-up will feature two NBA All-Stars facing off with Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies @ LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  This is the Cavaliers’ sixth appearance on Fan Night this season.  

The game will air on Tues., Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. (ET) with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Chris Webber and Kevin McHale in studio for the pre-game show beginning at 6:30 p.m. (ET). 

Fan Night voting will continue on NBA.com from Tues., Feb. 2 (8 a.m. ET) – Thurs., Feb. 4 (Midnight ET) as fans select the match-up for Tues., Feb. 9. Fans can choose between 11 games: 

• Washington Wizards @ Charlotte Bobcats
• New Jersey Nets @ Cleveland Cavaliers
• Chicago Bulls @ Indiana Pacers
• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Philadelphia 76ers
• Houston Rockets @ Miami Heat
• Sacramento Kings @ New York Knicks
• Atlanta Hawks @ Memphis Grizzlies
• Detroit Pistons @ Milwaukee Bucks
• Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets
• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Portland Trail Blazers
• Utah Jazz @ L.A. Clippers

NBA TV will also feature live game coverage on Monday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. (ET) with the Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Hornets.

Fans can also stay connected to the latest NBA action every Tuesday during The Jump on NBA.com. The Jump is a live, interactive show that allows fans to send questions and comments via NBA.com, Facebook or Twitter. The show features host Kyle Montgomery and analysts Dennis Scott and Brent Barry, as well as ‘chat master’ and NBA.com blogger Sekou Smith. The show will stream live each week at 1 p.m. ET on NBA.com and air again at 5 p.m. ET.

International basketball is highlighted on NBA TV every Saturday at 1 p.m. (ET) with the Euroleague Game of the Week.

FEBRUARY 1 – FEBRUARY 7

NBA TV  SCHEDULE (all times ET):
 
MONDAY, FEB. 1                 
12-1 p.m.       NBA.COM FANTASY INSIDER Rick Kamla, Dennis Scott        
7:30- 8 p.m.    Pregame Show     Matt Winer, Brent Barry,Eric Snow      
8- 10:30 p.m.   NBA Regular Season: Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Hornets  Local Announcers       
10:30 p.m.- 1 a.m.      NBA GameTime       Matt Winer, Brent Barry,Eric Snow      
 
TUESDAY, FEB. 2 : FAN NIGHT    
1 p.m. (NBA.com)        The Jump on NBA.com     Kyle Montgomery, Dennis Scott, Brent Barry      
5-6 p.m.        The Jump on NBA.com (NBA.com Re-Air)    Kyle Montgomery, Dennis Scott, Brent Barry     
6-6:30 p.m.     THE BEAT        Marc Fein, David Aldridge      
6:30- 7p.m.     Pregame Show     Ernie Johnson, Kevin McHale, Chris Webber      
7-9:30 p.m.     NBA Regular Season: TBD Local Announcers       
9:30 p.m.-12 a.m.       NBA GameTime       Rick Kamla, Steve Smith
 
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3      
4:30- 6:30 p.m. NBA D-League Showcase: TBD      Local Announcers       
7- 7:30 p.m.    All-Access with Ahmad   Ahmad Rashad   
7:30- 8 p.m.    REAL NBA               
8- 8:30 p.m.    NBA Special: NBA Midyear               
9- 11 p.m.      NBA GameTime    Matt Winer, Kenny Smith,  Eric Snow    
12- 2 a.m..     NBA GameTime    Matt Winer, Kenny Smith,  Eric Snow    
 
THURSDAY, FEB. 4       
7 p.m.- 2 a.m.  BEST OF THE 2000′s/ Hardwood Classic           

FRIDAY, FEB. 5 
10 p.m.- 2a.m.  NBA GameTime Friday         Rick Kamla, Steve Smith, Cheryl Miller 

SATURDAY, FEB. 6       
1- 3 p.m.       Euroleague Game of the Week: TBD               
7- 7:30 p.m.    NBA GameTime    Matt Winer, Eric Snow, Cheryl Miller   
7:30- 8 p.m.    Pregame Show     Matt Winer, Eric Snow, Cheryl Miller   
8- 10:30 p.m.   NBA Regular Season: Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls  Local Announcers       
10:30p.m.- 2 a.m.       NBA GameTime       Matt Winer, Eric Snow, Cheryl Miller   

SUNDAY, FEB. 7 
5-5:30 p.m.     NBA GameTime    Marc Fein, Steve Smith 

Also on Monday, Tennis Channel unveils a new program involving people who don’t live like you or me.

NEW TENNIS CHANNEL SERIES CELEBRITY TENNIS

PREMIERES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Host Vince Van Patten Hits the Courts with Advice Guru Dr. Phil, Supermodel Christie Brinkley, Poker Champ Gus Hansen, Music Superstar Brandy and Others

LOS ANGELES – Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle, will premier original series Celebrity Tennis, Monday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 pm ET. The half-hour show is hosted by film, television actor and commentator of The World Poker Tour, Vince Van Patten, who takes viewers inside the lives of celebrities who are passionate about watching and playing tennis.

Van Patten grew up in New York playing tennis near the US Open’s then-Forest Hills home and took up acting when his showbiz family moved to California. He became a professional tennis player in 1979 and spent eight years on the pro circuit. In Celebrity Tennis Van Patten unearths the ways his guests are influenced by tennis and how the sport is a regular part of their lives, and offers a demonstration of their on-court strengths.

“The worlds of tennis and celebrity have long been intertwined,” said Laura Hockridge, vice president, original programming, Tennis Channel. “Professional stadiums are filled with newsmakers of every type, from entertainers and politicians to business people and other sports’ athletes. Pro tennis players today are just as likely to appear on red carpets or magazine covers. Vince Van Patten is a perfect host for Tennis Channel’s Celebrity Tennis, having navigated both of these environments throughout his life.”

The premier edition of Celebrity Tennis profiles television’s top advice guru, “Dr. Phil” McGraw, on a red clay court at Church Estate Vineyards in Malibu, Calif., where he declares his backhand to be his best shot. A serious tennis player who uses the game as his own form of therapy, McGraw hits the court six-to-eight times a week, and admits to Van Patten that he builds his daily schedule around getting in an afternoon match. McGraw also offers viewers a glimpse inside his overstuffed tennis bag, which he says he always has on hand, as well as a look into his vast closet full of treasured tennis T-shirts.

“It is good to be back in the game I love and a relief to be away from the high stakes poker games for awhile,” said Van Patten.

The second episode of Celebrity Tennis (Feb. 8) visits all-American supermodel Christie Brinkley in East Hampton, N.Y., at a charity benefit for the Ross School, where she is joined by actor Alec Baldwin, tennis legend Andre Agassi and famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri.

Brinkley, who coincidentally grew up in California on Rod Laver Lane (a street named for one of the sport’s all-time champions), hits with Van Patten on the court at her house, built to the same specifications as center court at the US Open. Brinkley also demonstrates her air-guitar skills on a tennis racquet, plays tennis with neighborhood kids and divulges funny anecdotes about her many trips to the US Open.

Poker champion Gus Hansen is the focus of episode three (Feb. 15), which takes viewers to Las Vegas’ Stirling Club. Hansen explains that, although he played in junior tennis tournaments as a youngster, he realized he did not have the goods to go all the way. Having made close to $10 million as a career gambler, however, he tells Van Patten that he stopped putting his money down on tennis after losing seven figures on a bet that Rafael Nadal would win the 2009 French Open. (Though at the time of the bet Nadal had never lost a French Open match, the perennial clay-court champion ultimately lost to Robin Soderling in an upset for the ages.)

Television and music superstar Brandy is profiled in the fourth episode of Celebrity Tennis (Feb. 22). In addition to revealing herself as the hardest working tennis student in show business, Brandy notes that her introduction to the sport came at the hands of none other than her best friend, American superstar Serena Williams. Van Patten goes for a workout with Brandy and her demanding tennis fitness routine as they get in court time in Calabasas, Calif.

Additional episodes of Celebrity Tennis will follow these initial editions.

NESN will air the annual Beanpot college hockey Tournament which involves four of Boston’s major colleges and universities.

NESN’S COVERAGE OF THE 58^TH ANNUAL BEANPOT HOCKEY TOURNAMENT BEGINS ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1^st AT 5 PM

BOSTON, MA –For the 8th consecutive year, NESN, New England’s most watched sports network, will deliver live and exclusive high definition coverage of the 58^th annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament beginning on Monday, February 1^st.  The first game pits Boston College against Harvard at 5:00 PM followed by Boston University battling Northeastern University at 8:00 PM from the TD Garden. NESN’s coverage of the Beanpot championship game on Monday, February 8^th will begin with Prelude to A Championship, a live, half-hour pre-game show starting at 7:30 PM. 

Tom Caron and Andy Brickley will call all three games with Bob Beers, Craig Janney and Brendan Walsh teaming up to host Prelude to a Championship and intermission coverage from NESN’s TD Garden studio. Kathryn Tappen will serve as the rink-side reporter contributing pre-game, intermission and post-game interviews.

“The Beanpot is the middle pillar of NESN’s 27 game college hockey schedule, sandwiched between Frozen Fenway in January and the Hockey East Championships in March,” said Joel Feld, NESN’s executive vice president of programming and executive producer. “We are fortunate to have 4 schools in Boston, including the past two NCAA champions, who annually put on a must-see event for college hockey fans everywhere.”

The championship game will also be available to 4.5 million homes in Canada on TSN2, which will rebroadcast the game in HD at 6:00 PM on February 9.

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will have vignettes celebrating Black History Month.

COMCAST SPORTSNET CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH 

PHILADELPHIA– Comcast SportsNet, the leader in local sports television, celebrates Black History Month with feature profiles of prominent members of our sports community discussing the impact race has had on sports, plus the personal struggles of local sports heroes.

Throughout Black History Month, viewers will get to know local athletes, coaches and sports legends who impacted the lives of others through sports. In addition, Comcast SportsNet’s on-air personalities and sports celebrities will share their personal stories of inspiration through a series of vignettes that will air throughout the month. 

The inspirational stories are as varied as the people who tell them. Viewers will hear personal stories from Comcast SportsNet’s Derrick Gunn, Ed Pinckney, John Celestand and Donyell Marshall. Philadelphia athletes including the 76ers Lou Williams, the Phillies Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, plus the Eagles Leonard Weaver and the Flyers Ray Emery also share their personal stories with viewers.

Every Friday during Daily News Live, the panel will explore the connection between sports and race. Topics will range from areas of progress to areas needing improvements, plus players and coaches as role models.  Comcast SportsNet’s Ron Burke and Marshall Harris kick off Black History Month on February 1 during Daily News Live.  Friday’s guest panelists include: Daily News Columnist Elmer Smith and Former Philadelphia Eagle Garry Cobb (February 6); Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson (February 12); Community Leader Sonny Hill and Philadelphia 76er Elton Brand (February 19) and Philadelphia Eagle Jeremiah Trotter and former Eagle Mike Quick (February 26.) Also throughout the month on SportsNite, Comcast SportsNet will profile local and national stories that promote the spirit of Black History Month.

February’s edition of Net Impact Philly profiles the 76ers Ambassador of Basketball, World B Free. The former Sixer is a significant influence on the children in his community by working closely with the team he loves.  Net Impact Philly debuts on Comcast SportsNet on Tuesday, February 9 at 11:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 16 at 9:30 p.m. on The Comcast Network. The 30-minute episode will air throughout the month of February on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network.  

On Tuesday, MLB Network will begin airing live baseball as the Caribbean World Series gets underway.

MLB NETWORK TO TELECAST THE 52^ND ANNUAL CARIBBEAN WORLD SERIES

Live coverage begins Tuesday, February 2 at 2:30 p.m. ET with Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic

SECAUCUS, N.J. – MLB Network today announced its broadcast schedule for the 52^nd annual Caribbean World Series in Porlamar, Venezuela from February 2 through February 7, 2010.  The event draws the region’s top talent as well as current MLB players, including San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim third baseman Freddy Sandoval and Kansas City Royals catcher Brayan Pena, who competed in the 2009 tournament. The countries participating in the 2010 tournament are Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

The telecast of the Caribbean World Series will mark the first live games telecast on MLB Network in 2010, with MLB Network’s Victor Rojas, Greg Amsinger, Mitch Williams and Dan Plesac calling each of the 12 games. In between games, MLB Network will air game Hot Stove, its live nightly studio show during the offseason, airing at 6:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

          “MLB Network is proud to continue to be part of the Caribbean World Series,” said Tony Petitti, MLB Network President and CEO. “We’re excited to provide fans with live baseball as we prepare for Spring Training and the 2010 MLB season.”

            “The Caribbean World Series showcases the region’s best in baseball and offers fans the opportunity to experience competitive international play. We are pleased that the tournament will continue to reach a broad audience of baseball fans through the MLB Network,” said Jim Kern, Cultiva Entertainment. 

          MLB Network’s live game schedule for the Caribbean World Series is as follows (all times Eastern):

Feb. 2:         2:30p            Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic

7:30p            Mexico vs. Venezuela

Feb. 3:         3:30p            Dominican Republic vs. Mexico

                    7:30p           Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico

Feb. 4:           3:30p            Mexico vs. Puerto Rico

                    7:30p           Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic

Feb. 5:         3:30p            Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico

                   7:30p            Venezuela vs. Mexico

Feb. 6:         3:30p            Mexico vs. Dominican Republic

                   7:30p            Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela

Feb. 7:         3:30p            Puerto Rico vs. Mexico

                   7:30p            Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela

          Since 1949, the Caribbean World Series, a 12-game round robin tournament between the best teams from the region, has crowned a champion within this group of nations, and has served as a platform to showcase the best competition of Winter League Baseball. Major League players who have participated in the Caribbean World Series include legends such as Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Mike Schmidt and Fernando Valenzuela; and active Major League players such as Pedro Martinez, Rafael Furcal, Carlos Beltran, Ivan Rodriguez, and Miguel Cabrera, among others. The Caribbean World Series is sanctioned by Major League Baseball. Cultiva Entertainment is the exclusive agent for the Caribbean World Series.

We started this post with NASCAR and we’ll end with NASCAR. HBO previews the next episode of 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona.

24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA

FEB. 2 EPISODE

            HBO Sports^®’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise presents episode No. 2 of the all-access show 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA. Debuting TUESDAY, FEB. 2 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), the four-week series spotlights one of racing’s biggest stars, reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, and gives viewers an inside look at the driver and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team as they prepare for the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of auto racing.

            Episode #2

            Debut:  TUESDAY, FEB. 2 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

            Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson takes to the track for the “24 hours of Daytona” endurance race, while crew chief Chad Knaus prepares the No. 48 car for the fast-approaching Daytona 500, set for Feb. 14 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

            Additional episodes of 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA debut on subsequent Tuesdays – Feb. 9 and 16 – in prime time at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). The Feb. 16 series finale debuts two days after the race, with cameras tracking all the drama and excitement surrounding Johnson and his team on race day. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

 
            The executive producers of 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Scott Boggins; producer, Bentley Weiner; writer, Peter Nelson.  Liev Schreiber narrates.

That will conclude this post. I’ll have more press releases tomorrow.

Weekend Programming and More

I hate how I haven’t been able to do the Friday megalinks for most of this month. Work has gotten in the way and while it’s good to get paid, I feel I’ve been behind for most of January. And knowing what’s coming next week, it appears I won’t be able to do them next week either. I hope to get to them the week after next. We’ll see.

In the meantime, we have some releases to post and they have to do with weekend programming. First, CBS has what’s on tap for college basketball.

DUKE-GEORGETOWN HIGHLIGHT CBS SPORTS’ COLLEGE BASKETBALL LINE-UP ON SATURDAY, JAN. 30 AND SUNDAY, JAN. 31

CBS Sports’ college basketball schedule continues on Saturday, Jan. 30 (1:00-3:00 PM, ET) with national coverage of *No. 8-ranked Duke taking on No. 7-ranked Georgetown. On Sunday, Jan. 31 coverage features regional action as Minnesota plays *No. 20-ranked Ohio State and Florida battles *No. 14-ranked Tennessee.

Verne Lundquist joins CBS Sports’ lead college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg to call the action from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. for the Duke-Georgetown game. Bob Dekas, CBS Sports’ coordinating producer for college basketball, produces and Suzanne Smith directs.

Sunday, Kevin Harlan is joined courtside by both Bill Raftery and Kellogg at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio for the Minnesota-Ohio State contest. Vic Frank produces and Mark Grant directs. For the Florida-Tennessee match-up Gus Johnson and Greg Anthony handle the call from Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

AT THE HALF, CBS Sports’ halftime studio show, hosted by Ian Eagle along with Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis, provides all the day’s news, scores and highlights live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Vin DeVito produces and Jim Cornell directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

*AP Poll as of 1/25/10

CBS News gets a jump on the Olympics with a profile of gold medal-winning snowboarder Shaun White.

GOLD MEDALIST SNOWBOARDER SHAUN WHITE, PREPARING FOR THE VANCOUVER OLYMPICS, TELLS “60 MINUTES” IT’S SOMETIMES LONELY AT THE TOP

 

Snowboarding champion Shaun White acknowledges how lonely it can be when you’re the best in a 60 MINUTES profile before he competes for more gold in the Winter Olympics next month.   The 23-year-old Olympian spent time with Bob Simon – including a moment hanging over the correspondent’s head – for the profile to be broadcast Sunday, Jan. 31 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT).

Simon’s report traces the life of the flame-haired snowboarder, from his infancy when he needed heart surgery, to his boyhood skateboarding collision that nearly ended his career to the lofty heights he currently occupies as snowboarding’s grand trickster and richest endorser.  He’s gotten so good, so successful, he realizes it’s hard to really be a part of the snowboarding fraternity anymore.   His competitors have said he’s off on his own doing his own thing apart from them.

  “I definitely found it a bit lonely sometimes,” he tells Simon.  “I don’t think you can have really good friends that you go and compete…with…beat them at the hill…I totally understand [his competitors’ attitude about him],” he says.  “If you and I were competing on the hill I don’t think I’d want to hang out with you afterward while you’re shining your medal…that would be a bummer,” says White.  

The segment contains lots of footage of White at work, including him practicing his tricks at his own private half pipe in Colorado’s backcountry.  Viewers will learn how White got started on a snowboard, what his predictions are for his upcoming Olympic performance and get a look at his ride when he takes Simon out on the road for a short but fast spin in his Lamborghini.

White likes the view from the top; he’s gotten comfortable there – like when he was able to fly over Simon’s head on cue. “There’s just this amazing moment when you’re not going up anymore, but you’re not coming down…you’re just flying. Yeah, it’s just the best feeling,” he tells Simon.

NBC will air the Detroit-Pittsburgh matchup as part of its NHL Game of the Week on Sunday.

STANLEY CUP FINAL REMATCH THIS SUNDAY ON NBC SPORTS WHEN DEFENDING CHAMPION PENGUINS HOST RED WINGS

“It would not surprise me to see both of these teams back in the Stanley Cup Finals.” – NBC’s Olyczyk

Tampa Tribune (1/18): NBC Sports’ hockey coverage “picked up where it left off last season – among the best sports coverage on television.”

NEW YORK - Jan. 25, 2010 -Pittsburgh and Detroit will meet for the first time since the Penguins defeated the Red Wings, 2-1, in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on the NHL “Game of the Week” this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports. 

Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter) call the action. McGuire will pull double duty, hosting NBC’s studio show alongside analyst Mike Milbury on site at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. 

Pittsburgh and Detroit have met for the last two Stanley Cup Finals with the Red Wings winning in 2008 and the Penguins capturing the Cup in 2009. The Penguins are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with 65 points, while the Red Wings (58), who have suffered through a number of injuries, are tied for eighth in the Western Conference.

OLCZYK ON DETROIT AFTER THEY REGAIN THEIR INJURED PLAYERS: “They will be a dangerous team, tough medicine for any team that might take them on in the Western Conference. It would not surprise me to see both of these teams back in the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive year.”

EMRICK: “Because they have reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the previous two seasons, these have been two of the busiest teams in the history of the sport, playing so many games. But it doesn’t show in their performances. Both teams leave it all out there.”

TAMPA TRIBUNE (1/18) ON NBC SPORTS’ HOCKEY COVERAGE: “[It] picked up where it left off last season - among the best sports coverage on television.”

CLOSE GAMES: All of NBC Sports’ NHL games this season have been decided by one goal and two needed extra time to determine a winner. Yesterday, the Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, on a power-play goal by Matt Cooke with 1:47 remaining. In NBC’s inaugural “Game of the Week” on Jan. 17, the Chicago Blackhawks needed a shootout to beat the Red Wings, 4-3, in Detroit. The Boston Bruins needed overtime to defeat the Flyers, 2-1, at Fenway Park on New Year’s Day in the 2010 NHL Winter Classic. 

OLYMPIANS IN THE GAME: Sunday’s game features 12 players who will compete for their respective Olympic teams in Vancouver in February.

USA
Pittsburgh, D Brooks Orpik
Detroit, D Brian Rafalski

CANADA
Pittsburgh, F Sidney Crosby
Pittsburgh, G Marc-Andre Fleury

FINLAND
Detroit, F Valtteri Filppula

RUSSIA
Pittsburgh, D Sergei Gonchar
Pittsburgh, F Evgeni Malkin
Detroit, F Pavel Datsyuk

SWEDEN
Detroit, F Henrik Zetterberg
Detroit, F Tomas Holmstrom
Detroit, D Nicklas Lidstrom
Detroit, D Nicklas Kronwall

Here’s what else NBC Sports is airing this weekend.

U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM MEMBERS LYSACEK, WEIR, NAGASU, BELBIN & AGOSTO THIS SUNDAY IN SKATE FOR THE HEART ON NBC

Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White Featured In World of Adventures Sports

NEW YORK- Jan. 28, 2010 - NBC Sports presents taped coverage of the Silk Soy Milk Skate for the Heart  this Sunday at 4 p.m. ET from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. 
  
This event is packed with skating powerhouses and current U.S. Olympic Team members including 2006 Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, reigning World Champion Evan Lysacek, three-time National Champion Johnny Weir and current U.S. silver medalist and 2008 National Champion Mirai Nagasu.

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks headlines an evening of contemporary music with Olympic and world-class skaters in a show that provides awareness for the prevention of heart disease. Also providing music is 16-year-old singing sensation Charice Pempengco and pop groups Honor Society and KSM.

WORLD OF ADVENTURE SPORTS, SATURDAY, 2 PM ETThe new season of the World of Adventure Sports will kick off this Saturday on NBC Sports with Red Bull Project X, one of the most progressive snowboard sessions in history. In preparation for the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Olympic gold medalist Shaun White teamed up with Red Bull to create a private halfpipe nestled in the backcountry of Silverton Mountain, Colo. It was there that Shaun would create a series of new tricks that would change the sport forever.     

Pat Parnell hosts.

PBR, SATURDAY, 4:30 PM ETNBC Sports presents taped coverage of the Professional Bull Riders’ Tecate Light Invitational on Saturday from Anaheim, Calif. The event will feature experienced riders including  reigning World Champion Kody Lostroh (Longmont,Colo.), Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil), LJ Jenkins (Texico, N.M.), and Josh Koschel (Greely, Colo.). 

NBC’s Craig Hummer, Justin McKee, Ty Murray, Donna Brothers and Justin McBride call the action.

INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW, SUNDAY, 3 PM ETNBC Sports will present a one-hour broadcast of the International Auto Show this Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The show will give you a look at some of the most intriguing new vehicles that were on display at the NAIAS 2010 in Detroit. Coverage features the finest production and concept vehicles with a focus on smaller fuel efficient vehicles and automotive design, as well as technical advancements for vehicles of the future. 

NBC Sports Commentators Bill Weber, Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast, and Phil LeBeau will give you a close up look at some of the world’s most incredible vehicles.

And that’s going to do it for the weekend programming releases. I have stuff for next week coming up.

Weekend Viewing Picks

Saturday, January 30

Boxing
Light Heavyweight Bout, Glen Johnson vs. Yusuf Mack – HBO, 10 p.m.

College Basketball Viewing Picks

College Football
2010 Senior Bowl – NFL Network, 4 p.m.

English Premier League
Fulham vs. Aston Villa – ESPN2, 10 a.m.
Birmingham vs. Tottenham – Fox Soccer Channel, 10 a.m.
Liverpool vs. Bolton – Setanta Sports, 10 a.m.
Burnley vs. Chelsea – Fox Soccer Channel, 12:30 p.m.
West Ham United vs. Blackburn – Setanta Sports, 5 p.m. (same day coverage)
Wigan vs. Everton – Fox Soccer Channel, 7 p.m. (same day coverage)
Hull City vs. Wolverhampton – Setanta Sports, 8 p.m. (same day coverage)

Golf
PGA Tour/Farmer Insurance Open, 3rd round – Golf Channel, 1 p.m./CBS, 3 p.m.

NBA
Atlanta at Orlando – NBA TV, 7 p.m.

NHL

Hockey Day in Canada – CBC/NHL Network, noon
Montreal at Ottawa – CBC/RDS/NHL Network, 2 p.m.
Hockey Day in Canada – CBC/NHL Network, 4:30 p.m.
Scotiabank Hockey Tonight – CBC/NHL Network, 6:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Toronto – CBC/NHL Network, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary – CBC/NHL Network, 10 p.m.
Hockey Night in Canada: After Hours – CBC/NHL Network, 12:30 a.m.

New York Islanders at Philadelphia – MSG Plus/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Chicago at Carolina – WGN/Fox Sports Carolinas, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Boston – RDS/Fox Sports West/NESN, 7 p.m.
Columbus at St. Louis – Fox Sports Ohio/Fox Sports Midwest, 8 p.m.
New York Rangers at Phoenix – MSG Plus/Fox Sports Arizona, 8 p.m.
Minnesota at San Jose – Fox Sports North/Comcast SportsNet, 10:30 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 1:30 a.m.

Tennis (early Saturday morning)
Australian Open/women’s finals, Serena Williams vs. Justin Henin – ESPN2, 3:30 a.m. (reair on ESPN2 at 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.)
Australian Open/men’s doubles finals, Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan vs. Daniel Nestor/Nanad Zimonjic – Tennis Channel, 5:30 a.m.

Entertainment
Nigella Feasts: Crowd Pleasers – Food Network, 7:30 a.m.
5 Ingredient Fix: Gourmet Night Pizza – Food Network, 12:30 p.m.
Giada at Home: Football Weekend – Food Network, 1 p.m.
Legend of the Seeker – WGN America, 5 p.m. or check your local listings
Cops – Fox, 8 p.m.
Demons – BBC America, 9 p.m.
America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back – Fox, 9 p.m.
48 Hours Mystery: The Secret – CBS, 10 p.m.
The Wanda Sykes Show – Fox, 11 p.m.

Sunday, January 31

English Premier League
Manchester City vs. Portsmouth – Setanta Sports, 8:30 a.m.
Arsenal vs. Manchester United – Fox Soccer Channel, 11 a.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Farmer Insurance Open, final round – Golf Channel, 1 p.m./CBS, 3 p.m.

NBA
Denver at San Antonio – ABC, 1 p.m.
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston – ABC, 3:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Houston – NBA TV, 7 p.m.

NFL
2010 Pro Bowl – ESPN, 7:20 p.m.

NHL
Detroit at Pittsburgh – NBC/RDS/TSN2, 12:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Washington – Sun Sports/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 3 p.m.
New York Islanders at Florida – MSG Plus 2/Fox Sports Florida, 4 p.m.
Los Angeles at New Jersey – MSG Plus, 5 p.m.
Phoenix at Dallas – Fox Sports Arizona/Fox Sports Southwest, 6 p.m.
New York Rangers at Colorado – MSG Network/Altitude, 8 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.

Tennis (early Sunday Morning)
Australian Open/men’s final, Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray – ESPN2, 3:30 a.m. (reair on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.)

Entertainment
Sandra’s Money Saving Meals: Mexican – Food Network, noon
10 Dollar Dinners with Melissa: Football Fiesta – Food Network, 12:30 p.m.
60 Minutes – CBS, 7 p.m.
The Simpsons – Fox, 8 p.m.
Iron Chef America: Flay vs. Smith – Food Network, 9 p.m.
Big Love – HBO, 9 p.m.
National Geographic Explorer: Camp Leatherneck – National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 01/30 & 01/31/10

Men’s Basketball schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports on TV

Saturday, January 30

College Gameday live from Manhattan, KS – ESPN, 11 a.m.

noon
Marquette at UConn – Big East Network

James Madison at George Mason – Comcast Network/Comcast SportsNet New England/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Comcast Sports South

Louisville at West Virginia – ESPN
LaSalle at Temple – ESPN2
Eastern Michigan at Miami (OH) – ESPNU

1 p.m.
Duke at Georgetown – CBS

1:30 p.m.
Oklahoma at Nebraska – Big 12 Network

LSU at Mississippi State – SEC Network

2 p.m.
Syracuse at DePaul – Big East Network

Oklahoma State at Missouri – ESPN
Indiana at Illinois – ESPN2
Murray State at Tennessee-Martin – ESPNU

3 p.m.
Florida State at Boston College – Raycom

3 p.m.
Washington State at Washington – FSN

Wyoming at Air Force – the mtn.

4 p.m.
Baylor at Texas – Big 12 Network

Old Dominion at Northeastern – Comcast SportsNet New England/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Comcast Sports South

Vanderbilt at Kentucky – ESPN
Youngstown State at Cleveland State – ESPNU

Alabama at Auburn – SEC Network
Arkansas at Ole Miss – SEC Network

4:30 p.m.
Iowa at Michigan – Big Ten Network

6 p.m.
College Gameday live from Manhattan, KS – ESPN

New Mexico at TCU – CBS College Sports

Notre Dame at Rutgers – ESPN2
Charlotte at UMass – ESPNU

San Diego State at Colorado State – the mtn.

7 p.m.
Northwestern at Michigan State – Big Ten Network

Kansas at Kansas State – ESPN

Georgia at South Carolina – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports South/Fox Sports Southwest

UCLA at Oregon State – Fox College Sports/Fox Sports West/FSN Northwest/FSN Rocky Mountain

8 p.m.
Pacific at Cal-Riverside – ESPN2
Providence at Cincinnati – ESPNU

9 p.m.
Texas Tech at Texas A&M – Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Southwest

Utah at BYU – the mtn.

10 p.m.
Hawai’i at Nevada – ESPNU

Sunday, January 31

noon
Lehigh at Holy Cross – ESPNU

women’s/Ohio State at Indiana – Big Ten Network

1 p.m.
Pittsburgh at South Florida – Big East Network

CBS Coverage Map
Florida at Tennessee – CBS
Minnesota at Ohio State – CBS

Virginia Tech at Miami (FL) – Raycom

women’s/Oklahoma State at Texas A&M – FSN

2 p.m.
Manhattan at St. Peter’s – ESPNU

women’s/Tulane at Central Florida – CBS College Sports

3 p.m.
Penn State at Purdue – Big Ten Network

women’s/Purdue at Iowa – ESPN2

3:30 p.m.
Cal at Arizona – FSN

4 p.m.
women’s/Marquette at DePaul – ESPNU

5 p.m.
women’s/Northwestern at Wisconsin – Big Ten Network

women’s/Baylor at Texas – ESPN2

5:30 p.m.
Maryland at Clemson – FSN

6 p.m.
women’s/Georgia at Auburn – ESPNU

7:45 p.m.
Virginia at North Carolina – FSN

8 p.m.
Wichita State at Southern Illinois – ESPNU

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
men’s
Niagara at Canisius – ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Butler at Wisconsin-Green Bay – ESPNU, 9 p.m.

women’s
Marist at Canisius – ESPNU, 4:30 p.m.
Boston College at Clemson – Fox Sports Florida Plus/Fox Sports South, 6:30 p.m.
Florida State at Duke – Fox Sports Florida Plus/Fox Sports South, 8:30 p.m.

College Hockey
Michigan at Michigan State – Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.
Nebraska-Omaha at Notre Dame – CBS College Sports, 8 p.m.
Denver at North Dakota – Fox College Sports/NHL Network, 8:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Farmers Insurance Open, 2nd round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

NBA
Boston at Atlanta – NBA TV/Comcast SportsNet New England, 7:30 p.m.

NHL
Florida at Washington – Fox Sports Florida/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 7 p.m.
Toronto at New Jersey – TSN/MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
Anaheim at Tampa Bay – Fox Sports West/Sun Sports, 7:30 p.m.
Boston at Buffalo – NESN/MSG Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Nashville at Detroit – Fox Sports Tennessee/Fox Sports Detroit Plus, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado at Dallas – Altitude/Fox Sports Southwest, 8:30 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 11 p.m.

Track & Field
Millrose Games – ESPN2, 8 p.m.

Tennis
Australian Open, men’s semifinal – ESPN2, 3:30 a.m.
Australian Open Today – Tennis Channel 6 a.m.

Entertainment
Dollhouse (series finale) – Fox, 8 p.m.
Ghost Whisperer – CBS, 8 p.m.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Cartoon Network, 9 p.m.
20/20 – ABC, 10 p.m.
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross – BBC America, 10 p.m.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand – Starz, 10 p.m.

ESPN2′s Tennis Analysts Preview Australian Open Women’s Final

With the women’s final in the Australian Open set between Serena Williams and Justine Henin, ESPN2 asked analysts Mary Jo Fernandez and Pam Shriver for their thoughts on the match which will take place Saturday morning at 3:30.

Serena vs. Henin in Australian Open Final on ESPN2

Fernandez & Shriver Preview the Match Between Top Two Players of Last 10 Years

Serena Williams and Justine Henin – very different athletes who nevertheless have been the top two players in women’s tennis for a decade with 18 major titles between them – will meet in a Grand Slam event final for the first time at the Australian Open on ESPN2 early Saturday Morning, Jan. 29, at 3:30 ET (half past midnight PT). 

The powerful 28-year-old Williams, the no. 1 seed of the tournament and defending champion, will attempt to win her fifth title Down Under and 12^th major victory overall. The slightly built unseeded Henin – 27 and playing in only her second event after a 20-month retirement suddenly announced in May 2008 – is seeking her second win in Melbourne (she has seven major titles) and has looked impressive along the way, like she was never away from the game. The Belgian Henin and American Williams have met 13 times before with Henin winning seven. The two have played six times in Grand Slam evens and Henin has a 4-2 advantage. They have never played in the Grand Slam event final.

ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez and Pam Shriver preview the match:

Fernandez:  “They both have been playing aggressively but in different ways.  Serena is more straight forward – strong serves and blasting returns. She’s more about hitting through people. Justine is more aggressive than she used to be, but by using variety – more spin, more slices and coming to the net. All along, I’ve thought Serena was the favorite to win, but now she’s coming off two long matches in the quarters and semifinal. I’m not sure if she’s completely healthy. She’s all wrapped up and not moving well, so now I’m inclined to give Justine the edge. But Serena continues to play doubles so she can’t be feeling that bad, and she certainly knows how to dig deep in big matches. It may come down to Serena’s serve. She’ll want short points. On the other hand, Justine will want to get into long rallies and slowly construct points. It’s a fascinating matchup of contrasting styles.”

Shriver:  “This match up should be the best rivalry for the next two years as they are the best players at the majors where the pressure is greatest. Three years ago when Justine defeated Serena in the quarters of three straight majors (French Open, Wimbledon, US Open), Serena was just not physically or mentally good enough. I feel in the last three years Serena has toughened up – especially at the majors – and is committed to being the best. If Serena is not physically close to 100 per cent, then Justine will win, but Serena has been devastating Down Under since dropping the opening set in the 2005 Australian Open final to Lindsay Davenport, winning that match and in 2007 and ‘09. If she is fully healthy, I give Serena a slight edge. But Justine will be ready to take it if Serena is not playing at her best level. I can’t wait.”

The remaining Australian Open coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com:

2010 AUSTRALIAN OPEN on ESPN2

(For these charts, all times are Eastern.)

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Fri, Jan 29	3 – 6 p.m.	Men’s Semifinal #2	reair
Sat, Jan. 30	3:30 – 5:30 a.m.	Women’s Final	LIVE
	8 – 9:55 a.m.	Women’s Final	reair
	10 p.m. – MID	Women’s Final	reair
Sun, Jan 31	3:30 – 6:30 a.m.	Men’s Final	LIVE
	10 a.m. – 1 p.m.	Men’s Finals	reair

2010 AUSTRALIAN OPEN on ESPN360.com

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Fri, Jan 29	9 p.m. – 1 a.m.	Boys’ and Girls’ Finals	LIVE
	3:30 – 5:30 a.m.	Women’s Final	LIVE
Sat, Jan. 30	12:30 – 2 a.m.	Mixed Doubles Final	LIVE
	3:30 – 6:30 a.m.	Men’s Final	LIVE

Looking forward to the match, but I’ll be asleep. I’ll watch the reair.

Time For The Thursday Linkage

Let’s do the linkage for this Thursday. Got off to a late start, but that’s due to some overdue paperwork I had to complete. Now that it’s done, I can do some linkage for you.

Let’s begin with USA Today’s Michael McCarthy who looks at the impact of a Tiger Woods-less PGA Tour on both sponsors and TV ratings.

Speaking of sponsorships, Tripp Mickle in the Sports Business Journal says the X Games will allow more sponsor flexibility.

Michael Smith of the SBJ reviews the distribution of revenue to various conferences from the Bowl Championship Series.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred discusses writing a story on deadline.

Emily Bryson York of Advertising Age writes that Papa John’s Pizza did an end run around CBS, and managed to get an ad on the Super Bowl, but for much less than the network’s asking price.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell delves into the Tim Tebow Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad.

Darren is fascinated by video game manufacturer 2KSports offering a million dollar prize for its MLB 2K10 game.

Richard Sandomir from the New York Times looks at how a judge threw out a lawsuit from a former Madison Square Garden executive who claimed he gave Yankees owner George Steinbrenner the idea for YES Network.

Kyle Smith of the New York Post reviews ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary on the Indiana Pacers-New York Knicks 1990′s rivalry.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has a transcript of NBA Communist Sympathizer David Stern toying with a TMZ reporter during the announcement of Wizards star Gilbert Arenas’ suspension for having a gun in the locker room.

From the Daily Caller, Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says a broadcast network cannot afford not to have the NFL as part of its programming.

In the Examiner, Jim explores whether Capitals owner Ted Leonsis could become a full-fledged partner with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Tim Lemke wonders if Leonsis will actually be successful in his bid to buy the Wizards. 

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the NFL Players Association isn’t thrilled about having the Pro Bowl moved to the week before the Super Bowl and away from Hawai’i.

Sarah has more on the Pro Bowl and the NFLPA’s thoughts on the Pro Bowl in Miami.

Ray Melick of the Birmingham (AL) News feels CBS should air the controversial Tim Tebow advocacy ad in the Super Bowl.

Jim O’Donnell of the Chicago Sun-Times feels the Super Bowl should not be diminished by an advocacy ad.

However, Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says like it or not, the Tebow ad has a right to air during the Super Bowl.

Ed says the Cubs might the right choice in staying in Mesa, AZ for its spring training home.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has ESPN’s Monday Night Football analysts feeling that Brett Favre will be back in action next season.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at some of the biggest sports bombs on TV through Entertainment Weekly.

Tom also has a preview of his Friday column.

Austin Knoblauch of the Los Angeles Times says CBS has not made a decision on another potentially controversial Super Bowl ad.

William Houston in Truth & Rumours feels Jim Nantz should not have done a Sony TV ad with Colts QB Peyton Manning.

Chris Byrne in the Eye on Sports Media honors HHR Media for its Blogs with Balls conferences.

Chris also gives an honor to one of ESPN’s hard working public relations staffers.

The Sports Media Watch has some various notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says CBC and the Vancouver Canucks finally smoked the peace pipe.

The Canadian Olympics Broadcasting Consortium has announced the English language radio coverage plans for the Vancouver Winter Games.

And you can’t go without the French language coverage plans.

We end with Len Berman’s Top 5 Sports Stories at That’s Sports.

We’re done.

Sirius XM Announces Super Bowl Programming

As the official satellite radio partner of the National Football League, Sirius XM Satellite Radio plans plenty of shows live from Miami, site of this year’s Super Bowl XLIV. Two channels, Mad Dog Radio and Sirius NFL Radio will be live from Radio Row at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center all next week. Here’s Sirius XM’s press release:

SIRIUS XM RADIO ANNOUNCES COMPREHENSIVE BROADCAST COVERAGE FOR SUPER BOWL XLIV

SIRIUS and XM listeners will have access to 14 different broadcasts of Super Bowl XLIV in 10 languages

SIRIUS NFL Radio and Mad Dog Radio to broadcast live from South Florida

Super Bowl Week coverage kicks off with live broadcast of the Pro Bowl on Sunday, Jan. 31

NEW YORK – January 28, 2010 – SIRIUS XM Radio, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, announced today that it will broadcast Super Bowl XLIV in 10 languages, offering listeners 14 different live broadcasts plus live talk programming from South Florida throughout Super Bowl Week.

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 7 (6:00 pm ET), SIRIUS XM will air an expanded lineup of live play-by-play broadcasts of Super Bowl XLIV from Sun Life Stadium in South Florida. The 14 different game calls will be available to SIRIUS subscribers and XM subscribers with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package.

• Indianapolis Colts broadcast – SIRIUS 123/XM 102
• New Orleans Saints broadcast – SIRIUS 125/XM 103
• National Radio broadcast – SIRIUS 124/XM 124
• BBC Radio broadcast – SIRIUS 130/XM 104
• Spanish language broadcast – SIRIUS 91/XM 105
• Spanish broadcast (Canal + Spain) – SIRIUS 155/XM 106
• Russian broadcast (NTV Plus) – SIRIUS 154/XM 107
• French broadcast (W9) – SIRIUS 157/XM 108
• Japanese broadcast (NHK Japan) – SIRIUS 158/XM 109
• German broadcast (ARD) – SIRIUS 127/XM 110
• Italian broadcast (RAI) – SIRIUS 122/XM 111
• Hungarian broadcast (Sport1) – SIRIUS 90/XM 112
• Dutch broadcast (Prime Sport) – SIRIUS 152/XM 113
• Danish broadcast (Viasat) – SIRIUS 126/XM 114

“The Super Bowl showcases the breadth and depth of SIRIUS XM’s programming; we will offer listeners more comprehensive and far-reaching content during Super Bowl Week than can be found anywhere else,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS XM Radio’s President and Chief Content Officer. “Fans nationwide will have access to the game in 10 different languages, and with our SIRIUS NFL Radio talent, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, plus a variety of other SIRIUS XM personalities broadcasting live from South Florida, we will offer listeners unparalleled access to one of the biggest events of the year.”

Starting Monday, February 1, SIRIUS NFL Radio will broadcast live every day from Radio Row at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center offering listeners all the latest news and analysis leading up to the biggest game of the year, plus dozens of interviews with players, coaches, league executives and celebrities. Available to listeners nationwide on SIRIUS channel 124 and XM channel 124 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package, SIRIUS NFL Radio features a lineup of expert hosts that includes Gil Brandt, Derrick Brooks, Randy Cross, Rich Gannon, Pat Kirwan, Jim Miller, Bob Papa, Tim Ryan, Ross Tucker, Solomon Wilcots, Peter King and Adam Schein. 

SIRIUS NFL Radio will also broadcast live from Sun Life Stadium on Media Day, Tuesday, February 2 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET), offering one-on-one interviews with players and coaches from the Colts and Saints. On Saturday, February 6 (4:00 pm ET), SIRIUS NFL Radio will provide live coverage as the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010 is announced. Listeners will hear the live announcement as well as one-on-one interviews with the newly elected Hall of Famers.

Renowned sports talk host Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo will also be in South Florida all week to host his daily show, Mad Dog Unleashed, live from Radio Row (2:00-7:00 pm ET). The show is the anchor program for SIRIUS XM’s all-sports talk channel, Mad Dog Radio (SIRIUS channel 123, XM channel 144). On Saturday, February 6, Russo will host a special Saturday edition of Mad Dog Unleashed live from Radio Row.

On Sunday, January 31 (7:30 pm ET) SIRIUS NFL Radio will carry the live broadcast of the Pro Bowl from Sun Life Stadium. The annual all-star matchup of the AFC’s best and NFC’s best is returning to the U.S. mainland after being played in Hawaii since 1980.

As the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, SIRIUS XM Radio broadcasts every NFL game live nationwide, from the preseason through the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. Fans can also tune into SIRIUS NFL Radio, for the only radio channel dedicated to the NFL 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Visit www.sirius.com/superbowl or www.xmradio.com/superbowl for complete information about Super Bowl coverage.

That will do it for this release. I do have one more Super Bowl-related release, but will come after the linkage which I’ve been trying to finish, but press releases keep arriving in my inbox.

ESPN Plans for The Pro Bowl and Super Bowl Week

If you thought the NFL Network was going to have Super Bowl Week all to itself, think again. ESPN has made public its plans for the entire week in South Florida. It begins with its return to the Pro Bowl, an event ESPN used to air annually until this current NFL TV contract where Fox, CBS and NBC rotate the game, but this year, CBS opted out of airing the Pro Bowl (it didn’t want to air the game three years, but did only after moving it to a Saturday night) and allowed ESPN to take it. So the network gladly took it off CBS’ hands and made it part of its Super Bowl Week coverage.

Take a look at ESPN’s release. It’s a long one.

ESPN AT 2010 PRO BOWL AND SUPER BOWL XLIV

Super Bowl XLIV week in South Florida will kick off Sunday, Jan. 31, with the 2010 Pro Bowl on ESPN, ESPN HD and ESPN Deportes at 7:20 p.m. ET from Sun Life Stadium. ESPN’s week-long comprehensive coverage of the Indianapolis Colts-New Orleans Saints matchup will continue across its multimedia platforms through Sunday, Feb. 7. Highlights:

• Super Bowl-related content across 18 ESPN platforms: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Classic, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, ESPNEWS HD, ESPNU HD, ESPN International, ESPN.com, ESPN Radio, ESPNRadio.com, ESPN Deportes Radio, ESPNdeportes.com, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN Mobile properties;
• More than 80 hours of Super Bowl-related programming on domestic television from South Florida;
• More than 55 hours of Super Bowl-related programming on ESPN Radio from South Florida;
• ESPN International will bring live coverage of the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl to more than 51 million households in 140 countries and territories throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Israel, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, and much of Europe;
• More than 30 on-air commentators (hosts, analysts, reporters and contributors) covering on-site;
• ESPN’s coverage will peak with more than 16 hours of TV and radio coverage on Super Bowl Sunday (Sunday, Feb. 7), beginning with Mike & Mike in the Morning at 6 a.m. (ESPN Radio/ESPN2). 
• ESPN’s weeklong television and radio coverage (Feb. 1 – Feb. 7) will originate from Lummus Park on Miami Beach (12^th Street and Ocean Drive).

The 2010 Pro Bowl on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (Sunday, Jan. 31)

ESPN’s coverage of the 2010 Pro Bowl kicks off on ESPN and ESPN HD at 5:30 p.m. with a special edition of Sunday NFL Countdown hosted by Chris Berman from Sun Life Stadium with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Countdown will lead into the Pro Bowl game telecast at 7:20 p.m. with Monday Night Football commentators Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski in the booth. Reporters Suzy Kolber (AFC Team) and Michele Tafoya (NFC Team) will cover the Pro Bowl teams. Berman will also have interviews with Colts and Saints players from a sideline set, including an anticipated halftime interview with Super Bowl quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. ESPN Deportes will also offer a Spanish-language telecast of the Pro Bowl with pre-game coverage beginning at 7 p.m.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and Titans running back Chris Johnson are among the league’s top players who will be on display for the annual NFL all-star game. The ESPN telecast will feature 14 live microphones on players and coaches that will allow fans to hear live audio of conversations in the huddle, during plays and in the locker rooms.

Reporter Bob Holtzman and Mortensen began providing Pro Bowl reports from South Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 27 on NFL Live and SportsCenter.

Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 7)

• Berman, covering his 28^th Super Bowl, will host the special four-hour Super Bowl edition of Sunday NFL Countdown (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) from Lummus Park on Miami Beach with Carter, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, Mortensen and Schefter. Analysts Trent Dilfer, Steve Young and Tedy Bruschi – all Super Bowl champions – will also appear on the show from Miami Beach, while MNF’s Tirico, Jaworski and Gruden will occupy a set at Sun Life Stadium. In all, ESPN’s Super Bowl Sunday analyst team features former players and coaches with a combined 12 Super Bowl rings in 20 appearances in the NFL’s biggest game. Reporters Suzy Kolber (Colts) and Ed Werder (Saints) will provide team updates.
• Postgame coverage on ESPN begins at 10 p.m. begins with NFL Primetime with Berman, Jackson and Young on the field at Sun Life Stadium, followed by a 90-minute SportsCenter. 
• ESPN Radio’s “Super Sunday” program lineup will include Mike & Mike in the Morning for the third straight year (6-10 a.m./simulcast on ESPN2). Tirico will anchor ESPN Radio’s post-game coverage from radio row in Miami until 1 a.m.
• ESPN2’s SportsNation will have a special two-hour Super Bowl Sunday show (10 a.m., re-airing at noon).
• ESPN International will air Super Bowl XLIV live to more than 51 million households in 140 countries and territories throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Israel, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, and much of Europe. Commentary and analysis will be provided in English, French-Canadian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

ESPN – ESPN2 – ESPNEWS – ESPNU – ESPN Classic

ESPN’s primary host location throughout Super Bowl week will be an outdoor set – open for public viewing – Lummus Park on Miami Beach (12^th Street and Ocean Drive).  Planned highlights:

• SportsCenter (Monday, Feb. 1 – Sunday, Feb. 7) – daily editions with anchors Mike Greenberg, Steve Levy and Stuart Scott, joined by Mortensen, Schefter, reporters Kolber and Werder, and analysts Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, Young, etc.;
• SportsCenter Special: The Champions (Friday, Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m., ESPN) – Tirico hosts this special with all of ESPN’s NFL analysts in Miami who have won Super Bowl rings – Bruschi, Dilfer, Ditka, Gruden, Johnson, Matt Millen, Mark Schlereth and Young. The panel – with a combined 19 rings in 24 Super Bowl appearances – will discuss their personal experiences of playing for the NFL title and what they expect for Super Bowl XLIV.
• Sport Science (Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., ESPN) – The three-time Emmy Award-winning special hosted by John Brenkus will offer four football-based segments, including researching the common thread in quarterbacks, the physics of the greatest catches of the past several years (with Steelers’ wide receiver Santonio Holmes in-studio), exploring if a running back generates as much power as a Diesel engine (with Bills’ Marshawn Lynch), and Brenkus acting as live dummy when 14-year NFL veteran Matt Willig joins him in the lab to test the impact-forces when an unpadded referee accidentally gets hit.  Sport Science brings popular professional athletes together with cutting-edge technology in state-of-the-art scientific facilities to test the limits of human athletic abilities, while challenging popular assumptions about athletes and sports.
• SportsCenter Special and NFL Live (Monday, Feb. 1 – Thursday, Feb. 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m.) – Trey Wingo will host daily these consecutive 30-minute shows throughout Super Bowl week;
• NFL Matchup (Sunday, Feb. 7, 3 and 6:30 a.m., ESPN) – the popular 30-minute X’s and O’s analysis show hosted by Sal Paolantonio with Merril Hoge and Jaworski will preview the Super Bowl matchup from South Florida;
• Rome is Burning (M-F, 4:30 p.m., ESPN) – current and former NFL players will join host Jim Rome live in  South Florida to discuss the Super Bowl;
• Around the Horn (M-F, 5 p.m., ESPN) – daily panelists will opine from South Florida;
• Pardon the Interruption (M-F, 5:30 p.m., ESPN) – co-host Michael Wilbon and ‘Five Good Minutes’ guests will participate from South Florida;
• Sports Reporters (Sunday, Feb. 7, at 8:30 a.m., ESPN) – John Saunders will host the popular Sunday morning sports journalism and discussion program from the Super Bowl city;
• Mike & Mike in the Morning (M-F, 6-10 a.m./simulcast on ESPN2) – Co-hosts Mike Golic and Greenberg will kick off ESPN Radio’s on-site coverage from Miami on Monday, Feb. 1, followed by The Herd with Colin Cowherd (10 a.m.-2 p.m./ESPNU), and co-hosts Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo on The Scott Van Pelt Show (2-4 p.m./ESPN2). Each show will feature NFL guests and experts on-set with the hosts throughout the week.
• First Take (M-F, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., ESPN2) – will include Super Bowl-related interviews and previews all week;
• SportsNation (M-F, 4 p.m., ESPN2) – Michelle Beadle will be joined by guest host and ESPN NFL analyst Marcellus Wiley in ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios all week. A special preview of Puppy Bowl VI is among the anticipated Super Bowl week features. A special two-hour SportsNation is also planned for Super Bowl Sunday, at 10 a.m. on ESPN2 (re-airing at noon).
• ESPN2 will feature a number of NFL Films-produced Super Bowl highlight shows throughout the week, including back-to-back 30-minute shows Saturday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. spotlighting two memorable South Florida Super Bowl games involving the Colts – SB III vs. Jets and SB XLI vs. Bears. 
• ESPNEWS will provide live coverage of Super Bowl events with extensive reporting from Miami all week — including team arrivals, coaches’ and players’ press conferences, Media Day (Tuesday, Feb. 2), Commissioner Roger Goodell’s State of the NFL address (Friday, Feb. 5), and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement (Saturday, Feb. 6). On Super Bowl Sunday, extensive pre- and postgame analysis will include interviews, news conferences, highlights and more.
• ESPN Classic will celebrate Super Bowl XLIV with 24 straight hours of NFL-related programming, including: SportsCentury shows spotlighting Pete Rozelle, Vince Lombardi and more; Who’s #1; Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame…; and classic interviews that have not been aired on ESPN in more than a decade, including Up Close Classics with Jim Kelly, Joe Namath and more, Firestone Chat with Brett Favre and Schaap One-one-One.

ESPN RADIO – ESPNRADIO.COM

ESPN Radio’s Super Week 2010 in South Florida will feature 10 hours of programming each weekday (6 a.m.-4 p.m./M-F), including on-site broadcasts of regularly scheduled weekday programs, special shows, reports from team headquarters, Media Day, and comprehensive analysis and post-game interviews. For the first time, The Herd (ESPNU) and The Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN2) will be simulcast from the Super Bowl city, joining Mike & Mike (ESPN2).

Beginning Monday, Feb. 1, Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m., M-F/ESPN2) with co-hosts Golic and Greenberg will kick off ESPN Radio’s on-site coverage, followed by The Herd with Colin Cowherd (10 a.m. – 2 p.m., M-F/ESPNU) and The Scott Van Pelt Show (2-4 p.m. M-F/ESPN2). All radio shows throughout the week will originate from 11^th St. and Ocean Drive in South Beach (adjacent to the ESPN television set). Friday’s coverage will also include the Weekend Blitz: Pro Football (8-9 p.m.) and The Mort Report (9-10 p.m.).

For the third straight year, Mike & Mike in the Morning will kick off “Super Sunday” with a special lineup (6-10 a.m./simulcast on ESPN2). Tirico will anchor ESPN Radio’s post-game coverage from Miami until 1 a.m.

ESPNRadio.com will provide live audio and video streaming of ESPN Radio programs throughout Super Bowl week, as well as on-demand highlights of every show and every interview.

ESPN.COM and ESPN MOBILE PRODUCTS

ESPN.com is providing complete coverage and analysis of the game, teams, players, coaches and the entire Super Bowl scene from Miami from the main NFL page (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/index) and the 2010 edition of Super Bowl Central (http://espn.go.com/nfl/superbowl). The site features interactivity through daily chats with writers and other personalities on SportsNation, as well as video reports throughout the week.

• ESPN’s award-winning roster of contributors will be part of Super Bowl coverage, including Pro Football Hall of Famers John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli, as well as Gene Wojciechowski, Jeffri Chadiha, Greg Garber, Elizabeth Merrill, the NFL Blog Network and Scouts Inc., who will provide insight, commentary, breaking news and analysis of all facets of the Super Bowl XLIV match-up.  Other coverage highlights include:
• Complete coverage of Media Day, with users able to interact with bloggers on the scene;
• An interactive presentation called Inside A Moment In Time that takes readers inside Steelers linebacker James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII;
• Behind-the-hero stories highlighting one player from each of the 43 teams that have earned Super Bowl rings;
• Video, essays and pictorials from 10 Super Bowl MVPs, including Pittsburgh’s Hines Ward, who tell stories about pivotal moments in their path to being named MVPs;
• In-depth analysis, scouting reports and rankings of all 106 players on the Super Bowl rosters from Scouts Inc.;
• Additional video features, interviews, news and analysis on the ESPN Video hub (http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/);

Fans on the go can access the latest action through the NFL Playoffs Hotcorner on the ESPN mobile Web site and up to the minute scores via the ESPN ScoreCenter mobile app for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. 

ESPN INTERNATIONAL

ESPN will deliver Super Bowl XLIV to some 51 million households in 140 countries and territories outside the U.S.  ESPN International will provide live coverage of Super Bowl XLIV throughout Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Europe and the Pacific Rim and Canada. Commentary and analysis will be provided in English, French-Canadian, Portuguese and Spanish. ESPN International will also air the Pro Bowl on January 31 to fans in these regions. Highlights:

• For the first time, ESPN International will host the “Super Bowl at Sea” Viewing Party for clients and VIPs. The network will feature SportsCenter segments from aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise. The four-day Caribbean cruise will depart from Miami on Feb. 4 and return Feb. 8; 
• Coverage of the game in HD in Australia, Brazil and the rest of Spanish-speaking Latin America. In Latin America, ESPN will be the only network televising the game in HD;
• ESPN’s international SportsCenter production team will provide reports throughout the week to Latin America and throughout the Pacific Rim;
• Live coverage on Super Bowl Sunday in Latin America will begin at 3:30 p.m. with Cronometro Super Sunday Special, followed by a one-hour edition of SportsCenter: Super Bowl Special and NFL Esta Noche Super Bowl Special.

Spanish-language coverage in the U.S. and Latin America will feature Spanish-language Emmy nominee Álvaro Martín (play-by-play), analyst and former New York Giants Super Bowl-winning kicker Raul Allegre, and reporters John Sutcliffe and Ciro Procuna, who will offer daily reports from Miami on Spanish-language editions of SportsCenter and Radio Formula programs, and Los Capitanes en ESPN throughout Super Bowl week.  Live coverage on Super Bowl Sunday in Latin America begins at 3:30 p.m. with Cronometro Super Bowl Special and continues throughout the day through the telecast of Super Bowl XLIV at 6 p.m.  

ESPN DEPORTES – ESPN DEPORTES RADIO – ESPNDEPORTES.COM
ESPN Deportes will offer the most comprehensive coverage of Super Bowl XLIV on Spanish-language television in the U.S.  The network will have a team in Miami all week, providing nightly segments for its edition of SportsCenter.  NFL Semanal, ESPN’s signature Spanish-language NFL news and analysis program, will be hosted by Procuna, Martin and Allegre from the ESPN set in South Beach. In addition, ESPN Deportes will feature exclusive live coverage in the U.S. of the Pro Bowl.

ESPN Deportes Radio, the only around-the-clock national Spanish-language sports radio network in the U.S., will feature NFL commentary throughout Super Bowl week. ESPNdeportes.com, the company’s Spanish-language Web site, will provide complete coverage all week, including chats with ESPN Deportes experts, daily blogs and ESPN Motion video.

ESPN THE MAGAZINE

Athlete and celebrity Super Bowl revelers will dance the night away at ESPN The Magazine’s sixth annual NEXT event at the “new” Fontainebleau Miami Beach in a custom-made, 25,000-square-foot, clear-top tent Friday, Feb. 5. The private, VIP event will feature Grammy Award-winning singer Ne-Yo and Grammy-nominated singer Keri Hilson as its headliners; A Tribe Called Quest front-man Q-Tip will DJ the event.  Universal Music Group recording artists rapper Nelly will report from the red carpet, interviewing athletes and celebrities in a Samsung sponsored tent on the carpet. ESPN The Magazine‘s NEXT event celebrates The Mag‘s NEXT issue and showcases what’s NEXT in sports, technology, lifestyle, and, of course, what’s NEXT from ESPN.

Certainly a lot of ancillary programming on ESPN next week.

NBC Universal Announces Huge Resarch Initiative Involving Winter Olympics

When I saw my inbox and a press release from NBC Sports, I was hoping it would be the talent roster for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Instead, this is regarding the viewer research NBC Universal will conduct throughout the 17 day viewing period of the Olympics. The company did similar research during the Summer Olympics in Communist China two years ago.

Here’s the press release:

NBC UNIVERSAL UNVEILS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH EFFORT AROUND 2010 VANCOUVER OLYMPICS

Groundbreaking Data to Provide Unprecedented Insight into Consumer Cross-Platform Behavior and Advertising Effectiveness

Company Will Again Issue Daily TAMi to Measure Total Olympic Exposure

NEW YORK - January 28, 2010 Building on the pioneering research effort conducted during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, NBC Universal will launch its second Olympic research lab during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games that will provide unprecedented insight into consumer cross-platform behavior. NBCU will partner with some of the country’s most innovative research providers to develop state of the art media measurement techniques, including the first-ever statistically projectable single source measurement of television and Internet use. In addition, NBCU will again issue a daily TAMi (Total Audience Measurement Index) to measure total Olympic exposure across all media platforms throughout the 17 days of coverage.

The announcement was made today by Alan Wurtzel, President of Research, NBC Universal and Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports and Olympics.

“The unique scope and duration of the Olympics provides us with the opportunity to see consumer behavior at warp speed,” said Wurtzel. “No other media event gives us such an enormous amount of content that is consumed by so many people, across so many different platforms, for such a long period of time. From a research perspective, it’s a fast-forward two or three years ahead in furthering our understanding of media behavior, allowing us to see the future today.”

Research Initiatives
The company will build on the findings from its “billion-dollar” Beijing research lab and conduct a new series of studies to take its understanding of cross-platform media use to the next level. In addition to tracking consumer behavior, the research will incorporate various methodologies to demonstrate to advertisers the effectiveness of their Olympics buy. The projects include:

Quantifiable Single Source Cross Platform Measurement: This groundbreaking study will provide the industry with the first-ever projectable electronic measurement of single source television and Internet use. Using data from the Arbitron Portable People Meter  media measurement service and Internet data from comScore (SCOR) and Omniture, NBCU will measure TV and Internet use from the same person and project those numbers to a broad population. Data will include simultaneous online and TV viewing and differentiate video viewed for the first time vs. repeat viewing to something seen on TV. 

Social Media and Viral Communication Analysis: NBCU will use Keller Fay’s TalkTrack to measure all forms of Olympic “word of mouth,” including face-to-face, phone and Internet communication. It will utilize 8000 consumer interviews conducted before and during the Olympics. The study will help the company analyze the role of social networking and its impact on the Olympic experience. The word of mouth component will also be used to research Olympic advertising effectiveness.

Set Top Box Data Study:  Through its research partnership with TiVO, NBCU will use second-by-second set top box data to measure audience retention for both Olympic programming and commercials over the course of the Games, including data on the impact of Olympic-themed advertising vs. general commercial messaging. The TiVO data will also provide extensive information on the demographic and psychographic drivers of Olympic viewing. 

Three Screen Qualitative Study: NBCU will once again partner with iMMi to track a single consumer’s Olympic exposure across all media platforms.  Panelists will carry a sophisticated iMMi phone that will measure their Olympic viewing on television, online and on their mobile devices. The iMMi study can now measure viewing across all NBCU properties, exposure to nearly 100 different Olympic sites, and provide detailed information on the particular video being viewed. This more granular data will provide an even greater understanding of what consumers are watching, when they’re watching it and why they chose to watch on a particular device. 

TAMi Returns for Vancouver
NBCU will again issue a daily TAMi during the Vancouver Games, measuring total Olympic exposure across the multiple media platforms airing Olympic content - network and cable television, online, video on demand (VOD) and mobile. The TAMi will provide information on total exposure to the Olympics each day, as well as indicate trends that develop on any one particular platform over the course of the Games.

Still waiting on full schedules and the talent roster. When they become available, you’ll see them here.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. XX

In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl, I use Roman numerals to signify that we have reached 20 podcasts. That’s rather impressive.

In this week’s podcast, Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I talk about the monster ratings for NFL Championship Sunday. We also talk about the controversy over CBS’ acceptance of an advocacy ad from Focus on the Family for the Super Bowl. We also talk about the East Coast-heavy Sunday Night Baseball schedule for the first half of the MLB season.

Then we bring in our guest, Dr. Steve Dittmore, Assistant Professor of recreation and sports management at the University of Arkansas. Steve has had an extensive background in sports public relations and in the Olympics.

During our interview with Steve, we talked about his experience in sports public relations and how he became a professor at Arkansas.

Then we discussed how the US Olympic Committee lost the bid for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Games. We looked at how social media has a role in sports. And we also explored the issue of Comcast and Cox preventing their competitors from carrying their regional sports networks.

A very good podcast and fascinating listening if I do say so myself. You can go to iTunes to download or you can get it

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
men’s
Duquense at Xavier – CBS College Sports, 7 p.m.
Wisconsin at Purdue – ESPN, 7 p.m.
Seton Hall at South Florida – ESPN2, 7 p.m.
St. John’s at Pittsburgh – ESPNU
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports South/NESN, 7 p.m.
Mississippi State at Arkansas – ESPN2, 9 p.m.
Ole Miss at Auburn – ESPNU, 9 p.m.
UCLA at Oregon – FSN, 10:30 p.m.
Gonzaga at Santa Clara – ESPN2, 11 p.m.
Portland at San Francisco – ESPNU, 11 p.m.

women’s
Minnesota at Ohio State – Big Ten Network, 7:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour/Farmers Insurance Open, 1st round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

NBA
Boston at Orlando – TNT, 8 p.m.
Dallas at Phoenix – TNT, 10:30 p.m.

Inside the NBA – TNT, 1 a.m.

NHL
Atlanta at Philadelphia – SportSouth/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Columbus – Fox Sports West/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Carolina – MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Pittsburgh – TSN/RDS/FSN Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Colorado – Fox Sports North/Altitude, 9 p.m.
St. Louis at Edmonton – Fox Sports Midwest/Rogers Sportsnet West, 9:30 p.m.
Chicago at San Jose – NHL Network (US)/Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Comcast SportsNet California, 10:30 p.m.

NHL On The Fly – NHL Network, 8 p.m.

Tennis
Australian Open, men’s semifinals – ESPN2, 3:30 a.m.
Australian Open Today – Tennis Channel 6 a.m.
Australian Open, women’s doubles finals – Tennis Channel, 11 p.m.

Entertainment
Bones – Fox, 8 p.m.
World’s Dumbest …. – truTV, 9 p.m.
Burn Notice (season premiere) – USA Network, 10 p.m.

CBS Begins Another Season of Golf

This weekend, CBS Sports gets back into the PGA Tour. For as long as CBS has been broadcasting sports, it has aired golf. Other sports have come and gone, MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, College Basketball and Football, Olympics, but the one constant has been golf. And CBS has 23 golf tournaments including annual coverage of The Masters and the PGA Championship. Here is what CBS has in store for golf for 2010.

CBS SPORTS TEES OFF 60^th YEAR BROADCASTING GOLF WITH MOST EXTENSIVE SCHEDULE IN NETWORK TELEVISION HISTORY

JIM NANTZ AND SIR NICK FALDO ANCHOR CBS SPORTS’ GOLF COVERGE

CBS SPORTS’ 2010 PGA TOUR SCHEDULE BEGINS THIS WEEKEND IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AT “FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN” IN SAN DIEGO

The Masters Makes 55th Consecutive Appearance on CBS;

Network Broadcasts 20th Consecutive PGA Championship

CBS Sports begins its 60th year broadcasting golf in 2010, continuing to offer viewers the most comprehensive lineup in the history of network television.  CBS Sports will broadcast 23 golf tournaments, totaling more than 140 hours, including the Masters, PGA Championship, 19 PGA TOUR events, one LPGA TOUR event and one CHAMPIONS TOUR event. CBS Sports tees off the 2010 season at the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday, Jan. 30 (3:00-6:00 PM, ET) and Sunday, Jan. 31 (3:00-6:30 PM, ET), live from the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif.

Jim Nantz, now in his 25th year overall covering golf for CBS Sports, serves as anchor for the Networks’ golf coverage. Sir Nick Faldo, winner of six majors and more than 40 tournaments worldwide, returns for his fourth year as lead analyst alongside Nantz in the 18^th tower. Nantz and Faldo are complemented by CBS Sports’ award-winning golf announce team of Ian Baker-Finch, Gary McCord, David Feherty, Peter Kostis, Bill Macatee, Verne Lundquist, Peter Oosterhuis and Bobby Clampett.

In 2010, CBS Sports will broadcast all 19 PGA TOUR events in HDTV.  CBS Sports will continue to broadcast the Masters and the PGA Championship in HDTV. The 2000 Masters was the first golf tournament presented live in HDTV on network television.

Highlights of the 2010 schedule:

19 PGA TOUR events: Farmers Insurance Open, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Verizon Heritage, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Quail Hollow Championship, Valero Texas Open, HP Byron Nelson Championship, Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley, St. Jude Classic, Travelers Championship, AT&T National, John Deere Classic, RBC Canadian Open, The Greenbrier Classic, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Wyndham Championship and The Barclays.

The Masters, the most renowned golf tournament and the longest-running sports event on CBS Sports will be showcased for the 55th consecutive year from Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Coverage includes a pair of 15-minute highlight shows recounting early-round action on Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9 (11:35-11:50 PM, ET, both nights).  Live coverage of the third round will be broadcast on Saturday, April 10 (3:30-7:00 PM, ET) and live 18-hole final-round coverage will be presented on Sunday, April 11 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET).

The 92nd PGA Championship, the season’s final major which annually hosts the strongest field in championship golf, will be broadcast by CBS Sports for the 20th consecutive year.  Coverage begins with highlights of early-round action on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13 (12:37-1:07 AM, ET, both nights).  Live, 18-hole coverage of the third and final rounds will be broadcast on Saturday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 15 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET, both days) from The Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc.

The final round of the LPGA’s first major of the year, the LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship will be broadcast on CBS Sports on Sunday, April 4 (3:00-6:00 PM, ET).  The Champions TOUR will be featured on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 (1:00-3:00 PM, ET, both days) with the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf at Savannah Harbor Golf Resort in Savannah, Ga.

CBS Sports also will broadcast three PGA TOUR Specials and two PGA of America Specials and a PGA Championship Preview Show in addition to other golf specials throughout the year. Once again, CBS Sports will present “Jim Nantz Remembers Augusta” on Sunday, April 11 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET).

Lance Barrow is coordinating producer and Steve Milton is director for CBS Sports’ golf coverage.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports. Rob Correa is Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

The complete CBS Sports 2010 golf broadcast schedule follows.

2010 CBS GOLF  SCHEDULE

Broadcast Dates And Times (PM, ET) Tournament Location

Jan. 30 (3:00-6:00 PM)                            Farmers Insurance Open Torrey Pines Golf Course,

Jan. 31 (3:00-6:30 PM)                                                                      South Course, La Jolla, CA

Feb. 13 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Pebble Beach Pebble Beach Golf Links

Feb. 14 (3:00-6:30 PM)                           National Pro-Am Spyglass Hill Golf Club

Monterey Peninsula CC

Pebble Beach, CA

Feb. 20 (2:00-6:00 PM) WGC Match Play Ritz-Carlton Golf Club

Feb. 21 (2:00-6:00 PM)                           Championship Dove Mountain, AZ

Apr. 4 (3:00-6:00 PM)                             LPGA Kraft Nabisco Mission Hills CC

Championship Rancho Mirage, CA

Apr. 8 (11:35-11:50 PM)                         The Masters Augusta National Golf Club

Apr. 9 (11:35-11:50 PM)                                                                    Augusta, GA

Apr. 10 (3:30-7:00 PM)

Apr. 11 (2:00-7:00 PM)

Apr. 17 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Heritage Harbour Town Golf Links

Apr. 18 (3:00-6:00 PM)                                                                       Hilton Head Island, SC

Apr. 24 (1:00-3:00 PM)                           Legends of Golf Savannah Harbor Golf Resort

Apr. 25 (1:00-3:00 PM)                           (Champions TOUR) Savannah, GA

Apr. 24 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Zurich Classic TPC Louisiana

Apr. 25 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           of New Orleans Avondale, LA

May 1 (3:00-6:00 PM)                             Quail Hollow Quail Hollow Club

May 2 (3:00-6:00 PM)                             Championship Charlotte, NC

May 15 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Texas Open TPC San Antonio

May 16 (3:00-6:00 PM)                                                                       San Antonio, TX

May 22 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Byron Nelson TPC Las Colinas

May 23 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Championship Irving, TX

May 29 (3:00-6:00 PM) Colonial Invitational Colonial CC

May 30 (3:00-6:00 PM)                        Fort Worth, TX

June 5 (3:00-6:00 PM)                             the Memorial Tournament Muirfield Village Golf Club

June 6 (2:30-6:00 PM)                          Dublin, OH

June 12 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           St. Jude Classic TPC Southwind

June 13 (3:00-6:00 PM)                                                                       Memphis, TN

June 26 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Travelers TPC River Highlands

June 27 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Championship Cromwell, CT

July 3 (3:00-6:00 PM)                              AT&T National Aronimink Golf Club

July 4 (3:00-6:30 PM)                                                                           Newtown Square, PA

July 10 (3:00-6:00 PM)                            John Deere Classic TPC Deere Run

July 11 (3:00-6:00 PM)                                                                          Silvis, IL

July 24 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           Canadian Open St. Georges Golf and CC

July 25 (3:00-6:00 PM)                                                                         Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

July 31 (3:00-6:00 PM)                           The Greenbrier Classic The Old White Course

Aug. 1 (3:00-6:00 PM)                                                                         White Sulphur Springs, WV

Aug. 7 (2:00-6:00 PM)                            WGC-Bridgestone Firestone CC

Aug. 8 (2:00-6:00 PM)                            Invitational Akron, OH

Aug. 12 (12:37-1:07 AM)                        PGA Championship The Straits Course, Whistling Straits

Aug. 13 (12:37-1:07 AM)                                                                      Kohler, WI

Aug. 14 (2:00-7:00 PM)

Aug. 15 (2:00-7:00 PM)

Aug. 21 (2:00-5:00 PM)                          Wyndham Championship Sedgefield CC

Aug. 22 (2:00-5:00 PM)                                                                        Greensboro, NC

Aug. 28 (3:00-6:00 PM)                          The Barclays Ridgewood CC

Aug. 29 (2:00-6:00 PM)                                                                       Paramus, NJ

Lots of golf tournaments on CBS.

24 Season 8, Hour 6 Promo

If you saw Monday’s 24 episode, you’ll know about Renee being in an extremely dark place, not caring about her life.

In this sneak peek for next week’s episode, Jack is concerned and wants Hastings to pull Renee from the mission. However, Hastings is having none of it.

We’ll be ready with another grade next week.

Fang’s Bites Musical Interlude: The Dream Super Bowl Halftime Set List For The Who

I haven’t done a Musical Interlude in a very long time. Seeing a story on the Super Bowl Halftime set gave me some inspiration tonight. 

The Super Bowl Halftime Set List is supposed to be a guarded secret until Halftime of the Super Bowl, but no one told Pete Townsend of The Who and he released it to Billboard magazine tonight. The Chairman says the set is going to be a bit of a mashup:

“A bit of ‘Baba O’Riley,’ a bit of ‘Pinball Wizard,’ a bit of the close of ‘Tommy,’ a bit of ‘Who Are You,’ and a bit of ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again.’”

That’s nice and all, but if I were producing the Halftime show and Mr. Townsend gave me control of the set list, it would look something like this:

I’d start with 5.15 from Quadrophenia. This is from BBC’s Top of the Pops in 1973.

That would be followed by the Live at Leeds version of The Magic Bus. This is awesome.

Then we would move to Squeeze Box.

That would be followed up by Boris The Spider, but that would be hard without The Ox, the late John Entwistle. From Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens in 1982, John doing the lead vocals.

With Super Bowl XLIV being on CBS, it’s only natural that Who Are You be played, as it’s the theme for CSI. Here’s the official music video for Who Are You. Drummer Keith Moon being so playful. He died shortly after this was made.

And we would end halftime with Love, Reign O’er Me. We started with a song from Quadrophenia and we end with a song with Quadrophenia.

Of course, this would be way too long for the NFL’s tastes, but it would be my show. It runs for as long as I would want.

Fang’s Bites Grade for 24, Season 8, Hour 5, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Opening sequence: Farhad calls a General loyal to him in Kamistan – B.

Sergei Bazhaev cares for his younger son, while his other son Josef wants to take him to a doctor – B.

Sergei allows Josef to take him to a country house while they think about their next move – B.

Farhad tells Sergei that he’ll get the money for the nuclear rods in five hours – B.

Sergei gives Farhad two Russian women to play with – A. That’s definitely an A!

Renee is bandaging Ziya’s hand – A.

Jack wants to call off the operation – D.

Jack calls Renee unstable – C.

Renee glares at him – A.

Jack thinks Renee is still in a dark place but Renee disagrees – A.

Jack decides not to call off the mission – A.

Jack agrees to continue – A.

Renee pouts – A. (she’s got a sexy pout).

Ziya screams in pain – C. He’s such a woman.

Renee tells him he’ll get $3 million and he stops whining for a second – B.

Loving this really, really dark Renee – A.

Chloe calls Jack and asks what happens, Jack tells her – B.

Chloe doesn’t understand how Ziya’s tracking braclet was taken off – B.

Ziya rides with Renee to go to Vladimir – A.

Dana Walsh is working on Jack’s timeline and gets a phone call from Kevin – F.

Kevin blackmails Dana and she leaves her post while getting Arlo to cover for her – F.

Not included in the grade: Michael Phlelps piss poor Subway ad – F all the way

Rob Weiss tells President Taylor that Farhad is trying to buy weapons-grade uranium from the Russians – B.

President Taylor is surprised that the uranium is in the US – D.

Ethan Kanin tells President Taylor that President Hassan is cracking down in Kamistan – C.

Renee gives Ziya some vodka for the pain – A.

Ziya tries to get into Renee’s head about Vladimir – B.

Ziya saying “Touchy, touchy” – A.

Jack wants to know what happened between Vladimir and Renee – A.

President Hassan comes in to speak to President Taylor (Weiss said it would take 10 minutes for him to reach the UN, so much for the real time aspect) – C.

President Taylor scolds President Hassan about his crackdown and human rights violations – D.

President Hassan says he has to do what he has to do – A.

President Taylor asks him to find some middle ground for peace sake – C.

President Hassan leaves – D minus

Josef is taking his brother to the country house, but then decides to take him to a medical clinic – B.

Josef losing his Russian accent – D.

Dalia and Kayla talk about President Hassan and Kayla whines – D.

Dalia wants to know if President Hassan loved Meredith Reed and he says he felt something for her – C.

President Hassan asks Dalia for help – D. (Thanks for the correction, Jinny!)

She refuses and leaves – F.

Renee and Ziya arrive at Vladimir’s place – B.

Ziya goes inside to talk to Vladimir and he gets beat up – A.

Ziya tells Vladi that Renee is with her – C.

Hugo doesn’t believe Renee – A.

Cole asks Arlo where’s Dana and he finds out she went home – F.

Kevin invites one of his friends to stay at Dana’s apartment – F.

Kevin hits Dana – F.

Kevin wants Dana to get money for him through CTU – F. This storyline has got to go. Please end it.

Ziya summons Renee to Vladi’s place – B

Chloe tells Jack that Vladimir beat her up in her previous mission and tried to rape her – C.

Renee gets patted down by Hugo – A.

Vladimir and Renee play chicken with each other – A.

Vladi ties up Renee and Ziya and puts them in a trunk and drives off. – A.

Jack tails them – A.

Jack says “DAMMIT!” – A.

Josef brings his brother to the clinic and points a gun at the doctor – B.

Jack continues to tail the Russians – A.

Hastings authorizes his CTU agents to engage the Russians when necessary – A.

Jack finds out he was following a decoy – A. 

Vladi has his men take Ziya and Renee to the water – A.

Ziya is shot dead – A.

Renee tells Vladi to pull the trigger – A.

Renee sheds a tear and tells Vladi to do the deal or pull the trigger – A.

Vladi wants to make about Renee – A.

Ziya is dumped in the river – A.

Jack tells CTU Vlaid bought Renee’s cover – A. Damn, that was intense.

Overall grade – 84, Solid B.

BBC Sport’s Official 2010 Winter Olympics Promo

Two years ago, the BBC put out one of the coolest Olympic promos using animation from the same house that did the Gorillaz videos. It came out just recently with another very cool animation for the 2010 Winter Games using the Vancouver Olympics logo and just like in 2008, shows a combination of sports that will be part of the 16 days of competition. The BBC explains the story behind the trailer and the man who made it. I like it.

Take a look

And to give you a refresher what the 2008 Olympics promo was like.