Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Golf
LPGA Tour/Canadian Women’s Open, 2nd round – Golf Channel, midnight (taped)
PGA Tour/The Barclay’s, 2nd round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
USGA/U.S. Amateur, 3rd day – Golf Channel, 6:30 p.m.

MLB
American League
Red Sox at Tampa Bay – NESN/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Toronto – Fox Sports Detroit/Rogers Sportsnet One, 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Cleveland – Fox Sports Kansas City/STO, 7 p.m.
New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox – MLB Network/YES/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Oakland at Texas – Comcast SportsNet California/KXTA, 8 p.m.
Baltimore at Anaheim – MASN2/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.
Minnesota at Seattle – Fox Sports North/FSN Northwest, 10 p.m.

National League
Chicago Cubs at Cincinnati – WGN America/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Houston at New York Mets – Fox Sports Houston/SNY, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Washington – Fox Sports Midwest/MASN, 7 p.m.
Florida at Atlanta – MLB Network/Fox Sports Florida/SportSouth, 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Milwaukee – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado – Fox Sports Prime Ticket/FSN Rocky Mountain, 9 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco – Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10 p.m.
Philadelphia at San Diego – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Cox 4, 10 p.m.

Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight Live – MLB Network, 10:30 p.m.

NFL
Atlanta at Miami – WXIA/WFOR, 7 p.m.
Washington at New York Jets – Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/WRC/WCBS, 7 p.m.
San Diego at New Orleans – CBS/KFMB/Cox Sports Television/WVUE, 8 p.m.
Philadelphia at Kansas City – WPVI/KCTV, 8 p.m.

Tennis
US Open Series
WTA Tour/Pilot Pen Tennis, semifinals – ESPN2, noon & 7 p.m.

Entertainment
Hollywood 411 – TV Guide Channel, 8 p.m.
Man, Woman, Wild: Utah – Discovery, 9 p.m.
20/20 – ABC, 10 p.m.
The Pillars of The Earth: New Beginnings; Work of Angels – Starz, 10 p.m.
The Daily Line – Versus, 11 p.m.
Co-Ed Confidential – Cinemax, 11:40 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark – Sho2, midnight

Golf Channel’s Tournaments This Week

Golf Channel sent this release a day late, but I’ll still post it. The network is airing five tournaments making it quite busy this weekend.

Golf Channel Live Tournament Coverage: Aug. 25-29

PGA TOUR Playoffs Kicks Off at The Barclays

 LPGA Tour Heads to Canada for CN Canadian Women’s Open

Top Amateurs Compete in U.S. Amateur

The Barclays

Dates: Aug. 26-29

Venue: Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Friday                          3-6 p.m. (Live)/8:30-11:30 p.m. (Prime Replay)

Saturday                      1-2:30 p.m. (Live)/9:30-11:30 p.m. (CBS Replay)

Sunday                        12-1:30 p.m. (Live)/9:30-11:30 p.m. (CBS Replay)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:

Kelly Tilghman (Play by Play)

Nick Faldo (Analyst)

Peter Oosterhuis (Tower)

Gary McCord (Tower)

Jerry Foltz (On Course)

Steve Sands (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes:

·         Four-Day Live Coverage: Golf Channel will air three hours of live coverage Thursday and Friday, followed by early, live coverage Saturday and Sunday.

·         Trackman Featured at Ridgewood: TrackMan, a production feature that measures the speed, distance and trajectory of a golf shot, will be on display on holes 9 and 15 at Ridgewood Country Club.  On the par-3 15^th hole, Trackman also will measure the “target ball speed,” of players’ tee shots.  After players hit their tee shots, the actual ball speed will be shown alongside the target ball speed, giving viewers an idea of tee shots will be short or long of the pin.

Canadian Women’s Open

Dates: Aug. 26-29

Venue: St. Charles Country Club, Winnipeg, Canada

Airtimes (Eastern):

Friday                          12-2 a.m. (TD)

Saturday                      12-2 a.m. (TD)

Saturday                      3-6 p.m. (Live)

Sunday                        2-6 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

• Broadcast rights only allow Golf Channel to televise live coverage on Saturday and Sunday in the United States. The late night re-airs at midnight ET will air as scheduled, both in the U.S. and Canada.

U.S. Amateur

Dates: Aug. 25-27

Venue: Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington

Airtimes (Eastern):

Friday                          1-3 p.m. (Live)

Boeing Classic

Dates: Aug. 27-29

Venue: TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, Snoqualmie, Washington

Airtimes (Eastern):

Friday                          6:30-8:30 p.m. (Live)

Saturday                      6:30-9:30 p.m. (Live)

Sunday                        7-9:30 p.m. (Live)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:

Brian Hammons (Play by Play)

Curt Byrum (Analyst)

John Mahaffey (Tower)

Dave Marr (Tower)

Billy Ray Brown (On Course)

Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles

Dates: Aug. 26-29

Venue: PGA Centenary Course, Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

Airtimes (Eastern):

Friday                          10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Live)

Saturday                      9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Live)

Sunday                        9 a.m.-12 p.m. (Live)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team:

Tom Abbott (Studio Host)

Dougie Donnelly (Play by Play)

Denis Hutchinson (Analyst)

Julian Tutt (On Course)

We’re done here.

ESPN Recruits Discover To Be Sponsor of the Orange Bowl

To complete the sponsors of all BCS games, ESPN and the Orange Bowl have announced that Discover will be the main sponsor. FedEx was the previous sponsor.

DISCOVER TO SERVE AS NEW ORANGE BOWL GAME TITLE SPONSOR

Four-Year, Five-Game Deal with ESPN and the Orange Bowl Committee Includes

2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game

RIVERWOODS, Ill., MIAMI LAKES, Fla., and BRISTOL, Conn. – Discover Financial Services (DFS: NYSE), the Orange Bowl Committee and ESPN announced today that an agreement has been reached for Discover to be the title sponsor for the 2011-2014 Orange Bowl Games and the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. The Orange Bowl Game will be known as the “Discover Orange Bowl” and the 2013 BCS National Championship game to be hosted by the Orange Bowl in South Florida will be named the “2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game.” Under the partnership, Discover will be the official card of the Orange Bowl and the Bowl Championship Series.

In conjunction with this new alliance, a new game mark has been developed that will be incorporated into all Discover Orange Bowl and BCS-related materials.

The four-year deal includes the multi-media integration of Discover as part of ESPN’s season-long college football coverage and marketing.

“We are very excited to partner with the Orange Bowl and college football on ESPN,” said Harit Talwar, President of U.S. Cards for Discover. “Our cardmembers are very passionate about college football. As title sponsor of the Orange Bowl, Discover will be rewarding their cardmembers all year long with exclusive benefits, including ticket offers and unique experiences at the Discover Orange Bowl. It’s a great way to show how it pays to Discover.”

“Discover’s commitment to the Orange Bowl reinforces the game’s national strength and appeal as one of the premier sporting events in the country,” said Eric Poms, CEO of the Orange Bowl Committee. “We welcome Discover to South Florida and the home of championship college football and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership. Our shared passion will leave a lasting impact on our community, while further enriching the 77-year history of the Orange Bowl.”

Added Ed Erhardt, President, ESPN Customer Marketing and Sales, “Discover is passionate about college football and committed to activating their Orange Bowl sponsorship in a meaningful way. Their season-long, multi-media engagement, culminating with the Discover Orange Bowl, will provide a platform from which they can create a truly impactful experience for fans and unique rewards for their cardmembers. We look forward to growing this relationship between ESPN, Discover and the Orange Bowl in the coming years.”

Title sponsorship of the Orange Bowl and sponsorship of the BCS is further demonstration of Discover’s commitment to college football. Discover also has college football partnerships with Notre Dame Football on NBC and the Big Ten Network.

The first Orange Bowl game was played in 1935 with the mission to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and Festival. In its 77-year history, the Orange Bowl has hosted 19 National Champions, 17 Heisman Trophy winners and in 1965 became the first Bowl game to be played in prime time. The not-for-profit organization now serves as a foundation of the South Florida community by hosting championship sporting events, related premier entertainment and meaningful community-driven initiatives year-round to inspire youth, engage families and make South Florida a better place. The Orange Bowl Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the South Florida community, and brought nearly $200 million in economic impact during the 2008-09 season, when the Orange Bowl Committee hosted both the Orange Bowl and BCS National Championship.

The Discover Orange Bowl is one of five BCS Bowl games, which take place annually in four locations: South Florida, Pasadena, Calif., the Phoenix area and New Orleans. All five games will be televised on ESPN as part of a new agreement. Allstate has renewed as title sponsor of the 2011-2014 Sugar Bowls and the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.  The schedule for the BCS Bowl games on ESPN follows.

Sat, Jan 1	5 p.m. ET	Rose Bowl Game	ESPN/ESPN Radio
	8:30 p.m. ET	Fiesta Bowl	ESPN/ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 3	8:30 p.m. ET	Orange Bowl	ESPN/ESPN Radio
Tue, Jan 4	8:30 p.m. ET	Sugar Bowl	ESPN/ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 10	8:30 p.m. ET	BCS National Championship Game	ESPN/ESPN Radio

That’s it.

Universal Sports To Air All of the Vuelta a Espana

Starting this weekend, Universal Sports starts coverage of Vuelta a Espana or the Tour of Span and it will continue through September 19. We have a press release from Universal Sports.

Universal Sports Presents Unprecedented LIVE, Comprehensive Coverage from Every Stage of the Vuelta a Espana

Coverage Kicks off Saturday, Aug. 28 at 3:30pm ET on Universal Sports & UniversalSports.com

August 25, 2010—Los Angeles—Universal Sports will broadcast live, comprehensive coverage of every stage of the Vuelta a Espana—an unprecedented more than 176 total hours—beginning this Saturday, August 28 at 3:30pm ET, with Universal Sports’ 2010 Vuelta Preview Show, followed immediately by the start of stage 1 LIVE from Spain at 4:00pm ET.  Coverage of the third and final Grand Tour of the cycling season continues everyday at 10 a.m. ET throughout the three-week race, where Universal Sports will follow the riders through all 21 stages until the finish in Madrid on Sept. 19. On both rest days—September 6 and 14—Universal Sports will present special Vuelta Recap Shows at 10am ET. The network will also present primetime re-airs nightly at 8pm ET.

The broadcast team consists of multi-sport commentator Steve Schlanger handling play-by-play and Todd Gogulski, former teammate of Lance Armstrong and Greg LeMond, serving as the network’s cycling expert. Coverage will include live interviews with team directors during actual race coverage, post-race interviews with cyclists, as well as insight from cycling experts and on-site media.

UniversalSports.com will also provide LIVE streaming coverage of every stage, plus full-length video recaps, highlights, stage profiles, elevation profiles, real-time rider location, blogs, standings, photos and recaps for $14.99.   To sign up, fans should visit: www.universalsports.com/cycling/la-vuelta/video-live.html

The 2010 Vuelta a Espana, which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary, begins in Seville, Spain, on August 28, and ends 22 days later in Madrid. This year’s race will kick-off for the first time with a night-time 16.5-kilometer team time trial through Seville’s most iconic neighborhoods, while crowds of spectators gather to once again follow this exciting and vibrant three-week Spanish race. As usual, the course favors aggressive riders who perform well in the mountains. There are four mountain-top finishes, including two new climbs, Cotobello and La Bola del Mundo, and an extension to Navacerrada, which comes the day before the finish and will likely be a deciding factor in the quest for the top spot.

This year’s Vuelta boasts an all-star field including Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck, who will be aided by brother Frank Schleck in his quest for the top podium spot. Other stars include Denis Menchov, Carlos Sastre and Roman Kreuziger who will fight it out for the General Classification win, while American Tyler Farrar is hoping to challenge Mark Cavendish, a winner of 15 Tour de France stages, for the overall sprinter’s title. Other fire power at the finish line will come from former World Champion Oscar Freire, Thor Hushovd and Alessandro Petacchi. Cycling pundits are eyeing two-time Vuelta winner Menchov, who was third overall at the 2010 Tour de France, along with Andy Schleck, as the strong favorites for the overall victory.

More coming up later.

ESPN To Premiere Two New Shows on ESPNews

Starting on Monday, ESPNews will have seven hours of SportsCenter from 3-6 p.m. East and 7-11 but in the 6 p.m. and the 11 p.m. hours, the network will have two new shows. One will be an offbeat type of show, an alternative to SportsCenter as it’s being promoted and the other, a quick-paced wrap-up of the day’s events. Take a gander at the release.

Two New Shows on ESPNEWS Provide Alternative Look at Sports Starting Aug. 30

College Football Overdrive Returns September 4

On Monday, Aug. 30, in conjuction with SportsCenter debuting on ESPNEWS weekdays from 3-7 p.m. ET and 7-11 p.m., ESPNEWS will debut two new shows that provide an alternative look at sports – The Beat will air weekdays at 6 p.m. and Highlight Express will air each night beginning at 11 p.m.  In addition, one of ESPNEWS’ most popular shows returns soon, focusing on college football on Saturday afternoons.

The Beat, hosted by Bram Weinstein at 6 p.m. and repeated immediately at 6:30 p.m., will provide an entertaining and quirky look at sports and sports stories, as an alternative to SportsCenter, airing on ESPN at that time. It will consist of stories, highlights, interviews and a variety of segments playing off the show’s name – “On the Beat,” “Beats Me,” “Bite Beat,” etc. The name was chosen to invoke both a heartbeat – the pulse of sports – and the notion of reporter’s beat.

Highlight Express will present the day’s best highlights and sound bites in a fast-paced half-hour format at 11 a.m.  It will be updated through the end of the day’s action and then reaired until the next afternoon (3 p.m. on weekdays, noon on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays). The show will focus exclusively on the most amazing plays and action, with all the day’s news and scores provided via the BottomLine. The two co-hosts will vary among the ESPNEWS anchor roster.

College Football Overdrive returns for the 2010 season every Saturday, starting Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. Ryan Burr hosts the five-hour show with analyst Jon Ritchie, the seven-year NFL running back who played at both Michigan and Stanford.  College Football Overdrive takes viewers live to key moments in college games all over the country, along with highlights, scores and interviews.

In July, ESPNEWS posted its best performance ever for the month. The network averaged 60,000 homes in July, topping its previous best for the month, in 2009.  The network is distinguished by its unique combination of youth and affluence amongst its viewers. Based on 2009, the most recent complete year of statistics, ESPNEWS is the nation’s only nationally measured network with at least 40 million homes, a median age under 40 and a median income over $70,000.

SportsCenter Anchors Named

In addition, the anchors for the new SportsCenter telecasts on ESPNEWS have been determined. Cindy Brunson and Robert Flores will anchor the 3-6 p.m. SportsCenter while Linda Cohn will team with Kevin Negandhi for the 8-11 p.m. segment. (The 7-8 p.m. hour will be a continuation of ESPN’s 6 p.m. SportsCenter.) 

There you go.

NFL Network Announces New Series: The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players

NFL Network which gave us the best sports documentary series of all-time, America’s Game, brings us a new series from NFL Films called the “The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players.” Just like with America’s Game, NFL Films will count down the players to number 1. Here’s the release.

The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players to Debut

Friday, September 3 at 10:00 PM ET on NFL Network

NFL Films-Produced 10-Part Series Counts Down the 100 Greatest Players in Pro Football History

Blue Ribbon Panel Vote Decides Ranking of 100 Greatest NFL Players

Icons in American Sports & Entertainment Present Ranked Players Through Personal Stories and Recollections

NFL Films, responsible for 46 years of award-winning television and film productions, debuts its latest highly-anticipated series on NFL Network entitled The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players Friday, September 3 at 10:00 PM ET.

The question of ‘Who is the greatest player in NFL history?’ is a subject that links generations and resonates with all NFL fans. The series, rolling out over 10 one-hour episodes this fall, reveals the greatest players of all-time, counting down from 100 to 1, as determined by a blue-ribbon panel of knowledgeable football minds.

“We have the holy trinity of a good sports documentary series – action, analysis and reminiscence,” said NFL Films President Steve Sabol.

The blue-ribbon panel includes both current and former NFL coaches, players and front office personnel, as well as noted NFL media members, Hall of Fame voters and league historians including: Ernie Accorsi (former Giants General Manager), Cris Collinsworth (former player and NBC game analyst), Mike Brown (Bengals Owner), Pat Summerall (former NFL sportscaster), Dick Vermeil (former NFL head coach) and Peter King (NFL writer).

More than 250 players from the modern and pre-modern era, including current NFL players, were under consideration by the blue-ribbon panel for selection. The Top 100 will answer for the first time the question of whether players like Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Deacon Jones, Tom Brady, Barry Sanders, Ray Lewis and Jim Thorpe make the list and where they rank.

The Top 100 members not only contributed to the lasting legacy of the game, but have also shaped the lives of football fans from a variety of backgrounds, age groups and eras through memories and ‘remember when’ moments. It is these unique and personal recollections that set this series apart as notable individuals from the world of sports and entertainment serve as ‘presenters’ for each featured player.

From former head coach and current Dolphins Executive VP of Football Operations Bill Parcells and NFL Hall of Famers Jim Brown and John Madden to actors Burt Reynolds and Billy Dee Williams, author Jim Dent and New York Yankees Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, these luminaries utilize their personal memories to declare why that player was one of ‘The Greatest.’

Following the September 3 debut at 10:00 PM ET, Episode #2 of The Top 100 premieres at a special date and time of Tuesday, September 7 at 9:00 PM ET Kickoff week before falling into its regular slot of Thursdays at 9:00 PM ET starting September 16.

Fans have already embraced the discussion of who is the NFL’s greatest player by weighing in at www.top100.nfl.com. Since voting opened on Monday, August 2, nearly eight million votes have been cast. Fans can continue to vote until Thursday, September 2 at Midnight ET.

With 10 players revealed in each episode through the eyes of 10 presenters, The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players possesses the true framework of a project synonymous with NFL Films through its blend of masterful storytelling and personal meaning.

The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players Episode Schedule:

Episode #1                 Friday, September 3                                     10:00 PM ET

(100-91 revealed)

Episode #2                 Tuesday, September 7                                 9:00 PM ET

(90-81 revealed)

Episode #3                 Thursday, September 16                             9:00 PM ET

(80-71 revealed)

Episode #4                 Thursday, September 23                             9:00 PM ET

(70-61 revealed)

Episode #5                 Thursday, September 30                             9:00 PM ET

(60-51 revealed)

Episode #6                 Thursday, October 7                                    9:00 PM ET

(50-41 revealed)

Episode #7                 Thursday, October 14                                  9:00 PM ET

(40-31 revealed)

Episode #8                 Thursday, October 21                                  9:00 PM ET

(30-21 revealed)

Episode #9                 Thursday, October 28                                  9:00 PM ET

(20-11 revealed)

Episode #10               Thursday, November 4                                9:00 PM ET

(10-1 revealed)

Winner of 100 Emmy awards, NFL Films is widely recognized as the most honored filmmaker in sports. Under the vision of Ed and Steve Sabol, NFL Films has revolutionized the way America watches football and set the standard in sports filmmaking. The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players is just the latest in a long list of successful NFL Films productions, joining the ranks of the Hard Knocks and America’s Game series.

I hope to get an advance copy of the first episode and if I do, I’ll give you a review.

ESPN Announces Family of Networks 2010-11 SEC Men’s Basketball Schedule

This is a long release so I’m cutting this up with a jump break. ESPN announces the entire SEC men’s basketball schedule and this includes games on the Mothership, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, CSS, Fox Sports Net and ESPN3.com. Get ready to scroll.

ESPN Announces SEC on ESPN Men’s College Basketball Schedule

ESPN, the exclusive national cable home and syndication rights-holder for the Southeastern Conference, presents the SEC on ESPN men’s college basketball conference schedule, including the entire SEC Tournament, in the second year of the historic 15-year agreement with the conference. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3.com and the SEC Network will feature 102 conference controlled games, including 91 regular-season and all 11 SEC Tournament games.

ESPN3.com, ESPN’s live broadband sports network, will simulcast all SEC games televised on ESPN, ESPN2, SEC Network and regional syndication partners. Also, many games will be available on ESPN FULL COURT, ESPN’s out-of-market pay-per-view package. In addition, ESPN networks will televise an extensive schedule of non-conference action (schedule to be determined).

The SEC Network, ESPN Regional Television’s over-the-air syndication package, will present a minimum of 37 SEC games in 79 television markets nationwide. Also, the SEC Network will present the SEC Studio show each Saturday afternoon through the regular season and the SEC Tournament.

ESPN on ABC will televise the SEC Basketball Tournament semifinals and championship game nationally, while the first two rounds will be available on the SEC Network. The tournament is set for March 10-13 in Atlanta.

The SEC on ESPN schedule includes the 2011 College GameDay opener from Knoxville, Tenn., site of the Tennessee Volunteers men’s and women’s teams hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores men’s and women’s programs at noon ET and 8 p.m., respectively. The doubleheader marks the first time the show has originated from a site featuring a men’s and women’s game played in the same day.

College GameDay will return to SEC country for the Feb. 5 matchup of Kentucky at Florida, a showdown of teams ranked in ESPN senior college basketball writer Andy Katz’s early preseason poll (No. 13 Kentucky vs. No. 10 Florida). College GameDay is hosted by Rece Davis with analysts Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis and Bob Knight.

The schedule is right after the jump.
Here is the sked. It’s long.

I told you.

Big Ten Network’s 2010-11 Men’s Basketball Schedule

Before a single point has been scored in the college football season, we have been receiving press releases galore on college basketball. I have two more to post. Here’s one from the Big Ten Network on its schedule for the upcoming season.

Big Ten Network to Televise 61 Intra-Conference Men’s Basketball Games in 2010-11

Nearly two-thirds of Big Ten Conference match-ups to air on network

CHICAGO – The Big Ten Network will once again televise the bulk of the 2010-11 Big Ten Conference men’s basketball schedule, with 61 intra-conference game telecasts this season. Overall, the network will televise 108 men’s basketball games, all in high definition, including three contests at the 2011 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis.

“With such an extensive schedule of games, our in-depth studio coverage and original programming, the Big Ten Network is the ultimate viewing destination for Big Ten basketball fans,” Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said.

Since the network’s launch, every home Big Ten men’s basketball game has been produced for television or the internet, giving the Big Ten Conference the widest exposure of any conference in the nation.

The conference slate begins at 6:30 PM ET on Monday, Dec. 27, as Indiana hosts Penn State. The next day, Final Four contender Purdue travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., to face the Wolverines at 2 PM ET.

The centerpiece of the Big Ten Network’s weekly men’s basketball schedule will be Super Wednesday doubleheaders at 6:30 PM ET and 8:30 PM ET, beginning Jan. 5. Each Super Wednesday doubleheader will be preceded by a 30-minute Big Ten Tip-Off Show and followed by a post-game show.

During the conference season, the network will also televise games on most Tuesday nights, selected Thursdays and up to five games each weekend.

Once again, the Big Ten Network will televise three Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament games. The schedule includes the third game of the tournament at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, March 10, involving the No. 6 and No. 11 seeds from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The network will also carry the quarterfinal match-ups involving the tournament’s No. 2 and No. 3 seeds on Friday night, March 12.

The Big Ten Network will tip-off the season with 44 games in 42 nights beginning Nov. 12. The network will televise the home openers for Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue. Every Big Ten men’s basketball team will make at least 10 appearances on the linear network this season.

The network will stream all exhibition games and a limited number of non-conferences games on www.bigtennetwork.com. Many of those games will also air on a delayed basis through the network’s Student U initiative, giving Big Ten students real world television production experience. The dates, times and television arrangements for some of those games are pending, and will be posted on www.bigtennetwork.com once the schedule is finalized.

The entire schedule comes after the break.

One more college basketball schedule coming up.

Quick Thursday Links

I’m at the Massachusetts office, but could be leaving any minute as the big boss, better known as Dad, is with me today and he could ask to leave. So I’ll do as many links as I can before leaving.
Michael McCarthy of USA Today examines a Forbes magazine report which states the average value of an NFL franchise has dropped over the past year.

Milton Kent from Fanhouse explores the NFL announcing lineups for CBS and Fox.

John Walters at Fanhouse profiles ESPN’s Michelle Beadle. I just wonder, is calling Michelle “reasonably (as opposed to unreasonably) attractive” the way to go? Either you’re attractive or you’re not. C’mon, man.

From Yahoo! Sports, Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy notes that the NHL wants to ban bloggers from opposing teams’ locker rooms.

Greg tries to play “pin the tail on the donkey” with NBC’s 2011 NHL schedule.

And Greg analyzes Versus’ 2010-11 NHL schedule.

Jon Lafayette at Broadcasting & Cable notes that ESPN has recruited Discover to sponsor the Orange Bowl.

Jon says the NFL is conducting a special fantasy league draft for various ad agencies.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that Outdoor Channel is ready to break out of America and reach several international markets.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that fantasy players who pick Brett Favre in their drafts do so at their own peril. 

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times speaks with CBS’ Bill Cowher who recently lost his wife and is in no hurry to get back into coaching.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union says two local TV stations and one local cable channel will have coverage of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga this weekend.

Pete says two local radio stations will carry New York Jets games to resolve conflicts with the New York Yankees.

Ken McMillan at the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record writes that the New York Rangers will get plenty of appearances on Versus this upcoming season.

In the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg says the DC NFL team is cleaning up in the ratings.

Adam Kilgore of the Post says MASN’s Rob Dibble has either been suspended or chosen to take two games off after comments made about Stephen Strasburg.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner is pleased to have Vin Scully back with the Dodgers for another season.

Jim says Versus has snagged the Washington Capitals for 11 appearances this season.

At the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn talks about DirecTV making their Sunday NFL Ticket package available online.

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer says a local TV station is bringing back an old brand for its high school football coverage.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says the high school organization that owns the slogan “March Madness” is now looking to cash in.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has various news and notes in today’s column.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily doesn’t know whom to side with in the ESPN/Time Warner Cable dispute.

Chris Zelkovich in the Toronto Star says there will be plenty of hockey for Canadians to watch this season.

In Puck The Media, Steve Lepore tells us what Versus and NBC did right and wrong in their NHL schedules.

I now have to leave. I’ll try to get more links in when I get back to the RI office.

DEVELOPING: Jay Mariotti Suspended From Fanhouse

This broke while I was away from my computer. AOL has suspended columnist Jay Mariotti from Fanhouse and a spokesman has said he will not write anything new for the web service for the foreseeable future. Richard Deitsch from Sports Illustrated who’s been breaking a lot of news lately, got the statement from AOL and tweeted it.

I’ll post it for you in its entirety here.

Statement from an AOL spokesperson: “We are continuing to gather all the facts. In the meantime, we have suspended Jay Mariotti and are not featuring any new work from him.” 

It comes five days after Mariotti was arrested in Los Angeles on domestic assault charges in an incident involving his girlfriend.Mariotti posted $50,000 bond and has not been heard from since.

His other employer, ESPN, has not made any statements or conducted any disciplinary action against Mariotti at this time. And since the show on which he regularly appears, “Around The Horn” is off the air this week anyway, Mariotti is in essence, serving a suspension, but we’ll see if ESPN takes any action against him in the near future.

In the meantime, Mariotti sits somewhere in Los Angeles in hiding and wondering if he’ll be employed at this time next week.

UPDATE, 12:10 p.m.: On the DL’s Dan Levy has heard from ESPN and a spokesman has told him that Mariotti will not appear on “Around The Horn” next week and will not comment further.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Golf
PGA Tour/The Barclays, 1st round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
USGA/U.S. Amateur, Day 2 – GOlf Channel, 6:30 p.m.

MLB
American League
Detroit at Toronto – Fox Sports Detroit/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Oakland at Cleveland – Comcast SportsNet California/STO, 7 p.m.
Baltimore at Chicago White Sox – MASN2/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Minnesota at Texas – MLB Network/Fox Sports North/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.

National League
Houston at Philadelphia – Fox Spots Houston/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee – Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 2 p.m.
Arizona at San Diego – Cox 4, 6:30 p.m.
Florida at New York Mets – Fox Sports Florida/SNY, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Washington – MLB Network/Fox Sports Midwest/MASN, 7 p.m.

Quick Pitch Live – MLB Network, 11 p.m.

NFL
St. Louis at New England – KTVI/WBZ, 7:30 p.m.
Indianapolis at Green Bay – ESPN, 8 p.m.

Entertainment
Big Brother 12 – CBS, 8 p.m.
Burn Notice – USA Network, 9 p.m.
Futurama – Comedy Central, 10 p.m.
Nightline Prime – Secrets of Your Mind: Why We Do What We Do – ABC, 10 p.m.
Royal Pains – USA Network, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark – Sho2, midnight

NBA TV Covers The WNBA & FIBA World Championships

I have this press release from the fine people at NBA TV. This involves its live coverage of the WNBA playoffs and the FIBA World Championships. Check it out.

NBA TV Tips Off Coverage of the WNBA Playoffs and the Men’s 2010 FIBA Championships

NBA TV will provide first round coverage of the WNBA Playoffs as teams battle for a chance to advance in the post-season. On Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. (ET) Tamika Catchings and the Indiana Fever will head to the Big Apple to face Cappie Pondexter and the New York Liberty in Game #1 of the Eastern Conference match-up. On Monday, August 30 the San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury face off at 7 p.m. (ET) in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Semifinals.  On Tuesday, August 31 at 10 p.m. (ET), the Los Angeles Sparks will meet the Western Conference top-seeded Seattle Storm for Game #3 of their battle to advance to the Western Conference Finals. 

Following each Playoff game, NBATV will air an exclusive WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show hosted by Kyle Montgomery and featuring analysts Dennis Scott and LaChina Robinson in addition to various in studio guests including WNBA All-Star Chamique Holdsclaw that will highlight players, stories and news that develop during the Playoffs.  

In addition, NBA TV will air the Men’s 2010 FIBA World Championship. The network will air 20 live games and a special Men’s 2010 FIBA World Championship GameTime with rotating hosts Matt Winer, Marc Fein and Rick Kamala and analysts Steve Smith, Brent Barry and special in-studio guests. This year’s FIBA World Championship will include Team USA’s Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) as they attempt to do something that no USA Team has done since 1994 and win Gold at the World Championships. Team Spain will attempt to defend its 2009 title with help from Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzles) and Minnesota Timberwolves draft pick Ricky Rubio while Team Brazil’s roster includes Leandro Barbosa (Toronto Raptors), Anderson Varejao (Cleveland Cavaliers) & Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs).

NBA TV PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 

7:00 – 9:00 p.m – WNBA Playoffs: Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty, Game #1

9:00 – 9:30 p.m – WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show: Kyle Montgomery, LaChina Robinson

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

7:30 – 9:00  p.m -  WNBA Playoffs: Washington Mystics @ Atlanta Dream, Game #2

9:30 – 10:00 p.m -  WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show: Kyle Montgomery, Chamique Holdsclaw

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

9:00  – 11:00 a.m – FIBA Championships: Greece vs. China

2:00 – 4:00 p.m -  FIBA Championships: France vs. Spain

9:00– 9:30 p.m -  Men’s FIBA GameTime: Matt Winer, Steve Smith, Mike Woodson

 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

11:30 am –1:30 pm – FIBA Championships: Puerto Rico vs. Greece

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – FIBA Championships: Spain vs. New Zealand

4:00 – 6:00 p.m. -  WNBA Playoffs: Atlanta Dreams @ Washington Mystics, Game #3*

6:00 – 6:30 p.m. -  WNBA Playoffs Postgame Show: Marc Fein, Dennis Scott

10:00 – 10:30 p.m -  NBA Game Time: Marc Fein, Dennis Scott

 

MONDAY, AUGUST 30

12:00 – 2:00 p.m. - FIBA Championships: Austria vs. Germany

10:00 p.m  –12:00 a.m. – WNBA Playoffs: San Antonio Silver Stars @ Phoenix Mercury, Game # 3*

12:00– 12:30 a.m -  NBA GameTime: Kyle Montgomery, LaChina Robinson

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31

11:30 am –1:30 p.m. -  FIBA Championships: France vs. Canada 

2:00 pm  – 4:00 p.m – FIBA Championships: Spain vs. Lithuania

10:00 p.m – 12:00 a.m. -  WNBA Playoffs: Los Angeles Sparks @ Seattle Storm, Game #3*

12:00 – 12:30 a.m -  Men’s FIBA GameTime: Matt Winer, Steve Smith

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

2:30  – 4:30 p.m. -  FIBA Championships: Brazil vs. Slovenia

7:30 – 10:30 p.m – WNBA Playoffs: Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty

10:30– 11:00 p.m. -  Men’s FIBA GameTime: Matt Winer, Steve Smith

*If necessary

And I think that will cause me to shut down for the night.

CBS College Sports Bring Back Tony Barnhart & Inside College Football

CBS College Sports which picked up carriage on Comcast and a couple of other providers over the summer brings back two of its signature programs from last fall. Here is the press release.

TUESDAY IS COLLEGE FOOTBALL NIGHT ON CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK WITH “THE TONY BARNHART SHOW” AND “INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL”  BEGINNING AUGUST 31

SEASON PREMIERE OF “THE TONY BARNHART SHOW” FOCUSES ON CONFERENCE RE-ALIGNMENT WITH COMMISSIONERS OF BIG TEN JIM DELANY AND PAC-10 LARRY SCOTT

“Mr. College Football,” Tony Barnhart returns to CBS College Sports Network for a second season to host THE TONY BARNHART SHOW, the critically acclaimed weekly one-hour primetime college football talk show. The hard-hitting program debates and analyzes the hot topics and issues facing college football both on and off-the-field. THE TONY BARNHART SHOW season premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 31 (9:00 PM, ET) focuses on the biggest off-season story, conference re-alignment, with Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany and Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott.

Barnhart again will invite a variety of high-profile guests from the college football community to the program, including coaches, administrators, writers, broadcasters and former players. Barnhart, along with CBS College Sports Network studio analyst Brian Jones and distinguished guests, offer in-depth lively, opinionated, topical discussions on the world of college football. Last year’s eclectic guests included political consultant James Carville, Senator Orrin Hatch, actress Sela Ward, political commentator Bob Beckel, movie director John Lee Hancock, SEC Head of Officials Rogers Redding, Amani Toomer and others. This season Beano Cook joins the show for a new segment called the “Closing Drive,” with his unique take on college football, as well as prominent guests from outside college football.

INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALLfollows THE TONY BARNHART SHOW every Tuesday throughout the season (10:00 PM, ET) with host Adam Zucker, along with analysts Aaron Taylor, Randy Cross and Jones. The one-hour fast-paced show offers a preview of the upcoming week’s college football action with opinion, insight and analysis of the most significant storylines and match-ups across the country.  

Click Here for a highlight reel from the first season of THE TONY BARNHART SHOW, plus clips from INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

That’s it.

Your CBS Weekend Programming

CBS will be busy this weekend with tennis and golf. The Barclays marks the last PGA Tour event for CBS this year.

CBS SPORTS TO BROADCAST FIRST PGA TOUR PLAYOFFS EVENT FOR THE FEDEXCUP AS WORLD’S BEST GOLFERS TEE OFF AT “THE BARCLAYS” AUGUST 28-29

ELS, STRICKER, MICKELSON, ROSE, WOODS, SLOCUM AMONG THOSE COMPETING

The PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup begin this week at THE BARCLAYS, the first of four playoff tournaments to determine the FedExCup champion.  CBS Sports broadcasts the third and final rounds of the star-powered tournament on Saturday, Aug. 28 (3:00-6:00 PM, ET) and Sunday, Aug. 29 (2:00-6:00 PM, ET), from Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., live on the CBS Television Network. 

Jim Nantz, the 2008 and 2009 Emmy Award Winner for “Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-by-Play” and 2008 and 2009 National Sportscaster of the Year, serves as anchor of CBS Sports’ golf coverage. Sir Nick Faldo, winner of six major championships and more than 40 tournaments worldwide, serves as lead analyst. Ian Baker-Finch calls the action at the 17^th hole and Gary McCord at the 16^th hole. David Feherty and Peter Kostis serve as on-course reporters.

Ernie Els remains No. 1 in the current FedExCup standings and has led for 22 consecutive weeks. Last year, Els tied for second at The Barclays, an event he won in 1996 and 1997.  In addition, he has seven top-five finishes, the most in the tournament’s history. Defending champion Heath Slocum returns to The Barclays and takes on the top players in the FedExCup standings including Els, Steve Stricker (No. 2), Phil Mickelson (No.4) and Justin Rose (No. 5). Tiger Woods, last year’s winner of the FedExCup and in 2007 enters the PGA TOUR Playoffs ranked No. 112 in the FedExCup standings. He needs to finish 50^th or better to advance to the Deutsche Bank Championship. Woods won the inaugural Playoffs in 2007 but missed the Playoffs in 2008 while recovering from knee surgery. He finished tied for second last year at Liberty National, one stroke behind Slocum.   

The top 122 of 125 players from the PGA TOUR regular-season, based on FedExCup points, will play this week at The Barclays.  Among the other players to compete in this week’s playoff are:   Jeff Overton, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Tim Clark, Dustin Johnson, Ben Crane, Bo Van Pelt, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Zach Johnson, Robert Allenby, J.B. Holmes, Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald, Ryan Palmer, Retief Goosen, Paul Casey, Nick Watney, Ricky Barnes, Adam Scott, K.J. Choi, Sean O’Hair, Geoff Ogilvy, Brandt Snedeker,  Lucas Glover, Ian Poulter, Y.E. Yang, Stewart Cink, Padraig Harrington, V.J. Singh, Steve Elkington and Kenny Perry.  (For the complete field go to PGA TOUR.COM)

The other tournaments hosting the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup are the Deutsche Bank Championship (narrowed to a field of 100 players), the BMW Championship (70 players) and the season-ending THE TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP presented by Coca-Cola (30 players).

Lance Barrow is Coordinating Producer and Steve Milton is Director of CBS Sports’ golf coverage. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

And after the jump, we’ll see what else CBS is airing.
To close out the weekend, CBS airs the Pilot Pen Tennis final which marks the end of the US Open Series and gets us ready for the US Open on Monday.

CBS SPORTS TO BROADCAST WOMEN’S FINAL OF U.S. OPEN SERIES “PILOT PEN TENNIS” LIVE ON SATURDAY, AUG. 28

CBS Sports broadcasts the women’s final of the U.S. OPEN SERIES “PILOT PEN TENNIS,” the final tournament of the U.S. Open Series, live on Saturday, Aug. 28 (1:00-3:00 PM, ET).

Last year’s PILOT PEN women’s champion Caroline Wozniacki looks to defend her title, as well as overtake Kim Clijsters on the top spot in the standings to capture the U.S. Open Series Bonus Challenge.

The U.S. Open Series, which leads up to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, was launched in 2004 in order to create a cohesive, six-week summer tennis season for ATP and WTA Tour professional tournaments in North America. The top three finishers of the series will be vying for bonus prize money at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.

CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2010 U.S. OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS begins on Saturday, Sept. 4 (11:00 AM-6:00 PM, ET) with men’s and women’s third-round action and concludes with the men’s singles final eight days later on Sunday, Sept. 12 (4:00-7:00 PM, ET).

CBS Sports’ Bill Macatee and Mary Carillo call the final live from the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale in New Haven, Conn. Craig Silver produces and Andy Goldberg directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

We’re done with this post.

NFL Network’s Programs For The Rest of This Week and Into Next Week

Here’s NFL Network’s schedule from tonight through next Tuesday.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (8/25-8/31)

LIONS HOST BROWNS IN LIVE PRESEASON MATCHUP SATURDAY AT 5:00 PM ET

Interviews with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Former NFL QB Kurt Warner on NFL Total Access Wednesday

Week 3 Preseason Game Line-Up Features Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions LIVE on NFL Network Saturday at 5:00 PM ET

The 2010 NFL preseason rolls on with Week 3 coverage featuring a number of exciting matchups as teams continue to get game ready with the regular season two weeks away. This weekend, NFL Network’s schedule is highlighted by 12 preseason games on Saturday and Sunday.

NFL Network continues to bring fans all the preseason action with 16 Week 3 matchups including the Lions playing host to the Browns live Saturday at 5:00 PM ET. Matthew Stafford looks to build on the solid rookie season as the Lions franchise QB, while 2010 top draft pick Ndamukong Suh continues to establish his place within the Lions defensive line. After an impressive debut with his new team last week, Browns QB Jake Delhomme continues to find his rhythm with the Cleveland offense and passing targets Ben Watson and Josh Cribbs.

In addition to the ten live telecasts this preseason, NFL Network features tape-delayed broadcasts of every preseason game so that no play goes unseen. Other games this week include QB Brett Favre getting his second taste of preseason action vs. Seattle, while the Vikings’ opening day opponent New Orleans Saints host QB Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers.

THIS WEEK ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS: Coverage from Special League Meetings

Thursday, August 26

• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’

Friday, August 27

• Preview of the weekend’s Week 3 preseason matchups
• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM: Chat with NFL Network Insiders on Week 3 Preseason Matchups

Thursday, August 26

• CHAT: Steve Wyche (12:00 NOON ET)

Friday, August 27

• CHAT: Vic Carucci (12 NOON ET)

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

Wednesday, August 25

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Preseason Game: Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks (HD)

Thursday, August 26

7:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Follies: Most Super Fantastic Follies of the Year – 2008

9:00 PM – NFL Follies: NFL’s Newest Follies

10:00 PM – NFL Follies: Best of Football Follies

11:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (HD)

Friday, August 27

2:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Follies: Super Duper Football Follies

9:00 PM – NFL Follies: Phenomenal Football Follies

10:00 PM – NFL Follies: The Son of Football Follies

10:30 PM – NFL Follies: The Football Follies

11:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (HD)

Saturday, August 28

2:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (HD)

5:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (HD)

8:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (HD)

11:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Washington Redskins at New York Jets (HD)

5:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions (HD) – LIVE

8:00 PM – NFL Follies: Follies Go Hollywood

8:30 PM – NFL Follies: Those Fantastic Football Funnies

9:00 PM – NFL Follies: Fall Follies – 2007

9:30 PM – NFL Follies: NFL Symfunny

10:00 PM – NFL Follies: Talkin’ Follies

11:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (HD)

Sunday, August 29

5:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Biggest Upsets

6:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Defenses

7:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Follies: Best of NFL Follies

9:00 PM – NFL Follies: Football Comedy

10:00 PM – NFL Follies: Football Card Follies

11:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders (HD)

Monday, August 30

2:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (HD)

5:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Quarterback Controversies

6:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Snakebitten Franchises

7:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Washington Redskins at New York Jets (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (HD)

Tuesday, August 31

2:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders (HD)

7:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Preseason Game: San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Preseason Game: Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Preseason Game: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs (HD)

More releases coming up.

Time For Another Mailbag

I thought I would do another mailbag around the end of September, but with NFL season coming fast upon us, I thought I would answer your questions about the NFL on TV or any other subject. I’m going to try to get some swag so I can give away some stuff to you, the loyal readers. If anyone in the network promotions departments want to give away some extra DVD’s, games, t-shirts or other swag of which you need to clean your closets, let me know and we can arrange something.

The e-mail address has changed and it’s kzf1@fangsbites.com. Let’s see if we can ten questions this time. We had six and that was very good for the first mailbag. I hope we can do more. And once this is done, our next mailbag will be in October for the MLB postseason, you can definitely plan on that.

Once again, I won’t publish full names, just first name and last initial, and put your town in the e-mail. I thank you once again.

Faith Hill Returns To Sing "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night"

Back for her fourth season, Faith Hill will once again sing the opening for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, “I’ve Been Waiting For Sunday Night”. I’m not a fan of either opening for Sunday or Monday Night Football, but the networks like them, so they’re staying.

Here’s the release from NBC Sports.

FAITH HILL PERFORMS “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” OPENING THEME … AGAIN

Grammy Award-Winner Records NBC “Sunday Night Football” Opening Theme “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night” for Fourth Consecutive Season

NEW YORK – August 25, 2010 – NBC Sports will again feature five-time Grammy Award-winner and multi-platinum recording artist Faith Hill performing the opening theme for NBC “Sunday Night Football,” “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.”

Hill’s “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” debuts this season on Sunday, Sept. 12, the first “Sunday Night Football” broadcast of 2010 featuring the Washington Redskins and their new quarterback Donovan McNabb hosting the Dallas Cowboys in one of sports’ great rivalries. The opening theme will continue weekly, kicking off “Sunday Night Football” throughout the NFL season on NBC.

“I wait all year for Sunday Night,” said Faith Hill.  “Somehow the season wouldn’t feel the same without seeing everyone from NBC/ Sunday Night Football over the summer (when we record and film the open).  It makes it feel like the wait for the season is somehow shorter.”

Hill has sold 30 million records worldwide and topped the charts with 11 No. 1 singles and 20 No. 1 videos throughout her 15-year career. Her last three studio album releases, 1999′s BREATHE, 2002′s CRY and 2005′s FIREFLIES all debuted consecutively at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Pop Album Chart and Country Chart, making her the only female artist ever to accomplish this feat.

“Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” is set to the original Joan Jett song, “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” She recorded the track with her longtime producer Byron Gallimore and the video was shot in Los Angeles.

Hill has established herself as one of the music industry’s top vocalists, with a voice that is as powerful as it is recognizable. She is the first musical artist to return as the featured performer of an NFL open since Hank Williams, Jr.

And if you’ve forgotten the song, here it is.

Sunday Night Football returns on September 12 on NBC.

ESPN Announces 2011 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Schedule

We have the Big Ten college basketball schedule for ESPN’s family of networks. Earlier this week, ESPN announced the Big Tuesday schedule which is split between the Big Ten and the SEC. Now we have the complete Big Ten schedule.

ESPN Announces Big Ten Men’s College Basketball Television Schedule

ESPN and the Big Ten Conference announced its 2010-11 men’s college basketball schedule for coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN3.com will simulcast every ESPN and ESPN2 telecast. Conference action will tip off Tuesday, Dec. 28 with Minnesota at Wisconsin at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

On average, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise three Big Ten games a week, highlighted by a telecast every Tuesday as part of the popular weekly Super Tuesday Big Ten doubleheader with the SEC beginning Jan. 11 with Wisconsin at Michigan State. ESPN or ESPN2 will also televise a Big Ten game every Thursday beginning Jan. 6 with Northwestern at Illinois and at least one game every weekend from Jan. 22 to March 5.

ESPN’s eight-week College GameDay and Saturday Primetime  game-of-the-week series will originate from two Big Ten sites (Michigan State at Purdue Jan. 22 and Illinois at Michigan State Feb. 19).

Overall, the networks will combine to televise 29 conference games in addition to an extensive schedule of non-conference action (schedule to be determined). Over the course of the 2010-11 season, every school in the conference will be showcased on ESPN or ESPN2.

In March, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to televise four games of the Big Ten Conference Championship.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com 2010-11 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Schedule (Schedule subject to change)

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Tue, Dec 28	7 p.m.	Minnesota at Wisconsin	ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Fri, Dec 31	Noon	Northwestern at Purdue	ESPN2/ESPN3.com
	6 p.m.	Ohio State at Indiana	ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 4	7 p.m.	Indiana at Minnesota	ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 6	9 p.m.	Northwestern at Illinois	ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 11	7 p.m.	Wisconsin at Michigan State	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 13	7 p.m.	Purdue at Minnesota	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 18	7 p.m.	Michigan State at Illinois	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 20	9 p.m.	Indiana at Wisconsin	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 22	9 p.m.	Michigan State at Purdue	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Tue, Jan 25	9 p.m.	Purdue at Ohio State	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Jan 27	7 p.m.	Michigan at Michigan State	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sat, Jan 29	6 p.m.	Ohio State at Northwestern	ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 1	7 p.m.	Purdue at Wisconsin	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 3	7 p.m.	Michigan at Ohio State	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 5	4 p.m.	Iowa at Indiana	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sun, Feb 6	2 p.m.	Ohio State at Minnesota	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 8	7 p.m.	Indiana at Purdue	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 10	9 p.m.	Illinois at Minnesota	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 12	2 p.m.	Ohio State at Wisconsin	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 15	9 p.m.	Michigan State at Ohio State	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 17	7 p.m.	Minnesota at Penn State	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sat, Feb 19	9 p.m.	Illinois at Michigan State	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Tue, Feb 22	7 p.m.	Illinois at Ohio State	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Feb 24	9 p.m.	Penn State at Northwestern	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sun, Feb 27	1 p.m.	Wildcard Selection (Purdue at Michigan State, Indiana at Ohio State or Iowa at Illinois)	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Tue, Mar 1	7 p.m.	Illinois at Purdue	ESPN/ESPN3.com
Thu, Mar 3	9 p.m.	Wildcard Selection (Minnesota at Northwestern or Wisconsin at Indiana)	ESPN or ESPN2/ESPN3.com
Sat, Mar 5	4 p.m.	Wildcard (Wisconsin at Ohio State, Indiana at Illinois or Purdue at Iowa)	ESPN/ESPN3.com

More releases will be posted throughout the night. Look for them.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 46 – Scott Ackerson, Fox Sports

The latest edition of the Sports Media Weekly podcast brings us closer to football season and today’s guest is the Executive Producer for Fox Sports, Scott Ackerson. Lots of good stuff from Scott, but before we get to that, Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I went over the news of the week.

We talked about the arrest of Jay Mariotti and the lack of defense from his fellow reporters. Keith and I opined on Jason Whitlock, formerly of the Kansas City Star, going on a radio show and pretty much napalming everyone in his path.

We also talked about the unveiling of the announcers for the NFL on CBS, Westwood One Radio and Fox Sports. And we also looked at the reaction to my post on the Best Sports Announcers of All-Time.

As mentioned, our guest this week is Scott Ackerson of Fox Sports. In this segment, Keith and I asked him about what we’ll see on Fox NFL Sunday this season. We also asked Scott about what has made Fox NFL Sunday so successful and why it’s been the number one NFL pregame show for the last 16 seasons.

We also looked at the signing of Mike Pereira, former head of officiating for the NFL, as a rules analyst for Fox. And Scott told us of the excitement of having the Super Bowl on Fox this season.

A good podcast. You can find it on iTunes by doing a search for “Sports Media Journal” or listen to it

NBC Sports’ 2011 NHL Schedule

NBC goes into its final year of its current contract with a 10 game schedule including the NHL Winter Classic in Pittsburgh as well as Hockey Day in America on February 20 where the network will provide regional coverage which is welcomed here. Let’s take a look at what NBC has in store for us this season.

NHL ON NBC BEGINS SIXTH SEASON WITH 2011 WINTER CLASSIC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY & STANLEY CUP REMATCH ON JAN. 23

“Game of the Week” Flex Schedule & Consistent 12:30 PM ET Start Time Return; “Hockey Day in America” Debuts on Feb. 20

2011 Coverage Once Again Includes Stanley Cup Playoffs & Final

“It’s hard to find any network right now that covers a sport better than NBC covers hockey.” – St. Petersburg Times

NEW YORK – Aug. 25, 2010 – Two games featuring Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins against Alex Ovechkin of Washington Capitals, including the fourth annual NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day from Heinz Field, home to the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers; a possible Stanley Cup Final rematch between the champion Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers to kick off “Game of the Week” broadcasts; the debut of “Hockey Day in America”; and the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final highlight the sixth season of the NHL on NBC. 

2011 NHL WINTER CLASSIC

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will lead their respective teams in the 2011 NHL Winter Classic when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Washington Capitals in the fourth outdoor classic, an event Forbes magazine has called “the best new sporting event” of the last decade. 

Bob Costas will host NBC Sports’ coverage from Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field – home of the Pittsburgh Steelers – live at 1 p.m. ET on New Year’s Day.

The first three Winter Classics have averaged 4.0 million viewers on NBC Sports. On January 1 this year, the Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, in overtime at Fenway Park.

“GAME OF THE WEEK” – FLEX SCHEDULE & CONSISTENT START TIMES

For the first time ever, all “Game of the Week” broadcasts will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET. For the fourth consecutive season, the NHL and NBC Sports will utilize flex scheduling, selecting from up to four games on Sunday afternoons.

At least 13 days prior to the scheduled games, the NHL and NBC Sports will announce one of those games as the “Game of the Week” to be broadcast during the NBC Sports window. The other games will remain available to the teams’ regional carrier but will not be televised during NBC Sports’ broadcast window.

NBC Sports will again broadcast the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Final.

Following is the “Game of the Week” flexible schedule (all times 12:30 PM ET):

Day Date      Away             Home         
Sun. Jan. 23   Philadelphia Chicago      

                       Florida          New Jersey
                       Buffalo          N.Y Islanders                                                                    

Sun.  Feb. 6    Pittsburgh       Washington

                       St Louis          Tampa Bay 

Sun. Feb. 13   Boston            Detroit
                       Pittsburgh       N.Y. Rangers

                       Los Angeles   Philadelphia

Sun. Feb. 20   Washington     Buffalo

                       Pittsburgh        Chicago 

                       Detroit             Minnesota  

                       Philadelphia     N.Y. Rangers 

Sun. Mar. 06   Philadelphia    N.Y. Rangers 

                       Buffalo            Minnesota 

Sun. Mar. 13   Chicago         Washington

                       Los Angeles    Dallas

Sun. Mar. 20   N.Y. Rangers  Pittsburgh

                       New Jersey     Columbus

Sun. Apr. 03   N.Y. Rangers   Philadelphia

                       Minnesota        Detroit   

                       Tampa Bay      Chicago 

Sun. Apr. 10   Detroit              Chicago

                      Boston               New Jersey

                      Dallas                 Minnesota

                      Pittsburgh           Atlanta 

HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA

As part of Hockey Weekend Across America in 2011, the NHL and NBC Sports will salute the roots of the sport with Hockey Day in America on Sunday, Feb. 20. Launched by USA Hockey in 2008, Hockey Weekend Across America is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the game and those involved at all levels and to expose hockey to new audiences. NBC Sports will celebrate the day-long event with regional NHL coverage.

More details about Hockey Day in America will be released at a later date.

PRODUCTION

The NHL on NBC is produced by NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood, who is the former captain of the Williams College hockey team. Flood created the inside-the-glass reporter position and assembled NBC Sports’ esteemed group of NHL commentators, including Mike “Doc” Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst), Pierre McGuire (inside-the-glass reporter), and Mike Milbury (studio analyst).

If NBC could only get rid of Pierre McGuire, its coverage would be next to perfect.

Versus’ 2010-11 NHL Schedule

Going into its last season of its current contract, Versus is really pulling all of the stops for the NHL, carrying 78 games including 9 games in the first seven days of the regular season and going balls to the wall in the final month of April carrying at least a game a night in the last week of regular play. This is what it should have been doing all along, but it’s nice to see Versus getting it now. And it could carry the network into another contract after this season. We’ll see. Here’s the press release.

VERSUS SUPER-SERVES HOCKEY FANS WITH MORE COVERAGE THAN EVER AS 2010-11 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE FEATURES 78 GAMES AND MORE PRE-GAME SHOWS

Schedule Features Return of NHL All-Star Weekend, NHL Heritage Classic, Nine Games in

First Seven Days and Full Week of Action Leading into Stanley Cup Playoffs

NEW YORK, N.Y. (August 25, 2010)-VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the country and cable television home of the NHL, will open its sixth year of action with increased coverage featuring nine games across the first seven days of the season. The network drops the puck on its regular season coverage with a triple-header on Thursday, October 7, when the Carolina Hurricanes battle the Minnesota Wild from Helsinki, Finland, at 12 p.m. ET, followed by the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. ET before finishing the night with a match-up featuring the Colorado Avalanche and 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks at 10 p.m. ET.  Every NHL game on VERSUS is available in HD. 

The first week of non-stop action continues with three additional overseas games from Helsinki; Stockholm, Sweden and Prague, Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday afternoon, exclusive coverage of the Colorado Avalanche/Detroit Red Wings contest on October 12 in VERSUS' regularly-scheduled Tuesday night slot as well as games on Wednesday (New York Islanders at Washington) and Thursday night (Tampa Bay at Philadelphia), the first time in network history bonus games were added for the opening week.

VERSUS is entering the 2010/11 regular season with a lot of momentum based on tremendous ratings and viewership successes last season.  The network saw a 33-percent spike in HH ratings and a 20-percent increase in average viewership for the final six weeks of exclusive regular season game coverage as compared to the season prior.  In the postseason, the Conference Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds were the most-watched first two rounds on cable since NHL Playoff viewership became available by Nielsen in the 1993/94 season, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final made VERSUS the most-watched cable network in the country, while Games 3 & 4 of the Stanley Cup Final averaged 3.369 million viewers, up five percent over the 2009 average (3.212 million viewers).  Overall, last year's postseason was the most-watched on cable since 2002.  

One major addition to VERSUS' 2010/11 schedule is coverage of the NHL Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames from McMahon Stadium on Sunday, February 20, at 6 p.m. ET.  Not only is it the first outdoor game in Canada since 2003, but the Heritage Classic will be the first outdoor game ever broadcast on cable in the United States.  

Throughout the 2010/11 regular season VERSUS will televise 78 games, 13 more than last season, including 53 exclusive regular season games and 25 bonus games.  VERSUS will also air All-Star weekend from Raleigh, N.C. on January 29/30 and cap off the final week of the regular season with a game each night (Monday-Friday) leading into the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  During the postseason, VERSUS will once again air wall-to-wall action throughout each round, culminating with Games 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.  

All of the network's non-bonus regular-season games are exclusive and VERSUS' regular-season schedule features a 'Game of the Week' wherein VERSUS will be the only place on television to watch an NHL game in the U.S. at that time. VERSUS' bonus game coverage is subject to local blackouts.  
 

Mike "Doc" Emrick will return as the network's lead play-by-play announcer and will be joined all season long by the best NHL announcers in the game today, including Eddie Olczyk, Darren Eliot, Joe Beninati and John Forslund and the network's studio show, Hockey Central, with host Bill Patrick and analysts Keith Jones and Brian Engblom will wrap up each night of NHL coverage.  In addition, the network will also televise special Hockey Central pre-game shows before 30 telecasts this season, starting on October 7 at 6:30 p.m. ET.  

VERSUS' 2010/11 regular season schedule highlights some of the most exciting games of the season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins all making a season-high 11 appearances on the network.  \The Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers will each appear nine times this season. 

VERSUS' full 2010-11 NHL regular season schedule follows (subject to change):  

And NBC’s schedule is next.

NFL on CBS’ Announcing Assignments For Weeks 1 Through 3

We have the announcing assignments for the NFL on CBS for the first three weeks of the 2010 regular season. The first week is all 1 p.m. games as CBS has the U.S. Open men’s finals at 4:30 p.m. But the following two weeks will be doubleheaders and we have the games and announcing crews for each game.

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 1, Week 2 and Week 3 (subject to change):

WEEK 1 – Sept. 12

1:00 PM

Cleveland @ Tampa Bay – Spero Dedes/Rich Gannon

Miami @ Buffalo – Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker

Cincinnati @ N. England – Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

Indianapolis @ Houston – Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

Denver @ Jacksonville – Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

Oakland @ Tennessee – Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

WEEK 2 – Sept. 19 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

1:00 PM

Baltimore @ Cincinnati – Bill Macatee/Rich Gannon

Buffalo @ Green Bay – Spero Dedes/Randy Cross

Miami @ Minnesota- Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

Kansas City @ Cleveland – Don Criqui/Steve Beuerlein

Pittsburgh @ Tennessee – Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

4:15 PM

New England @ N.Y. Jets – Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

Houston @ Washington – Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

Jacksonville @ San Diego – Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker

WEEK 3 – Sept. 26 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

1:00 PM

Tennessee @ N.Y. Giants – Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

Cincinnati @ Carolina – Bill Macatee/Rich Gannon

Pittsburgh @ Tampa Bay – Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker

Buffalo @ New England – Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

Cleveland @ Baltimore – Don Criqui/Steve Beuerlein

4:15 PM

Indianapolis @ Denver – Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

Oakland @ Arizona – Spero Dedes/Randy Cross

San Diego @ Seattle – Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

Those are your assignments for the first three weeks of the NFL season on CBS.

CBS’ NFL Preseason Games This Week

This week, CBS Sports will air two preseason games just like Fox had two last week. CBS has games Friday and Saturday nights. Here’s what you’ll see.

CBS SPORTS KICKS OFF 2010 NFL PRESEASON SCHEDULE WITH WEEKEND GAMES

THE NFL ON CBS Preseason Schedule Kicks Off with San Diego Chargers Visiting Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints Live in Prime Time on Friday, August 27

Dallas Cowboys Take On Houston Texans for THE NFL ON CBS’ Second Preseason Game Following Night on August 28 on CBS Television Network

The CBS Television Network begins its 51^st year broadcasting the NFL with two preseason games during the 2010 season.

The preseason schedule for THE NFL ON CBS begins on Friday, Aug. 27 (8:00 PM, ET) when the San Diego Chargers take on the Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints live in prime time from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La. on the CBS Television Network.  Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf call the action.  Mark Wolff produces and Bob Fishman directs.

THE NFL ON CBS concludes it two-game preseason schedule the following night as the Dallas Cowboys play the Houston Texans live in prime time on Saturday, Aug. 28 (8:00 PM, ET). Gus Johnson and Phil Simms call the game from Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Bob Dekas produces and Mike Arnold directs.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and CBS Sports, and serves as executive producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

More coming up.

CBS Sports Unveils Its 2010 NFL Announcing Lineup

We have the announcing lineup for CBS Sports this season. Ian Eagle takes Dick Enberg’s slot and will team with Dan Fouts becoming the “C” team for CBS. Gus Johnson teams with Steve Tasker and Hall of Famer Don Criqui is paired with Steve Beuerlein. Bill Macatee will be partnered with Rich Gannon. And Randy Cross who seems to be working everywhere whether it be CBS, CBS College Sports, Westwood One Radio or Fox Sports Net will work with Spero Dedes on selected games.

Here’s the press release.

CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCES BROADCAST PAIRINGS FOR 2010 NFL SEASON

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms Lead as No. 1 NFL ON CBS Announce Team In CBS Television Network’s 51^st Season Covering NFL

THE NFL TODAY Anchored by James Brown, Dan Marino, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Shannon Sharpe

The CBS Television Network begins its 51^st year of broadcasting the NFL on Sunday, Sept. 12 (12:00 Noon-4:00 PM, ET) as Jim Nantz and Phil Simms lead THE NFL ON CBS into the Network’s 2010 NFL season. 

  James Brown anchors the CBS Television Network’s hour-long pre-game studio show, THE NFL TODAY, along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Charley Casserly serves as THE NFL TODAY’s “General Manager,” while Lesley Visser and Sam Ryan serve as reporters for the show. This season marks the 43^rd year of THE NFL TODAY on the CBS Television Network.

THE NFL ON CBS announce team is solidified as the deepest in sports television as Greg Gumbel once again calls games alongside Dan Dierdorf; Ian Eagle teams with Dan Fouts; and Kevin Harlan teams with Solomon Wilcots.

Other notes of interest this year include Gus Johnson pairing with Steve Tasker; Bill Macatee teaming with Rich Gannon; Don Criqui and Steve Beuerlein; and Spero Dedes with Randy Cross.

CBS Sports’ complete roster of announce teams for its 51^st year of NFL coverage was announced today by Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, and Executive Producer, THE NFL ON CBS.

Following are the Network’s NFL announcer pairings for the 2010 season (play-by-play/analyst):

Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker

Bill Macatee/Rich Gannon

Don Criqui/Steve Beuerlein

Spero Dedes/Randy Cross

Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer for THE NFL ON CBS, and Michael Arnold is the lead game director. Eric Mann is senior producer for THE NFL TODAY, while Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

McManus serves as executive producer for THE NFL ON CBS.

That is your lineup for CBS this season.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday Night Football

Play-by-Play:                Dave Sims

Color Analyst:            James Lofton

Sunday Afternoon Doubleheaders

Play-by-Play:              Howard David

Color Analyst:            Tony Boselli

Play-by-Play:              Kevin Kugler

Color Analyst:            Mark Malone

Monday Night Football

Play-by-Play:              Kevin Harlan

Color Analyst:            Boomer Esiason (or Randy Cross)

Thursday Night Football

Play-by-Play:              Ian Eagle

Color Analyst:            Trent Green

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

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

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

WESTWOOD ONE 2009-2010 NFL BROADCASTERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are your announcers for Westwood One this season.

Doing Our Tuesday Links

Let’s get some linkage done while I can.

Starting with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch who looks at the arrest of Jay “The Rat” Mariotti over the weekend and ESPN’s Jenn Brown endorsing Icehouse Beer.

Rich Rovito of the Business Journal of Milwaukee reports that ESPN has apparently put the kybosh on Brown’s endorsement contract.

Richard tweets that he is not responsible for ESPN nixing the deal. 

Nando Di Fino of the Wall Street Journal looks at the lack of reporters rushing to Mariotti’s defense following last weekend’s arrest on domestic assault charges.

John Ourand from the Sports Business Journal notes that NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol was spotted at Golf Channel headquarters in Orlando leading to speculation that Comcast will tap the Emperor to lead its sports division when it takes over NBC.

Fox Sports’ Brian Lowry looks at the ESPN/Time Warner Cable dispute. 

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that FoxSoccer.com is expanding its broadband subscription service.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel says DirecTV will be offering its Sunday NFL Ticket to non-subscribers on broadband.

John Eggerton at Broadcasting & Cable says MASN has picked up a carriage agreement in North Carolina, but it’s still not the one it really wants.

Bill Cromwell at Media Life Magazine looks at the very good overnight ratings for Sunday’s Vikings-49ers preseason NFL game on NBC.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times says the Mariotti arrest, the Tiger Woods divorce and Jason Whitlock’s LeBron James-like announcement on leaving the Kansas City Star shows the sports media today is in a state of flux.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has the ratings for selected events from the weekend.

Nick Bromberg of Yahoo! Sports advises the IndyCar Series to break away from Versus. 

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says a company matching athletes for simple internet ad campaign is doing quite well.

Darren notes that Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has made about $3 million for the team in the games he pitched.

Mike Hale of the New York Times reviews tonight’s 30 for 30 offering on Michael Jordan’s trek through minor league baseball.

Richard Sandomir of the Times says MLB is searching for the person or persons responsible for leaking classified financial data for several teams. 

Bob Raissman at the New York Daily News feel that it’s about time YES jumped on the Roger Clemens steroids bandwagon.

In SB Nation New York, broadcasting historian David Halberstam lists the top 25 sportscasters in New York.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the WNBA playoffs TV schedule for this week and beyond.

Pete says the ESPN networks will be all over the FIBA World Championships from Turkey.

Laura Nachman says the Philadelphia CBS affiliate is promoting a former Eagle to back up sports anchor.

In the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg looks at the battle of two former DC NFL teammates, Joe Theismann and John Riggins discussing current QB Donovan McNabb.

Mark Story in the Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader writes about former Kentucky quarterback and tremendous Cleveland Browns bust Tim Couch becoming an analyst for Fox Sports Net this fall.

Sarah Lundy at the Orlando Sentinel reports that ESPN and Bright House cable are negotiating a new carriage deal.

Mike Bianchi of the Sentinel says now that Tiger Woods divorce from Elin Nordegren is final, sports journalism will never be the same. Thanks to Gail Sideman of the public relations firm, Publiside for the link.

Dave George at the Palm Beach Post says ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit is happy to be talking college football.

In the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn has a few thoughts on the Cowboys-Chargers game production from last week.

The Morning News says Texas Rangers pitcher Cliff Lee is brandishing ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd, “a liar”.

The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron says ESPN’s Craig James and CBS College Sports’ Mike Leach are talking a lot, but not about each other as a lawsuit looms.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has his sports media notebook.

John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox has picked up a Reds game for national consumption next month.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business notes that Jay Mariotti’s arrest is driving traffic to various blogs.

Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says a Big East TV Network could generate significant revenue for the conference.

Warren Gerds of the Green Bay Press Gazette says Aaron Taylor will get increased duties at CBS College Sports this season. 

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Derrick Gold says Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin took a two game leave after a DUI arrest last week.

Dave Noreiga of KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, UT says BYU leaving the Mountain West Conference and becoming an independent hinges on ESPN. 

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has an extensive review of tonight’s 30 for 30 documentary.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says last Friday’s Blue Jays game against the Red Sox topped the ratings in Canada. 

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal says the Oilers have a new play-by-play man.

In the Biz of Baseball, Maury Brown wonders who’s responsible for leaking financial data from several MLB teams.

Maury says a new study shows that independent blogs are the least trusted media sources among sports organizations.

Pete Toms in the Biz of Baseball looks at the importance of Regional Sports Networks to baseball.

Ben Koo of Koo’s Corner examines what happened to sports blogging social media site Ballhype which collapsed this week. A bit of disclosure, Fang’s Bites was a member of Ballhype and I really appreciated the boost it gave me when I joined three years ago.

Deadspin notes that Tiger Woods is back in the media’s good graces again.

A.J Daulerio at Deadspin looks inside the Jay Mariotti arrest.

SportsbyBrooks says Fanhouse has yet to turn off the comments on Mariotti’s archives.

And we’re finished here.

NFL Network Renews Deal with Cox Communications

This just in from the NFL Network, the channel has renewed its carriage deal with Cox Communications. In addition, subscribers will gain access to NFL RedZone. It’s the third agreement in a week for NFL Network having signed with the National Cable Television Cooperative and Suddenlink. Now Cox has re-signed with NFL Network. Here’s the announcement.

cOX cOMMUNICATIONS AND nfl nETWORK RENEW CARRIAGE DEAL

Cox Advanced TV customers will have access to NFL RedZone

ATLANTA & LOS ANGELES – Cox Communications and NFL Network announced today that Cox Advanced TV customers will have the option of subscribing to NFL RedZone  this fall when football season kicks off.

NFL RedZone, produced by NFL Network, whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering touchdowns and the most exciting moments as they happen.  When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays live.  NFL RedZone keeps fans up-to-date in real time switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights, fantasy statistics and a chance to see every important play. Cox Advanced TV customers who subscribe to the Sports and Information Pak will have the ability to add the new channel for $39.99 per season.

In addition to adding NFL RedZone, Cox and NFL Network have also renewed their deal for long term carriage of NFL Network, the only channel dedicated entirely to the NFL and football.

“We’re excited to bring our customers even more football action this fall with the addition of NFL RedZone,” said Kathy Payne, vice president of programming for Cox. “In addition to NFL Network, which offers the excitement of the NFL, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, customers can access additional NFL content via Cox’s On DEMAND library, making Cox a great value for NFL action this season.”

 “Cox, the third largest cable operator, has always been an important distributor of NFL Network and now its subscribers will also have access to one of the most innovative and exciting channels on television, NFL RedZone,” said John Malkin, vice president of affiliate distribution for NFL Network.

NFL RedZone returns for its sophomore season in 2010, following a breakout rookie debut in which the channel was called “The greatest invention in the history of mankind” by Sports Illustrated and had the Denver Post singing its praises, describing the channel as “By far, the most innovative sports television creation in 2009 – or even the decade.” In addition, NFL RedZone earned a 2009 Emmy nomination for Outstanding New Approaches in Sports Programming.

NFL Network is the destination for more than 2000 live hours of football programming each year. Thursday Night Football, NFL Network’s package of eight live, primetime regular season games, headlines the network’s live game coverage, which also includes 10 live NFL preseason games 21 Arena Football League games, 14 Canadian Football League games, and the Under Armour Senior Bowl. Additionally, NFL Network is on the scene at the NFL’s biggest annual events including Kickoff, Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Hall of Fame ceremony, Scouting Combine and NFL Draft. All this coverage comes in addition to the network’s year-round  schedule that includes nearly 200 NFL games, every preseason games, 96 game replays past Super Bowls and NFL Classic Games.

Customers who subscribe to Cox Advanced TV and the Sports and Info Pak can access both NFL Network and NFL Network On Demand content via Cox’s On DEMAND library. Content includes game recaps and other NFL Network programming available at no additional cost.

We’ll see if there are more agreements before the regular season.

NBC’s Ratings For Vikings-49ers Hit The Roof

NBC continues to rack up the ratings for the NFL preseason. The final ratings are in from Sunday’s Minnesota Vikings-San Francisco 49ers game and they’re very good. Ratings were the highest in 8 years for a game in Week 2 of the preseason. And the game also swept the key demographics for the network. We have the press release.

“SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” VIKINGS-49ERS IS MOST WATCHED NFL PRESEASON WEEK 2 GAME IN 8 YEARS

SNF Preseason Game is No. 1 Program of the Week in Viewers, Household Rating & All Key Adult and Male Demos

NEW YORK – August 23, 2010 – The “Sunday Night Football” preseason game between the Vikings and 49ers was the most-watched Week 2 NFL preseason game in eight years and was the No. 1 program of the week in all the key adult and male demographics, including the coveted Adults 18-49, according to national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

The game, in which the 49ers defeated the Vikings 15-10, in the return of Vikings QB Brett Favre (who was in the game for a total of four plays), drew 10.8 million viewers, the most for a Week 2 NFL preseason game since a 49ers-Broncos matchup on Aug. 19, 2002 (11.3 million viewers). 

The household rating of a 6.7/12 is the best for a Week 2 NFL preseason game since the Aug. 18, 2003 Buccaneers-Rams game (7.4/13) and the third-best rating for an NFL preseason game on any network since Aug. 30, 2004 (Titans-Cowboys, 7.6/13), trailing only behind NBC’s Hall of Fame Games on Aug. 8, 2010 and Aug. 6, 2006 (both had a 6.8/12 household rating).

SNF DOMINATED THE NIGHT: Sunday’s game was the No. 1 broadcast of the night in total viewers, adults 18-49, Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54, Men 18-49, Men 18-34 and Men 25-54.

This continues a trend for SNF dominating Sunday nights. The last “Sunday Night Football” broadcast, The Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Aug. 9, was the No. 1 broadcast of the night. In the regular season last year, “Sunday Night Football” was the most watched Sunday night primetime broadcast in a record 15 of 16 (94 percent) weeks. In 2008, SNF won 13 of 16 (81 percent) Sunday nights after winning 11 of 16 in 2007 (69 percent) and nine of 16 in 2006 (56 percent). 

BESTS COMPETITION IN PRIMETIME: “Sunday Night Football” powered NBC to win Sunday night in Adults 18-49, topping its closest primetime competitor among the major networks, Fox, by 67 percent (3.0 for NBC from 7-11 p.m. vs. a 1.8 for Fox from 7-10 p.m.). In total viewers, NBC topped its nearest primetime rival, CBS, by 36 percent or more than 2.4 million persons (9.1 million vs. 6.6 million). NBC scored the highest Sunday averages for any network in Adults 18-49 and total viewers since August 8, the night of NBC’s coverage of the Cowboys-Bengals NFL Hall of Fame Game and second highest Sunday for any network since June 13, the night of ABC’s coverage of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. In household rating, it’s the highest Sunday average for any network since June 13.

Quite impressive.

Grrr… Carling Wins Big Break Sandals Resort

She was the most annoying person on the show, but whenever she had to make a big putt or a big shot, Carling came through and it was the clutch shots that made her the winner of Big Break Sandals Resort this season. With her win over Lili Alvarez, Carling gets to compete in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational and the Dubai Ladies Masters later this year. I really got into the show this season, mainly because of the beautiful cast, but also over the beautiful locale of Sandals Resort in the Bahamas.

Carling kept talking about herself in the show and seemed to be surprised when she was in the elimination rounds in the last few episodes, but her confidence won out. Here’s the release.

Carling Coffing Wins Big Break Sandals Resorts

Middletown, Ohio, Native Defeats Lili Alvarez 1 up

Final Segment from Season Finale: Coffing Wins Big Break

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 24, 2010 – In a match worthy of The Solheim Cup, Carling Coffing (Middletown, Ohio) defeated Lili Alvarez (El Paso, Texas) 1 up to win Big Break Sandals Resorts. 

A back-and-forth match the entire episode, neither competitor gained an advantage until the 17^th hole at Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club, when Coffing made a 25-foot birdie putt to go 1 up with one hole to play.  When Alvarez attempted to even the match, she was met with a bad break following her second shot on the par-5 finishing hole, taking a penalty stroke as a result of an unplayable lie.  With Alvarez facing a 15-foot par putt, Coffing secured the victory with a two-putt par.

 As champion of Big Break Sandals Resorts, Coffing will be awarded the opportunity to compete in the 2010 Lorena Ochoa Invitational on the LPGA Tour, (Nov. 11-14) and the 2010 Dubai Ladies Masters (Dec. 8-11) on the Ladies European Tour.

In addition to the tournament exemptions, Coffing receives an endorsement contract which includes $10,000 cash; a $10,000 shopping spree; $5,000 to cover her 2010 LPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament fees; full-exempt status on the 2011 FUTURES Tour with all tournament entry fees waived; and a 7-day/6-night Luxury Included® vacation.

 Taking place at Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, Bahamas, Big Break Sandals Resorts showcased a field of 11 women – nine currently play on the Duramed FUTURES Tour – competing against each other in an attempt to make their lifelong dream of playing alongside the world’s top golfers a reality. 

            Big Break Sandals Resorts unfolded on one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world, Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club at Sandals Emerald Bay.  A Greg Norman design, Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club is a 7,200 yard, par 72 oceanside golf course that features six signature holes hugging the perimeter of Emerald Bay’s scenic peninsula overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

            The Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness.  During Big Break Sandals Resorts, one contestant was eliminated each week.  Past Big Break champions have won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour.  Several previous female contestants have gone on to compete on the LPGA Tour, including Kristy McPherson, a member of the 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.

            The 14^th season of Golf Channel’s popular Big Break series, Big Break Dominican Republic, will premiere Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. ET.  Twelve former Big Break contestants will return to settle unfinished business and a second chance to put their professional golf careers on the fast track.

We’ll see if I get into the 14th season of Big Break.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

MLB
American League
Kansas City at Detroit – Fox Sports Kansas City/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
New York Yankees at Toronto – WWOR/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Oakland at Cleveland – Comcast SportsNet California/STO, 7 p.m.
Seattle at Red Sox – FSN Northwest/NESN, 7 p.m.
Baltimore at Chicago White Sox – MASN2/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Minnesota at Texas – MLB Network/Fox Sports North/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Anaheim Angels – Sun Sports/KCOP, 10 p.m.

National League
Chicago Cubs at Washington – WGN America/MASN, 7 p.m.
Florida at New York Mets – Fox Sports Florida/SNY, 7 p.m.
Houston at Philadelphia – Fox Sports Houston/WPHL, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Pittsburgh – Fox Sports Midwest/FSN Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee – KCAL/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Atlanta at Colorado – MLB Network/SportSouth/FSN Rocky Mountain, 8:30 p.m.
Arizona at San Diego – Fox Sports Arizona/Cox 4, 10 p.m.
Cincinnati at San Francisco – Fox Sports Ohio/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10 p.m.

MLB Greatest Rivalries: New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Versus, 8 p.m.
Baseball Tonight – ESPN2, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight Live – MLB Network, 11 p.m.

UEFA Champions League
Anderlecht vs. Partizan – Fox Soccer Channel, 2:30 p.m.
Hapoei Tel-Aviv vs. Salzburg – Fox Soccer Plus, 2:30 p.m.
Sampdoria vs. Werder Bremen – Fox Sports Net, 2:30 p.m.

Entertainment
30 for 30: Jordan Rides The Bus – ESPN, 8 p.m.
Wipeout – ABC, 8 p.m.
It’s Effin’ Science – G4, 9 p.m.
Being Human – BBC America, 9 p.m.
If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise – HBO, 9 p.m.
The Colony: The Abduction – Discovery, 10 p.m.
Rescue Me – FX, 10 p.m.
Explorer: Albino Murders – National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark – Sho2, midnight