Fang's Bites

CBS Evening News Anchor Scott Pelley To Interview President Obama During Super Bowl Today

As is the tradition during the Super Bowl pregame show, the President of the United States will be interviewed. This year is no exception. CBS Evening News anchorman Scott Pelley will interview President Barack Obama live from the White House at 4:30 p.m. ET.

SCOTT PELLEY INTERVIEWS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA LIVE ON “THE SUPER BOWL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, FEB. 3 (4:30 PM, ET) DURING CBS SPORTS’ PRE-GAME COVERAGE OF SUPER BOWL XLVII

CBS EVENING NEWS Anchor and Managing Editor Scott Pelley will interview President Barack Obama live from the White House at 4:30 PM, ET on THE SUPER BOWL TODAY on Sunday, Feb. 3 during CBS Sports’ pre-game coverage of Super Bowl XLVII on the CBS Television Network.

That’s it.

REPORT: Dan Marino Fathered Child Out of Wedlock With CBS Production Assistant

In this bizarre year for sports with Manti Te’o and Lance Armstrong, we have yet another strange story. This one involves former Miami Dolphins quarterback and current CBS NFL Today analyst Dan Marino. Ian Mohr of the New York Post reports that Marino fathered a daughter out of wedlock with a network production assistant back in 2005, then paid her off to keep quiet about it.

Marino who has been married to his wife of 28 years, admitted to the Post that he had fathered the girl with the production assistant saying it was a private matter and he takes full responsibility for his actions.

He added in a written statement to the Post that he and the production assistant, named as Donna Savattere “mutually agreed to keep our arrangement private to protect all parties involved.”

Marino has six children with his wife, Claire and says their marriage is strong and remains intact.

CBS has issued a statement to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch saying that Marino will be on the network’s Super Bowl Today pregame show as planned.

Bizarre timing for this story to surface.

The Next Costas Tonight Reviews The State of the NFL

Tonight, NBC Sports Network’s Costas Tonight explores The State of the NFL. It’s the second annual State of the NFL episode as last year, the premiere episode of Costas Tonight went over The State of the NFL during Super Bowl Week.

Various players and NFL executives will discuss the issues that hang over the game today such as concussions, the Rooney Rule and the Super Bowl itself.

Among Bob’s guests will be NBC’s Rodney Harrison, former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett and NFL Vice President of Operations Ray Anderson.

The show will originate from NBC Sports’ new World Headquarters building in steamy Stamford, CT.

We have the press release and some preview videos for you. Check it out.

COSTAS TONIGHT: STATE OF THE NFL TONIGHT AT 9 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

Costas Interviews Hall of Fame RB Tony Dorsett, Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and Former Kansas City Chiefs RB Thomas Jones
State of the League with NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson
Costas Previews Super Bowl XLVII with Football Night in America’s Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison
Costas Tonight is First Show To Originate From Studio 3 at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn.
“Players go out there with the understanding that they are going to subject themselves to some physical play. Our job is to make sure it’s not unnecessarily physical or unnecessarily dangerous play.” – Ray Anderson, NFL EVP of Football Operations
“The Ravens are battle tested. Year in and year out they are knocking on the door, and they are extremely well coached… I think the Ravens are going to come out victorious.” – Larry Fitzgerald on Super Bowl XLVII

NEW YORK – Jan. 30, 2013 – Bob Costas, a 24-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and one of America’s preeminent interviewers, welcomed NFL players and executives to Costas Tonight to discuss the current state of the NFL. Costas Tonight: State of the NFL will examine major topics including: player health and safety; the Rooney Rule; and a preview of Super Bowl XLVII.

Costas Tonight: State of the NFL, which was recorded on Tuesday, is the first show to originate from Studio 3 at NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. It airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

Costas was joined in studio by NFL Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, and former RB Thomas Jones, who recently revealed he will donate his brain to the Sports Legacy Institute to be studied for evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

In addition to his interview with current and former players, Costas spoke with NFL executive vice president of football operations, Ray Anderson about player safety, the Rooney Rule and proposed changes to the rules of the game.

Football Night in America’s Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison joined Costas to discuss the state of the league and look ahead to Super Bowl XLVII.

Costas also interviewed noted psychiatrist and leading expert in the field of brain science, Dr. Daniel Amen.

Additional content from the show can be see online at NBCSports.com when the show debuts.

Costas spoke with Dorsett, Fitzgerald and Jones about the current gun culture in the league and the number of players who own or carry handguns.

INTERVIEWS: Below are excerpts from the show.

Ray Anderson on football being fundamentally dangerous no matter what type of changes the league makes to the rules of the game: “It is a very physical game and that is part of what the appeal is and it always has been. Players go out there with the understanding that they are going to subject themselves to some physical play. Our job is to make sure it’s not unnecessarily physical or unnecessarily dangerous play. It’s naïve to think that football will have its appeal if all the physicality is taken out.”

Anderson on minority hiring and the Rooney Rule: “We were not pleased with the results. I believe there is some tweaking of the Rooney Rule that we need to look into. We need to do more appropriate development and training, so that our pipeline for African-American coaches, in particular, is more robust. The Rooney Rule has a place, we have a real need for it, we have to do better. The results this time around were a disappointment and we have some work to do.”

Tony Dungy on the Rooney Rule and none of the open positions in the NFL going to minorities: “I think the system is broken. Not just looking at it from a minority standpoint, but I can tell you from head coaching standpoint. What we are doing now is not working. Twenty-one head coaching changes in the last three years. In 2009, there were 11 new head coaches hired and only two of them made it through three years. So we are not picking the best candidates. I think the owners are feeling the pressure to hire that rock star candidate and they are under pressure to move very, very quickly.”

Fitzgerald on whether he thinks he lost his only opportunity to win a Super Bowl: “No, I’m always optimistic. We play every single season and our goal is always the same, which is to hoist that Lombardi Trophy. Every year I step on that field I feel like I have the opportunity to go out there and do it against all odds. I always feel that way and that is never going to change.”

Fitzgerald’s Super Bowl pick: “I think the Ravens are going to win the football game …the Ravens are battle tested. Year in and year out they are knocking on the door, and they are extremely well coached… I think the Ravens are going to come out victorious.”

Fitzgerald on his upcoming season for the Arizona Cardinals: “There’s always questions leading into a season. We have a fresh new coaching staff. I know coach (Bruce) Arians is bringing in a great staff, and I’m looking forward to what he’s bringing to the table.”

Jones on donating his brain to be studied: “The game is something that we love; it’s the number one sport in the country. But, it doesn’t take away from the fact that we are human beings. To see all these guys take their lives because of CTE and the concussion situation that’s been a big issue, it doesn’t mean I can’t do something in support of research to help kids or players after me. This is the part of the game that people don’t want to address.”

Jones on whether he would have preferred his Bears defensive teammates to have legally hit Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl: “I would rather the teammate legally splatter him. Why? Because, number one, it’s a mentality. Now he’s going to worry about getting hit the next time and he may throw an interception. He may overthrow the ball, he may under throw it. The game is 75% mental, as well, so it’s an intimidation factor. The aggression can also cause players not to play up to their level because they are scared of being knocked out. We come up together we worked as hard as we could to make it to this level of football so you’re not trying to end someone’s career. But in between those white lines, nobody’s safe. I think every player can say that.”

Fitzgerald on Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan not benching Robert Griffin III: “That’s part of the decision process that the head coach has to make, but as a player, you never want to come out of the game. Regardless of what the situation is, you understand your teammates are counting on you. You put in a lot of time and preparation to go out there and perform at the highest ability. You know injuries are going to happen. You know that’s just part of the game and you got to push through. I understand why RGIII didn’t want to come out of the game, or any other player.”

Dr. Amen on a study he did on 135 players: “Even people who reported no concussions at all had significant trauma in their brain.”

Amen on the NFL’s improved response to the concussion issue since Roger Goodell was named commissioner of the NFL: “No question… In front of Congress he (Goodell) said that the league was studying the issue. Two months later, they completely changed their position, in larger part because of their own study. Now there are concussion posters in every major locker room in the NFL. I have seen a shift and I have been very pleased about the shift.”

Dorsett on Dr. Amen’s interview: “I’m glad to see that the NFL, the owners in particular, have owned up to the (fact) that there is a concussion problem.”

Dorsett on his last concussion:

Rodney Harrison on his post-NFL career and fears about his injuries long term:

The show airs at 9 p.m. on NBC Sports Network tonight.

Thursday’s Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Men’s
Bryant at Farleigh Dickinson –Cox Sports RI/Fox College Sports Pacific, 7 p.m.
Illinois at Michigan State — ESPN, 7 p.m.
UConn at Providence — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Drexel at George Mason — NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Penn State at Iowa — ESPNU, 8 p.m.
South Dakota at South Dakota State — Fox College Sports Central, 8 p.m.
Nicholls State at Oral Roberts — Fox College Sports Atlantic, 8:30 p.m.
Butler at Saint Louis — CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.
Arizona at Washington — ESPN, 9 p.m.
Arkansas at Alabama — ESPN2, 9 p.m.
Oregon State at Cal — ESPNU, 10 p.m.
Utah State at Idaho — ESPN Plus, 10 p.m.
Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount — ESPN2, 11 p.m.
Arizona State at Washington State — Pac-12 Network, 11 p.m.

Women’s
Indiana at Purdue — Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Mississippi State at Tennessee — CSS/Comcast SportsNet California, 7 p.m.
Vanderbilt at Texas A&M — Fox Sports Net-regional (Arizona Plus/Detroit/Prime Ticket/Southwest/SportSouth/Sun Sports), 8 p.m.
Nebraska at Ohio State — Big Ten Network, 8:30 p.m.

Katz Korner — ESPNU, 4:30 p.m.

College Football
College Football Live — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.

Golf
European PGA Tour: Dubai Desert Classic, 1st Round — Golf Channel, 4:30 a.m.
PGA Tour: Phoenix Open, 1st Round — Golf Channel, 4 p.m.

Mixed Martial Arts
Bellator MMA Live: DeLorenzi vs. Pitbull — Spike, 10 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Studio 42 with Bob Costas: David Robinson — MLB Network, 9 p.m.

NBA
Memphis at Oklahoma City –TNT, 8 p.m.
Dallas at Golden State — TNT, 10:30 p.m.

Inside the NBA  — TNT, 1 a.m. (Friday)

NFL
Super Bowl Live — NFL Network, 10 a.m.
Eye on Football — CBS Sports Network, 3 p.m.
SportsCenter Special: The Super Bowl Game Plan — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Inside the Super Bowl — CBS Sports Network, 4 p.m.
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Playbook: Super Bowl XLVII — NFL Network, 6 p.m.
The Coaches Show — NFL Network, 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl Live — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
The NFL Season: A Biography — NFL Network, 9 p.m.
No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII — NFL Network, 10 p.m.

NHL
Buffalo at Boston — MSG Buffalo/NESN, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at New Jersey — MSG Plus 2/MSG Plus, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New York Rangers — NHL (US)/RDS/Root Sports Pittsburgh/MSG Network, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Columbus — Fox Sports Midwest/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Washington at Toronto — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Sportsnet Ontario, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg at Florida — TSN-Jets/Fox Sports Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Colorado at Calgary — Altitude/Sportsnet West, 9 p.m.
Edmonton at San Jose — Sportsnet Edmonton/Comcast SportsNet California, 10:30 p.m.
Nashville at Los Angeles — Fox Sports Tennessee/Fox Sports West, 10:30 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network, 7 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Soccer
Sky Sports News: Deadline Day — Fox Soccer, 9 a.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM live from New Orleans — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 8:30 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show live from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Hot Stove — MLB Network, 9 a.m.
The Box Score live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, noon
SVP & Russillo live from New Orleans — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Dan Le Batard is Old and Tired Highly Questionable — ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
Outside the Lines — ESPN, 3 p.m.
The Best of the Dan Patrick Show — NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
SportsNation from New Orleans — ESPNews, 6 p.m.
The Crossover from New Orleans — NBC Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Costas Tonight: State of the NFL — NBC Sports Network, 9 p.m.
Lead Off from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, midnight
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Entertainment
The Big Bang Theory — CBS, 8 p.m.
Hook, Line & Dinner: Colorado — Cooking Channel, 8 p.m.
The Transporter — AMC, 8 p.m.
Striking Distance — Encore, 8 p.m.
Cat Ballou — Turner Classic Movies, 8 p.m.
World’s Funniest Animal Commercials — truTV, 8 p.m.
Behind the Music Remastered: Def Leppard — VH1 Classic, 8 p.m.
Beauty and the Beast — The CW, 9 p.m.
Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope — PBS, 9 p.m.
The First 48: Missing Persons: 3:10 to Yuma; Harm’s Way — Biography, 9 p.m.
Death: It’s a Living — CNBC, 9 p.m.
The Iron Lady — Showtime, 9 p.m.
Beavis and Butt-head Do America — VH1 Classic, 9 p.m.
Brunch at Bobby’s: Southwestern — Cooking Channel, 9:30 p.m.
Anger Management: Charlie’s Dad Breaks Bad — FX, 9:30 p.m.
Rehab Addict: A Mantle to Remember — DIY Network, 10 p.m.
Archer: Legs — FX, 10 p.m.
House Hunters: Portland, OR — HGTV, 10 p.m.
Frenemies: Loyalty Turned Lethal: Playing With Fire — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Beyond Scared Straight: Suffolk County, Mass: Boys — A&E, 10 p.m.
Kathy — Bravo, 10 p.m.
Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell: Italian Empire — Food Network, 10 p.m.
King of the Nerds — TBS, 10 p.m.
Real Sex — HBO, 11 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live — ABC, 11:35 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
True Lies — AMC, midnight

ESPN’s Schedule For Thursday of Super Bowl Week

ESPN has plenty of shows taping in the French Quarter of New Orleans. We have the schedule of the shows below.

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVII Coverage for Thursday

More than 21 Current and Former NFL Players Will Appear on ESPN Shows from New Orleans

ESPN’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVII continues Thursday, Jan. 31, from the French Quarter in New Orleans (Jax Brewery parking lot, 600 Decatur Street) with appearances more than 32 current and former players, including Hall of Famers Rod Woodson and Thurman Thomas, and Pro Bowlers J.J. Watt, Adrian Peterson and DeMarcus Ware.

Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico will host a SportsCenter Special at 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET) with analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski focused on the Xs and Os of the Super Bowl matchups – similar to their weekly NFL Matchup program which uses the all-22 coaches’ film to highlight team strategies and the nuances of the game.

ESPN television and radio shows are open for public viewing all week and fans are encouraged to attend.

Thursday’s schedule (all times CT):

Time (CT)	Show	Network(s)
5-9 a.m.	Mike and Mike in the Morning Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic Guests: Packers WR Donald Driver (6:45), Giants WR Victor Cruz (7:00), Texans DE J.J. Watt (7:15), ESPN analyst Cris Carter (7:45), former Patriots OT Matt Light (8:00), Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (8:15), Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware (8:30) and Giants DE Justin Tuck (8:45).	ESPN Radio, ESPN2
8 a.m.-2 p.m.	SportsCenter Host: Hannah Storm. Analysts: Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Jerry Rice. Guests: Ware, Driver, Giants DE Osi Umenyiora, Former Saints QB Archie Manning, Saints S Roman Harper, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, Actor/Comedian Tracy Morgan, Bears LB Lance Briggs and Tuck.	ESPN
9 a.m.-12 p.m.	The Herd with Colin Cowherd Host: Colin Cowherd Guests: Former Redskins QB Joe Theismann (9:30), Umenyiora (9:45), HOF safety Rod Woodson (10:15) and Jets back-up QB Greg McElroy (10:45).	ESPN Radio, ESPNU
12-3 p.m.	SVP & Russillo Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo Guests: Gronkowski (11:20), Saints QB Drew Brees (12:30), Tuck (12:45), Seahawks CB Richard Sherman (1:15), Briggs and Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles.	ESPN Radio, ESPNEWS
2-3 p.m.	SportsCenter Special Host: Mike Tirico.  Analysts: Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski	ESPN
3-4 p.m.	NFL Live Host: Trey Wingo.  Analysts: Cris Carter and Tom Jackson	ESPN
3-4 p.m.	SportsNation Hosts: Charissa Thompson and Marcellus Wiley. Analyst: Edwards. Guests: Ware, HOF RB Thurman Thomas, Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich	ESPN2
4-5 p.m.	NFL32 Hosts:  Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen.  Analysts:  Hoge and Tedy Bruschi.	ESPN2
5-6 p.m.	SportsCenter Host: Levy.  Analysts: Trent Dilfer and Mark Schlereth.	ESPN
7-8 p.m.	NFL Semanal Special (Airs at 8:30, and 11 p.m. CT on Latin North) Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre, Alvaro Martin, Eduardo Varela, John Sutcliffe and Mauricio Pedroza.	ESPN Dos
8-10 p.m.	SportsCenter (Airs at 10 p.m. CT) Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Young.	ESPN

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

There you have it.

NFL Network’s Schedule For Thursday of Super Bowl Week

Let’s take a look at what’s in store for NFL Network as it covers Day 4 of Super Bowl Week from New Orleans. A big guest list and plenty of events on tap for Thursday.

Check out the schedule.

NFL NETWORK LOOK AHEAD – THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, Texans DE J.J. Watt & More on NFL AM at 6:00 AM ET Beyoncé On-Set of Super Bowl LiveSuper Bowl Champions Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp & Brian Billick on No Huddle: Super Bowl Live XLVII at 10:00 PM ET

The following are scheduled to appear on NFL AM Thursday, January 31 starting at 6:00 AM ET:

• Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson
• Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt
• Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain
• Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Dick Vermeil
• Brittney & Connie Payton

The following are scheduled to appear on Super Bowl Live from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET:

• Beyoncé with Rich Eisen and Deion Sanders
• Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Biscotti
• Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman
• Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen
• Houston Texans running back Arian Foster
• New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
• New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski 

The following are scheduled to appear on NFL.com Super Bowl Live, which airs on NFL.com from 1:00 – 4:00 PM ET:

• Houston Texans running back Arian Foster
• Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt
• New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
• New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora
• Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant & former wide receiver Terrell Owens
• Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware
• New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski
• Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman
• Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs
• Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson
• Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning
• Actor Tracy Morgan

At 6:30 PM ET, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons Mike Smith joins Brian Billick and Steve Mariucci on The Coaches Show.

At 7:00 PM ET, Super Bowl-champions Heath Evans and Darren Sharper join hosts Andrew Siciliano and Lindsay Rhodes on NFL Total Access.

At 10:00 PM ET, Super Bowl champions Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp and Brian Billick discuss and debate all of the hot topics leading up to the big game on No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII.

Provided below is a complete programming schedule for Thursday, January 31:

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

• 9:00 AM: San Francisco 49ers media availability

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live

• 11:15 AM: Baltimore Ravens media availability
• Super Bowl XLVII Halftime press conference with Beyoncé

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Commercials
9:00 PM – The NFL Season
10:00 PM – No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
12 MIDNGHT – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 AM – Harbaugh Family Roundtable
1:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

We’ll give you ESPN’s schedule next.

CBS Unveils The Features on The Super Bowl Today For This Sunday

CBS has provided its rundown for stories and features that will be seen on “The Super Bowl Today” pregame show this Sunday. Super Bowl Today will begin at 2 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network.

James Brown will be joined by Greg Gumbel, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino, Clay Matthews and Shannon Sharpe for the four-hour pregame show.

Among the features will be ones on the Brothers Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and a look at player safety.

We have the rundown of the features you’ll see on CBS.

CBS SPORTS’ “SUPER BOWL TODAY” FEATURES SET FOR SUPER BOWL XLVII ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK ON FEB. 3

Among Features Highlighted Include the Harbaugh Brothers; Baltimore’s O.J. Brigance; Indianapolis Head Coach Chuck Pagano; Gateway High School (Aurora, Colorado) Football Player Zack Golditch;
Player Safety and Future of the Game; and Baltimore and San Francisco Player Profiles
Live Musical Performances by OneRepublic and Matchbox Twenty Featured during Pre-Game Show

CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLVII continues with THE SUPER BOWL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show (2:00-6:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, as well as Greg Gumbel, and NFL TODAY Insider Jason La Canfora, reporters Lesley Visser and Tracy Wolfson, Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots and contributing analyst Clay Matthews.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports and serves as Executive Producer for the Network’s coverage of the NFL and Super Bowl XLVII.  Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE SUPER BOWL TODAY.

* * * * *

Following are the scheduled features on THE SUPER BOWL TODAY (subject to change):

James Brown, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, along with Greg Gumbel, welcome viewers with some pre-game analysis and highlights from CBS Super Bowl Park at Jackson Square, Champions Square and the Louisiana Superdome, while Lesley Visser and Tracy Wolfson, as well as Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots report throughout the day. Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews also joins the pregame show.

“THE HARBAUGH BROTHERS”
Producer: Deb Gelman

It’s the overriding storyline of Super Bowl XLVII – the first time that a coaching rivalry is also a sibling rivalry. How did the Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, get to this grand stage? They attribute it to their father Jack, who was the greatest influence on their lives and coaching careers. THE SUPER BOWL TODAY’s James Brown talks to both coaches about the influence of their father, growing up together and what it means to face your brother in the Super Bowl.

“O.J. BRIGANCE”
Producer: Deb Gelman

The Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV to win their first Lombardi Trophy. O.J. Brigance was the Special Teams Captain for the Ravens and was credited with the first tackle of the game. In 2007, he was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and given a prognosis of less than five years to live. O.J. currently serves as Senior Advisor to Player Development for the team he once played for.  Undaunted, O.J. is an emotional inspiration to this current Ravens’ team and was selected honorary team captain for the AFC Championship Game.  In a very poignant moment he presented the Ravens with the Lamar Hunt Trophy following their victory over New England.  O.J. has lost the ability to walk and talk, but he is able to still communicate via computer. He will tell his story of determination and courage in his own words.

“CHUCK PAGANO”
Producer: Charlie Bloom

Whether you followed football or not, the phrase “ChuckStrong” captured the nation. Indianapolis Head Coach Chuck Pagano was hospitalized with leukemia just weeks into the season. As Pagano underwent chemotherapy, the city and the nation embraced his battle against the disease.  Along the way, he inspired other patients in their fight against cancer. The real-life drama took on a storybook feel when the Colts magical run into the playoffs with Pagano’s remission, allowed him to return to the sidelines by season’s end. This powerful journey is told for the first time by his family, wife Tina and daughters Tara, Taylor and Tori.

“GATEWAY”
Producer: Pete Radovich

On July 20, 2012, a deranged gunman entered a movie theater in Aurora, Colo, and opened fire. By the time he was finished, 12 people were dead, and 58 others were injured. Among those wounded, rising senior Zack Golditch of nearby Gateway High School. Shot through the neck, the 6-foot-5, 260 pound, 17-year-old became a symbol of strength and recovery as he fought his way back onto the football field.

“PLAYER SAFETY AND THE FUTURE OF THE GAME”
Producer: Charlie Bloom

The topic of player safety and concussions has re-emerged in the news again with Junior Seau’s family announcing a lawsuit over the concussions he sustained during his football career.  President Obama said this week, “I’m a big football fan, but I have to tell you, if I had a son, I’d have to think long and hard before I let him play football.”  Millions of youth football players and their parents will be watching Super Sunday.  Some are debating their children’s future participation as they wonder what is being done to make the game safer? What medical treatments are being developed to prevent, heal, and even reverse the effects of severe injuries from the game?

“MUSICIANS’ VILLAGE”
Producer: Joseph E. Zappulla

Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of New Orleans when it hit the Gulf in late August of 2005. Crescent City natives Harry Connick, Jr., and Branford Marsalis developed an idea to save part of the city’s soul – its music. They combined with Habitat for Humanity to create the “New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village,” making sure the sound that makes this city special, survives and thrives.

“RAY LEWIS”
Producer: Deb Gelman 

When Ray Lewis announced his retirement, little did he know that the emotional momentum would carry him and the Ravens all the way to the Super Bowl.  Lewis’ former teammate, Shannon Sharpe, sits down with the future Hall of Famer to discuss his career, his final season and this Super Bowl ride.

“JOE FLACCO”
Producer: Alanna Campbell

Including postseason play, Joe Flacco is the winningest quarterback in the NFL over the last five seasons. Despite such lofty achievements, he is not widely considered to be one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Boomer Esiason talks with Flacco about the Ravens’ season of adversity, the team’s late-season switch at offensive coordinator, the Ravens’ playoff run, and whether he has what it takes to lead Baltimore to victory in Super Bowl XLVII.

“RAY RICE”
Producer: Alanna Campbell

Baltimore running back Ray Rice takes us in his own words, on the Ravens’ journey to New Orleans. Along the way to New Orleans, Baltimore overcame injuries to superstars Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, as well as a late-season offensive coordinator change.  Through it all, the Ravens never lost focus and find themselves one game away from becoming Super Bowl XLVII champions.

“COLIN KAEPERNICK”
Producer: Jeff St. Arromand

San Francisco’s multi-dimensional quarterback Colin Kaepernick has taken the NFL by storm.  Thrust into the spotlight after starter Alex Smith suffered a concussion in Week 10, Kaepernick has taken control, going 7-2 in leading the 49ers to their first Super Bowl since the 1994 season. THE SUPER BOWL TODAY’s Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino visits with the young quarterback to discuss his newfound fame, the pressures and expectations that go along with starting in the NFL biggest game.

“VERNON DAVIS”
Producer: Jeff St. Arromand

Vernon Davis, the 49ers’ star tight end, opens up to THE SUPER BOWL TODAY’s Bill Cowher about his maturation process in the NFL.  No one has ever questioned Davis’ enormous physical gifts, but his attitude, early in his NFL career, was quite a different story.  It so infuriated then-Head Coach Mike Singletary during a 2008 game, that he sent Davis back to the locker room for the remainder of the contest. In interviews for this piece, Davis and Singletary share an emotional message with each other. 

“PATRICK WILLIS”
Producer: Mark Burghart

San Francisco’s linebacker Patrick Willis grew up in rural Bruceton, Tenn., with three siblings in a small trailer. Life was not easy. His mother left when he was three, and his abusive father found that the daily struggle of raising his children became too much. As a last resort, the kids sought help from their school’s superintendent. Finally, the school’s basketball coach Chris Finley, and his wife, Julie, agreed to take in the four children. Patrick went on to play at Ole Miss and eventually with the 49ers, but the close bonds he had with the Finleys as a teenager remains strong to this day. 

“THE SMITH BROTHERS (Aldon and Justin)”
Producer: Mark Burghart

All Pro defensive stars Aldon Smith and Justin Smith take viewers on a special inside look at the 49ers’ emotional rollercoaster ride – from the heartbreak of losing the 2011 NFC Championship Game to the New York Giants through this season’s start and up to the pivotal decision by Head Coach Jim Harbaugh to replace starting quarterback Alex Smith with inexperienced, but explosive Colin Kaepernick. The Smiths also talk about their injuries and the final run to Super Bowl XLVII.

In addition, a live shot with our troops from Afghanistan will be included during THE SUPER BOWL TODAY.  Live musical performances throughout the day during THE SUPER BOWL TODAY will include national recording artists OneRepublic and Matchbox Twenty. And syndicated television star and iconic cooking and lifestyle personality Rachael Ray will prepare the perfect tailgate food.

Grammy Award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys will performs the national anthem as part of the pre-game show.

There you have it.

The Wishy-Washy Brett Favre Joins NFL GameDay Morning on Super Bowl Sunday

Brett Favre, a.k.a. “Mr. Indecision,” joins NFL Network this Sunday. It’ll be his first official TV gig since retiring from the game.

He’ll be part of the 8½ hour long show that will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Super Bowl Sunday. Rich Eisen will host and be joined by regular GameDay Morning analysts Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Kurt Warner. Fox Sports and NFL Network analyst Brian Billick will also be on hand for the program.

Here’s a look at what NFL Network is saying about the elongated pregame show.

THREE-TIME NFL MVP BRETT FAVRE TO JOIN NFL NETWORK’S NFL GAMEDAY MORNING PRIOR TO SUPER BOWL XLVII

From the field where he led the Green Bay Packers to a win in Super Bowl XXXI, Favre to give his thoughts on the 2012 season, the matchup between the 49ers and Ravens, and his life away from the field

Twenty-year NFL veteran and three-time league MVP, Brett Favre will join NFL Network’s 8.5-hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning (Sunday, 9:00 AM ET) live from the Louisiana Superdome prior to Super Bowl XLVII.

Favre will join host Rich Eisen along with his former coach Steve Mariucci, and Super Bowl champions Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders and Brian Billick to discuss his thoughts on the 2012 NFL season, the Super Bowl XLVII matchup, and his life away from the field.

In 1997, Favre led the Green Bay Packers to a 35-21 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI in game played at the Louisiana Superdome, the same field where Favre will provide analysis prior Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.

Favre’s appearance on NFL GameDay Morning is part of NFL Network’s more than 140 total hours – 85 live – of programming from 11 sets across New Orleans featuring a roster of 35 on-air personalities with a combined 17 Super Bowl rings. Super Bowl XLVII is the 10^th Super Bowl NFL Network has covered since the network was started in 2003.

“There aren’t too many retired athletes who continue to attract the attention and draw that Brett Favre does, and NFL Network is thrilled to have him on NFL GameDay Morning leading up to Super Bowl XLVII,” said Eric Weinberger, Executive Producer of NFL Network. “Surrounded by a former mentor in Steve Mariucci and players he competed against over the years such as Deion Sanders and Warren Sapp, and from the field where he guided the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI, Brett should give our viewers some unique insight and analysis into the game and his life away from the field.”

Super Bowl Sunday Coverage on NFL Network 

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, NFL Network provides more than 16 hours of live pregame and postgame coverage:

• At 7:00 AM ET, First on the Field is live from the NFL Experience, with host Melissa Stark and analysts LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Steve Wyche providing the day’s first breakdown of the matchup.
• At 9:00 AM ET, an 8.5-hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning airs from the Louisiana Superdome, the NFL Experience and the Fan Plaza. Host Rich Eisen anchors the coverage from inside the stadium, joined by Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin, with Stark and analysts Deion Sanders and Brian Billick providing additional analysis. Host Amber Theoharis and analysts Shaun O’Hara and Willie McGinest are live from the NFL Experience, while host Chris Rose and analysts Darren Sharper and Heath Evans provide their insight from the Fan Plaza.

Following the game, NFL GameDay Final is live from the Superdome and the Fan Plaza with postgame interviews with players and coaches, in-depth analysis and highlights.

That is all.

CNN To Air Bleacher Report-Branded Sports Programming

I used to pick on the Bleacher Report for its slideshows, faulty reporting and annoying posts. But that changed when the site began to add well-known writers and editors to clean up the place.

When Turner Sports purchased Bleacher Report last year, you knew this was a huge step forward towards legitimacy. Now, we learn that Bleacher Report-branded programming will be seen on CNN starting this weekend. Not only will this be long-form programming, but also daily updates that will be aired on HLN and on CNN.

The first show will be a Bleacher Report Super Bowl special this Saturday, “Kickoff in New Orleans” co-hosted by TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Jr. and newly acquired Rachel Nichols.

Take a look at the announcement.

Bleacher Report Branded Sports Programming to Air on CNN

Turner Sports and CNN to Produce Kickoff Special Live from New Orleans, Host City of Super Bowl XLVII on Saturday, Feb. 2;
Daily Bleacher Report Sports Updates to Debut on CNN and HLN Tuesday, Feb. 5

Turner Sports and CNN will partner to produce Bleacher Report branded sports programming including long-form specials and daily sports updates that will air on CNN and HLN, it was announced today by Lenny Daniels, executive vice president/chief operating officer for Turner Sports, and Ken Jautz, executive vice president, CNN/U.S.

The first of the programming collaborations will be Kickoff in New Orleans: A CNN-Bleacher Report Special, a live one-hour show on CNN to be televised Saturday, Feb. 2, at 4 p.m. ET. And, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 5, CNN will air Bleacher Report sports updates daily as cut-in segments throughout morning broadcasts on CNN, as well as throughout the day on HLN. With information on the latest topics affecting sports teams and fans, these 3-4 minute segments will combine CNN newsgathering resources with the unique perspective of Bleacher Report to offer a comprehensive overview of sports news and information.

Originating from New Orleans, the Super Bowl XLVII host city, Kickoff in New Orleans: A CNN-Bleacher Report Special, will include a series of features, interviews and profiles that capture the excitement the marquee event brings to the city. The show will be co-hosted by Ernie Johnson, host of TNT’s Sports Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA, and Rachel Nichols, the newly-hired veteran sports reporter for CNN and Turner Sports.

Show elements include:

• Guest appearances by NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth and Fox Sports analyst Howie Long, both contributors to Behind the Mic on Bleacher Report, to preview the game.
• Interview with Archie Manning, former NFL quarterback with the New Orleans Saints and father of two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, Peyton and Eli.
• Bleacher Report elements including highlights and notable performances from past Super Bowls, game perspective and more presented by Turner Sports host Jared Greenberg.
• A fan’s guide to New Orleans presented by former New Orleans Saints standout Deuce McAllister and SI swimsuit model Demaris Lewis.
• Interview with nine-year-old pee-wee football star and YouTube sensation Sam Gordon, along with a presentation of her video highlights and telestrated analysis of her play.
• Vignettes featuring New Orleans natives such as Troy Andrews (a.k.a. Trombone Shorty), a renowned trombone and trumpet player.

“Leveraging the strength and expertise of CNN and the unique perspective of Bleacher Report allows us to extend the Turner Sports portfolio through coverage of marquee events such as the Super Bowl and the development of consistent sports programming on CNN/US and HLN,” said Daniels. “This strategic integration of Bleacher Report with the leading brands in our portfolio will continue to drive growth and revenue opportunities for our audiences, advertisers and businesses.”

“Bringing together Bleacher Report and Rachel Nichols in a co-production with Turner Sports is a win-win for CNN viewers,” said Jautz. “We could not ask for better partners as we increase sports coverage on CNN.”

There you have it.

Wednesday’s Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Men’s
Villanova at Notre — ESPN2, 6 p.m.
Northwestern at Michigan — Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Rutgers at Cincinnati — Big East Network, 7 p.m.
Seton Hall at Georgetown — Big East Network, 7 p.m.
Virginia Commonwealth at URI — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Cox Sports RI, 7 p.m.
Auburn at Georgia — CSS/Bright House/Comcast SportsNet Houston/Cox Sports Television/The Comcast Network, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma at Baylor — ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Duke at Wake Forest — ACC Network, 8 p.m.
Maryland at Florida State — ACC Network, 8 p.m.
Iowa State at Oklahoma State — Big 12 Network, 8 p.m.
Missouri State at Creighton — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Midwest/Fox College Sports Atlantic, 8 p.m.
Texas at Kansas State — ESPN2, 8 p.m.
Missouri at LSU — SEC Network, 8 p.m.
South Carolina at Florida — SEC Network, 8 p.m.
Indiana at Purdue — Big Ten Network, 8:30 p.m.
Dayton at Xavier — CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.
Texas A&M at Mississippi State — CSS/Bright House/Comcast SportsNet Houston/Cox Sports Television/The Comcast Network, 9 p.m.
DePaul at Seton Hall — ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech — Fox Sports Net-regional (Detroit Plus/Florida/North Plus/South/Southwest Plus/Sun Sports/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus/NESN), 9 p.m.
USC at UCLA — Pac-12 Network, 10 p.m.
Oregon at Stanford — ESPNU, 11 p.m.
Cal-Santa Barbara at Long Beach State — ESPNews, midnight

Women’s
Baylor at Oklahoma — Fox Sports Oklahoma, 8 p.m.

Katz Korner — ESPNU, 5:30 p.m.

College Football
College Football Live — ESPNU, 4 p.m.

English Premier League
Arsenal vs. Liverpool — Fox Soccer, 2:30 p.m.
Reading vs. Chelseas — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:53 p.m.
Manchester United vs. Southampton — ESPN2, 2:55 p.m.Fulham vs. West Ham United — Fox Soccer, 5 p.m. (same day coverage)

Match Day — Fox Soccer, 2 p.m.
Premier League World — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour: Phoenix Open, Pro Am — Golf Channel, 5 p.m.
On the Range: Phoenix Open — Golf Channel, 8 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Studio 42 with Bob Costas: Terry Francona — MLB Network, 9 p.m.

NBA
Miami at Brooklyn — ESPN, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix — ESPN, 10:30 p.m.

NBA Mid-Season Report Card — NBA TV, 7 p.m.
NBA GameTime — NBA TV, 8 p.m.

NFL
Super Bowl Live — NFL Network, 10 a.m.
Eye on Football — CBS Sports Network, 3 p.m.
SportsCenter Special: Super Bowl Roundtable — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Inside the Super Bowl — CBS Sports Network, 4 p.m.
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Super Bowl Live — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials 2013 — CBS, 8 p.m.
Sound FX: Best of 2012 Season — NFL Network, 9 p.m.
Inside the NFL: Week 21 — Showtime, 9 p.m.
NFL Turning Point: Super Bowl XLVII Preview — NBC Sports Network, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Montreal at Ottawa — TSN/RDS, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Minnesota — NBC Sports Network, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Phoenix — Sportsnet West/Fox Sports Arizona Plus, 9:30 p.m.
Colorado at Vancouver — Altitude 2/Sportsnet Pacific, 10 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network, 5 p.m.
NHL Live — NBC Sports Network 7 p.m.
NHL on the Fly — NHL Network, 7 p.m.
NHL Plays of the Week: 1/19/13-1/25/13 — NHL Network, 8 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10:30 p.m.
NHL Overtime — NBC Sports Network, 11:30 p.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM live from New Orleans — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show live from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Hot Stove — MLB Network, 9 a.m.
The Box Score live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, noon
SVP & Russillo live from New Orleans — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines — ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
The Best of the Dan Patrick Show — NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
The Crossover from New Orleans — NBC Sports Network, 6 p.m.
ROME from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
SportsNation from New Orleans — ESPNews, 6 p.m.
Sportfolio — Bloomberg, 9:30 p.m.
Lead Off from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, midnight
UNITE — ESPNU, 1 a.m. (Thursday)

Entertainment
Survivor: Caramoan-Fans vs. Favorites — TV Guide Channel, 8 p.m.
Arrow — The CW, 8 p.m.
Dreamliner: Inside the World’s Most Anticipated Airline — CNBC, 8 p.m.
La Bamba — Encore, 8 p.m.
Crossfire Hurricane — HBO2, 8 p.m.
Buffalo 66 — Sundance Channel, 8 p.m.
Stalked: Someone’s Watching: Toxic Love — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
This Means War — HBO, 9 p.m.
Ghost Hunters: Prescription for Fear — SyFy, 9 p.m.
Super Bowl Tailgate Takeover — Travel Channel, 9 p.m.
Extra Virgin: Meatopia! — Cooking Channel, 9:30 p.m.
Surburgatory — ABC, 9:31 p.m.
I Want That: Mobos — DIY Network, 10 p.m.
House Hunters: Waco, Texas — HGTV, 10 p.m.
Bobby’s Dinner Battle: Battle Chicago — Food Network, 10 p.m.
The Americans (series premiere) — FX, 10 p.m.
Titanic — HBO2, 10 p.m.
Dangerous Persuasions: Prophet or Predator? — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Bellflower — The Movie Channel, 10:05 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Pizza Paradise 2 — Travel Channel, 11 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live — ABC, 11:35 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Tupac: Resurrection — Showtime, midnight
My Week with Marilyn — The Movie Channel, midnight

Tuesday’s Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Men’s
Wisconsin at Ohio State — ESPN, 7 p.m.
North Carolina State at Virginia — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Vanderbilt at Tennessee — ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Georgia Tech at Clemson — Fox Sports Net-regional (Arizona/Florida/Prime Ticket/San Diego/South/Southwest Plus/Sun Sports/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus/NESN Plus), 7 p.m.
Illinois State at Bradley — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Midwest/Fox College Sports Atlantic, 8 p.m.
Nebraska at Minnesota — Big Ten Network, 9 p.m.
Kentucky at Mississippi — ESPN, 9 p.m.
North Carolina at Boston College — ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Nevada at UNLV — CBS Sports Network, 10 p.m.

Women’s
Villanova at UConn — SNY, 7 p.m.

Katz Korner — ESPNU, 6 p.m.
College Basketball Live — ESPNU, 11 p.m.
College Basketball Live — ESPN2, midnight

College Football
College Football Live — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.

English Premier League
Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United — Fox Soccer, 2:30 p.m.
Stoke City vs. Wigan Athletic — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:38 p.m.

Golf
Inside the PGA Tour — Golf Channel, 6:30 p.m.
Golf Channel Academy: Larry Nelson: Putting — Golf Channel, 7 p.m.

Mixed Martial Arts
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Ambush — FX, 9 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
MLB Network Special: Top 50 Prospects — MLB Network, 9 p.m.
MLB Network Countdown: Top Players Youngest to Oldest — MLB Network, 10 p.m.

NBA
New Orleans at Los Angeles Lakers — NBA TV, 10:30 p.m.

NBA GameTime — NBA TV, 8 p.m.

NFL
Super Bowl Live: Media Day — NFL Network, 10 a.m.
SportsCenter Special: Super Bowl Media Day — ESPN, 2 p.m.
NFL Live — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Inside the Super bowl — CBS Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Super Bowl Live — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.

NHL
New Jersey at Boston — MSG Plus/NESN, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York Rangers — Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/MSG Network, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Buffalo — Leafs TV/MSG Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Detroit — Fox Sports Southwest Plus/Fox Sports Detroit Plus, 7:30 p.m.
Florida at Tampa Bay — Fox Sports Florida/Sun Sports, 7:30 p.m.
New York Islanders at Pittsburgh — NBC Sports Network/TSN/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Washington at Ottawa — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Sportsnet East, 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg at Montreal — RDS/TSN-Jets/TSN-Habs, 7:30 p.m.
Columbus at Minnesota — Fox Sports Ohio/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Anaheim at San Jose — NHL Network (Canada)/Fox Sports Prime Ticket/Comcast SportsNet California, 10:30 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network, 4 p.m.
NHL Live — NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.
NHL on the Fly — NHL Network, 7 p.m.
NHL Live Postgame — NBC Sports Network, 10 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10 p.m.
NHL Overtime — NBC Sports Network, 11:30 p.m.

Soccer
International Friendly
United States vs. Canada — ESPN2, 9 p.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM live from New Orleans — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Nework, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show live from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Hot Stove — MLB Network, 9 a.m.
The Box Score live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, noon
SVP & Russillo live from New Orleans — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Dan Le Batard is Making Things Up Highly Questionable — ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
SportsNation live from New Orleans — ESPN2, 3 p.m.
The Best of the Dan Patrick Show — NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME live from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
The Crossover live from New Orleans — NBC Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Lead Off from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, midnight
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Entertainment
The Taste: Auditions — ABC, 8 p.m.
NCIS — CBS, 8 p.m.
Hart of Dixie — The CW, 8 p.m.
Pioneers of Television: Superheroes — PBS, 8 p.m.
Dateline on ID: Buried Secrets — Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m.
Edward Scissorhands — IFC, 8 p.m.
Being John Malkovich — Sundance Channel, 8 p.m.
The Italian Job — Turner Classic Movies, 8 p.m.
New Girl — Fox, 9 p.m.
I Hate My Bath: Sweet Master Suite — DIY Network, 9 p.m.
NCIS: Los Angeles — CBS, 9 p.m.
Henry Ford: American Experience — PBS, 9 p.m.
Dual Survival: The Green Hell — Discovery, 9 p.m.
Top Gear: College Cars (season premiere) — History Channel, 9 p.m.
My Dirty Little Secret: Worth Killing For — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo — Starz, 9 p.m.
The Mindy Project — Fox, 9:30 p.m.
I Hate My Kitchen: Coming Out Contemporary — DIY Network, 10 p.m.
House Hunters — HGTV, 10 p.m.
Redrum: A Deadly Beat — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Cougar Town — TBS, 10 p.m.
Dateline NBC — NBC, 10 p.m.
Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan: Giant Huntsman Spider — BBC America, 10 p.m.
Deadly Paradise — Biography, 10 p.m.
Tower Heist — Cinemax, 10 p.m.
Africa: Cape — Discovery, 10 p.m.
Justified — FX, 10 p.m.
Ultimate Warfare: Baghdad: Thunder Runs — Military Channel, 10 p.m.
Unearthing Ancient Secrets: Secrets of the Valley of the Kings — Science, 10 p.m.
The Joe Schmo Show: Bring Your Convict to Work Day — Spike, 10 p.m.
Sudden Impact — Encore, 10:10 p.m.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — IFC, 10:15 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live — ABC, 11:35 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy — HBO2, midnight
Quills — Sundance Channel, midnight
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels — Encore, 12:10 a.m. (Wednesday)

Michael Kay Signs Multi-Year Extension With YES

Original YES staffer Michael Kay has signed a multi-year extension with the network. Kay has been with the network since it launched in the New York metro area in 2002. He’s called over 100 New York Yankees games a season for the network and has hosted its “CenterStage” program interview celebrities and athletes.

He’ll continue to host his radio show on ESPN Radio NY.

We have the announcement from YES Network.

EMMY AWARD-WINNER MICHAEL KAY SIGNS MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION WITH YES NETWORK

NEW YORK, January 28, 2013 – Michael Kay, whose voice has been synonymous with the YES Network since its launch in 2002, has signed a multi-year extension with the network to remain its lead New York Yankees play-by-play voice.  Kay, who has earned 21 Emmy nominations and 3 Emmy wins while at YES, will also continue hosting YES’ award-winning CenterStage with Michael Kay show, along with other shows and specials on the network.

The YES Network, the most-watched regional sports network in the country the past 10 years, is the exclusive television home of the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Nets. YES, which has earned 266 Emmy Award nominations and 60 Emmy Awards since its March 2002 launch, also televises original biography, studio and magazine programs, in addition to college sports.

“We are pleased that Michael will continue to play a vital role here at YES,” said John J. Filippelli, president of production and programming at the YES Network. “For the past decade on YES, Michael has been the voice of the Yankees, deftly capturing the drama, intensity and passion associated with the greatest franchise in sports. He is one of the pre-eminent play-by-play announcers in baseball and is a first-rate interviewer as well, as evidenced by his stellar work on CenterStage.”

“I really could not be happier,” said Kay. “Continuing to live a childhood dream as the TV voice of the Yankees while working with the best group of people in the business on the country’s best regional sports network is as good as it gets. I can’t wait to start another season.”

In addition to his work at YES, Kay hosts The Michael Kay Show, a sports talk show heard weekdays on ESPN Radio 98.7 in New York.   The influential Radio Ink magazine, which covers the radio industry, named him the second-most influential local sports talk show host in America in December 2012.

Prior to joining the YES Network in 2002, Kay worked at the MSG Network since 1989 as a Yankees reporter. In 1992, he added Knicks locker room reporter to his responsibilities, and continued in that role until the 1998-99 season.

Kay was awarded the Dick Young Award for Excellence in Sports Media by the New York Pro Baseball Scouts in 1995.  In 1998, he was on the MSG Network team that won a New York Emmy for “Outstanding Live Sports Coverage – Series.”

In 1996 and 1997, he was a member of the MSG Network team that won New York Emmys for “Outstanding Live Sports Coverage – Single Program” for Dwight Gooden’s no-hitter and “The Battle for New York: Yankees vs. Mets.”  He was also a part of the Yankees/MSG Network production team that was nominated for New York Emmy Awards for six consecutive years.

In addition to his television work, the Bronx, NY, native worked as Yankees analyst on WABC Radio from 1992 through the 2001 season which concluded with the classic Yankees-Diamondbacks World Series. Kay was a winner of “Best Sports Reporter” honors at the 2000 New York Metro Achievement in Radio Awards. In 1998, Kay also began co-hosting Sports Talk with John Sterling and Michael Kay, a nightly sports radio call-in show which aired on WABC Radio during the winter months.

Shortly after graduating from Fordham University in 1982 with a B.A. in Communications, Kay worked at SportsPhone and as the public address announcer for the New York Pro Summer Basketball League.

In 1982, Kay landed the job as general assignment writer for the New York Post. Two years later, he began covering college basketball (1984-85) and then spent two years as the writer covering the New Jersey Nets. In 1987, he moved to baseball at the Post, serving as the Yankees beat reporter. While he was in that position, he got his first television job with MSG Network as host of the Hot Stove League segment of MSG’s SportsNight.

In 1989, Kay moved to the New York Daily News, where he was the Yankees beat reporter before taking the job as a Yankees broadcaster on WABC Radio in 1992. With that jump, Kay became the first newspaper reporter in any sport to make the move into the broadcast booth full-time, performing both play-by-play and analysis.

Kay stayed on the radio for 10 years, broadcasting the Yankees’ four World Series championships during that time, before moving to the television side to become the lead play-by-play man for YES in 2002.

Kay has been involved in the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), a charitable organization whose mission is to provide assistance to members of the baseball community.  He co-hosted the 2013 B.A.T. fundraising dinner in New York. Kay also will be master of ceremonies at the 2013 Thurman Munson Awards fundraising dinner in New York, scheduled for February 5.

In 2005, he was honored in his home borough of the Bronx, having an honorary street sign in his name erected on the Grand Concourse. Kay is active with the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of his mother, Rose, who passed away from the disease in 2006. He has also teamed up with Yankees manager Joe Girardi and Girardi’s Catch 25 Foundation to organize annual charity dinners to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

Kay and his wife Jodi Applegate have a daughter, Caledonia Rose Kay, born earlier this month.

Congrats to Michael Kay on this new contract.

Donovan McNabb Joins NBC Sports Radio For Super Bowl Week

This announced by Dial Global and NBC, the partners for NBC Sports Radio, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will join the network’s proceedings for Super Bowl Week. McNabb will be heard on shows throughout the week and also call in as a guest to affiliated stations.

He’ll join NBC Sports Radio’s weekday lineup when that is announced during the NCAA Final Four™ in March.

Here’s the announcement from Dial Global and NBC.

NBC SPORTS RADIO ADDS DONOVAN McNABB AS MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR

Former Pro Bowl Quarterback Will Serve As a Weekly NFL Contributor 

NEW YORK, NY, January 28, 2013 – Dial Global and the NBC Sports Group announced today that recently-retired NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb will join the NBC Sports Radio lineup as a contributor, starting on Super Bowl week.

Six-time Pro Bowl quarterback McNabb, who established his storied career with the Philadelphia Eagles, will serve as an NFL lead analyst for NBC Sports Radio shows throughout the week and will also call in weekly to affiliated stations. He will be part of NBC Sports Radio’s lineup of programming features on Super Bowl Radio Row this week in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition, McNabb will play a big part in a soon-to-be-announced daily Monday-Friday talk show that will debut April 1, 2013, as the network expands its programming lineup.

As a player, Donovan McNabb posted one of the best records in the NFL, averaging 10 wins per season over his 13-year career. With McNabb under center, the Eagles went to the postseason eight times, won the NFC East Division five times, played in five NFC Championship Games, and had their first Super Bowl berth in 24 years. His 4,746 pass attempts, 2,801 completions, 32,873 passing yards, and 216 TD passes are franchise records. McNabb, a former Syracuse University football standout and basketball player, is also a key player off the field, where he is actively involved in community efforts through his Donovan McNabb Fund.

Donovan McNabb says, “As I continue to segue further into the broadcasting field, adding a radio relationship like Dial Global and NBC Sports Radio is the perfect next step. This platform allows me a weekly forum to communicate with fans on a personal basis and I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Chris Corcoran, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Dial Global, adds, “Adding a former star player like Donovan McNabb just adds another key ingredient to the exciting lineup we’re building with NBC Sports Radio. He brings a strong voice and a unique perspective, giving our affiliates, advertisers and listeners more great content. McNabb is another very exciting addition and we’re thrilled to have him on our team.”

Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures and International, said, “Donovan’s vision and intelligence as a quarterback will translate into great insights as a commentator.  I’m sure he will be a great listen.”

NBC Sports Radio launched its full weekend lineup of programming on January 5, 2013 and will expand to full 24/7 talk programming on April 1, 2013.

That’s it for this post.

Tim Brando Show Moves Exclusively to SiriusXM

A couple of weeks ago, Tim Brando announced that his radio show was leaving the auspices of the Yahoo Sports Radio Network and today, we learn that it will become a satellite radio-only exclusive. SiriusXM announces that as of February 4, the Tim Brando Show will be heard live on SiriusXM’s College Sports Nation on channel 81. The show will move to the 9 a.m. to noon timeslot. It had been heard previously from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

The show will continue to be simulcast on CBS Sports Network. In fact as of today, the show was already in the 9 a.m. to noon slot.

We have the announcement from SiriusXM.

College Sports Broadcaster Tim Brando Joins SiriusXM

SiriusXM will be the new exclusive radio home of the popular “Tim Brando Show”
Will air nationwide weekday mornings on the SiriusXM College Sports Nation channel starting February 4

NEW YORK – January 28, 2013 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that it has become the new radio home of the Tim Brando Show, the popular national sports talk show hosted by college sports broadcaster Tim Brando.

The Tim Brando Show will air nationwide every weekday (9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET) starting Monday, February 4, on SiriusXM College Sports Nation (channel 91). The show, which will air on radio exclusively on SiriusXM, will cover the world of sports, with a focus on college athletics, featuring an array of compelling guests, topics and commentary.

“I’m thrilled to have our show on SiriusXM College Sports Nation,” said Brando. “We are celebrating our 12th anniversary of the Tim Brando Show this week; this new affiliation with SiriusXM ensures us maximum exposure to loyal college sports fans across the country.”

“Tim is one of the finest sports broadcasters on the airwaves,” said Steve Cohen, SiriusXM’s SVP of Sports Programming. “He has covered the college sports landscape for more than three decades and, as his audience already knows, his level of knowledge and experience in the college game is exceptional. The Tim Brando Show is a superb addition to our SiriusXM College Sports Nation lineup and we’re thrilled to be the show’s radio home.”

In addition to hosting the Tim Brando Show, which is simulcast on TV on CBS Sports Network, Brando has had a prolific career as a play-by-play announcer and TV host.  He has called more than 25 different sports during his career, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, college football and basketball, NFL, MLB, NBA and golf.

Brando has been calling NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship games for CBS since 1996 and also serves as the host of CBS Sports’ College Football Today and At The Half shows. He is the lead play-by-play announcer for Raycom’s coverage of SEC and ACC basketball broadcasts and hosts the Emmy Award-winning syndicated show Football Saturdays in the South. Brando has called play-by-play for SportSouth television’s coverage of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and MLB’s Atlanta Braves. Brando was a studio host for ESPN’s SportsCenter, ESPN’s college football halftime show (1986-94) and ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship (1987-90). He served as play-by-play announcer for TNT during the 1994 NBA Playoffs. Brando was sports director for WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, La. and the voice of LSU basketball games (1981-86).

Tim was the 2009 recipient of the coveted Jake Wade Award given by the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (COSIDA). This award is given annually to a national media member for outstanding promotion of intercollegiate athletics.

SiriusXM College Sports Nation is SiriusXM’s 24/7 college sports talk channel. Airing on SiriusXM channel 91, it showcases the best college games and a full daily lineup of college sports talk programming that offers news, highlights and season-long analysis of the nation’s teams and conferences. For more info visit www.siriusxm.com/collegesports. Follow the SiriusXM College Sports Nation channel on Twitter @SiriusXMCollege.

There you have it.

Time Warner Cable and Los Angeles Dodgers Announce New Regional Sports Network

It will launch sometime after the 2013 season, most likely in 2014 in advance of that year’s MLB regular season. Time Warner Cable will distribute it. The Los Angeles Dodgers will own and program it. The Dodgers will receive $7-8 billion annually over a 25 year period. And with the new channel, it means the new channel will seek $5 per subscriber and it also means that cable and satellite bills will go up.

It also means a probable battle between cable and satellite providers just before and after the regional sports network’s launch as the providers balk at the subscriber fee.

One can’t blame the Dodgers for taking the money. They had Fox and Time Warner waging an all-out battle for the rights. Both companies offered megabucks to bring the team into the fold.

However, one has to wonder if the rising sports rights fees will eventually price consumers from watching their favorite teams and sports on television.

We have a statement from the Dodgers:

DODGERS’ STATEMENT ON NEW REGIONAL NETWORK

Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten released the following statement this morning regarding the new Los Angeles Dodgers regional sports network:

“The launch of the new regional sports network is a historic development for the Dodgers and our passionate fans,” said Stan Kasten, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Our commitment from day one has been to build the Dodgers into the best team possible, both on and off the field. Our fans deserve the best - the best players, the best baseball, and the best experience – whether that’s at the newly renovated Dodger Stadium or on television.”

“Our mission is to have the most fan-friendly sports programming, and we welcome ideas and suggestions from our Dodger Community. We look forward to sharing updates with fans in the coming months. In the meantime, we remain very excited about the upcoming 2013 season where we will be showcasing our incredible new roster and the many enhancements to Dodger Stadium, as well as continuing our commitment to broadcast excellence with our current partners Fox Sports and KCAL 9.”

As the statement mentions, the Dodgers will remain on Fox Sports Prime Ticket and KCAL-TV for the 2013 season.

We’ll continue to monitor this story as developments warrant. The new network is still pending MLB approval, but that appears to be a formality at this point.

NBCUniversal Hypes “The Crossover”

We have this video from NBCUniversal with Crossover co-hosts Michelle Beadle and Dave Briggs talking about their new show which premieres tonight on NBC Sports Network. Here, Beadle and Briggs discuss what they’ll be talking about on the program, plus how much they’re looking forwards to the upcoming Super Bowl.

It’s a quick clip and you get a clue on what their New York set will look like when they settle into their permanent digs next week.

The Crossover premieres tonight at 6 ET on NBC Sports Network and will repeat at 10:30 p.m.

Some Various Monday Sports Media Thoughts

I haven’t done a thoughts post in ages. It’s fine time you’ve been provided one. Lets do this. As usual, they come in bullet form.

• How much is too much? When will the sports rights fee bubble burst? When will there be major blowback from a major cable or satellite provider against one of the major or regional sports networks? I have feeling that the providers are reaching the end of their proverbial ropes on constantly rising subscriber fees from sports programmers. They are a major reason why your pay TV bills are increasing. While sports fans feel the battles have become par for the course, a majority of the country doesn’t follow sports and wonder why they have to subsidize something they don’t watch.With Fox Sports’ purchases involving YES and Sports Time Ohio and creating two all-new sports networks along with Time Warner’s Los Angeles Lakers channel and potentially a Dodgers network, the price for subscriber is only going to go up. And with rights fees growing exponentially, the sports fan who might be living paycheck to paycheck may find him or herself priced out of watching sports on television.With many consumers cutting the cord on cable or satellite and finding alternate ways to watch TV, one wonders if networks and leagues will cut deals directly with YouTube or other online distributors to reach viewers.
• Looking forward to seeing the debut of “The Crossover” with Michelle Beadle and Dave Briggs on NBC Sports Network. While we saw a sneak preview after the Pro Bowl on Sunday night, it certainly looked like an exact clone of her old show, SportsNation. It was only five minutes. We’ll see if it’s any different when it finally airs. Michelle is so funny, that the show will probably work.
• There was a time when network’s only Super Bowl pregame programming came on Super Bowl Sunday. Now with CBS, NBC and soon, Fox developing their cable sports networks, they all need inventory. So CBS Sports Network has 50 hours of programming this week, NBC Sports Network has its share, NFL Network has 140. Because there’s interest in the game, the networks provide the programming. It works because people will watch and it’s the NFL. If the Super Bowl didn’t get the ratings, the networks would not do much, but again, how much is too much? Is there a limit to this too?
• Speaking of Fox, it appears their cable sports strategy is taking shape. Not only will Speed be converted to Fox Sports 1, John Ourand at Sports Business Journal reports that Fuel will be rebranded to Fox Sports 2 with Fox Soccer becoming FX2 and no longer in the sports business. So Fox will have two all-cable sports channels to handle college basketball, college football, MLB, MMA, NASCAR, soccer and other inventory the division will develop. And I would not be surprised to see a lot of Super Bowl programming on both Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 in advance of Super Bowl XLIX in New York/New Jersey next year. And there won’t be any sports on FX once FS1 and 2 come to fruition.
• Quick movie recap: Les Miserables A, Django Unchained A+, Movie 43 C minus and Silver Linings Playbook with A+. SLP was much better than I thought it would be. Very impressed with Jennifer Lawrence’s performance and Bradley Cooper was very good.

That’s all.

Monday’s Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Men’s
Pittsburgh at Louisville — ESPN, 7 p.m.
Alabama State at Texas Southern — ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Delaware at Drexel — NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Kansas at West Virginia — ESPN, 9 p.m.
South Florida at Marquette — ESPNU, 9 p.m.

Women’s
Indiana at Northwestern — Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.
Notre Dame at Tennessee — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Illinois at Minnesota — Big Ten Network, 9 p.m.

College Football
College Football Live — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open, Final Round — Golf Channel, 2:10 p.m./CBS, 4 p.m.

PGA Merchandise Show — Golf Channel, 8 p.m.

Hockey
AHL All-Star Game, Providence, RI — Comcast SportsNet (California/Chicago/Mid-Atlantic Plus/Northwest)/CSS/Fox Sports Net (Arizona Plus/Midwest/North/Ohio/Southwest/Southwest Plus/Sun Sports)/MSG Network/NESN/Root Sports Pittsburgh/Sportsnet (East/Ontario/Pacific)/Time Warner Cable SportsNet (Buffalo/Rochester)/Time Warner Cable (Albany, NY/Los Angeles/New York City/Syracuse/Texas/Wisconsin), 7 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Costas at the Movies: A League of Their Own — MLB Network, 8 p.m.
A League of Their Own — MLB Network, 8:30 p.m.

NBA
Orlando at Brooklyn — NBA TV, 7:30 p.m.

NBA Coast to Coast — ESPN2, 9 p.m.
NBA GameTime — NBA TV, 10:30 p.m.

NFL
SportsCenter Special: The Insiders — ESPN, 3 p.m.
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Inside the Super Bowl — CBS Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Super Bowl Live — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
NFL Monday Quarterback — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Super Bowl Classics: Super Bowl XLVI — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
Super Bowl Chronicles — CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.

NHL
Boston at Carolina — NHL Network (Canada & US)/NESN/Fox Sports Carolina, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Columbus — Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Phoenix — Fox Sports Tennessee/Fox Sports Arizona, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Edmonton — RDS2/Altitude/Sportsnet West, 9:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Los Angeles — TSN/Fox Sports West, 10:30 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network, 4 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show live from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Hot Stove — MLB Network, 9 a.m.
The Box Score live from New Orleans — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, noon
SVP & Russillo — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Dan Le Batard is So Insane Highly Questionable — ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
Outside the Lines — ESPN2, 3 p.m.
SportsNation live from New Orleans — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
The Best of the Dan Patrick Show — NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME live from New Orleans — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
The Crossover live from New Orleans (series premiere) — NBC Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Lead Off — CBS Sports Network, midnight
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Entertainment
Bones — Fox, 8 p.m.
Antiques Roadshow: Boston — PBS, 8 p.m.
Extreme Smuggling: Wildlife — Discovery, 8 p.m.
My Girl — Encore, 8 p.m.
The Last Waltz — VH1 Classic, 8 p.m.
24, Day 1, Hour 13 — Audience Network (DirecTV), 8:05 p.m.
The Following — Fox, 9 p.m.
The Food Hospital — Cooking Channel, 9 p.m.
Disappeared: Breaking News — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Alaska State Troopers: Trooper Stalker — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Being Human — SyFy, 9 p.m.
Dallas (season premiere) — TNT, 9 p.m.
The Layover with Anthony Bourdain: New Orleans — Travel Channel, 9 p.m.
My Girl 2 — Encore, 9:45 p.m.
Kitchen Crashers: Worst Kitchen in America — DIY Network, 10 p.m.
House Hunters: Charlotte, NC — HGTV, 10 p.m.
Intervention: Sean — A&E, 10 p.m.
True Crime with Aphrodite Jones: Chosen to Kill — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
How the Universe Works — Science, 10 p.m.
Lost Girl — SyFy, 10 p.m.
Hotel Impossible: Periwinkle Inn — Travel Channel, 10 p.m.
Dallas — TNT, 10:03 p.m.
Bath Crashers: Heavy Metal — DIY Network, 10:30 p.m.
Red Tails — HBO, 11 p.m.
Catfish: The TV Show: Rico & Ja’Mari — MTV, 11 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
National Lampoon’s Vacation — Encore, 11:30 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live — ABC, 11:35 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Die Another Day — The Movie Channel, 11:35 p.m.

CBS Sports Network Announces Its Calvacade of Shows For Super Bowl Week

CBS Sports Network goes all in for Super Bowl Week with its first-ever programming solely dedicated to the Big Game. Starting Monday, CBS Sports Network will have shows live from New Orleans, site of Super Bowl XLVII, by taking over Jackson Square and originating various sports, news and entertainment programs from there.

This will include the Tim Brando Show, ROME, Lead Off, Super Bowl Live, NFL Monday Quarterback and Inside the Super Bowl all on CBS Sports Network.

In addition, several current and past NFL stars will be guest analysts on CBS Sports Network programming.

Here’s the CBS Sports Network press release.

NFL ON CBS ANNOUNCERS AND CURRENT NFL STARS ANCHOR CBS SPORTS NETWORK’S WEEK-LONG COVERAGE OF SUPER BOWL XLVII

Larry Fitzgerald, London Fletcher and Rod Woodson Join CBS Sports Network as Contributing Analysts During Super Bowl Week
Osi Umenyiora, Steve Smith, Russell Wilson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Ronde Barber Also Join Network’s Coverage

CBS Sports Network delivers over 50 hours of original programming from New Orleans surrounding the CBS Television Network’s exclusive broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 3. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher and Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson serve as contributing analysts during CBS Sports Network’s extensive Super Bowl week programming, which begins on Monday, Jan. 28.

Also joining the Network’s coverage are current NFL players: Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (Tuesday); Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber (Tuesday); New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (Wednesday); Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (Thursday); and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (Saturday).

The guest analysts join a lineup that features NFL ON CBS announcers Phil Simms, Greg Gumbel, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Bill Cowher, Shannon Sharpe, Rich Gannon, Steve Beuerlein, Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots and Jason La Canfora.

In addition, Tracy Wolfson, Adam Zucker, Dana Jacobson and Allie LaForce serve as reporters throughout the week, contributing across the Network’s seven shows originating from New Orleans. Wilcots and Tasker also report daily from the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers camps. Gumbel will host the prime time show SUPER BOWL LIVE, while Adam Schein anchors the afternoon show INSIDE THE SUPER BOWL.

Below is a description of all the Network’s shows including announcers, air dates and times.  All times Eastern.

• SUPER BOWL LIVE (Tuesday-Friday, 7:00-9:00 PM, ET; Saturday, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM, ET) Hosted by Greg Gumbel, SUPER BOWL LIVE is the Network’s primetime show, providing all the latest news and information from CBS Super Bowl Park At Jackson Square. Analysts include Boomer Esiason, Steve Beuerlein, Bill Cowher, Shannon Sharpe, Larry Fitzgerald, London Fletcher, Steve Smith, Osi Umenyiora, Russell Wilson, Maurice Jones-Drew and NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

• SUPER BOWL LIVE (Saturday, 8:00-10:00 PM, ET; Sunday 9:00-11:00 AM, ET) SUPER BOWL LIVE returns on Saturday to preview the next day’s action and provide the most up-to-date news from the Ravens and 49ers. Analysts include Gannon, Fletcher and Woodson.

• INSIDE THE SUPER BOWL (Monday-Friday, 4:00-6:00 PM, ET) CBS Sports Network’s afternoon show provides coverage and commentary of the teams, news, events and buzz in New Orleans during Super Bowl week. Analysts include Rich Gannon, Ronde Barber, Woodson and Fitzgerald, as well as reporters Steve Tasker, Solomon Wilcots and Jason La Canfora.

• THE SUPER BOWL TODAY POST GAME SHOW (Sunday, 10:30-11:30 PM, ET) When CBS Sports signs off its broadcast of Super Bowl XLVII, the post-game coverage from the Louisiana Superdome continues with extended coverage for the first time ever on CBS Sports Network with James Brown, Cowher, Esiason, Marino and Sharpe.

• NFL MONDAY QB (Monday, 7:00-9:00 PM, ET) The Network’s weekly NFL studio show airs live from Jackson Square, bringing together an elite roster of quarterbacks to provide analysis purely from a quarterback’s perspective. Hosted by Schein, the show features Phil Simms, Dan Marino, Gannon and Beuerlein.

• ROME (Monday-Friday, 6:00-7:00 PM, ET) Veteran sports personality Jim Rome tackles the day’s biggest sports stories on ROME, which expands to an hour during Super Bowl week. CBSSports.com NFL columnist Mike Freeman and Peter Schrager serve as contributors throughout the week.

• LEAD OFF (Monday-Friday, 12:00 MIDNIGHT-1:00 AM, ET; Sunday, 11:30 PM-12:30 AM, ET) The Network’s late-night show LEAD OFF with co-hosts Doug Gottlieb and Allie LaForce airs live from Jackson Square featuring commentary and debate on the top sports stories and news with a focus on the next day’s conversation.

• TIM BRANDO SHOW (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-12:00 NOON, ET) Tim Brando interviews players, coaches, writers and other guests live from radio row in the heart of New Orleans.

• SUPER BOWL CHRONICLES (Monday, 9:00-10:00 PM, ET) NFL ON CBS announcers re-live their own Super Bowl experiences and memories.

In a related note we have what CBS Sports Network will air on Monday.

COMING MONDAY TO CBS SUPER BOWL PARK AT JACKSON SQUARE…

CBS Sports Network Kicks Off 50 Hours of Super Bowl Programming Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, CT:

• Phil Simms, Rich Gannon, Steve Beuerlein and Dan Marino preview Super Bowl XLVII – from a quarterback’s perspective – on NFL MONDAY QB (6:00 PM, CT).

• New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper and Bill Romanowski are guests on ROME (5:00 PM, CT). Jim Rome also breaks down the latest from New Orleans with contributors Mike Freeman and Peter Schrager.

• Charlie Batch of the Pittsburgh Steelers joins Doug Gottlieb and Allie LaForce on LEAD OFF (Taped, 8:30 PM-12:00 Midnight, ET).

• Solomon Wilcots and Steve Tasker provide live reports from the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers camps.

There you have it.

NFL Network’s Coverage Plans For Super Bowl Week, Day 1

For Monday, NFL Network will be all over the Super Bowl beginning with NFL AM live from New Orleans at 6 a.m. ET.The continues with Super Bowl Live at 4 p.m. ET with Lindsay Rhodes and Andrew Siciliano co-hosting which will include the first media availability of the week.

And we have the full day’s schedule from NFL Network.

NFL NETWORK LOOK AHEAD –MONDAY, JANUARY 28

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick & LB Patrick Willis LIVE on NFL Total Access at 7:00 PM ET
Live Coverage of Baltimore Ravens Arrival & Media Availability in New Orleans

NFL Network’s more than 140 hours of Super Bowl programming kicks off from New Orleans Monday, January 28 at 6:00 AM ET with a live edition of NFL AM from the Media Center.

At 4:30 PM ET, NFL Network provides live coverage of the Baltimore Ravens’ arrival in New Orleans. Analysts Heath Evans and Darren Sharper join hosts Andrew Siciliano and Lindsay Rhodes on a three-hour edition of Super Bowl Live, with Aditi Kinkhabwala providing reports from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

At 6:45 PM ET, NFL Network carries the Ravens’ first media availability in New Orleans.

At 7:00 PM ET, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and linebacker Patrick Willis join analyst Willie McGinest and host Amber Theoharis on-set on NFL Total Access from the Louisiana Superdome. Analyst Shaun O’Hara and host Scott Hanson provide additional coverage from Bourbon Street.

Provided below is a complete programming schedule for Monday, January 28:

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM
2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Players to Never Play in the Super Bowl
3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Super Bowls
4:00 PM – Super Bowl Live:

• 4:30 PM: San Francisco 49ers media availability
• 5:00 PM: Baltimore Ravens arrival
• 6:45 PM: Baltimore Ravens media availability

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLVI
10:30 PM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNGHT – America’s Game: 1981 San Francisco 49ers
1:00 AM – America’s Game: 1984 San Francisco 49ers
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

That’s all.

NFL Network’s Schedule For Super Bowl Week

NFL Network’s coverage of Super Bowl Week actually began tonight with live coverage of the San Francisco 49ers’ plane landing in New Orleans. Let’s take a look at what NFL Network has in store for the entire week up until and after Super Bowl XLVII in the Louisiana Superdome.

NFL NETWORK IS ON-LOCATION AT THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE 10TH YEAR

More Than 140 Hours of Programming Using 11 Sets & Featuring 35 On-Air Personalities with a Combined 17 Super Bowl Rings

SUPER BOWL XLVII DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
(times listed are Eastern Standard Time)

Monday, January 28
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM
2:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Players to Never Play in the Super Bowl 3:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Super Bowls
4:00 PM – Super Bowl Live:

o 4:30 PM: San Francisco 49ers media availability

o 5:00 PM: Baltimore Ravens arrival

o 6:45 PM: Baltimore Ravens media availability

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLVI
10:30 PM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – America’s Game: 1981 San Francisco 49ers
1:00 AM – America’s Game: 1984 San Francisco 49ers
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

Tuesday, January 29
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o 11:00 AM San Francisco 49ers Media Day – LIVE

o 1:15 PM Baltimore Ravens Media Day – LIVE

o 2:30 PM San Francisco 49ers Media Day

o 5:00 PM Baltimore Ravens Media Day

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl – LIVE
8:00 PM – Eddie DeBartolo: A Football Life
9:00 PM – Sound FX TNF Special Edition: San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens from Thanksgiving 2011
10:00 PM – Harbaugh Family Roundtable
10:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – Eddie DeBartolo: A Football Life
1:00 AM – Sound FX: Steve Young
1:30 AM – Sound FX: Vernon Davis
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access Super Bowl XLVII

Wednesday, January 30
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

o 9:00 AM San Francisco 49ers media availability

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o 11:15 AM Baltimore Ravens media availability

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life
9:00 PM – Sound FX: Best of 2012 Season
10:00 PM – Sound FX: John Harbaugh
10:30 PM – Sound FX: Terrell Suggs
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – Ray Lewis: A Football Life
1:00 AM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis
1:30 AM – Sound FX: Joe Flacco
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

Thursday, January 31
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

o 9:00 AM San Francisco 49ers media availability

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o 11:15 AM Baltimore Ravens media availability

o Super Bowl XLVII Halftime featuring Beyoncé press conference

o Player Health & Safety press conference

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Commercials
9:00 PM – The NFL Season
10:00 PM – No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 AM – Harbaugh Family Roundtable
1:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

Friday, February 1
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

o 9:30 AM Joint Press Conference: 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh and Ravens’ John Harbaugh

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o Commissioner Goodell press conference

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Super Bowls
9:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Joe Montana Games
10:00 PM – The Rich Eisen Super Bowl Special
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
MIDNIGHT – NFL Top 10: Football Families
1:00 AM – The Rich Eisen Super Bowl Special
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE

Saturday, February 2
8:00 AM – Super Bowl Classic: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl XXIII
11:00 AM – Playbook
NOON – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 PM – Eddie DeBartolo: A Football Life
2:00 PM – America’s Game: 1989 San Francisco 49ers
3:00 PM – America’s Game: 2000 Baltimore Ravens
4:00 PM – Pro Football All-Time Hall of Fame Team
5:00 PM – Super Bowl Live
5:30 PM – Hall of Fame Announcement Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Saturday Night – LIVE
9:00 PM – Playbook
10:00 PM – Sound FX: Super Bowls
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
MIDNIGHT – NFL Honors
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access Super Bowl XLVII

Super Bowl Sunday, February 3
7:00 AM – First on the Field – LIVE
9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning – LIVE
5:30 PM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life
6:30 PM – Super Bowl XLVII Game Center
10:00 PM – NFL GameDay Final – LIVE
MIDNIGHT – NFL GameDay Final

That’s all.

Dial Global Radio Unveils Its Super Bowl XLVII Broadcast Team

Dial Global Radio, the audio rightsholder for the National Football League, will air Super Bowl XLVII to a whole host of stations across the United States. Kevin Harlan will call the play-by-play. Boomer Esiason will be the analyst. In addition, he’ll be on the Super Bowl Today pregame, halftime and postgame show for CBS. Mark Malone and Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton will be sideline analysts.

Jim Gray will be the broadcast host while Scott Graham will also be on hand for the broadcast.

Here are the particulars from Dial Global.

DIAL GLOBAL ANNOUNCES ALL-PRO BROADCAST TEAM FOR SUPER BOWL XLVII

– Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, James Lofton, Mark Malone, Jim Gray and Scott Graham, with Contributions from Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald and Rod Woodson –
– Esiason to pull double-duty for CBS Sports Television and Dial Global Radio broadcasts –

New York, NY – January 24, 2013 – Dial Global Sports, the exclusive network radio home of the National Football League (NFL), is proud to announce its all-pro broadcast team for Super Bowl XLVII, featuring Kevin Harlan, Boomer Esiason, James Lofton, Mark Malone, Jim Gray and Scott Graham. Super Bowl XLVII airs live from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 3, 2013 as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Baltimore Ravens.  Super Bowl XLVII will be heard on more than 700 radio stations nationwide, as well as on Sirius/XM satellite radio, NFL.com/Audiopass, and the NFL Mobile App available to Verizon Wireless subscribers.

Beginning at 4:00pm ET, the Monday Night Football broadcast team of Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason will call their third Super Bowl together.  CBS Sports/Dial Global’s Boomer Esiason will play two positions on Super Sunday—pregame/halftime/postgame analyst for television and game analyst for radio. Immediately following CBS Sports’ SUPER BOWL TODAY pregame show broadcast on the field, Esiason will make his way up to the Dial Global Sports booth to join the radio broadcast, then rejoin TV for both their halftime and postgame segments. This is the fourth time that Esiason will pull double-duty for the Super Bowl, having done so previously in Super Bowls XXXVIII, XLI, and XLIV.

Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton will patrol the 49ers’ sidelines and former NFL quarterback Mark Malone will report from the Ravens’ sidelines. Jim Gray hosts the pregame and halftime shows, as well as provides interviews and insight from athletes and celebrities in attendance.  Three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady and Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will join Jim Gray as part of the pregame and the halftime coverage. In addition, Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson will participate in Dial Global’s extended pregame show coverage.   Scott Graham kicks off Dial Global’s extended pregame coverage with Super Bowl Preview at 3:00pm, ET, followed by Super Sunday at 4:00pm, ET.

Country superstar Tim McGraw will help kick off Dial Global’s coverage of Super Sunday with his amped up hit, “Truck Yeah.”  In his record-shattering career, McGraw has sold over 40 million albums and dominated the charts with 32 number #1 singles, won three GRAMMY’s, 14 ACM Awards, 12 CMA Awards, and 10 AMA’s. Nielsen-BDS recently certified McGraw as the most-played Country artist of the past 20 years (1992-2012) with more than 10 million spins detected and Mediabase recognized him as the most-played Country artist in the history of their tracking service.  His upcoming album, TWO LANES OF FREEDOM will be released on February 5, 2013.

“New Orleans is always a great stage for the Super Bowl, and we are excited to once again deliver America’s biggest game to a national audience, “said Howard Deneroff, EVP, Executive Producer, Dial Global Sports. “Kevin, Boomer and the rest of our outstanding broadcast crew will captivate radio fans with their description and analysis of all the action.” 

Super Bowl XLVII will also be heard on American Forces Radio Network which provides programming to America’s military forces around the globe. The American Forces Radio Network serves over one million men and women in uniform, Department of Defense personnel, American Embassies and Consulates in over 175 countries and territories, as well as on more than 250 U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Military Sealift Command ships at sea.

Fans looking for a local station in their area can visit www.dialglobalsports.com. The website will feature a nationwide station finder, announcer bios, and exclusive analysis from the broadcast crew throughout the week from New Orleans

As the exclusive radio partner of the NFL, the Dial Global Sports 2012-2013 NFL broadcast schedule also featured 64 prime-time games, including the Opening Kickoff game, 16 Monday Night games, including one doubleheader, 17 Sunday Night games, 14 Thursday Night games (including Thanksgiving Night), one Saturday Night game, a Thanksgiving Day doubleheader, 12 Postseason games, including the NFL Playoffs, the AFC and NFC Championship Games and the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.  Dial Global Sports also delivers specialty programs, including The NFL Today, NFL Preview, NFL Insider, and NFL Sunday.

DIAL GLOBAL SPORTS SUPER BOWL XLVII BROADCAST TEAM

Kevin Harlan, in his third season as the full-time voice of Monday Night Football on Dial Global Sports, will call his third straight Super Bowl for the network. Harlan previously broadcast Super Bowl XXXV for CBS HDTV and also currently calls play-by-play for CBS Sports’ coverage of both the NFL and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. 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. This was his 28^th consecutive season broadcasting the NFL and with his additional role as play-by-play announcer for the NBA on TNT, this also marks his 25^th season 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. Harlan also called the Final Four on Westwood One from 2003-2007.

Boomer Esiason, the lead analyst for Dial Global Sports’ coverage of the NFL, has been part of the Monday Night Football broadcast team for more than a decade and this marks his 13^th Super Bowl broadcast for the network, and 14^th overall. Esiason co-hosts The NFL Today for CBS Sports and also served as the Monday Night Football analyst for ABC Sports for two seasons before joining national radio.  Boomer also co-hosts the #1 rated weekday morning radio show in New York, daily on WFAN,  and co-hosts the weekly show, NFL Preview with Scott Graham on Dial Global 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.

James Lofton, lead analyst for Sunday Night Football on Dial Global Sports, will work his fourth straight Super Bowl for radio as sideline reporter, and sixth overall, which was interrupted by coaching stints with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders for seven years in between.  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 seasons 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.

Mark Malone, analyst for Dial Global Sports’ Sunday afternoon NFL package, will be working his fifth consecutive Super Bowl for the network.  Malone, who also hosts NFL Insider each week, will patrol the sidelines at the Mercedes Benz Superdome.  Malone is most well-known for the decade he spent with ESPN, where he hosted many NFL shows including NFL Tonight, Edge NFL Match-up and Monday Night Countdown. Prior to joining Dial Global, 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, host of the network’s Monday Night Football pre-game and halftime shows since 2001, will fulfill the same role for the Super Bowl, his 12^th consecutive with the network. Gray also serves as a reporter for Dial Global Sports’ coverage of both the Final Four and The Masters. A prominent network television reporter for over two decades, Gray currently covers boxing for Showtime, has been 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: 10 Olympic Games, 24 Masters, 15 Super Bowls, seven World Series and 15 NBCA Finals. Gray has won 11 Emmy Awards and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Scott Graham, the pregame, halftime and postgame host for the network’s Sunday NFL coverage, will be working his fourth straight Super Bowl for Dial Global Sports. Graham has spent 25 years as a radio and television sportscaster, including play-by-play for both the NFL and NFL Europe on FOX. 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. He also currently co-hosts Dial Global’s weekly feature program, NFL Preview, with Boomer Esiason.

Tom Brady has played in five Super Bowls, winning three, and was named MVP twice. The seven-time Pro Bowler holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a single regular season, with 50. In 2007, Brady led the Patriots to the first undefeated regular season since the institution of the 16-game schedule and won his first of two league MVP awards.

Larry Fitzgerald is one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history, amassing nearly 10-thousand yards receiving in just eight seasons in the league.  In 2008, he set a single post-season record with 546 receiving yards, 30 receptions and seven touchdowns. Last year he signed an 8-year, $120 million contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals–making him the highest paid wide receiver in NFL history.

Rod Woodson was one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history. He holds the career record for most interceptions returned for a touchdown, with 12, and during his 17 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, Rod was elected to the Pro Bowl eleven times and named an All-Pro nine times. Rod was also named to the NFL 75^th Anniversary team and was the 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Rod played in three Super Bowls, winning one while a member of the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

That’s going to do it.

NBC Sports Radio To Broadcast Live From The Big Easy

NBC Sports Radio says it will air shows live from during Super Bowl Week in New Orleans. The network’s two nightly shows will be live from Radio Row throughout the Week.

The NBC Sports Radio press release is here.

NBC SPORTS RADIO TO BROADCAST LIVE, ON-SITE DURING SUPER BOWL WEEK

–Erik Kuselias, Amani Toomer, Eytan Shander, Rob Simmelkjaer, Kay Adams and Others Take the Field in NOLA–

NEW YORK, NY, January 25, 2013 – Dial Global and NBC Sports Radio announce broadcast plans leading up to Super Bowl Sunday on February 3, 2013.

NBC Sports Radio will have a major presence in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the excitement builds for Super Bowl XLVII. There will be live talk, reports, highlights and features throughout the week from Super Bowl Radio Row, Super Bowl Media Day and the NBC Sports Network television set.

Special guests will include NBC Sports Radio contributors Rodney Harrison and Hines Ward, among others. The Erik Kuselias Show will air live every evening from 7-10pm, ET.  Amani and Eytan, featuring former NFL pro Amani Toomer and Eytan Shander, will air live each evening from 10pm to 1am, ET. Speaking of Sports with Rob Simmelkjkaer will air the morning of Super Bowl Sunday from 8-9am, ET, in addition to other NBC Sports Radio Weekend shows. Kay Adams, NBC Sports Radio Update Anchor, will also contribute interviews during the week.

NBC Sports Radio is a partnership between the NBC Sports Group and Dial Global. Dial Global is also the exclusive national radio rights holder for Super Bowl XLVII. Its broadcast begins on Super Bowl Sunday at 4pm, ET.

Another post is upcoming. Keep it here.

Weekend Viewing Picks

Saturday, January 26

Boxing
Championship Boxing: Super Lightweights, Lucas Martin Matthysse vs. Mike Dallas, Jr. — Showtime, 10 p.m.

College Basketball Viewing Picks

College Football
2013 Senior Bowl — NFL Network, 4 p.m.

College Hockey
Penn State at Michigan State — Big Ten Network, 6:10 p.m.
Providence at Boston University — NESN, 7 p.m.
Michigan at Western Michigan — Fox Sports Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Minnesota State — Fox Sports North Plus, 8 p.m.
Michigan State at Minnesota — Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
Alaska-Anchorage at Wisconsin — Fox Sports Wisconsin Plus, joined in progress at 10 p.m.

FA Cup
4th Round
Bright & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal — Fox Soccer, 10 a.m.
Norwich City vs. Luton Town — Fox Soccer Plus, 10 a.m.
Manchester United vs. Fulham — Fox Soccer, 12:30 p.m.
Macclesfield Town vs. Wigan Athletic — Fox Soccer Plus, 4 p.m. (same day coverage)

Figure Skating
U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Omaha, NE
Pairs Free Skate & Free Dance — NBC, 3 p.m.
Ladies Short Program & Free Skate — NBC, 8 p.m.

European Figure Skating Championships, Zagreb, Croatia
Men’s Free Skate — Universal Sports, 7 p.m.
Ladies Free Skate — Universal Sports, 8 p.m.

Golf
European PGA Tour: Qatar Masters, Final Round — Golf Channel, 4:30 a.m.
PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open, 3rd Round — Golf Channel, 1 p.m./CBS, 3 p.m.

Mixed Martial Arts
UFC on Fox 6: Johnson vs. Dodson Prelims — FX, 5 p.m.
UFC on Fox 6: Johnson vs. Dodson — Fox, 8 p.m.

UFC on Fox 6 Post Fight Show — Fuel, 10 p.m.

Motorsports
24 Hours at Daytona, Part 1 — Speed, 3 p.m.

NBA
Chicago at Washington — NBA TV/WGN America, 7 p.m.
Indiana at Utah — NBA TV, 9:30 p.m.

NBA GameTime — NBA TV, 12:30 a.m. (Sunday)

NHL
Colorado at San Jose — NHL Network (US)/Altitude/Comcast SportsNet California, 4 p.m.
Toronto at New York Rangers — CBC/RDS/NHL Network (US)/MSG Network, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Columbus — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Florida — Comcast SportsNet Philadephia/Fox Sports Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles at Phoenix — Fox Sports West/Fox Sports Arizona Plus, 8 p.m.
St. Louis at Dallas — Fox Sports Midwest/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary — CBC, 10 p.m.
Nashville at Anaheim — Fox Sports Tennessee/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10:30 p.m.

Hockey Tonight — CBC/NHL Network (US), 6:30 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Scottish Premier League
Dundee United vs. Ross County — Fox Soccer, 2 p.m. (same day coverage)

Skiing
FIS Alpine World Cup, Maribor, Slovenia
Women’s Slalom — Universal Sports, 9 a.m. (same day coverage)

FIS Alpine World Cup, Kitzbuhel, Austria
Men’s Downhill — Universal Sports, 10:30 a.m. (same day coverage)

Speed Skating
World Sprint Championship, Salt Lake City, UT — Universal Sports, 3 p.m.

Tennis
Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia
Women’s Final: Li Na vs. Victoria Azarenka — ESPN, 3 a.m.
Men’s Doubles Final: Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan vs. Robin Haase/Igor Sijsling — Tennis Channel, 5:30 a.m.

Entertainment
Top 20 Video Countdown — VH1, 9 a.m.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Shades of Reason — Cartoon Network, 9:30 a.m.
Green Lantern: The Animated Series: Loss — Cartoon Network, 10 a.m.
Bryan Cranston Revealed — Reelz, 10 a.m.
Top 20 Video Countdown — VH1, 10 a.m.
Drop 5 lbs. with Good Housekeeping: Fat Can Be Your Drop 5 Friend — Cooking Channel, 10:30 a.m.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows — Cinemax, 11 a.m.
Giada at Home: Sports Bar Favorites — Food Network, 11:30 a.m.
Flipping Vegas: Chop House — A&E, noon
Grow Your Own Drugs: Incredible Edibles — Cooking Channel, 12:30 p.m.
The Rundown  — HBO, 2 p.m.
Austin City Limits: Bob Mould; Delta Spirit — PBS, 8 p.m.
Full Metal Jacket — Encore, 8 p.m.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — Fox Movie Channel, 8 p.m.
Wrath of the Titans — HBO, 8 p.m.
House of 1000 Corpses — IFC, 8 p.m.
Maz Jobrani: I Come in Peace — Showtime, 8:30 p.m.
Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual: Don’t Rain on My PSA — We TV, 9 p.m.
48 Hours: Live to Tell: An Officer and a Hero — CBS, 9 p.m.
Ripper Street: In My Protection — BBC America, 9 p.m.
Celebrity Ghost Stories — Biography, 9 p.m.
Deadly Sins: High Society Sins — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
An Idiot Abroad: India — Science, 9 p.m.
48 Hours: Hard Evidence: Soccer Moms Confidential — TLC, 9 p.m.
Cyndi Lauper: Still So Unusual: Dinner For One — We TV, 9:30 p.m.
NY ER: Burn Job — Discovery Fitness & Health, 10 p.m.
Mankind Decoded: Lust for Luxury (series premiere) — H2, 10 p.m.
20/20: Breaking Polygamy — ABC, 10 p.m.
48 Hours: Crazy Love — CBS, 10 p.m.
Troy — Cinemax, 10 p.m.
Heartbreak Ridge — Encore, 10 p.m.
Scorned: Love Kills: Deadly Game — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Hostel — IFC, 10 p.m.
The Raid: Redemption — Starz, 10 p.m.
48 Hours: hard Evidence: The Facebook Detectives — TLC, 10 p.m.
Deadly Women: Brides of Blood — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
The Graham Norton Show — BBC America, 10:15 p.m.
Mankind Decoded: Arms Race — H2, 10:30 p.m.
Saturday Night Live with host Adam Levine and musical guest Kendrick Lamar — NBC, 11:29 p.m.
Ali — Starz, 11:45 p.m.

Sunday, January 27

College Basketball Viewing Picks

FA Cup
4th Round
Brentford vs. Chelsea — Fox Soccer, 6:55 a.m.
Leeds United vs. Tottenham Hotspur — Fox Soccer, 9 a.m.
Oldham Athletic vs. Liverpool — Fox Soccer, 11 a.m.

Goals on Sunday — Fox Soccer, 1 p.m.

Figure Skating
U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Omaha, NE
Men’s Free Skate — NBC, 3 p.m.

Golf
PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open, Final Round — Golf Channel, 1 p.m./CBS, 3 p.m.

Motorsports
24 Hours at Daytona, Part 2 — Speed, 9 a.m.

NBA
Miami at Boston — ABC, 1 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Lakers — ABC, 3:30 p.m.
Atlanta at New York — ESPN, 6:30 p.m.

NBA GameTime — NBA TV, 9 p.m.

NFL
2013 Pro Bowl, Honolulu, HI
AFC vs. NFC — NBC, 7 p.m.

Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Cris Collinsworth’s Sunday Night Football — NBC, 5 p.m.
Super Bowl Live — NFL Network, 8:30 p.m.

NHL
Buffalo at Washington — NHL Network (US)/MSG Buffalo/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 3 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Ottawa — Root Sports Pittsburgh/Sportsnet East/TVA, 5 p.m.
New Jersey at Montreal — RDS/MSG Plus, 6 p.m.
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay — Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Sun Sports, 6 p.m.
Minnesota at St. Louis — NBC Sports Network/TSN2, 8 p.m.
New York Islanders at Winnipeg — MSG Plus 2/TSN-Jets, 8 p.m.
Vancouver at San Jose — Sportsnet Pacific/Comcast SportsNet California, 8 p.m.

NHL on the Fly — NHL Network, 7 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Scottish Premier League
Aberdeen vs. Hibernian — Fox Soccer Plus, 8:25 a.m

Skiing
FIS Alpine World Cup, Maribor, Slovenia
Women’s Super G — Universal Sports, 9 a.m. (same day coverage)

FIS Alpine World Cup, Kitzbuhel, Austria
Men’s Downhill — Universal Sports, 10:30 a.m. (same day coverage)

Speed Skating
World Sprint Championship, Salt Lake City, UT — Universal Sports, 3 p.m.

Sports Talk
Outside the Lines — ESPN, 9 a.m.
Lombardi — HBO, 9 a.m.
The Sports Reporters — ESPN, 9:30 a.m.
American Man — ESPN Classic, 7:30 p.m.

Tennis
Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia
Men’s Final: Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray — ESPN, 3 a.m.

Entertainment
CBS News Sunday Morning — CBS, 9 a.m.
Expecting 15 Babies — Discovery Fitness & Health, 9 a.m.
The Full Monty — HBO2, 9:45 a.m.
Grey Gardens — The Movie Channel, 10:15 a.m.
Emeril’s Florida: Florida Agriculture 1 — Cooking Channel, 10:30 a.m.
The Best Thing I Ever Made: Meat Lovers — Food Network, 11:30 a.m.
Fletch — More Max, 2:30 p.m.
The School of Rock — Showtime, 3 p.m.
Live From the Red Carpet: 2013 SAG Awards — E!, 6 p.m.
60 Minutes — CBS, 7 p.m.
The Bourne Supremacy — Starz, 7 p.m.
Food Crawl with Lee Anne Wong — Cooking Channel, 8 p.m.
Monster Squid: The Giant is Real — Discovery, 8 p.m.
48 Hours on ID: A Family’s Honor — Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m.
Wicked Tuna: Hooked Up: Sticking Point — National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.
19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards — TBS/TNT, 8 p.m.
Trip of a Lifetime — Travel Channel, 8 p.m.
Girls — HBO, 9 p.m.
Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey — PBS, 9 p.m.
Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited: The First Doctor — BBC America, 9 p.m.
Fatal Encounters: Not a Routine Call — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Wicked Tuna: The Numbers War — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Snapped: Teresa Stone (season premiere) — Oxygen, 9 p.m.
Shameless — Showtime, 9 p.m.
Enlightened — HBO, 9:30 p.m.
House of Lies — Showtime, 10 p.m.
Dual Survival: Untamed: Hawaii — Discovery, 10 p.m.
Invisible — H2, 10 p.m.
On the Case with Paula Zahn: A Deadly Secret — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Sideways — Sundance Channel, 10 p.m.
Californication — Showtime, 10:30 p.m.

Super Bowl Broadcast History

I provide this table which has all of the Super Bowls to date including their networks and broadcasters. I thought you might get a kick out of it to see who has called which games. The CBS lines are in bold because this table was compiled by CBS.

There you have it.

CBS Airs NFL Films’ “Road to the Super Bowl” on Super Bowl Sunday, 02/03

As is the norm for Super Bowl Sunday, the rightsholder of the Big Game will air the annual “Road to the Super Bowl” special, produced by NFL Films to kick off the network’s coverage. NBC aired the special last year and this year, it’s CBS’ turn.

This will be the 43rd year for “Road to the Super Bowl” which dates back to 1969. CBS will the special at 11 a.m. ET as part of its extensive Super Bowl Sunday festivities. “Road to the Super Bowl” will look at the entire 2012 season chronicling how the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers ended in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII.

We have the announcement from CBS on “Road to the Super Bowl.”

NFL FILMS’ “ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL” DEBUTS ON CBS AT 11:00 AM, ET ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

43rd Year of TV’s Longest-Running, Most-Honored Annual Sports Special
One-Hour Special Culled From 1.7 Million Feet of Game Film & 400 Hours of Game Audio from 100 Coaches & Players

How did the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers advance to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans? Re-live the journey as only NFL Films can present it on “Road to the Super Bowl” on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3 at 11:00 AM ET on CBS.

“Road to the Super Bowl” begins with Kickoff Weekend and chronicles the 2012 NFL season utilizing NFL Films’ signature captivating video and sound from on the field and in the locker room from exclusive player and coach wirings.

“Road to the Super Bowl” is the longest-running (43 years) and most honored (28 Sports Emmys) annual sports special. “Road to the Super Bowl,” which debuted following the 1969 season, was culled by NFL Films producers from more than 1.7 million feet of game footage to 980 feet for the one-hour special. In addition, more than 400 hours of audio were captured from 100 exclusive coach and player on-field wirings. Original orchestral music was used in producing the show

That will do it.

College Basketball Viewing Picks For 01/26 & 01/27/2013, All Times Eastern

Men’s Schedule Courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

Saturday, January 26

Pregame & Studio Hosts
College GameDay live from Raleigh, NC — ESPNU, 10 a.m./ESPN, 11 a.m.
College GameDay — ESPN, 6 p.m.
College Basketball Live — ESPN2, midnight

11 a.m.
Syracuse at Villanova — ESPNU (Beth Mowins/Tim Walsh)

11:30 a.m.
Women’s: Delta State at Valdosta State — CBS Sports Network

noon
Notre Dame at South Florida — Big East Network (Anish Shroff/Bob Wenzel)
Louisville at Georgetown — ESPN (Mike Patrick/Len Elmore)
Ohio State at Penn State — ESPN2 (Bob Wischusen/Dan Dakich)
Farleigh Dickinson at Quinnipiac — Fox College Sports Atlantic

1 p.m.
Maryland at Duke — CBS (Ian Eagle/Clark Kellogg)
West Virginia at Oklahoma State — ESPNU (Brad Sham/Bob Valvano)
Boston College at Virginia — Fox Sports Net-regional (Detroit Plus/Florida/Prime Ticket/San Diego/South/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/NESN)
URI at Fordham — YES

1:30 p.m.
Kansas State at Iowa State — Big 12 Network (Mitch Holthus/Chris Piper)
Arkansas at South Carolina — SEC Network (Mike Morgan/Barry Booker)

2 p.m.
Providence at Marquette — Big East Network (Mike Couzens/Sean Kearney)
Minnesota at Wisconsin — Big Ten Network
Rice at Tulane — CSS/Comcast SportsNet (Bay Area/Houston/Northwest/Philadelphia)
Alabama at Tennessee — ESPN2 (Mark Jones/Jimmy Dykes)
Marshall at Memphis — Fox Sports Net-national/Fox College Sports Pacific
Dartmouth at Harvard — NBC Sports Network

3 p.m.
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech — ACC Network
Northwestern at Nebraska — Big Ten Network
North Dakota State at South Dakota State — Fox College Sports Atlantic

4 p.m.
Duquense at Dayton — A-10 Network
Saint Louis at St. Bonaventure — A-10 Network
DePaul at Pittsburgh — Big East Network (John Sanders/John Celestand)
Baylor at TCU — Big 12 Network (Dave Armstrong/Stephen Howard)
Bucknell at Holy Cross — CBS Sports Network (Bob Socci/Chris Spatola)
Old Dominion at James Madison — Comcast SportsNet (Mid-Atlantic/Northwest/Philadephia)/CSS
Oklahoma at Kansas — ESPN (Jon Sciambi/Fran Fraschilla)
Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee — ESPN2 (Rich Hollenberg/Mark Adams)
UCLA at Arizona State — Fox Sports Net-national
New Mexico at San Diego State — NBC Sports Network
LSU at Kentucky — SEC Network (Clay Matvick/Joe Dean)

5 p.m.
Vanderbilt at Missouri — ESPNU (Tom Hart/Matt Doherty)
Western Illinois at Oakland — Fox Sports Detroit/Fox College Sports Atlantic
Washington State at Oregon State — Pac-12 Network (J.B. Long/Lamar Hurd)

6 p.m.
Xavier at St. Joseph’s — CBS Sports Network (Dave Ryan/Pete Gillen)
Temple at Butler — ESPN2 (Jim Barbar/Stephen Bardo)
Georgia at Texas A&M — Fox Sports Net-regional (Arizona Plus/Detroit Plus/South/Southwest/West/Wisconsin/Sun Sports)

7 p.m.
North Carolina at North Carolina State — ESPN/ESPN 3D (Dan Shulman/Dick Vitale/Shannon Spake)
USC at Arizona — ESPNU (Dave Flemming/Sean Farnham)
Washington at Oregon — Pac-12 Network (Ted Robinson/Ernie Kent)

8 p.m.
LaSalle at Virginia Commonwealth — CBS Sports Network (Brad Johansen/Steve Wolf)
Florida at Mississippi State — ESPN2 (Dave Lamont/Kara Lawson)
Mississippi at Auburn — Fox Sports Net-regional (Detroit/South/Southwest Plus/West/Sun Sports)

8:30 p.m.
McNeese State at Oral Roberts — Fox College Sports Pacific

10:30 p.m.
BYU at Portland — ESPN2 (Roxy Bernstein/Steve Cleveland)

Sunday, January 27

noon
Seton Hall at St. John’s — Big East Network (Eamon McAnaney/Jim Spanarkel)
Lafayette at Lehigh — CBS Sports Network (Bob Socci/Chris Spatola)

1 p.m.
Virginia Tech at Clemson — ACC Network
Michigan State at Indiana — CBS (Kevin Harlan/Greg Anthony)

Women’s: Penn State at Ohio State — Big Ten Network
Women’s: Florida at Georgia — CSS
Women’s: TCU at Texas Tech — Fox Sports Net-national
Women’s: Boston College at Duke — Fox Sports Net-regional (Arizona Plus/Carolina/Detroit Plus/Florida/Prime Ticket/San Diego/South/Tennessee/Sun Sports/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/NESN)

1:30 p.m.
Women’s: St. John’s at Louisville — ESPNU

2 p.m.
Rutgers at UConn — Big East Network (Kevin Connors/Tim Welsh)

Women’s: Xavier at Richmond — CBS Sports Network (John Sadak/Julianne Viani)
Women’s: North Carolina at Miami — ESPN2
Women’s: Vanderbilt at Alabama — SEC Network

3 p.m.
Women’s: LSU at Kentucky — CSS/Fox Sports Arizona Plus/Fox Sports Detroit Plus/Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Prime Ticket/SportSouth

3:30 p.m.
Iowa at Purdue — Big Ten Network
Cal at Colorado — Fox Sports Net-national

Women’s: Missouri at Texas A&M — ESPNU

4 p.m.
Women’s: Fresno State at Colorado State — CBS Sports Network (Rich Cellini/Tammy Blackburn)
Women’s: Purdue at Michigan State — ESPN2

5 p.m.
Women’s: Oregon at Washington — Pac-12 Network (Anne-Marie Anderson/Ros Gold-Unwude)

6 p.m.
Michigan at Illinois — Big Ten Network
Florida State at Miami (FL) — ESPNU (Carter Blackburn/Jay Williams/Allison Williams)

7 p.m.
Women’s: Colorado at Stanford — Pac-12 Network (Krista Blunk/Mary Murphy)

8 p.m.
George Mason at Northeastern — Comcast SportsNet (Mid-Atlantic/New England/Philadelphia)/CSS
Creighton at Southern Illinois — ESPNU (Mitch Holthus/Mark Adams)

9 p.m.
Stanford at Utah — Pac-12 Network (Ted Robinson/Ernie Kent)

Friday’s Viewing Picks

College Basketball
Men’s
Loyola (MD) at Manhattan — ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Wisconsin-Green Bay at Milwaukee — ESPNU, 9 p.m.

Women’s
Arizona at UCLA — Pac-12 Network, 9 p.m.
Colorado at Cal — Pac-12 Network, 11 p.m.

College Football
College Football Live — ESPNU, 4 p.m.

College Hockey
Ferris State at Notre Dame– CBS Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.
Yale at Cornell — NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.
Bowling Green at Miami (OH) — STO, 7:30 p.m.
Michigan State at Minnesota — Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
Alaska-Anchorage at Wisconsin — Fox Sports Wisconsin Plus, 8 p.m.St. Cloud State at North Dakota — Fox College Sports Central, 8:30 p.m.

Golf
European PGA Tour: Qatar Masters, 3rd Round — Golf Channel, 4:30 a.m.
PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open, 2nd Round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.

NBA
San Antonio at Dallas — ESPN, 8 p.m.

NBA GameTime — NBA TV, 7 p.m.

NFL
NFL Live — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Playbook: Baltimore Ravens — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
Playbook: San Francisco 49ers — NFL Network, 8:30 p.m.

NHL
Carolina at Buffalo — Fox Sports Carolina/MSG Buffalo, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Boston — MSG Plus/NESN, 7 p.m.
Washington at New Jersey — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/MSG Network, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Detroit — NHL Network (US)/Fox Sports North/Fox Sports Detroit Plus, 7:30 p.m.
Ottawa at Tampa Bay — RDS/Sportsnet East/Sun Sports, 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Winnipeg — TSN/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 8 p.m.
Vancouver at Anaheim — Sportsnet Pacific/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network, 5 p.m.
NHL Tonight — NHL Network, 10 p.m.

Skiing
FIS Alpine World Cup, Kitzbuhel, Austria
Men’s Super G — Universal Sports, 9 a.m. (same day coverage)

Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 8:30 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, 9 a.m.
Hot Stove — MLB Network, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/NBC Sports Network, noon
Outside the Lines — ESPNews, 2 p.m.
SVP & Russillo — ESPNews, 2:30 p.m.
The Best of the Dan Patrick Show — NBC Sports Network, 4 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 6 p.m.
CNBC Sports Biz: Game On! — NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Sportfolio — Bloomberg, 9:30 p.m.
The Artie Lange Show — Audience Network (DirecTV), 10 p.m.
Lead Off — CBS Sports Network, midnight
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Tennis
Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia
Men’s Semifinal: Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray — ESPN, 3:30 p.m.

Entertainment
Nikita — The CW, 8 p.m.
Mrs. Doubtfire — AMC, 8 p.m.
Gold Rush: Pay Dirt: Pink Slip — Discovery, 8 p.m.
Hanna — HBO, 8 p.m.
Hot Shots! Part Deux — IFC, 8 p.m.
Stonehenge Decoded: Revealed — National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.
Taste in Translation: Game Day — Cooking Channel, 9 p.m.
Dateline NBC — NBC, 9 p.m.
Shakespeare Uncovered: Macbeth with Ethan Hawke (series premiere) — PBS, 9 p.m.
Gold Rush: The Merger — Discovery, 9 p.m.
Ancient Aliens: Secrets of the Tombs — H2, 9 p.m.
Desperate Measures: Spare the Rod … — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Easter Island Underworld: Revealed — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Spartacus: War of the Damned: Enemies of Rome (season premiere) — Starz, 9 p.m.
Ghost Adventures: Passport To Hell — Travel Channel, 9 p.m.
Killer Karaoke — truTV, 9 p.m.
Listening to You: The Who at Isle of Wight — VH1 Classic, 9 p.m.
Mystery Diners: Where’s the Beef? — Food Network, 10 p.m.
House Hunters: Cincinnati — HGTV, 10 p.m.
Portlandia: Off the Grid — IFC, 10 p.m.
Best Week Ever — VH1, 10 p.m.
Shakespeare Uncovered: The Comedies with Joely Richardson — PBS, 10 p.m.
Banshee — Cinemax, 10 p.m.
America Unearthed: Stonehenge in America — H2, 10 p.m.
Deadly Women: Brides of Blood — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
The Dead Files: Tormented-Westminster, Colorado — Travel Channel, 10 p.m.
20/20 — ABC, 10:01 p.m.
Bering Sea Gold: Gold Gettin’ Hound Dog — Discovery, 10:01 p.m.
Working Girls in Bed (series premiere) — Cinemax, 11 p.m.
Made in Milwaukee: Contemporary Kitchen Overhaul with a One of a Kind Table — DIY Network, 11 p.m.
The Brit List: Top 20 Women Who Date Across the Pond — BBC America, 11 p.m.
Quadrophenia: Can You See The Real Me? — VH1 Classic, 11 p.m.
Jimmy Kimmel Live — ABC, 11:35 p.m.

Lockout? What Lockout? Bruins-Rangers Becomes Most Watched NHL Game in NBC Sports Network History

The NHL lockout seems to have built anticipation for hockey. On Wednesday, NBC Sports Network began what it called “Wednesday Night Rivalry”, pitting the Boston Bruins against the New York Rangers. And while the B’s and Rangers haven’t been true rivals in decades thanks to the NHL’s division alignments, the teams did play a very exciting game that went to overtime.

NBC Sports Network saw an average audience of 956,000 viewers, the most watched NHL regular season game in the history of the network dating back to when it was previously known as Versus and then OLN before that. And it was the most watched regular season game on cable since 2002 when ESPN had the contract.

In the two home markets, Boston saw a 6.94 local rating, the second highest ever for a NHL game on NBCSN and New York received a 2.07 number which is the best-ever for the Big Apple for NBCSN.

Here’s the press release.

INAUGURAL “WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY” IS MOST-WATCHED NHL GAME IN NBC SPORTS NETWORK HISTORY

Bruins-Rangers OT Game Watched by 956,000 Viewers; Most-Watched Regular-Season Game on Cable in 11 Years
Through Four Games, NBC Sports Network’s NHL Viewership Up 53% vs. Last Year’s Season Average
New York & Boston Markets Post Record Ratings on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – Jan. 24, 2013 — This week’s inaugural Wednesday Night Rivalry game between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers from Madison Square Garden was watched by 956,000 viewers (0.53 HH rating), making it the most-watched NHL regular-season game in the network’s history*, dating back to the 2005-06 season. The previous record was set on opening night last season when 874,000 viewers (0.51 HH) tuned in to see the then-defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins take on the Philadelphia Flyers.

The contest (7:30-10:12 p.m. ET), won by the Rangers, 4-3, in overtime, was also the most-watched NHL regular-season game on any cable channel in 11 years, since ESPN drew 1.28 million for Sharks-Red Wings in 2002 (1/23/02). Wednesday night’s game peaked in the second period with 1.09 million viewers from 8:45-9 p.m. ET.

Locally, New York scored a 2.07 HH rating, the market’s highest-ever rating for an NHL regular-season game on NBC Sports Network. Boston received a 6.94 HH rating, the second-highest regular-season Bruins game ever on NBC Sports Network, behind only last season’s opening night game against the Flyers (7.39 HH rating). NBC Sports Network was the No. 1 rated network overall in Boston from 7:30-10:15 p.m. ET, and the No. 2 cable network in New York during that time.

Through four games this season, NBC Sports Network is averaging 507,000 viewers, up 53% compared to the 2011-12 season average of 332,000, and up 27% compared to the first four games last season (398,000).

*NBC Sports Network was previously known as VERSUS (2006-2011) and OLN before that.

That’s it.

CNN/Turner Sports Hires ESPN’s Rachel Nichols

Well, this is an interesting hire by CNN/Turner Sports. We haven’t seen regular sports coverage on CNN since the demise of the late, great nightly Sports Tonight that was co-anchored by Nick Charles and Fred Hickman. Now comes word that CNN and Turner have hired reporter Rachel Nichols. She’ll be utilized by CNN right away for the Super Bowl. In addition, she’ll anchor a weekend show focusing on sports personalities. CNN says that show will premiere later this year.

For Turner Sports, Rachel will be seen regularly on its NBA and MLB coverage. I imagine that she’ll also be seen on CBS/Turner’s NCAA Tournament coverage as well.

And for CNN, she’ll cover the Olympics, so Rachel will be CNN’s Sports Department.

We have the official joint CNN/Turner Sports announcement.

RACHEL NICHOLS JOINS CNN AND TURNER SPORTS

Nichols Will Anchor New Weekend CNN Sports Program and Report for Turner Sports Across Television and Digital Platforms

CNN and Turner Sports have hired veteran ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols, it was announced today by Jeff Zucker, President, CNN Worldwide, and David Levy, President, Sales, Distribution & Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Nichols will serve as a sports reporter for CNN and Turner Sports and will anchor a new weekend sports program on CNN/U.S. beginning later this year. Her CNN program will focus on the most interesting stories and personalities in the world of sports. In her role with Turner Sports, Nichols will handle a wide variety of assignments across the division’s vast sports properties including the NBA and Major League Baseball. Additionally, Nichols will cover all major sporting events, including the Olympics for CNN. Her first assignment will be the Super Bowl in New Orleans.

“We’re just thrilled that a sports journalist of Rachel’s stature and expertise will now be a regular part of the CNN lineup,” said Zucker. “Her arrival, beginning next week, is an important step in expanding the range of programming and storytelling on CNN.”

“Rachel is a high profile talent and skilled reporter and we are proud to have her join the Turner Broadcasting family,” said Levy. “Rachel’s broadcast experience covering a wide variety of assignments including breaking news, major sports events, human interest features and investigative pieces will be a perfect fit across Turner Sports’ many properties and platforms.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the CNN and Turner Sports family,” said Nichols. “I believe in Jeff’s vision for CNN, and have always admired the great work of Turner Sports and what David has done there. I’m looking forward to getting started at the Super Bowl.”

Prior to joining CNN and Turner Sports, Nichols spent nine years at ESPN, working as a correspondent for SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, NBA Countdown and the network’s newsmagazine show, E:60, as well performing sideline duties on a number of Monday Night Football broadcasts. Earlier in her career, Nichols worked as a reporter for the Washington Post and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.

A native of Potomac, Maryland, Nichols received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

Overall, a very good hire by Turner Broadcasting.

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m.: ESPN has issued a statement through spokesman Josh Krulewitz: