Using New York City’s Herald Square and Times Square as backdrops, ESPN will provide some 115 hours of TV and radio programming involving Super Bowl XLVIII next week. ESPN’s main set will be at Herald Square in front of the famous Macy’s department store. Another set will be at ABC’s Times Square Studios were ESPN’s radio shows and SportsCenter will be housed.
ESPN is bringing the lot to New York for the Super Bowl. SportsCenter, NFL Insiders, NFL Live, Pardon the Interruption, Mike and Mike, SVP & Russillo, Colin Cowherd will all originate from the Big Apple for the week.
The Super Bowl edition of Sunday NFL Countdown will be live from both Herald Square in New York and the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey.
Here’s the ESPN rundown of what it will be doing for Super Bowl Week.
ESPN at Super Bowl XLVIII
More Than 115 Hours of TV and Radio from NYC
Analysis from ESPN NFL commentators with a combined 17 Super Bowl Rings, 29 AppearancesESPN’s weeklong coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII begins Monday, Jan. 27, at 6 a.m. ET when ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike kicks off 115 hours of TV and radio programming from New York City. Shows will originate from Herald Square and Times Square Studios through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2, when Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos face Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
ESPN’s Production Setup
ESPN’s main set is located at Herald Square on 34th and Broadway – in front of Macy’s department store, and a majority of the Super Bowl week programming will originate from there. The production includes a 32-by-32 foot main stage, a demo field for Sunday NFL Countdown, two robotic cameras affixed to the roof of Macy’s as well as multiple monitors and audio so fans can gather and watch shows live, free of charge. ESPN’s secondary set, located at Times Square Studios, will host morning SportsCenter segments as well as ESPN Radio’s SVP & Russillo, among other programs.
Super Bowl Sunday NFL Countdown (Feb. 2, 10 a.m., ESPN):
Chris Berman hosts a special four-hour edition of ESPN’s popular pregame show with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter (Herald Square); and Suzy Kolber, Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis and Steve Young (New Jersey). Reporters Ed Werder (covering Seahawks), Sal Paolantonio (Broncos) and Josina Anderson will also have live updates on the teams. More details about Countdown will be announced during Super Bowl week.
ESPN Super Bowl Week Programming Highlights
- SportsCenter: Hannah Storm will host daily morning editions of SportsCenter from Times Square Studios — and from NFL Media Day (Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.) on Tuesday, Jan. 28; Steve Levy (6 p.m.) and Stuart Scott (11 p.m.) will host nightly editions from Herald Square.
- SportsCenter Specials (M-F, 2:30-3 p.m., ESPN): Originating from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Conn., these 30-minute weekday shows will feature a rotation of NFL analysts, including Herm Edwards, Tim Hasselbeck, Jeff Saturday and Damien Woody. Kevin Connors will host the show on Monday and Tuesday and Jonathan Coachman will host Wednesday through Friday.
- NFL Insiders (M-F, 3-4 p.m., ESPN): NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen, Adam Schefter and six-time NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian, who drafted Peyton Manning as the Indianapolis Colts President, provide NFL updates and analysis. Suzy Kolber hosts the show Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from Herald Square. Wendi Nix serves as host on Wednesday.
- NFL Live (M-F, 4-5 p.m., ESPN): Trey Wingo hosts from Herald Square with a rotation of NFL analysts, including Tedy Bruschi, Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, Merril Hoge, Ron Jaworski, Ray Lewis and Mark Schlereth.
- PTI: Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon bring their show to Times Square Studios on Friday, Jan. 31 (5:30 p.m., ESPN).
- NBA Countdown: Host Sage Steele and analysts Doug Collins and Bill Simmons host NBA Countdown from Times Square Studios on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, leading into the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets telecast from the nearby Barclays Center (8 p.m., ESPN). On Saturday, Feb. 1, the New York Knicks host the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat and reigning MVP LeBron James at Madison Square Garden. Coverage begins at 8:30 p.m.
- Olbermann: Keith Olbermann hosts his late-night sports show from Times Square Studios. The show airs Monday through Friday at 11 p.m. on ESPN2, except for Wednesday when it airs on ESPNEWS.
- Complete Super Bowl Week Schedule
ESPN Audio
Four of ESPN Audio’s top shows will provide 65 hours of national programming from New York throughout Super Bowl XLVIII week, Monday, Jan. 27, through Friday, January 31. Full release. Schedule:
- Mike & Mike (M-F, 6-10 a.m., simulcast on ESPN2): Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, hosts of ESPN Radio’s popular national morning show, will kick off ESPN’s week in New York from Herald Square, site of Super Bowl Boulevard.
- The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Cowherd will also be live from Herald Square with his daily radio show from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Herd is simulcast daily on ESPNU.
- SVP & Russillo: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo will host the daily SVP & Russillo from 1-4 p.m. (simulcast on ESPNEWS until 3 p.m.) from Times Square Studios all week.
- Sedano & Stink: Hosts Jorge Sedano and ESPN NFL analyst and Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth will broadcast live from Radio Row at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan (M-F, 7-10 p.m.)
All national ESPN Radio studio shows are available on ESPN Radio, espnradio.com, ESPN Radio app and on Sirius XM. In addition to live broadcasts of ESPN’s national radio shows, there will also be extensive local coverage from ESPN NY 98.7 FM (WEPN-FM). Schedule:
- The Mike Lupica Show: Longtime New York sports columnist Mike Lupica will broadcast his show from Radio Row at the Sheraton (M–F, 12-1 p.m.).
- Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show: Smith and Ruocco will broadcast daily from Bryant Park (1-3 p.m.).
- The Michael Kay Show: Kay’s show will air live from Bryant Park (M-F, 3-7 p.m.). NFL legend Joe Namath will join Kay and co-host Don La Greca on-set Friday, Jan. 31, at 5:30 p.m.
- Dave Rothenberg: Rothenberg will host his show from Radio Row on Monday, Jan. 27, from 7 p.m.-midnight and on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 4-6 p.m.
*The Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco Show as well as the Michael Kay Show will be open to the public and free to attend.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, ESPN NY 98.7 FM personality Robin Lundberg will host a Super Bowl preview show, live from New York City’s 50 Yard Lounge (One Penn Plaza, 33rd / 34th & 8th Ave). The late-night show kicks off immediately following the Knicks broadcast (8:30 p.m. on ESPN Radio and ESPN NY) and goes until 2 a.m. The broadcast is open to the public. Restaurant entry fees apply.
ESPN Radio’s lineup on Super Bowl Sunday includes The Ian O’Connor Show (7-9 a.m.), The Mike Lupica Show (9-11 a.m.), Countdown to Kickoff (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Coach and Company (1-4 p.m.) with Jonathan Coachman and former Broncos quarterback Danny Kanell. Additionally, Kay, La Greca and Ruocco will host a special three-hour pre-game show, Special Super Week, live from the 50 Yard Lounge, beginning at 11 a.m. The ESPN NY broadcast, which will be open to the public, will feature interviews and guests leading up to the game. Restaurant fees apply.
ESPN Digital
ESPN.com’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII will be featured on Page 1, the main NFL page, NFL Nation, ESPN Insider and on Super Bowl Central. The site will provide analysis, commentary, breaking news, chats and more throughout the week leading up to the game, as well as in-depth game coverage. ESPN.com’s roster of journalists includes NFL senior writer John Clayton, NFL columnist Ashley Fox, senior writers Elizabeth Merrill, Jeffri Chadiha and Greg Garber, NFL Nation reporters Jeff Legwold and Terry Blount, Dan Graziano, Stephania Bell and more. They will provide insight, commentary, breaking news and analysis of all facets of the Super Bowl XLVIII matchup. In addition, Ian O’Connor, Jane McManus and Kieran Darcy will provide analysis and commentary on ESPN New York, which will feature a Super Bowl XLVIII blog and frequent weather-related updates. Highlights:
- Hot Read by Ian O’Connor of ESPN New York: Long before he elevated the Packers — and the world — with his wisdom, Super Bowl-winning coach Vince Lombardi taught and coached at St. Cecilia High School in New Jersey. O’Connor, an alumnus of St. Cecilia, interviewed former students, now in their late 80s and early 90s, who played for Lombardi at St. Cecilia in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
- Hot Read by Greg Garber: The forecast for the game could include snow and freezing temperatures. Garber will post a guide to cold-weather quarterbacking.
- NFL Nation Confidential Player Surveys: Results of “Player you’d most like to see in the Super Bowl,” “Coach You’d Most Like to Play For,” and more. ESPN.com’s NFL Nation reporters interviewed more than 320 players for the surveys.
- Wish You Were Here: A selection of the 25 greatest and most compelling players who never appeared in a Super Bowl and their closest opportunity to reach the big game.
- Whoops!: A look back on the infamous Wardrobe Malfunction at Super Bowl XXXVIII.
- Predictions, Predictions and More Predictions: An annual Super Bowl prediction package with thoughts from celebrities, ESPN writers and personalities.
- Clutch Drives: Garber explores the anatomy of clutch fourth-quarter drives, which have decided several Super Bowls.
- In-Depth Game Coverage: Analysis posted just minutes after the game ends, including Rapid Reactions, grades for each team and best-worsts for the game. In addition, fans may interact with journalists on the scene in New York and New Jersey before and after the game.
- espnW.com will have behind-the-scenes coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII, including stories from espnW contributors Kate Fagan and Jane McManus, player features and more. Contributor Sarah Spain will provide coverage from the red carpet at ESPN THE PARTY and co-host an episode of The Word from Herald Square alongside Fagan and McManus.
ESPN Mobile will provide on-the-go alerts, updates and news throughout the game. Additionally, fans can access the latest action through the ESPN mobile website and up-to-the-minute news and scores via the ESPN SportsCenter mobile app.
ESPN International
ESPN International will present Super Bowl XLVIII live to more than 52 million households in 56 countries and territories throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim. Commentary and analysis will be provided in four languages — English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Highlights:
- The game will be seen in HD in Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Brazil, the Caribbean and Canada.
- Spanish language coverage features a team of seven reporters/analysts in New York/New Jersey. Alvaro Martin (play-by-play), N.Y. Giants Super Bowl-winning kicker Raul Allegre (analyst) and John Sutcliffe (sideline reporter) will call the Super Bowl, while Ciro Procuna, Eduardo Varela, Pablo Viruega and Mauricio Pedroza will host reports throughout daily NFL Esta Noche specials, SportsCenter, Radio Formula, Nacion ESPN, #Redes and Los Capitanes.
- Live coverage on Super Bowl Sunday in Latin America will begin at 3 p.m. with an extended pre-game NFL Esta Noche: Previo Super Bowl XLVIII EN VIVO followed by a live telecast of the Super Bowl at 5 p.m.
- Spanish digital coverage will feature ESPN commentator live chats, video and complete coverage from New York/New Jersey on ESPN.com and via social media on Facebook and Twitter. New this year to ESPN’s Spanish digital coverage, is ESPN Sync, a second screen application that provides viewers with an interactive fan experience.
- ESPN Brasil will feature Portuguese coverage with Everaldo Marques, Paulo Antunes and Andre Kfouri on the live Super Bowl XLVIII broadcast and reporting for Semana NFL, The Book is On the Table, Abre o Jogo (pre-game show) and SportsCenter Brasil.
- ESPN Pacific Rim will feature Jason Bennett and ex-NFL punter Darren Bennett, a native of Australia, hosting Aussies Abroad Super Bowl Pre-Game Special, as well as a five-hour marathon featuring NFL Films highlights of the best Super Bowls of all time.
- English-speaking ESPN networks in the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim will feature ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and U.S. network coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII.
- RDS Canada will provide French coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m.
- ESPN will distribute the Super Bowl to over 65 movie theaters located throughout Mexico and Brazil.
ESPN Deportes
ESPN Deportes Radio, the only around-the-clock national Spanish-language sports radio network in the U.S., will present, for the first time, coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII live from MetLife Stadium. Coverage kicks off at 3 p.m. with a three-hour Super Bowl preview from the stadium with the analysis of Kenneth Garay, Sebastian Christensen, Eduardo Martell, Carlos Arratia and Marcelo Sandrin. Game coverage starts at 6 p.m. with Garay (play-by-play) alongside Christensen (analysis) in the booth and Sandrin reporting from the field.
ESPN Deportes Radio will also present week-long news and information coverage leading up to the event starting Monday, January 27, at 6 a.m. Programming includes ESPN al Despertar and Zona ESPN.
ESPN Deportes Television will offer comprehensive coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII via its renowned team of experts including Alvaro Martin, Raul Allegre, Eduardo Varela, Pablo Viruega, Mauricio Pedroza and Karin Ontiveros, who will be reporting from New York all week. Coverage includes live segments on SportsCenter, Los Capitanes, Nación ESPN, NFL Semanal and #Redes.
ESPNDeportes.com will provide complete reporting and highlights from New York all week, including daily live streaming segments, press conferences, news and updates and analysis reports on both teams. Fans can also follow the action via social media using #SB48ESPN.
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN is hosting its 10th annual Super Bowl party, rebranded ESPN THE PARTY, on Friday, Jan. 31, in New York City. In conjunction with the release of ESPN The Magazine’s MUSIC issue, the event will celebrate the love affair between sports and music. ESPN THE PARTY will feature live special performances by 2014 Grammy Award Nominees Robin Thicke and Kendrick Lamar along with music by Multiple Grammy Award Winner Jermaine Dupri. ESPN will take over Lower Manhattan’s Pier 36/Basketball City — just a few miles from MetLife Stadium, host of Super Bowl XLVIII — to create its signature annual Super Bowl experience. The 70,000 square foot space will be transformed with “New York State of Mind” themed décor, including a 40-foot red carpet, bright lights, skyscrapers and a starry skyline. Guests can follow the action all night at ESPN’s Microsite www.espntheparty.com and use #ESPNTHEPARTY to chat with fans as well as athletes, celebs, brands, and VIPs in the house.
ESPN’s Social Integration Unit
Fans are invited to take part in Super Bowl XLVIII by engaging with ESPN’s NFL team on Facebook and Twitter via the following initiatives:
- Super Bowl Twitter Mega-Chat (Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.): ESPN NFL analysts and insiders and current and former NFL players will answer fan questions on Twitter. Participants should use #ESPNSBChat.
- NFL “Year in Review” Video (Monday): NFL Live host Trey Wingo recaps the NFL season’s top stories in less than three minutes.
- Facebook and Twitter Takeover (Tuesday-Thursday): ESPN NFL analysts will take over the NFL on ESPN Facebook page and the @ESPNNFL Twitter handle for 30 minutes at a time.
There you go.
