Fang's Bites

Andy Katz Re-Ups with ESPN

ESPN announces that college basketball inside Andy Katz has extended his contract with the alleged Worldwide Leader. In addition, the contract will expire in 2016 meaning he’ll be with ESPN for over 20 years.

He’s happy. ESPN’s happy. Here’s the official announcement.

ESPN Extends Andy Katz Contract

ESPN has reached a contract extension with college basketball reporter Andy Katz to continue his multi-platform role for ESPN.com and ESPN networks. The multi-year agreement will see Katz to a more than 20-year career at ESPN.

Katz, who joined ESPN in 1999, will continue his daily written and video contributions as senior college basketball writer for ESPN.com, in addition to contributions for ESPN the Magazine. After the debut of his weekly show, Katz Korner, and hosting The Experts on ESPNU, his role on ESPN networks will continue to expand in both a reporting and hosting capacity for Outside the Lines on ESPN. His reporting role will also continue courtside, as well as in studio, during college basketball games.

Katz is set to continue his ESPN Audio initiatives, collaborating with college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg in a podcast series that re-airs on ESPN Radio Saturday mornings.

“Across every ESPN platform, Andy continues to be an invaluable asset to our coverage of NCAA basketball and the NBA Draft,” said Patrick Stiegman, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, ESPN.com. “No one works harder than Andy, and that shows in his work for ESPN.”

Added Katz, “This is home for me and my family now.  I put tremendous value on the people I work for and with at ESPN. This new contract gives me the chance to explore even more opportunities that simply are not possible at other places. I feel fortunate to work with so many pros from editors to producers to cameramen and everyone else involved in a show or story. The first 14 years here have been rewarding and challenging and I expect the next few years to be similar, with even more room for growth.”

That’s it.

TBS Begins Airing The NCAA Final Four Next Year

This coming from the CBS/Turner Sports NCAA Tournament consortium. Starting next year, TBS will get a bigger role in March Madness. It will split the Regional Finals with CBS and for the next two years, air the National Semifinal games while CBS airs the National Championship Game. Then in 2016, TBS will both the Final Four and National Championship. CBS will get the events the following year and then the two networks will alternate carrying Final Four weekend until 2024 when the current TV contract ends.

Something like this had been expected. So 2013 marks the end of CBS’ 32 year run of airing the Final Four and National Championship exclusively. When Turner signed on as a partner in 2011, it said it wanted to air the Final Four, not just take the early rounds, so it will finally achieve that goal next season.

At least for 2014 and 2015, I would expect the announcing team of Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr to remain on the Final Four and National Championship with Turner making a tweak when it gets the weekend exclusively in 2016.

Here’s the press release.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS ANNOUNCE PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE FOR 2014 AND 2015 NCAA FINAL FOUR^® AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

TBS to Televise NCAA FINAL FOUR^® National Semi-Final Games and
CBS Sports to Broadcast National Championship Games
CBS and TBS to Split ‘Elite Eight’ Coverage Beginning Next Year
TBS to Televise 2016 FINAL FOUR and National Championship Game and
CBS to Broadcast 2017 FINAL FOUR and National Championship Game, Alternating Through 2024

CBS Sports and Turner Sports have announced the programming schedule for their exclusive joint television coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in 2014 and 2015. In each of the two years, TBS will televise the NCAA Final Four national semi-finals and CBS will broadcast the NCAA National Championship game.

Additionally, beginning in 2014 through 2024, coverage of the Regional Semi-finals and Regional Finals games will be split by TBS and CBS. Earlier round coverage of the tournament will continue to be televised across four national television networks – CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV with the First Four® airing exclusively on truTV.

In 2010, Turner Sports and CBS Sports entered into a 14-year exclusive media rights partnership with the NCAA to present the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship from 2011-2024. As part of that agreement, CBS Sports and Turner Sports will alternate coverage of the Final Four national semi-final games and National Championship game between TBS and CBS. The rotation begins on TBS with the network televising the Final Four and National Championship in 2016 with CBS broadcasting the games in 2017.

“Since the inception of our partnership, I don’t think we could have envisioned such a seamless collaboration between our two companies both in front of and behind the cameras,” said David Levy, president of Sales, Distribution and Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “Coming off another incredible year of strong ratings and exciting games, the popularity of the NCAA Tournament and Final Four continues to resonate with fans across the country. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to televise the Final Four national semi-final games and two of the Elite Eight games on TBS beginning next year, and for the network to televise its first National Championship game in 2016.”

“From the beginning, our partnership with Turner Sports has exceeded every one of our expectations,” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “Today’s news represents another win-win arrangement that continues to help us extend the reach of this marquee property by combining the resources of our two organizations. As we have done since 1982, CBS is pleased to showcase the National Championship game in 2014 and 2015.”

Turner Sports and CBS Sports recently concluded their third year of exclusive coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship. The 2013 tournament across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV was the most-watched NCAA Tournament in 19 years, averaging 10.7 million total viewers, up 11% from last year’s 9.6 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

That’s all for now.

ESPN and the SEC Unveil the SEC Network

This from ESPN and the Southeastern Conference. The two entities have partnered to form the cable-based SEC Network which will begin operation in August 2014.

The new SEC Network will air more than 1,000 conference events including 45 football games, 100 men’s and 60 women’s college basketball games, 75 baseball, as well as softball and various Olympic sports like gymnastics, track & field and other events.

All 14 member schools will be showcased on the new network. At the outset, AT&T U-Verse has signed up to carry the SEC Network. Other cable and satellite carriage agreements will be announced later.

The SEC Network will be based out of the ESPN Regional Television offices in Charlotte, NC.

ESPN will operate the SEC Network for 20 years and as a result, the Alleged Worldwide Leader’s rights agreement with the SEC will extend to 2034. So ESPN will be associated with the SEC well into the 21st Century.

We have the press release below.

The Southeastern Conference and ESPN Announce new TV Network and Digital Platform

20-Year Agreement and Rights Extension through 2034; AT&T U-verse Will Distribute the Network at Launch

The Southeastern Conference and ESPN have signed a 20-year agreement through 2034 to create and operate a multiplatform network, which will launch in August 2014, it was announced today by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive and ESPN President John Skipper. The new network and its accompanying digital platform will air SEC content 24/7 including more than 1,000 events in its first year.

The network will televise approximately 45 SEC football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, and events from across the SEC’s 21 sports annually. Programming will also include studio shows, original content such as SEC Storied, spring football games, signing day and pro days coverage. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform. The network and its digital extensions will connect with each SEC institution and create opportunities for each school to produce and develop content.

“The SEC Network will provide an unparalleled fan experience of top quality SEC content presented across the television network and its accompanying digital platforms,” stated Slive. “We will increase exposure of SEC athletics programs at all 14 member institutions, as we showcase the incredible student-athletes in our league. The agreement for a network streamlines and completes an overall media rights package that will continue the SEC’s leadership for the foreseeable future.”

Each weekend throughout the season, the new network will air multiple top-tier matchups from the strongest conference in college football. Since 2006, the SEC has claimed seven consecutive football national championships. In 2011-12, SEC teams won eight national championships: football (Alabama), men’s basketball (Kentucky), gymnastics (Alabama), men’s indoor track and field (Florida), women’s tennis (Florida), women’s golf (Alabama), men’s outdoor track and field (Florida), and softball (Alabama). Since 1990, the SEC has won 149 national team championships for an average of more than six per year.

Skipper said, “The SEC is unmatched in its success on the field and its popularity with fans nationwide. The new network’s top-quality SEC matchups across a range of sports will serve all sports enthusiasts including the most passionate, die-hard SEC fans. Also, it will serve the needs of our multichannel distributors and advertisers by providing extremely attractive programming options across all platforms.”

As part of the agreement, ESPN will now oversee the SEC’s official Corporate Sponsor Program. In addition, ESPN and the SEC also agreed to extend their existing media rights agreement through 2034. ESPN has televised the SEC since 1982. ESPN’s existing networks present more than 1,600 hours of SEC action each year. The new network will focus exclusively on the SEC and add another outlet to deliver sports fans more SEC content than ever.

AT&T U-verse^® has been secured as the network’s first national distributor. AT&T U-verse is the fastest growing TV provider in the U.S. and their subscribers will have access to an unprecedented amount of SEC content across all platforms. Subscribers receiving the live linear network via a multichannel subscription will also have access to the network on PCs, tablets, smartphones and select gaming devices like Xbox. Additional games and coverage will be available through an authenticated digital offering. Fans looking to learn more about how to get the SEC Network can visit GetSECNetwork.com for more information.

“We are pleased to be involved with the SEC and ESPN at the very beginning of this great alliance,” said Jeff Weber, President of Content and Advertising Sales, AT&T. “As the fastest growing and most advanced pay TV service, we want to bring our customers the highest value and most compelling product that we possibly can. Access to the SEC Network, across multiple platforms, will only increase the demand for U-verse.”

ESPN’s Justin Connolly, formerly senior vice president, ESPN affiliate sales and marketing, will oversee the network’s day-to-day operations. The network will originate from ESPN’s Charlotte, N.C., offices with additional staff located at the company’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters. Staff announcements and additional details will be made in the coming months.

There it is for you.

A Couple of Mid-Week Sports Media Thoughts

I haven’t done a sports media thoughts post in quite some time. You’re owed some, so lets not waste any time. Two thoughts today with a promise I’ll provide more with some regularity down the road. They’re in bullet form as always.

• Bizarre story that broke on Tuesday through Boston Sports Media Watch that Red Sox Radio Network host and fill-in announcer Jon Rish is leaving later this month. It’s a sad story that Rish has to leave a dream job over a proposed 30% pay cut by flagship station WEEI. As Rish told the Boston Globe’s Chad Finn, he could see the writing on the wall and started preparing for the future. Rish has four children and wants to plan for the future so he’s getting out of the radio business and becoming a software developer.

  It’s too bad that Rish had to make that decision, but with WEEI in dire straights, I can understand his thinking. As someone who has worked in radio and seen all types of cost cutting through personnel, salaries, benefits and other measures, it’s the rank and file who suffer, not the executives. Rish leaves just as the season begins, but as I wrote on Tuesday, the behind-the-scenes jockeying by management can be taxing on the workers, no matter what the job is. Rish says he had to think of his family and he’s at peace with his decision. Not many people have the opportunity to leave radio on their own terms. It seems Rish has done exactly that. Here’s wishing him nothing but the best as he goes on a new career path.

• The NCAA Tournament is over and as CBS/Turner Sports crow over a successful three week period that brought the highest viewership in almost two decades, there are some items upon which the CBS/Turner consortium can improve.

  First, cut down on the clutter in the studio. Charles Barkley told the New York Daily News that he’s overexposed during the Tournament and would like to cut his workload especially during the Second Round games. I wholeheartedly endorse this. In fact, let’s jettison Chuck out of the Tournament altogether. The Charles Barkley-Kenny Smith experiment on the NCAA Tournament just isn’t working. Keep Ernie Johnson, Jr. in the Atlanta studio and have him work with coaches and Steve Smith. In New York, reunite Greg Gumbel with Greg Anthony and Seth Davis. That trio works well together.

  Do not, do not, do not, do not bring Doug Gottlieb back to the studio. If he has to have a role, keep him on game analysis. It’s the lesser of two evils for the American people. If the viewing public has to be subjected to Gottlieb, then keep him at game sites where he can do less damage.

  If TBS is going to air the Final Four in 2014 as reported, let’s hope Turner won’t place Reggie Miller at courtside with Marv Albert and Steve Kerr. And I wouldn’t mind having Craig Sager and Rachel Nichols as reporters if Turner plans to put its stamp on the event.

  And why not bring Bill Walton over from Dial Global as a studio analyst?

That’s it.

2013 NCAA Tournament is the Most-Watched Since 1994

CBS/Turner Sports is certainly happy about this year’s NCAA Tournament. The average rating for the 67 games on CBS/TBS/TNT/tru TV was 6.7 with a 14 share. That’s up 10% from 2012′s 6.1/13. It’s the highest average rating for the tournament dating back to 2005 when the entire run was solely on CBS.

The average viewership was an impressive 10.7 million which is up 11% from 9.6 million in 2012. And it’s the highest average viewership  in 19 years which was 11.2 million.

For the National Championship Game on Monday night, CBS saw the fast national household rating resulting in 14.0/22 which is up big from last year’s 12.3/19. And the average viewership was 23.4 million which is in comparison on a par with the best Sunday Night Football audiences.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is Most-Watched Tournament in 19 Years

2013 Championship Game Scores with Double Digit Increases in Rating and Viewers
Louisville’s Win Delivers Rating/Share of 14.0/22 and 23.4 Million Total Viewers

The 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV is the most-watched NCAA Tournament in 19 years, according to Nielsen.  The 2013 NCAA Tournament averaged 10.7 million total viewers, up 11% from last year’s 9.6 million total viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament in 19 years (11.2 million; 1994).

The National Championship game, which saw Louisville defeat Michigan on CBS on Monday, April 8, earned an average fast national household rating/share of 14.0/22, up 14% from last year’s 12.3/19 (Kentucky-Kansas). The National Championship game averaged 23.4 million viewers, up 12% from last year’s 20.9 million.

The championship game coverage peaked in HH rating/share with a 16.1/27 and average viewers with 27.1 million, from 11-11:30 p.m. ET.

Coverage for the entire 2013 NCAA Tournament across Turner Sports and CBS Sports averaged a HH rating/share of 6.7/14, up 10% from last year’s 6.1/13, and is the highest average NCAA Tournament rating in eight years (6.9/15; 2005).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/09/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/02/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

Quite impressive.

Overnight Ratings for 2013 NCAA Championship Up Big Over 2012

After three weeks of increased ratings for the NCAA Tournament and the Final Four, the Championship Game gave CBS/Turner a very nice cherry on top of the cake with a big overnight rating. Thanks to a game that was compelling, exciting and went down to the final minutes, Louisville-Michigan garnered a big 14.3 overnight number with a 23 share, up a huge 18% from last year’s 12.1/19 for Kentucky-Kansas. Last night’s numbers were the highest for the NCAA Championship Game since 2010.

Overall, this year’s tournament finished at a 7.2/15 up 9% from 2012′s tournament.

In the local markets, the highest-rated were Louisville with a huge 54.0/70 and Detroit with 33.5/47. Rounding out the top five were Columbus, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FEATURING LOUISVILLE OVER MICHIGAN SCORES 14.3/23 RATING/SHARE IN METERED MARKETS, UP 18%

Overall 2013 NCAA Tournament Across Turner Sports and CBS Sports Delivers 7.2/15 Average Rating, Up 9%

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship game on Monday, April 8, which saw Louisville beat Michigan on CBS, delivered an average overnight household rating/share of 14.3/23, up 18% versus last year’s 12.1/19, according to Nielsen.

The overall 2013 NCAA Tournament average-to-date rating in the metered markets scored a 7.2/15, up 9% from a 6.6/14 in 2012. The 7.2/15 tied with 2011 as the highest overall average for the NCAA Tournament in eight years (7.3/14; 2005).

The 2013 NCAA Championship game rating/share peaked at 17.3/32 rating from 11:30-11:45 PM, ET.

Top five rated metered markets: 

1. Louisville – 54.0/70
2. Detroit – 33.5/47
3. Columbus, Ohio – 26.4/40
4. Indianapolis – 25.1/39
5. Cincinnati – 24.7/38

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/08/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/09/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

We’ll have the final numbers later today.

One Shining Moment — 2013

After a great game between Michigan and Louisville, won by the Cardinals, we always wait for CBS’ annual version of “One Shining Moment.” This year was no disappointment. Glad that it’s available early. Normally, I’ve waited in the neighborhood of an hour to post it. Take a look at it. And of course, Kevin Ware is part of the video. Enjoy.

Thanks to college basketball for giving us a great Final Four and now we await next season which will be quite different. And if the reports are correct, this will end CBS’ 32 consecutive year streak of airing the Final Four as TBS is hoping to produce the event in 2014. But let’s celebrate the 2012-13 college basketball season and look forward to another great season starting in November.

[Awful Announcing]

CBS/Turner Sees Ratings and Viewership Increase for the Final Four

CBS/Turner Sports has a reason to crow as this year’s NCAA Tournament has become a ratings bonanza. And thanks to two compelling games last night, the ratings for the Men’s Final Four^® received an average rating of 9.4 with an 18 share, up four percent from last year’s 9.0/17.

Average viewership for the game 15.7 million viewers, up slightly from last year’s 15.26 million.

For Louisville-Wichita State, the numbers were 8.7/18 and 14.468 million viewers.

And for Michigan-Syracuse, the game saw a 10.2/18 and 17.1 million viewers. Both numbers quite impressive for a Saturday night.

The overall numbers are the highest for the Final Four on CBS since 2005.

Here’s what CBS/Turner is saying about the ratings.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ FINAL FOUR COVERAGE IS HIGHEST-RATED AND MOST-WATCHED IN EIGHT YEARS

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is Most-Watched and Highest-Rated Tournament-to-Date Since 2005

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four^® on CBS on Saturday, April 6, earned an average fast national household rating/share of 9.4/18, up 4% from last year’s 9.0/17, and is the highest-rated Final Four in eight years (10.5/19 in 2005), based on Nielsen Fast Nationals.

The 2013 Final Four averaged 15,702,000 total viewers, up 3% from last year’s 15,256,000 total viewers, which is the highest viewership average for the two Final Four games since 2005 (16,647,000 for Illinois/Louisville and North Carolina/Michigan State).

The first game, Louisville beating Wichita State, earned an average household rating/share of 8.7/18 and 14,468,000 total viewers, both up 4% from last year’s 8.4/17 and 13,908,000 total viewers.

The second game featuring Michigan’s victory over Syracuse delivered a 10.2/18, up 6% from last year’s 9.6/17. The corresponding 17,104,000 total viewers are up 3% compared with last year’s 16,603,000 total viewers.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is averaging 10,174,000 total viewers-to-date, up 10% from last year’s 9,213,000 total viewers, and is the highest viewership average for the NCAA Tournament through the Final Four in eight years (10,183,000 in 2005).

The 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship has delivered the best overall tournament-to-date ratings since 2005. The overall tournament average-to-date rating/share is a 6.4/13, up 8% from last year’s 5.9/12. The 6.4/13 is the highest average rating for the NCAA Tournament through the Final Four in eight years (6.6/14 in 2005).

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 04/06/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/31/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round. 

That is all.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 04/06 & 04/07/2013, All Times Eastern

Saturday, April 6

Pregame & Studio Shows
The Best of College Basketball 2013 — CBS, 1 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 1:30 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Fandemonium — CBS, 3 p.m.
CNN All Access at the Final Four — CNN, 3 p.m.
College GameDay live from Atlanta, GA — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Human Highlight Reel — CBS, 3:30 p.m.
The Final Four Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 11:30 p.m.
Inside March Madness — truTV, 11:30 p.m.

Men’s
NCAA Division I Championship, Atlanta, GANational Semifinals
Louisville vs. Wichita State — CBS, 6:09 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg/Steve Kerr//Tracy Wolfson)
Michigan vs. Syracuse — CBS, approximately 8:49 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg/Steve Kerr//Tracy Wolfson)

Women’s
Women’s National Invitation Tournament
Championship
Utah at Drexel — CBS Sports Network, 3 p.m.

Sunday, April 7

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.

Men’s
NCAA Division II Championship, Atlanta, GA
Drury vs. Metro State — CBS, 4 p.m. (Tim Brando/Dan Bonner//Lewis Johnson)

NCAA Division III Championship, Atlanta, GA
Amherst vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor — CBS Sports Network, 12:30 p.m.

Women’s

Pregame & Studio Shows
NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four Special — ESPN, 6 p.m.

NCAA Division I Championship, New Orleans, LA
Cal vs. Louisville — ESPN, 6:30 p.m. (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke//Rebecca Lobo//Holly Rowe)
UConn vs. Notre Dame — ESPN, 9 p.m. (Dave O’Brien/Doris Burke//Rebecca Lobo/Holly Rowe)

CBS Airs NCAA Division II Men’s Championship on Sunday

CBS Sports continues its college basketball coverage on Sunday with live coverage of the NCAA Division II Men’s Championship live from Philips Arena in Atlanta. Metro State takes on Drury. Tim Brando and Dan Bonner will have the call with Lewis Johnson on the sidelines.

In addition, Greg Gumbel, Doug Gottlieb and Seth Davis will be on hand for the halftime festivities. The game takes the air at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Before that, CBS/Turner Sports offers taped coverage of the College All-Star Game at 2 p.m. ET.

Here’s the press release from CBS Sports.

CBS SPORTS HOOPS IT UP ON SUNDAY WITH NCAA DIVISION II MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

CBS Sports and Turner Sports Present Reese’s College All-Star Game

CBS Sports continues its live college basketball coverage from Atlanta on Sunday, April 7 with the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship and College All-Star game.

For the 23^rd consecutive year, CBS Sports broadcasts the NCAA Men’s Division II Basketball Championship. Metro State takes on Drury live from Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga. at 4:00 PM, ET.  Tim Brando, Dan Bonner and reporter Lewis Johnson call the action. Ken Mack produces and Andy Goldberg directs.

AT THE HALF, CBS Sports’ halftime studio show, hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Doug Gottlieb and Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis, provide all the day’s news, scores and highlights live from Phillips Arena. Eric Mann produces and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports present the College All-Star game (2:00 PM, ET; Taped 4/5) from the Georgia Dome featuring the top senior college basketball players. Turner Sports’ Matt Winer, Greg Anthony, Mike Gminski and reporter Tracy Wolfson are courtside to handle the call. Mack produces and Goldberg directs.

And ESPN’s coverage plans at the Women’s Final Four is next.

Dial Global Covers the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four

Dial Global Radio is back as radio rightsholder for the NCAA Men’s Final Four^®. The radio network will carry both National Semifinal games on Saturday and be back on Monday for the National Championship Game.

Kevin Kugler will call the play-by-play. He’ll be joined by Bill Raftery and John Thompson. Jim Gray will report from courtside. Hosting the pregame, halftime and postgame will be John Tautges. Bill Walton will be with Tautges and probably do another comedy act with Gray like they did last year.

Dial Global begins its broadcast on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with The Final Four Show. Then at 4:30 p.m., Dial Global gets set with more coverage leading up to the games which will tip off at 6:09 p.m. ET when Wichita State and Louisville square off.

On Sunday, Dial Global also airs the NCAA Division II Men’s Championship Game as well as the Women’s Final Four from New Orleans.

And on Monday, it will be the National Championship Game.

We have details from Dial Global.

DIAL GLOBAL PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE AUDIO COVERAGE OF THE NCAA FINAL FOUR^® AND THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

– Dial Global Will Present the Men’s and Women’s Final Four^® and Championship Games –
– Games Will be Heard on 500+ Radio Stations, SiriusXM, NCAA March Madness Live Mobile App, TuneIn Radio, and SlackerRadio, Plus Free Online Streaming at DialGlobalSports.com and NCAA.com –

NEW YORK, NY, April 4, 2013 –Dial Global, America’s leader in radio play-by-play sports, is proud to present exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four^® in Atlanta. Dial Global will also broadcast the Division II Men’s Basketball Championship game from Atlanta on Sunday, April 7, 2013, and originate three games of play-by-play coverage from the NCAA Women’s Final Four in New Orleans on April 7 and April 9, 2013.

Dial Global’s Final Four^® and Championship coverage will be heard on more than 500 radio stations nationwide and via SiriusXM satellite radio. Additionally, the games will also be streamed online for free at DialGlobalSports.com and NCAA.com/marchmadness, and available for fans on Apple and Android mobile devices via the NCAA March Madness Live app, as well as on TuneIn Radio and SlackerRadio.

On Saturday, April 6, the broadcast day tips off at 3:30pm ET with The Final Four Show. Game coverage begins at 4:30pm ET with (9) Wichita State vs. (1) Louisville, followed by (4) Syracuse vs. (4) Michigan. Dial Global Sports’ Kevin Kugler calls the play-by-play, with analysis from Hall of Famer and former Georgetown coach John Thompson and veteran college hoops analyst and former coach Bill Raftery. Jim Gray will be the courtside reporter. Former UCLA All-American and three-time NCAA Player of the Year Bill Walton contributes to the pregame and halftime shows. John Tautges hosts the pregame and halftime shows.

The winners of Saturday’s games meet for the championship game at the Georgia Dome on Monday night, April 8. Coverage tips off at 7pm ET with “Championship Monday.” Game coverage begins at 8pm ET.

On Sunday, April 7, at 3:45pm ET, Dial Global also presents coverage of the Men’s Division II Basketball Championship game between Drury and Metro State, live from Philips Arena in Atlanta. At the conclusion of the Division II game, Women’s Final Four^® coverage begins from the New Orleans Arena. (1) Connect vs. (1) Notre Dame will be followed by (5) Louisville vs. (2) California.

Howard Deneroff, SVP, Executive Producer, Dial Global Sports, said, “We look forward to the culmination of another great tournament and, on the 75 anniversary of March Madness, we hope to bring the listeners and fans many more memorable moments.”

During the course of the Tournament, Dial Global integrated its proprietary SoundHound for Radio mobile platform to engage listeners with branded content. Fans used SoundHound to listen to “Great Radio Calls in Tournament History,” a collection of 15 of Dial Global’s best tournament audio highlights, and voted on their favorites throughout the games. The winning call will be announced during the Men’s Championship game on Monday, April 8.

Dial Global also produces Great Moments in Tournament History, a 60-second daily historical feature narrated by Kevin Kugler.

Fans seeking more details, including exclusive audio content and a list of radio stations airing Dial Global’s broadcasts, can log on to DialGlobalSports.com.

Dial Global Sports is the exclusive provider of the NCAA Championships, including the NCAA Men’s Final Four® and Championship Game, as well as the NCAA Women’s Final Four^® and Championship Game, the Frozen Four®, the Lacrosse Championship and the Men’s and Women’s College World Series^®.

More college basketball plans from CBS and ESPN coming up.

SiriusXM All Over the NCAA Men’s Final Four

SiriusXM, the satellite radio partner of the NCAA will have live broadcasts through Tuesday from the NCAA Men’s Final Four. There will be live shows as well as the Dial Global game broadcasts for the National Semifinal and the National Championship Game.

We have details have SiriusXM.

SiriusXM Offers Special Coverage from Atlanta for the NCAA^® Final Four^® and National Championship

SiriusXM College Sports Nation features expert analysis from Bobby Cremins, Mateen Cleaves, Steve Lappas, Tom Brennan, Tim Brando and others
Final Four^® matchups – Louisville vs. Wichita St. and Syracuse vs. Michigan – and National Championship game will air live on SiriusXM channel 91

NEW YORK – April 4, 2013 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) will offer subscribers comprehensive coverage of this weekend’s NCAA Final Four^® and the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship game with live broadcasts from Atlanta through Tuesday, April 9.

SiriusXM College Sports Nation, channel 91, will showcase a daily lineup of shows featuring a remarkable cast of college basketball experts that includes three-time ACC Coach of the Year Bobby Cremins, Hall of Fame Michigan State guard Mateen Cleaves, two-time SEC Coach of the Year Bruce Pearl, former Villanova and UMass coach Steve Lappas, former University of Vermont coach Tom Brennan, plus Tim Brando, Mark Packer, Jeff Goodman and Jason Horowitz.

Hosts will broadcast from Bracket Town at the Georgia World Congress Center, Radio Row at the Georgia Dome and other locations around Atlanta.

On Saturday, April 6, SiriusXM’s Adam Schein and Mark Packer will team up for a special Final Four preview show (12–3:30 pm ET) live from Bracket Town that will be simulcast on SiriusXM College Sports Nation and Mad Dog Radio (channel 86).

SiriusXM College Sports Nation Schedule: (All times ET)

Saturday, April 6

• 10 am-12 pm: Inside College Basketball with Mateen Cleaves, Tom Brennan and Jason Horowitz from Bracket Town
• 12-3:30 pm: SiriusXM’s Final Four Roundtable with Adam Schein and Mark Packer from Bracket Town (This show will be simulcast on Mad Dog Radio, channel 86)
• 3:30-11 pm: Programming and play-by-play provided by Dial Global Sports
• 11 pm-2 am: College Sports Nation Postgame Show with Tom Brennan and Jason Horowitz

Sunday, April 7

• 9 am–12 pm: Inside College Basketball with Jeff Goodman from Radio Row
• 12-3 pm:  Inside College Basketball with Bobby Cremins and Jason Horowitz from Bracket Town
• 3-6 pm: College Sports Today with Tom Brennan and Mark Packer from Bracket Town

Monday, April 8

• 9 am-12 pm: Tim Brando Show from downtown Atlanta
• 12-3 pm:  Inside College Basketball with Mateen Cleaves, Steve Lappas and Jason Horowitz from Bracket Town
• 3-6 pm: College Sports Today with Tom Brennan and Mark Packer from Bracket Town
• 6-7 pm: College Sports Coast to Coast with Tom Brennan and Chris Childers from Bracket Town
• 7-11 pm: Programming and play-by-play provided by Dial Global Sports
• 11 pm-2 am: College Sports Nation Postgame Show with Tom Brennan and Jason Horowitz

Tuesday, April 9

• 9 am-12 pm: Tim Brando Show from downtown Atlanta
• 12-3 pm:  Inside College Basketball with Tom Brennan and Jason Horowitz

SiriusXM College Sports Nation, channel 91, will feature live play-by-play of the Final Four games on Saturday night and the National Championship game on Monday. Broadcasts are provided by Dial Global Sports.

And we’ll have Dial Global’s schedule for the Final Four^® coming up.

CNN to Air Special on the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Atlanta

For the second time this year, CNN will have a live sports special. This will be hosted by Rachel Nichols and Reggie Miller on Saturday, live from the Turner Sports studios at CNN Center in Atlanta.

Here’s the blurb from Turner Sports.

CNN and Turner Sports to Present CNN All Access at the Final Four

Hosted by Rachel Nichols and Reggie Miller, Live One-Hour Special to Air Saturday, April 6, at 3 p.m. ET

CNN and Turner Sports will present CNN All Access at the Final Four, a live one-hour special on Saturday, April 6, at 3 p.m. ET from Turner Studios in Atlanta, the host city of this year’s NCAA Final Four^®. Hosted by Turner Sports and CNN reporter Rachel Nichols and Turner Sports’ Reggie Miller, the show will feature special guests and a behind-the-scenes look at the weekend’s games, the personalities and the celebration of collegiate basketball that extends beyond the court.

The hour-long special will also include live shots and footage from a cross-section of the weekend’s festivities from the Georgia Dome, CNN Center and Big Dance concert series, and much more.

And here’s a promo from CNN for you.

That will do it.

CBS/Turner’s Plans for the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four

CBS and Turner Sports go into their third year producing the NCAA Men’s Final Four^® for America’s viewing pleasure. For the 32^nd straight (and possibly last) year, CBS will air the Final Four on broadcast television.

CBS begins its coverage on Saturday with the Final Four Show live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA at 4 p.m. ET hosted by Greg Gumbel and accompanied by analysts Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Doug Gottlieb and Kenny “The Jet” Smith. Seth Davis will be a reporter to the show and Basketball Hall of Famer Lesley Visser will be a contributor.

Then after the pregame show, National Semifinals begin. Overall number 1 seed Louisville will take on Cinderella Wichita State starting at 6:09 p.m. ET. That will be followed at approximately 8:49 p.m. with Michigan and Syracuse. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will call the action from their courtside position. Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson will report what is happening from the benches.

We have the CBS/Turner preview of its coverage plans for Saturday.

CBS SPORTS AND TURNER SPORTS’ “ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR” CONTINUES IN ATLANTA WITH EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF NCAA^® MEN’S  FINAL FOUR ON CBS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 6

Louisville, Wichita State, Michigan and Syracuse Vie for College Basketball’s National Championship

Louisville, Wichita State, Michigan and Syracuse march in to Atlanta as Turner Sports and CBS Sports provide exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four. For the 32^nd consecutive year, CBS Sports broadcasts the national semi-final games live on Saturday, April 6 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and the National Championship game on Monday, April 8 (9:00 PM, ET-conclusion) from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.

Saturday’s Final Four features Wichita State versus Louisville with tip-off scheduled for 6:09 PM, ET. Forty minutes after the game concludes, Syracuse takes on Michigan to determine the other participant in Monday night’s Championship game. CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg, and Turner Sports’ Steve Kerr call the games, with Tracy Wolfson serving as reporter. Nantz calls his 28^th Final Four and National Championship, Kellogg works his fifth, and Kerr joins Nantz and Kellogg for the third time.

Leading in to the semi-final games on Saturday, April 6 (4:00-6:00 PM, ET) is THE FINAL FOUR SHOW on CBS, hosted by Greg Gumbel with analysts Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb. Seth Davis reports and Lesley Visser contributes. The show features tournament highlights, analysis of the four participating teams and interviews with coaches and players live from the Georgia Dome.

Included in the broadcast are features on:

* LOUISVILLE’S KEVIN WARE

“Just go win the game,” is what Louisville sophomore guard Kevin Ware said after suffering a compound fracture to his right leg during the first half of the Cardinals’ Midwest Regional Final against Duke. Coach Rick Pitino used Ware’s comments to rally the team. After surgery last Sunday night, Ware, who hails from nearby Conyers, Ga. joins his teammates in Atlanta at the Final Four. He talks about how his Louisville family helped him cope with the injury. The Cardinals’ Russ Smith, Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan reveal what it was like to witness the awful injury to their friend and teammate. They also discuss how they were emotionally able to compose themselves to persevere and defeat Duke. Joe Zappulla produces.

* MICHIGAN’S ALL IN THE FAMILY

As Michigan makes its first Final Four appearance in 20 years, family ties is the dominant theme. Some of the names on the roster; Robinson, Hardaway and Horford are familiar to basketball fans. What roles have their relatives played on the Wolverines path to the Final Four? Although the young Wolverines may follow in the footsteps of their famous basketball fathers and brothers, Coach John Beilein’s squad has built a legacy of its own by overcoming a 14-point second-half deficit to defeat Kansas in overtime before dominating Florida in the South Regional Final. Alanna Campbell produces.

* SYRACUSE’S MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS

As Syracuse was playing in the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament, star Orange point guard Michael Carter-Williams had something else on his mind, a tragedy that happened in Hamilton, Mass. His childhood home, where his family resided, was destroyed by a fire. During the Orange’s game against California in the third round of the Tournament, Carter-Williams glanced up to see his mother Mandy crying in the stands. He had no idea what had occurred. After the game, Carter-Williams ran out of the Syracuse locker room to find his family. After he embraced his mom, she told him about the situation, and more importantly, that their family was fine. Since then, Syracuse’s success in the postseason has inspired his family during a time of great need. Sarah Rinaldi produces.

* WICHITA STATE’S CARL HALL

Wichita State has enjoyed a spectacular season knocking out No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 Ohio State to become the first ninth-seed in 34 years to reach the Final Four. But the Shockers’ surprising success has been especially sweet for senior forward Carl Hall. Six years ago, the 6’8” 240-pound forward was told he would never play basketball again following a diagnosis of neuro-cardiogenic syncope, a heart condition that produces an irregular heartbeat. This condition caused him to pass out on the court on several occasions. In 2009, his doctors introduced him to a medication that would control the problem. Slowly, Hall began his return to basketball, eventually earning a scholarship offer from Wichita State. Now he is living out his dream, playing in the Final Four, not far from his hometown of Cochran, Ga. Jeff St. Arromand produces.

Special Features

* PAT SUMMITT

With more than 1,000 wins and eight national championships during her Hall of Fame career, Pat Summitt’s accomplishments as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers are unsurpassed.  Now, she is facing another type of opponent, Alzheimer’s. For the first time ever, the legendary coach and her 22-year-old son, Tyler, sit down together to share their inspirational story. The two reveal to Lesley Visser why Summitt went public so early with her illness and why they remain so optimistic during this latest and most challenging chapter of her life. Charlie Bloom produces.

* JIM ROME INTERVIEWS FINAL FOUR COACHES

Two of this year’s Final Four head coaches, Gregg Marshall of Wichita State and John Beilein of Michigan, have never advanced to the National Semi-Finals. For Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim and Louisville’s Rick Pitino, it’s relatively familiar territory. Boeheim has led his Orange to four Final Four appearances, winning it all in 2003. Pitino has guided three schools, Providence, Kentucky and Louisville to a total of seven Final Four appearances. His 1996 Wildcats won the national title defeating Boeheim and Syracuse. All four coaches sit down together with CBS Sports’ Jim Rome to provide an inside look at this year’s Final Four match-ups. Charlie Bloom produces.

* * * * *

Also on Saturday, CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR broadcasts THE BEST OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL 2013 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET). Hosted by Greg Gumbel, the show recaps the college basketball season looking at the biggest headlines, break- out players, best stories and plays of the year. Also, CBS Sports’ Tim Brando and Bill Raftery along with reporter Lewis Johnson are on hand for the HIGH SCHOOL SLAM DUNK & 3-POINT CHAMPIONSHIPS (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; taped 4/5/13), which highlights the nation’s elite high school players as they compete in Atlanta over Final Four weekend in a Slam Dunk contest and the Boy’s and Girl’s 3-Point Championships.

Hosted by Greg Gumbel, NCAA MARCH MADNESS FANDEMONIUM (3:00-3:30 PM, ET) celebrates basketball through the eyes of some of the most passionate and ardent fans of the game. Following, HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL (3:30-4:00 PM, ET) celebrates the achievements of five former NCAA student athletes Jeff Keith, Kelly Brush, Jeff Faine, Curtis Pride and Jason Thompson who made a difference off the field. Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson hosts.

Mark Wolff, coordinating producer of CBS Sports’ NCAA basketball coverage, produces the 2013 Final Four and Bob Fishman directs. Eric Mann produces the preview and halftime programs, and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

That will do it.

ESPN is All Over the NCAA Women’s Final Four in New Orleans

This Sunday, ESPN will air the Women’s Final Four on Sunday. It begins at 6 p.m. ET with the NCAA Women’s Final Four Special hosted by Kevin Negandhi with analysts Carolyn Peck and Kara Lawson.

Then at 6:30 p.m., Dave O’Brien and Doris Burke will call the National Semifinals with Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe roaming the sidelines. The first game will be Louisville vs. Cal followed by UConn and Notre Dame for the fourth time this season.

We have details of the coverage below.

2013 ESPN NCAA Women’s Final Four Coverage – April 7 & 9

Emerging Band Krewella Films Intro Music Video
18th year of exclusive coverage on ESPN; 11th year covering all 63 games

ESPN’s NCAA Women’s Final Four Coverage from New Orleans Arena, New Orleans

National Semifinals – Sunday, April 7: No. 5 Louisville vs. No. 2 California at 6:30 p.m. ET; No. 1 Connecticut vs. No. 1 Notre Dame at 8:30 p.m.

National Championship – Tuesday, April 9: Winner of Semifinal Games at 8:30 p.m.

* – All three games will be simulcast on WatchESPN

Final Four Coverage Plans

• ESPN teamed with the electro-trio music band Krewella for the intro to the network’s coverage
  • The band shot the video with their hit song “Alive” for hundreds of people in a New Orleans’ Bourbon Street setting at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla.
  • The video incorporates in-tournament highlights plus specialty shots of the four advancing teams and audio from top players and coaches telling the stories of each team
• ESPN3 will carry the postgame celebration, trophy presentation and the net cutting
• Pregame locker room access, in-game head coach interviews and halftime player interviews, along with on-set studio interviews with special guests
• Conversation about women’s basketball through twitter via @espnW and the #NCAAFF hashtag:
  • Behind-the-scenes photo gallery of athletes, teams and scenes throughout the tournament at espnW.com/tourneyphotos
• ESPN’s “photo booth,” which captured video of the teams for use during the 2012 Final Four telecasts returns with all four teams, plus “meet the player” video intros from the booth
• New segments from conversations between ESPN analyst/reporter Rebecca Lobo and Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins, as well as ESPN analyst Bob Knight and Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma
• Additional features to run throughout the weekend on all four teams, including a look at the personality of UConn’s Stefanie Dolson’s, respect for Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw and the mentor/mentee relationship between Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins and Jewell Loyd
• First-year host Kevin Negandhi, Kara Lawson and Carolyn Peck positioned on a low-level set inside the arena during ESPN’s studio coverage of the semifinals Sunday and the National Championship Tuesday
• Dave O’Brien works his fourth Women’s Final Four as the play-by-play announcer, joined by eight-year Final Four veteran analyst Doris Burke
• Lobo returns as a reporter with added responsibilities – as an on-court analyst reporting on special aspects of each game, conducting on-court interviews with players and coaches, and joining the studio coverage
• Holly Rowe is back for her eighth year as a sideline reporter and Bob Holtzman provides updates for SportsCenter live from New Orleans
• Several technologies used during the Final Four telecasts include:
  • NAC High-Motion camera that utilizes three chip technology to produce great light sensitivity and flicker reduction and can be used to record exceptional slow motion replays
  • Brenda VanLengen, ESPN play-by-play announcer, operating an ART System (telestrator device) for the third consecutive year; it is also used on ESPN’s Monday Night Football and NBA telecasts
  • The virtual hot zone/shot chart tracking the team’s progress throughout the games
• 21 game cameras, with the ability to have 23 different positions, plus four cameras focused on the in-arena set:
  • Four point-of-view cameras – select location in the arena
  • Three robotic cameras – one overhead and two below the rim
  • One radio frequency Steadi-Cam and one JIB
  • Two Super slo-mo’s – including the NAC High-Motion camera

ESPN Final Four Commentators

Studio Team

Kevin Negandhi (First-year host): Negandhi joined ESPN in September 2006 as an anchor for ESPNEWS and currently works the 9 a.m. edition of SportsCenter with Hannah Storm. He enters his first-year as a women’s basketball studio host. Negandhi got his start covering women’s basketball while attending college at Temple, where he was a 1997 graduate.

Kara Lawson (Eighth-year analyst): Lawson is in her 10^th year as an analyst for ESPN. She works men’s and women’s college basketball games and as a studio analyst. Lawson led University of Tennessee to three straight Final Fours and was a two-time All-American. She won a gold medal with the 2008 U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Team in Beijing and will be entering her 11^th season with the WNBA – winning a league title in 2005 and currently playing for the Connecticut Sun.

Carolyn Peck (Fifth-year analyst): Peck originally joined ESPN in 2001 as a college and professional basketball analyst, including men’s and women’s college basketball, WNBA and NBA. She continues as a game analyst on men’s and women’s college hoops and the WNBA, as well as a studio analyst. Peck won the 1999 NCAA Championship title as the head coach at Purdue University – becoming the first African-American coach in women’s basketball to do so. She is also the former head coach at the University of Florida and the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle. Peck was a student-athlete at Vanderbilt University.

Game Commentators

Doris Burke (Eighth-year game analyst; 11^th overall): Burke began covering basketball for ESPN in 1991, and currently is an analyst on men’s and women’s games and the NBA, as well as a sideline reporter for select telecasts. Burke was a basketball player at Providence College and was named a NCAA 2012 Silver Anniversary Award recipient.

Dave O’Brien (Fourth-year play-by-play): O’Brien joined ESPN in 2002 as a play-by-play announcer working Major League Baseball, college basketball and NBA telecasts. In 2010, O’Brien added the Women’s Final Four to his announcing responsibilities. He is also the radio play-by-play announcer for the Boston Red Sox. A Boston native, O’Brien attended Syracuse University.

Rebecca Lobo (Sixth-year reporter): Lobo joined ESPN in 2004 as a WNBA and women’s college basketball analyst and reporter. She won an NCAA Championship in 1995 with the University of Connecticut where she was a National Player of the Year and an All-American. In addition, Lobo won a gold medal with the 1996 U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Team during the Atlanta Olympics and played in the WNBA for seven seasons.

Holly Rowe(Eighth-year reporter): Rowe began working ESPN telecasts in 1995, and joined on a regular-basis in 1998. She primarily covers college football, men’s basketball and softball as a reporter, as well as the NBA and WNBA. Rowe has also provided play-by-play commentary for women’s college basketball, softball and volleyball. She is a graduate of the University of Utah.

SportsCenter/ESPNEWS Reporter

Bob Holtzman: Holtzman joined ESPN in 2000 as a reporter, primarily handling stories featured in the network’s award-winning news and information franchise – SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, Outside the Lines, Baseball Tonight, NBA shows, ESPNEWS and others. Holtzman graduated from the University of Kansas.

espnW.com

The site will continue to highlight stories surrounding the Final Four.

• In-depth and on-site coverage of each team, including features and video analysis from Kate Fagan, Graham Hays, Michelle Smith and Mechelle Voepel
• Women’s Final Four Live – a live chat throughout the semifinals and championship game, featuring tweets and analysis from ESPN’s analysts and espnW contributors
• Final Four predictions leading into the weekend from espnW’s on-the-ground team
• Blogs from players still participating in the tournament including Notre Dame’s Diggins, UConn’s Dolson, Cal’s Layshia Clarendon and Louisville’s Shoni Schimmel
• A Final Four Primer with the X’s and O’s of the games and position-by-position breakdowns by Bracketologist Charlie Creme
• “Top Moments in UConn/Notre Dame History” including links to top archived games
• Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli continue their season-long espnW podcast series with a preview and review of the Final Four
• Full coverage of the NCAA Salute on Parade and the All-America award ceremonies

SportsCenter will present in-depth coverage of the NCAA Women’s Final Four with on-site set presence featuring Negandhi, Lawson and Peck. Holtzman will provide on-site SportsCenter reports. Features expected to run include: The Notre Dame-Connecticut rivalry; Does Muffet McGraw get enough respect; Louisville players look back – in their own words –  at their historic upset over Baylor; Diggins’ film session with Lobo; Diggins’ Sport Science piece; What does being a freshman at Connecticut mean; and UConn’s Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis’ art of shooting.

Women’s Final Four Specials

NCAA Women’s Final Four Special: The 30-minute Women’s Final Four preview show hosted by Negandhi, Lawson and Peck from the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans will precede the National Semifinals Sunday, April 7, at 6 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN.

Crunch Time: Women’s Tournament: The two-hour show will air Tuesday, April 9, at 4 p.m. on ESPNU and WatchESPN will revisit the last few minutes of the best and most exciting games of the NCAA Championship.

The Experts: NCAA Women’s Championship Special: An hour-long round-table show Tuesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. on ESPNU and WatchESPN, with Negandhi, Lawson, Peck, Lobo and Burke. The all-star crew will discuss and debate the strengths and weaknesses of both teams playing for the title and give an inside track to victory.

College Basketball Live: Women’s National Championship Special: The 90-minute special, hosted by Matt Schick and analysts Nell Fortner and Brooke Weisbrod, on Tuesday, April 9, at 6 p.m. on ESPNU and WatchESPN will highlight and preview the Women’s National Championship title game.

NCAA Women’s Championship Special: ESPN and WatchESPN will begin its National Championship game coverage with an hour-long preview special, also hosted by Negandhi, Lawson and Peck, from the New Orleans Arena Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m.

NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four Schedule (subject to change)

Date	Time (ET)	Shows & Games/Commentators	Networks
Sun, Apr 7	6 p.m.	NCAA Women’s Final Four Special Kevin Negandhi, Kara Lawson & Carolyn Peck	ESPN/WatchESPN
	6:30 p.m.	National Semifinal Game 1 (New Orleans, La.): No. 5 Louisville vs. No. 2 California Dave O’Brien, Doris Burke, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe	ESPN/WatchESPN
	8:30 p.m.	National Semifinal Game 2 (New Orleans, La.): No. 1 Connecticut vs. No. 1 Notre Dame	ESPN/WatchESPN
Tue, Apr 9	4 p.m.	Crunch Time: NCAA Women’s Championship	ESPNU/WatchESPN
	5 p.m.	The Experts: NCAA Women’s Championship Kevin Negandhi, Kara Lawson, Carolyn Peck, Doris Burke & Rebecca Lobo	ESPNU/WatchESPN
	6 p.m.	College Basketball Live: NCAA Women’s Championship Matt Schick, Nell Fortner & Brooke Weisbrod	ESPNU/WatchESPN
	7:30 p.m.	NCAA Women’s Championship Special Kevin Negandhi, Kara Lawson & Carolyn Peck	ESPN/WatchESPN
	8:30 p.m.	National Final (New Orleans, La.): Dave O’Brien, Doris Burke, Rebecca Lobo & Holly Rowe	ESPN/WatchESPN

WatchESPN

WatchESPN continues its coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship heading into the Final Four and up to the NCAA National Championship game on Tuesday. All 63 games in the tournament are accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the award-winning WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members. Additionally, ESPN3 will carry the post-game celebration live exclusively following the conclusion of the Championship game. WatchESPN is available in 55 million households nationwide to fans of an affiliated video provider, including Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast Xfinity TV, Midcontinent Communications, Cablevision, Cox, Charter and AT&T U-verse.

ESPN International networks will offer the national semifinals and title game to fans on ESPN Africa, ESPN America (Europe), ESPN Brazil HD, ESPN Caribbean, ESPN Latin HD, ESPN Latin North, ESPN Latin South, ESPN Middle East and ESPN Pac Rim.

ESPNFrontRow.com will once again provide behind-the-scenes features centered on ESPN’s coverage of the Women’s Final Four. Highlights include a unique look at the Krewella intro shoot, ESPN’s game integration of espnW and the Twitter life of star reporter Holly Rowe.

ESPN Classic will feature a marathon of games featuring past champions, plus a day-long series of previous Connecticut vs. Notre Dame matchups.

ESPN Classic NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Game
Sun, Apr 7	7:30 a.m.	Knight & Auriemma: A Coaches Conversation
	8 a.m.	2001 BIG EAST Championship Final: Notre Dame vs. Connecticut
	10 a.m.	2001 NCAA National Semifinal: Connecticut vs. Notre Dame
	Noon	2012 NCAA National Semifinal: Connecticut vs. Notre Dame
	2 p.m.	2013 BIG EAST Championship Final: Connecticut vs. Notre Dame
	6 p.m.	2013 Regular-Season 3-Overtime Game: Connecticut at Notre Dame
Tue, Apr 9	Midnight	2003 NCAA National Championship: Tennessee vs. Connecticut
	2 a.m.	2000 NCAA Women’s National Championship: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	7 a.m.	2009 NCAA National Championship: Louisville vs. Connecticut
	9 a.m.	2011 NCAA Women’s National Championship: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M
	11 a.m.	2008 NCAA Women’s National Championship: Stanford vs. Tennessee
	1 p.m.	2004 NCAA Women’s National Championship: Connecticut vs. Tennessee
	3 p.m.	2010 NCAA Women’s National Championship: Stanford vs. Connecticut
	5 p.m.	2012 NCAA Women’s National Championship: Notre Dame vs. Baylor

That is it.

The Fang’s Bites College Basketball TV Awards: NCAA Tournament Edition

Last month, I gave you my College Basketball TV Awards for the 2012-13 regular season. As promised, I’ll provide you with the NCAA Tournament Edition featuring my picks for Final Four, Regional Final and First Week levels. Those not worthy and there will be a couple, will get the infamous Carton of Chinese Cigarettes handed out from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Communist China.

I’ll provide the awards first for play-by-play, then game analysts, reporters and finally the studio.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Final Four Level

Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Kevin Harlan – Marv is Marvelous. The man is a Hall of Fame announcer and during the Michigan-Kansas game, was able to pick up on the Wolverines’ comeback late in the second half and his call of Trey Burke’s three pointer to tie the game was perfectly understated.

Ian Eagle showed his versatility in calling NCAA Tournament games on both TV and radio. Does both well and allows the action to come to him. Ian had a very good call of the Davidson-Marquette game that went down to the wire.

Kevin Harlan was outstanding especially as Ohio State’s Aaron Craft hit a jumper with :02 in its Sweet Sixteen game against Arizona.

Regional Final Level

Brian Anderson, Verne Lundquist, Jim Nantz – Having this trio in the Tournament shows some very good depth on the CBS/Turner Consortium. Brian Anderson is a rising star. Calls games on Big Ten Network during the winters, then moves to his best sport, baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers and TBS Sunday Afternoon games. Could easily be on a Regional Final team down the line.

What can you say about Uncle Verne Lundquist that hasn’t already been said? He and Bill Raftery form one of the fun broadcast teams and you know that Verne plays the perfect straight man to Raft. He’s perfect at the Regional Final level.

Jim Nantz is perfect here. He would go higher except that he calls only one to two regular season games a season, yet he’s on the “A” team that goes to the Final Four. Nantz calls a good game, but I think there are several announcers who are better.

First Week Level

Tim Brando – Tim is good, but sometimes falls back on cliches. He’s perfect on the ACC Tournament on the Raycom-produced ACC Network. A nice fit with long-time partner Mike Gminski.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Spero Dedes – Dedes provided some real lackluster and sleep-inducing calls. When Harvard upset New Mexico, Dedes failed to rise to the occasion and when the game ended, he gave us quite a forgettable call. His partner, Doug Gottlieb overpowered him at times.

ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Clark Kellogg, Steve Kerr, Bill Raftery – Clark Kellogg knows his stuff and provides good analysis of the action. He’s able to spot trends and finds the right words. He also stepped up during the Louisville-Duke game when Kevin Ware broke his leg in a horrific sequence. And as Jim Nantz tried to collect himself in the minutes following the injury, Kellogg did his best to describe the emotions on the court.

When Steve Kerr found out that he was going to call the NCAA Tournament three years ago, he found work with Fox Sports to call Sunday night Pac-10 games and quickly got re-immersed in the college game. It was that preparation that puts him on the Final Four Level. And teamed with Marv Albert for the first two weeks of the Tournament, Kerr provides some really good tidbits especially during Michigan-Kansas.

Bill Raftery is the Mayor of College Basketball. Perfectly teamed with Uncle Verne Lundquist, Raft provides great anecdotes, one-liners and always knows when to use his signature “ONIONS!” call. I’d love for Raft to call a Final Four on TV, but you can always hear him on radio for the event.

Regional Final Level

Len Elmore and Jim Spanarkel – Len was the last ESPN exclusive holdover to remain on the Tournament after Turner came on board. Jay Bilas wasn’t kept and while Bill Raftery also works for ESPN, he does games for CBS during the regular season, pulling a rare network double. Elmore when Reggie Miller doesn’t step all over him, provides some salient points. He really could work solo with Kevin Harlan and doesn’t need Miller along side.

Jim Spanarkel works very well with Ian Eagle. It’s hard to believe that they’ve worked 17 previous tournaments together and they’re a very good team. Spanarkel was on top of trends especially when Marquette was coming back on Davidson in the second round.

First Week Level

Dan Bonner and Mike Gminski – Both ACC Network veterans, Bonner and Gminski are perfect analysts for the first weekend of games.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Doug Gottlieb and Reggie Miller – Gottlieb will harp on points to where you want him to shut up. Reggie Miller must have pictures on a network executive somewhere as he’s a terrible analyst. I understand calling NCAA Tournament games was a dream for Gottlieb, but CBS/Turner should pull the plug on him working games next year. As for Miller, he’s basketball’s version of Marcelo Balboa, a person who makes statements just to hear himself talk and makes ridiculous points.

REPORTERS

Final Four Level

Jamie Maggio, Rachel Nichols, Craig Sager

Regional Final Level

Lewis Johnson, Marty Snider, Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson

First Week Level

Allie LaForce, Otis Livingston

STUDIO HOSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson, Jr.

Regional Final Level

Matt Winer

STUDIO ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Anthony

Regional Final Level

Seth Davis and Steve Smith

First Week Level

Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith – I understand why Barkley and Smith are there, but they’re much better on the NBA than college basketball. Charles’ candor on the NBA works against him on the Tournament as in the case where he harped against the Big Ten.

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

Doug Gottlieb — Who else? Failed joke aside, Gottlieb has not differentiated himself from the pack. He overpowers people on the set. He comes off as abrasive as sandpaper.

So there you have the Awards for the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

2013 NCAA Tournament Continues to Score in the Ratings

I keep thinking the bottom is going to fall out on the ratings for the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Games haven’t been great, but despite that, the ratings for the NCAA Tournament on the CBS/Turner combination continue to rise. Sunday was no exception. Despite two blowouts, ratings for Sunday’s Elite Eight action were up significantly from last year and so was the average viewership.

The two games on CBS, Michigan-Florida and Louisville-Duke averaged a 7.4 Fast National household rating with a 17 share. That’s up an amazing 25% from 2012′s 5.9/12. Average viewership for the Regional Finals was 12.82 million and that is up by an astonishing 31% from last year.

To date, the Tournament is averaging a rating/share of 6.2/13 which is up 9% from last year’s 5.7/12. And the average viewership of the games on CBS/Turner is 9.7 million and that is up by 11%. So you can see, the NCAA Tournament is attracting viewers as it’s the most watched since 1994.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 19 Years, Averaging  9,701,000 Total Viewers

Sunday’s Regional Finals on CBS Delivers 31% Increase in Viewers and 25%  Increase in Rating vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9,701,000 total viewers-to-date, up 11% from last year’s 8,717,000 viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Sunday Regional Finals in 19 years (9,728,000; 1994).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.2/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.7/12, and is the highest rating to date since a 6.3/14 in 2005. Sunday’s Regional Final coverage on CBS averaged 12,819,000 total viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals, up 31% from last year’s 9,795,000 viewers. Regional Final coverage on Sunday earned a HH rating/share of a 7.4/17, up 25% from last year’s 5.9/12.

The first broadcast window (2:19-4:28 PM, ET), in which Michigan topped Florida, earned a 5.7/15, up 14% from a 5.0/11 in 2012. The second broadcast window (4:55-7:34 PM, ET) which featured Louisville beating Duke, registered an 8.8/19, up 24% from a 7.1/14 in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/31/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/2/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

That will do it.

2013 Final Four Tip Times

Here are the tip times for the Final Four^®. Wichita State-Louisville tips off first and that will be followed by Michigan-Syracuse.

2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four Tips Off Saturday, April 6, on CBS

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four^® on Saturday, April 6 (6-11 p.m. ET), will tip off with Wichita State against Louisville at 6:09 p.m. on CBS. Syracuse will then take on Michigan 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will call the games along with reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Coverage will begin with The Final Four Show® (4-6 p.m.) hosted by Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

That is all.

Saturday’s Elite Eight Action from the 2013 NCAA Tournament Up Slightly From 2012

I hope you’re having a good Easter. The CBS/Turner combo tells us that Saturday’s Elite Eight Regional Finals were up slightly from last year. This despite some ugly basketball especially in the first game between Syracuse and Marquette.

Saturday’s two regional finals generated a 5.8 Fast National household rating with a 12 share, up 2% from last year’s 5.6/12. Average viewership for the games averaged 9.4 million which is 6% better than last year’s 8.9 million.

Overall, the NCAA Tournament is averaging a 6.1 rating and a 13 share, better than 5.6/12 last year. And the viewership for the tournament to date is averaging 9.4 million up from 8.6 million last year. Viewership is at its highest since 1993.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 19 Years, Averaging 9.4 Million Total Viewers

NCAA Tournament Viewership and Ratings Up 9% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.4 million total viewers to date, up 9% from last year’s 8.6 million viewers, and is tied with 1994 as the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Saturday Regional Finals in 19 years (10.7 million, 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.1/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.6/12, and is tied with 2005 as the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.3/15; 1998).

Saturday’s Regional Final coverage on CBS averaged 9.4 million viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals, up 6% from last year’s 8.9 million viewers.  

Regional Final coverage on Saturday earned a HH rating/share of a 5.8/12, up 4% from last year’s 5.6/12.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/30/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 04/1/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That’s all

NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals Scores on CBS/TBS on Friday

Another press release from CBS/Turner Sports must mean good news for the NCAA Tournament and it does. Friday’s Sweet 16 action which included an exciting overtime Kansas-Michigan game which ended in a Wolverines win, scored in the ratings and in viewership.

CBS and TBS saw a big Fast National household rating of 8.2 and a 16 share, up a whopping 22% from last year’s 6.7/12. And viewership for the four games split evenly among CBS and TBS averaged 13.1 million viewers, again up by 20% from 2012′s 10.9 million.

For the tournament to date, CBS/Turner is averaging 9.4 million viewers which is the most since 1993. As my friend, Amanda Rykoff points out, Michigan was last in the Final Four in … 1993.

So here’s the press release from CBS and Turner Sports.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv Scores as Most Watched Tournament-to-Date in 20 Years, Averaging 9.4 Million Total Viewers

Friday’s Regional Semi-Finals Deliver 13.1 Million Total Viewers; Most Viewed in 20 Years
NCAA Tournament Viewership and Ratings Up 9% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.4 million total viewers to date, up 9% from last year’s 8.6 million viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Friday Regional Semi-Finals in 20 years (10.5 million; 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 6.1/13, up 9% from last year’s 5.6/12, and is the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.2/14; 1998).

Friday’s Regional Semi-Final coverage across CBS and TBS was the most-watched in 20 years, averaging 13.1 million viewers, up 20% from last year’s 10.9 million viewers. 

Regional Semi-Final coverage on Friday earned a Fast National HH rating/share of  8.2/16, up 22% from last year’s 6.7/12, and the highest average Friday Regional Semi-Final rating in 19 years (8.6/17; 1994).   

*  * * * *

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/29/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/31/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That is all.

CBS/Turner Posts Highest Friday Night NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Overnights in 23 Years

From the CBS Sports/Turner Sports consortium, we have Friday’s overnight ratings for the Regional Semifinal action and thanks to a Kansas-Michigan game that went to overtime on TBS, the NCAA Tournament posted the highest overnight ratings for that night since 1990. The ratings resulted in an 8.9 with a 17 share which beat last year’s numbers by a whopping 20%.

CBS/Turner adds that this year’s Tournament is running 6% ahead of last year’s pace averaging a 6.6/14. So overall, going into the Elite Eight today and tomorrow,  CBS/Turner is quite happy with how this year’s tourney is shaping up.

And if Duke advances to the Final Four, you can rest assure that CBS/Turner will be extremely happy. There may be simultaneous cartwheels and summersaults done down the CBS Sports and Turner corridors in New York and Atlanta. In fact, executives may even do a cartwheel and summersault competition, that’s how elated they would be. Ok, I may have gone too far with the elation and joy, but you get the idea.

Here’s the press release.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Nets Highest Rated Friday Regional Semi-finals in 23 Years

Friday Regional Semi-final Ratings Up 20% vs. 2012; Tournament to Date Up 6%

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semi-finals on Friday, March 29, averaged a metered HH rating/share of 8.9/17, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, to become the highest rated Friday Regional Semi-final in 23 years, when the tournament expanded to its current format. The 8.9/17 is up 20% compared with a 7.4/14 last year.

Exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.6/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, up 6% compared with a 6.2/13 tournament to date in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/29/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/23/12. 2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

Elite Eight action starts today on CBS with the East Regional Final between soon-to-ex Big East rivals Marquette and Syracuse at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT.

CBS/Turner Announce Tip Times for Elite Eight Games on Sunday, March 31, 2013

Tip times are set for Sunday’s Elite Eight. The South Regional Final will tip on CBS at 2:20 p.m. ET. That will be followed by the Midwest Regional Final, also on CBS, at 5:05 p.m.

Details are below.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP TIMES
FOR REGIONAL FINALS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 31 ON CBS

Exclusive Coverage Continues with Regional Finals on Saturday, March 30 on CBS

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Sunday, March 31, on CBS (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Michigan will take on Florida in the first game at 2:20 PM, ET followed by Duke playing Louisville at 5:05 p.m.

Host Greg Gumbel and analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb will provide studio coverage throughout the day on CBS.

Below are the tip times and announce assignments for this weekend’s Regional Finals. The winners will meet in the Final Four from Atlanta on Saturday, April 6.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game.  The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

REGIONAL FINALS SATURDAY, MARCH 30
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
4:30 p.m.	CBS	Washington, DC	Syracuse vs. Marquette	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:05 p.m.	CBS	Los Angeles	Wichita State vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson
REGIONAL FINALS SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
2:20 p.m.	CBS	Arlington, TX	Florida vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
5:05 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis	Duke vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson

That’s going to do it. The next CBS/Turner press release will set the Final Four tip times for next Saturday.

College Basketball Viewing Picks for 03/30 & 03/31/2013, All Times Eastern

Saturday, March 30

Men’s

Pregame & Studio Shows
Road to the Final Four — CBS, 2:30 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Press Conference — Big Ten Network, 4 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 4:30 p.m.
Big Ten Basketball & Beyond: Tournament Edition — Big Ten Network, 9 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 12:30 a.m. (Sunday)
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, 1:30 a.m. (Sunday)

NCAA Tournament
Regional Finals

East Region, Washington, DC
Syracuse vs. Marquette — CBS, 4:30 p.m. (Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols)

West Region, Los Angeles, CA
Wichita State vs. Ohio State — CBS, 7:05 p.m. (Kevin Harlan/Len Elmore/Reggie Miller//Lewis Johnson)

NCAA Division II Tournament, Louisville, KY
Semifinals
Metro State vs. West Liberty — CBS Sports Network, noon (Brad Johansen/Dan Bonner)
Western Washington vs. Drury — CBS Sports Network, 2:30 p.m. (Brad Johansen/Dan Bonner)

Women’s

NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals

Bridgeport Region, Bridgeport, CT
Delaware vs. Kentucky — ESPN, noon (Beth Mowins/Doris Burke//Holly Rowe)
Maryland vs. UConn — ESPN, 2:30 p.m. (Beth Mowins/Doris Burke//Holly Rowe)

Spokane Region, Spokane, WA
Georgia vs. Stanford — ESPN, 9 p.m. (Dave Pasch/Debbie Antonelli//LaChina Robinson)
LSU vs. Cal — ESPN, 11:30 p.m. (Dave Pasch/Debbie Antonelli//LaChina Robinson)

Sunday, March 31

Men’s

Pregame & Studio Shows
Knight and Auriemma: A Coaches Conversation — ESPNU, 10:30 a.m.
Road to the Final Four — CBS, 2 p.m.
NCAA March Madness 360 — CBS Sports Network, 2:30 p.m.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Press Conference: Elite Eight Postgame — Big Ten Network, 5 p.m.
Big Ten Basketball & Beyond: Tournament Edition — Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.
NCAA March Madness Bracket Breakdown — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
College GameDay Scoreboard — ESPN2, 9 p.m.

NCAA Tournament
Regional Finals

South Regional, Arlington, TX
CBS, 2:20 p.m. (Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager)

Midwest Regional, Indianapolis, IN
CBS, 4:55 p.m. (Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson)

Women’s

NCAA Tournament
Regional Semifinals

Norfolk Regional, Norfolk, VA
Kansas vs. Notre Dame — ESPN, noon (Dave O’Brien/Stephanie White//Jeannine Edwards)
Nebraska vs. Duke — ESPN, 2:30 p.m. (Dave O’Brien/Stephanie White//Jeannine Edwards)

Oklahoma City Regional, Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma vs. Tennessee — ESPN, 4:30 p.m. (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo//Maria Taylor)
Louisville vs. Baylor — ESPN, 7 p.m. (Pam Ward/Rebecca Lobo//Maria Taylor)

2013 NCAA Tournament Viewership Highest in 20 Years

Thanks to the fine people at the CBS Sports and Turner Sports PR departments, we learn that viewership for the 2013 NCAA Tournament is up 8% from 2012. Even with the amount of blowouts we’ve seen, interest in the tournament has increased over last year.

According to Nielsen, the NCAA Tournament is averaging 9 million viewers through Thursday’s Regional Semifinals compared to 8.3 million last year.

And the tournament is averaging a 5.9 rating and a 12 share as compared to 5.5/12 in 2012.

Here’s the joint announcement.

2013 NCAA^® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTv is Most Watched in 20 Years, Averaging 9.0 Million Total Viewers

NCAA Tournament Viewership Up 8% and Ratings Up 7% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging 9.0 million total viewers to date, up 8% from last year’s 8.3 million viewers, and is the highest average for the NCAA Tournament through the Thursday Regional Semifinals in 20 years (10.2 million; 1993).

The 2013 NCAA Tournament to date, is averaging a national HH rating/share of 5.9/12, up 7% from last year’s 5.5/12, and is the highest-to-date rating in 15 years (6.1/14; 1998).

Thursday night’s coverage across CBS and TBS averaged 10.4 million viewers, up 4% from last year’s 10.0 million viewers; and earned a Fast National HH rating/share of a 6.7/12, up 3% from last year’s 6.5/12. 

* * * * *

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 3/28/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/22/12.   2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of four telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS/ESPN average of First Round.

That’s all.

CBS/Turner Says Thursday Night’s Sweet 16′s Overnight Ratings Up From Last Year

This from CBS/Turner, overnight ratings for Thursday’s NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal games are up 4% from 2012. The games on CBS and TBS averaged a 7.3 and a 14 share, up from last year’s 7.0/12. Ratings were up despite the fact that three of four of the games were blowouts.

Overall, the ratings for the NCAA Tournament are up 5% from last year’s Big Dance averaging a 6.4/14.

Here’s the press release from CBS/Turner.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals Up 4% vs. 2012

2013 NCAA Tournament to Date Ratings Up 5% vs. Last Year

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Regional Semifinals on Thursday, March 28, averaged a 7.3/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, an increase of 4% over a 7.0/12 last year.  Ratings improved despite three of the four games being decided by 10 points or more.

Exclusive coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across the four networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – is averaging a gross rating/share of 6.4/14, based on Nielsen overnight ratings, up 5% compared with a 6.1/13 tournament to date in 2012.

Regional Semifinal coverage continues tonight, March 29, with the following slate of games:

Regional Semifinals – Friday, March 29 (7 p.m.-Midnight ET)
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
7:15 p.m.	CBS	Indianapolis I	Oregon vs. Louisville	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
7:37 p.m.	TBS	North Texas I	Kansas vs. Michigan	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager
After conc. I	CBS	Indianapolis II	Michigan State vs. Duke	Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg//Tracy Wolfson
After conc. I	TBS	North Texas II	Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida	Marv Albert/Steve Kerr//Craig Sager

There you have it.

Doug Gottlieb Apologizes for the White Man’s Perspective

It occurred early in CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. As host Greg Gumbel introduced Doug Gottlieb to the studio joining Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley and Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Gottlieb tried to make a diversity joke and it backfired.

You can clearly see Anthony, Barkley and Smith glaring at Gottlieb and forcing laughter. It did catch them off-guard. And while I don’t believe Gottlieb meant anything malicious towards the four African-American men on the set, the joke sank like a 500 pound boulder in water. Had Gottlieb been more likable, he might have gotten some laughs.

For its part, CBS has issued a statement from Gottlieb:

“It was not a smart thing to say and I apologize.”

Barkley did come to Gottlieb’s defense later in the evening on TBS, but that was after reaction went negative to the comments.

Former ESPN colleague Mark May called for Gottlieb to be fired, but I don’t think CBS needs to go that far.

Certainly an interesting start to the second week of the NCAA Tournament and one in which CBS would probably want a mulligan.

CBS/Turner Announce Tip Times for Elite Eight Games on Saturday, March 30, 2013

This in from CBS and Turner Sports. The tip times for the first half East and West Regional Finals have been set. Both games will be on CBS Sports. The East Regional in Washington, DC will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET while the West Regional Final will tip off at 7:05 p.m.

All tip times and announcing assignments are listed below.

TURNER SPORTS AND CBS SPORTS ANNOUNCE TIP-TIMES FOR REGIONAL FINALS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 30 ON CBS

CBS Sports and Turner Sports announce tip-times and match-ups for the Regional Finals of the 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 30 on CBS.  Marquette will take on Syracuse in the first game at 4:30 PM, ET followed by Wichita State playing Ohio State at 7:05 PM, ET.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR^® tips-off the day’s action on CBS (2:30 PM, ET) with host Greg Gumbel along with analysts Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and Doug Gottlieb.

Below are the tip-times and announce assignments for Saturday’s Regional Final games. Tip times for Sunday’s Regional Final games will be announced after the conclusion of Friday’s games.

NCAA March Madness Live^® will continue to provide college basketball fans unparalleled multi-screen digital access to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship including live streaming of every game. The digital suite of products will also feature video highlights, full game replays, real-time game alerts, live game scoring, real-time tournament brackets, personal channel lineup features, live stats, robust social media integration and more.

REGIONAL FINAL GAMESSATURDAY, MARCH 30
Tip (ET)	Network	Site	Game	Play-by-Play/Analyst//Reporter
4:30 p.m.	CBS	Washington, DC	Syracuse vs. Marquette	Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery//Rachel Nichols
7:05 p.m.	CBS	Los Angeles	Wichita State vs. Ohio State	Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore//Lewis Johnson

And we’re done.

CBS Signs New Contract with the Whatever the Old Big East Plans to Call Itself Next Season

This coming in from CBS Sports, the Tiffany Network has signed a new contract with the Old Big East. Under the terms of the new contract, CBS will air Old Big East men’s basketball games for six years through the 2019-20 season, mirroring ESPN’s agreement with the conference.

CBS will get the rights to as many as 12 conference, non-conference and neutral site games. The network will get first selection. CBS will have Louisville in the conference next season before it heads to the ACC. UConn, Memphis and other refugees from Conference USA will remain after 2014-15.

CBS has been with the Old Big East since 1983 and has remained a partner for 30 years. This ensures a partnership through the end of this decade.

Here’s the press release.

CBS SPORTS AND CURRENT BIG EAST CONFERENCE AGREE TO LONG-TERM DEAL WITH RIGHTS THROUGH 2019-20 SEASON

CBS Sports to Broadcast the Conference’s Top Men’s Basketball Games with Priority Game Selections

CBS Sports and the soon to be renamed Big East Conference have agreed to a new long-term deal with rights through the 2019-20 season, it was announced today by Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports and Commissioner, Mike Aresco. CBS Sports will broadcast the top Big East men’s basketball games, retaining the right to have the first selections among conference, non-conference and neutral site games.

The agreement with CBS Sports provides for national exposure for men’s regular-season basketball and up to 12 appearances per year.

“CBS Sports has been a partner of the Big East for 30 years,” said McManus. “As the conference enters into a new and exciting era, we are proud to continue our relationship and showcase the conference’s best games.”

“We are delighted to be extending the historic and successful relationship that we have enjoyed with CBS Sports since 1983,” Aresco said. “This agreement further illustrates the excitement and anticipation that surround the re-invention of our Conference, and it will provide our fans across the country the opportunity to watch our games on network television.”

CBS Sports broadcasts an extensive regular-season schedule of college basketball that annually features over 40 games, including conference championships from the Big Ten, Atlantic 10, Mountain West and Conference USA.

That is all.

2013 NCAA Tournament Grabs Most Viewers Since 1993

The ratings and viewership for the NCAA Tournament continue to set records. CBS/Turner Sports note that the average 8.9 million combined viewers for the first week of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV are the most dating back twenty years. Last year, the first week average was 8.2 million viewers.

The Tournament is to date, averaging 5.8 rating and 12 share which is up 7% from 2012. Sunday’s final average household rating was 7.1/14 for the eight games on Sunday across the CBS/Turner consortium. That’s up an amazing 27% from last year.

Here’s the CBS/Turner press release.

THE 2013 NCAA^® DIVISION I MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ON TBS, CBS, TNT AND truTV SCORES MOST-WATCHED FIRST WEEK IN 20 YEARS

First Week of Tournament Averages 8.9 Million Total Viewers and
Delivers 7 % Ratings Growth
Sunday’s Third-Round Coverage is Highest Rated in 13 Years, Up 27%

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV combined to deliver the most viewed first week of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years (1993), according to Nielsen Fast National ratings.

The combined coverage averaged 8.9 million total viewers, up 9% over last year’s 8.2 million.

The 2013 NCAA Tournament is averaging a HH rating/share of 5.8/12, up 7% from a 5.4/12 last year, and is the highest average rating for the Tournament’s first week in 15 years (1998; 5.9/15).

Sunday’s coverage averaged 11.1 million viewers, up 29% from last year’s 8.6 million, making it the most watched first Sunday in 15 years.

Third-round coverage on Sunday, March 24 combined to deliver an average fast national HH rating/share of 7.1/14, up 27% from last year’s 5.6/11. The 7.1/14 is the highest rating for the first Sunday of the Tournament in 13 years (7.2/17; 2000).

Third round coverage on Sunday, March 24 scored with ratings increases across all four telecast windows:

• The first daytime telecast window (12:00-2:41 PM, ET) averaged a 5.0/12, up 39% over last year’s 3.6/9, the highest rating for the window in 11 years (5.2/13; 2002).
• The second daytime telecast window (2:57-5:18 PM, ET) averaged a 6.8/14, up 26% over last year’s 5.4/12, the highest rating for the window since 2006 (7.0/16).
• The first primetime telecast window (5:18-9:20 PM, ET) averaged a 10.9/20, up 31% over last year’s 8.3/16, the highest rating for the window in 20 years (12.6/27; 1993).

The second primetime window (8:01 PM-12:12 AM, ET) averaged a 5.9/10, up 4% vs. a 5.7/9 in 2012.

Social Buzz
Additionally, according to Bluefin, the opening week of the NCAA Tournament generated over 6.3 million comments across social media with comment volume up 154% over the same period last year.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Fast National Data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/24/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/18/12. 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2012 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round. Social Media data based on Bluefin for the same dates of the Tournament.

That’s it.

CBS/Turner Crows About Sunday Overnights for NCAA Tournament

I’m out and about today. CBS/Turner are happy about Sunday’s overnight numbers. The day averaged a 7.6 rating with a 15 share, up a whopping 19% from last year, the highest for the first Sunday of the NCAA Tournament since 1993, and the first week is averaging a 6.3/14, the highest average in 23 years.

Thanks to the storyline of Florida Gulf Coast capturing America’s imagination, plus some compelling games for the most part, interest in the Tournament has been high.

We have the joint press release fom CBS and Turner Sports.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ Exclusive Coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship is Highest Rated in 23 Years

Sunday’s Third Round Coverage Highest Rated in 20 Years; Up 19% vs. 2012

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive live coverage of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging a 6.3/14 overnight rating/share, the highest rating for the opening week of the NCAA Tournament in 23 years, when the tournament expanded to its current format, according to Nielsen metered market ratings.

The networks’ combined coverage, from the NCAA First Four to the completion of the third round, is up 5% vs. last year’s comparable 6.0/13 rating.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive third round coverage on Sunday, March 24 – across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – averaged an overnight household rating/share of 7.6/15, the highest rating for the first Sunday of the NCAA Tournament in 20 years (8.5/20 in 1993). This year’s rating/share is up 19% compared with a 6.4/13 in 2012.

Sunday’s coverage showed audience increases in all four telecast windows including more than 20% in three of the four:

• The first daytime telecast window (12:00-2:45 p.m. ET) averaged a 5.4/13, the highest rating for the window since 2002 (5.8/13) and an increase of 26% over last year’s 4.3/11.
• The second daytime telecast window (3:00-5:15 p.m.) averaged a 7.2/15, tied with 2007 as the highest rating for the window since 2006 (7.5/16) and up 20% over last year’s 6.0/13.
• The first primetime telecast window (5:15-9:15 p.m.) averaged an 11.8/22, the highest rating for the window since 1991’s 12.1/24 and a 26% increase over a 9.4/18 in 2012.
• The second primetime window (8:00 p.m.-12:15 a.m.) averaged a 6.5/11, up 2% vs. a 6.4/10 in 2012.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, based on Metered Market data, Live +SD data stream. 3/19/13 to 03/24/13 vs. 03/13/12 to 03/18/12. 2013 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. 2006 through 2010 based on Live + SD. 2003 based on CBS / ESPN average of First Round.

There you have it.