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Knocking Out Some Wednesday Linkage

Time for some linkage again.

Starting with Sports Business Daily which gauges media reaction to last night’s extravagant NFL regular season schedule release on both ESPN and NFL Network.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News reviews both the Monday Night and expanded Thursday Night Football schedules.

Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report has your potential hits and misses in the 2012 NFL regular season schedule for all of the league’s TV partners.

Dan Levy of the Bleacher Report talks with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch about Skippy Bayless, ESPN’s free agents and Twitter.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that NBC is now going all in to provide a live online Olympic experience.

Mike McCarthy at USA Today says the NFL Schedule Release Shows on ESPN and NFL Network filled fans’ thirst for football news.

Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press says thanks to a NASCAR-less Sunday, IndyCar’s race on NBC Sports Network got a ratings bump.

Stuart Kemp and George Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter says London is hoping to build buzz for the XXX Olympic Summer Games in the days leading up to the Opening Ceremony.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable notes the FCC is appealing to the Supreme Court, the ruling from a lower court throwing out its decency complaint over CBS’ airing of Janet Jackson’s nekkid boob during Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Sarah Mahoney of MediaPost’s Marketing Daily says advertisers are jumping on the Olympics 100 Day Countdown.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center writes that cable provider Comcast is proving to be a very good broadcast competitor.

Jason McIntyre of the Big Lead says a lawsuit brought forth by a former ESPN.com writer against New York Post NBA big mouth Peter Vescey has been settled out of court.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid talks with ESPN’s Michelle Beadle about what her next move is.

Ken Kerschbaumer at Sports Video Group notes that NBCOlympics has tapped AT&T to manage private networking systems for the London Summer Games.

Zac Wassink in Yahoo! says MLS on NBC Sports Network is doing decently in the ratings.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has the local sports radio ratings and CBS Radio continues to be on top.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC will stream all Olympic events live online, but there’s a bit of a catch.

Richard says the NBA is looking at allowing jersey sponsorships.

Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY notes the passing of a former Yankees, Islanders and Nets radio announcer.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette notes the good ratings for the NHL on NBC.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has a viewing primer for the upcoming NFL season.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call discusses and dissects NBC’s Sunday Night Football schedule.

Keith says the NHL’s Battle of Pennsylvania is drawing big ratings in the Keystone State.

Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.com’s Goalkeeper blog says a Spanish League soccer game on ESPN2 beat MLS on NBC Sports Network in the ratings last weekend.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has pictorial proof of the Space Shuttle Discovery passing various local sports venues on its last flight to the Smithsonian yesterday.

Tom Robinson at the Virginian-Pilot reports that the United Football League could have a TV contract with CBS Sports Network.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Texas Rangers’ ratings on Fox Sports Southwest are way up this season.

Mike Bailey of the Houston Chronicle talks with a local golfer who took part in the upcoming season of Golf Channel’s Big Break reality show.

Mel Bracht in The Oklahoman says a local sports radio show moves from middays to afternoon drive.

Mel has the local weekend TV ratings.

Berry Tremel of The Oklahoman writes that NBC’s Sunday Night Football is the NFL’s premier TV package.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer remembers a former NBA announcer.

Bill Shea at Crain’s Detroit Business says the Tigers are looking at a big payday for their TV rights.

Robert Channick in the Chicago Tribune profiles Comcast SportsNet Chicago head man Jim Corno.

Eric Goodman at Mile High Sports feels he wasted three hours of his life watching ESPN’s NFL regular season schedule release special.

Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic says Phoenix Coyotes TV analyst Tyson Nash is feeling the wrath of Chicago Blackhawks fans for comments he made about a hit on ‘Hawks star Marian Hossa.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News mourns the passing of a former Kings radio voice.

Tom Cheredar of Venture Beat talks about NBC’s extensive plans to stream the Olympics online.

Sports Media Watch notes the rise of NHL ratings for a couple of regional sports networks.

SMW talks about CBS passing on broadcasting this upcoming season’s Pro Bowl.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says NBC may air both Bruins-Capitals NHL Playoffs games this weekend.

Joe Favorito says sometimes, it’s a little idea at a major network that could catch fire elsewhere.

And that is all for now.

Golf Channel Airs Live Four Round LPGA Coverage

Starting tonight, Golf Channel will carry the LPGA LOTTE Championship from the Ko Olina Golf Club on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. The four round coverage will be live in primetime starting at 6:30 East tonight and going through Sunday evening.

Tom Abbott will be the main at the 18th tower along with Judy Rankin. Mark Rolfing will also be on hand at the 17th.

LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan is expected to join Tom and Judy at the 18th sometime during tonight’s coverage to discuss the future of the LPGA and where it’s headed.

We have the Golf Channel press release for you.

GOLF CHANNEL/LPGA AIRTIMES AND NOTES: LPGA LOTTE CHAMPIONSHIP (AIRTIMES EXTENDED)

Live Tournament Broadcast Airtimes Extended Wednesday-Sunday

LPGA LOTTE Championship
Dates: April 18-21
Venue: Ko Olina Golf Club, Oahu, Hawaii

Airtimes: Wednesday 6:30-11 p.m. (Live)
Thursday 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Live)
Friday 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Live)/1-4 p.m. (Saturday Replay)
Saturday 7-10 p.m. (Live)/10 p.m.-1 a.m. (Replay)

Golf Channel Broadcast Team
Tom Abbott (Play by Play)
Judy Rankin (Analyst)
Mark Rolfing (Tower)
Jerry Foltz (On Course)
Jane Crafter (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Wednesday-Saturday Tournament – The LPGA LOTTE Championship will take place Wednesday-Saturday, with live coverage in primetime on Golf Channel.
• I.K. Kim and Karin Sjodin Featured Wednesday for LPGA Unplugged -– LPGA professionals I.K. Kim and Karin Sjodin will be featured participants on Wednesday on “LPGA Unplugged,” a new feature airing on Golf Channel during LPGA tournament coverage where players discuss all aspects of golf, the tour and their everyday lives.
• LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan to Join Broadcast Booth Wednesday -– LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan is scheduled to join Abbott and Rankin in the broadcast booth during Wednesday’s live tournament coverage.
• 2011 U.S. Women’s Open Champion So Yeon Ryu Rookie Spotlight –- 2011 U.S. Women’s Open champion So Yeon Ryu will be Golf Channel’s rookie spotlight player during Thursday’s live tournament coverage.
• Walk and Talks Featured – Golf Channel on-course reporters Jerry Foltz and Jane Crafter will interview players as they are walking the fairways during all four rounds of tournament coverage.
• Headlining the field: World No.1 Yani Tseng, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Ai Miyazato, Stacy Lewis, Suzann Pettersen, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr, Azahara Munoz, Beatriz Recari, Christina Kim and Brittany Lincicome.

So far, it’s been quite the NBC Sports Group morning. Back later.

Golf Channel’s Live Tournament Action This Week

Now that golf’s first major tournament is done, the next one won’t be coming for a couple of months. This week, the PGA Tour is in Hilton Head, SC, the Champions Tour will be in Florida and the European Tour continues its Asian swing in Malaysia.

It’s all on Golf Channel this week.

GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT AIRTIMES AND NOTES: RBC HERITAGE, ENCOMPASS INSURANCE PRO-AM OF TAMPA BAY, MAYBANK MALAYSIAN OPEN

PGA TOUR Returns to Hilton Head for RBC Heritage
Celebrities Headline Field at Encompass Insurance Pro-Am of Tampa Bay
European Tour Heads to Malaysia for Malaysian Open

RBC Heritage
Dates: April 12-15
Venue: Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Airtimes:
Thursday 3-6 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday 3-6 p.m. (Live) / 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday 1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 9:30-11:30 p.m. (CBS Replay)
Sunday 1-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 9:30-11:30 p.m. (CBS Replay)

Golf Channel Broadcast Team
Brian Hammons (Play-by-Play)
Peter Oosterhuis (Analyst)
Matt Gogel (Tower)
Phil Parkin (On Course)
Todd Lewis (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes:

• Four-Round Coverage on Golf Channel – Golf Channel will air live coverage of all four rounds this week, including 90-minute early coverage on the weekend at 1 p.m. ET.
• Ryder Cup Captain Davis Love III to Join Broadcast Booth on Friday — Ryder Cup Captain and five-time RBC Heritage Champion Davis Love III is scheduled to join the broadcast booth during Golf Channel’s live tournament coverage on Friday.
• ProTracer to Make Golf Channel Debut – Yellow ProTracer will be featured during Golf Channel’s Thursday and Friday tournament coverage of the RBC Heritage. ProTracer’s technology tracks the flight of the golf ball and applies graphics to the flight to give viewers a richer experience.
• Headlining the Field – World No. 1 Luke Donald, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington, Bill Haas, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Trevor Immelman, Jason Dufner, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Camilo Villegas, Lucas Glover, Jose Maria Olazabal, John Huh, Rocco Mediate, Mark Wilson and John Daly.

Encompass Insurance Pro-Am of Tampa Bay
Dates: April 13-15
Venue: TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz, Fla.

Airtimes:
Friday 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Live) / 12:30-2:30 a.m. (Replay)
Saturday 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Tape Delay) / Midnight-2 a.m. (Replay)
Sunday 7-9:30 p.m. (Tape Delay) / 12:30-2:30 a.m. (Replay)

Golf Channel Broadcast Team
Bob Papa (Play-by-Play)
Curt Byrum (Analyst)
John Mahaffey (Tower)
David Marr III (Tower)
Phil Blackmar (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Celebrities Headline Pro-Am Field: The celebrity line-up for the Encompass Insurance Pro-Am of Tampa Bay includes Rick Pitino, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, Craig T. Nelson, John O’Hurley, Joe Theismann and Tampa Bay Lightning Founder Phil Esposito.
• Kirk Triplett Making Champions Tour Debut: Multiple PGA TOUR winner Kirk Triplett, who turned 50 on March 29, is scheduled to make his Champions Tour debut this week in Tampa.
• Headlining the Field: Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Mark O’Meara, Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin, Loren Roberts, Jay Haas, John Cook, Peter Senior, Dan Forsman, Russ Cochran, Gary Koch, Larry Mize, Hale Irwin and Craig Stadler.

Malaysian Open
Dates: April 12-15
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Airtimes:
Thursday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Friday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Saturday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)
Sunday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Tape Delay)

Golf Channel Tournament Broadcast Team
Tom Abbott (Studio Host)
Dougie Donnelly (Play-by-Play)
Dom Boulet (Analyst)
Jay Townsend (On Course)

Broadcast Notes:

• Headlining the Field: Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Matteo Manassero, Alvaro Quiros, Nicolas Colsaerts, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Alexander Noren, Thongchai Jaidee, Thorbjorn Olesen, Todd Hamilton and Peter Uihlein.

That’s it.

Golf Channel Has Masters Week Covered

Now that college basketball is winding down, we can shift to other sports and with the first week of April comes The Masters^®. While ESPN and CBS will provide the live coverage on-course, Golf Channel will be at Augusta to provide coverage of the news conferences, do live interviews and provide analysis. Coverage began on Golf Channel on Monday through Morning Drive with Gary Williams, Erik “I’m in Mensa and I’m Way Smarter Than You” Kusilias and Holly Sonders and Live From The Masters.

Overall, Golf Channel will have 60 hours of Masters coverage, most through “Live From.”

We have the Golf Channel press release.

GOLF CHANNEL HAS THE MASTERS COVERED

Sixty Hours of Live News Coverage from Augusta and Orlando
Palmer, Player, Floyd, Nicklaus, Watson, Crenshaw and Norman Among Daily Special Guests
Begay, Goydos, Browne and Flesch Guest Analysts Throughout the Week
Morning Drive Expands Through Weekend During Masters Week

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 2, 2012) – Golf Channel is primed to deliver 60 live hours of news coverage from this week’s Masters tournament – the most-anticipated major championship in golf -– with live news reports, inside analysis, player interviews, special guest appearances and compelling features throughout the week.

Sixty Hours of Coverage: Headlining the 60 hours of news coverage will be the network’s franchise news program -– Live From the Masters – providing more than 42 hours of live wrap-around news coverage throughout the week from Augusta, Ga., and Golf Channel’s Orlando studios, beginning Monday and concluding Sunday following tournament coverage. Morning Drive, the network’s live weekday morning show, will expand to seven days, with daily guests from Augusta. The 19th Hole will broadcast live from Golf Channel’s Orlando studios on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, and on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, Michael Breed will host a special Golf Fix from Augusta Country Club.

Live From the Masters Broadcast Team and Special Guests: PGA TOUR professionals Notah Begay, Paul Goydos and Steve Flesch and Champions Tour professional Olin Browne are scheduled to join Golf Channel this week as contributing analysts on Live From. Begay will contribute from Augusta, with Goydos, Flesch and Brown in Orlando. Legends of the game also are scheduled to make special guest appearances on the Golf Channel set throughout the week, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Ray Floyd and Greg Norman.

Golf Channel’s Live From the Masters broadcast team will include Rich Lerner, Steve Sands, Todd Lewis, Whit Watson, Nick Faldo, Frank Nobilo, Brandel Chamblee, David Feherty, Charlie Rymer, Billy Andrade, Ken Schofield, John Feinstein, Alex Miceli, Tim Rosaforte, Jason Sobel, Rex Hoggard and Jay Coffin reporting from Augusta, Ga. Kelly Tilghman, Mike Ritz, Tripp Isenhour and Randall Mell will report and contribute from the network’s Orlando studios.

News Conferences: Live From the Masters news coverage will feature pre-tournament news conferences Tuesday and Wednesday from Augusta National, including top-ranked players Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and defending champion Charl Schwartzel. Tuesday’s news conference coverage airs from 1-4 p.m. ET, and Wednesday’s coverage airs from 12-1 p.m. ET.

Live From the Masters News Coverage: Live From the Masters will provide more than 42 hours of comprehensive wrap-around news coverage of the Masters, including player interviews, analysis, up-to-the-minute leaderboard updates and daily features from Golf Channel’s team of anchors, reporters and contributors. Live From the Masters will air Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. ET; Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET; Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. ET, and Sunday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. ET.

Live From the Masters Scheduled Features:

• Defending Champion Charl Schwartzel Recalls Masters Victory – Tim Rosaforte visits with Charl Schwartzel to recount his 2011 Masters victory.
• Fred Couples on 20^th Anniversary of Masters Victory – Fred Couples will sit down with Rosaforte to discuss his Masters victory in 1992 and what it meant to him.
• Mickelson on the Masters – Steve Sands will sit down with three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson to discuss his success at Augusta National and why the tournament has a special place in his heart.
• Rory McIlroy Discusses Masters Heartbreak – Sands visits with Rory McIlroy to discuss his 2011 Masters heartbreak and what he gained from that experience that helped him elevate to World No. 1.
• Larry Mize on the 15^th Anniversary of his Memorable Masters victory – In one of the more memorable playoffs in Masters history, Larry Mize defeated Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman when Mize chipped in from well off the green to claim his lone Green Jacket. The shot is widely known as one of the most memorable shots in tournament history. Rich Lerner will visit with Augusta native Mize, who will take a look back at his remarkable victory.
• World’s Top-Ranked Amateur Patrick Cantlay Talks About his First Masters – UCLA golfer and the world’s top-ranked amateur Patrick Cantlay will visit with Steve Burkowski to discuss his successful 2011 season, resisting the pressures on turning professional and preparing for his first Masters.

Morning Drive Expands to Seven Days: Kicking off Golf Channel’s Masters coverage will be Morning Drive, hosted by Gary Williams and Erik Kuselias. Golf Channel’s popular weekday morning show will expand to seven days during Masters Week and will include special expanded bonus coverage throughout the week, featuring daily guests from Augusta. (Complete airtimes appear below)

Wall-to-Wall Coverage on GolfChannel.com: GolfChannel.com will feature expanded editorial content and interactive capabilities with fans timed to the Masters this week, including:

Live Blogs & Chats
Jason Sobel and John Hawkins will host live chats Thursday-Sunday to keep fans up to date as the action unfolds.

Editorial Coverage
Jason Sobel, Rex Hoggard, Randall Mell, Jay Coffin and John Hawkins and Ryan Ballengee will contribute daily to the Golf Talk Central blog, along with daily columns, news articles, features and breaking news.

Exclusive Online Video Content
Morning and evening updates from Golf Channel’s Live From the Masters team will be available each day.

Live From the Masters Programming (all times ET)

Tuesday, April 3
Live From the Masters 1-4 p.m. (news conferences)
Live From the Masters 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 4
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Live From the Masters 12-1 p.m. (Billy Payne news conference)
Live From the Masters 6-8 p.m.
Grey Goose 19th Hole 8-9 p.m.

Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6
Morning Drive 6-8 a.m.
Live From the Masters 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Live From the Masters 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 7
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Live From the Masters 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Live From the Masters 7-9 p.m.

Sunday, April 8
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Live From the Masters 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Live From the Masters 7-9 p.m.

And that is all.

Golf Channel Announces Extension To Air LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship

The first major tournament on the LPGA calendar, the Kraft Nabisco is this week and Golf Channel has announced a three year extension to air the Championship beginning in 2013.

Golf Channel took over the rights to the Kraft Nabisco, formerly known as the Dinah Shore Invitational from ESPN2/CBS in 2011. Before last year, three rounds aired on ESPN2 and the final round on CBS. Since then, Golf Channel has given the major four round coverage and increased viewership in each of the two years it has aired the tournament.

It also marks the first of two major LPGA tournaments on Golf Channel, the LPGA Championship being the other.

We have the announcement regarding the rights extension.

GOLF CHANNEL ANNOUNCES THREE-YEAR TV RIGHTS EXTENSION TO KRAFT NABISCO CHAMPIONSHIP

LPGA Tour’s First Major of the Year Exclusively on Golf Channel
Golf Channel to Air 35 Hours of Coverage Beginning with Wednesday’s LPGA Majors Golf Central Special

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 27, 2012) – Golf Channel and the LPGA Tour have agreed to an exclusive three- year extension of the network’s exclusive rights to the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the season’s first major championship. The joint announcement was made this week by LPGA Tour Commissioner Mike Whan and Golf Channel President Mike McCarley.

“Based on the strong promotional advertising, the incredible tournament coverage and ‘storytelling,’ and the record-high viewership results that occurred in 2011, we’re excited to partner with Golf Channel and continue showcasing the LPGA’s first major,” Whan said.

Golf Channel viewership for its inaugural coverage of the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2011 kicked off with the tournament’s highest-rated and most-watched first round in 18 years, which was followed by a second round that was the highest in 17 years. Golf Channel also aired 280 percent more hours of coverage than the previous year when the event aired on CBS and ESPN2 (34 hours in 2011 versus 9 hours in 2010). Average viewers for the entire tournament increased 29 percent from 2010 (511,000 on Golf Channel versus 395,000 on CBS/ESPN2).

Overall ratings for the LPGA Tour on Golf Channel in 2011 were up 30 percent over the previous year, helping fuel Golf Channel to its most-watched year in its 17-year history.

“Extending our exclusive partnership with the LPGA Tour and the Kraft Nabisco Championship is great for fans of the game and the excitement that the season’s first major championship brings,” McCarley said. “We’re looking forward to showcasing these compelling stories for our viewers and providing a home for the tournament for years to come.”

The Kraft Nabisco Championship is one of two LPGA Tour major championships airing exclusively on Golf Channel in 2012, also including the LPGA Championship (June 7-10). This week’s event will host an elite field, headlined by defending champion Stacy Lewis and current World No. 1 Yani Tseng, who already has won three times in 2012 and is seeking her sixth major title. Golf Channel will begin its coverage with a one-hour Golf Central Special Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on the eve of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, kicking off the LPGA Majors season.

Golf Channel will air six hours of daily, live coverage Thursday and Friday from Noon-3 p.m. ET and 6:30-9:30 p.m. ET. Weekend coverage will air live from 4:30-8:30 p.m. ET. Kelly Tilghman will serve as Golf Channel host of each day’s telecast, while also conducting one-on-one interviews with players. Terry Gannon will handle play-by-play, joined by lead analyst and LPGA Hall-of-Famer Judy Rankin. Tom Abbott will call the action from a tower position on the golf course, with Jane Crafter, Phil Parkin and Jerry Foltz reporting from the ground. Scott Walker will conduct post-round interviews and report for Golf Central throughout the week. Golf Central also will precede all four rounds of the Kraft Nabisco Championship with half-hour preview shows featuring highlights, interviews and analysis.

Kraft Nabisco Championship Live Airtimes (all times Eastern)

Wednesday
Golf Central Special — 10-11 p.m. Live

Thursday and Friday
Golf Central Pre Game — 1:30 a.m.-Noon Live
Rounds 1/2 — Noon-3 p.m. Live
Golf Central — 6-6:30 p.m. Live
Rounds 1/2 — 6:30-9:30 p.m. Live
Rounds 1/2 — 1:30-4:30 a.m. Replay

Saturday and Sunday
Golf Central Pre Game — 4-4:30 p.m. Live
Rounds 3/4 — 4:30-8:30 p.m. Live
Rounds 3/4 – Midnight-4 a.m. Replay

That will do it.

NBC Sports Group Boasts About 33 Sports Emmy Award Nominations

Overall, the NBC Sports Group has the second highest amount of Sports Emmy Award nominations after ESPN’s 52. Combined with NBC Sports, Golf Channel, Versus (now NBC Sports Network) and NBCSports.com, the Group has a whole slew of nominations.

Some of the more notable nominations include Studio Host (Bob Costas & Dan Patrick), Play-by-Play (Al Michaels & Mike Emrick), Game Analyst (Cris Collinsworth), Game Analyst (Mike Mayock), Sports Reporter (Michele Tafoya & Pierre McGuire), Live Sports Special (NHL Stanley Cup Final on both NBC/Versus), Live Sports Series (Sunday Night Football), Playoff Coverage (NFL Wild Card Saturday) and Weekly Studio Show (Football Night in America).

So as you can see, the Group has been nominated in several major categories. We have the NBC Sports Group press release crowing about its nominations.

NBC SPORTS GROUP GARNERS 33 SPORTS EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Total Nominations for NBC Sports Group Up from Last Year
NBC Leads All Broadcast Networks with 23 Nominations
Sunday Night Football & Football Night in America Nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Series & Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly
NBC/VERSUS* Nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Special for 2011 Stanley Cup Final
On-Air Personalities Costas, Michaels, Emrick, Collinsworth, Mayock, Patrick, Tafoya & McGuire Nominated
Bob Costas’ Halftime Essays Nominated for Dick Schaap Writing Award

NEW YORK – March 20, 2012 – The NBC Sports Group received 33 total Sports Emmy Award nominations for 2011, the first year it produced programming as a single sports media company. The 33 nominations received by NBC Sports Group is the second-highest number of nominations for any sports media company or network. NBC led all broadcast networks with 23 nominations. The announcement was made today by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The winners will be announced by the Academy on Monday, April 30.

Highlights of NBC Sports Group’s nominations include:

• Once again, Sunday Night Football on NBC was nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Series.
• Football Night in America was nominated for the second consecutive year for Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly.
• NBC’s NFL Wild Card Saturday received its first nomination for Outstanding Playoff Coverage.
• For the first time as a joint production team, NBC/VERSUS* was rewarded with a nomination for Outstanding Live Sports Special for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.
• Golf Channel was nominated for Outstanding Live Event Turnaround for Inside the PGA Tour.
• The newly created show, NFL Turning Point, which debuted on VERSUS* in the fall of 2010, received the nomination for Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology in its premiere season.
• NBCSports.com was again nominated for Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming for its live stream platform, Sunday Night Football Extra.
• Along with co-writer Aaron Cohen, Bob Costas, a 22-time Emmy Award winner, who is again nominated for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host, was nominated for the Dick Schaap Writing Award for his halftime essays on Sunday Night Football.
• Nominations in individual talent categories:

o Bob Costas (Studio Host)
o Al Michaels (Play-by-Play)
o Mike Emrick (Play-by-Play)
o Cris Collinsworth (Event Analyst)
o Mike Mayock (Event Analyst)
o Dan Patrick (Studio Host)
o Michele Tafoya (Reporter)
o Pierre McGuire (Reporter)

*VERSUS was rebranded NBC Sports Network on January 2, 2012.

“I am incredibly proud that the NBC Sports Group has earned an impressive 33 nominations for the work done in our first year together as a company,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “Aligning our assets to produce the highest-quality programming across our national broadcast, cable and digital platforms has clearly made a difference.”

All of the national platforms of NBC Sports Group — NBC Sports, VERSUS*, Golf Channel and NBCSports.com — received a nomination. Most notably, NBC, VERSUS* and NBCSports.com received 16 nominations related to NFL coverage, and NBC/VERSUS* received four nominations for its coverage of the NHL. Golf Channel earned two nominations and NBCSports.com was honored with one.

The complete list of NBC Sports Group nominations are as follows:

• Outstanding Live Sports Special: 2011 Stanley Cup Final (NBC/VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Live Sports Series: Sunday Night Football
• Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: 2011 Track & Field World Championships
• Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: 2011 Tour de France (VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: The USA Pro Cycling Challenge (VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Live Event Turnaround: Inside the PGA Tour (Golf Channel)
• Outstanding Playoff Coverage: NFL Wild Card Saturday
• Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology: NFL Turning Point (VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology: World of Adventure Sports
• Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly: Football Night in America
• Outstanding Short Feature: Football Night in America – “The Greatest Gift”
• Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming: Sunday Night Football Extra (NBCSports.com)
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host: Bob Costas
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host: Dan Patrick
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play: Al Michaels
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play: Mike Emrick (NBC/VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Event Analyst: Cris Collinsworth
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Event Analyst: Mike Mayock
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Reporter: Michele Tafoya
• Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Reporter: Pierre McGuire (NBC/VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Technical Team Remote: US Open Championship (Golf Channel/NBC)
• Outstanding Camera Work: 2011 Ford Ironman World Championship
• Dick Schaap Writing Award: NBC Sunday Night Football – Bob Costas Essays
• Dick Schaap Writing Award: The Kentucky Derby
• Outstanding Graphic Design: Sunday Night Football
• Outstanding Production Design/Art Direction: Sunday Night Football
• George Wensel Technical Achievement Award: America’s Cup Highlight Show – Live Line (VERSUS*)
• Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement – Episodic:
  • NFL Kickoff
  • 2011 Stanley Cup Final – No Words

A complete list of nominees is available here.

*VERSUS was rebranded NBC Sports Network on January 2, 2012.

That’s all for this post. One more Sports Emmy-related post tonight.

33rd Annual Sports Emmy Nominations Announced

We have the nominations, all 170 in 33 different categories, for the 33rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards. They just came out today. There are some surprises like massive hockey charlatan Pierre McGuire nominated in the Sports Reporter category and for some really strange reason, Skippy Bayless of ESPN2′s First Take was nominated for Best Studio Analyst. What analysis does he do besides yelling and having massive manlove for Tim Tebow?

There are some of the usual suspects are nominated, Bob Costas for Best Studio Host, Al Michaels in Play-by-Play, Cris Collinsworth for both Studio and Game Analyst.

Some of the nominations I agree with include Mike Mayock for Best Game Analyst, College GameDay and Football Night in America as Best Studio Shows and all of the movies in the Sports Documentary category. Sports documentaries were strong this year and I have trouble picking one although Catching Hell, the ESPN Films effort on Steve Bartman and the Chicago Cubs might be the weakest of the bunch, but the doc was still very good.

Ok, get ready to scroll, the entire list is below. We do need a page break so the list of nominees will after the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences press releases.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES THE NOMINEES FOR THE 33^RD ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS

Winners to be Honored During the April 30^th Ceremony At Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jack Whitaker to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

New York, NY – March 20, 2012 – The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 33^rd Annual Sports Emmy® Awards.

More than 170 nominees were announced in 33 categories including outstanding live sports special, live series, sports documentary, studio show, promotional announcements, play-by-play personality and studio analyst.  The Awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on April 30^th, 2012 in New York City.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports will go to the Sports Commentator and Essayist, Jack Whitaker.

“This is an outstanding year for the sports community and for The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,” said Malachy Wienges, Chairman, NATAS. “The entries received in this year’s Sports Emmys resulted in a record 175 nominees, illustrating the quality of these entries.  We are also honoring Jack Whitaker with our Lifetime Achievement Award.  I had the pleasure of working with Jack for eighteen years at CBS, and Jack is a sports icon and a class act.”

In addition to Jack Whitaker, many of the today’s leading sports broadcasters, personalities and television professionals will be in attendance as presenters at the event.

The networks of ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, ESPN 3D & espn.com) lead the nomination totals with 55, the NBC Sports Group (NBC, Versus, Golf Channel & nbcsports.com) garnered 32, CBS (CBS, Showtime, CBSSports.com) entries received 26 nominations, while Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, NBA.com & truTV) have 22.

A complete list of all nominees is attached below.

33^rd Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network Group

ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2, ABC, ESPN 3D, espn.com) – 55
NBC Sports Group (NBC, Versus, Golf Channel, nbcsports.com) – 32
CBS (CBS, Showtime, CBSSports.com) – 26
Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, NBA.com, truTV) – 22
HBO Sports – 19
FOX Sports Media Group (FOX, SPEED) – 16
NFL Network – 12
MLB Network – 8
DIRECTV – 2
MLB Advanced Media (MLB.com, MLBAM) – 2
NFL.com – 2
NCAA.com – 1
PGA.com – 1

33^rd Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network

ESPN – 36
NBC – 22
HBO Sports – 19
CBS – 15
FOX – 15
TNT – 15
ESPN2 – 14
NFL NETWORK – 12
SHOWTIME – 10
MLB NETWORK – 8
VERSUS – 7  
TBS – 3
ABC – 2   
DIRECTV – 2
ESPN 3D – 2
GOLF CHANNEL – 2
NBA TV – 2
NFL.COM – 2
CBSSPORTS.COM – 1
ESPN.COM – 1
MLB.COM – 1
MLBAM – 1
NBA.COM – 1
NBCSPORTS.COM – 1
NCAA.COM – 1
PGA.COM – 1
SPEED – 1
truTV – 1

BREAKDOWN OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM/SERIES NOMINATIONS

Program/Nominations/Network

24/7: 8 -  HBO
E: 60: 7 – ESPN2
A Game of Honor: 5 – Showtime/CBSSports.com
MLB on FOX: 5 – FOX
NASCAR on FOX: 5 – FOX
NBA on TNT: 4 – TNT
NBC Sunday Night Football: 4 – NBC
FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – ESPN/ESPN2
Outside the Lines: 3 – ESPN
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: 3 – HBO
SportsCenter: 3 – ESPN
The Army/Navy Game: 3 – CBS
The Franchise: 3 – Showtime
Winter X Games 15: 3 – ESPN/ESPN3D
2011 Open Championship: 2 – ESPN
2011 Stanley Cup Final: 2 – NBC/Versus
ESPN Monday Night Football: 2 – ESPN
Football Night in America: 2 – NBC
Grand Slam Tennis on ESPN: 2 – ESPN2
Inside the NBA on TNT: 2 – TNT
Joplin: City of Hope: 2 – ESPN2
McEnroe/Borg: Fire & Ice: 2 – HBO
MLB Tonight: 2 – MLB Network
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament: 2 – CBS/TBS/TNT/truTV
NFL Films Presents: 2 – NFL Network
NFL GameDay Morning: 2 – NFL Network
NFL on FOX: 2 – FOX
Sports Science: 2 – ESPN/ESPN.com
Sunday NFL Countdown: 2 – ESPN
Unguarded: 2 – ESPN

And after the page break, all of the nominees for the 33rd Annual Sports Emmy Awards which will be handed out April 30 in New York City.

(continue reading…)

A Couple of Early Thursday Sports Media Thoughts

I’m writing this past midnight on a Thursday. I want to sleep, but I’ll pound this out to get these off my chest. This will be in bullet form as always.

• It seems every sports media writer and blogger has offered thoughts and potential landing spots for ESPN’s Big Three Free Agents, Michelle Beadle, Erin Andrews and Scott Van Pelt. All are coveted within ESPN circles and while the Alleged Worldwide Leader has in the past stepped up to keep their free agents from flying the coop, the network may be hard pressed to keep all in the Bristol nest this time around. Let’s handicap all three and give a prediction on where each could possibly sign.

  Starting with Michelle Beadle, the co-host of ESPN2′s SportsNation, she has made it no secret that she’d like to branch out from sports. While she has enjoyed co-hosting with SportsNation with Colin Cowherd, he has said he wants to leave that show by next year. Could that influence Michelle’s thinking? Absolutely. Michelle is not the typical ESPN’er. She speaks her mind. She’s not afraid to mention or talk to ESPN’s arch-enemy, Deadspin. Michelle has a block of ESPN higher up’s solidly in her corner, but even with that said, I think she leaves Bristol and heads to New York or LA to host an entertainment show or become a panelist on a talk show.

  Erin Andrews has become a rock star at the Alleged Worldwide Leader and to be honest, I was a little surprised when she signed a contract to return to ESPN back in 2010. I don’t think she’ll stay this time around. I think she could go to NBC which can give her a combination package of Access Hollywood, the Today Show, the Olympics, other major sporting events like the Super Bowl and maybe a special or two every year on NBC Sports Network. Erin’s days as a sideline reporter are over.

  Scott Van Pelt was lured to ESPN from Golf Channel and while NBC can offer him a role on his old home and on the PGA Tour, a possible hosting job on the Olympics, a regular show on NBCSN and even more if The Group gets more inventory, I think he stays in Bristol. Van Pelt likes hosting his radio show and I predict he’ll get an expanded role on SportsCenter plus host ESPN’s big events.

• Can we get Bonnie Bernstein a major radio or TV gig soon? She deserves it.
• Lastly, I want to do a mailbag soon so if you have a sports media question, send it to kzf1@fangsbites.com. One e-mailer at random will get the first season DVD of VH1′s Mob Wives courtesy of Klout. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

I’m done.

The 2012 LPGA Tour Starts in Earnest on Golf Channel on Thursday

There have been a couple of LPGA Tour events so far this year, however, they’ve taken place in Asia. Now the LPGA comes back to America starting this weekend with the LPGA Founders Cup. It kicks off 23 events on the calendar including four round coverage of tour major tournaments such as the Kraft Nabisco (formerly known as the Dinah Shore) and the LPGA Championship.

Most of the events will be seen live on the weekends while some tournaments will have tape delayed coverage on weekdays.

Rich Lerner, Terry Gannon and Tom Abbot will share the play-by-play. Kelly Tilghman will be host at three events. We have the entire list of the LPGA Tour on Golf Channel.

GOLF CHANNEL DOMESTIC LPGA TOUR SEASON BEGINS THURSDAY

Two Major Championships Headline 23-Event Schedule
Exclusive Golf Channel Coverage of Kraft Nabisco Championship Marks Season’s First Major, March 29-April 1

ORLANDO, Fla., (March 13, 2012) – Golf Channel’s domestic coverage of the 2012 LPGA Tour season is the most anticipated in the network’s history, featuring full coverage of the first two major championships and unique storytelling of the game’s current and rising stars, all kicking off Thursday in Arizona with the LPGA Founders Cup.

Golf Channel’s live coverage of the LPGA Founders Cup will take place Thursday-Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET, followed by live weekend coverage from 4-7 p.m. ET. The tournament coverage will include features on the LPGA’s Founding Members and Pioneers, Hall-of-Fame players and the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf Program.

Headlining the 2012 broadcast schedule will be live coverage of the Kraft Nabisco Championship (March 29-April 1), golf’s first major championship of the season. Golf Channel will broadcast 20 hours of live coverage throughout the tournament, including six hours of live coverage on Thursday and Friday. The season’s second major of the year, the LPGA Championship, will air on Golf Channel June 7-10, when World No. 1 Yani Tseng will look to defend her 2011 title.

In total, Golf Channel will broadcast 23 LPGA Tour events -– the majority produced in high definition –- in 2012.

Golf Channel is entering the third year of a 10-year partnership with the LPGA Tour as the exclusive cable home. In 2010, the network introduced and featured several unique production elements to enhance the telecasts and showcase the personalities of LPGA Tour players, most notably fitting players with microphones during competition. “Mic’d Up” now also is featured on PGA TOUR telecasts.

Golf Channel will continue to provide viewers with its signature production elements for LPGA Tour telecasts, beginning this week with the LPGA Founders Cup. During the opening rounds, Golf Channel will feature “LPGA Unplugged,” where two LPGA Tour players will discuss all aspects of golf, the tour and their everyday lives. During Friday telecasts, a player in the field will join the network’s announcers as a player analyst. Other popular elements also will return, including rookie and player profiles, interviewing players as they are walking the fairways (“Walk and Talks”), and weekly tips from players. Throughout the year, LPGA players will be “mic’d up” during their opening rounds of play.

Golf Channel also will expand its LPGA broadcast team in 2012. Rich Lerner will join Terry Gannon and Tom Abbott as play-by-play hosts, with Kelly Tilghman joining the team as show host for the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the LPGA Championship and the CME Group Titleholders. Scottsdale resident Brandel Chamblee will serve as lead analyst this week for the LPGA Founders Cup, and Matt Gogel and Curt Byrum will make guest appearances throughout the year as tower reporters. Hall-of-Famer Judy Rankin, Jane Crafter, Kay Cockerill, Val Skinner, Jerry Foltz and Phil Parkin all return to Golf Channel’s LPGA broadcast team in 2012.

Golf Channel will continue to provide enhanced news coverage of the LPGA Tour and will produce several programs with LPGA stars throughout the year.

3/15-3/18 — RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup LIVE
3/22-3/25 — Kia Classic LIVE
3/29-4/1 — KRAFT Nabisco Championship LIVE
4/18-4/21 — LPGA LOTTE Championship
4/26-4/29 — Mobile Bay LPGA Classic LIVE
5/17-5/20 — Sybase Match Play Championship TD/LIVE
6/1-6/3 — ShopRite LPGA Classic LIVE
6/7-6/10 — LPGA Championship LIVE
6/21-6/24 — Manulife Financial LPGA Classic LIVE
6/29-7/1 — NW Arkansas Championship TD/LIVE
7/26-7/29 — Evian Masters TD/LIVE
8/17-8/19 — Safeway Classic LIVE
8/23-8/26 — Canadian Women’s Open TD/LIVE
9/6-9/9 — Kingsmill Championship LIVE
9/20-9/23 — Navistar LPGA Classic TD/LIVE
10/11-10/14 — Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia TD
10/19-10/21 — LPGA Hana Bank Championship TD
10/25-10/28 — LPGA Taiwan Championship TD
11/8-11/11 — Lorena Ochoa Invitational LIVE
11/15-11/18 — CME Group Titleholders LIVE

Number of events, schedule and times subject to change

That does it.

Golf Channel Announces Cast of Big Break Atlantis

Golf Channel has sent out a press release unveiling the cast of Big Break Atlantis. This upcoming season will be an all-female affair. The 12 golfers are vying for a chance to receive an exemption in an LPGA event and an undetermined (thus far) amount of cash.

I love watching Big Break as each show’s locale is filmed so beautifully. And this season with the series stopping at the Atlantis Golf Resort at Paradise Island in the Bahamas, I expect nothing less when the show premieres on May 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

Unlike previous all-female casts, there isn’t anyone over the age of 31. Tom Abbott and Stephanie Sparks return to co-host Big Break.

The show was filmed in January so the cast already knows the results. No one is talking, of course. The press release.

CONTESTANTS REVEALED FOR BIG BREAK ATLANTIS

All-Female Cast Heads to the Bahamas for Series 17^th Season, Premiering May 14
World No. 1 Yani Tseng and Fellow LPGA Tour Professional Gerina Piller to Make Special Guest Appearances

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 12, 2012) – Golf Channel’s popular Big Break reality series returns May 14 with an all-female cast ready to use serious golf skills, beauty and brains to take that next step in their golf careers. Big Break Atlantis, the series’ 17^thseason, will premier May 14 at 9 p.m. ET.

Shot on location at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas, Big Break Atlantis will showcase a field of 12 women at different stages of their golf careers – several are currently playing on the Symetra Tour (LPGA developmental tour), while others turned professional for the series – who will compete against each other in an attempt to make their lifelong dream of playing alongside the world’s top golfers a reality. In addition to other prizes, the winner will receive an exemption to a to-be-announced 2012 LPGA Tour tournament and cash.

The contestants are:

Anya Alvarez (22, Pittsburgh, Pa.) – A fiery competitor on the course, Alvarez has overcome enormous odds off the course. A rookie on the Symetra Tour in 2012, Alvarez qualified and made the cut in the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open in her first attempt. She is an outspoken activist and public speaker on raising awareness of sexual abuse.

Shannon Fish (23, Spring, Texas) –Fish turned professional in 2011 following graduation from the University of Texas, posting four top-4 finishes on the Cactus Tour in her rookie year. An intense competitor, she was introduced to the game as a child by her mother and one of the game’s all time greats – Jackie Burke.

Natalia Ghilzon (21, Windsor, Ontario) – One of the most athletic competitors on the series, Ghilzon will look to follow in the same footsteps as fellow Windsor native David Byrne, who won the series 15^th season – Big Break Indian Wells. After overcoming wrist injuries, Ghilzon enters 2012 healthy and with a new found confidence.

Meghan Hardin (19, Lake Arrowhead, Calif.) – The youngest female competitor in the history of Big Break at age 19, Hardin turned professional just prior to the filming of the series, foregoing her final two years of collegiate golf. A part-time model, Hardin will begin her professional golf career in 2012, competing in Cactus Tour and mini-tour events.

Selanee Henderson (25, Temecula, Calif.) – A tough competitor on and off the course, Henderson is looking to capitalize on her success on the 2011 Cactus Tour (one win and one runner-up finish) to Big Break Atlantis. A natural athlete, Selanee also is the younger sister of former Olympic wrestler and current MMA fighter Dan Henderson.

Marcela Leon (31, Orlando, Fla./Monterrey, Mexico) – The most experienced competitor in the series, Leon has competed on the Symetra Tour for the past nine years, with five career top-10 finishes and one runner-up finish. She is competing a full-schedule on the 2012 Symetra Tour.

Aubrey McCormick (29, Arlington, Va.) – A free spirit, McCormick hung up the golf clubs in 2011 after struggling on the Symetra Tour and other mini-tour circuits. After working in an office environment, McCormick rediscovered her passion for the game and is beginning 2012 with a fresh outlook on golf.

Allison Micheletti (24, Scottsdale, Ariz.) – Daughter of former professional hockey player and current New York Rangers television analyst Joe Micheletti, Allison is a late bloomer to the game of golf, switching to the game at age 17 following a knee injury that sidelined her basketball career. Currently dating professional golfer Martin Kaymer, Micheletti will compete on the Cactus Tour and select Symetra Tour events in 2012.

Zakiya Randall (20, Atlanta, Ga.) – Golfer, model and music producer, Randall turned professional just prior to the filming of Big Break Atlantis, and is determined to make a name for herself in professional golf. Nicknamed “Z,” Randall will look to make a statement on the series with her golf game and her fashion.

Gloriana Soto (25, Windermere, Fla./San Jose, Costa Rica) – The first female professional golfer from Costa Rica to compete in the United States, Soto turned professional immediately following graduation from Texas Tech in 2010, and is scheduled to play a full schedule on the Symetra Tour in 2012.

Christina Stockton (24, Rocklin, Calif.) – Daughter of LPGA teaching professional Becky Herbert Stockton, golf was introduced to Christina at a young age. A four-time all conference player at the University of San Francisco and a part-time model, she turned professional in 2011 and will compete on the Symetra Tour, Cactus Tour and Canadian Women’s Tour in 2012.

Kelly Villarreal (29, Birmingham, Ala.) – Nicknamed “The Real Deal,” Villarreal is anticipating Big Break Atlantis to be her comeback story. She is giving professional golf another go after giving up on her dreams to compete on the LPGA Tour for a medical sales career five years ago.

The series also will feature special guest appearances from Women’s World No. 1 Yani Tseng and LPGA Tour professional Gerina Piller, who also was a competitor on Big Break Prince Edward Island, the series 11^th season. Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott and Stephanie Sparks return as co-hosts for the series.

Produced in January at the Bahamas resort, the 11-part series will unfold on the Tom Weiskopf designed 18-hole championship course – Ocean Club Golf Course – a picturesque par-72 layout featuring breathtaking signature holes and seaside greens and tees stretched over 7,100 yards of coastline.

The Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. During Big Break Atlantis, one contestant will be eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded her Big Break, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in an LPGA Tour event.

Past Big Break champions have won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, including the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, Big Break VII: Reunion champion and PGA TOUR professional, caught the world’s attention in 2011 with three top-five finishes, and Ryann O’Toole, competitor on Big Break Sandals Resorts in 2010 competed on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team as a Captain’s Pick during her rookie year in 2011.

Several other past Big Break competitors are currently competing on the world’s top tours, including Matt Every (PGA TOUR), James Nitties (Nationwide Tour), Kim Welch and Sara Brown (Ladies European Tour); and Gerina Piller, O’Toole and 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team member Kristy McPherson (LPGA Tour).

That is all.

NBC & Golf Channel To Provide Unique Coverage of Honda Classic

This weekend, NBC Sports and Golf Channel will air simultaneous coverage of the Honda Classic. While NBC will air its traditional shot-by-shot coverage of the PGA National Resort Championship Course, Golf Channel will focus on holes 15, 16 & 17 with its own production crew and commentators. This trio of holes known as “The Bear Trap” is said to be the most difficult three hole stretch on the PGA Tour. The Jack Nicklaus-designed course is supposed to challenge the world’s best golfers and last year, “The Bear Trap” averaged two shots over par for the three holes.

We have the details from NBC Sports/Golf Channel on what the coverage will entail.

GOLF CHANNEL AND NBC OFFER A NEW WAY TO WATCH GOLF

Traditional Coverage of The Honda Classic on NBC and ‘The Bear Trap’ Spotlight on Golf Channel Begin at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday & Sunday
Complementary Coverage Just One of the New Ways NBC Sports Group is Offering More Golf to Fans
NBC Sports Group Airing 22 Hours of Live Coverage of The Honda Classic

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 1, 2012) –The NBC Sports Group introduces a new way to watch the PGA TOUR this weekend when it presents live traditional coverage of the third and final rounds of The Honda Classic on NBC and “Spotlight” coverage of the three signature holes known as “The Bear Trap” on Golf Channel at the same time, both beginning at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday. This first-of-its-kind experience for golf represents the NBC Sports Group’s commitment to super-serve golf fans across multiple platforms for many years to come.

While NBC is on the air live from 3-6 p.m. ET this weekend with traditional coverage of The Honda Classic – which will showcase a stellar international field, including Tiger Woods, who will be playing this event for the first time since turning pro – Golf Channel’s Spotlight coverage will air live from the same tournament, but offering viewers an exclusive look at the signature holes of the Jack Nicklaus-designed PGA National Resort Championship Course and one of the toughest three-hole stretches on the PGA TOUR. In 2011, “The Bear Trap” proved the toughest of any three-hole stretch on the PGA TOUR, with the field averaging nearly two strokes over par for the three holes.

Nicklaus, nicknamed the “Golden Bear,” redesigned the Championship Course in 1990, which led to the origin of “The Bear Trap” name for holes 15, 16 and 17. Nicklaus has said that playing his signature three-hole stretch is all about precision, adding, “That stretch is about guts.”

Designed to complement NBC’s traditional coverage, Golf Channel will provide curious viewers a chance to see how some of the best in the game fare through Nicklaus’ signature three-hole gauntlet, which can make or break a golfer’s quest for victory. At the 1994 Senior PGA Championship, Raymond Floyd entered “The Bear Trap” with a one-shot lead. He then went five-over par on three holes and lost by five shots to Lee Trevino.

Golf Channel will provide its usual Thursday and Friday early round coverage and weekend lead-in/early coverage, but on the weekend the network will undertake an entirely separate production for its telecast of “The Bear Trap,” utilizing its own equipment, crew and commentators. Throughout the week, Golf Channel will be gathering player reaction to “The Bear Trap,” and will roll those interviews into the telecast, as well as video of past, dramatic moments. The coverage also will feature graphics and statistics exclusive to playing “The Bear Trap,” past and present.

On-air commentators will include Gary Williams calling the action at the 15^th and 17^th holes, Jerry Foltz at 16, Phil Parkin on the course and Todd Lewis conducting player interviews. Frank Nobilo, a 14-time winner on professional tours around the world and a three-time member of the International Presidents Cup team, will serve as the main analyst.

“We are committed to innovation and this unique approach is designed to bring renewed interest to the game of golf,” said Golf Channel President Mike McCarley. “The Spotlight coverage of one of the most demanding stretches on the PGA TOUR will not only showcase these signature holes, but also build more interest in the traditional coverage on NBC.”

“I’m delighted to be part of an initiative to give viewers a special look of one of the most devilish stretches of holes in golf, The Bear Trap,” said Nobilo. “The Bear Trap has provided some exciting and compelling golf over the years, and we will have the luxury of showcasing to viewers how it is playing throughout the weekend and how it might impact the outcome.”

Golf Channel’s Spotlight coverage test at The Honda Classic this week – part of NBC’s extended agreement with the PGA TOUR announced in August – will provide the NBC Sports Group with valuable feedback to plan future innovations for golf viewers. The new agreement, which officially commences in 2013, will allow the NBC Sports Group to better serve fans in new and innovative ways, such as complementary coverage and online streaming.

The Honda Classic – Golf Channel and NBC Live Tournament Airtimes

Thursday — 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live traditional coverage)
Friday — 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live traditional coverage)
Saturday — 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live traditional coverage)
Saturday — 3-6 p.m. ET (NBC live traditional coverage)
Saturday — 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live complementary coverage)
Sunday — 1-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live traditional coverage)
Sunday — 3-6 p.m. ET (NBC live traditional coverage)
Sunday — 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel live complementary coverage)

That will do it.

Two Golf Channel Releases Wrapped in One Post

We have two Golf Channel press releases. I figured why not?

First, Golf Channel will air the Honda Classic, the beginning of the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing. Golf Channel and sister network NBC will combine for complete four round coverage starting today from the PGA National Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens. Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III as well as all of last year’s Major champions including McIlroy are in a star-studded field.

We have Golf Channel’s skinny on the whole thing.

THE HONDA CLASSIC TOURNAMENT AIRTIMES AND BROADCAST NOTES

NBC Sports Group to Broadcast 22 Hours of The Honda Classic
Woods, Poulter and Westwood Featured Grouping for Thursday’s Coverage

The Honda Classic
Dates: March 1-4
Venue: Champion Course, PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Golf Channel Airtimes
Thursday 3-6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Friday 3-6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 -11:30 p.m. (Replay)
Saturday 1-3 p.m. (Live)/3-6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 -11:30 p.m. (NBC Replay)
Sunday 1-3 p.m. (Live)/3-6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 -11:30 p.m. (NBC Replay)

NBC Airtimes
Saturday 3-6 p.m. (Live)
Sunday 3-6 p.m. (Live)

Golf Channel/NBC Broadcast Team
Rich Lerner (Golf Channel Play-by-Play)/Dan Hicks (NBC Play-by-Play)
Frank Nobilo (Golf Channel Analyst)/Johnny Miller (NBC Analyst)
Gary Koch (Tower)
Mark Rolfing (Tower)
Roger Maltbie (On Course)
Dottie Pepper (On Course)
Jimmy Roberts (Tower/Interviews)
Todd Lewis (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes:

• Tiger Woods Returns to PGA National – Former World No. 1 Tiger Woods returns to The Honda Classic field at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
• Woods, Westwood, Poulter Thursday’s Featuring Grouping – Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter will be Thursday’s featured grouping during Golf Channel’s live tournament coverage. The trio is scheduled to tee-off at 12:30 p.m. ET.
• Morning Drive Extended to Seven Days -– Morning Drive will extend to seven days this week, with Saturday and Sunday shows airing at 10 a.m.
• Headlining the Field – Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler, Y.E. Yang, Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen, Thomas Bjorn, Retief Goosen, Keegan Bradley, Kyle Stanley, Camilo Villegas, Robert Karlsson, Henrik Stenson, Angel Cabrera, Johnson Wagner, Mark Wilson, Kenny Perry, Rory Sabbatini and Jose Maria Olazabal.

And our next Golf Channel release is a major announcement on a new Executive Producer for the network. Long time NBC Olympics producer Molly Solomon will become the first female executive producer of a national sports network. Solomon who is currently preparing to work the 2012 London Olympics will continue in that capacity. She has worked on NBC’s golf production team prior to her Olympics assignment. She’ll oversee all aspects of Golf Channel’s on-air look.

Congratulations to Molly on this momentous achievement.

MOLLY SOLOMON NAMED EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF GOLF CHANNEL

First woman to be named executive producer of a national sports network
Nine-time Emmy Award-winner and longtime Olympic producer to bring storytelling philosophy to Golf Channel

NEW YORK – Feb. 29, 2012 – Nine-time Emmy Award-winner and longtime NBC Olympics coordinating producer Molly Solomon has been promoted within the NBC Sports Group to Executive Producer and Senior Vice President, Production and Operations, Golf Channel. The promotion marks the first time that a woman will serve as executive producer for a national sports network. Solomon will report directly to Mike McCarley, President, Golf Channel.

In her new role, Solomon will oversee all aspects of production for programming on Golf Channel, including tournament coverage, news, original productions and operations. She will re-locate from the NBC Sports Group’s New York and Stamford, Conn., offices to Golf Channel’s Orlando Studios.

“I look forward to leading a talented production team that shares my passion for the game as we build on the tremendous momentum Golf Channel and NBC Sports have experienced since coming together in January, 2011,” said Solomon, who won one of her nine Emmys during her six-year stint as a member of NBC Sports’ golf production team before moving to her Olympic role. “I’m excited to continue the focus on high-quality production in all of our programming.”

“Molly is not only one of the most talented storytellers in sports television, but she’s also a leader who is held in very high regard by the army of production personnel she leads at every Olympic Games,” said McCarley. “Her ability to lead a team that is focused on high-quality production is what first led us to discuss this role with her, but her connection and passion for golf is what convinced us that she is the perfect person for this job.”

Although Solomon will begin at Golf Channel immediately, she will continue to perform many of her duties as coordinating producer for NBC Olympics through the 2012 London Games, which begin July 27. As previously scheduled, she will co-produce the Opening Ceremony and primetime show broadcasts from London, and will continue to work on future Games for NBC Olympics.

Solomon began her NBC Olympic career in 1990 as a researcher for the 1992 Barcelona Games. She has worked on eight Olympic Games overall – London will be her ninth – while being nominated for 21 Sports Emmy Awards, winning nine. In her most recent role as coordinating producer, NBC Olympics, Solomon was involved in every facet of production and planning, including program development, operational planning and the hiring and assigning of on-air talent and production staff. She also worked extensively on NBC Sports’ golf production for six years (1993-99), which produced one of her nine Emmy Awards.

That will conclude this post. We have a CBS News press release next and it involves a familiar name.

Late Monday Afternoon Links

This week is going to be busy for me. I was cleaning out an office for most of the day and it looks like that will be on the agenda for the rest of the month. I’ll do my best to post what I can here. But just know that I may be scarce. I’ll do what I can to post breaking news when I can.

Let’s do some linkage.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the NBA on ESPN/ABC crew did not go overboard in covering Sunday’s Dallas-New York Knicks game.

Irving DeJohn and Helen Kennedy of the New York Daily News speak with the ESPN editor who lost his job over the Jeremy Lin headline slur that was seen on the network’s mobile site.

Ole Skaar and Helen Kennedy of the Daily News have Jeremy Lin forgiving and forgetting about the ESPN.com headline.

Ty Duffy from The Big Lead feels ESPNews anchor Max Bretos who was suspended for a month by the Alleged Worldwide Leader in reference to Jeremy Lin, got too harsh a punishment.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times also writes about ESPN’s actions in the wake of the Jeremy Lin headline.

Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo has Lin appealing to the Taiwanese media to leave his relatives alone.

Patrick Burns at Deadspin has ESPN SportsCenter going way overboard in Jeremy Lin mentions last week. That’s not good at all.

Paul Bond of the Hollywood Reporter has Glen Beck going after ESPN and ABC for the Max Bretos suspension.

Mike Silva at Sports Media Watchdog feels ESPN overreacted.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch interviews Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel and ESPN’s Michelle Beadle

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand has the full joint statement from MSG Network and Time Warner Cable in regards to their agreement.

In this week’s SBJ issue, John writes that NBC Sports Network’s ratings are off to a slow start.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says MSG Network will take viewers inside the World’s Most Famous Arena’s Phase I renovation.

Tim Nudd of Adweek writes that M&M’s won the YouTube 2012  Super Bowl Ad Blitz.

Rich Thomaselli of Advertising Age writes that sponsors are knocking on Jeremy Lin’s door, hoping he will endorse their products.

Ryan Berenz from Channel Guide magazine talks with CBS/Golf Channel’s David Feherty.

It’s no secret that the New York Post’s Phil Mushnick hates the WWE.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman speculates that ESPN jettisoned Ron Jaworski from Monday Night Football in case Peyton Manning becomes available.

Jaworski

Thanks to Sports Radio Interviews for the link.

The Washington Examiner’s Jim Williams talks with TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal and ESPN’s Jon Barry about the Wizards.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times reviews the weekend in sports television.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel speaks with Frank Deford about his new memoir.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post notes the rise of Linsanity.

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports schedule for this week.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail explores the policy of NHL teams that allow reporters to fly on their private planes with the players.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star looks at the ugly side of Linsanity.

Sports Media Watch notes the overnight ratings for the NASCAR Budweiser Shooting on Fox were up from last year.

SMW says the first half of NBC’s Hockey Day in America did well.

And that will do it.

Some Quick Thursday Links

Ok, going to attempt some linkage here. Quite busy, but I’ll try to sneak some stuff for you.

Eric Fisher of Sports Business Daily looks at the new $3.99 charge for the new March Madness Live app for the NCAA Tournament.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News/Broadcasting & Cable also writes about the new March Madness Live app.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch talks with ESPN’s Ron Jaworski about being removed from the Monday Night Football booth.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has the impression that ESPN’s Jon Gruden didn’t agree with the decision to take Jaws out of the MNF booth.

Former New York Times columnist George Vecsey is now on Twitter and he’s a bit apprehensive about it.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid is confused about yesterday’s Colin Cowherd interview with Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit cover girl Kate Upton.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin has audio of CNBC’s Darren Rovell explaining his Valentine Day’s proposal to Kate Upton.

Maury Brown at the Biz of Baseball says not every local MLB deal is equal and fair.

Anthony Crupi from Adweek notes that CBS El Capo di Tutti Capi Les Moonves predicts record ad rates for Super Bowl XLVII which will be aired on the Tiffany Network next year.

Adweek has a video with NASCAR CEO Brian France on the upcoming Sprint Cup season.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says thanks to the Super Bowl, NBC leads the February sweeps by a 2-1 margin over CBS.

Sam Eifling of The Big Lead talks with a Memphis sports radio host who kept grinding and has been rewarded with national recognition.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Ronnie Ramos talks about how to maximize your Facebook and Twitter strategies.

Also at the National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times cautions traditional media about falling into prejudicial traps when writing about Jeremy Lin.

Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group explains the logistics for CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says one sporting goods chain is going all in for Jeremy Lin.

Kevin Lincoln at the Business Insider’s Sports Page notes that Time Warner Cable is sending out small refund checks for those missing MSG Network.

WEEI’s Kirk Minihane lists the best and worst Boston TV announcers.

The Boston Herald’s Inside Track found Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez going through the ESPN “Car Wash” yesterday.

To the Worcester Telegram & Gazette where Bill Doyle gets Comcast SportsNet Celtics sideline reporter Greg Dickerson to talk about epilepsy and Tourette syndrome which have plagued him.

Over to the New York Times’ Richard Sandomir who looks into ESPN’s Monday Night Football personnel move.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the New York Mets Spring Training TV schedule.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record posts the Yankees Spring Training TV and Radio schedules.

Ed Barkowitz at the Philadelphia Daily News says Jaws being taken off Monday Night Football doesn’t mean the end for him at ESPN.

From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg says DirecTV has added Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s overflow channel in HD, finally.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner says a two man booth will benefit Monday Night Football.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times writes that local sports radio talk show host is out of a job today.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says Astros voice Milo Hamilton may be retiring after this season, but the team won’t be losing him altogether.

The Houston Astros website has an entire section devoted to Hamilton’s career including some of his most famous radio calls.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Brewers will be featured at least six times on Fox’s Saturday baseball package.

Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times says the NHL finally has a TV partner which is fully promoting the league.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has reaction to Bob Ryan’s announced retirement from the Boston Globe.

Barry Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News gets some details of the new Pac-12 Network from league commissioner Larry Scott.

Blogs and reporters are constantly receiving public relations pitches. Here’s one regarding Jeremy Lin and it’s a bit over the top.

Sports Media Watch notes that the 2012 MLB on Fox schedule is reduced from last year due to the 2012 Olympics.

SMW says Golf Channel set a ratings record last Sunday.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the sports TV viewership numbers for last week.

Mike Silva of the Sports Media Watchdog has a review of the new CBS Radio Mike Francesa Show app.

Joe Favorito says the Phoenix Suns are using the Samsung Galaxy tablet on the sidelines.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the numbers for the NHL on NBC Sports Network from early this week.

Ben Koo at Awful Announcing notes that ESPN is not tiring of the Jeremy Lin overkill.

Lou Clinton at 38 Cliches is rooting for former Red Sox announcer Jerry Trupiano.

And that’s where we’ll end it. Enjoy your Thursday.

Quotage From Feherty Live on Golf Channel

Last night’s Feherty Live at the Super Bowl featured Tim Tebow, Fuzzy Zoeller and Joe Theismann. I didn’t see the show, but people were raving about it. We do have some quotage from the show and we have a look for you.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM ‘FEHERTY LIVE’ AT SUPER BOWL XLVI FEATURING TIM TEBOW, JOE THEISMANN, STEVE MARIUCCI AND FUZZY ZOELLER

Stage Performance of ‘Feherty Live’ will Air as a Two-Hour Golf Channel Special, Saturday at 10 p.m. ET; Show will Re-air Monday, Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. ET
“I believe that a human being’s sense of humor is kind of our last line of defense against whatever horrors life throws at us.” – David Feherty on why he does his Golf Channel show.
“Honestly, I look at myself as a football player first, then a quarterback. Sometimes that’s the way I like to play.” – Tim Tebow on getting hit.
“I’m absolutely passionate about it.” – Joe Theismann on golf.
“I don’t think drugs will help a golfer.” – Fuzzy Zoeller on performance-enhancing drugs in golf.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Feb. 3, 2012) – Funnyman David Feherty’s off-beat humor and unique interview style was on full display tonight before a raucous Indianapolis audience during the Golf Channel production of Feherty Live, a special stage performance at Super Bowl XLVI. The performance was taped live at the Indianapolis Repertory Theater and will air as a two-hour special Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Appearing on stage with Feherty were Denver Broncos quarterback and media sensation Tim Tebow, golfer and Indiana native Fuzzy Zoeller, Super Bowl-winning quarterback and current NFL Network analyst Joe Theismann, and former NFL coach and NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci. MCA recording artist and country singer-Songwriter Josh Kelley and his band also performed.

Feherty, whose critically acclaimed Golf Channel series, Feherty, has been described as “a cross between Oprah Winfrey and Johnny Carson” by The New York Times, has been dubbed “one of the funniest men in the game” by Yahoo! Sports. The second season of Feherty premieres Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Highlights from the show:

TIM TEBOW ON PLAYING IN THE NFL:“Well, to be honest, playing in the SEC really helped me to play versus fast teams. That’s one of the biggest things you hear is you go to the NFL and it’s a lot faster. For me it wasn’t that. The biggest adjustment was the intelligence factor of a lot of defensive players.”

DAVID FEHERTY ON TEBOW’S FIRST THOUGHT AFTER THROWING GAME-WINNING TOUCHDOWN PASS IN THE PLAYOFFS: “Then I thought what was your first thought? I’ll give you three answers here, multiple choice. Do you think, A, it looks like I’m not going to be a car salesman next year. B, you know, I wonder if I could do that in the first quarter? Or C, take that, Elway, you old fart.”

TEBOW ON REACTION AFTER TOUCHDOWN PASS: “I jumped in the stands and I never jumped in the stands in college or NFL or anything. When I was in there, I was like I might not be getting out because they were holding on tight.”

TEBOW ON POSSBILE FUTURE IN POLITICS: “I don’t know, it could be something in my future. If it’s something I care about, possibly.”

STEVE MARIUCCI ON FIRST JOB IN THE NFL: “I was the first quality control coach in the National Football League back in 1985. I did it for nothing. I volunteered my services, actually.”

JOE THEISMANN ON IF ANY PLAYERS HAVE ANY KIND OF DREAMS ABOUT LAWRENCE TAYLOR THAT AREN’T NIGHTMARES: “I doubt if any guys that played him did. I tell you that when we play in a golf tournament, the only thing I ask him was don’t stand over my left shoulder.”

THEISMANN ON ELI MANNING: “Here we are in the city of Indianapolis with Peyton. It’s basically Peyton’s place, but all the conversation about Peyton I think takes a back seat to the job that Eli has done in proving himself as an individual and a great football player.”

MARIUCCI ON SUPER BOWL PREDICTION: “It’s going to be an evenly matched game. However, if I have to choose before game day morning, I’m going to pick the Giants.”

THEISMANN ON SUPER BOWL PICK: “I like the Giants also. It reminds me a awful lot of last year when the Green Bay Packers came in as a wild card and had to win so many games at the end of the season.”

FUZZY ZOELLER ON IMPORTANCE OF MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: “In a golfer’s life, we kind of go by what we’ve done in the major tournaments. Augusta was my nearly first taste of a major that I dreamed about.”

TEBOW ON GOAL IN LIFE: “It’s about being a great role model. It’s setting an example for the next generation. My ultimate goal is to be an athlete that a mom and dad can look at their son or daughter and say that’s someone trying to do it the right way. That’s someone living with character.”

TEBOW ON BEING A BRONCO: “I love being in Denver right now, and I’m thankful that I’ve got the opportunity to be a Denver Bronco and live my dream every day.”

FEHERTY ON TEBOW IN FOOTBALL: “But I’ll tell you, it’s going to be a future, as long as football has you in it, it’s going to be a whole lot more fun to watch.”

ZOELLER ON BAD GOLF SHOTS: “I don’t get too uptight or too fired up about any shots. Bad shots happen. We’re human. Let’s accept that fact.”

That’s it.

Tim Tebow Joins David Feherty on Golf Channel

David Feherty’s Golf Channel show will air from Indianapolis on Saturday. It was taped Friday in front of a live studio apartment. Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will be a guest as will golfer Fuzzy Zoeller.

Golf Channel gives us details of what the show will entail.

TIM TEBOW JOINS ‘FEHERTY LIVE’ FROM THE SUPER BOWL SATURDAY AT 10 P.M. ON GOLF CHANNEL

NBC’s Golf Channel Brings the Wit and Irreverence of David Feherty to Super Bowl Week for Live Stage Performance
Feherty Live’ Takes Place Friday, Feb. 3, at Indianapolis Repertory Theater; Performance Also to be Produced as TV Special to Air on Golf Channel Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 p.m. ET
Tebow Joins Famed Golfer and Indiana Native Fuzzy Zoeller, Along with Football Greats Joe Theismann and Steve Mariucci
Singer-Songwriter Josh Kelly also to Perform

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2012) – Tim Tebow, quarterback of the Denver Broncos and the source of “Tebow-mania” that swept the country during the recent NFL season, has been added to the guest list for Feherty Live this week at the Super Bowl. The stage show, which will be taped Friday before a live audience at the Indianapolis Repertory Theater during Super bowl XLVI week in Indianapolis, will air Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Tebow is the latest celebrity guest to join in on the off-beat humor and compelling interviews which have become the trademark of golf funnyman David Feherty’s self-titled Golf Channel series. Also celebrating the super week with Feherty on stage will be one of golf’s all-time characters and Indiana native Fuzzy Zoeller, Super Bowl-winning quarterback and current NFL Network analyst Joe Theismann, and former NFL coach and NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci.

A college football superstar, Tebow continues to be the subject of media frenzies for his part in resurrecting the Broncos this past season and leading the team to its first playoff appearance in six years. The feat made him a worldwide sensation and an iconic personality that transcends the sport. In addition to great conversation with the featured guests, Feherty Live

Feherty, whose critically acclaimed Golf Channel series has been described as “a cross between Oprah Winfrey and Johnny Carson” by The New York Times, has been dubbed “one of the funniest men in the game” by Yahoo! Sports. The second season of Feherty premieres Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

MCA recording artist and country singer-songwriter Josh Kelley will be the musical guest and will entertain the audience throughout Feherty Live. Kelley is best known for the top-5 hit “Amazing,” but his music has been incorporated into TV shows, such as MTV’s The Hills, ABC’s Brothers and Sisters and CW’s Smallville. Kelley is having success in Nashville with his hit “Georgia Clay” from his debut country album. He’s also an avid golfer who played golf at the University of Mississippi – where he was a roommate with Eli Manning – and remains a single-digit handicap.

That will do it for tonight.

Golf Channel’s Big Break Heads To the Bahamas With An All-Female Cast

The last season of Golf Channel’s Big Break went to the Emerald Isle. The entire season was taped during the wind and rainy season as it led to some crazy golf. And while it was a mixed cast, the dynamic of the reality show really wasn’t good.

So Big Break for the new season premiering in May is going back to basics. It’s an all-female cast and the show heads to the warm weather site of the Bahamas and Atlantis, Paradise Island resort. This means plenty of conflict and potential fights on the golf course. And #1 ranked LPGA golfer Yani Tseng of Taiwan is scheduled to appear during the season.

We’ll get details on the cast as we get closer to the premiere. In the meantime, here’s the Golf Channel announcement on the new Big Break.

GOLF CHANNEL’S BIG BREAK SERIES HEADS TO THE BAHAMAS FOR 17TH SEASON

Big Break Atlantis to Feature an All-Female Cast, Premieres May 14
World No. 1 Yani Tseng to Make Special Guest Appearance

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2012) – Golf Channel’s popular Big Break reality series will be produced at Atlantis, Paradise Island for its 17^th season, featuring an all-female cast and a special guest appearance from Women’s World No. 1, Yani Tseng.

Big Break Atlantis, taking place at the Bahamas resort and scheduled to premiere May 14, will feature a cast of 12 women competing against each other in an attempt to make real their lifelong dreams of playing alongside the world’s top golfers a reality. The ultimate winner will receive an exemption to a to-be-announced 2012 LPGA Tournament, cash and other prizes.

The series also will introduce a new format and will feature multiple surprise guest appearances, including Tseng, a long-time Big Break fan who wanted to audition for the series when she moved to the United States from her native Taiwan.

“I love watching the pressure the contestants go through in the various challenges, especially the Glass Break and the Flop Wall,” said Tseng, who will make her 2012 LPGA debut at the Women’s Australian Open. “This will be my first Big Break, and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

Big Break Atlantis will unfold on the resort’s Tom Weiskopf designed 18-hole championship course – Ocean Club Golf Course – a picturesque 72-hole layout featuring breathtaking signature holes and seaside greens and tees stretched over 7,100 yards of coastline.

“We are excited to host Big Break at Atlantis which will highlight the gorgeous Ocean Club Golf Course, one of the resort’s most popular offerings,” said George Markantonis, President and Managing Director, Kerzner International Bahamas. “Guests come to the resort not only to enjoy the scenic golf course, but to also experience some of the Bahamas’ most famous attractions including Atlantis’ Aquaventure, Dolphin Cay and the largest open-air marine habitat in the world.”

The Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. During Big Break Atlantis, one contestant will be eliminated each week, with the last player standing awarded her Big Break, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in an LPGA Tour event.

Past Big Break champions have won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, including the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, Big Break VII: Reunion champion and PGA TOUR professional, caught the world’s attention in 2011 with three top-five finishes, and Ryann O’Toole, competitor on Big Break Sandals Resorts in 2010 competed on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team as a Captain’s Pick during her rookie year in 2011.

Several other past Big Break competitors are currently competing on the world’s top tours, including Matt Every (PGA TOUR), James Nitties (Nationwide Tour), Kim Welch and Sara Brown (Ladies European Tour); and Gerina Pillar, O’Toole and 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup Team member Kristy McPherson (LPGA Tour).

That’s it.

NBC Sports Group Coverage Plans For Super Bowl XLVI

On Tuesday, I gave you NBCUniversal’s programming for Super Bowl Week. Apparently, that was just the tip of the iceberg as we’ll get even more networks and more shows with a Super Bowl theme on the NBCUniversal family. But that’s later.

Right now, I’m going to give you the overview of what the NBC Sports Group will air during Super Bowl Week and this includes the Comcast regional sports networks in both Boston and New York, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Network and of course, NBC Sports which is producing and carrying the Big Game between the New England Patriots and New York Football Giants.

From NBC SportsTalk originating live from Indianapolis and with four three hour and one four hour show to the premiere of Costas Live and then David Feherty of Golf Channel doing a show as well, the NBC Sports Group will be well represented in Indy.

Let’s take a look at what NBC Sports Group is saying about next week’s programs.

NBC SPORTS GROUP SUPER BOWL XLVI OVERVIEW

SUPER BOWL XLVI ON NBC – Super Bowl XLVI on NBC marks the network’s 17th Super Bowl, tying CBS for the most ever. It is also the eighth Super Bowl assignment for Emmy Award-winning play-by-play broadcaster Al Michaels and the second as an analyst for 12-time Emmy Award winner Cris Collinsworth. Michele Tafoya will serve as the sideline reporter. Fred Gaudelli (producer) and Drew Esocoff (director) will work their fourth Super Bowl together.

PRE-GAME ON NBC – Coverage begins at Noon ET from Lucas Oil Stadium with the Super Bowl XLVI pre-game show. Co-hosts Bob Costas and Dan Patrick are joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com for up-to-the-minute news and features leading up to kickoff. Sam Flood, executive producer of NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network, is the executive in charge of production of the Super Bowl XLVI pre-game show.

NBC SPORTS NETWORK – For the first time ever, NBC Sports Network will televise programming surrounding the Super Bowl. The 24/7 cable platform of NBC Sports will offer daily live coverage from Indianapolis in the week leading up to the event. NBC SportsTalk Live from the Super Bowl will air from 4-7 pm ET, Monday – Wednesday and Friday, and 4-8 pm ET on Thursday. Host Russ Thaler will be joined by 1984 Heisman Trophy winner and NBC Sports college football analyst Doug Flutie, King, Florio and NBC Sports’ Randy Moss.

NBC Sports Network will also debut Costas Tonight, Live from the Super Bowl, a live Town Hall show hosted by 22-time Emmy Award-winner Bob Costas. Costas Tonight, Live from the Super Bowl will feature some of the NFL’s biggest stars and newsmakers focusing on the state of the NFL, plus a preview of Super Bowl XLVI and the storylines from the NFL season. Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl will air in front of a live studio audience from the Indiana Repertory Theater on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, 8-10 p.m. ET.

GOLF CHANNEL – Throughout Super Bowl week, Golf Channel’s popular morning show, Morning Drive will feature various NFL guests, including former and current players and executives to talk Super Bowl predictions. David Feherty will do a special Feherty Live from Indianapolis Saturday night, airing at 10 p.m. ET. Friday’s Golf Central show will include look-ins at Feherty’s rehearsals in Indianapolis and promote Sunday’s Super Bowl

REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORKS – The NBC Sports Group’s 11 regional sports networks will contribute to NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI by doing reports on nightly news programs. The two regional networks that are located in markets with teams playing in the game (SNY in New York and Comcast SportsNet New England) will offer enhanced coverage the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLVI. New York-based SNY will feature more than 32 hours of programming, including many shows originating live from Indianapolis. In addition to Daily News Live, The WheelHouse, Loud Mouths and Geico SportsNite, SNY’s coverage will be highlighted by a Big Blue Live pre and post-game show. CSN New England will air 64 hours of original coverage from Indianapolis leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, including extended pre- and post-game shows.

And that’s it.

NBCUniversal’s Super Bowl Week Schedule

I just received the NBCUniversal Media Guide for Super Bowl XLVI. You know that NBC will be airing Super Bowl XLVI live from Indianapolis on February 5. You may not know the ancillary programming that will be shown on the networks of NBCUniversal during Super Bowl Week.

Among the highlights:

NBC

Pro Bowl — January 29
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from Indianapolis — February 1 through February 3
Today live from the Super Bowl — February 3 through February 5
NFL Honors — February 4
Super Bowl XLIV — February 5

NBC Sports Network

NBC SportsTalk live from Indianapolis — January 30 through February 3
Premiere of Costas Tonight — February 2
CNBC Sports Biz: Game On! Live from Indianapolis — February 3

Golf Channel

Feherty Live — February 4

Telemundo

Sabor al Super Bowl XLVI — February 4

The Weather Channel

Wake Up with Al & Your Weather Today — February 3 through February 6

Here is the full schedule for Super Bowl Week on the networks of NBCUniversal

NBCUNIVERSAL SUPER BOWL PROGRAMMING

Sunday, January 29
NFL Pro Bowl, 7 p.m. ET — NBC

Monday, January 30
NBC SportsTalk, LIVE from the Super Bowl, 4-7 p.m. ET — NBCSN

Tuesday, January 31
NBC SportsTalk, LIVE from the Super Bowl, 4-7 p.m. ET — NBCSN

Wednesday, February 1
NBC SportsTalk, LIVE from the Super Bowl, 4-7 p.m. ET — NBCSN
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, 12:35 a.m. ET (Thurs.) — NBC

Thursday, February 2
NBC SportsTalk, LIVE from the Super Bowl, 4-8 p.m. ET — NBCSN
Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl, 8-10 p.m. ET — NBCSN
NFL Turning Point, 10 p.m. ET — NBCSN
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, 12:35 a.m. ET (Fri.) — NBC

Friday, February 3
Wake up with Al (from Ind.), 6-7 a.m. ET — The Weather Channel
Your Weather Today with Stephanie Abrams (from Ind.), 7-10 a.m. ET — The Weather Channel
TODAY at the Super Bowl, 7-10 a.m. ET — NBC
NBC SportsTalk, LIVE from the Super Bowl, 4-7 p.m. ET — NBCSN
CNBC Sports Biz: Game On! (from Ind.), 7-7:30 p.m. ET — NBCSN
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, 12:35 a.m. ET (Sat.) — NBC

Saturday, February 4
TODAY at the Super Bowl, 7-9 a.m. ET — NBC
NFL Honors, 9-11 p.m. ET — NBC
Feherty Live (from Ind.), 10-11 p.m. ET — Golf Channel
Sabor al Super Bowl XLVI, TBD — Telemundo

Sunday, February 5
Wake up with Al (from Ind.), 6-7 a.m. ET — The Weather Channel
Your Weather Today with Stephanie Abrams (from Ind.), 7-10 a.m. ET — The Weather Channel
TODAY at the Super Bowl, 8-9 a.m. ET — NBC
Road to the Super Bowl, Noon-6 p.m. ET — NBC
Super Bowl XLVI, 6 p.m. ET-Conclusion — NBC
The Voice, Post-Super Bowl — NBC
Jimmy Fallon’s Super Bowl Special, Post-Local News — NBC

Monday, February 6
Wake up with Al (from Ind.), 6-7 a.m. ET — The Weather Channel
Your Weather Today with Stephanie Abrams (from Ind.), 7-10 a.m. ET — The Weather Channel

That does it.

Golf Channel to Reair The 2011 Skills Challenge Featuring Annika Sorenstam

I’ll take a quick respite from the NFL Divisional Playoffs to post this press release from Golf Channel.

On Monday and Tuesday, Golf Channel reairs the 2011 Skills Challenge that featured Annika Sorenstam’s return to competition after a three year absence. She and current LPGA star Morgan Pressel took on three men’s teams in various shotmaking competitions.

NBC/Golf Channel announcers Dan Hicks, Gary Koch and Roger Maltbie called the event which originally aired on NBC during the Christmas holiday weekend.

We have the press release from Golf Channel for you.

2011 SKILLS CHALLENGE, FEATURING SORENSTAM’S RETURN TO COMPETITION, RE-AIRS MONDAY AND TUESDAY IN PRIMETIME ON GOLF CHANNEL

20th Annual Shotmaking Test Also Features Pressel, Johnson, Faldo, O’Meara, Mediate, Price and Kelly

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 15, 2011) – In late 2011, Annika Sorenstam returned to competition for the first time in three years when she and LPGA star Morgan Pressel took on the men in the 20^th annual Skills Challenge. Golf Channel will re-air all of the action from the Skills Challenge, Monday and Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

Hosted by Dan Hicks, Gary Koch and Roger Maltbie, the Skills Challenge originally aired on NBC Christmas weekend.

The Skills Challenge features three teams made up of standout players from the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour squaring off against the women and one another in the traditional, situational shotmaking competition with $800,000 in prize money at stake. The men’s teams are: Nick Faldo/Rocco Mediate, Zach Johnson/Jerry Kelly and Mark O’Meara/Nick Price.

It is the first time in Skills Challenge history that two women form a team to compete with male counterparts in the battle for gender pride and prize money. The PGA TOUR-sanctioned competition is one of the longest-running post-FedExCup events in golf.

For the third year, the event includes a culminating, single-hole competition played as a “Reverse Scramble.” Contrary to the traditional “Scramble” format, the rules of the “Reverse Scramble” call for the opposing team to select which shot its rival twosome must play, adding a new dimension to the competition.

The format is especially conducive to the Skills Challenge TV production approach, which showcases the personalities of the players, all of whom are equipped with microphones throughout. The event was taped in November at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

The six mainstay skills – Long Drive, Mid-Iron, Bunker Shot, Chip Shot, Trouble Shot and Short Iron — are followed by the “Reverse Scramble,” representing the seventh and eighth skills. The four teams will be seeded according to prize money won in those first six skills. With 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3, the teams will play the 10^th hole at The Breakers’ Ocean Course. The two surviving teams will then compete in another one-hole “Reverse Scramble” for the weighted sum of $200,000 in prize money, enabling most pairs to remain in contention to the end.

With 90 international tournament wins and over $22 million in prize money, Sorenstam is arguably the most successful individual professional in the history of the sport. It was the native Swede’s first professional competition since the LPGA’s 2008 season-ending ADT Championship, a span of three years. She famously teed it up against the men as a worldwide media sensation at the PGA TOUR’s Colonial Invitational in 2003.

In 2004, Sorenstam became the first woman to compete in the Skills Challenge, finishing sixth behind winner Faldo and ahead of PGA TOUR standouts Chris Riley and Price. She finished seventh the following year and now returns to join Pressel as the Skills Challenge’s first female tandem.

Pressel, currently ranked 16 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, has two LPGA Tour victories, the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship and the 2008 Kapalua LPGA Classic. Pressel resides in Boca Raton, Fla., just a few miles from The Breakers in Palm Beach.

Johnson, winner of the 2007 Masters, finished behind Tiger Woods at the World Challenge to notch his best 2011 finish. Kelly has three PGA TOUR titles. He and Johnson are playing in the Skills Challenge for the first time.

Hall of Famer and Golf Channel/CBS Sports analyst Faldo brings several years of Skills Challenge experience to the 2011 competition. In addition to his 2004 win, Faldo finished in the middle of the pack in 2002 and 2003. The winner of three British Opens and three Masters, he was the top-ranked player in the world for 98 weeks.

Faldo’s partner, Mediate, is known best for his performance in the 2008 U.S. Open, when he finished second to Tiger Woods in an 18-hole playoff. In the 2008 Skills Challenge, he finished second alongside partner Matt Achatz in that year’s unique competition, which paired PGA TOUR players with their caddies in pursuit of over $800,000 in prize money. He is the winner of five PGA TOUR titles.

The 2010 Skills Champions, O’Meara and Price, are two of the most popular players in professional golf. O’Meara is best remembered for his 1998 season when he won both the British Open and the Masters, rising to number two in the world rankings. Price was most accomplished in the early 90s when he won two PGA Championships and one British Open. Price will be competing in the Skills Challenge for the 11th time. Both remain top-flight players on The Champions Tour.

And we’ll return to the NFL press releases now.

A Few Friday Morning Sports Media Thoughts

As my computer churns away with another silly Windows Update, it’s time for a few thoughts on the sports media. They are in bullet form as always.

• The signing of Jim Rome by CBS Sports is a big one. As CBS Sports Network attempts to expand from its regular diet of college sports, it nabs Rome away from ESPN for a nightly 6 p.m. ET show that will be its signature studio show. In addition, Rome becomes a contributor to CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournment, US Open Tennis and the NFL. I didn’t realize it at the time of the announcement, but the CBS press release made no mention of The Masters or other CBS golf tournaments. While CBS does want to reach a younger audience, I don’t think the membership at Augusta National want Rome as part of CBS’ coverage, but I digress.

  CBS hopes Rome will bring his core audience to its cable channel and expand the reach to beyond a sports tier where CBS Sports Network lies on some cable systems.

• This leads to a story which The Big Lead broke today, that NBC Sports Network could go after another ESPN’er, Scott Van Pelt. As the story states, Van Pelt’s contract is up in April and NBC using the Golf Channel and possibly the Olympics, could try to lure him away from ESPN. You may remember Van Pelt came to ESPN from Golf Channel so if he leaves, it would be a return to his former home. This is a story that bears watching.
• Another ESPN’er whose contract is expiring is SportsNation’s Michelle Beadle. Her contract is about to expire this month. I have not heard anything in regards to her negotiations. Suffice to say that she is well liked in the Bristol headquarters. We’ll keep you posted if Michelle is offered another gig.
• It was reported Thursday in Dave Hughes’ DCRTV.com site that Jen Royle who’s about to leave her current gig at 105.7 FM in Baltimore, will be part of a new show at Comcast SportsNet New England. A CSNNE spokesman told me that the info reported was incorrect and that Jen is expected to make a couple of appearances on the network’s talk show, Sports Tonight, although no dates have been set. I tried to contact Jen through her Twitter account, but as of the time of this post, I haven’t heard back. The CSNNE spokesman said reports of a new show at the network are erroneous.
• And one non-sports media thought, I can officially say I’m hooked on Downton Abbey. The miniseries about life of an English family and its servants during the Edwardian era and into World War I has been absolutely addicting and infectious. The cast is excellent and the drama is well-written. Thanks to the PBS iPad app, I watched the entire 1st season and first episode paid Season 2 in two nights. And I can’t wait for the third season in the fall.

And those are your thoughts for today.

Some Quick Sunday Links

I’m going to provide a few links for you since they’ve been lacking here over the last few days.

We begin with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deistch who talked with ESPN’s Brent Musburger who will call Monday’s BCS National Championship Game.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News talks with ESPN’s Chris Fowler about the BCS National Championship Game.

Lang Whitaker from GQ talks with ESPN’s Erin Andrews in advance of Monday’s BCS National Championship.

Brian Lowry at Variety writes that as sports rights fees become more expensive, expect cable to take over for network TV and pass on the cost to consumers.

Mike Ozanian at Forbes reports that Fox Sports is giving individual teams equity stakes in its regional sports networks to prevent them from taking offers from competitors.

Andy Fixmer of Bloomberg says this season’s NFL’s TV ratings were off slightly from last year.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy notes that Pittsburgh Steelers QB Roethlisburger is blaming ESPN for overhyping Denver QB Tim Tebow.

Michael Hiestand from USA Today says the Orange Bowl on ESPN drew its lowest BCS TV ratings ever.

CJ Fogler of SportsGrid has videos of TNT paying tribute to the late Jim Huber this week.

Tom Lorenzo from SportsGrid has the video from last night’s Saturday Night Live’s Charles Barkley Post Game Translation App. Sharp-eyed viewers may notice Hazel Mae making an appearance.

Charles Apple of The American Copy Editors Society feels ESPN should be more careful in its on-screen graphics.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that CBS/Turner has signed Northwestern Mutual to be the exclusive insurance sponsor of the NCAA Tournament.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin did some investigating and found that salsa music played during last week’s Sunday Night Football game came directly from the NBC truck.

Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center laments the death of the newspaper sports column.

Eric Deggans from the Tampa Bay Times provides his 2012 sports media predictions in the National Sports Journalism Center.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says LSU coach Les Miles stands to get millions if he wins the BCS National Championship.

Ken Belson of the New York Times says ESPN has obtained the rights to the New York City Marathon and pledges to show it live across the country, something NBC’s Universal Sports could not do.

Phil Mushnick at the New York Post feels the New York Jets coaching staff is just plain insensitive.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette informs readers what MSG Network is airing today as its dispute with Time Warner Cable continues.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times-Union says what a lot of people tweeted yesterday, that Mike Mayock talked too much during yesterday’s Cincinnati-Houston game.

Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says YES will air a handful of Fordham basketball games.

Greg Connors of the Buffalo News says the Bills will have a new flagship radio station for next season.

T.J. Pignataro of the News says the Sabres TV ratings have suffered since Time Warner Cable removed MSG Buffalo from its lineup.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner warns you that your cable bill will go up this year and sports will be to blame.

Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Comcast’s distribution deal with Disney, ESPN in particular, shows that the company is thinking about the long-term.

Mike McGovern of the Reading (PA) Eagle pays tribute to the late Jim Huber.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says Nationals TV voice Bob Carpenter will return in 2012.

The Huntington (WV) Dispatch feels ESPN needs a geography and history lesson about West Virginia.

David Knox from the Birmingham (AL) News talks with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit about the BCS National Championship Game.

Dave Walker at the New Orleans Times-Picayune profiles LSU radio voice Jim Hawthorne.

Nakia Hogan of the Times-Picayune talks with an ESPN executive who denies the network has undue influence over college sports.

Berry Tramel of the Daily Oklahoman delves into Oklahoma University’s deal with Fox Sports to air sports on two of its regional sports networks.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Packers increased their TV ratings this season.

Bob says Milwaukee did not necessarily rate well for Monday Night Football.

The Chicago Tribune picks up a Variety story that Fox Sports wants to develop original programming that would air after live events.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says the Disney family is interested in buying the Dodgers.

Joshua Myers of the Seattle Times says the MLS’ Sounders have found an analyst for its games, but is still missing a play-by-play man.

Lehia Apana from the Maui (HI) News says Golf Channel’s coverage of this year’s Tournament of Champions has a few new wrinkles.

Sports Media Watch says despite strong numbers, last night’s Detroit-New Orleans drew the NFL’s lowest ratings for a Wild Card Playoff in three years.

SMW says Cincinnati-Houston suffered a precipitous ratings drop from last year’s Saints-Seahawks game.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing reviews Gus Johnson’s first year as top college football man for Fox.

In the Sports Media Watchdog, Mike Silva speculates on who should replace WFAN’s Mike Francesa if he leaves in 2014.

And that will conclude the links for today.

Some Monday Linkage

I’ve been out for much of the day and my phone battery died while in transit so imagine feeling out of touch and lost like I did. But I’m back with you.

I’ll do a few links here and add a few more in another post later.

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand has his sports media predictions for 2012.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes Craig James has officially left ESPN to run for US Senate from Texas. I know college football fans are breathing a sigh of relief.

Michael says CBS drew big ratings for New England-Denver yesterday.

And Michael says Golf Channel will team analysts Nick Faldo and Johnny Miller together on the PGA Tour’s season opening tournament next month.

In his Monday Morning Quarterback, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reports on how NBC renewed its Sunday Night Football deal with the NFL (scroll down).

At Mashable, Sam Laird reports on how the NFL plans to bring tablets to the sidelines.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News reports on how the NFL plans to expand the Thursday Night Football schedule as early as next season.

Mike writes that NFL Network is on pace to set a record ratings mark for Thursday Night Football.

Mike says Fox Sports has appointed an interim President for its Speed network.

At the Hollywood Reporter, Sofia M. Fernandez has the video of the Saturday Night Live Tim Tebow sketch.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus about the network’s new 9 year, $950 million per contract with the NFL.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe notes that Pats-Broncos drew a big rating both nationally and locally.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir profiles the new NBC Sports Chairman who had some big shoes to fill when Emperor Dick Ebersol left.

Over to the New York Post where Phil Mushnick shows his hatred for ESPN.

Newsday’s Neil Best isn’t surprised to see CBS pull a big number for Patriots-Broncos yesterday.

The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty writes that Time Warner Cable is pledging not to pull MSG off its cable systems during its carriage dispute with the channel.

Pete has your Week 16 NFL TV schedule for Saturday (don’t forget it’s Christmas Eve).

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun writes the Ravens have renewed their existing radio and TV deals.

David enjoyed listening to Cris Collinsworth’s analysis of an otherwise lackluster Ravens performance last night.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says TNT is ready to showcase new NBA studio analyst Shaquille O’Neal.

We’ll hold it there and do some more linkage later.

It’s The Linkage! At Long Last and It’s Back!

I think it’s about a week and a half since I’ve been able to do links. Been crazy with me, but you’ve still been visiting and I appreciate that. Time to provide you with sports media news links which is what the site depends on to begin with.

Thanks for your patience during this trying time for me. Onward and let’s do the links.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that NBA analysts aren’t holding back as they get ready for a new truncated season.

Mike Foss of USA Today talks with the new ESPN main soccer analyst Taylor Twellman about tweeting while commentating and concussions.

From earlier this week, Tom Weir of USA Today’s Game On blog notes that “Tebowing” has been officially recognized as a word.

This week’s Sports Business Journal lists the 50 Most Influential People in Sports Business for 2011. I’m not in this year’s list (I’m joking).

Terry Lefton of SBJ says the Stadium Formerly Known as San Diego Jack Murphy will have a temporary name for the holiday season.

Dan Shanoff’s Quickish site lists the Best Sportswriting in 2011. Some good choices and good reading throughout.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine says three of the five NFL TV partners are experiencing lower ratings from last season.

From MediaPost, Wayne Friedman writes that smaller market TV revenues played a huge role in the NBA’s nixing of the Chris Paul from New Orleans-to-Los Angeles Lakers trade.

Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age says hoping to tap into a more health-conscious audience, Dannon Yogurt becomes the first of its kind to advertise on the Super Bowl.

At Adweek, Lucia Moses says Rolling Stone magazine will host its first-ever Super Bowl party in Indianapolis come February.

All Access notes that Milwaukee Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Chris Chase at Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner has a video that has gone viral in which a Washington, DC news anchor said that if Tom Brady had died, the DC NFL Team might have had a chance to beat the New England Patriots last Sunday.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says don’t expect journalism from local MLB TV partners as they increasingly fund team’s payrolls.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid wonders if Shaquille O’Neal will upset the apple cart that is TNT’s Inside the NBA postgame studio show.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor is setting the world afire with his Superman socks.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing lists the site’s Top 10 Pammies of the Year.

Gabriel Sherman of The New Yorker magazine writes about sports journalism getting into some hard reporting in the wake of various scandals.

Newsday’s Neil Best writes about tonight’s premiere of HBO’s 24/7 Flyers/Rangers.

The New York Daily News’ Dr. Gloom and Doom reports that YES may hire former MLB manager Lou Piniella as an analyst for next season.

Pete Dougherty in the Albany Times Union says while CBS won the right to keep Patriots-Broncos in Week 15, viewers in the Capital Region won’t see it.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette notes that DirecTV will air a local college hockey game through Fox College Sports.

Ken McMillen from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says WGN America will pick up 10 Chicago Bulls games this season.

Laura Nachman has a couple of Philadelphia 76ers announcements.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has gotten a hold of Tony Kornheiser’s high school yearbook picture and yes, he had hair.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Golf Channel Morning Drive co-host Gary Williams.

Dwain Price at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speaks with new Dallas Maverick Lamar Odom about his trade from the Lakers and whether he’ll continue to do the Kardashian television abortion.

The Houston Chronicle reports that ESPN college football analyst Craig James is expected to announce a run for the U.S. Senate, a move that would thrill many fans who can’t stand him on television.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman notes that the NFL topped the local ratings in the Sooner State.

Mel says the local CBS affiliate will pick up the rest of the Denver Broncos schedule and air plenty of Tim Tebow.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says a local sports talk show host has resigned leaving his station in the lurch.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business talks with “NHL 36″ Executive Producer Ross Greenburg about tonight’s series premiere.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail asks if lightning can strike twice with HBO’s 24/7.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog looks at the effect of media giants Bell Canada and Rogers combining to purchase Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment which would be like ESPN and NBC teaming up to buy the New York Yankees, that’s how big the news is in Canada.

John Daly at The Daly Planet explores the continuing dispute between Sirius XM and Turner Sports over streaming NASCAR on the internet.

Sports Media Watch looks at the final ratings for the SEC on CBS.

And SMW also notes the final ratings of college football on ABC.

SMW says the Heisman Trophy Presentation on ESPN last Saturday did well.

And SMW has some ratings news and notes.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says today is a pretty big day for hockey fans.

And the Big Lead notes that Tim Tebow is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.

That will conclude our linkage today and I hope that the next set of linkage will come tomorrow instead of another 10 days.

The Original Programming on Golf Channel This Week

We interrupt this NFL Sunday with a press release from Golf Channel. We have the schedule of original programming for the week.

COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL (Dec. 12-18): FLOYD, FALDO AND MILLER HOST ’7 NIGHTS AT THE ACADEMY’; PREMIERE OF ANIMATED SERIES, ‘GOLFERS ANONYMOUS’

Golf Legends Miller, Faldo and Floyd to Provide 7 Nights of Tips, Insight and Instruction From Tee-to-Green
Golf Channel to Premiere Animated Series, Golfers Anonymous
Tom Abbott Takes Viewers on Tour of England in Best of Britain
Michael Breed Hosts a Special The Golf Fix From Chevron World Challenge
Season Finale of Golf’s Amazing Videos
Top 10 Recaps the Best Shots of 2011

Original Series Premieres and Highlights
All Times Eastern

7 Nights at the Academy (Premiere)
Hosts: Nick Faldo, Raymond Floyd, Johnny Miller
Co-Hosts: Rich Lerner, Martin Hall and Michael Breed
Airtimes: Monday (7-8:30 p.m.), Tuesday-Sunday (7-8 p.m.)

Three of the biggest names to ever play the game will share their secrets of success in a series of new instruction specials – 7 Nights at the Academy – airing Monday-Sunday beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Hall-of-Famers Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo and Raymond Floyd will each host their own half-hour instruction shows, providing viewers with everything they need to know to improve their golf games.

Branded as a part of Golf Channel’s Golf Channel Academy, 7 Nights at the Academy will premiere Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. ET with Miller, Faldo and Floyd sharing their best tips and lessons they have ever received in back-to-back half-hour specials. 7 Nights at the Academy will continue with new episodes on subsequent nights from 7-8 p.m. ET, concluding with a two-part special finale on Sunday, Dec. 18, when all three Hall-of-Famers answer questions from viewers.

Golf Channel Academy: Johnny Miller Top Lessons (Monday, 7 p.m. ET)
Two-time major champion Johnny Miller will share the top lessons he learned throughout his career. Miller will demonstrate proper address, impact and follow-through to provide viewers with the perfect golf swing.

Golf Channel Academy: Nick Faldo Top Lessons (Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
In this episode of the Golf Channel Academy, host Rich Lerner is joined by six-time major champion Nick Faldo. Faldo will share his method of how to get through the golf ball and get to a full finish at the end of the golf swing.

Golf Channel Academy: Raymond Floyd Top Lessons (Monday, 8 p.m. ET)
Four-time Major Champion Raymond Floyd will cover the fundamentals for a successful golf swing. From grip, to setup, to pre-shot routine, Floyd will reveal the secrets to his Hall-of-Fame career.

Golf Channel Academy: Raymond Floyd – Driving (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET)
Raymond Floyd will reveal the tips, drills and fundamentals that made him successful off the tee. In this driver special, Floyd will break down the keys to hitting longer and straighter drives.

Golf Channel Academy: Nick Faldo – Driving (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Nick Faldo will show viewers how to use momentum in driving the golf ball.

Golf Channel Academy: Johnny Miller – Iron Game (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET)
Two-time major champion Johnny Miller will provide keys to improving the iron game. Miller will teach how to dial in distance, trap the ball instead of scooping it and will offer proper practice techniques.

Golf Channel Academy: Nick Faldo – Iron Game (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
“If you only have a short amount of time to practice, focus on your wedge play,” says Nick Faldo on this episode of Golf Channel Academy. The six-time major champion will show viewers how to use a clock face as a guide to focus on shots.

Golf Channel Academy: Raymond Floyd – Short Game (Thursday, 7 p.m. ET)
Raymond Floyd will reveal the secrets behind his legendary short game. From chipping to pitching, Floyd will share tips that will help improve skills around the green.

Golf Channel Academy: Johnny Miller – Short Game (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Johnny Miller will give his best short game tips, demonstrating how to properly pitch and chip the ball. Miller also will hit specialty shots that will help around the green.

Golf Channel Academy: Nick Faldo – Bunker Game (Friday, 7 p.m. ET)
Nick Faldo will provide tips and lessons on executing bunker shots. Faldo who demonstrate how to find the line in the sand in executing these shots, including how to work on hitting the line on a flat lie, down-slope and up-slope.

Golf Channel Academy: Johnny Miller – Bunker Game (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Johnny Miller will share his thoughts on all aspects of the bunker game, including shots from greenside and fairway bunkers.

Golf Channel Academy: Nick Faldo – Putting (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
Tempo is key in putting, and Nick Faldo will show viewers how this translates from the practice swing to execution. Faldo also will teach how to match the ball speed to the speed of the green.

Golf Channel Academy: Raymond Floyd – Putting (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Raymond Floyd will share the keys to his success on the green. Floyd’s instruction will cover the tips, drills and fundamentals that made him a record-breaking putter.

Golf Channel Academy: Viewer Lessons (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET)
Major Champions Nick Faldo, Johnny Miller and Raymond Floyd will answer viewer email and Facebook questions, including their best tips for curing the slice, maximizing distance, getting out of greenside bunkers and playing the wind. Golf Channel’s Holly Sonders hosts.

Golf Channel Academy: Viewer Lessons (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Major Champions Nick Faldo, Johnny Miller and Raymond Floyd will answer viewer email and Facebook questions, including their best tips for chipping, putting, putting spin on the ball and improving the golf swing. Golf Channel’s Holly Sonders hosts.

Golfers Anonymous (Premiere, Animated Series)
Airtime: Friday, 8-8:15 p.m.

Golfers Anonymous is an animated series featuring a foursome of misfits who will do whatever it takes to play the game they love. The premiere will feature David Feherty as an on-course commentator, making observations from outside the ropes.

Best of Britain (Premiere)
Airtime: Saturday, 8-8:30 p.m.
Host: Tom Abbott

On this journey to his native England, host Tom Abbott spotlights the very best of Britain with a decidedly golf flavor. Along the way, he will visit iconic locations both old and new, ranging from Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey to the still under-construction Olympic Park. Abbott also will showcase the championship links that make up England’s Golf Coast, will stop by the Liverpool course that helped give the Beatles their start and will play the historic Royal Lytham and St. Annes, host of the 2012 Open Championship.

The Golf Fix: Chevron World Challenge (Special Presentation)
Airtime: Monday, 8:30-9 p.m.
Host: Michael Breed
Guests: Webb Simpson and Paul Casey

Host Michael Breed will examine the science, technology, engineering and mathematics of golf from the Chevron World Challenge. PGA TOUR winners Webb Simpson and Paul Casey will join Breed from the Chevron World Challenge to examine the science, technology, engineering and mathematics of the golf swing.

Top 10: Shots of 2011 (New)
Airtime: Wednesday, 8-8:30 p.m.
Host: Lauren Thompson

Golf is a game best played on grass, but in 2011, two of the most memorable shots were struck from sand and water. In both cases of man vs. inopportune land, man won, but neither was exactly a day at the beach. For all the swings this year, these 10 shots stood out from all the rest. Lauren Thompson hosts.

Golf’s Amazing Videos: The GAVY Awards (Season Finale)
Airtime: Thursday, 8-8:30 p.m.
Host: Charlie Rymer

Host Charlie Rymer will present the annual GAVY Awards for the greatest golf videos of the year.

Champions Tour Year End Review (Premiere)
Airtime: Monday, 9-10 p.m.

Champions Tour Player of the Year Tom Lehman will join host David Marr recap the 2011 Champions Tour season. Highlights will include the top-18 shots of the season, along with a look back at Tom Watson’s Senior PGA Championship win.

Back later with Football Night in America quotage.

Golf Channel & NBC Sports Analysts Discuss Tiger Woods’ 1st Win in Two Years

On Sunday, Tiger Woods won the Chevron World Challenge, a tournament that he’s hosted for the last few years. Well, it’s not an official PGA Tour event as it came after the Tour season is over, however, a win is a win. This marks the first win for Tiger in two years since his martial troubles. We have the comments from Golf Channel and NBC Sports in regards to Tiger’s big win. Let’s take a look.

GOLF CHANNEL AND NBC SPORTS ANALYSTS COMMENT ON TIGER WOODS’ VICTORY TODAY AT THE CHEVRON WORLD CHALLENGE

Sunday’s Hour-Long Golf Central Featuring Tiger Woods’ Post-Tournament News Conference Available Online at GolfChannel.com

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 4, 2011 – As seen live on NBC Sunday, Tiger Woods shot consecutive birdies to close his final round and record his first professional victory in over two years at the Chevron World Challenge.

The NBC Sports Group captured all of the action with live coverage both on Golf Channel and NBC, and followed the tournament with an hour-long edition of Golf Central that featured Woods’ post-tournament news conference in its entirety. In total, the NBC Sports Group televised a combined 16 hours of live tournament action from the Chevron World Challenge Thursday-Sunday.

GolfChannel.com has posted the hour-long Golf Central recapping the Chevron World Challenge on the home page of the web site, featuring Woods’ news conference in its entirety.

Golf Channel and NBC Analyst Quotes:

ROGER MALTBIE: “Tiger reminded us why he’s been the greatest player of his generation and maybe the best of all-time. This is the performance we’ve been waiting for. The drama…the big putts…when they matter the most. What a thrill ride.”

MARK ROLFING: “Tiger’s win today was not only important for him, it was really important for golf. You could sense the excitement all day, especially last few holes. There was nothing artificial about it, today was important for the game. I haven’t seen him perform in two years the way he did on 17 and 18. The putt at 17 changed everything today. That was the most important putt I’ve seen him hit in the last couple of years.”

GARY KOCH: “I think you can sense this coming, certainly from what we saw at The Presidents Cup and the way Tiger was swinging the club – controlling the ball and playing shots that we had not see him be able to play in quite some time. It was just a matter of time until this first win came about. Bottom line was he made two crucial putts that he needed to make – putts that we have seen him make in the past on a regular basis – but not recently. Today he was able to get that done.”

CHARLIE RYMER: “For Tiger, it all started clicking for him at The Presidents Cup. You could see this win coming. The Chevron World Challenge certainly isn’t a major or even a full-field event, but it could prove to be one of Tiger’s most significant wins. We don’t know what Tiger 2.0 will look like, but he’s now proven himself that he can win again. And he got there through hard work, belief in a new method and belief in himself. Watching Tiger win today was almost like watching a new young talent break through for his first win. It wasn’t done with band aids and duct tape, it was done with solid fundamentals.”

I have a couple of more press releases before I shut it down.

Golf Channel Sees Good Ratings For Presidents Cup

We have this press release from Golf Channel touting the ratings for the Presidents Cup which was won by the United States for the 4th consecutive time. With the Cup held in Australia and action seen in primetime, record ratings were seen for the competition. Golf Channel saw good ratings for Day One. And Day Two even surpassed Day One’s ratings. We have the notice from the NBC Sports Group.

MOST WATCHED DAY TWO IN PRESIDENTS CUP HISTORY

Tops Day One to Become Most-Watched Day of Presidents Cup Ever on Cable
Both Days on Golf Channel Surpass Any Previous Cable Coverage
GolfChannel.com Visitors Increase 82 Percent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2011)– Golf Channel’s coverage of The Presidents Cup broke another record, with Day Two viewership topping Day One – the previous best day – to become the most-watched day on cable in the history of the biennial tournament, according to preliminary national ratings released today by Nielsen. This milestone is especially significant given the 16-hour time difference between the U.S. Eastern time zone and Australia.

Golf Channel’s Day One and Day Two coverage from Melbourne both surpass all previous days on cable TV in the history of the event, which includes four days on ESPN, eight days on TNT and two days on Golf Channel.

Data showed average viewers for Day Two coverage was 1,508,000. Average viewers for Day One and Day Two combined was up 123 percent from comparable days when the event was last played overseas (South Africa, 2003). Viewership for Day Three and the Final Day of The Presidents Cup will be available when national ratings are released by Nielsen.

The Presidents Cup Day Two coverage anchored Golf Channel’s Thursday primetime schedule, which replaced Wednesday as the most-watched and highest-rated night in primetime ever on the network.

Digital Gains Continue: GolfChannel.com continued to see gains, with visitors for Day Two up 33 percent from Day One and 82 percent over same day in 2009. GolfChannel.com last week became the complete golf news and editorial site for NBCSports.com, as well as MSNBC.com. The recently redesigned GolfChannel.com replaces the golf section on NBCSports.com on the web, as well as across NBC Sports’ mobile and tablet platforms.

More Sunday NFL pregame quotage is coming up after this.

Coming On With Some Sunday Links

Let’s do some links on this Sunday.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says Golf Channel scored a couple of rating records for Day One of the Presidents Cup.

Mike writes that Time Warner Cable has signed a long-term deal to air Los Angeles Galaxy games starting next season.

Mike says Facebook is offering a live stream today of Tony Stewart’s car during the NASCAR finale in Miami.

Steve Coogan of USA Today’s Game On! blog writes that ESPN’s Lee Corso had to apologize after firing off an F bomb during his picks segment on yesterday’s College GameDay.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times says TV is playing catchup to print journalists on the Penn State story.

Andrew Gauthier of TVSpy says Miami TV station WFOR prevented a Dolphins blackout for today.

Ben Koo at Awful Announcing notes that ESPN’s Erin Andrews was in good humor after being given the Gatorade drenching following the massive Baylor upset of Oklahoma.

Cork Gaines from the Business Insider Sports Page says ESPN’s reign over sports television will be threatened starting January 2.

Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe leaves his usual NHL post to tell us that he enjoys watching the dogs on NBC on Thanksgiving Day over football.

Jack Bell of the New York Times says Fox Sports continues to show a commitment to soccer with another football-football doubleheader today.

Phil Mushnick at the New York Post warns the NBA not to cancel the season.

New York Real Estate’s City Biz notes the role one broker had in helping NBC Sports find a new home in Connecticut.

Steven Goff of the Washington Post isn’t a fan of having the MLS Cup starting past 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with NFL on Fox sideline analyst Tony Siragusa.

Jon Solomon from the Birmingham (AL ) News wonders if college basketball will gain popularity in the wake of the NBA Lockout.

David Morrison of the Opelika Auburn (AL) News says College GameDay heads to the Iron Bowl on Saturday.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle looks at the Lee Corso swearing incident.

Gilbert Requena of the Chronicle writes about College GameDay’s first visit to the University of Houston campus.

Chris Baldwin from CultureMap Houston chronicles GameDay’s visit to the area and the catcalls Erin Andrews had to endure during the broadcast.

At the Daily Oklahoman, Mel Bracht notes that ESPN’s Joe Tessitore got to call a lost weekend for Oklahoma football teams on successive nights.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Packers fans will hear plenty from Fox’s Joe Buck and Troy Aikman over the next three weeks.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams may have a horrible on-field record, but they are pulling viewers to the TV set.

Marsha Hoffman of the Council Bluffs (IA) Daily Nonpareil writes that a local native is producing motorsports for ESPN.

And we’ll end the linkage here.

Time For Some Thursday Linkage

Let’s do some links. May not be a full set. Depends on how much I can get done here.

We’ll start with Alexandra Bruell of Advertising Age who says Penn State University has hired a public relations firm to help with crisis management for the Jerry Sandusky story.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says all of NBC’s online golf content will be branded through Golf Channel.

George Winslow of B&C writes that UFC has launched an Android app allowing subscribers to see any pay per view event.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says tonight’s Thursday Night Football game between the Jets and Denver Broncos will be aired in New York without the help of two major cable providers.

Emma Bazilian at Adweek says the NFL has tabbed a Canadian outfit that no one has ever heard of to publish its new magazine.

Also at Adweek, Katy Bachman writes that Cablevision is appealing an FCC decision forcing the cable provider to provide HD feeds of the New York Knicks and Rangers to Verizon and AT&T U-Verse.

Steven Church at Bloomberg Businessweek says Fox is seeking a delay of hearing on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ attempt to sell its media rights.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell tells us what the NCAA makes off the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from CBS/Turner and ESPN respectively.

The Inside Track at the Boston Herald notes Heidi Watney’s departure from NESN for the sunny skies in California.

Dan Lamonthe of the Springfield (MA) Republican in his Red Sox Monster blog jokingly says Heidi’s leaving means a curse on the Red Sox can be lifted.

For her part, Heidi did tweet the following when news began leaking of her departure.

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/HeidiWatney/status/137125320036859904"]

NESN has released a statement announcing that Heidi is no longer with the network.

Ryan Durling at BostInnovation notes that NESN’s Bruins ratings are still high.

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times looks at the Bob Costas interview of Jerry Sandusky and wonders why the embattled choose TV to defend themselves.

Jo Becker at the Times has the amazing story of how an internet posting helped to bring the investigation into Sandusky’s alleged molestations to the surface.

The Times’ Richard Sandomir notes that the Los Angeles Dodgers are suing Fox Sports saying the company is preventing the team’s sale.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that Golf Channel will be taking the air at an earlier time today for Day 2 of the Presidents Cup.

To the Washington Post where Matt Bonesteel notes that former Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams will do some TV work this season.

The Post’s DC Sports Bog’s Dan Steinberg has a couple of national writers coming down hard on the DC NFL team and coach Mike Shanahan.

Chad Conant of the Mansfield (OH) News Journal feels ESPN is overdoing it with MAC football this week.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has some various Windy City sports media news and notes.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News introduces SoCal to Heidi Watney.

Louis Brester of the San Bernadino (CA) Sun says ESPN will be all over NASCAR’s Sprint Cup finale this Sunday.

Blythe Blumleve at Awful Announcing has a story on the NFL on Fox robot, Cleatus, being embroiled in a sexual harassment scandal?

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has some mid-week thoughts.

The Sports Media Watch notes the conflicts of interest in reporting on the NBA lockout.

SMW says NASCAR’s next-to-last Sprint Cup race was up for ESPN.

We’ll end it there. It’s getting late. I have a lot of things to do later.

It’s Time For Mid-Week Linkage

It’s Wednesday. It’s mid-week and it’s time for some sports media links. Let’s get to them without further delay.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with NBC’s Bob Costas about the “get” of accused child molester Jerry Sandusky for “Rock Center with Brian Williams”.

While NBC and Bob Costas are being praised for the Sandusky interview, Sofia M. Fernandez of the Hollywood Reporter writes CBS is being mocked for heavily promoting a disappointing “get” of Penn State assistant coach Mike McQuery.

If you didn’t see the :24 second interview, the Big Lead has the video.

Back to Michael Hiestand, he writes that two Penn State alums will be on the call for ESPN/ABC for the next two Nittany Lions games.

Patrick Rishe at Forbes says Golf Channel should see a ratings spike for the Presidents Cup for Tiger Woods and his ex-caddie Steve Williams.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable says despite losing UFC to Fox, Spike TV will launch a mixed martial arts newsmagazine.

George Winslow of B&C notes that HBO and Sports Illustrated will use social and digital media to promote their new documentary series premiering in 2013.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News advises NBA Communist Sympathizer David Stern to cut the “nuclear winter” rhetoric.

Mike says the Minnesota-Green Bay Monday Night Football game despite being a blowout, drew over 14 million viewers for ESPN.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says even though Fox’s UFC debut had a very brief fight, it still came out a winner.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group writes that mobile production companies are being hit hard by the lack of NBA games.

SVG notes that CBS Sports Network will be airing National Lacrosse League games in primetime next year.

Dave Miller at the National Football Post says ESPN analyst Bob Davies will be the new head football coach at New Mexico.

Tim Malloy and Daniel Frankel of The Wrap take a look at how the NBA’s TV partners are coping with a lack of live games this season.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the NBA Players are taking a $3.3 billion gamble.

At the Boston Herald, Michael Silverman reports that Don Orsillo of NESN will stay on as Red Sox voice while reporter Heidi Watney is apparently heading back to her native California.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe confirms Heidi’s departure.

Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England also has the story.

Sean notes that former Red Sox manager Terry Francona will take 2012 off and possibly pursue broadcasting opportunities for next season.

CSNNE’s Boston Bruins beat reporter Joe Haggerty says B’s forward Brad Marchand isn’t happy over a nickname created by a local sports radio talk show.

Greg Sullivan at the Fall River (MA) Herald says former NBA player Chris Herren has become a high demand speaker after the airing of his ESPN Films documentary “Unguarded”.

Amy Chozick of the New York Times says the NBA’s TV partners are trying to fill programming holes left behind by the lockout.

Claire Atkinson at the New York Post says NFL Network will put a full court press on Time Warner Cable during tomorrow’s Jets-Broncos game.

To Jerry Barmash and Fishbowl NY, he tells us that ESPN Radio New York broadcaster Jared Max will be honored by a gay publication.

At the Albany Times Union, Pete Dougherty has the Week 12 college football TV schedule.

Peter Van Allen at the Philadelphia Business Journal reports that Monday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski will be the local spokesman for a national tire chain.

To the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog where Dan Steinberg has CBS News’ Armen Keteyian defending his piss poor interview with Mike McQuery.

Dan says the local CBS affiliate has yet to replace sports anchor Brett Haber who left station three months ago.

Maggie Fazelli Fard of the Post looks at the ESPN Zone auction in DC.

Bob Molinaro at the Virginian-Pilot is not a fan of the ESPN College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman has the local ratings of the weekend sports action.

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says Time Warner Cable will air a couple of high school football championship games this weekend.

Scott Suttell of Crain’s Cleveland Business says ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt will host an awards show next year.

Bill Zavestoski of the LaJolla (CA) Patch says the local ESPN Radio affiliate will pick up Cal-San Diego basketball games.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes that the Dodgers are suing Fox Sports for interfering in the sale of the team.

Chris Erskine of the Times reviews the new book on the late ABC Sports broadcaster Howard Cosell.

Also from the Times, Kevin Baxter and Joe Flint  report that the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS are the latest team to join Time Warner Cable’s SoCal regional sports network.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News also looks at the Galaxy’s move to TWC from Fox Sports.

Tom has the football TV schedules in both college and the NFL for SoCal.

From the Toronto Globe and Mail, Bruce Dowbiggin feels Bob Costas missed an opportunity to get real answers from Jerry Sandusky. What interview was Dowbiggin watching?

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media wonders why the Chicago Blackhawks-Vancouver Canucks rivalry hasn’t been aired nationally in either Canada or the U.S.

Sports Media Watch has the NFL overnight ratings for Fox, NBC’s Sunday Night Football, and ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Kelsey Smith at Transworld Business says NBC Sports Network will be the home of Pro Motorcross Championship in 2012.

And that’s going to do it.