Fang's Bites

Sports Media Weekly No. 150 — Matt Yoder, Awful Announcing and Ian Eagle, CBS/Turner/YES/Etc.

After a week’s absence, Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I are back with an all-new action-packed podcast. And because I’ve had my nose to the grindstone, I did not realize that we’ve reached podcast number 150. We have good guests here and didn’t realize the milestone, but no matter, we’re back with a bang.

My boss from Awful Announcing, Matt Yoder, joined Keith and me for our “Third Man In” segment. Among the topics we discussed:

• ESPN layoffs.
• The ESPN Upfronts.
• ESPN’s announcement of the SEC Network launching in August 2014.
• ESPN’s signing of the US Open.
• Former tennis star Andy Roddick signing with Fox Sports 1 (and Matt and I lobbying for Australian Rules Football to move to Fox Sports 2).
• The passing of Ken Venturi.

Our guest was Ian Eagle of CBS/Turner Sports/YES/Tennis Channel/Dial Global Radio.

The topics discussed:

• Tennis Channel’s coverage of the French Open in which Ian will have a big role.
• Ian’s experience of calling the first season of the Nets in Brooklyn.
• What he expects for the upcoming season for the NFL on CBS.
• Why fellow Syracuse alum Dave Pasch wants him to develop a secret handshake for Newhouse School graduates.
• Ian’s view of social networking and if he’ll actively join Twitter.

As you can see, a lot of things discussed in this week’s podcast. Check it out here. You can always subscribe via iTunes doing a search for “Sports Media Journal.”

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

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

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

PLAY-BY-PLAY

Final Four Level

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

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

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

Regional Final Level

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

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

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

First Week Level

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

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

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

ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

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

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

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

Regional Final Level

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

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

First Week Level

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

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

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

REPORTERS

Final Four Level

Jamie Maggio, Rachel Nichols, Craig Sager

Regional Final Level

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

First Week Level

Allie LaForce, Otis Livingston

STUDIO HOSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson, Jr.

Regional Final Level

Matt Winer

STUDIO ANALYSTS

Final Four Level

Greg Anthony

Regional Final Level

Seth Davis and Steve Smith

First Week Level

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

Carton of Chinese Cigarettes

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

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

The Fang’s Bites College Basketball TV Awards

It’s been a while since I’ve written a College Basketball TV Awards post. It’s been so long, that I’ve lost the archive for it. That transition from Blogger to WordPress a few years back did it. This is mostly for the regular season. I’ll do a bonus TV Awards for the NCAA Tournament after the Elite Eight.

Anyway, let’s provide you with the best and the worst in college basketball.

Best Play-by-Play – Sean McDonough, ESPN. Sean had a very good year working with Jay Bilas and Bill Raftery in closing out the Big East Conference as we know it. From the start of the season in Maui to the last Big East Tournament in New York on ESPN, McDonough called some great games. He also had to overcome a rare condition that made him sensitive to noise, but once that was all said and done, McDonough, Bilas and Raftery have been working well together and holding them together is McDonough who knows when to keep it light and when to keep it serious. Sean is our winner for Best Play-by-Play this season

Honorable mentions: Andrew Catalon (CBS Sports Network), Ian Eagle (CBS), Dave Flemming (ESPN), Dave Pasch (ESPN), Dan Shulman (ESPN)

Best Game Analyst – Fran Fraschilla, ESPN. He may not work Duke-North Carolina or the other glamor conferences, however, Fran knows the nuances of basketball. He mainly works the Big 12 and was rightly returned to Big Monday games. He meshed well with his old partner, Ron Franklin when they used to work Big Monday and did well with Brent Musburger this season. Fraschilla is also utilized by ESPN on international games and he knows the in’s and out’s of what could be very ugly basketball, but he knows all of the players. Giving Fran some love here. He deserves it.

Honorable mentions: Jay Bilas (ESPN), Doris Burke (ESPN), Mike Gminski (ACC Network), Clark Kellogg (CBS), Shon Morris (Big Ten Network), Bill Raftery (CBS/ESPN), Stan Van Gundy (NBC Sports Network), Bill Walton (ESPN)

Best Reporter – Holly Rowe, ESPN. She’s usually on the Big 12 broadcasts with Brent Musburger and Fran Fraschilla, Holly finds some nuggets that other sideline reporters don’t. Yes, she has a reputation of being tough and unwilling to budge, but you want that in a reporter. And she can also call play-by-play as she’s been doing for the NCAA Women’s Tournament.

Honorable mentions: Shelley Smith (ESPN), Stephanie White (Big Ten Network)

Best Studio Host – Rece Davis, ESPN. Ever since taking over as main college basketball host for Chris Fowler in 2006, Davis has shined in this role. He hosts the basketball version of College GameDay and while it pales in comparison to its football brethren, Davis still keeps the show together. Davis does well in his role as traffic cop handing off to various analysts including Digger Phelps. Very good host and easily could host the football version of GameDay in a heartbeat.

Honorable mentions: Dave Revsine (Big Ten Network), John Saunders (ESPN), Adam Zucker (CBS Sports Network)

Best Studio Analyst – Bruce Pearl, ESPN. In his first year, Pearl has become a very good analyst. He’s shown some humor. He’s provided some decent thoughts on teams and plays. Yes, Pearl has a checkered past, but he has shown he knows the game. There’s no doubt he’s using the ESPN platform to rehabilitate his reputation and far as his analysis is concerned, it’s been solid. And let’s hope Pearl has learned his lesson should he ever get back into coaching.

Honorable mentions: Seth Greenberg (ESPN), Jim Jackson (Big Ten Network), Wally Szczerbiak (CBS Sports Network)

Best Studio Show – Inside College Basketball, CBS Sports Network. This solid show is usually aired after CBSSN’s college basketball games. We get highlights of the games, no silly debates, solid analysis and some decent humor. CBS Sports Network needs some better distribution because not everyone can see the network. Next season, take a moment to watch the show. It’s quite good.

Honorable mentions: College Basketball Live (ESPN2/ESPNU), Katz Korner (ESPNU)

Best Move – Bill Walton on Pac-12 games, ESPN. In its infinite wisdom, ESPN signed Bill Walton for Pac-12 games, returning Big Red to national television after a prolonged absence. Viewers were treated to various insights, rants and exchanges with regular partners Dave Flemming and Dave Pasch. There was one night in which Walton was teamed with Brent Musburger and it was pure TV gold. It all climaxed with Walton on the Pac-12 Tournament for both the Pac-12 Networks and the ESPN family. It was tremendous. Here’s hoping ESPN will sign Walton for another season.

Honorable mentions: Fox Sports signing the New Big East, Teaming Bruce Pearl and Seth Greenberg in the studio (ESPN)

Most Valuable Network – ESPN. ESPN has contracts all of the major conferences. It has the most inventory. And it has most of the conference championship games. This won’t change for a while.

Worst Analyst – Doug Gottlieb, CBS. The Tiffany Network brought Gottlieb in from ESPN and mostly teamed him in the studio with Seth Davis. Gottlieb comes off as angry, a know-it-all, abrasive, argumentative and overbearing. During his feigned debate segments with Davis, Gottlieb has overpowered him and also looked smug. In addition, Gottlieb points at the American people and doesn’t stop from letting us know that his opinion is the correct one. Horrible analyst.

Worst Move – CBS adds Gottlieb to the Studio. See above.

I’m saving some material for the NCAA Tournament Edition. That’s coming next week.

CBS/ Turner Unveil 2013 NCAA Tournament Announcing Teams

Announced today by the CBS/Turner Sports consortium for the 2013 NCAA Tournament, the 75th incarnation of college basketball’s national championship, will be the men and women who will be in front of the camera this year. As usual, Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr will work the Final Four™ from Atlanta.

Some changes from last year, first Doug Gottlieb who came to CBS from ESPN late last year will call 2nd and 3rd round games with Spero Dedes replacing Bob Wenzel. Lesley Visser becomes a special contributor to the studio shows, leaving the sidelines. Rachel Nichols of Turner Sports takes her place on the team of Uncle Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery. And Allie LaForce, co-host of CBS Sports Network’s Lead Off with the aforementioned Gottlieb will work the sidelines as well with Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel.

Your regional final teams will be Nantz/Kellogg/Tracy Wolfson, Marv Albert/Steve Kerr /Craig Sager, Lundquist/Raftery/Nichols and Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller/Len Elmore/Lewis Johnson.

Calling the one half of the First Four™ games in Dayton, OH will be Albert and Kerr on March 19.

And the studio will be manned by hosts Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson in New York with Matt Winer in Atlanta. Studio analysts will be Greg Anthony, Charles Barkley, Seth Davis, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Steve Smith. Doug Gottlieb joins the New York crew for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight.

Here’s the CBS/Turner announcement.

CBS Sports and Turner Sports Return All-Star Line-up of Broadcast Teams for Coverage of 2013 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship

?Turner Sports and CBS Sports today announces its lineup of broadcast teams for the third year of combined coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. Once again, CBS Sports and Turner Sports provide live, full national coverage of the tournament’s 67 games across four national television networks – TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV – as well as across multiple platforms including NCAA March Madness Live®.

The tournament tips off on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20 with the NCAA FIRST FOUR™ on truTV Presented by Northwestern Mutual. Marv Albert and Steve Kerr will be courtside calling the action from Dayton, Ohio on March 19, with Craig Sager reporting. Wednesday’s FIRST FOUR broadcast team, which will also call the second and third round games from the Dayton site, will be announced on Selection Sunday.

For the third consecutive year Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg, Steve Kerr and reporter Tracy Wolfson will team up for the Final Four® and National Championship game live from Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, April 6 and Monday, April 8.

Joining this year’s announcer line-up are Doug Gottlieb, who will serve as a game and studio analyst, and courtside reporters Rachel Nichols and Allie LaForce.

Following are the announcer pairings for the second and third rounds (Thursday, March 21-Sunday, March 24):

Play-By-Play / Analyst // Reporter
*Regional Announce Teams

Jim Nantz / Clark Kellogg // Tracy Wolfson*
Marv Albert / Steve Kerr // Craig Sager*
Verne Lundquist / Bill Raftery // Rachel Nichols*
Kevin Harlan / Reggie Miller / Len Elmore // Lewis Johnson*
Ian Eagle / Jim Spanarkel // Allie LaForce
Brian Anderson / Dan Bonner // Marty Snider
Tim Brando / Mike Gminski // Otis Livingston
Spero Dedes / Doug Gottlieb // Jaime Maggio

Studio Coverage

For the third consecutive year, Turner Sports and CBS Sports will utilize two studios, based in New York and Atlanta, to cover all the tournament action. Studio coverage again will be anchored by Greg Gumbel and Ernie Johnson with Charles Barkley, Greg Anthony and Kenny Smith providing analysis throughout the tournament from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York. Matt Winer anchors the coverage from Turner Studios in Atlanta and will be joined by Seth Davis and Steve Smith. In addition, Lesley Visser will serve as a contributor.

During the Regional Semi-finals and Finals, Gottlieb will join the New York studio team. Gumbel will remain in New York alongside Barkley, Anthony, Gottlieb and Kenny Smith, while Johnson will shift to the Atlanta studio to join Davis and Steve Smith.

Studio coverage for the FIRST FOUR originates from Atlanta and will feature Johnson, Barkley, Kenny Smith and Steve Smith on Tuesday with Winer, Davis and Steve Smith providing analysis on Wednesday.

There you have it.

Dial Global Sports Unveils Announcing Assignments For 2013 NFL Divisional Weekend

I have to catch up on the site today as a touch of the flu wiped me out on Wednesday. My apologies for not updating the site yesterday. Lots of things to post and you need to be informed.

Let’s bring you the assignments for the NFL Divisional Playoffs on Dial Global Radio. Kevin Harlan and Dan Fouts will call the Green Bay-San Francisco game from Candlestick Park on Saturday night.

Dave Sims and James Lofton will be in the Georgia Dome on Sunday for Seattle-Atlanta.

Ian Eagle and Trent Green will call Houston-New England in the late game on Sunday. And Kevin Kugler-Mark Malone will team up for the Baltimore-Denver game on Saturday.

Here’s the press release from Dial Global.

DIAL GLOBAL SPORTS PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE AUDIO COVERAGE OF NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF WEEKEND

New York, NY – January 10, 2013 – Dial Global Sports will provide exclusive audio play-by-play coverage of all four National Football League Divisional playoff games this weekend.

Divisional Playoff Weekend kicks off Saturday, January 12, when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Denver Broncos. Kevin Kugler has the play-by-play, along with analyst Mark Malone and sideline reporter Scott Kaplan. Doubleheader action continues when the Green Bay Packers meet the San Francisco 49ers. Kevin Harlan serves as play-by-play announcer, along with Hall of Famer Dan Fouts as analyst and Hub Arkush as sideline reporter.

On Sunday, January 13, Divisional Playoff Weekend continues with two more matchups. First, the Seattle Seahawks go head-to-head with the Atlanta Falcons. Dave Simshas the play-by-play, with Hall of Famer James Lofton as analyst and sideline reporter Tony Boselli.  Following the conclusion of that game, the Houston Texans face the New England Patriots. Ian Eagle has the play-by-play, along with analyst Trent Green and sideline reporter Lewis Johnson.

Scott Graham hosts the pregame, halftime and postgame shows for all four wild card broadcasts.

Dial Global Sports offers exclusive live action from all the NFL postseason games. All games can be heard on radio stations nationwide, as well as on Sirius/XM satellite radio, NFL.com/Audiopass, and the NFL Mobile App available to Verizon Wireless subscribers.

That is all.

Dial Global Radio’s Announcing Assignments For NFL Wild Card Weekend

We have the announcing assignments from Dial Global Radio for NFL Wild Card Weekend. Dial Global has the exclusive rights to the entire NFL Postseason so we won’t have any listings for the other radio partners, Compass Media or Sports USA.

So let’s list the press release from Dial Global first and then list the games and times. The press release:

DIAL GLOBAL SPORTS PRESENTS EXCLUSIVE AUDIO COVERAGE OF NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND

New York, NY – January 3, 2013 – Dial Global Sports will provide exclusive audio play-by-play coverage of all four National Football League Wild Card playoff games this weekend.

Wild Card Weekend kicks off Saturday, January 5, when the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Houston Texans. Tom McCarthy has the play-by-play, along with analyst Tony Boselli and sideline reporter Steve Tasker. Doubleheader action continues when the Minnesota Vikings meet their division rival Green Bay Packers. Kevin Harlan serves as play-by-play announcer, along with Hall of Famer Dan Fouts as analyst and Mark Malone as sideline reporter.

On Sunday, January 6, Wild Card Weekend continues with two more games. First, the Indianapolis Colts go head-to-head with the Baltimore Ravens. Ian Eagle has the play-by-play, with analyst Trent Green and sideline reporter Laura Okmin. Following the conclusion of that game, the Seattle Seahawks face off with Washington. Dave Sims has the play-by-play, along with Hall of Famer James Lofton as analyst and Hub Arkush as sideline reporter.

Scott Graham hosts the pregame, halftime and postgame shows for all four wild card broadcasts.

Dial Global Sports offers exclusive live action from all the NFL postseason games. All games can be heard on radio stations nationwide, as well as on Sirius/XM satellite radio, NFL.com/Audiopass, and the NFL Mobile App available to Verizon Wireless subscribers.

And now we’ll list the dates and times for the weekend in case you’re out or want to sync your DVR to the live radio broadcasts.

Saturday, January 5

4:00 p.m.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans — Tom McCarthy/Tony Boselli/Steve Tasker

7:45 p.m.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers — Kevin Harlan/Dan Fouts/Mark Malone

Sunday, January 6

12:30 p.m.

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts — Ian Eagle/Trent Green/Laura Okmin

4:15 p.m.

Seattle Seahawks at Washington — Dave Sims/James Lofton/Hub Arkush

The 6th Annual Fang’s Bites NFL TV Awards

It’s now time to hand out the hardware for the 6th Annual Fang’s Bites NFL TV Awards. On Christmas Day, I listed the nominees for this season’s awards. Now, we have the winners for the 2012 regular season.

Best Play-by-Play: The nominees are Ian Eagle (CBS), Kevin Harlan (CBS), Al Michaels (NBC), Brad Nessler (NFL Network) and Mike Tirico (ESPN). The winner is Mike Tirico of ESPN. Mike has called Monday Night Football since 2007. He’s dealt with different combinations in the booth throughout his tenure, first Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser for one season. Then Ron Jaworski and Kornheiser for two more seasons, followed by Jaworski and Jon Gruden for two and now just Gruden. Tirico has been steady throughout. He’s not afraid to call out a player or a team and he’s always prepared. A much deserved award for Tirico. And if Gruden decides to go back into coaching, Tirico could have a totally new partner next season. No matter what, Mike will be ready.

Best Game Analyst: Your nominees are Troy Aikman (Fox), Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Dan Fouts (CBS), Rich Gannon (CBS) and Mike Mayock (NFL Network). This season’s award goes to Mike Mayock of Thursday Night Football, now a two-time winner. Mike won last year’s Game Analyst Award and will win it again for his work in 2012. There are times when Mike needs to take a breath, but he always brings something to the table and I always learn something new whenever I watch him.

Best Sunday NFL Pregame Show: This season’s nominees are First on the Field (NFL Network), Fox NFL Sunday (Fox), NFL Matchup (ESPN) and the NFL Today (CBS). The hands-down winner is ESPN’s NFL Matchup. This show has been airing since the 1980′s, but the show has mostly remained the same, showing looks not normally seen on TV. Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge explain their analysis in an intelligent manner without talking down to viewers. And Sal Paolantonio is perfect in the host’s chair. While some pregame shows are stuck in laughfests or lame attempts at comedy, NFL Matchup just sticks to basics and viewers are the beneficiaries.

Best Studio Show, Daily or Weekly: The nominees in this category are Around the League Live (NFL Network), Inside the NFL (Showtime), NFL Live (ESPN), NFL PrimeTime (ESPN) and NFL Turning Point (NBC Sports Network). I should have added Sound FX from NFL Network and I’ll make sure this will be nominated next season. All of the shows are done very well, but I’m going to go with the venerable Inside the NFL of Showtime. After moving to Showtime from HBO, the show adjusted from having Bob Costas as host to James Brown and bringing in new castmates Phil Simms, Warren Sapp (since dropped from the show) and insider Michael Lombardi to the only holdover Cris Collinsworth. NFL Films highlights remains a huge part of the show. Seeing the dynamic between Collinsworth and Simms has been fun and JB is one of the best hosts in sports television.

Best Highlight Show: The nominees are Football Night in America (NBC), NFL GameDay Final (NFL Network), NFL PrimeTime (ESPN) and The OT (Fox). It has to be NFL GameDay Final on NFL Network. While Chris Rose is an extremely weak host, the highlights are the star. In addition, an extreme weakness is having Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders are talking over each other, but again, no other show can provide three or four minutes of highlights. The NFL has placed restrictions on Football Night in America and NFL PrimeTime on the length of their highlights, but NFL GameDay Final has no such problem and can go for as long as it wants. The show has suffered since Rich Eisen left for GameDay Morning, but what matters are the highlights.

Best Studio Host: A strong category, it was tough to leave someone out and there is a glaring omission among these nominees: Rich Eisen (NFL Network), Curt Menefee (Fox), Dan Patrick (NBC/NBC Sports Network), Melissa Stark (NFL Network), Andrew Siciliano (DirecTV) and Trey Wingo (ESPN). Tough to leave out James Brown of CBS/Showtime, but I went with six nominees. This season’s winner is first time winner Trey Wingo of ESPN. Trey hosts NFL PrimeTime and NFL Live. The man knows his stuff and deserves a bigger platform. He’s done his time on ESPN and should be given the main host role on either Sunday NFL Countdown or the NFL Draft. Yes, Chris Berman hosts both, but Wingo is a much better nuts and bolts anchor. Wingo doesn’t rely on schtick or catchphrases, he gives you the facts and as a fan, that’s exactly what you want.

Best Studio Analyst: Your nominees are Tony Dungy (NBC), Boomer Esiason (CBS), Marshall Faulk (NFL Network), Rodney Harrison (NBC), Kurt Warner (NFL Network) and Steve Young (ESPN). The winner is Steve Young of ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. There were times I would scratch my head at Young’s statements, but over the past couple of years, he’s grown on me. His work this season has been spectacular. He and Trent Dilfer had strong words during the first part of the season when the regular officials were locked out and bad calls influenced the results of games. As the season progressed, Young’s level-headed analysis was mostly on target, especially on Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets. Excellent work by Young and he would be a candidate to replace Jon Gruden if the former Tampa Bay coach took a job on the sidelines next season.

Most Valuable Network: The nominees are Fox, ESPN, NBC and NFL Network. Thanks to picking up the final two pieces in its cable provider puzzle, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable, this season’s winner is NFL Network. The network started a new morning show, NFL AM, that is gaining popularity among football fans. In addition, it launched an early morning Sunday pregame show in First on the Field that brought back Melissa Stark to sports television. And to top it all off, Thursday Night Football had its longest schedule ever in 13 games plus its best ratings ever. NFL Network is having its best season ever. Now if can right one wrong in Chris Rose, we’d be all set.

Best NFL Insider: Our nominees are John Clayton (ESPN), Jay Glazer (Fox), Peter King (NBC), Jason La Canfora (CBS) and Chris Mortensen (ESPN). I did omit Adam Schefter and he’s having a very good season, but I’ll go with Jay Glazer of Fox. I’m simply going with Glazer over his sourcing fight with ESPN in the last week. Plus, Jay laid the smackdown on your humble blogger over a mistake I made.

Best Sideline Reporter: The nominees are Alex Flanagan (NFL Network), Jennifer Hale (Fox), Jaime Maggio (Fox), Lisa Salters (ESPN) and Michele Tafoya (NBC). Bringing back this category after a year’s absence, our winner is Michele Tafoya of NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Michele won the initial Emmy Award for Sideline Reporting in 2012 and manages to provide solid information whenever she’s called upon. And her demonstration in Seattle in Week 16 on the crowd noise was one of the most original reports I’ve seen. Quite impressed.

Best Announcing Team: The nominees in this category are Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (CBS), Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots (CBS), Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Brad Nessler/Mike Mayock (NFL Network) and Mike Tirico/Jon Gruden (ESPN). The winner this season is the team of the Bird and the Beard, Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts of CBS. I hope Ian and Dan are promoted to the “B” team and will get to call a Divisional Playoff game next season. They have very good chemistry and provide humor to games. Fouts is quite good in providing analysis and spotting trends. Ian has been with CBS since 1998 after one season with the New York Jets and is fast becoming one of the better all-around announcers on sports TV. Fouts has been around for many years calling both the NFL and college for CBS and ESPN/ABC. And Dan is versatile having called play-by-play on radio and TV. They are the winners in this category for 2012.

Best Game Production: Our nominees are Monday Night Football (ESPN), NFL on CBS (CBS), NFL on Fox (Fox), Sunday Night Football (NBC) and Thursday Night Football (NFL Network). We’re going with NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Last month, John Koblin of Deadspin chronicled the evolution of Sunday Night Football’s production and the article showed how SNF focuses on the field, the action and anything the fan wants to see. SNF is the number one primetime series on TV and the way it brings fans closer to the game is a reason why. In addition, Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth carry on a conversation throughout that provides fans with a good understanding of the game.

Best Debut: The nominees are Carolyn Manno on Football Night in America (NBC), First on the Field (NFL Network), Amber Theoharis on NFL Total Access (NFL Network) and Hines Ward on Football Night in America (NBC). The winner is First on the Field from NFL Network. Airing at 7 a.m. ET on Sundays, this is America’s first live NFL pregame show. Melissa Stark has proven to be a fine host. While Sterling Sharpe talks over everyone, LaDanian Tomlinson and Michael Lombardi provide analysis and the latest information leading up to NFL GameDay Morning at 9 a.m. The show is done well and originates from the NFL Films studios in New Jersey. For early risers, it’s a decent show and gives viewers their NFL fix.

Worst Play-by-Play: These are the nominees as we have now reached our “Worst” Awards: Chris Berman (ESPN), Thom Brennaman (Fox), Chris Myers (Fox), Ron Pitts (Fox) and Dick Stockton (Fox). The “winner” is Chris Myers of Fox. Chris is a very good host. He’s also a decent interviewer. But as far as play-by-play is concerned, Myers is awful. He’s constantly misidentifying players and there were times when he was behind on the action. I’m not impressed.

Worst Game Analyst: The nominees are Dan Dierdorf (CBS), Daryl Johnston (Fox), John Lynch (Fox) and Mike Martz (Fox). Mike Martz is the “winner” of this category. There’s nothing of substance provided with Martz. He gets this award hands down.

Worst Studio Host: Just two nominees here: Chris Berman (ESPN) and Chris Rose (NFL Network). The winner of this award is Chris Rose of NFL Network. The first-ever employee of two league-owned network simultaneously, Chris Rose is proving the sucking sound you hear comes from two channel positions on your television. Rose is on the worst show on sports television, Intentional Talk on MLB Network, and now he’s trying to ruin NFL GameDay Final and the Total Access Thursday Night Football Postgame show. He can’t control his analysts (see Best Highlights Show) and there are times he tries to go into “Best Damned Sports Show” which he used to host on Fox Sports Net. Chris Rose takes the award this season.

Worst Studio Analyst: Originally two nominees, Michael Irvin (NFL Network) and Eric Mangini (ESPN), I’ll add Warren Sapp (NFL Network/Showtime) to the mix. The “winner” is Michael Irvin of NFL Network. The man yells, he doesn’t make any sense and why NFL Network continues to use him is beyond me. He’s on three shows, NFL GameDay Morning, Thursday Night Kickoff and NFL GameDay Final. All he does is yell, cackle and laugh. No need for this.

And those are your NFL TV Awards for 2012. Let me know what you think in the comments below or on my Twitter and Facebook pages.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 17, 12/30/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Cincinnati — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Cleveland at Pittsburgh — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
Houston at Indianapolis — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Jacksonville at Tennessee — Don Criqui/Randy Cross
New York Jets at Buffalo — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Carolina at New Orleans — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Krista Voda
Chicago at Detroit — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Philadelphia at New York Giants — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Tampa Bay at Atlanta — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Kansas City at Denver — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Miami at New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Oakland at San Diego — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker

FOX
Arizona at San Francisco — Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Kristina Pink
Green Bay at Minnesota — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
St. Louis at Seattle — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Dallas at Washington — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Nominees for 6th Annual Fang’s Bites NFL TV Awards

Merry Christmas! Happy to provide you with the nominees for this year’s NFL TV Awards. Last year’s nominees ended up this way.

And later, this was the result for the 2011 season.

Let’s take a look at the nominees in each category.

Best Play-by-Play: Ian Eagle (CBS), Kevin Harlan (CBS), Al Michaels (NBC), Brad Nessler (NFL Network), Mike Tirico (ESPN)

Best Game Analyst: Troy Aikman (Fox), Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Dan Fouts (CBS), Rich Gannon (CBS), Mike Mayock (NFL Network)

Best Sunday NFL Pregame Show: First on the Field (NFL Network), Fox NFL Sunday (Fox), NFL Matchup (ESPN), NFL Today (CBS)

Best Studio Show, Daily or Weekly: Around the League Live (NFL Network), Inside the NFL (Showtime), NFL Live (ESPN), NFL PrimeTime (ESPN), NFL Turning Point (NBC Sports Network)

Best Highlights: Football Night in America (NBC), NFL GameDay Final (NFL Network), NFL PrimeTime (ESPN), The OT (Fox)

Best Studio Host: Rich Eisen (NFL Network), Curt Menefee (Fox), Dan Patrick (NBC/NBC Sports Network), Melissa Stark (NFL Network), Andrew Siciliano (DirecTV), Trey Wingo (ESPN)

Best Studio Analyst: Tony Dungy (NBC), Boomer Esiason (CBS), Marshall Faulk (NFL Network), Rodney Harrison (NBC), Kurt Warner (NFL Network), Steve Young (ESPN)

Most Valuable Network: Fox, ESPN, NBC, NFL Network

Best NFL Insider: John Clayton (ESPN), Jay Glazer (Fox), Peter King (NBC),  Jason La Canfora (CBS), Chris Mortensen (ESPN)

Best Sideline Reporter: Alex Flanagan (NFL Network), Jennifer Hale (Fox), Jaime Maggio (Fox), Lisa Salters (ESPN), Michele Tafoya (NBC)

Best Announcing Team: Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (CBS), Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots (CBS), Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Brad Nessler/Mike Mayock (NFL Network), Mike Tirico/Jon Gruden (ESPN)

Best Game Production: Monday Night Football (ESPN), NFL on CBS (CBS), NFL on Fox (Fox), Sunday Night Football (NBC), Thursday Night Football (NFL Network)

Best Debut: Carolyn Manno on Football Night in America (NBC), First on the Field (NFL Network), Amber Theoharis on NFL Total Access (NFL Network), Hines Ward on Football Night in America (NBC)

Worst Play-by-Play: Chris Berman (ESPN), Thom Brennaman (Fox), Chris Myers (Fox), Ron Pitts (Fox), Dick Stockton (Fox)

Worst Game Analyst: Dan Dierdorf (CBS), Daryl Johnston (Fox), John Lynch (Fox), Mike Martz (Fox)

Worst Studio Host: Chris Berman (ESPN), Chris Rose (NFL Network)

Worst Studio Analyst: Michael Irvin (NFL Network), Eric Mangini (ESPN)

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 16, 12/22 & 12/23/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Saturday, December 22

Studio & Pregame Shows
Monday Night Countdown — ESPN, 7 p.m.
NFL Total Access — NFL Network, 7 p.m.
NFL Total Access: Postgame — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

ESPN
Atlanta at Detroit — Mike Tirico/Jon Gruden/Lisa Salters

Sunday, December 23

Studio & Pregame Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at Miami — Don Criqui/Randy Cross
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Indianapolis at Kansas City — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New England at Jacksonville — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Oakland at Carolina — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
San Diego at New York Jets — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Tennessee at Green Bay — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

FOX
Minnesota at Houston — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
New Orleans at Dallas — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
St. Louis at Tampa Bay — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink
Washington at Philadelphia — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Cleveland at Denver — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

4:25 p.m.

FOX
Chicago at Arizona — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
New York Giants at Baltimore — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

8:30 p.m.

NBC
San Francisco at Seattle — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 15, 12/16/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the 506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Denver at Baltimore — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Indianapolis at Houston — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Jacksonville at Miami — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Green Bay at Chicago — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Minnesota at St. Louis — Gus Johnston/Charles Davis/Kristina Pink
New York Giants at Atlanta — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Tampa Bay at New Orleans — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Washington at Cleveland — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Krista Voda

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Carolina at San Diego — Sam Rosen/Heath Evans/Jill Savage
Detroit at Arizona — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jamie Maggio!!!
Seattle vs. Buffalo at Toronto, Ontario, Canada — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Kansas City at Oakland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Pittsburgh at Dallas — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

8:30 p.m.

NBC
San Francisco at New England — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 14, 12/09/12

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Washington — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Kansas City at Cleveland — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New York Jets at Jacksonville — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
San Diego at Pittsburgh — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Tennessee at Indianapolis — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

FOX
Atlanta at Carolina — Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Kristina Pink
Chicago at Minnesota — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Dallas at Cincinnati — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
St. Louis at Buffalo — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Krista Voda

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Miami at San Francisco — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

4:25 p.m.

FOX
Arizona at Seattle — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
New Orleans at New York Giants — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Detroit at Green Bay — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Your NFL Viewing Guide For Week 13 of the 2012 Season

Tough day today.
Indeed it is. The NFL is dealing with the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide of his girlfriend that leaves a beautiful three month old girl without parents and the Kansas City Chiefs wondering how they will acknowledge him. ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown acknowledged Kasandra Perkins, Belcher’s girlfriend with a graphic at the beginning of its show today as well as later during the program. Tom Jackson asked viewers to remember her as well. In addition, ESPN has shelved its scheduled comedic segment with Frank Caliendo. In a newsletter to subscribers, Caliendo said his scheduled segment which was to lampoon Bob Ley and Outside the Lines “wouldn’t fit the tone of this week’s show. Instead, it will air next week, Sunday, December 9.

The bit has nothing to do with the Chiefs or Kansas City, but they decided that a planned “comedy” segment just didn’t seem like a good thing to do.”

We’ll see if Fox follows suit with Rob Riggle’s segment and how CBS and Fox handle the story.

Ok, moving on, what about blackouts this week?
We have three this week. Buffalo’s game against Jacksonville won’t be seen in Western New York. It appears the rest of Buffalo’s home games are in danger of being blacked out also.

San Diego and Los Angeles won’t see the Super Chargers’ game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. It marks the 8th blackout of the Chargers in the last 22 home games.

And fans in the Bay Area won’t be watching the Oakland Raiders taking on the Cleveland Browns. It marks the first Raiders blackout in their last ten home games.

What are your Games of the Week?
For CBS, I’ll select Indianapolis at Detroit (Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts) as Andrew Luck’s initial tour of the NFL continues, and the second Pittsburgh at Baltimore game (Jim Nantz/Phil Simms) in the late window.

With Fox, I’ll go with Seattle at Chicago (Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio) and San Francisco at St. Louis (Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa), both games in the early window.

Why didn’t NBC and the NFL flex out Philadelphia at Dallas (Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya) tonight?
Yeah, record-wise it’s not the most attractive matchup, but NBC likes the ratings for the Cowpokes. Kind of strange that the only flex this season occurred in Week 11 for CBS when Indianapolis at New England was moved from 1 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. There won’t be any flexes for Weeks 14 and 15, but in Week 16, look for San Diego at the New York Jets to be sent out of the primetime slot in favor of another game (Giants-Ravens, Cincinnati-Pittsburgh or San Francisco-Seattle). Unless we learn that Tim Tebow is starting that game, expect Chargers-Jets to be jettisoned from primetime.

Ok, some good food for thought. Anything else?
We could see the return of Gus Johnson to the NFL this month. Waiting to confirm. I’ll let you know. Other than that, nothing else for today. Do your best to enjoy your Sunday and hug your loved ones.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 13, 12/02/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, noon

1 p.m.

CBS
Houston at Tennessee — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Indianapolis at Detroit — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Jacksonville at Buffalo — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
New England at Miami — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

FOX
Arizona at New York Jets — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Carolina at Kansas City — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink
Minnesota at Green Bay — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
San Francisco at St. Louis — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at Chicago — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Tampa Bay at Denver — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Cincinnati at San Diego — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Cleveland at Oakland — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Pittsburgh at Baltimore — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Philadelphia at Dallas — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 12, 11/25/2012

All Times Eastern

Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 7:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel, 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at Indianapolis — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Denver at Kansas City — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Oakland at Cincinnati — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Pittsburgh at Cleveland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Jacksonville — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein

FOX
Atlanta at Tampa Bay — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick Charles Davis/Laura Okmin
Minnesota at Chicago — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at Miami — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at San Diego — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

4:25 p.m.

FOX
San Francisco at New Orleans — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
St. Louis at Arizona — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Green Bay at New York Giants — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV Sunday NFL Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks for Week 11, 11/18/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Cincinnati at Kansas City — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Cleveland at Dallas — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Jacksonville at Houston — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New York Jets at St. Louis — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

FOX
Arizona at Atlanta — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Green Bay at Detroit — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Philadelphia at Washington — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Tampa Bay at Carolina — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

4:05 p.m.

FOX
New Orleans at Oakland — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Indianapolis at New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
San Diego at Denver — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Baltimore at Pittsburgh — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 10, 11/11/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 7:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The O.T. — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at New England — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Denver at Carolina — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Oakland at Baltimore — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
San Diego at Tampa Bay — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Miami — Spero Dedes/Steve Tasker

FOX
Atlanta at New Orleans — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Detroit at Minnesota — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
New York Giants at Cincinnati — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4:05 p.m.

CBS
New York Jets at Seattle — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

4:25 p.m.

FOX
Dallas at Philadelphia — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
St. Louis at San Francisco — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Houston at Chicago — Al Michael/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks for Week 9, 11/04/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPNews, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL Red Zone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Cleveland — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Buffalo at Houston — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Denver at Cincinnati — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Miami at Indianapolis — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

FOX
Arizona at Green Bay — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Carolina at Washington — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Chicago at Tennessee — Thom Brennman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Detroit at Jacksonville — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Minnesota at Seattle — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
Tampa Bay at Oakland — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Pittsburgh at New York Giants — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Dallas at Atlanta — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Your NFL Week 8 Viewing Guide

This is up late once again and I’m getting ready for Hurricane Sandy as it speeds up the East Coast into the Northeast.

Well, let’s provide the Week 8 Viewing Guide in The League Where They Play for Pay.

So why is this a Sunday unlike any other?
Well, Hurricane Sandy is going to have an impact on a couple of games, Miami at the New York Jets (CBS, Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts) in northern New Jersey and the Atlanta at Philadelphia (Fox, Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale) game at the Linc in the Delaware Valley. While it won’t be extremely windy, there will be rain bands in both cities as the storm comes up the coast. Luckily, the Carolina Panthers are on the road in Chicago (Fox, Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa) as Sandy has been hitting the North Carolina coast.

What about non-weather issues?
Let’s see, there are just two late games again, just like in Week 7, one each for CBS (Oakland at Kansas City at 4 p.m ET) and Fox (New York Giants at Dallas, 4:25 p.m.). And NBC’s Sunday Night Football will have the World Series as competition. However, based on the ratings for the World Series and the rest of the MLB Postseason, the Saints-Broncos game should come out on top when all is said and done.

Byes? Who has the dreaded bye this week?
Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati and Houston are off this week.

So are there any blackouts anywhere?
No and through Week 8, the NFL is happy to point out that just four games did not make the deadline to sell out 72 hours in advance. So all 14 games scheduled for this week from last Thursday through Monday Night will be seen in the local markets.

Why are there just two late games?
Fox wanted just one game as it airs the NFC East Division blood rivalry game between the Giants and Cowboys (Thom Brennaman/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver) . And with just four games early, CBS will have one late game at 4 p.m., Oakland at Kansas City (Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots) going to a large portion of the country. Blame the byes for this. But also Fox didn’t want the country to miss out on G-men/Cowpokes.

So there’s a game in London?
Yes, the New England Patriots are taking on the St. Louis Rams (Jim Nantz/Phil Simms) at the venerable Wembley Stadium on CBS. Since this is a designated home game for the Rams, the Pats are designated the road team, thus CBS gets the game as the “visiting” network. This will be the last time for just a single game in London. Next year, there will be two.

What are your Games of the Week?
For CBS, I’ll go with Pats-Rams just to see how the players handle being six hours ahead of their normal body clocks. And Miami-Jets because the game always lends for crazy things.

On Fox, I’ll choose Atlanta at Philadelphia to see if the Eagles can play a complete game for once and if they can end the Falcons’ perfect season. And the Giants-Cowboys late will give us something interesting to watch.

What about Sunday Night?
Yes, the interconference matchup between New Orleans and Denver (Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya) is quite intriguing. Can’t forget about it.

Any other games to keep our eyes on?
Yes, Washington at Pittsburgh on Fox (Sam Rosen/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin) just to see Robert Griffin III and San Diego at Cleveland on CBS (Spero Dedes/Rich Gannon) as it marks the first game for the Chargers since its massive implosion against the Broncos in Week 7 on Monday Night.

Anything else?
Let’s be careful out there. Be safe if you’re on the East Coast and have fun watching the games.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 8, 10/28/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11:30 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
The NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Indianapolis at Tennessee — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Jacksonville at Green Bay — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Miami at New York Jets — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
New England vs. St. Louis at London, England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
San Diego at Cleveland — Spero Dedes/Rich Gannon

FOX
Atlanta at Philadelphia — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Carolina at Chicago — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at Detroit — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
Washington at Pittsburgh — Sam Rosen/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4 p.m.

CBS
Oakland at Kansas City — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

4:25 p.m.

FOX
New York Giants at Dallas — Thom Brennaman/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

8:30 p.m.

NBC
New Orleans at Denver — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 7, 10/21/2012

All Times Eastern

Week 7 NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Houston — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Cleveland at Indianapolis — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Buffalo — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Arizona at Minnesota — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
Dallas at Carolina — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Green Bay at St. Louis — Sam Rosen/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
New Orleans at Tampa Bay — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Washington at New York Giants — Thom Brennaman/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Jacksonville at Oakland — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
New York Jets at New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Your NFL Week 6 Viewing Guide

Ok, let’s go over what’s happening in Week 6 in The League Where They Play For Pay.

Who’s off this week?
For Week 6, Carolina, Chicago, Jacksonville and New Orleans. All get the dreaded bye on Sunday.

Blackouts? What about the blackouts?
Well, Tampa Bay is blacked out which means the local CBS affiliate won’t be able to show Kansas City-Bucs (Marv Albert/Rich Gannon).

The Chargers avoided a blackout in San Diego and Los Angeles for Monday night.

Who has the doubleheader?
Fox does. One of the weeks it has just about the minimum amount of games, just five overall, three early games and two late.

So what’s going on with Fox on Sunday?
Originally off on Sunday, Joe Buck will pull a rare NFL/National League Championship Series doubleheader. He’ll call the New York Giants-San Francisco 49ers game at 4:25 p.m. ET with Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver, then head across town to call Game 1 of the NLCS between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants with Tim McCarver, Erin Andrews and Ken Rosenthal.

Thom Brennaman who was originally slated to call Giants-Niners has been reassigned to his regular announcing team with Brian Billick and Laura Okmin on Dallas-Baltimore at 1 p.m. Sam Rosen who was supposed to work that game with Billick and Okmin has Sunday off.

What are your Games of the Week?
For CBS’ regional games, I’ll take Indy at the New York Jets (Jim Nantz/Phil Simms) to see what Andrew Luck can pull this week and to watch if Mark Sanchez spits the bit. And for the 4:05 p.m. game, an intriguing New England-Seattle game (Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts) which might have been a candidate to be a flex game into primetime had this been eligible.

On Fox, we’ll pick Dallas at Baltimore (Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin) for the Ray Lewis opportunity to sack Tony Romo and of course, the rematch of last season’s NFC Championship, New York Giants at San Francisco (Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver).

CBS doing anything special before or after its regional games?
Unlike Fox which has scheduled programming for several “singleheaders,” CBS has chosen to go dark at 1 p.m. or at 5 p.m., depending on the game in your area.

Anything else?
Not really. Just watch the games.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 6, 10/14/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1:00 p.m.

CBS
Cincinnati at Cleveland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Indianapolis at New York Jets — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Kansas City at Tampa Bay — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Oakland at Atlanta — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

FOX
Dallas at Baltimore — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Detroit at Philadelphia — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
St. Louis at Miami — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at Arizona — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New England at Seattle — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

4:25 p.m.

FOX
Minnesota at Washington — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
New York Giants at San Francisco — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Green Bay at Houston — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Bringing Out Your Monday Linkage

Ok, time for some links on this Columbus Day holiday for some of you.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today has a bunch of news and notes in his Monday sports media column including a recap of the NFL Today interview with scab NFL referee Lance Easley.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable says the first-ever MLB Wild Card Games did well for TBS last Friday.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says Time Warner Cable SportsNet has signed its first affiliate for its Los Angeles Lakers-centric regional sports network.

Over to Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report. He talks with Steve Madden, the man in charge of Sports on Earth, the joint venture between USA Today and MLB Advanced Media. Disclaimer: Fang’s Bites is an independently-owned blog affiliated with USA Today Media Group.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid has video of San Diego Super Chargers safety Atari Bigby’s creative introduction on Sunday Night Football.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing notes that NBC’s Cris Collinsworth called New Orleans’ game-ending strip sack of San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers just before it occurred.

Brandon Costa at Sports Video Group says MLB Network prepared to air its first postseason games not knowing where they would be.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell tells us that MLB teams don’t keep any of the playoff ticket money the games generate.

Jim Romenesko notes how ESPN edited a blogger’s KKK-Rod headline.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says the Mets are looking for ways to refinance its huge debts through its regional sports network, SNY.

As usual, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post hates everything on television.

Jerry Barmash of FishbowlNY notes that long-time New York Knicks analyst John Andariese is retiring.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun says TBS stepped up to the task for the New York Yankees-Orioles game on Sunday.

David says CBS’ Ian Eagle got the job done during yesterday’s Baltimore Ravens-Kansas City Chiefs game while his partner, Dan Fouts did not.

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

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports that Fox Sports Florida will air all 81 Magic games this season instead of splitting them between FS Florida and Sun Sports.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle says the Astros are considering replacements to its radio team of Dave Raymond and Brett Dolan who were let go last week.

David says ESPN’s Jon Gruden brings his enthusiasm for the NFL to Monday Night Football.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reviews the CBS NFL Today interview of former scab referee Lance Easley.

Missouri Sports Magazine notes that the Kansas City Royals have set a ratings record for the 2012 season.

Dusty Saunders from the Denver Post says Sunday gave sports fans plenty of action to watch.

Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic says there are a number of candidates to replace the Diamondbacks TV team of Daron Sutton and Mark Grace who were let go by the team after the season.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times says the Lakers have become the least-viewed team in the NBA thanks to its deal with Time Warner Cable Sports.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has your sports calendar for this week.

Tom has the five things he learned from watching sports over the weekend.

Jon Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News updates us on the Pac-12 Network and its dispute with DirecTV.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says fans are split over which side to support in the NHL lockout.

Ryan Lambert at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy looks at ESPN picking up KHL games in the wake of the NHL lockout.

Ty Duffy at the Big Lead says MLS is doing well at the gate, but not on TV.

Media Rantz informs us that former NFL Network original Kara Henderson left broadcasting to get married. Congrats to Kara.

That’s going to do it.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 5, 10/07/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Kansas City — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Cleveland at New York Giants — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Miami at Cincinnati — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Atlanta at Washington — Sam Rosen/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Green Bay at Indianapolis — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Chicago at Jacksonville — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at Carolina — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Kristina Pink

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at San Francisco — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Denver at New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Tennessee at Minnesota — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker

8:30 p.m.

NBC
San Diego at New Orleans — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Radio Games For Week 5

Thursday, October 4

8 p.m.

Dial Global Sports
Arizona at St. Louis — Ian Eagle/Trent Green/Laura Okmin

Sunday, October 7

12:30 p.m.

Compass Media Networks
Atlanta at Washington
Baltimore at Kansas City

Dial Global Sports
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh — Tom McCarthy/Tony Boselli

3:45 p.m.

Compass Media Networks
Buffalo at San Francisco

Dial Global Sports
Denver at New England — Kevin Kugler/Mark Malone

8:30 p.m.

Dial Global Sports
San Diego at New Orleans — Dave Sims/James Lofton/Scott Kaplan

Monday, October 8

8:30 p.m.

Dial Global Sports
Houston at New York Jets — Kevin Harlan/Boomer Esiason/Mark Malone

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 4, 09/30/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the 506.com)

Byes: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 12:55 p.m.
The NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
New England at Buffalo — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
San Diego at Kansas City — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Houston — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

FOX
Carolina at Atlanta — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Minnesota at Detroit — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
San Francisco at New York Jets — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at St. Louis — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Cincinnati at Jacksonville — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Miami at Arizona — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Oakland at Denver — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

4:25 p.m.

FOX
New Orleans at Green Bay — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Washington at Tampa Bay — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Krista Voda

8:30 p.m.

NBC
New York Giants at Philadelphia — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Your Week 3 NFL Viewing Guide

Let’s give you a few things to watch for in Week 3 in The League Where They Play for Play.

Why are Time Warner Cable and Bright House subscribers a happy lot today? – That’s a silly question, chickie. If you really need to know, just ask one. Seriously, NFL Network and Time Warner came to a surprise agreement on Friday in time for Sunday’s games. So NFL Network and RedZone get access to 12 million customers across the country and in 11 team markets: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Kansas City, New York, San Diego and Tampa-St. Petersburg. This also affects Los Angeles, a secondary market to San Diego, the Capital Region of New York, Milwaukee and several other areas. Time Warner had been the last holdout of the major cable and satellite providers and it appeared that an agreement was nowhere in sight, but instead of going another year without NFL Network, the two sides finally came together. So Time Warner and Bright House customers will be able to see NFL Network on digital basic and NFL RedZone on a sports tier.

Who has the doubleheader this week? – CBS once again. The main game at 4:25 p.m. ET will be Denver at Houston (Jim Nantz/Phil Simms).

What’s Fox showing on Sunday afternoon when it’s not airing the NFL? – Depending on the game in your area, it will show Liverpool vs. Manchester United on tape delay either at 2:30 p.m. ET or 4:30 p.m. The game will be shown live on Fox Soccer at 8:25 if you wish to get up that early.

Any blackouts? – I’m glad you asked. Just one, in San Diego where local fans will not see the Falcons and Chargers on Fox. Miami avoided a blackout after getting an extension to sell tickets for the Jets-Dolphins game. Raider Nation is happy after the blackout was lifted so fans can see Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

What are your games of the day? – For CBS, I’ll go with the two late games, Denver at Houston (Jim Nantz/Phil Simms) and Pittsburgh at Oakland (Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts).

On Fox, I’ll choose San Francisco at Minnesota (Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa) as the 49ers go for 3-0 and the 4:05 game between two 2-0 teams, Philadelphia at Arizona (Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin).

And yes, there’s the primetime matchup on Sunday night, New England at Baltimore on NBC (Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya). That should be quite interesting.

Any trends I should know about after the first two weeks of action? – There are three of interesting notes from the first two weeks. One, the 4:25 national window has garnered lower ratings than Sunday Night Football. Usually, Fox’s late game outrates NBC, but that hasn’t been the case so far this season. And CBS’ ratings for the New York Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers game received the lowest ratings for the late game on any network since 2009.

CBS’ ratings are down from last year in both Week 1 and Week 2.

NBC’s Sunday Night Football is also down after two weeks.

Anything else? – No. Just watch the games and enjoy your Sunday.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 3, 09/23/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (from the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN, 7:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL RedZone — NFL Network (check your local listings), 1 p.m.
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at Cleveland — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
Cincinnati at Washington — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Jacksonville at Indianapolis — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Kansas City at New Orleans — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
New York Jets at Miami — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Detroit at Tennessee — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink
San Francisco at Minnesota — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
St. Louis at Chicago — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Tampa Bay at Dallas — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Atlanta at San Diego — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
Philadelphia at Arizona — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4:15 p.m.

CBS
Houston at Denver — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Pittsburgh at Oakland — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

8:30 p.m.

NBC
New England at Baltimore — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments 

Your Week 2 NFL Viewing Picks

Let’s go over what’s coming up on the next NFL Sunday.

Our NFL Week actually began on Thursday? – Yup. First of 13 Thursday Night Football games on NFL Network this season.

So I won’t hear a disclaimer for “60 Minutes” on CBS at 7 p.m.? – Not when the Tiffany Network has the NFL doubleheader. With the late games now starting at 4:25 p.m. ET, both CBS and Fox have to make adjustments. When CBS has the doubleheader, primetime will start at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT. In the Mountain and Pacific time zones, the Sunday primetime lineup won’t change. The entire CBS lineup will be pushed back a half-hour and there won’t be any shows that will be preempted.

What’s with Fox showing this soccer documentary? – On five Sundays, Fox will run programming either before or after its single NFL game depending on when your contest will air in your region. This week, Fox airs the premiere of its Fox Soccer documentary series called “Being: Liverpool”. On three other Sundays, Fox will air tape delayed coverage of English Premier League action. And on the other Sunday being programmed by Fox, it will have a UFC special previewing that weekend’s MMA card on the network.

Blackouts? Tell me about the blackouts? – None this week. The San Diego Chargers narrowly avoided embarrassment by having its home opener and tribute to the late Junior Seau blacked out. An extension to sell the last remaining tickets worked. The Dolphins did not sell out their home opener, but the team bought all of the remaining tickets and the game against the Raiders on Sunday will be seen in South Florida. Finally, the Cincinnati Bengals sold out their home opener after problems selling out last season.

What are your Games of the Week, compadre? – On CBS, I’ll choose Baltimore at Philadelphia (Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf). Ravens look really good. Philadelphia has to show something after barely defeating my Browns last week. The other for CBS is Tennessee at San Diego (Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts). It should be a rather emotional scene as the Chargers pay tribute to the late Junior Seau before the game.

For Fox, I choose New Orleans at Carolina (Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink) as both teams have to show something after lackluster performances last week. And Dallas at Seattle (Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa) as we need to know if both teams were really what we saw in Week 1. Was Dallas really as good as it showed in the NFL Kickoff Game against the New York Giants? And what about Seattle? Questions abound after its loss to Arizona.

Anything else? – Sunday Night Football with a decent game as the Detroit Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers (Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya). I wonder what “Get Off My Lawn” commentary Bob Costas will make on Sunday.

That concludes the Viewing Guide for Week 2 in the League Where They Play for Pay.