Fang's Bites

SiriusXM NFL Radio To Air Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

If you’ve listened to the Super Bowl on Westwood One Radio in the past, you’ll know that it’s rarely aired the halftime concert, choosing to analyze the game with their studio crew.

SiriusXM’s NFL Radio will air the Dial Global/Westwood One feed today, but will also air Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show. The concert will air in its entirety for SiriusXM subscribers.

Madonna’s Performance During the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show to Air Live on SiriusXM

Multi Grammy Award®-winning artist’s performance from Super Bowl to air live on SiriusXM NFL Radio

NEW YORK–February 4, 2012– Sirius XM Radio will air Madonna’s halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI live on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Sunday, February 5.

The performance will air live on SiriusXM NFL Radio, channel 88 on Sirius and XM Premier (formerly known as “The Best of Sirius”). SiriusXM, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, will broadcast Super Bowl XLVI in 10 languages, offering listeners 13 different live broadcasts.

SiriusXM broadcasts every NFL game live nationwide, from the preseason through the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.

That will do it.

Revised NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Sunday Rundown

Happy Super Sunday! The day has finally arrived. NFL Network has sent a revised rundown for today’s 8½ hour NFL GameDay Morning pregame show. Rich Eisen is your host. Melissa Stark will also be on hand.

There will be a million analysts and reporters joining them. Here’s your rundown

NFL NETWORK AT SUPER BOWL XLVI: WHAT’S ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING—Sunday, February 5 at 9:00 AM ET

‘Sunday Sitdowns’ on Special 8 ½ Hour Pregame Show –
Kurt Warner with Giants QB Eli Manning
Willie McGinest with Patriots QB Tom Brady
Michael Lombardi with Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick
Michael Irvin with Giants WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks & Mario Manningham

Special Guest Analyst Packers CB Charles Woodson Joins NFL Network’s Roster of 21 Analysts, Hosts & Reporters

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s pregame show, NFL GameDay Morning will provide 8 ½ hours of live coverage starting at 9:00 AM ET with 21 on-air personalities who have won a total of 14 Super Bowl rings. NFL GameDay Morning is live from seven locations, including two sets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additional locations include the Giants and Patriots team hotels, the NFL Tailgate, the Super Bowl Village, and with the fans at Super Bowl parties in New York and Foxborough restaurants.

NFL GameDay Morning features host Rich Eisen joined by Super Bowl winners Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp, along with Steve Mariucci. The special Super Bowl edition also includes host Melissa Stark on a second set along with Super Bowl winners Deion Sanders, Willie McGinest, Heath Evans and Brian Billick previewing the game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

Super Bowl-winning cornerback of the Green Bay Packers Charles Woodson joins the set as a special guest analyst to provide insight into the game and his own experience playing in last year’s Super Bowl.

Actor Dan Lauria returns in his role as Vince Lombardi to prepare the Giants and the Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI.

The following are highlights of Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame show on NFL Network:

9:00 AM ET

• What to look for in Super Bowl XLVI with Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Steve Mariucci

• Melissa Stark on “The Patriot Way” – how Bill Belichick turns spare parts into champions; includes interviews with Patriots Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater and Aaron Hernandez.

10:00 AM ET

• NFL Films-produced feature goes “Back to the Future” to show the similarities between the Giants’ late-season runs in 2007 and 2011

• The NFL Season: A Biography examines the unique relationship between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his mentor Tom Martinez, who is waiting for a kidney transplant:
  (Advanced preview of the feature: http://ftp2.nflfilmstv.com/filmsint/ftp-inet/flashplayer.html?s_video=Preview/the_season_more_than_a_mentor_v1_600ws.flv)

• Analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin highlight the key matchups

11:00 AM ET

• Feature on how “The Catch” in Super Bowl XLII changed former Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s life:
  (Advanced preview link: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82694e59/Catching-up-with-David-Tyree)

• Michael Lombardi on how Bill Belichick uses the Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLII to motivate his players

• Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders discuss the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012

• Players Only: The best and worst parts of Super Bowl week

12 Noon ET

• Actor/comedian and Boston sports fan Dennis Leary pays tribute to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady

• Steve Cyphers visits the Norman Lear Center for research and public policy at the USC Annenberg School for Communication to investigate why America was obsessed with Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow during the 2011 NFL season

• Deion Sanders, Brian Billick and Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson discuss how winning the Super Bowl has changed their lives

1:00 PM ET

• Three-time Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin sits down with Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham

• Steve Cyphers on the anxiety of the Manning Family on Super Bowl Sunday

• NFL Network analysts debate if Eli Manning wins Super Bowl XLVI, which Manning has achieved more in his career?

• NFL Films presents piece on the emotional year Patriots owner Robert Kraft has experienced with the passing of his wife and the Patriots winning the AFC title.

• Former New England linebacker Willie McGinest on the impact of the Kraft Family on the Patriots

2:00 PM ET

• Three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest sits down with his former teammate Tom Brady for a 1-on-1 interview:

  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8269594b/Sunday-Sitdown-Tom-Brady

• Michael Lombardi sits down with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for a 1-on-1 interview:

  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82691550/Belichick-preparing-Patriots-for-Sunday

• Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate the hot topics of Super Bowl XLVI

3:00 – 5:30 PM ET

• Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner sits down with Super Bowl XLII MVP and
  former teammate Eli Manning for a 1-on-1 interview:

  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8267a9e4/Sunday-Sitdown-Eli-Manning

• Essay written by Indiana native Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated on what hosting the Super Bowl means to the Hoosier State

• Stars of the upcoming film “That’s My Boy,” Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg join the set

• Tale of the Tape: how the Giants and Patriots match up at quarterback (Kurt Warner), running back (Marshall Faulk), wide receiver (Michael Irvin), on defense (Warren Sapp) and coaching (Steve Mariucci)

• Super Bowl XLVI MVP picks

 

• Game picks

***Immediately after the NBC postgame show – NFL GameDay Final

Host Rich Eisen and analysts Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin provide analysis and highlights from the field, plus live interviews with all the stars of the game and the winning coach. Albert Breer, Stacey Dales and Lindsay Soto provide interviews following the game.

NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Pregame Show Roster

Michael Irvin: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Deion Sanders: Analyst (2 Super Bowl ring)
Marshall Faulk: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Kurt Warner: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Warren Sapp: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Charles Woodson: Guest Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Willie McGinest: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Brian Billick: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Heath Evans: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Steve Mariucci: Analyst
Rich Eisen: Host
Melissa Stark: Host
Fran Charles: Host
Michelle Beisner: Reporter
Albert Breer: Reporter
Stacey Dales: Reporter
Steve Cyphers: Reporter
Jason La Canfora: Reporter
Michael Lombardi: Reporter
Ari Wolfe: Reporter
Steve Wyche: Reporter

That does 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.

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues This Weekend

ESPN wraps up its Super Bowl coverage this weekend from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis and from the World Headquarters in Bristol, CT. As usual, multiple networks on TV and radio are involved.

We have your schedule for Saturday and Sunday.

ESPN and ESPN Radio Super Bowl XLVI Weekend Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues through the weekend from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis. All shows are available for free public viewing.

Actors Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, and Indy Car driver Graham Rahal, who will be part of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown season finale, are among the notable guests scheduled to appear on ESPN programs this weekend. Scheduled highlights (all times ET):

Schedule of ESPN’s on-site programming for Saturday, Feb. 4:

10 a.m. — SportsCenter (ESPN)
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: Tedy Bruschi and Steve Young.

1 p.m. – ESPN Deportes and ESPN International SportsCenter
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Alvaro Martin, Raul Allegre.

6 p.m. — SportsCenter (ESPN)
Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Trent Dilfer and Keyshawn Johnson.

Schedule of ESPN’s Super Bowl programming for Sunday, Feb. 5:

Sunday’s coverage will feature more than 17 hours of Super Bowl-related programming, beginning at 6 a.m. with Mike & Mike in the Morning live from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios.

Chris Berman, covering his 30^th Super Bowl, will host a four-hour Super Bowl XLVI edition of Sunday NFL Countdown (10 a.m. — 2 p.m.) with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young. Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski will join the crew from the stadium. NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will also contribute reports, and reporters Rachel Nichols (covering the Giants) and Ed Werder (Patriots) will provide updates on the teams throughout the day.

Special celebrity guest appearances at Pan Am Plaza during Countdown

11:45 a.m. – Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, stars of the upcoming movie That’s My Boy will be on-set (Jets head coach Rex Ryan made a cameo appearance in the movie);
1:55 p.m. – IndyCar driver Graham Rahal will drive through downtown Indianapolis to deliver the Super Bowl XLVI picks to the set.

Pre-game coverage:

3 a.m. — NFL Matchup (ESPN – re-airs at 6:30 a.m.) – Taped Saturday in Indianapolis
Host: Sal Paolantonio. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski

6 a.m. — Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2) **
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: ESPN analyst Herm Edwards (7 a.m.), Super Bowl winning coach and Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden (7 a.m.), and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (9:03 a.m.)

9 a.m. — SportsCenter (ESPN) **
Hosts:  Bob Ley and Hannah Storm
(Super Bowl XLVI segments from Lucas Oil Stadium – Host: Mike Tirico. Analysts: Merril Hoge, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski)
SportsCenter anchor Karl Ravech will be live in Durham, Conn., midpoint between and Met Life Stadium (Giants) and Gillette Stadium (Patriots).

9 a.m. — SportsNation (ESPN2) **
Hosts:  Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd. Guest analyst: Herm Edwards

10 a.m. — Sunday NFL Countdown(ESPN)
Full release

11 a.m. – First Take(ESPN2)
Host:  Jay Crawford. Analyst: Skip Bayless

Post-game coverage:

10:30 p.m. – NFL PrimeTime(ESPN) – live from Lucas Oil Stadium
Host: Berman. Analysts: Jackson and Young.

11:30 p.m. – SportsCenter(ESPN) **
Hosts: Steve Berthiaume and Robert Flores
(Super Bowl XLVI segments from Pan Am Plaza – Hosts: Stuart Scott and Steve Levy.  Analysts: Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, and Keyshawn Johnson)

* Commentator and guest schedules subject to change
** Originating from ESPN Studios in Bristol, Conn.

That will do it.

NFL Network’s Super Bowl Week Day 5 Quotage Plus Day 6 Schedule

Let’s do the quotage from Friday’s coverage of the NFL Network’s day at the Super Bowl. Lots of stuff including an interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell who announced that NFL Network will get five additional games for its Thursday Night Football schedule, but it is not included in this set of quotage unfortunately. You can see it here.

We have links to video and tomorrow’s schedule of programming on NFL Network.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM SUPER BOWL XLVI NOTES & QUOTES – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Special 8 ½ Hour Edition of NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Sunday at 9:00 AM ET from Lucas Oil Stadium
New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick Sits Down with Michael Lombardi on NFL GameDay Morning
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Announcement & Super Bowl Saturday Night Saturday, Feb. 4 on NFL Network

Video Links from Friday’s Edition of Super Bowl Live

The following special guests appeared on Super Bowl Live Friday:

• Peyton Manning’s agent Tom Condon:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/09000d5d82691d72/Condon-Peyton-expects-to-play
• New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d82691280/Coughlin-wired-in
• Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8269344e/What-s-up-Wayne
• Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82693eff/Gronk-s-tough
  
• Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82695177/Peyton-s-best-man
• Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82693b07/Matthews-more-than-just-hair
• Former NFL defensive end Jason Taylor:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/miami-dolphins/09000d5d826919a1/Is-Taylor-finished
• Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kate Upton:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82694a1f/Kate-Upton-chats-about-the-big-game

New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick 1-on-1 Interview with NFL Network Analyst Michael Lombardi on NFL GameDay Morning Sunday, February 5 at 9:00 AM ET

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network is live in Indianapolis from Lucas Oil Stadium with a special 8 ½ hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 PM ET. Host Rich Eisen is joined by analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin on the first and most comprehensive pregame show on television. With the latest news reports, sitdown interviews, special guest appearances, Super Bowl features and expert analysis, NFL GameDay Morning is the go-to destination leading up to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLVI.

During the show, NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi sits down with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to discuss the team’s season and their preparation leading up to facing the New York Giants.

Below is a preview of the interview:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82691550/Belichick-getting-team-ready-for-Sunday

Additional sitdown interviews on NFL GameDay Morning include:

• New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with Willie McGinest
• New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning with Kurt Warner
• New York Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham with Michael Irvin

In total, NFL GameDay Morning features 21 on-air personalities who have won a total of 14 Super Bowl rings to break down Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Class of 2012 & Super Bowl Saturday Night on NFL Network Saturday, February 4

In a special ceremony the day before Super Bowl XLVI, NFL Network will announce the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees on Saturday, February 4 at 5:30 PM ET on Road to Canton: Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 2012.

From the Super Bowl Media Center in Indianapolis, Fran Charles hosts alongside Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. They will be joined by the new enshrinees and current Hall of Fame members for interviews. In addition, the show will cover the process that determines who is inducted and the toughest decisions that were made this year. Portions of the announcement ceremony will also be available live on NFL.com

Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 are Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Jack Butler, Cris Carter, Dermontti Dawson, Edward DeBartolo, Jr., Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, Bill Parcells, Andre Reed, Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Dick Stanfel, and Aeneas Williams. For more information, please visit www.profootballhof.com.

At 8:00 PM ET, Rich Eisen and Melissa Stark are on the red carpet at the Murat Theater on Super Bowl Saturday Night, the one-hour show leading up to the inaugural NFL Honors awards show.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 NFL NETWORK’S SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

7:00 AM – No Huddle
8:00 AM – Bill Parcells: A Life in Football
9:30 AM – Sound FX: 2011 New England Patriots
10:00 AM – Brady 6
11:00 AM – Playbook
12 NOON – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Super Bowls
2:00 PM – Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
2:30 PM – NFL Replay: New York Giants at New England Patriots – Week 9, 2011
5:00 PM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center
5:30 PM – Hall of Fame Announcement Show: Class of 2012 – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from NFL Experience
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Saturday Night – LIVE from Murat Theater
9:00 PM – Playbook
10:00 PM – Sound FX: Super Bowls I-XLV
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Honors
2:00 AM – Full Game Re-Air: New York Giants at New England Patriots – Week 9, 2011

We’ll have ESPN’s schedule for Saturday coming up next.

The Super Bowl Weekend Megalinks

Let’s do some linkage on this Super Bowl Weekend.

The Weekend Viewing Picks have my sports and entertainment suggestions.

Time for your links. As you can imagine, many of the stories will deal with Sunday’s Super Bowl.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with NBC’s Bob Costas about his past experiences in hosing a Super Bowl pregame show.

The Nielsen Wire Blog has a look at the 10 Most Liked Super Bowl ads in the last five years.

Daisy Whitney at MediaPost says a large portion of viewers go online to look up information about a Super Bowl ad.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost writes that the Super Bowl is reaching almost half of all female viewers.

Peter Pachal of Mashable says NBC will hold a Google+ hangout to after the Super Bowl to discuss the ads.

Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter talks with NBC Sports Group Fearless Leader Mark Lazarus about the Super Bowl, winning the Olympics and losing Wimbledon to ESPN.

John Eggerton in Broadcasting & Cable writes that a fan lobbying group hopes the FCC will call for the elimination of the NFL’s antiquated TV blackout rules.

John says a Michigan man has been charged with illegally streaming NFL games online.

Thomas Umstead from Multichannel News says Saturday’s UFC pay per view event will be available in 3-D for the first time.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel looks at Verizon’s streaming of Sunday’s Super Bowl on select mobile devices.

Adweek talks with Sports Illustrated/NBC’s Peter King.

Tim Nudd from Adweek notes the return of the E*Trade baby to the Super Bowl.

The International Olympic Committee has awarded the Japanese rights for the 2014/16 Games at a much lower rate than the US rights paid by NBC.

Robert Livingston at Games Bid says the 2014 Olympics in Sochi will be the first to be produced in 3-D TV.

André Lowe of the Jamaica (yes the country) Gleaner says ESPN has gathered some former NFL players in a cruise ship for the Super Bowl at Sea. I’m not making this up.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch talks with The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre about his recent profile of ESPN Radio Hack Colin Cowherd.

Allison Stoneberg at ESPN’s Front Row discusses how the network’s producers book guests for the studio and radio shows during Super Bowl Week.

Jack Dickey at Deadspin explains how the New York Times really messed up the story of former Yale quarterback Patrick Witt.

Dylan Stableford at Yahoo’s The Cutline explains why the Puppy Bowl has become so popular on Super Bowl Sunday.

Sports Media Watch delves into the expanded NFL Network Thursday Night Football schedule.

SMW has a few ratings news and notes including one on the Winter X Games.

Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group goes behind the scenes with NBC’s Super Bowl production crew.

Jason Dachman of SVG goes into NBC’s first-ever online streaming of the Super Bowl.

And Dan Daily from SVG writes about this year’s Super Bowl World Feed.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Wednesday night NHL games are doing well for NBC Sports Network.

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe speaks with NBC’s Rodney Harrison on the unspoken revenge factor for the New England Patriots in this year’s Super Bowl.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette has NBC’s Cris Collinsworth talking about the Super Bowl.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says one of the Mets’ TV partners may help to bail out the team from its financial troubles.

Judy Battista of the Times reports on the expanded Thursday Night Football schedule.

Stuart Elliot of the Times says the Shazam mobile app will play a prominent role during many Super Bowl ads.

A rare appearance by Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News in the links. He has his Top 5 Super Bowl announcing teams of all-time.

Phil Mushnick from the New York Post has some Super Bowl storylines the media has missed.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette looks at the NFL Network announcement of five more games added to Thursday Night Football.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has NFL Commish Roger Goodell shooting down rumors of more Monday Night Football doubleheaders.

Pete says Commissioner Goodell is firing a warning shot at Time Warner Cable.

Pete reviews the 11 men who have called a Super Bowl on network television.

The Crossing Broad blog says the Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer may be on a slow death march to oblivion.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call discusses NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI.

South

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle notes that NBC’s Rodney Harrison may be an ex-New England Patriots, but he says he can remain fair.

David says NFL Network gets a beefed up schedule next season.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says NBC’s Cris Collinsworth gets to call his second Super Bowl on TV.

Mel notes that College GameDay will be covering the Big 12 on Saturday.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that one local radio show will be on radio row in Indianapolis today.

Scott Olson of the Indianapolis Business Journal says ESPN is very happy about choosing Pan Am Plaza as its Super Bowl headquarters this week.

The Indianapolis Star has what journalists are saying about the city as a Super Bowl host.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says two participants in last year’s Big Game will be on NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin will return to call games this season.

Steve Walentik of the Columbia (MO) Tribune calls ESPN’s Jay Bilas, “College Hoops’ Deepest Thinker.” Ok.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times says Al Michaels still loves calling Super Bowls.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says Michaels is hoping for overtime.

Jim has NBC’s Rodney Harrison keeping the David Tyree catch from Super Bowl XLVII in proper perspective.

Richard Varrier of the Los Angeles Times looks at the Fed crackdown on websites that were illegally streaming NFL games.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with former Lakers voice Paul Sunderland and lists the 20 best play-by-play men in Southern California.

Tom has more about Paul in his blog and adds a couple of media notes.

Canada

Susan Krashinsky of the Toronto Globe and Mail explains why Canada can’t see the U.S. Super Bowl ads in real time.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has NBC’s Super Bowl production by the numbers.

And that’s going to do it for the links. Enjoy the Big Game.

Super Bowl XLVI Viewing Picks

All Times Eastern

NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Road to the Super Bowl — NBC, noon
Super Bowl XLVI Pregame — NBC, 1 p.m.
SportsNet Central Extra: Super Bowl Pregame — Comcast SportsNet New England, 3 p.m.
Super Bowl Pre-Kick Show — NBC, 6 p.m.

Super Bowl XLVI: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots — NBC, 6:30 p.m.
Announcers: NBC — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya; Dial Global — Kevin Harlan/Boomer Esiason/James Lofton/Mark Malone

SportsNet Central Extra: Super Bowl Postgame — Comcast SportsNet New England, 10 p.m.
SportsNite: Big Blue Live — SNY, 10 p.m.
NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, 10:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, 10:30 p.m.

Sirius XM Super Bowl Channel Assignments

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Super Bowl Edition Rundown

This will complete our Super Bowl Sunday pregame rundowns. I have already posted NFL GameDay Morning’s 8½ extravaganza and NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI pregame rundowns. It’s now time for Sunday NFL Countdown that will air at 10 a.m. Eastern on Super Bowl Sunday on ESPN.

This will include interviews with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and for some strange reason, a Hannah Storm interview of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Mayne Event with Kenny Mayne will be back for the Super Bowl and there will be a year-ending edition of C’mon Man!

Your entire rundown is below.

ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown Features for Super Bowl XLVI

Chris Berman and Countdown Analysts Live at Pan Am Plaza in Downtown Indianapolis;
Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Gruden and Jaworski at Lucas Oil Stadium;
Special Guests Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, and IndyCar driver Graham Rahal

ESPN’s special four-hour Super Bowl XLVI edition of Sunday NFL Countdown featuring host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will preview the New England Patriots-New York Giants Super Bowl matchup beginning at 10 a.m. ET from Pan Am Plaza in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. The show will also include Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski from a set at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Additionally, Super Bowl-winning ESPN analysts Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Bill Parcells, Antonio Pierce, Jerry Rice and Steve Young, and Merril Hoge, will contribute from an adjoining set at Pan Am Plaza with host Suzy Kolber. Reporters Rachel Nichols (covering the Giants) and Ed Werder (Patriots) will provide updates throughout the program from the team hotels. In all, ESPN’s roster of Countdown analysts has a combined 16 Super Bowl rings in 25 appearances in the NFL’s biggest game.

Special Guests:
Countdown will feature celebrity guest appearances at the Pan Am Plaza, including:
11:45 a.m. – Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, stars of the upcoming movie That’s My Boywill be on-set (Jets head coach Rex Ryan made a cameo appearance in the movie);
1:55 p.m. – IndyCar driver Graham Rahal will drive through downtown Indianapolis to deliver the Super Bowl XLVI picks to the set.

Planned Countdown features, in order of timing by quarter-hour (all times subject to change):

Bill Parcells on the Super Bowl coaches (10:30 a.m.)
Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells will offer his unique insight on this year’s Super Bowl coaches – Bill Belichick (Patriots) and Tom Coughlin (Giants) – both of whom he mentored and had on his former Giants staff.

Quarterback Eli Manning’s Elusiveness (11 a.m.)
Though quarterback Eli Manning has managed to trip, stumble and spin his way into making spectacular plays for his team this season, elusive is not the first word that comes to mind when describing the Giants signal-caller. While his inside-the-pocket play may not be pretty, Manning’s unique ability to escape pressure has played a huge part in the Giants success this season. Nichols reports on the elusive side of Eli.

Chris and LaKeasha Draft (11:30 a.m.)
LaKeasha Draft, the 38 year-old wife of former NFL linebacker Chris Draft, lost her life to lung cancer one month after they were married last December. Reporter Jeremy Schaap tells the story of courage and true love shared by a dying wife and her loving husband, who played 12 years in the NFL.

Peyton Manning Conversation (12 p.m.)
In the first television interview this week after considerable recent speculation about his future, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning talks to NFL Live host Trey Wingo. He discusses his health, his future, and his younger brother Eli’s Super Bowl appearance this weekend in Indianapolis.

Introduced as a Team (12 p.m.)
Flashy, individual player introductions of high-profile players such as Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, and Ray Lewis had been part of the Super Bowl pre-game spectacle until Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001 when the New England Patriots demanded to be introduced as a team. Bruschi, a member of that first Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning team, reports how a united group of players changed a Super Bowl tradition.

Bill Belichick Conversation (12:15 p.m.)
In Bill Belichick’s 12 seasons as head coach, the Patriots have won three Super Bowls, gone undefeated in the regular season, and have set a number of offensive records.  Countdown’s Keyshawn Johnson sits for a one-on-one interview where Belichick discusses his legacy as a five-time Super Bowl winner, quarterback Tom Brady, and New England’s 31^st-ranked defense.

Tim Tebow Conversation (12:30 p.m.)
Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow became the season’s biggest story on the strength of an 8-5 record, turning the team’s 1-4 start into a playoff berth and Wild Card win at home over the favored Steelers. Tebow sits for an extensive conversation with ESPN’s Hannah Storm where he addresses the season, his performance and popularity.

“All In” (1 p.m.)
After 14 games the Giants were sitting at 7-7 and staring at the possibility of yet another late-season collapse. Then, a speech delivered by a local high school teacher during a chapel service on Friday night before their game against the Jets, changed the course of the season. In that speech, the speaker told them that in order to be committed to something you have to be “All In.” The last two words have become the team’s battle cry as the Giants have now won five straight games on their way to the Super Bowl, reports Rick Reilly.

Mayne Event – Motherly Love (1:15 p.m.)
Like most NFL players, Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson gets pumped up for battle by receiving a pregame speech. Unlike most NFL players, that speech comes in the form of an obscenity laced phone call from his mother. In a special Super Bowl edition of “Mayne Event,” Kenny Mayne goes behind the scenes to capture Tollefson’s unique ritual and examines the impact it has had on the player’s Super Bowl preparations in Indy.

Wide Receiver Demo (1:15 p.m.)
ESPN’s trio of former NFL receivers – Carter, Johnson and Hall of Famer Rice – discuss the pass catchers who will have the biggest impact on Sunday’s game in a demo field segment.

Tedy Bruschi and Antonio Pierce On-Set (1:30 p.m.)
The day their former teams renew their Super Bowl rivalry, ESPN analysts Bruschi and Pierce – former linebackers for the Patriots and Giants, respectively — discuss this year’s matchup and the experience of playing in Super Bowl XLII when New York upset previously unbeaten New England.

Tom Brady Super Bowl Soundtracks (1:30 p.m.)
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will lead his team to its fifth Super Bowl Sunday. In “Soundtracks,” Countdown features some of the best in-game audio of Brady from his past four Super Bowls.

Super Bowl Edition of C’mon Man (1:30 p.m.)
The Countdown crew offers a special edition of its popular weekly Monday Night Countdown segment C’Mon Man

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues Friday

We have the ESPN Family of Networks schedule for Friday live from Indianapolis. You have the live shows on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes. Check it all out.

ESPN and ESPN Radio Super Bowl XLVI Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis – Friday, Feb. 3

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues Friday, Feb. 3, from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis. All shows are available for free public viewing.

Among the notable guests scheduled to appear on ESPN programs tomorrow include Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, actor Adam Sandler, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, and player agent Tom Condon.

Scheduled highlights (all times ET):

6 a.m. Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton (6:45 a.m.), ESPN analyst Merril Hoge (7 a.m.), 2011 Heisman Trophy winner and 2012 NFL Draft prospect Robert Griffin III (7:45 a.m.), former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor (8 a.m.), Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (8:15 a.m.), ESPN analyst Steve Young (8:30 a.m.), Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (8:45 a.m.), former Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs (9 a.m.), Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (9:15 a.m.), and actor Adam Sandler with rapper Vanilla Ice (9:30 a.m.).

10 a.m. The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn (10:30 a.m.), former NFL player Chris Doleman (10:45 a.m.), Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (11:15 a.m.), Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (11:30 a.m.), Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (11:45 a.m.), former NFL player Bill Romanowski (12 p.m.), and Falcons Owner Arthur Blank (12:45 p.m.).

1 p.m. Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)
Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo
Guests: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and/or Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver AJ Green (time TBD), Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (1:15 p.m.), Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (1:45 p.m.), ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer (2 p.m.), Green Bay packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (3:15 p.m.) and NY Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress(time TBD).

1 p.m. NFL Semenal (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

3 p.m. SportsCenter Special: The Champions (ESPN)
Host: Mike Tirico. Analysts: Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Mike Ditka, Jon Gruden, Keyshawn Johnson, Jerry Rice, Mark Schlereth, Steve Young
Guest: Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (3:45 p.m.)

4 p.m. NFL Live (ESPN)
Host: Trey Wingo. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski

5 p.m. SportsNation (ESPN2)
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards
Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), SportsNation features two acts – the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” (official house band).
Guests: Former NFL running back Brian Westbrook, San Diego Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes, and rapper and actor Ice Cube (5 p.m.)

6 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN)
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: Jerry Rice and Steve Young

6 p.m. NFL 32 (ESPN2)
Hosts: Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen. Analysts: Trent Dilfer and Tom Jackson
Guest: NFL agent Tom Condon (6 p.m.) – Agent for quarterbacks Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Peyton Manning

8 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

That’s going to be it for this post.

NFL Network’s Super Bowl Week Day 4 Quotage Plus Day 5 Schedule

We have the quotage from NFL Network’s day at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. We also have what’s coming up on Friday. Check it all out.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM SUPER BOWL XLVI NOTES & QUOTES – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Live Coverage of Commissioner, Team Head Coaches, Walter Payton Man of the Year & Don Shula Coach of the Year Press Conferences Friday, Feb. 3 at 8:30 AM ET
Special Guests on Friday Include Adam Sandler, Clay Matthews, Matthew Stafford, Robert Griffin III & Others
Brady 6 & Bill Belichick: A Football Life Friday at 8:00 PM ET

Video Links from Thursday’s Seven-Hour Edition of Super Bowl Live

The following special guests appeared on Super Bowl Live on Thursday:

- Madonna:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268b31f/Madonna-ready-to-rock-Indy

- Former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268b737/Luck-Can-t-replace-Peyton-Manning

- Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82689a61/Tebow-time-in-Indy

- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d82689ac0/Swag-Newton

- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82689c5a/Fitzgerald-talks-playoff-WRs

- Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82689f36/Montana-Brady-is-in-best-ever-discussion

- New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268a178/Brees-rebounding-from-loss

- St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268bd21/Fisher-ready-to-revitalize-Rams

- Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268b252/Strahan-Never-wrote-the-Giants-off

Special Guests Scheduled to Appear on NFL Network Friday, February 3

The following guests are scheduled to appear on NFL Network Friday, February 3:

- Actor Adam Sandler
- Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews
- Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford
- Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III
- Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck
- Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
- Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday
- Model Kate Upton
- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson

Live Coverage of Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin Press Conferences Friday, February 3 at 8:30 AM ET

NFL Network provides live coverage of Commissioner Roger Goodell, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin’s press conferences on Friday, February 3 at 8:30 AM ET.

Former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick are live from the Media Center to discuss the comments of each head coach, detail the preparations each team is making heading into Sunday and more.

Additionally, the press conferences for the Walter Payton Man of the Year and Don Shula Coach of the Year awards will be covered.

Below is a schedule of the press conferences NFL Network will carry live:

8:30 AM – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
9:00 AM ET – Walter Payton Man of the Year
9:15 AM ET – Don Shula Coach of the Year
9:30 AM ET – New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
11:30 AM ET – Commissioner Roger Goodell

NFL Films-Produced Documentaries Brady 6 & Bill Belichick: A Football Life on Friday, February 3 at 8:00 PM ET

Before the New England Patriots face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, get ready for the game with Patriots-related documentaries Brady 6 and Bill Belichick: A Football Life on Friday, February 3.

At 8:00 PM ET, Brady 6 examines the career of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft and the stories of the six quarterbacks who were taken ahead of him.

Below are video links to segments from Brady 6:

- Draft Day:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d825b6ec5/The-Brady-6-Draft-day

- Where are they Now?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d825b7012/The-Brady-6-Where-are-they-now

- Tom’s Turn:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d825b6868/The-Brady-6-Tom-s-turn

At 9:00 PM ET, the first part of the critically acclaimed Bill Belichick: A Football Life airs, followed by the second part at 10:00 PM ET. The most-watched documentary in the history of NFL Network provides unprecedented access into the life on and off the football field of the head coach of the New England Patriots.

Below are video links to segments from Bill Belichick: A Football Life:

- Meet Bill Belichick:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d822469c5/A-Football-Life-Meet-Bill-Belichick

- The Patriots go for it on 4th Down Against the Colts:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d8227bb57/A-Football-Life-Belichick-s-gambles

- Belichick Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d82246b02/A-Football-Life-Belichick-takes-a-trip-down-memory-lane

Jack Del Rio Joins Brian Billick on The Coaches Show LIVE from the NFL Experience Friday, February 3 at 6:30 PM ET

The new defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos Jack Del Rio joins former NFL head coach Brian Billick live on The Coaches Show Friday, February 3 at 6:30 PM ET from the NFL Experience.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 NFL NETWORK’S SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

8:00 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
8:30 AM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE coverage of Super Bowl press conferences

• New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick press conference
• NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year press conference
• NFL Don Shula Coach of the Year press conference
• New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin press conference
• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell press conference

12:30 PM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center
6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE
from NFL Experience
8:00 PM – Brady 6
9:00 PM – Bill Belichick: A Football Life – Part I
10:00 PM – Bill Belichick: A Football Life – Part II
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl
12 MIDNIGHT – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLII
3:00 AM – Playbook
3:30 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast

ESPN’s schedule at Indianapolis for Friday is next.

Quotage From Premiere Episode of “Costas Tonight”

Tonight, the premiere episode of “Costas Tonight: Live From the Super Bowl” aired on NBC Sports Network with a Town Hall meeting at the Indiana Repertory Theater in downtown Indianapolis. Costas had many guests and several roundtable interviews involving current and past players, current team owners, current and past coaches and a one-on-one discussion with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The show finished with a very short segment involving the Sunday Night Football and Football Night in America crews.

We have highlights from the program through the quotage provided by NBC Sports Network. This is very much appreciated. I wasn’t expecting quotage tonight, but here we go.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PREMIERE EPISODE OF “COSTAS TONIGHT: LIVE FROM THE SUPER BOWL”

Re-Airs Scheduled for 8 p.m. & 11 p.m. ET on Saturday; and 10 a.m. ET on Sunday
“It’s important for the integrity of the sport and I think it’s important for the health of the players.” – Roger Goodell on HGH testing
“We are going to make great strides as we go forward in years to come.” – Jerry Jones on player safety
“Kicking off to Devin Hester in the Super Bowl.” – Tony Dungy on worst coaching decision he ever made
“They know how to do great events and they’re proving it to the world.” – Goodell on Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN – Feb. 2, 2012 – The premiere episode of 22-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Bob Costas’ town hall series, Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl, aired this evening from the Indiana Repertory Theater in Indianapolis, Ind., and featured some of the NFL’s biggest newsmakers and stars while examining the most important issues facing the league.

Appearing on the program were NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, and many more.

Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl will re-air at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET on Saturday; and at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday.

Following are highlights:

ROGER GOODELL ON NEW OVERTIME RULE: “I think people are comforted that in a big game like the Super Bowl, you’re not going to end it on some kind of a penalty and a long field goal and never see the other team get the ball. You score a touchdown, you deserve to win.”

GOODELL ON REACHING HGH TESTING AGREEMENT: “I hope so, I think we’re making progress…I’m confident that the players want to reach that. It’s important for the integrity of the sport and I think it’s important for the health of the players.”

GOODELL ON HEAD INJURIES: “We’re in a leadership position in sports. People look up to the National Football League. We do have a game that’s rough, there are inherent risks playing it. But the second-highest incident of concussions is girls’ soccer. So what we’re learning about concussions in football is helping other sports. Not just every level of football, but every other sport…Now the NFL is sharing our research with the Defense Department to help treat our military personnel in the field.”

GOODELL ON NFL TEAM IN LOS ANGELES: “Really, we want to keep our teams where they are and that’s the dilemma because not only do we have to get the stadium in L.A., then we have to find out how to get the team.”

GOODELL ON NORTHERN CITIES HOSTING SUPER BOWLS: “The biggest challenge we have putting on an event like this is it takes 25,000 hotel rooms. And that’s a heavy lift for a lot of communities to be able to do. But this community has really put out the hospitality for us. They know how to do great events and they’re proving it to the world.”

DWIGHT FREENEY ON ROB GRONKOWSKI INJURY AND HIS OWN HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN IN SUPER BOWL XLIV: “The halftime killed me…the thing stiffened up, the pain came back and I was probably 30 percent less than when I started the game.”

STRAHAN: “Only thing I’m thinking is I’m going to tell Madonna to sing two extra songs.”

PETER KING ON PEYTON MANNING’S FUTURE: “It’s almost certain that he won’t play here (in Indianapolis). I don’t think Jimmy Irsay, the owner of the team, wants to take the $28 million risk on Peyton Manning.”

JEFF SATURDAY ON REDUCING FULL PAD PRACTICES: “I heard all kinds of coaches and everybody, ‘Football is never going to be the same.’ We got the two best teams playing in the Super Bowl. We’ve got some of the greatest football we’ve ever seen played, so obviously that [previous full-pad practice regulations] didn’t make that big of a difference.”

ALAN SCHWARZ (N.Y. TIMES) ON CONCUSSIONS: “The reason that the NFL was put under such a microscope was because of the influence that it has on children and why the statements that the league made from 2007-2008 up to the middle of 2009 were under such scrutiny was because of that influence.”

TONY GONZALEZ ON BIG HITS: “There’s no way you can tell me that these guys aren’t trying to put you out of the game.”

JONES ON PLAYER SAFETY: “We are going to make great strides as we go forward in years to come. A lot of it helped start with the labor agreement we negotiated.”

SATURDAY ON 18-GAME SEASON: “I don’t think it’s a possibility right now…from a player’s standpoint I think we give the fans exactly what they want at 16 games.”

COSTAS ON PRESEASON: “Shouldn’t the fans not have to pay for that as part of the season ticket package?”
JONES: “I agree, but that’s why we need 18 games.”

SATURDAY ON NUMBER OF PLAYERS CURRENTLY USING HGH: “Not very many.”

GONZALEZ ON PRESENCE OF HGH “It’s there. There’s no doubt about it. It’s there.”

COSTAS ON HGH TESTING: “Will we have an agreement before next season?”
SATURDAY: “I don’t think so, still in doubt.”

GONZALEZ ON NEW BREED OF TIGHT ENDS: “It’s something you’re going to see a lot more NFL teams…they’re all going to go to it. And I think the reason, also, it’s become a glamor position because they’re seeing these guys like Antonio (Gates), guys like Shannon Sharpe that I saw. It’s becoming a position where you can score touchdowns…you can catch 85, 95 balls a year. Maybe Gronkowski, back in the day, he probably would have played defensive end.”

SATURDAY ON THE STADIUM VERSUS TV EXPERIENCE: “The greatest game I ever played, AFC Championship Game, in the RCA Dome here in Indianapolis. I can tell you this: not one person, no matter how much they paid for that ticket, would have not wanted to be at that game. That’s a fact.”

TONY DUNGY ON COACHES POST-GAME HANDSHAKE: “I think it is a great lesson to our young men, that you can go out there and compete, and at the end of the day, one team wins, one team loses, but we can still be men and handle it appropriately.”

DUNGY ON HIS BIGGEST MISTAKE: “Kicking off to Devin Hester in the Super Bowl (laughter).”

DICK VERMEIL ON WORST DECISION HE EVER MADE: “To retire from the Rams right after the Super Bowl. Yeah, that was not a good thing to do. I thought it was the right thing to do and I think most of us make decisions based on what we think is the right thing to do. I was drained. I’m an emotional, intense guy and I was tired. My family wanted me home and I felt that’s where I belonged.”

JOHN HARBAUGH ON CONTINUING PLAYER SAFETY EMPHASIS: “Let’s keep moving in that direction because the doctor is right, it filters down…everything our guys do filters through college, through high school, through pee wee. They are role models, they are great men. We talk about them being mighty men all the time. Kids look up to them.”

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON COSTAS TONIGHT: “I say, thank God you’ve got another show because we never see enough of Bob Costas.”

AL MICHAELS AND BOB COSTAS ON RAPPERS: “I wouldn’t mind seeing Eminem performing at halftime next year since he gave me a shout out as his favorite announcer. (laughter) I can be bought.”
COSTAS: “I was once name checked by Ludacris, pal, so we’re even.” (laughter)
MICHAELS: “I have rapped with 50 cent and we’re going on tour as 49-and-a-half cent.”

That will do it.

NFL GameDay Morning Goes Long on Super Bowl Sunday. How Long? Try 8.5 Hours Long

As it has on past Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s GameDay Morning goes for an amazing 8½ hours starting at 9 a.m. Eastern time. There will be plenty of interviews, features, profiles, debates and live reports during the entire show.

Rich Eisen will host and be joined by a cast of thousands. Ok, maybe not thousands, but it’ll look like it when all is said and done. NFL Network announces that Melissa Stark will also be a host during the program. That’s appreciated on this end.

Why don’t we take a look at the press release. This one is not over 3,000 words as with past NFL Network press release. This comes at a manageable 944 words. Here is the rundown of NFL GameDay Morning for Super Bowl Sunday.

NFL NETWORK AT SUPER BOWL XLVI: WHAT’S ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING—Sunday, February 5 at 9:00 AM ET

Kurt Warner 1-on-1 with Giants Eli Manning & Willie McGinest Sit Down with Tom Brady & Much More on 8½ Hour Pregame Show
Special Guest Analyst Packers CB Charles Woodson Joins NFL Network’s Roster of 21 Analysts, Hosts & Reporters

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s pregame show, NFL GameDay Morning will provide 8½ hours of live coverage starting at 9:00 AM ET with 21 on-air personalities who have won a total of 14 Super Bowl rings. NFL GameDay Morning is live from seven locations, including two sets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additional locations include the Giants and Patriots team hotels, the NFL Tailgate, the Super Bowl Village, and with the fans at Super Bowl parties in New York and Foxborough restaurants.

NFL GameDay Morning features host Rich Eisen joined by Super Bowl winners Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp, along with Steve Mariucci. The special Super Bowl edition also includes host Melissa Stark on a second set along with Super Bowl winners Deion Sanders, Willie McGinest, Heath Evans and Brian Billick previewing the game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

Super Bowl-winning cornerback of the Green Bay Packers Charles Woodson joins the set as a special guest analyst to provide insight into the game and his own experience playing in last year’s Super Bowl.

Actor Dan Lauria returns in his role as Vince Lombardi to prepare the Giants and the Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI.

The following are highlights of Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame show on NFL Network:

9:00 AM ET  

• What to look for in Super Bowl XLVI with Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Steve Mariucci
• Melissa Stark on “The Patriot Way” – how Bill Belichick turns spare parts into champions; includes interviews with Patriots Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater and Aaron Hernandez

10:00 AM ET

• NFL Films-produced feature goes “Back to the Future” to show the similarities between the Giants’ late-season runs in 2007 and 2011
• The NFL Season: A Biography examines the unique relationship between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his mentor Tom Martinez, who is waiting for a kidney transplant:
  (Advanced preview of the feature): http://ftp2.nflfilmstv.com/filmsint/ftp-inet/flashplayer.html?s_video=Preview/the_season_more_than_a_mentor_v1_600ws.flv
• Analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin highlight the key matchups

11:00 AM ET

• Feature on how “The Catch” in Super Bowl XLII changed former Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s life
• Michael Lombardi on how Bill Belichick uses the Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLII to motivate his players
• Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders discuss the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012
• Players Only: The best and worst parts of Super Bowl week

12 Noon ET

• Actor/comedian and Boston sports fan Dennis Leary pays tribute to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
• Steve Cyphers visits the Norman Lear Center for research and public policy at the USC Annenberg School for Communication to investigate why America was obsessed with Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow during the 2011 NFL season
• Deion Sanders, Brian Billick and Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson discuss how winning the Super Bowl has changed their lives

1:00 PM ET

• Steve Cyphers on the anxiety of the Manning Family on Super Bowl Sunday
• NFL Network analysts debate if Eli Manning wins Super Bowl XLVI, which Manning has achieved more in his career?
• NFL Films presents piece on the emotional year Patriots owner Robert Kraft has experienced with the passing of his wife and the Patriots winning the AFC title.
• Former New England linebacker Willie McGinest on the impact of the Kraft Family on the Patriots

2:00 PM ET

• Three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest sits down with his former teammate Tom Brady for a 1-on-1 interview
• Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate the hot topics of Super Bowl XLVI

3:00 – 5:30 PM ET

• Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner sits down with Super Bowl XLII MVP and former teammate Eli Manning for a 1-on-1 interview:
  http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8267a9e4/Sunday-Sitdown-Eli-Manning
• Essay written by Indiana native Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated  on what hosting the Super Bowl means to the Hoosier State
• Stars of the upcoming film “That’s My Boy,” Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg join the set
• Tale of the Tape: how the Giants and Patriots match up at quarterback (Kurt Warner), running back (Marshall Faulk), wide receiver (Michael Irvin), on defense (Warren Sapp) and coaching (Steve Mariucci).
• Super Bowl XLVI MVP picks
• Game picks

***Immediately after the NBC postgame show – NFL GameDay Final

Host Rich Eisen and analysts Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin provide analysis and highlights from the field, plus live interviews with all the stars of the game and the winning coach. Albert Breer, Stacey Dales and Lindsay Soto provide interviews following the game.

NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Pregame Show Roster

Michael Irvin: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Deion Sanders: Analyst (2 Super Bowl rings)
Marshall Faulk: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Kurt Warner: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Warren Sapp: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Charles Woodson: Guest Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Willie McGinest: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Brian Billick: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Heath Evans: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Steve Mariucci: Analyst
Rich Eisen: Host
Melissa Stark: Host
Fran Charles: Host
Michelle Beisner: Reporter
Albert Breer: Reporter
Stacey Dales: Reporter
Steve Cyphers: Reporter
Jason La Canfora: Reporter
Michael Lombardi: Reporter 
Ari Wolfe: Reporter
Steve Wyche: Reporter

That will do it.

Time For Our Thursday Linkage

Let’s do our linkage now. Lots of good stories.

First, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch speaks with NBC’s NFL crew on what we’ll see on Super Bowl Sunday.

Richard’s latest Media Circus podcast is up and his guest this week is NBC’s Cris Collinsworth who will call Sunday’s game with Al Michaels.

Good on Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead for breaking the story that Selena Roberts has left SI.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says Time Warner Cable hopes to capture some good feelings with its local Super Bowl ad that will run in selected markets.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that General Motors is cutting back on its ad spending, but will remain on the Super Bowl.

Adweek’s Tim Nudd says Kia’s Super Bowl tries to cram a lot into its Super Bowl spot.

Robert Klara from Adweek notes that tennis players are getting more than just shoe endorsements these days.

Matthew Creamer at Advertising Age has a primer on the Super Bowl ads.

Brian Steinberg from AdAge notes that NBCUniversal corporate sibling Fandango will latch onto one Super Bowl movie ad.

Cotton Delo of AdAge says Honda’s Ferris Bueller ad is the most watched Super Bowl ad on the web right now.

Mark Wilson of Popular Mechanics wonders if NBC’s streaming of Super Bowl XLVI will lead to more events online.

Tom Cheredar from MediaBeat says the Feds cracked down today on several sites illegally streaming sports.

Maggie Hendricks at Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner says Pats QB Tom Brady watched last year’s Super Bowl through an illegal website. Great thing to admit, Tom.

To Graham Watson at Yahoo’s Dr. Saturday blog and he says ESPN may have inadvertently helped USC coach Lane Kiffin commit a recruiting violation. It would not be the first time.

Good story from Jeremy Rapanich in Deadspin on NBC’s preparation for Super Bowl XLVI.

Matt Yoder from Awful Announcing looks at the next potential wave of NFL TV analysts.

Ryan Yoder at AA recaps Texas US Senate candidate Craig James interview on a state radio station.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid wonders if Steven A. “A is for Acrimony” Smith flipped the bird to Skip Bayless today.

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn takes a look at Radio Row at the Super Bowl.

Newsday’s Neil Best says WFAN’s Mike Francesa and the agent for former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor are in a feud.

Neil says Miami sports radio host Sid Rosenberg is no longer doing morning drive sports reports for NYC radio station WINS.

Neil speaks with WFAN’s Giants beat reporter.

Neil says NBC is hopeful that Super Bowl XLVI will set a viewership record.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the rundown for NBC’s Super Bowl 6-hour pregame.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has ESPN’s BracketBusters schedule.

Evan Weiner of the New Jersey Newsroom notes that the NFL is the best of both capitalism and socialism.

Isabelle Khurshudyan of the University of South Carolina’s student newspaper, the Daily Gamecock, recaps a campus appearance by ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen.

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports Ohio has set its Reds programming for this month.

Zak Keeler from the Indianapolis Star writes that visiting reporters are heaping praise on Indy as Super Bowl host.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is surprised over the Pro Bowl’s ratings.

Mark Schuttenhelm of the Jamestown (ND) Sun questions the choices NBC Sports Network has made for its college hockey games.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News breaks down the Super Bowl by play-by-play announcer.

The Los Angeles Times reports that ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad was admonished for live tweeting his jury selection. Really, Norman?

Jessica Lantz has a look at one of the better Super Bowl ads, only this one will play in Canada only.

Speaking of Canada, the Canadian Sports Media Blog says CTV will begin its promotional push for this year’s Summer Olympic Games during the Super Bowl.

Sports Media Watch says this year’s NHL All-Star Game ratings finished below last year’s.

Mike Silva at Sports Media Watchdog says this week’s Mike and the Mad Dog reunion reminds fans what they’ve been missing since 2008.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has some suggestions on how to improve NBC’s NHL coverage.

Jackie Pepper continues her coverage of Super Bowl XLVI.

And we’re done with our links for today.

NBC’s Super Bowl Pregame Rundown

Some of the following elements and features were unveiled during a NBC Sports media conference call that took place on Wednesday. We have the official press release now.

We know that Bob Costas will interview halftime performer Madonna and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Dan Patrick will interview New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon will conduct celebrity interviews on the red carpet, something we all need to see. Today show co-host Matt Lauer will interview President Barack Obama.

Other interviews include Football Night in America’s Tony Dungy talking with Giants coach Tom Coughlin and Rodney Harrison speaking with his former coach, Bill Belichick of the Patriots. Al Michaels will interview his friend, Patriots team owner Robert Kraft about the loss of his wife, Myra and how this season has meant to him.

There will be plenty of features including one on players’ hometowns and the patented NBC Olympic-style profiles that get “Up Close and Personal” with selected athletes participating in Sunday’s game.

Lots of stuff packed into 6 hours. Pregame starts at noon ET. We’ll be watching.

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS SIX HOURS OF SUPER BOWL XLVI PRE-GAME COVERAGE

Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy & Rodney Harrison preview Super Bowl XLVI with interviews, analysis and commentary
Super Bowl MVPs Aaron Rodgers & Hines Ward serve as guest analysts
Lenny Kravitz & The Fray perform live
Cast of The Voice and other celebrities make red-carpet appearances
TODAY’s Matt Lauer interviews President Barack Obama

Indianapolis, IN – February 2, 2012 – Bob Costas will open NBC Sports’ six hours of Super Bowl XLVI pre-game coverage with a live report from Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis at Noon ET on Sunday, Feb. 5. In the hours leading up to the game, NBC Sports will surround the Super Bowl teams with live team hotel and sideline reports, player features and interviews, and X’s and O’s analysis.

Coverage will also include the events surrounding the Super Bowl, including an interview with halftime performer Madonna, live musical performances, red-carpet interviews with music, television and film stars, reports from the festive atmosphere taking place just outside Lucas Oil Stadium, and more. NBC News’ Matt Lauer will also interview President Barack Obama during a special pre-game edition of TODAY airing late Sunday afternoon.

In addition to Costas, NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football team of Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya, and Football Night in America team of Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King and Mike Florio will contribute to the pre-game coverage, with taped interviews and live on-site commentary and analysis. Liam McHugh, Alex Flanagan and Randy Moss will report from the team hotels, Doug Flutie will appear in field-set segments, and The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore will provide reports on the weather and event atmosphere.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, two Super Bowl MVPs who each played in last year’s game, will join NBC Sports’ coverage as guest analysts. Ward, who has played in three Super Bowls and won two, was named MVP of Super Bowl XL when he made five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who is an NFL MVP candidate this season, passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s Super Bowl, helping the Packers defeat Ward’s Steelers, 31-25, and earning him the MVP award.

Following is a summary NBC Sports’ Super Bowl XLVI pre-game coverage:

THE GAME

Hotel & Arrival Reports: Randy Moss will provide updates from the Patriots team hotel, while Alex Flanagan will report from the Giants hotel. They will also report on their respective teams’ arrival at the stadium.

Field Set: Doug Flutie (playing quarterback), Cris Collinsworth (wide receiver), and Rodney Harrison (defensive back) will analyze the play of Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, acting out the X’s and O’s on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Interviews: During the two weeks leading up to the game, NBC Sports conducted extensive interviews with Super Bowl XLVI players and coaches:

• Bob Costas interviews Tom Brady
• Dan Patrick interviews Eli Manning
• Tony Dungy sits with Tom Coughlin and visits with Victor Cruz at his former Paterson, N.J. home.
• Rodney Harrison interviews his former coach, Bill Belichick, and goes on the field with Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.
• Al Michaels visits with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who has dedicated this season to his wife Myra, who passed away in 2011.

Hometown Hero: How does a player get to the Super Bowl? NBC Sports will visit the hometowns of five of Sunday’s featured players — Eli Manning and Jason Pierre-Paul of the Giants, and Tom Brady, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker of the Patriots – by speaking with the people who made an early impact on their lives, including former coaches, teachers and neighborhood friends.

Steve Gleason: Peter King tells the story of former New Orleans Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Gleason famously blocked the punt that led to an early touchdown the night the Saints returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. King chronicles the challenges facing Gleason and his family while battling the debilitating muscular disease.

Vince Wilfork: Get ready, America. Here come the Wilforks. NBC Sports visits the home of New England defensive lineman Vince Wilfork, and discovers the surprising personalities behind one the fiercest players in the league.

Mathias Kiwanuka: NBC Sports examines the compelling story of Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, who grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Cathedral High School, located roughly 10 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium. However, Kiwanuka’s true roots extend back to Africa and the compelling story of his grandfather, Benedicto Kiwanuka, the first prime minister of Uganda, and a man assassinated by the regime of notorious dictator Idi Amin while he served as Amin’s chief justice in 1972.

Behind the Quarterbacks: NBC Sports will examine the people behind Sunday’s successful quarterbacks by interviewing Eli Manning’s parents, Archie and Olivia, and Tom Martinez, who has served as Tom Brady’s mentor and personal quarterback coach since high school.

Additional Features & Interviews: In addition to the aforementioned features, additional pieces will air on wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz of the Giants, and tight end Rob Gronkowski and punter Zoltan Mesko of the Patriots.

Helmet Catch: Bob Costas interviews live former Patriots safety and current NBC Sports analyst Rodney Harrison along with former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, two men who are forever linked in NFL history due to Tyree’s famous and improbable “helmet catch” in Super Bowl XLII.

Commissioner Goodell: An excerpt from Bob Costas’ one-on-one interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell from Thursday night’s Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl will air.

NFL Turning Point: The NBC Sports Network program, which normally highlights the “turning point” of a game by utilizing NFL Films’ unsurpassed access and production, will examine the “turning point” of the season for both the Giants and Patriots.

Road to the Super Bowl: Kicking off NBC Sports’ six hours of pre-game coverage at Noon ET is NFL Films’ Road to the Super Bowl. How did the New York Giants and New England Patriots advance to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis? Re-live the journey as only NFL Films can present it. Road to the Super Bowl begins with Kickoff Weekend and chronicles the 2011 NFL season utilizing NFL Films’ signature captivating video and sound from on the field, and in the locker room from exclusive player and coach wirings.

THE PRESIDENT

Interview: NBC News’ Matt Lauer will interview President Barack Obama from The White House during a special pre-game edition of TODAY airing late Sunday afternoon.

ENTERTAINMENT

Madonna: Bob Costas interviews The Material Girl herself, Madonna, who will perform in Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show. A world class entertainer, singer, songwriter, actress, producer, director and video visionary, Madonna has sold more than 300 million records in the course of her three decade career as The Material Girl. She is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Her last tour was the most successful tour by a solo artist in history.

Red Carpet: Nick Cannon hosts NBC’s pre-game red-carpet coverage. Celebrities expected to attend include: Adam Sandler; Danny Devito from Universal Pictures’ upcoming film, The Lorax; Chris Evans from The Avengers; and the stars of NBC’s new primetime programs — Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Carson Daly of The Voice, which makes its second-season premiere immediately after the Super Bowl; Katharine McPhee of Smash, which debuts Monday night; and Jessica Simpson of Fashion Star.

Live Performances: Musical acts Lenny Kravitz and The Fray will perform live from the NFL’s Super Bowl XLVI Tailgate Party.

Top Chef: Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning culinary show, Top Chef, will be on-site in Indianapolis with host Tom Colicchio and two popular former contestants, Richard Blais and Antonia Lofaso, competing to create the perfect tailgate food. Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison will determine which of their tailgate preparations wins.

ATMOSPHERE

Zip Line: In addition to filing weather reports, The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore will provide reports on the fan atmosphere surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium, including a ride on the popular 800-foot zip line located in the Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Legacy: NBC Sports will examine how Indianapolis became a shining example of how the biggest of sporting events can provide the means to unite a community in astonishing ways. After the city was awarded the game in 2008, it used the Super Bowl to plant thousands of trees, fight cancer, redevelop an entire neighborhood, and bring hope to those in need. When the Super Bowl is over, its impact in Indianapolis will remain for a very long time.

Great Moments in Indiana Sports History: NBC Sports examines the role the state of Indiana has had on some of sports’ greatest moments. The personalities and events featured include Larry Bird, John Wooden, Bobby Knight, Hank Aaron, the Indy 500, and Hoosiers.

REGIONAL COVERAGE

The NBC Sports Group has regional sports networks in New York and Boston that will be providing robust local pre- and post-game coverage for Super Bowl XLVI.

SNY: Super Bowl coverage will begin on Sat., Feb. 4 with Big Blue Live, an in-depth pre-game show that will deliver football fans the latest news and developments from Indianapolis. The show will feature live commentary from a panel of analysts, players and coaches who will provide a comprehensive look at Super Bowl XLVI as well as break down all the key matchups for the game. Big Blue Live will also include highlights from earlier in the week, including exclusive interviews with players and coaches from both the Giants and Patriots.

Immediately following Super Bowl XLVI, SNY’s SportsNite Big Blue Live post-game show will provide fans extensive coverage, including all of the post-game press conferences as well as exclusive on-field interviews and reactions from both the Giants and Patriots players and coaches. On-air talent for Big Blue Live will include former Giants Tiki Barber and Shaun O’Hara, NFL Insider Adam Schein and host Chris Carlin. In addition, SNY’s Giants reporter Mike Garafolo, Gary Apple and Jonas Schwartz contribute to Big Blue Live – reporting on-site from Indianapolis.

Comcast SportsNet New England: Super Bowl Sunday coverage will include special pre- and post-game editions of SportsNet Central Extra. The pre-game show will begin at 3 p.m. ET with the post-game show beginning immediately after the game. Both shows will originate on-site at Lucas Oil Stadium. Hosting will be: Michael Felger, Ty Law, Troy Brown, Tom E. Curran, Mike Giardi and Kevin Walsh. Bob Neumeier will be part of the SNC Extra post-game show as well from the CSN studios.

That does it.

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues Thursday

We have the schedule for the ESPN Family of Networks for Thursday at Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis. Let’s take a look at your programming. Check it out.

ESPN and ESPN Radio Super Bowl XLV Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis – Thursday, Feb. 2

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues Thursday, Feb. 1, from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis. All shows are available for free public viewing.

Among the notable guests scheduled to appear on ESPN programs tomorrow include NBC Sports Football Night in America analyst and two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison, Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, and Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. (Tebow will also tape an interview with First Take’s Skip Bayless — the first in-person interview between the quarterback and one his most vocal advocates. The interview will air on ESPN2’s First Take on Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. ET.

Scheduled highlights (all times ET):

6 a.m. Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: Comedian Frank Caliendo (6:30 a.m.), NBC Football Night in America analyst and two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison (6:45 a.m.), New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller (7 a.m.), former Dallas Cowboy Ed “Too Tall” Jones (7:15 a.m.), Fox/NFL Network analyst and Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick (7:30 a.m.), ESPN analyst Mike Ditka (7:45 a.m.), NFL Network analyst and Super Bowl champion Kurt Warner (8 a.m.), New Orleans Saints Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees (8:15 a.m.), Pro Football Hall of Famer Deacon Jones (8:30 a.m.), Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz (8:45 a.m.), Green Bay Packers Super Bowl champion wide receiver Greg Jennings (9 a.m.), and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (9:30 a.m.)

10 a.m. The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton (10:30 a.m.), FOX NFL analyst Michael Strahan (11:15 a.m.), ESPN MLB analyst and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling (11:30 a.m.), Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (11:45 a.m.), Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (12:15 p.m.), former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie (12:30 p.m.), and Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (12:45 p.m.)

1 p.m. Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)
Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo
Guests: Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (12:15 p.m.), Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (12:30 p.m.), Schwartz (1:15 p.m.), Jones-Drew (1:45 p.m.), Forte (2 p.m.), Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen (2:30 p.m.), Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing (2:45 p.m.), and Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware (3:30 p.m.)

3 p.m. SportsCenter Special (ESPN)
Host: Mike Tirico. Analysts: Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski
(Note: On Thursday’s show, ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew will offer X’s and O’s analysis of key matchups in Super Bowl XLVI)

4 p.m. NFL Live (ESPN)
Host: Trey Wingo. Analysts:  Cris Carter and Tom Jackson

5 p.m. SportsNation (ESPN2)
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards
Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), SportsNation features two acts – the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” (official house band).
Guests: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (5:10 p.m.) and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (5:40 p.m.)

5 p.m. SportsCenter (live on ESPNEWS) … to air at 6 p.m. on ESPN
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts:  Merril Hoge and Trent Dilfer

6 p.m. NFL 32 (ESPN2)
Hosts: Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen. Analysts: Steve Young and Keyshawn Johnson
Guest: Johnson and Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley

8 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

9 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN)… to air at 11 p.m.
Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Mark Schlereth and Tedy Bruschi

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

That will do it. A few more posts coming up.

NBC’s Football Night in America Crew Previews Super Bowl XLVI

So NBC Sports held its second media conference call in as many days, this one involving its studio crew from Football Night in America. Analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison held court along with NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network Executive Producer Sam Flood.

We have the partial transcript of the media conference call below.

SUPER BOWL XLVI PRE-GAME CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS WITH NBC SPORTS’ TONY DUNGY, RODNEY HARRISON AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SAM FLOOD

“I think people are going to really, really enjoy their time at this Super Bowl. Then to work it out where NBC is covering it, it couldn’t be better for me.” – Tony Dungy
“The Giants have been terrific the last month-and-a-half of the season. The Patriots had somewhat of a turbulent year with the defense being called really bad and the offense being really good. But you have two tremendous coaches and really two tremendous franchises going head to head.” – Rodney Harrison
“This is not just a football game. It’s the biggest event in America. It’s a national holiday. We’re going to celebrate it.” – Sam Flood

INDIANAPOLIS – February 1, 2012 – NBC Sports conducted a media conference call today with Tony Dungy (analyst), Rodney Harrison (analyst) along with Sam Flood (Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network) to talk about the network’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI. Highlights follow:

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Super Bowl begins at Noon ET, Sunday, Feb. 5.

HARRISON ON MATCHUP: “The Giants have been terrific the last month-and-a-half of the season. The Patriots had somewhat of a turbulent year with the defense being called really bad and the offense being really good. But you have two tremendous coaches and really two tremendous franchises going head to head. The Giants deserve to be here. They went on the road and won two tough games, and they played tremendous. So I’m excited, and the coverage will be fantastic, but the game will be unbelievable.”

FLOOD ON PRE-GAME PLANNING: “We’ve been working on formats for the Super Bowl for about four weeks now, with ideas and how we want to flow the audience and the content across the network. We’re on version 25 of our format, and in about an hour from now we’ll be on version 26. If you’re talking about the over-under (on formats), we’re thinking 34.”

DUNGY ON THE SUPER BOWL BEING IN INDIANAPOLIS: “For me this is really special. I remember sitting with Jim Irsay as he was there trying to get Lucas Oil Stadium here, and sitting with the state legislature telling them how important football was to central Indiana, and seeing the stadium come to fruition. When I flew in here Sunday night and saw downtown and all the things they had going on, it just made me really proud of Indianapolis and central Indiana and what they’ve done. I think people are going to really, really enjoy their time at this Super Bowl. Then to work it out where NBC is covering it, it couldn’t be better for me.”

HARRISON ON HIS PERSONAL FEELINGS FOR THE GAME: “Of course I can say that I want them to get revenge. Obviously, my heart is with the New England Patriots. But speaking objectively, I was the same guy that came out on our Pro Bowl coverage that said I would take Eli Manning in the fourth quarter instead of Tom Brady, a guy that I won back to back championships with. With a guy that I won 20 straight consecutive games with, and had a 16-0 season.”

HARRISON ON IF HE CAN BE OBJECTIVE AS AN ANALYST: “Yes, I can cover it objectively. I’ve been objective. I’ve criticized Belichick, and the defensive backs from the Patriots as well as I’ve been complimentary at times to that team. That’s my nature. If I feel something, I’ll let you know it. But I’m not going to shy away from what I feel. If it means criticizing my former team, I’ve never been shy about doing that.”

HARRISON ON THE NEW YORK-BOSTON RIVALRY: “From an historical standpoint, I don’t really know the history between New York and Boston. But I knew once I came to this team in New England, they basically told me the first week I was there, if you’re going to hate anybody, hate the New York Jets, hate any New York team. So that first week of being there, you kind of fell into that whole mindset of anything New York you hate.”

DUNGY ON PREPARING FOR THE BROADCAST: “The preparation to me is exactly the same (as preparing when I was a head coach). I was saying that yesterday as we were screening plays and looking for just the right play to show what makes Tom Brady great. Looking for exactly the right angle of a play to show the New York Giants defense and how they’re going to rush the passer. To me, that is the fun part of it. I feel like we are going to be prepared as we go out there, and we are going to have a great performance because we’re putting the time in.”

HARRISON ON RELIVING TYREE “HELMET CATCH”: “For a long time I carried a bitter taste in my mouth after having such a tough defeat. But after months and months of really carrying the burden of such a heck of a play by David Tyree, I’ve been able to recently release that. But it hurt me. I got a chance to watch it a couple times, and every time I see it, it still hurts.”

FLOOD ON HARRISON AND TYREE: “Just to make Rodney really comfortable during the show we’re doing a look back at what happened with that catch. Then live on the set, David Tyree and Rodney Harrison will be talking about that moment. I don’t think Rodney and David have been together for a while. We’re going to get them on that set, no rehearsal, just get them talking about that moment in the moment just having seen it retold again.”

FLOOD ON VINCE WILFORK FEATURE: “We went to Vince Wilfork’s house with Rodney and got a sense of Vince and his wife, and how special that relationship is, and how it drives him every day. It’s a unique insight on Vince as a man, and you understand why he’s such a force on the football field because the back story is so special.”

FLOOD ON DUNGY INTERVIEWING COUGHLIN: “Tony sat down with Coach Tom Coughlin. There is nothing quite like two coaches sitting down with Tony leading the way, getting the insights and understanding of a game plan. They’ve both gone against Bill Belichick, so both guys are talking about the curveballs, the unexpected twists and turns and game planning that these coaches will do against each other. It was a fun thing to look at and see happen.”

DUNGY ON COACH COUGHLIN: “I coached in the NFL 28 years, coached for some great guys – Chuck Noll, Marty Schottenheimer, Dennis Green, and 13 years myself as a head coach, I made it to one Super Bowl. Any time you go to multiple Super Bowls, you’re a great coach. Coach Coughlin started with an expansion team in Jacksonville. Took them to the AFC Championship game, and now he’s gone multiple times with the Giants. He is a tremendous coach, and he is underrated.”

FLOOD ON ADDING AARON RODGERS AND HINES WARD: “We’ll also have two special guest analysts with us, Aaron Rodgers and Hines Ward, who happened to be on the field a year ago in the Super Bowl. Kind of fresh in their minds so they can take the audience to where these players are as the day progresses. Hines and Aaron will be with Bob Costas, talking about what’s going on and last minute planning. Aaron has great insight to the quarterback play. Hines is uniquely qualified. In addition to be a Super Bowl MVP, he played in the Super Bowl with the Steelers and one we did in Tampa Bay (2009) with an injury.”

HARRISON ON THE PRO BOWL: “I watched the Pro Bowl, and I was very disappointed in the players. You understand from the players’ standpoint that I made it through the season and maybe they don’t want to get injured. I’ve played in a couple of Pro Bowls. If you don’t want to play and you don’t want to give a hundred percent, you should sit on the sidelines and allow someone else to get that opportunity. I was actually embarrassed by some of the players. When I played in the Pro Bowl, we played hard. We played for pride. It’s just ridiculous.”

DUNGY ON THE PRO BOWL: “I’ve coached in it several times as an assistant coach and head coach. I remember the first one I coached in 1984, and we had (Kenny) Easley and Howie Long, and there were no free passes in that game. The defense came to play, offensive guys knew it. It was like a regular game. I coached again in 1999, and Randy Moss, I think it was his second Pro Bowl, wanted to show the world that he was the best player in football. You just had that competitiveness. I didn’t see that the other night, and I do hope that changes, because it can be a great game.”

And we have a few more Super Bowl-centric press releases before the night is through.

Sports Media Weekly Podcast No. 90 — Super Bowl Edition, Neil Best & Kevin Harlan

Yes, we have two guests on the Sports Media Weekly podcast this week. No news segment just guests and that is good for you.

Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and yours truly begin with Neil Best of Newsday. Neil is in Indianapolis covering the Super Bowl for Newsday. Unlike the last time he covered the Super Bowl when the New York Giants were in the Big Game, Neil is covering this having seen several Giants games. Neil gives us a taste of the atmosphere in Indianapolis and how this Super Bowl is different for him in terms of covering 11 previous games. And I asked Neil the very important question of whether he had ridden the Super Bowl Village zip line.

Then Keith and I talk with the great Kevin Harlan of CBS Sports, Dial Global/Westwood One Radio and TNT. This week, is a busy week for Kevin and he tells Keith and I about his schedule, first calling the Chicago Bulls-New York Knicks for TNT on Thursday, traveling to Indianapolis to do radio interviews for the Super Bowl, heading to South Bend, IN on Saturday to call the Marquette-Notre Dame game on CBS and then calling Super Bowl XLVI on Dial Global/Westwood One on Sunday.

Kevin also talks about the differences about calling play-by-play on radio and TV as he does the NFL on CBS on Sundays and then Monday Night Football for Dial Global/Westwood One. He also describes working with Boomer Esiason on radio.

Kevin tells us about his preparation for the Super Bowl, and he can count on one hand the occasions he has used his famous “No regard for human life” line.

The first time we’ve had two live guests on the podcast in one program. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did taking part. You can subscribe at iTunes by doing a search for “Sports Media Journal” or you can listen right here.

Your February 1st Links

It seems like last week we rang in the New Year. Now, we’re one month into 2012. Didn’t take long.

Let’s do some linkage.

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, we learn that NBC has quite a bit in store for its six hour Super Bowl pregame show.

Also in USA Today, Michael Coppinger finds that new HBO Sports President Ken Hershman plans on cleaning up the network’s shaky boxing reputation.

And Reid Cherner at USA Today has a preview of the upcoming season of “Eastbound & Down” featuring Kenny Powers. I’ll admit, I don’t get the chi of “Eastbound & Down” and find it unwatchable, but the show has its fans.

John Ourand at Sports Business Daily says the NFL is issuing a tablet-only commemorative Super Bowl appl

At Bleacher Report, Dan Levy tells us that NFL Network’s Deion Sanders came out the winner at yesterday’s Super Bowl Media Day.

At Deadspin, Barry Petchesky has video of reporters leering at Televisa Deportes reporter Marisol Gonzalez during Media Day.

Barry also has a series of photos taken by perverts reporters as original Mexican bombshell Inês Sainz was traversing her way through Media Day.

The Olympic newsletter Around the Rings notes that the International Olympic Committee is in no hurry to negotiate a Canadian TV rights deal after the lone bid failed to come up to its standards.

Around the Rings also notes that broadcasters for the 2014 Winter Games including NBC are gathering in Sochi to discuss plans for that Olympiad.

To All Things D where Liz Gannes has new ESPN President John Skipper saying he wants people to see his content, just not for free.

And All Things D has the video highlights of Skipper’s comments.

Lisa Richwine of Reuters notes that Skipper is bullish on ESPN 3D. Oh great.

Lucas Shaw at The Wrap says John Skipper and ESPN are in love with Silicon Valley.

David Griner of Adweek has the Volkwagen Super Bowl ad that has been hyped for a couple of weeks. I like the teaser with the dogs barking better.

Katy Bachman at Adweek says the FCC is seeking public comment on the NFL’s antiquated TV blackout rules.

Best Buy won’t be using rock stars, but tech stars in its Super Bowl ad. Last year, Best Buy used Ozzy Osbourne and Justin Bieber in a very lame ad.

Natalie Zmuda of Advertising Age says Pepsi will emphasize music in its Super Bowl ads.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine previews tonight’s “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials” special on CBS.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wishes advertisers wouldn’t release their Super Bowl spots before they air in the Big Game.

Kristi Dosh of ESPN.com says Super Bowl advertising has gone beyond just buying time during the game.

Alex Sherman and Andy Fixmer of Bloomberg Businessweek write that NBC is using the Super Bowl to heavily promote “Smash” in what it hopes will save its primetime lineup.

The NBC’s Sunday Night Football Facebook page has a gallery of photos from yesterday’s media event in Indianapolis.

The Nielsen Wire blog looks at whether the New England Patriots or the New York Giants do better than the other in social media.

To SportsGrid and Tom Lorenzo who has video of TSN’s Ray Ferraro throwing out an “F” bomb not once, but twice during a broadcast last night.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group writes that ESPN was technically prepared to air the Australian Open epic men’s final.

James Careless of TV Technology looks at NBC’s online streaming of the Super Bowl.

Steve Donohue of Fierce Cable says Time Warner Cable seems to be doing just fine without MSG Network.

Lou Modestino of the Quincy (MA) Patriot-Ledger says Fox Sports was mostly responsible for moving the Daytona 500 forward one week.

Bill Pennington in the New York Times looks at fans getting to attend Super Bowl Media Day for the first time.

Richard Sandomir of the Times says a new media company wants to become the ESPN for kids. Already, the NFL, several sports stars and NBC Sports Network have signed up to partner with the company.

Good story by Jim Yardley of the Times Magazine exploring how some American NBA players are faring in Communist China and how the NBA made a huge miscalculation in trying to launch a league there.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes that Time Warner Cable will extend its free Sports Pass option to residential customers affected by the company’s dispute with MSG Network.

Pete says NFL Network will air the Pro Football Hall of Fame announcement for the Class of 2012 on Saturday.

Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Daily News writes that a local TV reporter is back at work after being on suspension for prematurely tweeting that Joe Paterno had died.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with CBS Sports Network’s Tom Lemming about National Signing Day.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman notes a ratings record for the Oklahoma City Thunder on Fox Sports Oklahoma.

Matthew Tully of the Indianapolis Star says foreign journalists covering the Super Bowl are enjoying Indy as the host city.

The Star has a roundup of what journos are saying about Indianapolis.

Bob Kravitz of the Star filed a diary with his observations of Super Bowl Media Day.

Anthony Schoette of the Indianapolis Business Journal writes that the Super Bowl has helped to focus a spotlight on IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which has been hosting  media events this week.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will be a guest analyst on NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI pregame.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business looks at Super Bowl Week in Indianapolis and wonders “what if” had the Bears built a domed facility.

Steve Eighinger of the Quincy (IL) Herald Whig is thankful for ESPN as it helped him to endure the Great Midwest Blizzard of 2011.

Roman Augustoviz of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes that CBS Sports Network has signed a TV deal with the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference known in local circles as “The National.”

Eli Segall of the San Jose Business Journal says the Sharks are scoring big for Comcast SportsNet California.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says the man who broke the Sidney Crosby neck injury story stands by his scoop.

Sports Media Watch says the NFL Pro Bowl’s ratings were down from last year, but still outpace the other All-Star games.

SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth says last week was pretty slow for any kind of sports news.

Joe Lucia of Awful Announcing notes that Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News crime writer Sarah Ganim has been given much deserved Pulitzer Prize consideration for her reporting on the Penn State story.

Barry Janoff at The Big Lead writes that Mean Joe Greene is redoing his iconic Coke Super Bowl ad from the 1970′s for Proctor & Gamble.

And we have more links that I ever thought I would find today. That’s good for you.

Some Mid-Week Sports Media Thoughts

Time to do some original content here. The thoughts come to you in bullet form as always.

• As the Super Bowl fast approaches, we hear from those who know more than your humble blogger that Sunday’s Big Game could set a viewing record. Super Bowl XLV on Fox between Green Bay and Pittsburgh set the standard with an average of 111 million viewers. I do expect we’ll see an average of 115 million for Pats-Giants with a total viewership reaching 170 million. I’ll also predict a rating of 47.5 with a 70 share. Based on last year’s numbers, my prediction would be on track. Patriots owner Robert Kraft feels Super Bowl XLVI will be the most watched program of all-time and I agree with him.
• I wish ESPN would cover every event like it does tennis. The announcing from Chris Fowler, Cliff Drysdale, Patrick McEnroe, Darren Cahill, Chris Evert, Mary Jo Fernandez, Pam Shriver, Brad Gilbert to host Chris McKendry was stellar throughout the Australian Open. I have not been enamored with Fowler’s play-by-play in the past, but I thought he was very good especially in calling the men’s semifinals of Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray and extremely good for the epic Rafa-Djoker final.The men’s final had so many ups and downs and so many shifts of momentum. Fowler and McEnroe were on top of potential shifts and correctly first guessed many points. ESPN2 was on top of the play on Sunday And Tennis Channel was very good as well. It’s too bad that neither ESPN2 or Tennis Channel could pick up John McEnroe for the Aussie Open. He will be on the French Open for Tennis Channel and NBC.

  However, ESPN2′s efforts appear not to be rewarded as the ratings were off from last year. I’ll have more on that later today.

• And one more item from the weekend, I thought the HBO/NFL Films documentary on Joe Namath was fantastic. As with past HBO efforts, it did not sugarcoat Namath’s life and career. It delved into his partying lifestyle during his heyday with the New York Jets in the 1960′s during the height of the Sexual Revolution. In addition, it did not whitewash his alcoholism nor his most infamous moment in 2003 when he was drunk during a live interview with Suzy Kolber on ESPN. The film made great lengths to show that while Namath loved the bright lights of Broadway, he still had his home of Beaver Falls, PA deep in his soul. From the rarely seen footage of his high school days, to his college career at Alabama and through to the AFL and NFL, “Namath” captured the essence of the man. Another solid documentary from HBO, definitely Emmy Award-worthy.
• Just 19 days until pitchers and catchers report. Can’t wait.

That does it for now. This should be another busy day for sports media.

And one quick self-serving note. This week’s edition of the Sports Media Podcast will have a record amount of guests. I’m not going jinx it by pre-promoting them, but suffice to say if everything holds true, you will love the Super Bowl edition of the podcast.

I’ll be back later in the day.

“Costas Tonight” Premieres With A Town Hall Meeting Live From the Super Bowl

One of Bob Costas’ favorite formats, the Town Hall meeting, returns with his new show on NBC Sports Network, aptly titled “Costas Tonight.” The show premieres Thursday night at 8 as Costas will have a plethora of NFL guests including Commish Roger Goodell, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft, the NBC Sunday Night Football crew, plus current coaches and players. All will talk about the State of the NFL, what’s good and what’s bad.

The show will take place live from the Indiana Repertory Theater in downtown Indianapolis. We have the particulars of the show as described by NBC Sports Network.

“COSTAS TONIGHT: LIVE FROM THE SUPER BOWL” PREMIERES THURSDAY 8-10 P.M. ET ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK

Bob Costas Hosts Live Town Hall from Downtown Indianapolis Focusing on State of NFL and Previewing Super Bowl XLVI
Roger Goodell, Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, Philip Rivers, John Harbaugh and NBC Sports’ Super Bowl XLVI Broadcast Team Scheduled to Appear

INDIANAPOLIS – January 31, 2012 – NBC Sports Group presents the premier edition of 22-time Emmy Award-winning journalist Bob Costas’ live town hall series, Costas Tonight: Live From the Super Bowl, Thursday, 8-10 p.m. ET on the NBC Sports Network. The two-hour live program features some of the NFL’s biggest newsmakers and stars while taking a comprehensive look at the NFL from the Super Bowl host city just three nights before the big game.

Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl will take place in front of a live studio audience from the Indiana Repertory Theater on, and will include a one-on-one interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Joined in a town hall setting by some of the biggest names in the sport, Costas will explore all of the headlines and critical issues facing the game, from the evolution of the NFL head coach to the all-important topic of safety on the field.

SCHEDULED TO APPEAR:
Roger Goodell – NFL Commissioner
Jerry Jones – Owner, Dallas Cowboys
Robert Kraft – Owner, New England Patriots
John Harbaugh – Head Coach, Baltimore Ravens
Tony Gonzalez – TE, Atlanta Falcons
Dwight Freeney – DE, Indianapolis Colts
Philip Rivers – QB, San Diego Chargers
Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Arizona Cardinals
Jeff Saturday – C, Indianapolis Colts

In addition, NBC Sports’ Super Bowl Commentators:
Al Michaels
Cris Collinsworth
Tony Dungy
Rodney Harrison

SEGMENTS INCLUDE:

• Costas one-on-one with Commissioner Roger Goodell;
• State of the Game – panelists will discuss important issues in today’s NFL including: player safety, performance-enhancing drugs, end zone celebrations and ticket prices;
• Coaches Panel – A look at the state of coaching in the NFL, past and present;
• Panel with NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI broadcasters looking ahead to the big game.

Additionally, there will be a “Hot Zone” in the audience of the Indiana Repertory Theater for Costas and the panelists to interact with past and present NFL players, journalists and NFL insiders Peter King of Football Night in America and Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of Football Night and ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com.

We’ll break our Super Bowl theme with a few press releases from other networks. Time to give them equal time.

Highlights of NBC Sports Super Bowl Conference Call

On Tuesday, NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football crew, both on-camera and off discussed their thoughts on the upcoming game between the New England Patriots and New York Football Giants. Included in the conference call were NBC Sports Group Fearless Leader Mark Lazarus, producer Fred Gaudelli, host Bob Costas, play-by-play man Al Michaels, analyst Cris Collinsworth and sideline reporter Michele Tafoya.

All discussed what they expect in the game and what elements we’ll see on Sunday. The highlights of the conference call are posted below. Check it all out.

SUPER BOWL XLVI PREVIEW WITH NBC SPORTS’ COSTAS, MICHAELS, COLLINSWORTH, LAZARUS AND GAUDELLI

“This is the Super Bowl. There is no event like it.” – Michaels
“I think the thing that I’m most excited about with this one is it’s a game with history.” – Collinsworth
“I never like to rank guys one through five or whatever, but no matter what happens on Sunday, you’re having a conversation about one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. And Tom is very much in that conversation.” – Michaels on Tom Brady

INDIANAPOLIS – January 31, 2012 – NBC Sports conducted a media conference call today with Bob Costas (host), Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) along with Mark Lazarus (Chairman, NBC Sports Group) and Fred Gaudelli (game producer) to preview its Super Bowl XLVI coverage. Highlights follow:

NBC Sports’ coverage of the Super Bowl begins at Noon ET, Sunday, Feb. 5. Details of NBC Sports’ pre-game programming will be announced later this week.

MICHAELS: “I always think about the old Marv Levy line, ‘Where would you rather be than right here, right now?’ If you’re in this business, that is totally applicable, because this is it. This is the Super Bowl. There is no event like it.”

COLLINSWORTH: “I always sort of equate it to a party. If you’ve got a dinner party for six people that you know really well, the conversation’s going to take on a certain tone. If you have a hundred people that you don’t know all that well, the conversation is going to take on a little bit of a different tone. We’ll try to be as engrossing as we can. We want everybody to have a great time with this one. Let’s face it, there are probably going to be 80 million perspective clients of ours that we’d like to invite to our Sunday Night party come next year. So we’re going to try to make everybody have a great time. Probably a few more stories told early on just to set the cast of characters in this one, and certainly the pregame show will help us do that, too.

“The thing that I’m most excited about with this one is it’s a game with history. You go back to 2007 and what happened in that Super Bowl, which was arguably the most exciting moment that I have ever been a part of watching a game. Like everybody else that week, I picked the Patriots to win. Of course, I was getting heckled a lot during the course of the game as they were making their comeback.”

TAFOYA: “It’s so much fun to cover. We have two Super Bowl MVPs in this game in Eli and Tom. The coaches, it goes without saying, the reputations of these teams and what they bring in terms of excitement. This is my second Super Bowl. I’m utterly thrilled to be here.”

COSTAS ON NBC SPORTS’ PRE-GAME COVERAGE: “The balance of what (executive producer) Sam Flood and his production team have put together is of interest to both avid football fans and to the casual viewers who fill out the audience and make it the biggest single audience in all of American television.”

MICHAELS ON ELI MANNING AND TOM BRADY: “The match-up is tremendous. If you’re going to put a couple of guy’s names up in lights on the marquee, it’s going to be Eli and Tom Brady. It’s the first time in history that two guys who have won Super Bowl MVPs as quarterbacks face off against each other. And Brady is one of the greatest of all time. I never like to rank guys one through five or whatever, but no matter what happens on Sunday, you’re having a conversation about one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. And Tom is very much in that conversation.”

LAZARUS ON NBCUNIVERSAL’S PRESENCE AT THE SUPER BOWL: “This is going to be a successful day for us from Noon ET on. On an ad sales front, we’re already in fine shape. We’ve sold out all of the ancillary programming. We have sold out a lot of sponsors for the early portions of the pre-game show. We think the entertainment value in audience enjoyment will be very strong, and therefore we believe that part will be a huge success leading into the biggest sporting event of the year. We have no doubts about our ability to translate the energy that is here to a national audience, both from an entertainment point of view and a sports point of view.”

LAZARUS ON NBC SPORTS’ SET UP IN INDIANAPOLIS: “We have multiple sets here. We have a studio set inside the media center where we’re doing our NBC Sports Network shows from. Then we’re also utilizing theaters around town, one that will house both the Bob Costas town hall meeting, and then the David Feherty show on the next evening. Then another theater that is being used by the Jimmy Fallon group to do the Fallon show Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. So multiple areas, not to mention there is a small place called Lucas Oil Field that will have a big football game, and we’ll utilize that as the backdrop for the biggest show of all. Finally, in terms of numbers of people, we have roughly 450 people here in town working tirelessly in front of the camera, behind the camera to host guests and to make this an NBCUniversal wide success.”

GAUDELLI ON NEW PRODUCTION ELEMENTS: “There will be quite a few new production elements in terms of the graphics that we use to display information in terms of what we’ll do to personalize players. We just did some extensive photo shoots with both teams to try to give people a sense of the player without the helmet on and what he looks like and where he’s from, and hopefully his personality. With the Super Bowl, everything is bigger and bolder in terms of the presentation, and that will certainly be so. But when it comes right down to it, it’s all about how we’re going to cover this game. To me, that is the ultimate litmus test. How well will we do? We expect to do very well.”

COLLINSWORTH ON HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET OVER A SUPER BOWL LOSS: “I’m 53 years old, and I’m hoping it happens on my 54th birthday.”

And I have one more NBC Sports Group press release coming up. I’m a posting machine tonight.

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues Wednesday

The ESPN Family of Nets are out in force once again with TV and radio shows from Indianapolis tomorrow. ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio will be represented. Here’s what will be aired on the ESPN Family on Wednesday.

ESPN and ESPN Radio Super Bowl XLV Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis –- Wednesday, Feb. 1

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues Wednesday, Feb. 1, from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis. All shows are available for free public viewing.

Among the notable guests scheduled to appear on the ESPN programs tomorrow include Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon and defensive end Dwight Freeney, and North Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Scheduled highlights (all times ET):

6 a.m. Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth (7 a.m.), ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter (7:45 a.m.), ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer (8:15 a.m.), ESPN analyst Cris Carter (8:30 a.m.), ESPN analyst Tom Jackson (9 a.m.), Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon (9:15 a.m.) and NBC Sunday Night Football and Super Bowl XLVI play-by-play commentator Al Michaels (9:30 a.m.)

10 a.m. The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Colts wide receiver Garcon (10:45 a.m.), Indianapolis Colts kicker and four-time Super Bowl champion Adam Vinatieri (11:15 a.m.), New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller (11:30 a.m.) and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (11:45 a.m.)

1 p.m. Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)
Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo
Guests: Keller (1:30 p.m.) and former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis (2:15 p.m.)

3 p.m. SportsCenter Special (ESPN)
Host: Mike Tirico. Analysts: Trent Dilfer and Merril Hoge
(Note: Wednesday’s show will be devoted to the topic of NFL player safety and concussions)

4 p.m. NFL Live (ESPN)
Host: Trey Wingo. Analysts: Mark Schlereth and Ron Jaworski
Guest: Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney

5 p.m. SportsNation (ESPN2)
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards
Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), SportsNation features two acts –- the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” (official house band).
Guests: Dan and Chris Gronkowski –- two of the three Gronkowski brothers currently playing in the NFL (Browns tight end Dan and Colts running back Chris). Brother Rob is the Patriots All Pro tight end.

5 p.m. SportsCenter (live on ESPNEWS) … to air at 6 p.m. on ESPN
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: Mike Ditka and Cris Carter
Guest: Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton

6 p.m. NFL 32 (ESPN2)
Hosts: Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen.  Analysts:  Tom Jackson and Tedy Bruschi
Guest: Indianapolis Colt Freeney

8 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)

Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

9 p.m. SportsCenter ESPN)… to air at 11 p.m.
Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Mark Schlereth and Trent Dilfer

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

That will do it.

NFL Network’s Super Bowl Week Day 2 Quotage Plus Day 3 Schedule

For much of the day on Wednesday, NFL Network will be live from Indianapolis airing press conferences from both the New England Patriots and New York Giants. Included in the coverage will be a live 7 hour Super Bowl Live beginning at 11 a.m. ET. Plenty of stuff to be shown on NFL Network.

And we have the quotage from today’s Super Bowl Media Day coverage. Surprisingly, NFL Network’s press release is not over 3,000 words.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM SUPER BOWL XLVI NOTES & QUOTES – TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

Seven-Hour Super Bowl Live Kicks off Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 11:00 AM ET
Special Guests on Wednesday Include Donovan McNabb, Colts WR Reggie Wayne, Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez & More
“When he came to Indianapolis, they were not known for their football – it was truly a basketball town. He’s changed that image a little bit, and it would be hard to imagine him playing somewhere else.” – Giants QB Eli Manning to NFL Network’s Kurt Warner – Preview of Sunday NFL GameDay Morning Interview

NFL Network’s Super Bowl XLVI Media Day Coverage LIVE from Lucas Oil Stadium

Below are quotes and video links from NFL Network’s Super Bowl XLVI Media Day coverage from Lucas Oil Stadium on Tuesday:

“At the beginning of this year and last year, I felt like [Aaron] Hernandez was the better tight end. But when he hurt his knee, that’s when we started to see [Rob] Gronkowski come on and they found out this big guy not only can block, he can run and catch.” – Marshall Faulk on New England Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez

“This is a business decision. This is a football organization. It’s time. It’s time to move on without Peyton Manning.” – Warren Sapp on the quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts

- Deion’s Best of Media Day: NFL Network’s Deion Sanders has some fun with the Giants and Patriots at Media Day:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8267abe4/Deion-s-best-of-Media-Day

- The Impact of Gronkowski: Analysts Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp and Marshall Faulk discuss the impact of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82678794/The-impact-of-Gronkowski

- Moving on Without Peyton?: Scott Hanson, Jason La Canfora, Jay Glazer and Yahoo! Sports’ Mike Silver discuss the seriousness of Peyton Manning’s neck injury:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/09000d5d82679ab3/Moving-on-without-Peyton

- The End for Peyton?: Have we seen the last of Peyton Manning? Former Super Bowl champions Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp and Marshall Faulk discuss:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82678848/The-end-for-Peyton

Seven-Hour Super Bowl Live Shows Begin Wednesday, February 1 at 11:00 AM ET

On Wednesday, February 1 at 11:00 AM ET, Super Bowl Live kicks off for seven hours from two sets on-location in Indianapolis. Providing up-to-the-minute news reports, live coverage of the New York Giants and New England Patriots’ media availability, expert analysis, special guest appearances and more, Super Bowl Live brings the action and excitement of Super Bowl week to television.

Host Rich Eisen and analysts Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Heath Evans are live from the Media Center, while hosts Andrew Siciliano, Kara Henderson and Fran Charles are live from the NFL Experience with analysts Jamie Dukes, Willie McGinest, Daryl Johnston and Sterling Sharpe.

The following special guests are scheduled to appear on Super Bowl Live Wednesday:

- Donovan McNabb
- Indianapolis Colts WR Reggie Wayne
- Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez
- Former Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jerome Bettis
- Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew
- Philadelphia Eagles RB LeSean McCoy
- New York Jets TE Dustin Keller
- Actor/comedian Jay Mohr
- Former New York Giants QB Phil Simms

At 7:00 PM ET, hosts Scott Hanson and Lindsay Soto are joined by analysts Michael Irvin and Kurt Warner on NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl from the NFL Experience. Donovan McNabb will join the show as a special guest.

Preview of Kurt Warner’s ‘Sunday Sitdown’ with New York Giants QB Eli Manning

NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner sits down with his former teammate, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning on ‘Sunday Sitdown’ on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Sunday at 9:00 PM ET.

Below is a transcript and video link of a preview of the interview:

On if he can imagine his brother Peyton Manning playing with any team other than the Indianapolis Colts:
“It’d be tough. He’s been so important to this town. When he came to Indianapolis, they were not known for their football – it was truly a basketball town. He’s changed that image a little bit, and it would be hard to imagine him playing somewhere else. I know that when he was drafted to the Colts, he had his mind set that he would love to finish his career here. That’s a lot of peoples’ goals; you never know if that’s going to happen, but he wants to play football. He’s going to rehab and he’s going to work as hard as anyone to try and get back healthy. We just have to see what happens.”
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8267a9e4/Sunday-Sitdown-Eli-Manning

Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis Joins Brian Billick on The Coaches Show Live from Indianapolis Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis joins former NFL head coach and current NFL Network analyst Brian Billick on The Coaches Show Wednesday, February 1 at 6:30 PM ET.

Live from the NFL Experience in Indianapolis, Billick and Lewis discuss Super Bowl XLVI from the perspective of the sideline. Each analyzes the thought process of both head coaches this week, how they best can prepare their teams for the big game on Sunday, and potential head coaching decisions that may come up during the game.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1 NFL NETWORK’S SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

8:00 AM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE coverage of New England Patriots & New York Giants team availability
11:00 AM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE from NFL Experience & Super Bowl Media Center

• FedEx Player of the Year announcement

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access the Super Bowl – LIVE from NFL Experience
8:00 PM – Full Game Re-Air: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Week 9, 2011
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl
12 MIDNIGHT – The NFL Season
1:00 AM – Sound FX: Best of 2011 Season
2:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Biggest Upsets
3:00 AM – Playbook
3:30 AM – Sound FX: Bill Belichick

Coming up on Wednesday, February 1:

- Super Bowl Live Airs from the Media Center and NFL Experience at 11:00 AM ET: NFL Network’s Super Bowl Live show airs for seven hours on Wednesday, February 1 beginning at 11:00 AM ET. With two sets on-location at the Media Center and NFL Experience, NFL Network has Super Bowl week covered with the latest news and reports, live coverage of the Giants and Patriots media availability, expert analysis, special guests and more.

- Debut of NFL.com Live at Super Bowl XLVI: For the first time, NFL.com is live at the Super Bowl with NFL.com Live at Super Bowl XLVI. Host Dave Dameshek is joined by Adam Rank, Elliot Harrison and Jason Smith live from Radio Row Wednesday through Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 PM ET, providing analysis of the upcoming matchup and interviews with special guests such as NFL Network analysts Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, actor Adam Sandler and more.

And the ESPN Family of Networks schedule for Super Bowl coverage on Wednesday is next.

Mike & The Mad Dog Back Together Again… For 15 Minutes

It took the Super Bowl and Radio Row in Indianapolis to bring WFAN’s Mike Francesa and SiriusXM’s Chris Russo back together again. The duo had been together at WFAN in New York, part of the legendary Mike and the Mad Dog show fom 1989 until 2008 when Russo was lured to Sirius Satellite Radio to head up his own sports talk channel.

Since then, there was one reunion in 2009 when Francesa and Russo went on each other’s shows before the American League Championship Series.

Today for 15 short minutes, Russo joined Francesa once again on WFAN on “Mike’s On” live from Indianapolis. For that quarter- hour, the magic was back. Both talked about baseball, Russo’s son and a little bit about the Super Bowl. Thanks to the TV simulcast on YES Network, we have video of the encounter. It was fun to see them back, albeit for a short time. Here’s the video courtesy of YES.

Certainly fun to watch.

Cranking Out Your Tuesday Links

Since late last night, I’ve been culling linkage for today. Let’s get to them.

Terry Lefton and Daniel Kaplan at Sports Business Journal discuss how Indianapolis hotels are gouging customers for Super Bowl Week.

Anick Jesdanun of the Associated Press reviews NBC’s online presentation of the Super Bowl for this Sunday.

Sergio Non of USA Today looks at the UFC on Fox rating from Saturday.

Michael Learmonth of Advertising Age says USA Today’s Super Bowl Ad Meter wrecked Super Bowl ads for good.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch provides his thoughts on The Big Lead’s profile of ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd.

Tim Goodman of the Hollywood Reporter has an appreciation for The Beautiful Game.

Tim Nudd of Adweek looks at the highly successful “This is SportsCenter” ad campaign.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost says NBC is copping $4 million per Super Bowl ad.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine writes that a survey shows that a majority of readers feel Super Bowl XLVI will set a viewership record.

Toni gives us a media buyer’s primer on the Super Bowl.

Diego Vasquez of Media Life says advertisers want to get buzz about Super Bowl commercials weeks before the Big Game.

The Daily says it appears Madonna’s set list for the Super Bowl halftime show has been leaked.

Peter Schrager of Esquire lists 10 current NFL players who could make a second career on TV.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid notes that Jerry Seinfeld and the Soup Nazi will appear in a Super Bowl ad.

Frances Martel of Mediaite reviews the ESPN2 show, “Dan Le Batard is Extremely Crazy Highly Questionable.”

Robert Littal of Black Sports Online has details of the Mexican TV reporter who made an impression during Super Bowl Media Day.

Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group looks at ESPN taking over Pan Am Plaza in downtown Indianapolis for the Super Bowl.

Karen Hogan of SVG writes that sports has entered into reality TV in a big way.

Summer Harlow of the University of Texas Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas writes about CBSSports.com’s firing of Adam Jacobi over his premature report on Joe Paterno’s death.

Karen Rosen of TV Guide talks with ESPN’s Hannah Storm about her NFL special tonight.

All Access says a new ESPN Deportes Radio affiliate will launch tomorrow in Chicago.

Mark Miller of Examiner.com says Gary Thorne makes his Pro Bowling announcing debut this Sunday on ESPN.

Larry Mahoney of the Bangor (ME) Daily News speaks with former MLB’er Matt Stairs who joins NESN as a studio analyst for the 2012 season.

Michael Hayes of the Clinton (CT) Patch says ESPN will report from the geological center in between Gillette and Met Life Stadiums on Sunday.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times has an interesting story on a small Connecticut NPR station which has a sports talk show that is not your typical run-of-the-mill program.

Judy Battista of the Times notes that the NFL will address head safety in one its in-house ads during the Super Bowl.

David Hinckley of the New York Daily News says rivals WFAN and ESPN Radio New York are squaring off in their Giants Super Bowl coverage.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes the release of ESPN’s Bracketbusters schedule.

Stacy Jones of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger says Super Bowl advertisers are hoping to hook viewers from their computers and mobile devices as well as through their TV’s.

Neal Zoren of the Delaware County Daily Times notes Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia’s countdown of the worst sports villains of all-time.

Long-time New Orleans sports anchor Jim Henderson is retiring from WWL-TV, however, he’ll remain as Voice of the Saints.

Dave Walker of the New Orleans Times-Picayune gets reaction Henderson on his retirement.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle discusses the busy Super Bowl week and the ads.

Dennis Manoloff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer speaks with ESPN’s Erin Andrews about sports, life and her hosting the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Annual Awards Banquet this week.

Tim Evans of the Indianapolis Star says Radio Row at the Super Bowl is the perfect place for star gazing this week.

Emily Hatton of the Indy Star gives us an inside look at ESPN’s Pan Am Plaza set.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has NBC’s Bob Costas calling for a revote if National League MVP Ryan Braun of the Brewers loses his appeal for testing positive for steroids last year.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says ESPN College GameDay visits the Missouri campus this weekend.

Brian Gomez of the Colorado Springs Gazette says ESPN may pull the Winter X Games out of Aspen after an 11 year relationship.

Jason Blevins of the Denver Post writes that ESPN has been airing this year’s Winter X in 3-D.

Jill Painter of the Los Angeles Daily News says longtime UCLA voice Chris Roberts was honored by his peers as was Daily News sports media writer Tom Hoffarth.

And Tom writes an appreciation for being honored last night.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has videos of the Big Ten Network going behind the scenes with Gus Johnson.

Josh Tinley of Midwest Sports Fans explains how the Super Bowl got its name and why every game has Roman numerals.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes the NHL All-Star Game did really well for CBC.

And that will do it for now.

Superbowl.com is Live and Mobile Too

The National Football League wants you to know that Superbowl.com is up and running. In addition, the site is now mobile-ready meaning you can access it through your cell phone and tablets.

The site has video, 3-D maps of Indianapolis and the official Super Bowl guide as well as the official game program.

For visitors to Indianapolis, the site provides detailed information on events in the city leading up to the Big Game. The press release from the National Football League is below.

SUPERBOWL.COM DELIVERS INFORMATION, ANALYSIS, VIDEO & IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE GO

Super Bowl XLVI Goes Mobile with The Official Guide & Game Program

NFL fans will be able to experience all aspects of Super Bowl XLVI at SUPERBOWL.COM with dynamic live programming, community features, in-depth event coverage from reporters and expert analysts, plus an interactive trivia challenge.

THE SUPER BOWL XLVI OFFICIAL GUIDE features a detailed guide to local restaurants, nightlife, and official Super Bowl events, with a 3D map of Indianapolis and an interactive 3D map of Lucas Oil Stadium for game day. Follow all of the social media buzz, pin your parking spot and find your seating section in the stadium, plus much more. You can get the app on your Android phone (http://market.android.com/details?id=com.nfl.sbxlviguide), Android tablet (http://market.android.com/details?id=com.nfl.sbxlviguidetab) or iTunes App Store (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sb-xlvi-guide/id413928892?mt=8).

THE SUPER BOWL XLVI GAME PROGRAM is a digital version of the iconic souvenir program optimized for a tablet. With additional interactive content, the Program chronicles the New York Giants’ and New England Patriots’ roads to Super Bowl XLVI, captures memories of past Super Bowls and recaps key moments from the 2011 season. “The Super Bowl XLVI Game Program” will be available for free in the Android Market and iTunes App Store.

SUPERBOWL.COM contains detailed information on events during the week, live streaming of Media Day and Radio Row, a visitor’s guide and how to buy Super Bowl XLVI tickets. Fans may visit SUPERBOWL.COM to find out locations around Indianapolis of all official NFL Shops at Super Bowl XLVI as well as information about The NFL Experience, pro football’s interactive theme park. Fans may follow @nfl and @superbowl on Twitter or go to www.superbowl.com/nflx for the most up-to-date information on player and celebrity appearances at The NFL Experience.

Fans may watch live online streaming of the week’s biggest events including Super Bowl XLVI Media Day, Super Bowl Live from Radio Row, the Commissioner’s news conference, and the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012.

In addition to the unprecedented live Super Bowl streaming on NBCSports.com and NFL.com, the Super Bowl broadcast will be exclusively available to Verizon Wireless mobile customers in the U.S. via NFL Mobile. The NFL Mobile app also includes exclusive live streaming of the Super Bowl XLVI radio broadcasts in English and Spanish, as well as on-demand Super Bowl XLVI video highlights. NFL Mobile users can get additional Super Bowl XLVI coverage on the application’s live 24-7 stream of NFL Network. For more information on mobile access, Verizon Wireless customers can visit: http://verizonwireless.com/nfl/.

NFL.com also features a powerful lineup, including senior writers Steve Wyche and Jason La Canfora, analysts Bucky Brooks, Gil Brandt and Elliot Harrison and national reporter Jeff Darlington.  Information and insight from NFL Network reporter Albert Breer, former front office executive Michael Lombardi and Super Bowl XXXV winning coach Brian Billick round out the comprehensive coverage.

On game day, fans around the globe can listen to international radio broadcasts of Super Bowl XLVI. NFL.com will stream broadcasts from 10 countries including Spain, Germany, China, Russia and Japan. Additionally, Super Bowl commercials will be available on SUPERBOWL.COM at the end of each quarter. Fans will be able to rate, comment on, and share the commercials.

For the twelfth consecutive year, fans will be able to vote for the Super Bowl XLVI MVP on NFL.com.  In addition, fans also will be able to visit NFL.com on web-enabled mobile devices to vote for the MVP.  In the fourth quarter of the game, fans, along with a media panel, will select the MVP, who will be awarded the Pete Rozelle Trophy. Combined votes on NFL.com and web-enabled mobile devices will count 20 percent towards the MVP.

Fans can test their Super Bowl knowledge with the NFL Two-Minute Trivia Super Bowl game. To prepare for the challenge, check out the comprehensive history section that includes highlights from the first 45 Super Bowl games.

More will be posted later. Keep your feeds updated.

NBC’s Football Night in America Crew Talks About Their Super Bowl Traditions

NBCUniversal has sent this video with the Football Night in America crew of Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison talking about their favorite Super Bowl memories and some of their favorite Big Game traditions before the game. It runs 3:08.

And that will do it.

ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues Tuesday

ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Radio will be back at it at Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis from its indoor studio. We have the details of its programming for tomorrow. Check it out.

ESPN and ESPN Radio Super Bowl XLV Programs Originating Live from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis – Tuesday, Jan. 31

ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 31, from Indianapolis beginning with ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN2) at 6 a.m. ET. The day’s programming includes live reports from Super Bowl XLVI Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium on SportsCenter (10 – 11 a.m. and 12 – 1 p.m.) with host Trey Wingo and analyst Mark Schlereth, as well as team-specific updates from reporters Ed Werder (Patriots) and Rachel Nichols (Giants) throughout the day.

All ESPN TV and radio shows are originating live from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis, throughout the week and fans are encouraged to attend. Tuesday’s schedule highlights (all times ET):

6 a.m. Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: ESPN analyst Herm Edwards (6:30 a.m.), Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (8 a.m. via phone), ESPN NFL insider John Clayton (8:15 a.m.), ESPN NFL senior analyst Chris Mortensen (9 a.m.), and Monday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski (9:15 a.m.)

10 a.m. The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Gary Bracket (12:15 a.m.)

1 p.m. Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)
Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo
Guest: Brackett (1:30 p.m.), ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer (2:30 p.m.), Fox Sports and NFL Network analyst Brian Billick (2:45 p.m.)

3 p.m. SportsCenter Special (ESPN)
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: John Clayton, Chris Mortensen, and Adam Schefter

4 p.m. NFL Live (ESPN)
Host: Trey Wingo.  Analysts: Tom Jackson and Mark Schlereth

5 p.m. SportsNation (ESPN2)
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards
Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), SportsNation features two acts – the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” (official house band).

5 p.m. SportsCenter (live on ESPNEWS) … to air at 6 p.m. on ESPN
Host: Greenberg. Analysts: Cris Carter and Ron Jaworski

6 p.m. NFL 32 (ESPN2)
Hosts: Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen. Analysts: Carter and Dilfer

8 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin

9 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN)… to air at 11 p.m.
Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Tedy Bruschi

Note: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change

That’s it.

NFL Network Quotage For Super Bowl Week Coverage, Day 1 Plus What’s On Tap For Day 2

NFL Network has sent the quotage from its Super Bowl Live program from today. And it’s added its programming schedule for Tuesday. This includes Media Day and from what I’ve heard, the infamous Inês Sainz of Azteca Deportes and CNN en Español will be back so expect to see her.

Here’s the press release from NFL Network.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM SUPER BOWL XLVI NOTES & QUOTES – MONDAY, JANUARY 30

100+ Hours of Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Kicks Off 4.5 Hours of Coverage of Super Bowl Media Day Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9:00 AM ET
“The Maras and the Tischs probably never thought about firing Tom Coughlin. I really believe that. Truly, they believe that Tom Coughlin is the best coach for their football team.” – Michael Lombardi on New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin

NFL Network’s More than 100 Hours of Super Bowl Coverage Kicks Off

NFL Network’s 100+ hours of Super Bowl XLVI coverage from Indianapolis kicked off today at 2:00 PM ET with Super Bowl Live from the NFL Experience. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Michael Lombardi, Jamie Dukes, Willie McGinest and Heath Evans opened Super Bowl week with analysis, interviews with special guests, the latest news and reports, and live coverage of the New York Giants’ arrival and the New England Patriots’ press conference.

Below are video links and quotes from today’s show:

“Now, the offensive coordinators have realized the best mismatch on the football field is the tight end against their safety or linebacker; it’s not wide receiver against cornerback anymore. These guys are getting opportunities that guys in previous years didn’t get.” – Shannon Sharpe on the evolution of the tight end

“Change is here. Chris Hoke just came out and retired, Aaron Smith had the same surgery that Chris had…It’s going to be different this year. We are getting older, it’s inevitable there are going to be some new guys coming in and taking over.” – Steelers DE Brett Keisel on Pittsburgh’s defense

“What we have with [Bill] Parcells is what’s happening now: it’s legacy. In other words, two of his children are in this game.” – Jamie Dukes on the impact of former head coach Bill Parcells, who had Tom Coughlin and Bill Belichick on his coaching staff with the New York Giants

“The Maras and the Tischs probably never thought about firing Tom Coughlin. I really believe that. Truly, they believe that Tom Coughlin is the best coach today for their football team.” – Michael Lombardi on New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin

- The New York Giants arrive in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82673473/The-Giants-have-landed

- Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe joins the show to talk about the new era of tight ends and how the game has changed since his playing days:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d82673836/Sharpe-Hernandez-reminds-me-of-me

- Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel breaks down the team’s season and gives his prediction for Super Bowl XLVI:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d826730c6/Keisel-and-beard-give-predictions

- Analysts Jamie Dukes and Michael Lombardi discuss if New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was ever really on the hot seat this season:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d826732a0/Did-Giants-really-consider-firing-Coughlin

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora on Colts QB Peyton Manning and his Future in Indianapolis

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports on quarterback Peyton Manning’s future in Indianapolis on Super Bowl Live:
“I reported that people associated with that general manager search, people who were involved in that general manager search who were in direct contact with [Jim] Irsay came out of it absolutely convinced that the decision [to move on] had been made. There wasn’t a whole lot of talk about Peyton Manning because there didn’t need to be a whole of talk on Peyton Manning. It was focused on the first overall pick and what to do at quarterback. It was focused on the salary cap and getting their salary cap house back in order, and figuring things out that way. It was about how much of the team can we gut, how deep does this run and how far away are we from turning it around. People came out of there – multiple people came out of those discussions thoroughly convinced that really there is nothing to talk about regarding Peyton Manning because they are going in a different direction as an organization because of Manning’s health primarily and paramount. They didn’t see any scenarios existing where Peyton Manning is going to be healthy enough to play football for Indianapolis in enough time for them to actually make this decision on his option.”
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d82672fcd/Manning-on-the-move

To read La Canfora’s column on Manning, visit:
http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/01/28/la-canfora-manning-decision-made-weeks-ago/?module=HP11_content_stream

Live Coverage of Super Bowl Media Day from Lucas Oil Stadium — Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 9:00 AM ET

Tuesday, January 31 is Super Bowl Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium and NFL Network brings viewers live coverage from 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET as the New York Giants and New England Patriots face the media.

Host Rich Eisen is joined by Marshall Faulk, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin at the desk, while Deion Sanders and Lindsay Soto roam the scene, providing interviews with players and coaches.

Between the Giants and Patriots media sessions, host Scott Hanson and analysts Willie McGinest and Jay Glazer offer further analysis and reflect on their own experiences participating in Media Day.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 NFL NETWORK’S SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

9:00 AM – Super Bowl Live: Media Day – LIVE
9:30 AM – Super Bowl XLVI Media Day: New England Patriots availability – LIVE from Lucas Oil Stadium
11:00 AM – Super Bowl Live: Media Day – LIVE
12 NOON – Super Bowl XLVI Media Day: New York Giants availability – LIVE from Lucas Oil Stadium
1:30 PM – Super Bowl XLVI Media Day: New England Patriots availability – ENCORE
3:00 PM – Super Bowl Live: Media Day – ENCORE
4:00 PM – Super Bowl XLVI Media Day: New York Giants availability – ENCORE
5:30 PM – America’s Game: 2007 New York Giants
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from NFL Experience
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLII
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl
12 MIDNIGHT – Super Bowl Classic: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams – Super Bowl XXXVI
3:00 AM – America’s Game: 2001 New England Patriots

Coming up on Tuesday, January 31:

- Live Coverage of Super Bowl Media Day: NFL Network is live at Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl Media Day at 9:00 AM ET. Host Rich Eisen is joined at the desk by analysts Marshall Faulk, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Michael Irvin, while Deion Sanders and Lindsay Soto roam the field.

- The Coaches Show Live at 6:30 PM ET: NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach Brian Billick is joined by Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis on The Coaches Show, live at 6:30 PM ET from the NFL Experience.

- Full-Game Re-Airs of Super Bowls XLII & XXXVI: Get ready for Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and New England Patriots with full-game re-airs of two classic Super Bowls. At 8:00 PM ET, re-live the Giants’ victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. At 12 Midnight ET, Super Bowl XXXVI between the Patriots and St. Louis Rams is shown in its entirety.

That is all for this post. ESPN’s programming schedule for Tuesday at the Super Bowl is next.

The Mighty Monday Links

I don’t know why they’re mighty, but they’re here. Let’s get to them.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy looks at Super Bowl Media Day which will be covered from all angles on both ESPN and NFL Network.

Preston Bounds from Sports Business Daily lists the top 11 most marketable NFL players. Your humble blogger is quoted in the story.

At the Poynter Institute, Kelly McBride takes both the New York Times and Yale Daily News to task for their handling of the Patrick Witt alleged sexual assault story.

Michael O’Connell of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the NFL Pro Bowl gave NBC a Sunday primetime win over weak competition.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that marketers and star players are for the most part, a winning combination.

Tim Nudd from Adweek looks at the advertiser rundown for Sunday’s Super Bowl on NBC.

Tim loves the extended Honda Ferris Bueller-themed Super Bowl ad.

Back to Crupi who delves into the April launch of Univision Deportes.

Adweek talks with Jim Rome about his move from ESPN to CBS.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times says social media campaigns can enhance and also detract from the Super Bowl viewing experience.

The Nielsen Wire blog looks at the spending trends for Super Bowl ads over the last five years.

Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group notes that NFL Network is gearing up for a very busy Super Bowl Week.

Patrick Burns of Deadspin breaks down ESPN SportsCenter’s coverage from last week.

At All Things Digital, Peter Kafka says it’s ESPN that’s weighing down your cable bill.

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe writes that NESN has made additions to its Red Sox broadcast team.

Here’s a rarity, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post giving praise and today he’s dishing it out to Knicks radio voice Spero Dedes.

Bob’s Blitz has caught WFAN’s Mike Francesa in a lie regarding his Super Bowl XLVII prediction.

From the Albany Times Union, Pete Dougherty notes that former Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian has signed with SiriusXM to co-host some radio shows.

Tom Jones at the Tampa Bay Times looks back at the weekend in sports television.

Cleveland Plain-Dealer ombudsman Ted Diadun discusses the reassignment of Browns beat writer Tony Grossi after a private tweet about Browns owner Randy Lerner went public.

The Waiting for Next Year blog looks at the Plain-Dealer decision.

Also from the Plain-Dealer, Bill Lubinger writes about how local TV rights money is playing a huge role in baseball free agency signings.

Dusty Saunders from the Denver Post notes that MLB Network has plucked Root Sports’ Alana Rizzo for a national gig.

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

Friend of Fang’s Bites Jackie Pepper is heading to the Super Bowl.

John Daly of the Daly Planet looks at NASCAR taking over operation of its website from Turner Sports.

John also looks at the future of NASCAR’s Nationwide Series on ESPN.

Sports Media Watch has the overnight ratings of the NHL All-Star Game and Australian Open finals.

Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing says UFC on Fox’s ratings may have gone down from its November debut, but they’re still good in the desired demographic.

That will do it.