Fang's Bites

Let’s Get Back To The Linkage

I owe you some links having not been able to do them either Monday or Tuesday.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks about the ratings for LSU-Alabama not being as high as the previous #1 vs. #2 college football Game of the Century.

The great Richard Deitsch at Sports Illustrated has his Media Power List for this month.

Richard talks with the Executive Producer of ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption. The show is celebrating ten years on the air. Has it been THAT long?

Alex Sherman at Bloomberg News says Time Warner might be interested in bidding for the media rights for the Los Angeles Dodgers possibly going battle with Fox.

Michael Smith at Sports Business Journal says the Pac-12 Conference is buying back third tier TV rights from its member institutions to fill out Pac-12 Network programming.

Bill King of SBJ says Fox is throwing its promotional muscle at its first UFC broadcast.

Terry Lefton and Michael Smith from SBJ write that insurance company, The Hartford, will no longer sponsor the NCAA Tournament on CBS/Turner.

Greg Doyel of CBSSports.com introduces us to Penn State football coach (for now) Joe Paterno’s son, Scott, who has become the ultimate media whore since the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke.

SportsGrid notes that Fox Business News anchor Chris Cotter will be going back to his sports roots with ESPN.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that ESPN pulled big numbers for Monday Night Football this week.

Mike writes about Bob Costas’ new show on NBC Sports Network premiering next year.

Brandon Costa at Sports Video Group writes that CBS saw a record number of video streams for LSU-Alabama last Saturday night.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Penn State University gets a big FAIL for its handling of the sex scandal crisis.

Darren writes an open letter to Penn State coach Paterno.

Marcus Henry at Newsday writes that HBO will pay tribute to the late Joe Frazier this week by re-airing its great documentary, “Thrilla in Manila”.

Marcus writes that former Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl has picked up a broadcasting gig.

At Fishbowl NY, Jerry Barmash talks with some former Big Apple sportscasters on covering the late Joe Frazier.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the Week 11 college football TV schedule.

And Pete provides us with the Week 10 NFL TV schedule for the Capital Region of New York.

Keith Groller from the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes that Chris Herren, the subject of ESPN Films’ “Unguarded” documentary, will be speaking in the local area next month.

Zach Wilt of the Baltimore Sports Report says a Pittsburgh TV station failed to pay up on a bet made with a local TV channel in regards to Sunday’s Ravens-Steelers game.

At the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg writes that Wizards TV voices Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier will be calling some college basketball games during the NBA Lockout.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle talks about the big ratings for LSU-Alabama for CBS.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says Oklahoma outrated Oklahoma State in the local TV ratings last weekend.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports big ratings for the local CBS affiliate thanks to the Bengals.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says today is a big day for the NBA Lockout.

Scott D. Pierce at the Salt Lake Tribune enjoyed Ian Darke’s call of the MLS playoffs over the weekend.

Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times says a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge is promising Fox Sports a fair shake at the hearing to determine the new owners of the Dodgers.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says big ratings drops for the CFL on TSN have to be a concern for both parties.

Sports Media Watch looks at the NFL overnight ratings for Week 9 on Fox, NBC, CBS and ESPN.

SMW notes that Colts-Patriots in Week 13 has been flexed out of NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says San Jose-New York Rangers failed to draw well for Versus with the country’s biggest market blacked out.

Joe Favorito says don’t discount the power of the gaming market.

And I’ll end the linkage there for today.

NBC Sports Group Moves NFL Turning Point to Wednesday Nights on Versus

NFL Turning Point which premiered this season and aired Thursday nights on Versus will be moving a night earlier to Wednesdays starting this week. The move is being made so not to conflict with Thursday Night Football on NFL Network and not to be out of date since Turning Point talks about the previous week’s action and the Thursday Night game marks the beginning of the new week in the National Football League.

Dan Patrick will continue to host. Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison will join him to preview this Sunday night’s New England Patriots-New York Jets game on NBC.

We have the announcement of the move plus a preview of Wednesday night’s show.

NFL TURNING POINT ON VERSUS MOVES TO WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 10 P.M. ET STARTING TOMORROW

Touchdown-winning catches by New York Giants Jake Ballard and Baltimore Ravens Torrey Smith showcased
Host Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison preview Sunday Night Football’s Patriots-Jets

NEW YORK – November 8, 2011 – NFL Turning Point, VERSUS’ weekly show co-produced by NFL Films and the NBC Sports Group, will move to Wednesday nights beginning tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET. The weekly show focuses on the crucial ‘turning point’ in several games for football fans each week in a more in-depth way than ever before by utilizing NFL Films’ unmatched cinematography and sideline and on-field audio.

Tomorrow’s episode includes:

New York Giants-New England Patriots Super Bowl XLII rematch

• The fourth quarter saw a spectacular 28-yard catch by tight end Jake Ballard; reminiscent of David Tyree’s dramatic catch during Super Bowl XLII

Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday Night Football game

• The pinnacle moments of the game occurred when the Steelers had an incomplete pass and then a penalty, which resulted in a punt. The Ravens rebounded with a 26-yard catch from Torrey Smith that resulted in the winning touchdown

The middle segment will feature a comparison between quarterbacks Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, who combined for eight touchdown passes this past weekend, as well as highlights from that game

Patrick will conclude the show with a segment featuring his Football Night colleagues Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison that focuses on the chess match between the two coaches in the upcoming New England Patriots-New York Jets Sunday Night Football game on NBC.

NFL Turning Point will continue to air a new episode every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET starting this week.

And that will conclude this post.

Versus Airs Pac-12 on Saturday

Versus has a Pac-12 matchup Saturday night involving 20th ranked Arizona State. Here’s the Versus press release.

VERSUS CONTINUES COLLEGE FOOTBALL COVERAGE THIS SATURDAY IN PRIMETIME WITH PAC-12 MATCH-UP FEATURING #20 ARIZONA STATE AT UCLA

“UCLA is fighting for their life and the life of Head Coach Rick Neuheisel right now.” – Glenn Parker
“Arizona State’s 6-2 season could be a prelude to the inaugural Pac-12 championship game.” – Roland Williams

NEW YORK (November 3, 2011) – The NBC Sports Group will continue its college football coverage this Saturday with a primetime match-up between No. 20 Arizona State and UCLA from the Rose Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET on VERSUS. The Sun Devils (6-2) will look to move up in the rankings with a win in Pasadena, while the Bruins (4-4) will try to continue the momentum from last week’s 34-14 win against California.

COMMENTATORS: Ted Robinson and Glenn Parker will lead VERSUS’ Pac-12 Conference coverage as play-by-play announcer and analyst, respectively. They will be joined by Akbar Gbaja-Biamila on the field as the sideline analyst. NBC and VERSUS will have an analyst reporting from the sidelines for all college football games to provide first-person analysis from the field and interact with the play-by-play and color announcers in the booth.

VERSUS will surround its college football game coverage this weekend with pre- and post-game coverage as well as halftime reports from NBC’s Football Night in America studio (Studio 8G) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The coverage will be hosted by Liam McHugh with 1984 Heisman Trophy-winner Doug Flutie and Super Bowl champion and former NFL tight end Roland Williams serving as studio analysts.

PARKER ON THE UCLA: “UCLA is fighting for their life and the life of Head Coach Rick Neuheisel right now. Their stable of backs is as good as any team in the Pac-12 and Nelson Rosario gives them a huge advantage from the wide receiver spot.”

PARKER ON THE ARIZONA STATE: “ASU needs quarterback Brock Osweiler to continue his great play and have the defense continue to mature. Vontaze Burfict is a beast, but must be consistent for Arizona State to dominate.”

WILLIAMS ON THE GAME: “Arizona State’s 6-2 season could be a prelude to the inaugural Pac-12 championship game. To keep their momentum, the Sun Devils need to start acting like the potential champion now by taking care of business against out-manned opponents like UCLA. Look for Arizona State to continue to lean on quarterback Brock Osweiler for offensive productivity. Also look for running back Cameron Marshall to be a big factor in a revitalized running game.”

WILLIAMS ON UCLA: “UCLA Bruins have improved to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the Pac-12. Keep your eye out for freshman safety Tevin McDonald, who made the first three interceptions of his college career last week versus California.”

One more release and the night is through.

College Football Viewing Picks For Week 10, 11/05/2011, All Times Eastern

Schedule Courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College GameDay live from Tuscaloosa, AL — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ ESPN, 10 a.m.

noon
Louisville at West Virginia — Big East Network

Big Ten Network Channel Finder
Indiana at Ohio State — Big Ten Network
Minnesota at Michigan State — Big Ten Network

Michigan at Iowa — ESPN
Syracuse at UConn — ESPNU
Ball State at Eastern Michigan — ESPN Plus

Robert Morris at Central Connecticut State — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Texas Tech at Texas — FX

Vanderbilt at Florida — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

Brown at Yale — YES

12:30 p.m.
North Carolina at NC State — ACC Network
Virginia at Maryland — ACC Network

New Mexico at Georgia — CSS

Kansas at Iowa State — Fox College Sports Central

2 p.m.
TCU at Wyoming — the mtn.

3 p.m.
College Football Countdown — ABC
College Football Today — CBS

Duke at Miami (FL) — Fox Sports Net (regional)

3:30 p.m.
Purdue at Wisconsin — ABC/ESPN2
Stanford at Oregon State — ABC
Texas A&M at Oklahoma — ABC/ESPN2

Northwestern at Nebraska — Big Ten Network

Troy at Navy — CBS

Villanova at UMass — Comcast SportsNet New England/The Comcast Network

Mississippi at Kentucky — ESPNU

UTEP at Rice — Fox Sports Net (national)

4 p.m.
Southern Mississippi at East Carolina — CSS

Idaho at San Jose State — WAC Sports Network

5 p.m.
Northern Colorado at Northern Arizona — Fox College Sports Pacific

7 p.m.
College Football Scoreboard — ESPN2

Houston at UAB — CBS Sports Network

South Carolina at Arkansas — ESPN (7:15 p.m. kickoff)
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — ESPNU

Middle Tennessee at Tennessee — Fox Sports Net (regional)
Missouri at Baylor — Fox Sports Net (national)
Utah at Arizona — Fox College Sports Central

7:30 p.m.
Tennessee-Martin at Mississippi State — CSS

Arizona State at UCLA — Versus

8 p.m.
Kansas State at Oklahoma State — ABC/ESPN2
Notre Dame at Wake Forest — ABC/ESPN2

LSU at Alabama — CBS

New Mexico at San Diego State — the mtn.

10:30 p.m.
Boise State at UNLV — CBS Sports Network

Louisiana State at Fresno State — ESPNU

Oregon at Washington — Fox Sports Net

NBC Sports Network Announces College Hockey Schedule

It’ll actually begin when the channel is still caused Versus, but the bulk of the 16 game schedule will be after the name change to NBC Sports Network on January 2. Overall, it’s a very good college hockey schedule and it will culminate with the Hockey East Tournament in March. NBC Sports Network will air games from the ECAC, Hockey East, CCHA and WCHA.

There will be three doubleheaders on February 10, February 24 and on March 16. The March doubleheader will be the Hockey East Semifinals in Boston.

The games will air Friday nights on Versus/NBC Sports Network. We have your press release from the NBC Sports Group.

NBC SPORTS GROUP LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER COLLEGE HOCKEY COVERAGE WITH 16 GAMES ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK THIS SEASON

Network Drops Puck on Coverage with #12 Boston University-#4 Notre Dame
New Year’s Eve Match-up
11 Friday Nights of College Hockey Begins Jan. 6; Hockey East Tournament Coverage Begins March 9
NBC Sports Network to also Air Notre Dame Home Hockey Games Beginning with 2013-14 Season

NEW YORK (November 2, 2011)— The NBC Sports Group will air 16 live college hockey games this season on NBC Sports Network, including four from the Hockey East Tournament (one Quarterfinal, both Semifinals and the Final). This season’s schedule, which marks the first time that the NBC Sports Group will air college hockey games, was developed through partnerships with numerous collegiate hockey associations and universities.

The coverage begins on VERSUS, which will be rebranded as the NBC Sports Network on Jan. 2, on Saturday, December 31, when No. 4 Notre Dame hosts No. 12 Boston University at 7 p.m. ET. The remainder of this season’s schedule, which includes a game each Friday in primetime starting in January, will be seen on NBC Sports Network. The schedule culminates with live coverage of the Hockey East Tournament with a Quarterfinal game on March 9, as well as both Semifinals and the Final on March 16 and 17, 2012, respectively, from TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

“We are excited to be launching our first-ever college hockey package by building a destination on Friday nights on the NBC Sports Network with many of the preeminent brands in the sport,” said Jon Miller, President of Programming for NBC Sports Group.

Additional regular-season highlights include No. 4 Notre Dame hosting No. 3 Michigan on Jan. 20; No. 9 Yale facing Harvard on Jan. 27; and a Feb. 10 doubleheader featuring No. 1 Boston College traveling to Vermont and No. 8 Denver hosting No. 5 Minnesota.

The college hockey telecasts will be produced by the same Emmy Award-winning team that oversees all of the NHL games for the NBC Sports Group, led by Sam Flood, Executive Producer for NBC Sports and VERSUS.

The NBC Sports Group also recently announced a multi-year deal with Notre Dame to have their home games televised on the NBC Sports Network beginning with the 2013-14 season, when the school joins Hockey East.

NBC Sports Network’s College Hockey Schedule (all times ET, subject to change):

Saturday, December 31, 2011 — #12 Boston University at #4 Notre Dame 7:00 p.m. (VERSUS)
Friday, January 6, 2012 — Dartmouth at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 13 — #14 Minnesota-Duluth at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 20 — #3 Michigan at #4 Notre Dame 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 27 — #9 Yale at Harvard 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 3 — Cornell at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 10 — #1 Boston College at Vermont 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 10 — #5 Minnesota at #8 Denver 10:00 p.m.
Friday, February 17 –Dartmouth at #9 Yale 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 24 — #12 Boston University at Vermont 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 24 — #15 North Dakota at #8 Denver 10:00 p.m.
Friday, March 2 — #8 Denver at Nebraska-Omaha 7:30 p.m.

Hockey East Tournament

Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 16 — Semifinals 5:00 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 — Finals 8:00 p.m.

All rankings based off USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 2011-12 Men’s College Hockey Poll #5 (October 31, 2011).

That’s going to do it.

Shoveling Through The Monday Links

Let’s do some links on this Monday. Some good stuff to get to.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that CBS’ Bill Cowher may make broadcasting a true second career after shooting down another coaching rumor.

At Fox Sports, Brian Lowry feels for the most part, Fox got the job done during the World Series.

Sports Business Journal has a very good roundtable featuring sports public relations pros discussing the in’s and out’s of their jobs and the increasing importance of social media.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that NFL Network is close to selling out its ads for Thursday Night Football which begins in a couple of weeks.

Interesting story from the hotel industry. Orly Ripmaster of Hotel News Now says room occupancy has jumped over 35% for Sunday Night Football games at the expense of Monday Night Football.

Toni Fitzgerald at Media Life Magazine says the World Series started out with a whimper, but ended with a ratings bang.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has video of Fox NFL Sunday’s Jimmy Johnson preferring death over taking Tiki Barber or Terrell Owens.

David Waldstein of the New York Times reports that the Yankees have opted to stay with WCBS-AM for one more season and thus John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman will return as well.

Someone check Phil Mushnick’s temperature. The New York Post media writer actually gives praise to an ESPN analyst today.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that Time Warner Cable will air three local high school football championship games.

Pete has the TWC local college basketball schedule.

And Pete has the TWC local college hockey schedule.

Bob Frye of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says TV and technology are cutting into the younger generation’s time in the great outdoors.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun feels former Ravens coach Brian Billick got the job done in the Fox booth for yesterday’s Arizona-Baltimore game.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes the media reaction to the DC NFL Team’s bad performance against Buffalo.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times looks at the weekend in sports television.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes Bill Cowher’s comments that he’s staying in TV for now.

David says Jags-Texans rated well locally.

This next set of links is on the passing of former Oklahoma and Oklahoma State radio voice Bob Barry, Sr. who passed away at the age of 80 on Sunday. Barry was not only the broadcaster for both the Sooners and Cowboys in a career than spanned 50 years, but also the sports director of KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City for 42 where he worked with his son, Barry, Jr. Barry retired just after last season and his death was shock to those who knew him.

Andy Rieger of the Norman (OK) Transcript has Barry’s obituary.

Clay Horning of the Transcript says you can’t measure Barry’s success.

John Klein of the Tulsa World says Barry was one of the good guys.

Berry Tramel of the Daily Oklahoman says Barry was part of the Sooner tradition.

Berry has highlights of Bob Barry, Sr.’s legendary 50 year career.

Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoman was truly a nice man.

John Rohe of the Oklahoman says Barry was one of the rare people who got to work both sides of the Bedlam rivalry game.

And at KFOR-TV, the station has this tribute.

The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter wonders why he can’t hear Ohio State football games in the local area.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business talks with Big Ten Conference Commissioner Jim Delany.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has Bob Costas’ salute to the Gateway City.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post talks about Joe Buck’s plagiarized call in Game 6 of the World Series.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times writes that Fox has more than a vested interest in the Dodgers bankruptcy case.

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

Jimmy Bramlett of LAist tries to understand the phenomenon that is ESPN’s College GameDay.

David Shoalts in the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that a classic hockey movie gets a DVD release this week.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Globe and Mail wonders if the NHL can pick up the NBA’s slack.

Raju Mudhar in the Toronto Star notes that the Bills are finding ways to make their games in the Great White North profitable.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the regional schedule for Hockey Night in Canada in November.

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media says Versus did well with last week’s Buffalo-Tampa Bay game.

Steve has the national NHL TV schedules for this week.

Jon Bois of SB Nation feels NBC is doing Sunday Night Football the right way.

That’s going to do it for this set of links.

NBC Sports Officially Announces Move To Connecticut

Just made official this morning, NBC Sports and the State of Connecticut have announced the network division’s move to the Nutmeg State. Some 450 jobs will be moved from NBC’s headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan to Stamford, CT. This affects most of NBC Sports’ operations including the main network, Versus/NBC Sports Network, NBCOlympics.com and NHL Network (US) which will share facilities with Versus/NBC Sports Network.

You will notice that ESPN has already signed up for Connecticut’s jobs initiative that NBC has just agreed to.

I’ll post artist renderings of the new NBC Sports headquarters later. The announcement is below.

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GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES NBC SPORTS GROUP IS FOURTH “FIRST FIVE”

Move Will Consolidate CT Workforce and Create 450 Jobs

Stamford, Conn. – October 25, 2011 – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced the NBC Sports Group will be the fourth company to take advantage of the “First Five” economic development program. NBCUniversal’s NBC Sports Group will consolidate much of its northeast operations, including its existing Connecticut workforce, at new studios and offices in the former Clairol factory in Stamford. The project, slated to start in September 2012, will create 450 jobs and allow room for the company to grow in the future.

“This is a terrific project for the city and state, and one that I am proud to support as the fourth ‘First Five.’ The companies that are participating in this economic development program are job producers, and NBCUniversal has been doing that since it first arrived in Connecticut,” said Governor Malloy. “Stamford has been home to NBCUniversal television production since 2008 when it retrofitted the Rich Forum Theatre in downtown to create the Stamford Media Center. As Mayor of Stamford at the time, I was supportive of the city and state assistance for the project because I understood its potential. I am strongly supportive of this expansion in Stamford because we continue to see the positive impact in the local economy and on the workforce.”

The 32-acre site will house office space for NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBC Sports Digital, VERSUS (to be renamed the NBC Sports Network on January 2), and the Comcast Sports Management Group, which oversees the NBC Sports Group’s 14 regional networks. The NBC Sports Group will also use the site to construct numerous state-of-the-art studios to house the company’s growing need for studio content.

“This new campus is about bringing people together to maximize production, creativity and efficient teamwork. We are creating one 32-acre unique location that allows us to build numerous state-of-the-art studios, house more than 450 employees, and prepare for anticipated future growth,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “However, this initiative would not have been possible without the financial support of Governor Malloy’s ‘First Five’ program and the local support provided by Mayor Pavia, who we look forward to working with for many years to come.”

Also, as part of its 10-year partnership with the NHL, the NBC Sports Group will build a state-of-the-art studio for NHL Network that will house most of the network’s personnel and will create additional jobs in Connecticut that are not included in the 450.

“This collaboration with the NBC Sports Group, including the construction of our new NHL Network studio in Stamford, will give our fans unprecedented year-round access to the game,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “NBC has been a great partner and has played a significant role in our strong growth over the past five years. We look forward to building on our relationship.”

In support of the NBC Sports Group’s capital investment and the commitment to retain and create full-time jobs in Connecticut, the state will provide a $20 million loan through the Department of Economic and Community Development, which administers “First Five.”

The “First Five” program is designed to attract large-scale business development projects by augmenting and combining the state’s best incentive and tax credit programs for the first five companies that create 200 new jobs within two years, or invest $25 million and create 200 new jobs within five years.

The first three companies to take part in the “First Five” program — CIGNA, TicketNetwork, and ESPN — were announced over the summer.

“The new NBC Sports Group presents a tremendous opportunity to build and develop this sector of Connecticut’s economy,” said Catherine Smith, commissioner of DECD. “The state is increasingly seen as a great home to television, film and digital media and this project – in terms of jobs and infrastructure – will help us create the needed critical mass that can successfully attract new industry players to Connecticut and the greater Stamford area. We thank NBC for making this large investment here in Connecticut.”

Back later.<

Providing Some Sunday Linkage

Let’s do some linkage on this Sunday morning. Some good stuff to get to.

TVbytheNumbers says World Series Game 3 easily won the primetime ratings last night over college football and repeats on NBC.

The Associated Press has an in-depth story on how Fox and Telemundo won the rights to the 2015-22 World Cups.

Marisa Guthrie and Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter report on NBCUniversal’s all-in bid for Telemundo for the rights to FIFA’s World Cups from 2015 through 2022.

R. Thomas Umstead from Multichannel News writes on the winning bids by Fox and Telemundo for the US media rights to the World Cup.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel says a Cox Cable employee in Arizona has pleaded guilty to inserting a brief clip of a porno movie during the Super Bowl in 2009.

Also from Multichannel, Mike Reynolds writes that Golf Channel is adding five international tournaments to close out 2011.

Oh here we go again. There’s another silly carriage dispute and it involves Fox again. Remember last year’s Cablevision/Fox dispute that left the network off cable systems in New York and Philadelphia? Well, this time Fox is having a dispute with DirecTV and among the channels that could be pulled: FX, Fox Soccer & Fox Soccer Plus, Speed, Fuel and 19 Fox Sports Net regional channels. That’s just great. We get the latest from Alex Weprin from TV Newser.

John Ourand from Sports Business Daily also looks at the Fox/DirecTV dispute.

Phil Swann of TV Predictions has a suggestion on how to prevent these disputes in the future.

Richard Pagliaro of Tennis Magazine writes that ESPN has obtained the online rights of several women’s tennis tournaments.

Glenn Davis from SportsGrid has the video of Michigan State’s amazing Hail Mary pass to win last night’s game against Wisconsin.

At the Sox & Dawgs blog, good friend Ian Bethune has the full page ad former Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein placed thanking Red Sox fans.

Jeré Longman of the New York Times looks at Fox and Telemundo winning the World Cup bids.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks back at the 25th anniversary of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series from NBC’s point of view.

The great Bob Glauber of Newsday has a story on several NFL teams showing concern about being miked up for games and having their signals heard not only on TV, but by opposing teams.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick has the preposterous theory that the World Series is watered down.

Paul Tharp of the Post says the lure of tax breaks led NBC Sports to move its headquarters to Connecticut.

Harvey Zucker of the Jersey Journal reviews ESPN’s documentary on boxer Chuck Wepner, affectionately known as “The Bayonne Bleeder” and one who knocked down Muhammed Ali.

Tracee Hamilton of the Washington Post says the Nationals deserve a better TV deal.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Navy’s associate athletic director about allowing Showtime to film a year-long documentary on its rivalry with Army.

Mike Mooneyham from the Charleston (SC) Post & Courier looks at E:60′s profile of WWE wrestler Scott Hall.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times notes that Florida State and Tampa Bay Bucs radio voice Gene Deckerhoff is pulling off a unique double dip this weekend.

David Knox of the Birmingham (AL) News talks with ESPN college football analyst Ed Cunningham who is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Doug Demmons of the News says ESPN is pleased with its NASCAR Non-Stop Coverage.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says ESPN’s Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge got the job done during last night’s Texas Tech-Oklahoma game.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says CBS has relented and the market will get today’s Oakland-KC game and Carson Palmer’s Raiders debut.

John notes that Joe Morgan’s syndicated radio show has changed from a nightly program to weekends-only.

Kathleen Lavey from the Lansing (MI) State Journal writes about the crowd that showed up for ESPN’s College GameDay on the Michigan State campus yesterday.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks with ESPN College GameDay’s Lee Corso about how elaborate his headgear picks have become.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks with MLB Network host and Gateway City native Greg Amsinger.

Dan says Joe Buck’s voice rose to the occasion in last night’s World Series Game 3.

The Los Angeles Times’ Lisa Dillman says some soccer fans fear the Fox cross promotion for the World Cup.

Sports Media Watch says the SEC on CBS fell to near season-low ratings.

SMW says college football on ABC is way up this season.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Versus is having an up-and-down start to the NHL season.

Joe Favorito says Dan Wheldon’s death should not halt IRL’s initiatives to be more transparent with the public.

And we’ll end it there for today. The Sunday NFL pregame quotage will be posted throughout the day.

USC-Notre Dame Headlines NBC Sports Group College Football Tripleheader

On Saturday, NBC Sports airs the annual USC-Notre Dame game from the famed South Bend, IN campus in primetime. It headlines an NBC Sports Group college football tripleheader which begins with Versus airing an Ivy League matchup between Yale and Penn at noon ET followed by a Mountain West showdown between Boise State and Air Force.

Then NBC will carry USC-Notre Dame in the first primetime home game at Notre Dame Stadium since 1990. Tom Hammond, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan will be in South Bend for the annual Trojans-Fighting Irish game. The Irish hope to make a winning streak after breaking eight straight losses to USC in last year’s game at the LA Coliseum.

Here’s the NBC Sports Group press release.

NOTRE DAME-USC IN PRIMETIME HIGHLIGHTS NBC SPORTS GROUP TRIPLE-HEADER ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Coverage Begins on Saturday on VERSUS with Ivy League followed by Mountain West Match-up
“Everybody cares about this one, it’s not just regional.” – Doug Flutie on Notre Dame/USC Rivalry
“They are a BCS team from a talent perspective.” – Mike Mayock on Notre Dame

NEW YORK (October 20, 2011) – The NBC Sports Group will air a triple-header of college football games highlighted by Notre Dame’s first home primetime game in 21 years. Saturday’s primetime matchup on NBC will be the 83rd meeting between Notre Dame (4-2) and USC (5-1), regarded as the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football, and will mark the first night game at Notre Dame Stadium since a contest vs. Michigan in 1990. Last season, the Fighting Irish, who hold an all-time series lead of 43-34-5, snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Trojans with a 20-16 win at USC.

VERSUS’ Saturday coverage kicks-off at Noon when the Yale Bulldogs (3-2) taking on the Pennsylvania Quakers (3-2). The Quakers have won three in a row and will try to continue their winning streak against the Bulldogs. The network’s second game of the day will feature the undefeated No. 5 ranked Boise State Broncos (6-0) in a Mountain West battle with the Air Force Falcons (3-3) at 3:30 p.m. ET.

COMMENTATORS: NBC will team commentators Tom Hammond (play-by-play) with Mike Mayock (analyst) and Alex Flanagan (sideline reporter) for the Notre Dame coverage. Paul Burmeister will helm VERSUS’ Mountain West Conference coverage and will be joined by Shaun King as analyst and Anthony Herron as sideline analyst. Randy Moss will serve as the play-by-play announcer for all VERSUS Ivy League games and will be joined in the booth by Ross Tucker as lead analyst. Carolyn Manno will serve as in-game reporter. NBC and VERSUS will have an analyst reporting from the sidelines for all college football games to provide first-person analysis from the field and interact with the play-by-play and color announcers in the booth.

VERSUS will surround its college football game coverage this weekend with halftime reports and post-game coverage, from NBC’s Football Night in America studio (Studio 8G) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Additionally VERSUS will air a 30-minute pre-game show that will focus on the Notre Dame/USC game at 7 p.m. ET and will air a wrap up show at 11 p.m. ET. The coverage will be hosted by Liam McHugh with 1984 Heisman Trophy-winner Doug Flutie and Super Bowl champion and former NFL tight end Roland Williams serving as studio analysts. NBC will also present a halftime show featuring McHugh and Flutie providing scores and highlights.

MAYOCK ON THE TRADITION OF THE ND/USC GAME: “For me, history and tradition are really important. I stood there watching the band at USC [at their facility earlier this week]. Why am I watching the band? I came out of the USC football building the other day and the band was practicing and the fight song was going on, and I got chill bumps. I get chill bumps when the Notre Dame Fight Song goes on….I think there is inherent value in preserving these kinds of traditions.”

FLUTIE ON THE RIVALRY: “From a national standpoint, the interest involved in this is way larger. From East to West Coast, from Mid-west to West Coast, this creates a whole other level of interest nationwide. Everybody cares about this one, it’s not just regional.”

MAYOCK ON NOTRE DAME: “If Notre Dame gets consistent production and a clean game at the quarterback position, I think they are a BCS team from a talent perspective.”

TUCKER ON IVY LEAGUE: “The Quakers are looking to extend their 17 straight game Ivy League win streak while trying to set a record with a third straight undefeated Ivy campaign. The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Patrick Witt, a legitimate pro prospect who leads their high-powered offense.”

WILLIAMS ON MOUNTAIN WEST: “It seems Boise State is ready to soar. Led by quarterback Kellen Moore and his consistent receiving corps, look to see an impressive display of offensive football. For Air Force, it will be best to stay on the ground. Besides having to try to keep the Boise State offense off the field, Tim Jefferson and his triple-option offense will also need to produce points and limit turnovers to pull off the upset of the season.”

And I’m shutting down for the night. See you during the weekend.

College Football Viewing Picks For Week 8, 10/22/2011, All Times Pacific

Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College GameDay live from East Lansing, MI — ESPNU, 6 a.m./ESPN, 7 a.m.

9 a.m.
Cincinnati at South Florida — Big East Network

Indiana at Iowa — Big Ten Network

North Carolina at Clemson — ESPN
Illinois at Purdue — ESPN2
Jacksonville State at Kentucky — ESPNU
Northern Illinois at Buffalo — ESPN Plus

Kansas State at Kansas — Fox Sports Net (national)
Oklahoma State at Missouri — FX

Arkansas State at Ole Miss — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

Yale at Penn — Versus

9:30 a.m.
Wake Forest at Duke — ACC Network

11 a.m.
New Mexico at TCU — the mtn.

noon
College Football Countdown — ABC
College Football Today — CBS

Idado State at BYU — BYU TV

Louisiana Tech at Utah State — ESPN Plus

Boston College at Virginia Tech — Fox Sports Net (regional)

12:30 p.m.
Maryland at Florida State — ABC/ESPN2
Nebraska at Minnesota — ABC/ESPN2
Texas A&M at Iowa State — ABC

Auburn at LSU — CBS
East Carolina at Navy — CBS Sports Network

UNH vs. UMass at Foxboro, MA — Comcast SportsNet New England/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

Georgia Tech at Miami (FL) — ESPN
NC State at Virginia — ESPNU

Memphis at Tulane — Fox College Sports Central
Oregon at Colorado — Fox Sports Net (national)

Air Force at Boise State — Versus

1 p.m.
Fresno State at Nevada — WAC Sports Network

1:30 p.m.
Marshall at Houston — CSS

4 p.m.
College Football Scoreboard — ESPN

Penn State at Northwestern — Big Ten Network

Army at Vanderbilt — ESPNU

Tulsa at Rice — Fox Sports Net (national)

4:15 p.m.
Tennessee at Alabama — ESPN2

4:30 p.m.
USC at Notre Dame — NBC

5 p.m.
ABC Coverage Map
Texas Tech at Oklahoma — ABC
Washington at Stanford — ABC

SMU at Southern Mississippi — CBS Sports Network

Wisconsin at Michigan State — ESPN

7:30 p.m.
Oregon State vs. Washington State at Seattle, WA — Fox Sports Net (national)

Putting Together A Few Thursday Links

I’ll give you some linkage. Won’t be able to give you a whole set, but I’ll give you what I can as I have to do the Friday features, Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks, College Football Viewing Picks, NFL Viewing Picks and Weekend Viewing Picks tonight. I won’t be able to blog extensively on Friday as I’ll be away from my computer, but I will have my iPad to post any important press releases and breaking news as necessary.

But for now, this is what we have.

Sports Business Daily notes the lower ratings for Fox for World Series Game 1 on Wednesday, but more importantly, it won the night for the network.

SBD also looks at the media fallout from Bryant Gumbel’s comments on HBO’s Real Sports earlier this week in regards to NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today wonders if the 2011 World Series is on track to become the lowest rated World Series ever.

The Big Lead notes that Fox’s Tim McCarver knew how to spell S-T-R-I-K-E, but didn’t know how many letters there were.

Lindsay Rubino of Broadcasting & Cable notes that Fox won the night in the 18-49 demographic thanks to the World Series.

Phil Swann of TV Predictions says Fox’s HD picture of World Series Game 1 was much improved from the American League Championship Series.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the NHL has signed a rights deal to have all of its games streamed in Scandinavia. This is after ESPN America lost the rights to air NHL games across Europe.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that the NFL is the king of the TV ratings heap.

Dan Shanoff writes a guest column for CNBC’s Darren Rovell about the NFL’s new Venture Capital fund.

The U.S. Open and the United States Tennis Association are looking to add another day to the tournament and ending it on a Monday. CBS is considering the change.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group notes that NBC is putting the infrastructure in place to ensure a smooth brand transition from Versus to NBC Sports Network.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call can’t believe Two and a Half Men actually beat the NFL in the ratings thus far.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says Fox is concerned about winning the night, not low ratings projections for the World Series.

The Orlando Sentinel has a primer on how fans can watch tonight’s Central Florida-UAB game.

From the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn writes that local ratings for the World Series were not as good as St. Louis’.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that E:60 did a piece on a local woman whose husband had to work on her after a bicycle accident.

George Hesselberg at the Wisconsin State Journal notes that outgoing MLB Commissioner Bud Selig got a sweetheart deal from the University of Wisconsin to use an office to write his memoirs and so he can also watch MLB Network which is usually not available on campus.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Game 1 of the World Series ended too quickly for Fox’s liking.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the US TV bidding for the 2018/’22 World Cups.

Tom has your football schedule for the weekend complete with pictures of his new sweetheart, ESPN’s Jenn Brown.

Sports Media Watch has the final ratings of this year’s League Championship Series.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Versus got low viewership for Colorado-Toronto on Monday.

Steve has some ideas for NHL Overtime on Versus.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has video of Joe Buck apologizing to America before last night’s World Series Game 1. Joe Buck is such as a jerk.

I have to end it there. I keep getting interrupted and I can’t anything done. Back later.

It’s Been Way Too Long Without Linkage

I appreciate you still visiting Fang’s Bites as I’ve been trying to keep the site updated for you. Linkage has been scarce since Sunday. Been busy helping my sister with her son and then I was out for most of the morning.

Time to provide you with some linkage.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says Fox Sports will be using infra-red technology during the World Series.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes the MLB teams that topped their local markets in the TV ratings.

Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk looks at Bryant Gumbel’s controversial commentary about NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing says while Gumbel’s “plantation overseer” comment is what’s driving controversy, it’s Stern himself who’s stirring the pot.

Robert Littal at Black Sports Online is uncomfortable with Gumbel’s commentary.

Lauren Schutte of the Hollywood Reporter has a look at Stephen Colbert’s mock ad on the NBA lockout.

George Winslow from Broadcasting & Cable says the Big 12 Conference has chosen a company to help develop mobile apps for the iPhone and Android platforms.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that ESPN scored a key demographic win for Monday Night Football.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek says low ratings for the MLB League Championship Series isn’t providing much hope for the World Series.

Anthony also looks at the breakdown of talks between the NFL and Time Warner Cable for the NFL Network.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid says while people are talking about Bryant Gumbel’s comments about NBA Commissioner David Stern, there’s another unflattering analogy about him floating around the internet today.

Joe Gisondi of the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center has some suggestions on how to write a proper lead and how to avoid writing clichés.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group says Fox Sports Midwest is trying to set itself apart among the outlets covering this year’s World Series.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the two Lone Star State businessmen behind the Texas Rangers.

To Pro Hockey Talk and Mike Halford who says the Winnipeg Jets are blown away by the local media coverage particularly today in Toronto as compared to when they were the Atlanta Thrashers.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the byes in NFL Week 7 are leaving Fox with scraps.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes that Fox’s Joe Buck doesn’t care if you think he’s biased for one team or another.

From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that former DC NFL Team quarterback Joe Theismann isn’t in favor of John Beck starting this week over train wreck Rex Grossman. This is why Joe was such a bad analyst.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says ESPN on ABC correctly covered Dan Wheldon’s death and subsequent tribute on Sunday.

To the Houston Chronicle where Anna-Megan Raley shows us how Texans tight end Joel Dreessen took down an NFL Network analyst.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says the Fox Sports crew is looking forward to airing its 14th World Series.

Mel notes that college football topped the local ratings.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the local CBS affiliate won’t carry Carson Palmer’s Oakland Raiders debut on Sunday.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has some sports TV notes including the World Series ratings expectations.

Ed also compares the fates and fortunes of the Cubs and Cardinals as the World Series begins tonight.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that both Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are almost back at full strength after separate physical ailments.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Fox won’t be displaying a live strike zone graphic as TBS did during its MLB Postseason coverage.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says like it or not, Don Cherry’s influence on Canadian hockey cannot be measured.

Sports Media Watch notes that CBS finally broke out of its NFL ratings losing streak in Week 5.

SMW says in NFL Week 5, Fox saw a ratings downtick.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that Versus/NBC Sports Network will begin airing Notre Dame hockey games this season.

And that will do it for links today.

Bringing Out The Sunday Links

Let’s provide the links on this Sunday.

Tim Goodman in the Hollywood Reporter writes about how the MLB Postseason remains compelling even without big market teams.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News notes that Game 4 of the National League Championship Series became the third most watched NLCS game on cable.

John Eggerton of Multichannel says DirecTV will air the first ever 3D production of pro bull riding.

Mike says Golf Channel is off to record ratings for the PGA Tour’s Fall Series.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel notes that ESPN has closed its Content Development department which was responsible for its critically acclaimed “30 for 30″ series.

The Big Lead notes that ESPN.com college football reporter Pat Forde is leaving to join Yahoo! Sports.

Barry Janoff of The Big Lead writes that the NHL is now red hot for marketers.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says ESPN will not discipline New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica for an anti-President Obama piece.

From Media Bistro’s Agency Spy site, Kiran Aditham wonders which agency won the NBC Sports account.

In Sports Media Journal, Southern New England media mogul Keith Thibault delves into the controversial Boston Globe piece on the collapse of the Red Sox.

Matthew Holehouse of the London (UK) Telegraph looks at ESPN UK’s new virtual studio for its English Premier League broadcasts.

The Hartford Courant says both the State of Connecticut and NBC are not commenting about reports that NBC Sports could be moving its headquarters to Stamford.

To the New York Post where Phil Mushnick has some suggestions for the TV networks.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call speaks with former CNN Sports Tonight co-host Fred Hickman about his friend, the late Nick Charles.

Neal Zoren of the Delaware County Times says a retired Philadelphia sportscaster will have new book coming out this week.

The Washington Post’s Reliable Source column notes that ESPN’s Lindsay Czarniak tied the knot with an MSNBC anchor.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has a few sports media tidbits.

The Miami Herald says E:60 will have a feature on a WWE wrestler who’s been locked in a battle outside of the ring.

Tommy Stevenson of the Tuscaloosa (AL) News says sports television coverage of this year’s devastating tornado has showed the city’s resilience to the nation.

George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press notes that ESPN’s College GameDay will be on the Michigan State campus this week.

Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times looks at HBO Sports tapping the Showtime ranks for its new division president.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog replies to a blogger who wants the CBC to be privatized and no longer be funded by the government.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog notes the passing of a Canadian sportswriter.

Sports Media Watch says the ratings for the NLCS are improving, but still down from last year.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media goes off the beaten path and says realignment in college football could mean some good things for Versus/NBC Sports Network.

Awful Announcing introduces the Dick Stockton Chronicles.

And that will do it for today.

Versus Airs An Ivy League/Pac-12 College Football Doubleheader

On Versus Saturday, the NBC-run network will air two college football games, one involving the Ivy League and the other from the Pac-12 Conference. At 3:30 p.m. ET, Penn takes on winless Columbia at Wien Stadium in New York. Then at 4:30 p.m. PT, it’ll be the unbeaten Stanford Cardinal with Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Andrew Luck take on Washington State.

Randy Moss of NBC Sports/NFL Network will call the Penn-Columbia game with Ross Tucker and the lovely Carolyn Manno of Comcast SportsNet New England on the sidelines.

Then Ted Robinson, Glen Parker and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila will be in Pullman, WA to call the Stanford-Washington State. Here are the details from Versus for its college football doubleheader.

ANDREW LUCK LEADS #7 STANFORD AGAINST WASHINGTON STATE THIS SATURDAY AT 7:30 PM ET ON VERSUS

Ivy League match-up Penn at Columbia Begins at 3:30 p.m. ET
“This may prove to be the toughest obstacle of the season so far for the Cardinal.” – Roland Williams
“The Quakers are in the midst of one of the best winning streaks in Ivy League history.” – Ross Tucker

NEW YORK – For the second consecutive week, VERSUS will feature Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, one of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates, as he leads the No. 7 Cardinal (5-0) against Washington State (3-2) this Saturday night in primetime at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game is the second in a NBC Sports Group doubleheader that kicks off on VERSUS at 3:30 p.m. ET when the Columbia Lions (0-4) host the Penn Quakers (2-2) at Wien Stadium in New York.

The undefeated Cardinal are on a tear after recently steamrolling Colorado 48-7 in last week’s game and will look to continue their winning streak against the Cougars, who recently lost a close game against UCLA. Columbia is still in search of their first win this season. After two initial losses, Pennsylvania has turned their season around with recent wins against Dartmouth and Fordham.

COMMENTATORS: Randy Moss will serve as the play-by-play announcer for all VERSUS Ivy League games and is joined in the booth by Ross Tucker as lead analyst. Carolyn Manno will serve as in-game reporter. Ted Robinson and Glenn Parker will lead VERSUS’ Pac-12 Conference coverage as play-by-play announcer and analyst, respectively. They will be joined by Akbar Gbaja-Biamila on the field as the sideline analyst. NBC and VERSUS will have an analyst reporting from the sidelines for all college football games to provide first-person analysis from the field and interact with the play-by-play and color announcers in the booth.

VERSUS will surround its college football game coverage this weekend with a pre-game studio show, as well as halftime reports and post-game coverage, from NBC’s Football Night in America studio (Studio 8G) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The pre-game show begins this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, and will be hosted by Liam McHugh with 1984 Heisman Trophy-winner Doug Flutie and Super Bowl champion and former NFL tight end Roland Williams serving as studio analysts.

WILLIAMS ON STANFORD: “This may prove to be the toughest obstacle of the season so far for the Cardinal.”

WILLIAMS ON WASHINGTON STATE: “The Cougars are significantly improved from a year ago, especially on their home field. They have a pretty good passing attack, which may help them exploit the Cardinal’s biggest weakness; pass defense.”

PARKER ON PAC-12: “Washington State’s offense will be a test for Stanford’s defense. We might see a shootout.”

TUCKER ON COLUMBIA: “Head Coach Norries Wilson has done a nice job rebuilding the Lions back to respectability in recent years but they have gotten off to a slow start this season. Defensively they have struggled against the run but their pass rush has been ferocious and is a real strength. Josh Martin leads the Lions from his outside linebacker spot.”

More later.

College Football Viewing Picks For Week 7, 10/15/2011, All Times Eastern

Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College GameDay live from Eugene, OR — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 p.m.

noon
Louisville at Cincinnati – Big East Network

Purdue at Penn State — Big Ten Network

UNH at William & Mary — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Comcast SportsNet New England/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

Michigan at Michigan State — ESPN
Indiana at Wisconsin — ESPN2
Utah at Pittsburgh — ESPNU
Toledo at Bowling Green — ESPN Plus

Baylor at Texas A&M — FX

South Carolina at Mississippi State — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

12:30 p.m.
Miami (FL) at North Carolina — ACC Network

3 p.m.
College Football Countdown — ABC
College Football Today — CBS

Florida State at Duke — Fox Sports Net (regional)

3:30 p.m.
Ohio State at Illinois — ABC/ESPN
Oklahoma State at Texas — ABC/ESPN

South Florida at UConn — Big East Network

LSU at Tennessee — CBS

UMass at Delaware — Comcast SportsNet New England/The Comcast Network (Philadelphia)

Georgia Tech at Virginia — ESPNU

Colorado at Washington — Fox College Sports Atlantic
UTEP at Tulane — Fox College Sports Central
Central Florida at SMU — Fox Sports Net (national)

Penn at Columbia — Versus

4 p.m.
BYU at Oregon State — Fox College Sports Pacific

6 p.m.
Alabama at Ole Miss — ESPN2

Boise State at Colorado State — the mtn.

7 p.m.
Northwestern at Iowa — Big Ten Network

Florida at Auburn — ESPN
Clemson at Maryland — ESPNU

Kansas State at Texas Tech — Fox Sports Net (national)
Georgia at Vanderbilt — Fox Sports Net (regional)

7:30 p.m.
Stanford at Washington State — Versus

8 p.m.
UAB at Tulsa — CBS Sports Network

9:15 p.m.
Oklahoma at Kansas — ESPN2

10:15 p.m.
Arizona State at Oregon — ESPN/ESPN 3D

Bringing Out The Thursday Links

Wednesday was a lost cause for me as I was away from the office all day and spending time with my week old nephew in Boston. I helped my sister out with a few things as she’s dealing with her first child. There will be days like that on the blog for the next few weeks so please be patient. For the next time that occurs, I’ll do my best to write features ahead of time so the blog won’t be completely bare like it was Wednesday.

Let’s do the links.

Sports Business Daily addresses the fallout of the Boston Globe article on the Red Sox September swoon authored by Bob Hohler, but seemingly came directly from the Red Sox front office on the collapse of the team and the sullying of former manager Terry Francona.

Current’s Keith Olbermann, a friend of Terry Francona, comes to the ex-Red Sox manager’s defense and fires back at Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino.

Nate Davis of USA Today writes that CBS NFL analyst Phil Simms once talked with the late Raiders owner Al Davis to become a coach of the team.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has Fox Sports less than bullish on using Hank Williams, Jr. on any of its programming.

From the ESPN Ombudsman, Jason Fry and Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute give their take on ESPN’s handling of the Hank Williams, Jr. mess.

Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated says soccer insiders are very interested in seeing whether ESPN or NBC Sports Group wins the bidding for the 2018/2022 World Cups.

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand handicaps the World Cup rights race.

Lindsay Powers of the Hollywood Reporter says a rain delay in the American League Championship Series last night ended up hurting Fox in the primetime ratings.

Timothy Burke at SportsGrid notes that Tim McCarver was proven tremendously wrong during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says a dominant Jimmie Johnson is not good for NASCAR.

ESPN PR man Nate Smeltz in the ESPN Front Row blog tells us how the network will replace NBA games in the first two weeks of the canceled regular season.

Patrick Bernard of the Stamford (CT) Patch wonders if NBC Sports will move its operations to Stamford, CT.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir feels the NBA season could stand to lose some more games.

From the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record, Ken McMillan says Army’s basketball season opener will be aired live on CBS Sports Network.

Paul J. Gough of the Pittsburgh Business Times writes that the Pirates will have a new radio flagship next season.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says the Nationals have hired a consultant to help them get fair market value from MASN for their TV rights.

Dan Kausler, Jr. of the Birmingham (AL) News talks with ESPN’s BCS guru about Alabama and LSU.

Greg Auman at the St. Petersburg Times speaks with ESPN’s Urban Meyer about his coaching future and his work at the Alleged Worldwide Leader.

In the Daily Oklahoman, Mel Bracht says this year’s renewal of the annual Red River Shootout did monster ratings in Oklahoma City.

The Indiana Pacers and Fox Sports Indiana have announced that Brooke Olzendam (Collins) will be the team’s new host/sideline reporter of its broadcasts if and when the season gets underway.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that Fox Sports Wisconsin is keeping mostly mum on losing Bucks games.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Times has a look at the football TV schedule, both college and pro for this week.

Tom quotes Lakers legend Jerry West on the late broadcaster Chick Hearn.

J.J. Fidler of the Grunion (CA) Gazette writes about a local woman who has hit the big time with Fox.

The Oregonian reports that ESPN has chosen the spot on the University of Oregon campus from where ESPN’s College GameDay will air live this Saturday.

The Thoroughbred Times notes that ESPN will air a documentary on ill-fated Triple Crown candidate Charismatic.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR seems to be finally picking up from its 2010 ratings woes.

SMW notes that this year’s American League Championship Series got a ratings boost from Game 3 on Tuesday night.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Tuesday’s edition of NHL Overtime on Versus almost became Fight Night.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing says Terry Francona’s too brief gig with should have taught the networks something staying about the status quo.

Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth notes that three Midwestern radio stations had interesting local baseball-football doubleheaders over a two day span last week.

And that’s where we’ll end things for now. I’ll do my best to catch up with the press releases.

Bringing Out The Tuesday Links

Let’s do some links for you now.

First, Sports Business Journal’s editorial team talked with ESPN and NFL executives on the decision to remove Hank Williams, Jr.’s open from Monday Night Football.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today looks at the ratings from the weekend in sports television.

Mike Lopresti of USA Today writes about Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson’s tough month.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today notes that Hank Williams, Jr.’s new song rips ESPN, Fox News and everyone else in his path.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy notes that several ex-NHL fighters plan a response to CBC’s Don Cherry who called them out last week.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch says former Red Sox manager Terry Francona got the job done for Fox in Games 1 & 2 of the American League Championship Series.

Lindsay Powers of the Hollywood Reporter says ESPN’s Monday Night Football game between Chicago and Detroit is the network’s 2nd highest rated game of the year.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that the NBA’s national and local TV partners are now scrambling to find other programming in the wake of the cancellation of the 1st two weeks of the regular season.

Todd Spangler of Multichannel News says YES Network is not happy over Cablevision’s live iPad app.

Adweek’s Anthony Crupi writes that ESPN/ABC and TNT will have to find a way to replace almost a billion dollars in ad revenue if the entire 2011-12 NBA season is lost.

Andrew McMains from Adweek looks at Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash spending the NBA lockout as a pitchman.

Media Life Magazine’s Toni Fitzgerald says the ALCS and NLCS helped to take a chunk out of the network ratings on Monday.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports says the Big East feels ESPN definitely had a hand in its current inner turmoil.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid notes a sign in Detroit that made fun of an ESPN NFL analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Jason Dachman from Sports Video Group both broadcasters and production companies know they’re going to take a hit with the NBA lockout.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell gets Twitter reaction from real people about the impact of the NBA lockout on their lives.

Richard Goldstein of the New York Times remembers the late ABC, CBS and Fox Sports director Joe Aceti who worked many of sports’ biggest events.

Newsday’s Neil Best feels Joe Buck’s voice is coming back.

Neil says Terry Francona shows potential if he wants to be a full-time TV analyst.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the Week 7 college football TV schedule.

From the Washington Post, the DC Sports Bog’s Dan Steinberg has an old picture of Tim Brant and former DC NFL team QB Joe Theismann from a 1980 media guide.

David Teel from the Newport News (VA) Daily Press has Virginia and Virginia Tech athletic officials refuting what Boston College’s athletic director said about ESPN influencing the ACC’s decision to add Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle has some local football TV ratings.

John Kiesewette of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Bengals hit their season ratings low on Sunday.

John says Fox Sports Ohio will pick up a good number of Xavier basketball games this season.

Eric Lacy of the Detroit News says preliminary ratings show both the Tigers and Lions pulled big numbers on Monday.

Jo-Ann Barnas of the Detroit Free Press goes behind the scenes with ESPN’s Monday Night Football at Ford Field.

The Free Press has three questions for Fox Sports Detroit MLB analyst Rod Allen.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NBA broadcasters are officially on lockout watch.

Bob looks at the national numbers for the Green Bay-Atlanta Sunday Night Football game.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business hopes to have the NBA back by Christmas. Good luck.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times’ Company Town blog says NBA labor strife doesn’t help its local and national TV partners.

The Los Angeles Times notes that the USC Trojans have announced their basketball TV schedule.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog asks if Don Cherry went too far.

Sports Media Watch notes that Game 1 of the National League Championship Series hit its lowest ratings ever.

SMW has some various overnight ratings.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has the final numbers for the NHL opening night on Versus.

Steve also has last Friday’s ratings for the NHL’s Europe game on Versus.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has the video of Joe Buck’s call of Texas’ walkoff win against Detroit in Game 2 of the ALCS on Monday.

And that’s where we’ll end things for today.

Versus Airs A Special on The Bruins Banner Raising Ceremony

On Wednesday, Versus airs a half-hour special on last week’s Championship Banner Raising Ceremony at the TD Garden in Boston as the Bruins put the final cap on its 2011 season.

The special will look at the Bruins return to the TD Garden, the preparations to get the banner ready and will also delve into what the Stanley Cup Championship meant to the City of Boston.

This will lead into the Bruins game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Here’s the press release from Versus.

VERSUS PRESENTS INSIDE THE BOSTON BRUINS BANNER RAISING SPECIAL WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 P.M. ET

Special Behind-the-Scenes Tribute to Defending Stanley Cup Champs Precedes VERSUS’ First Exclusive Wednesday Night ‘Game of the Week’ Featuring Boston at Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET
Tim Thomas, Shawn Thornton and Brad Marchand Featured

NEW YORK (October 11, 2011) — VERSUS will air a special inside look at the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins tomorrow night from 6:30-7 p.m. ET, during the second half of the network’s new studio show, NBC SportsTalk, which airs weeknights from 6-7 p.m. ET. NHL Live will air immediately after the Bruins special at 7 p.m. ET, followed by VERSUS’ first exclusive Wednesday night Game of the Week when the Bruins face the Carolina Hurricanes live from Raleigh, N.C., at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The half-hour special will feature behind-the-scenes access for the Bruins’ triumphant return to TD Garden on Thursday, October 6, for the banner raising and championship ring ceremonies as well as the team’s three-day journey leading into opening night as the Bruins prepare to defend the Stanley Cup this season.

The show will focus on Boston’s history as one of America’s most fervent hockey towns and will highlight how the Bruins used hard work and determination to overcome many obstacles on their way to winning the city’s first Stanley Cup in 39 years. It will also draw parallels with Bobby Orr’s two championships in the 1970s and the city’s passion for the sport that was rejuvenated by the 2011 championship team. The special also features exclusive interviews with the player that emerged as the heart and soul of the team last season, goaltender Tim Thomas, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy for Most Valuable Player in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Thomas’ career will be followed from the University of Vermont, to playing in the minors and around Europe, to finally becoming an elite goalie in the NHL.

Forward Shawn Thornton and Head Coach Claude Julien were wired for sound during the Bruins practices leading up to opening night and will be featured in the show along with one of the Bruin’s youngest talents, Brad Marchand. Additional vignettes will include the team’s summer with the Cup as well as interviews from other Bruins players and local fans.

NBC SportsTalk, hosted by Russ Thaler, will begin at 6 p.m. ET and break down all the topics that are dominating the sports world. It will enlist talent from all NBC Sports Group platforms to join Thaler, including commentators and reporters from NBC Sports, NBCSports.com, VERSUS, Golf Channel and NBC Sports Group’s 11 regional sports networks. On select Wednesday nights throughout the NHL season, the second half of the show will be dedicated solely to hockey.

That’s going to do it.

NBC Sports Group With Two College Football Games on Saturday

NBC has its usual Notre Dame home game while Versus is out to the left coast to air a Pac-12 conference game. Take a look at what the NBC Sports Group is saying about the NBC/Versus doubleheader tomorrow.

ANDREW LUCK LEADS #7 STANFORD AGAINST COLORADO IN PRIMETIME ON VERSUS THIS SATURDAY AT 7:30 PM ET

Notre Dame Hosts Air Force on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET
“Notre Dame is coming off their most comprehensive effort in the season against Purdue.” – Mike Mayock
“What is most impressive about Stanford is how good each player is. They are humble and dedicated – everything you would want your son to be.” – Glenn Parker

NEW YORK (October 6, 2011) – Andrew Luck, Stanford’s celebrated senior quarterback and a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, leads the No. 7 Cardinal (4-0) against Pac-12 newcomers Colorado (1-4) this Saturday night in primetime at 7:30 p.m. ET on VERSUS. The game is the second in a NBC Sports Group doubleheader that kicks off on NBC at 3:30 p.m. ET when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2) hosts the Air Force Falcons (3-1).

After a slow start this season, Notre Dame has won three straight games, including a recent 38-10 blowout victory over Purdue on Oct. 1. The Falcons are coming off a thrilling overtime win over Navy (35-34) last weekend. The Colorado Buffaloes have had a rocky start to the season and now face their toughest opponent to date, the undefeated Stanford Cardinal who is looking for its fifth win in a row.

COMMENTATORS – NBC will team commentators Tom Hammond (play-by-play) with Mike Mayock (analyst) and Alex Flanagan (sideline reporter) for the Notre Dame coverage. Ted Robinson and Glenn Parker will lead VERSUS’ Pac-12 Conference coverage as play-by-play announcer and analyst, respectively. They will be joined by Akbar Gbaja-Biamila on the field as the sideline analyst. NBC and VERSUS will have an analyst reporting from the sidelines for all college football games to provide first-person analysis from the field and interact with the play-by-play and color announcers in the booth.

VERSUS will surround its college football game coverage this weekend with a pre-game studio show, as well as halftime reports and post-game coverage, from NBC’s Football Night in America studio (Studio 8G) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The pre-game show begins this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, and will be hosted by Liam McHugh with 1984 Heisman Trophy-winner Doug Flutie and Super Bowl champion and former NFL tight end Roland Williams serving as studio analysts. NBC will also present a halftime show featuring McHugh and Flutie providing scores and highlights.

WILLIAMS ON ANDREW LUCK: “Andrew Luck is the total package. His ability to take apart man zone defenses already has him pegged as a player that would have an impact in the NFL.”

WILLIAMS ON NOTRE DAME: “Notre Dame looks to continue its momentum after an important road win versus Purdue last week. It seems a few things are clear: the Fighting Irish have found their quarterback in Tommy Rees, and the running game is a viable threat with the emergence of running back Cierre Wood.”

MAYOCK ON AIR FORCE: “An incredibly disciplined and tough Air Force Academy team, their offense is multiple; including an ability to run many forms of options, but also throw the football, with a very talented quarterback in Tim Jefferson. Don’t forget the last time Air Force visited South Bend, they walked out of the stadium with a big win in 2007.”

WILLIAMS ON AIR FORCE: “For Air Force, its opportunity lies in the hands of its senior quarterback Tim Jefferson. Expect Air Force to keep this game close.”

PARKER ON COLORADO: “Coach Embree is bringing a new attitude to Colorado, he has come in saying it will be hard and that he requires discipline and no one will get a free pass, and he is following through on those words. He is drawing a line in the sand for his kids. Embree is making all the right moves for the entire program and for that school.”

I think I’ll post one more press release coming up.

College Football Viewing Picks For Week 6, 10/08/2011, All Times Eastern

Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College GameDay live from Dallas, Texas — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 a.m.

noon
Oklahoma vs. Texas at Dallas, TX — ABC

UConn at West Virginia — Big East Network

Minnesota at Purdue — ESPN
Louisville at North Carolina — ESPN2
Maryland at Georgia Tech — ESPNU

Mississippi State at UAB — Fox Sports Net (national)

Kentucky at South Carolina — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

12:30 p.m.
Florida State at Wake Forest — ACC Network

Memphis at Rice — CSS

2:30 p.m.
Illinois at Indiana — Big Ten Network

3 p.m.
College Football Today — CBS

Boston College at Clemson — Fox Sports Net (regional)

3:30 p.m.
Iowa at Penn State — ABC/ESPN
Miami (FL) at Virginia Tech — ABC/ESPN
Missouri at Kansas State — ABC

Florida at LSU — CBS
Southern Mississippi at Navy — CBS Sports Network

Maine at James Madison — Comcast SportsNet New England/CSS/The Comcast Network

Pittsburgh at Rutgers — ESPNU

Arizona at Oregon State — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Arizona State at Utah — Fox Sports Net (national)

Air Force at Notre Dame — NBC

6 p.m.
Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona — Fox College Sports Pacific

7 p.m.
Michigan at Northwestern — Big Ten Network

East Carolina at Houston — CBS Sports Network

Auburn at Arkansas — ESPN
Georgia at Tennessee — ESPN2
Vanderbilt at Alabama — ESPNU

Iowa State at Baylor — Fox Sports Net (national)
Texas A&M at Texas Tech — FX

7:30 p.m.
Colorado at Stanford — Versus

8 p.m.
Ohio State at Nebraska — ABC

10:15 p.m.
San Jose State at BYU — ESPNU

10:30 p.m.
TCU at San Diego State — CBS Sports Network

Washington State at UCLA — Fox Sports Net (national)

The NHL on Versus Premieres Tonight

Ok, this continues the hockey posts that have begun our blogging day. Tonight, the NHL on Versus begins the NBC Sports Group’s 10 year contract with the National Hockey League. And it starts with an Opening Night doubleheader with the defending Stanley Cup Champions Boston Bruins raising their banner to the rafters and hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Then following the game, it’ll be the Pittsburgh Penguins heading to Western Conference Champs, the Vancouver Canucks. Hopefully, idiots won’t riot in Vancouver like they did back in June.

Versus’ coverage begins at 6:30 with NHL Live and then Mike Emrick and Eddie Olcyzk will be in the Boston to call the Flyers-B’s game. Dave Strader and Brian Engblom will be in Vancouver for the Pens-Canucks.

Details of Versus’ coverage plus highlights of an NBC Sports Group media conference call previewing the season are below.

NBC SPORTS GROUP DROPS THE PUCK ON NHL 2011-12 SEASON TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. ET

Coverage Begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live
Stanley Cup Champion Bruins Host Flyers Followed by Penguins at Canucks
“This is fun for us. The 95th year of the NHL is about to begin and we get a double-header on opening night. All of it is thrilling.” – Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick
“We love the fact that the season starts in Boston for the raising of the banner on Thursday night.” – Sam Flood, Executive Producer

NEW YORK — The NBC Sports Group drops the puck on the NHL season tonight, with a double-header on VERSUS when the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the 2011 Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at 10 p.m. ET. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live, the network’s studio show.

The team of Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) will call the action in Boston with Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside the Glass’ analyst) calling the game from Vancouver. Host Liam McHugh, analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones begin their second season together covering intermissions as well as pre- and post-game on NHL Live.

The action continues on VERSUS with NHL Premiere™ Games, two overseas games live from Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday as the New York Rangers take on the Los Angeles Kings at 1 p.m. ET and Saturday when the Rangers battle the Anaheim Ducks at 1 p.m. ET.

OUTLOOK ON THE SEASON

EDDIE OLCZYK ON KINGS CHANCES FOR IMPROVEMENT THIS SEASON: “I really think that the LA Kings are on the verge of really taking that next step and I would be really disappointed if they didn’t take that next step. Not a lot of people are talking about the LA Kings. So to me, I think that they’re one of those teams in the Western Conference that has really a legitimate chance to get to the Western Conference final this season.”

PIERRE MCGUIRE ON SAN JOSE TAKING THE NEXT STEP: “I think they’ve done an unbelievable job if you look at their depth down the middle especially acquiring Michal Handzus in the offseason and the development of Logan Couture. I think everybody knows what Joe Thornton’s about. And then you look at going out and getting Brent Burns and Martin Havlat. Burns has had a spectacular training camp for San Jose. I’ve watched San Jose a lot this preseason. He’s been excellent and they needed to upgrade their speed quotient. They’ve done that by getting Havlat. But I think the biggest question for San Jose is their goaltending situation especially with the injuries.”

MIKE MILBURY ON THE CAPITALS DO OR DIE SEASON: “I think there’s got to be a couple of bulls eyes in my opinion. And yes, Bruce Boudreau is certainly going to have scrutiny on what he does. But it’s time for Alex Ovechkin, one of the great players in the game and one of the great hard workers in the game, to work with the intelligence that’s necessary to be effective.”

MCGUIRE ON LIGHTNING COMPETING WITH THE CAPITALS FOR THE DIVISION TITLE: “Part of the reason why is the Stamkos factor. The other part of the reason why is the Boucher factor. I think when you do a tale of the tape and you breakdown coaches, you breakdown impact players, you breakdown depth on defense, they have a real chance of doing that.”

MCGUIRE ON SABRES BEING AN INTRIUGING TEAM: “Buffalo was so close for so long but then they had to lose all their key components like Drury, like Briere. They don’t have to do that anymore. And I love where this thing is going. And Buffalo is going to cause a lot of heartache. They’re going to cause a lot of heartache.”

OLCZYK ON THE RED WINGS: “[They’ll be] right where they always are. Always competing for the conference, always competing for a division championship. You know, it’s amazing the consistency aspect of it. It’s amazing of looking at their roster and seeing some players that maybe are on the back nine or maybe have had a tough time.”

The NBC Sports Group will offer hockey fans more coverage than ever before during the 2011-12 NHL regular season. The schedule is highlighted by 100 regular-season games across NBC and VERSUS, which will be re-branded the NBC Sports Network midway through the season on January 2; expanded exclusive cable coverage, including Wednesday and Sunday nights, and live 30-minute pre- and post-game shows for every game on VERSUS; the Winter Classic on January 2 between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers and the return of Hockey Day in America on NBC and NHL All-Star Weekend on VERSUS; the introduction of a Thanksgiving Friday NBC broadcast; and national distribution of all Stanley Cup Playoff games.

NBC commences its broadcast coverage earlier than ever with a special original-six match-up on Friday, November 25, at 1 p.m. ET, the day after Thanksgiving. The Stanley Cup Champion Bruins will host the 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings live from the TD Bank Garden in Boston. NBC will once again air the much-anticipated 2012 NHL Winter Classic® on Monday, January 2, at 1 p.m. ET, when the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers live from Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

I do have one more hockey post for you.

It’s a Mid-Week Link Thing!

It’s Wednesday already? Goodness. Seemed like I was at the Rhode Island Convention Center just this week for an all-day seminar. Oh wait! I was. Anyway, let’s get to your linkage.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today feels that ESPN should pull Hank Williams, Jr. from Monday Night Football pronto.

Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center that Williams gave ESPN one huge headache right from the start.

Brian Lowry from Fox Sports writes that the Hank Williams, Jr. mess shows that ESPN can’t handle controversy.

The great Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated has his Media Power List for October. A good list it is.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter writes that NBC Sports Group is now going all in on hockey as its new 10 year contract with the NHL begins on Thursday.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says TBS is pulling a ratings rally as the MLB Postseason kicks into high gear.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has pictures of some of the female athletes who posed nude for ESPN The Magazine’s Body issue.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid has a picture of curmudgeon Woody Paige as a young writer in the mid-1970′s.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the name of Michael Rubin should become familiar with sports fans very soon.

Darren mentions that Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers’ jersey is a high seller while Tim Tebow’s sales are crashing.

Comcast SportsNet New England’s Sean McAdam breaks the news that former Red Sox manager Terry Francona will be a guest analyst for Fox on the American League Championship Series.

The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn writes that 98.5 The Sports Hub won the local sports radio wars in the latest ratings book.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with TBS analyst John Smoltz who has been hitting out of the park with his work on the Tigers-Yankees series.

Neil notes that ESPN’s E:60 is celebrating a milestone tonight.

And Neil says the Cardinals’ Albert Pujols isn’t a fan of the Yankees playing in primetime.

James C. McKinley, Jr. and Richard Sandomir of the New York Times report that Madonna is being considered as the halftime act for Super Bowl XLVI on NBC. Holiday! Celebrate!

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette writes that the local AHL team will be carried on the ESPN Radio affiliate.

Ken reports that Versus aka NBC Sports Network will be airing Notre Dame hockey games this season.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union is not a fan of TBS covering the League Division Series.

Pete has the college football TV schedule for this weekend.

Pete notes that this is the first NFL week with the dreaded “byes” in effect.

Evan Weiner in the New Jersey Newsroom asks if freedom of speech even exists in sports.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that Tony Kornheiser for the most part hates his radio station’s podcast policy. Don’t ever change, Mr. Tony.

Dan finds a 1997 magazine cover of two iconic DC sportscasters.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes about the newest addition to the Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic staff.

Jim notes that the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals rank among the bottom of the local MLB TV ratings.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman has the local weekend ratings.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says a Wisconsin alum has been named as an executive with NBC Sports.

Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business says Big Ten Network would like to be known as something else.

Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette previews NFL Network’s documentary on Kurt Warner.

Tom Hoffarth has some quotes from the NHL on NBC/Versus talking what else? The NHL!

Tom says Stephen Colbert had the right idea on the ESPN/Hank Williams, Jr. controversy.

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle writes about a local sports radio host who has just gone public with his Parkinson’s Disease after keeping it quiet from family and friends for almost 10 years.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC will have a lot of Winnipeg Jets games this season.

Sports Media Watch says the WNBA Finals saw a ratings uptick on ESPN2.

Craig Calcaterra of NBC’s Hardball Talk links to a video from Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina showing WFAN’s Mike Francesa having no clue about a Detroit Tigers pitcher.

Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth feels many reporters failed to get the job done as the Terry Francona story developed on Friday.

And I’m going to end it there today.

Doing Some Tuesday Linkage

Having spent most of the day at the Providence Civic Center and the Rhode Island Convention Center for a seminar, I wasn’t able to provide linkage. I’ve collected quite a few links for you today so let’s get to them.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today goes over the ratings from the weekend and notes that the NFL regular season had no problem in the ratings with the MLB Postseason.

Lindsay Powers from the Hollywood Reporter writes that the Anti-Defamation League is setting its sights on Hank Williams, Jr. for his remarks on President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner which led ESPN to pull his open from last night’s Monday Night Football game.

Sports Business Daily has a recap on the entire Hank Williams, Jr. controversy.

John Ourand at Sports Business Journal says the Philadelphia Phillies climbed to the top of the local MLB ratings for this season.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News reports on the Tennis Channel’s long-term extension to carry the French Open.

Andy Katz of ESPN.com reports that the Big 12 member schools have agreed on a plan that will distribute TV rights money equally among the institutions.

Tom Van Riper of Forbes.com reports that a Nielsen study has found that women make up a large portion of the sports audience.

Maggie Hendricks of Yahoo wonders when female sports reporters will stop being the target of some cruel male fans.

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy writes that with the NHL season fast approaching, the league has yet to sign a deal to air its games in all of Europe. Yes, ALL of Europe.

Phil Swann of TV Predictions says TBS has gotten it right with its HD coverage of the MLB Postseason.

At Media Bistro’s TVSpy, Andrew Gauthier has the video of a Seattle TV reporter not editing out the swears while reading live on the air a Seahawks fan chat from the station’s website.

The Big Lead has a picture of ESPN’s Erin Andrews and her trophy boyfriend.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has video that shows two things on one play, first the Cowboys’ Felix Jones is is not a MENSA candidate and Joe Buck and Troy Aikman had no idea it was 4th down.

To Bob’s Blitz which has audio of WFAN’s Mike Francesa pulling a nutty on the New York Jets for their performance in Baltimore on Sunday Night Football.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell finds that using the color pink in the NFL’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign may be counterproductive to its message.

Darren wonders why Mercedes-Benz chose the New Orleans Superdome to purchase naming rights.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks into the extremely lengthy NFL Network-Time Warner Cable dispute.

Richard also delves into the Hank Williams, Jr./Monday Night Football mess.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says local college hockey will be heard on two stations.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette writes that Time Warner Cable also gets into the local college hockey act.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog talks with MASN Nationals analyst F.P. Santangelo on his first year on the job.

Dan says Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has raided MSG Network for its new Capitals studio host.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says both Sunday Night Football and the MLB Postseason are doing well in the ratings.

Michael Kruse and Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times looks at two fans who made both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Buccaneers games on the same night.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle has a look at some local college football and NFL ratings.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says ESPN’s E:60 will do a story on former Bengals running back Ickey Woods and his foundation to promote asthma and organ donation awareness.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Green Bay Packers drew their largest ratings of the season on Sunday.

Bob says Versus’ Turning Point will focus on the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says the Dodgers will be changing flagship radio stations next season.

Sports Media Watch says the opener for the NLDS between Arizona and Milwaukee was a mixed bag for TBS.

SMW says Cards-Phils Game 1 was down.

SMW notes that Tigers-Yankees didn’t do well either.

To the NFL, SMW notes that Fox was the ratings winner in Week 4.

SMW tells us that CBS continues in a downward spiral for the NFL.

SMW informs us that NBC’s ratings for Sunday Night Football were down.

And Monday Night Football also took a big hit according to SMW.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the final numbers for Versus’ preseason NHL games.

That’s going to do it.

Doing Sunday Links

Well, the blog is blowing up thanks to my latest edition of the Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop The Remote. CNBC’s Darren Rovell linked to the post as Erin Sharoni of his show “CNBC SportsBiz: Game On” is on the list. That’s as good as when Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated puts a link in his “Hot Clicks”. The site will be busy for the rest of the day and that’s a very good thing.

Let’s do some links on this NFL Sunday.

Tim Malloy of Reuters reports that NHL Network has been taken off AT&T U-Verse systems.

Bill Gorman at TV by the Numbers writes that CBS won the Saturday primetime ratings over ABC in a battle of college football games.

Timothy Burke at SportsGrid says a week after Fox apologized for making up newspaper headlines, TBS was apparently guilty of the same thing yesterday in its MLB Postseason coverage.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the video of the son of the Texas Rangers fan who died going for a foul ball earlier this year throwing out the first pitch of Friday’s Rays-Rangers ALDS game.

In the National Football Post, NFL superagent Leigh Steinberg notes that the NFL’s TV ratings are as healthy as they’ve ever been.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post isn’t a fan of seeing Jay-Z having a role in the Brooklyn Nets.

Phil claims pornography has taken over CBS. Go home, Phil.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says TBS messed up not once, but twice during last night’s Tigers-Yankees ALDS game.

Pete says MSG Network has gone to Canada to tap a new host/reporter for its Islanders coverage.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun writes that the Charm City is ready for its closeup tonight on Sunday Night Football.

David says an interview of former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgent exposed him as a fraud.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that watching the NFL and tweeting is America’s newest obsession.

Stephen F. Holder of the St. Petersburg Times says Colts-Bucs game will be aired locally on Monday night as the team avoided a blackout.

Stephen teams up with Rick Stroud for a story on an emotional Jon Gruden returning to Raymond James Stadium for Monday night’s game.

Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune also writes about Gruden’s return to RayJay for the first time since joining ESPN.

The Orlando Sentinel has the Week 6 college football national TV schedule.

Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham (AL) News has a sneak preview of a new ESPN special on Auburn selecting its new starting quarterback.

David Knox of the News writes that Texas A&M won’t add much to the SEC as far as TV is concerned.

One more from the News, Jon Solomon wonders if the SEC is reconsidering establishing its own TV network.

Jason Munz and Alan Hinton of the Hattiesburg (MS) review Brett Favre’s TV debut on CSS last night.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News talks with TBS MLB analyst Cal Ripken about former teammate and current Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Barry says Joe Buck’s voice is coming back slowly, but surely.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman liked the FSN pay per view crew working the Ball State-Oklahoma game.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the average ratings for the Brewers for the regular season set a new record for the team.

Bob likes TBS analyst Joe Simpson on the Diamondbacks-Brewers LDS.

In the Capital Times (WI), Rob Hernandez talks with ESPN/ABC’s Brent Musburger.

The Idaho Statesman interviews Versus college football analyst Shaun King.

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says Fox Sports is suing the Dodgers in an attempt to force an auction on the team’s media rights.

Tom Huddleston, Jr. of The American Lawyer Daily also looks at the Fox Sports lawsuit against the Dodgers.

The San Francisco Business Times notes that the Giants had their highest ratings ever on cable.

Sports Media Watch says the Fox NFL Week 3 doubleheader did well in the ratings.

SMW says the NFL on CBS is down this season to date.

SMW notes that the MLB on Fox averaged a record ratings low for the 3rd straight year.

And we’ll end it there for today. The Sunday NFL pregame quotage is next.

College Football Viewing Picks For 10/01/11, All Times Eastern

Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College GameDay live from Madison, WI — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 a.m.

noon
Rutgers at Syracuse — Big East Network

Minnesota at Michigan — Big Ten Network

Air Force at Navy — CBS
Tulane at Army — CBS Sports Network

William & Mary at Villanova — Comcast SportsNet New England/The Comcast Network

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas at Arlington, TX — ESPN
Northwestern at Illinois — ESPN2
Penn State at Indiana — ESPNU
Toledo at Temple — ESPN Plus

Texas Tech at Kansas — Fox Sports Net (national)
Mississippi State at Georgia — Fox Sports Net (regional)

Kentucky at LSU — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

12:30 p.m.
Wake Forest at Boston College — ACC Network

Buffalo at Tennessee — CSS

2:30 p.m.
Nevada at Boise State — Versus

3 p.m.
College Football Countdown — ABC

3:30 p.m.
Baylor at Kansas State — ABC/ESPN
Georgia Tech at NC State — ABC/ESPN
Michigan State at Ohio State — ABC/ESPN

Bowling Green at West Virginia — Big East Network
Marshall at Louisville — Big East Network
Western Michigan at UConn — Big East Network

Auburn at South Carolina — CBS
SMU at TCU — CBS Sports Network

Bethune-Cookman at Miami (FL) — ESPNU

Washington State at Colorado — Fox College Sports Pacific
Arizona at USC — Fox Sports Net (national)
Towson at Maryland — Fox Sports Net (regional)

Richmond at James Madison — The Comcast Network

4 p.m.
San Jose State at Colorado State — the mtn.

6 p.m.
Clemson at Virginia Tech — ESPN2

Penn at Dartmouth — Fox College Sports Atlantic

7 p.m.
College Football Scoreboard — ESPN
Duke at Florida International — ESPNU
Hawaii at Louisiana Tech — ESPN Plus

Washington at Utah — Fox Sports Net (national)
Texas at Iowa State — FX

8 p.m.
Nebraska at Wisconsin — ABC

Alabama at Florida — CBS
North Carolina at East Carolina — CBS Sports Network

Notre Dame at Purdue — ESPN/ESPN 3D

New Mexico State at New Mexico — the mtn.

9:15 p.m.
Mississippi at Fresno State — ESPN2

10:30 p.m.
Oregon State at Arizona State — Fox College Sports Pacific
UCLA at Stanford — Fox Sports Net

Friday Megalinks Or The Return of Linkage

Due to being at jobsites for the last few days, I haven’t been able post links like I’ve wanted to. I apologize for that. I have tried to be diligent in updating as much as I can.

I have quite a bit to catch up with. I may be a blogging machine as I have to post a lot of things today. Plus, I to get ready to head to New York tomorrow for Blogs with Balls 4 so I’m going to be quite busy. Let’s get to the linkage.

But first, there’s always the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment planning.

National

John Ourand at Sports Business Journal writes that ESPN will do everything it can to head off NBC/Versus at the pass.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch asks if sports broadcasting and politics should mix?

Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press says the Big 12′s TV contracts helped to keep the conference together for now.

The Nielsen Ratings Wire blog notes that among various TV programming, sports in primetime continues to do well.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks with CBS/WFAN/Westwood One’s Boomer Esiason on how the NFL should investigate the Dallas Cowboys’ medical staff for clearing Tony Romo to play last Sunday.

Mike says ESPN is denying any responsibility for the recent college football chaos and says the Longhorn Network doesn’t have anything to do with it. I think Texas A&M, Missouri and other Big 12 schools would beg to differ.

Bob Velin of USA Today writes that CBS’ 48 Hours Mystery program will investigate the mysterious and unsettling death of boxer Arturo Gatti.

Mike McCarthy and Michael Hiestand of USA Today debate whether schools or TV wield the power in college sports.

John Taylor of College Football Talk writes that Brett Favre gets his first taste of being an analyst next week for CSS.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reports that the FCC has ruled that Cablevision-owned MSG Network cannot withhold its HD signal to other cable providers violating program-access rules.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that YES received its second highest rating ever for the American League East Division clinching game this week.

Mike says Golf Channel and NBC Sports are teaming up for a promotion to give a lucky viewer of “The Big Break” a chance to win a trip to see Notre Dame play in Ireland next year.

Tim Nudd of Adweek says the NFL has pulled an ad for its fantasy football product which used a picture of Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles after he was injured last week.

David Lieberman of Deadline reports that Time Warner Cable is planning to offer a low cost tier that will not include ESPN in the lineup.

Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown calling Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones something else.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has the sixth and perhaps final installment of New Era’s Yankees-Red Sox Alec Baldwin-John Kraskinski ads. They have been quite good. This latest one may have taken it a bit too far.

Also from SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty reviews the ESPN Films documentary “Catching Hell”, on Steve Bartman and the 2003 Chicago Cubs.

Sports Media Watch talks with the crew of ESPN’s College GameDay.

SMW says despite being on tape delay, Fox drew a decent audience for its first English Premier League game on Sunday.

SMW notes that the ratings for CBS’ 2nd game of its NFL doubleheader dropped from last year.

SMW says the NBA lockout has forced the cancellation of the start of training camp and over 40 preseason games.

And SMW has some various ratings news and notes.

Joe Favorito looks at one imaginative marketing campaign that helped Eye Black this week.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell reviews “Moneyball.”

Darren has some interesting facts on sports participation in America.

Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group looks at how CBS Sports Network was able to bring the Tim Brando Show into a TV simulcast from his base in Shreveport, LA.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.

Ben Koo from AA says tomorrow is when Gus Johnson and FX get their real grand opening in college football.

At The Stir, Maressa Brown feels ESPN’s Erin Andrews is unqualified to demonstrate CrossFit.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that WEEI’s Glenn Ordway has suffered a rather severe pay cut due to lower ratings for his afternoon drive show.

At SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch looks at a busy week in local sports media news.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette writes that Dale Arnold is pleased to be back with NESN after leaving in 2007.

Lang Whitaker and Ian Lovett of the New York Times give us an inside look at DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel and NFL Network’s RedZone.

John Jeansonne of Newsday reviews ESPN Films’ documentary on transgendered tennis player Renee Richards.

Newsday’s Neil Best says fans seem to be buying into the New York Islanders’ future.

Claire Atkinson of the New York Post has news that some Time Warner Cable subscribers have been waiting for, that the company appears to be close to a carriage agreement with NFL Network.

Phil Mushnick at the Post can’t stand ESPN’s Monday Night Football.

Justin Terranova of the Post says last month’s Russian plane crash that killed 44 members of the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl really hit home for MSG Network analyst Joe Micheletti.

And Justin has five questions for Joe.

Lou Lumenick of the Post says “Moneyball” is one of the best baseball movies of all-time.

I’ll break my self-imposed embargo on the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman for a week for this story on the Yankees’ radio rights which are in flux and so are the fates of broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that MSG Network has named Steve Cangialosi to replace Mike “Doc” Emrick on New Jersey Devils games.

And Pete talks with Steve about his new gig.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette is not a fan of a new local sports talk show host.

Ken notes that NBC Sports is extending its “Summer at Saratoga” series for at least two more years.

At Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has announced its Capitals and Wizards schedules.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the college football conference merry-go-round could have some legal ramifications.

Jim says the ratings for the NFL in both Baltimore and Washington were very strong.

South

In the Miami Herald, Joseph Goodman notes the irony of ESPN possibly saving college football from massive chaos.

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel catches up with ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer.

Jeff Sentell of the Birmingham (AL) News says ESPN is not ponying up to air high school games from the region.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that an Astros broadcaster is celebrating 25 years with the club.

David asks readers if they find the idea of the Longhorn Network offensive.

Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says an Oklahoma State wide receiver will be profiled on ESPN’s College GameDay.

Midwest

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Cleveland MLB team radio voice Mike Hegan is leaving he broadcast after this season.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Reds voice Marty Brennaman can’t campaign on-air for his former partner Joe Nuxhall for the Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick Award.

Micahel Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press wonders why the DirecTV/NBC series “Friday Night Lights” didn’t do better in the ratings.

Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says actor Brad Pitt saw “Moneyball” as a compelling story.

Bob says the Green Bay Packers will be showcased aplenty in the late afternoon window on both CBS and Fox this season.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship failed to draw viewers away from the NFL on Sunday.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with WMAQ-TV sports anchor Paula Ferris.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders why Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin has been missing of late.

Kevin Haskin of the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal writes that CBS Sports Network was in town to air an NCAA Division II football game this week.

West

Jay Posner from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Big Ten Network won’t allow the local Cox system to pick up Saturday’s San Diego State-Michigan game on a one-time only basis.

The North County Times’ John Maffei writes that unless fans can find a sports bar, they’ll have to listen to San Diego State on the radio.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says it’s too bad Southern California couldn’t see the end of the exciting Oakland-Buffalo game due to silly NFL rules.

Jim says HBO will replay last Saturday’s controversial Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says a bankruptcy court has given the Dodgers permission to change their flagship radio station for next season.

Tom says the NFL secondary market rule needs to be changed.

Tom also has a few notes that he couldn’t get into his Friday column.

Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News looks at the Pac-12′s decision to stand pat, TV’s role in the whole thing and where BYU may be headed.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC’s P.J. Stock is regretting his initial comments on Wade Belak’s death.

The Toronto Sports Media Blog is not so fast to forgive P.J.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC has made some additions to its Hockey Night in Canada crew.

And there you have it for your links today.

College Football Viewing Picks For 09/24/11, All Times Eastern

Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports

College GameDay live from Morgantown, WV — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 a.m.

noon
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh — ABC

Toledo at Syracuse — Big East Network

Big Ten Network Gamefinder
Louisiana-Monroe at Iowa — Big Ten Network
San Diego State at Michigan — Big Ten Network

North Carolina at Georgia Tech — ESPN
Eastern Michigan at Penn State — ESPN2
Central Michigan at Michigan State — ESPNU

SMU at Memphis — Fox Sports Net (national)

Georgia at Mississippi — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)

Cornell at Yale — Versus

12:30 p.m.
Temple at Maryland — ACC Network

2 p.m.
Bacone at Texas-San Antontio — Longhorn Network

Tennessee State at Air Force — the mtn.

3 p.m.
College Football Today — CBS

3:30 p.m.
ABC/ESPN2 Coverage Map
Colorado at Ohio State — ABC/ESPN2
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M — ABC/ESPN2

Big Ten Network GameFinder
South Dakota at Wisconsin — Big Ten Network
Western Michigan at Illinois — Big Ten Network

Arkansas at Alabama — CBS
Virginia Tech at Marshall — CBS Sports Network

UNH at Richmond — Comcast SportsNet New England/The Comcast Network

Florida State at Clemson — ESPN/ESPN 3D

UCLA at Oregon State — Fox College Sports Pacific
Cal at Washington — Fox Sports Net (national)
Southern Mississippi at Virginia — Fox Sports Net (regional)

Southern vs. Florida A&M at Atlanta — Versus

5 p.m.
Fresno State at Idaho — WAC Sports Network

6 p.m.
UConn at Buffalo — ESPN Plus

Idaho State at Northern Arizona — Fox College Sports Pacific

7 p.m.
North Dakota State at Minnesota — Big Ten Network

James Madison at William & Mary — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Comcast SportsNet New England

Florida at Kentucky — ESPN
Vanderbilt at South Carolina — ESPN2
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State — ESPNU

Rice at Baylor — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Nevada at Texas Tech — Fox College Sports Central
Florida Atlantic at Auburn — Fox Sports Net (regional)

7:30 p.m.
Nebraska at Wyoming — Versus

8 p.m.
LSU at West Virginia — ABC

Tulsa at Boise State — CBS Sports Network

Georgia State at Houston — CSS/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus

Missouri at Oklahoma — FX

9 p.m.
Southern Utah at UNLV — the mtn.

10:15 p.m.
USC at Arizona State — ESPN
Oregon at Arizona — ESPN2

NFL Turning Point Airs One Hour Early on Thursday

Versus will air its new NFL Films-produced show an hour earlier on Thursday, at 9 p.m. ET with the show repeating at its regular time of 10 p.m. I think this is being done so as not to interfere with the Bill Belichick documentary on NFL Network. Here’s the Versus announcement.

SECOND EPISODE OF NFL TURNING POINT ON VERSUS AIRS THIS THURSDAY WITH SPECIAL 9 P.M. ET AIRING

This Week’s Episode Features Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick Wired for Sound in Wild Win over Raiders, Cowboys/49ers OT Thriller and Falcons Come-From-Behind Victory over Eagles
Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison to Conclude Program with Steelers Defense Analysis and Sunday Night Football Preview

NEW YORK – September 21, 2011 – NFL Turning Point, VERSUS’ new weekly show co-produced by NFL Films and the NBC Sports Group, continues this Thursday with a special 9 p.m. ET airing. The show will also air at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The hour-long program, hosted by Football Night in America’s Dan Patrick, will air throughout the NFL regular season and will focus on the crucial ‘turning point’ moment in several games for football fans each week in a more in-depth way than ever before by utilizing NFL Films’ unmatched cinematography and sideline and on-field audio.

This week’s episode features:

· Buffalo Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick wired for sound during the thrilling, last-second 38-35 win against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday

· Dallas Cowboys’ overtime win vs. San Francisco 49ers

o Behind-the-scenes footage and sound from the game, which featured Cowboys QB Tony Romo returning to the field with a broken rib to lead Dallas to the overtime victory

· Philadelphia Eagles-Atlanta Falcons Sunday Night Football game

o In-depth coverage and sound from Atlanta’s exciting come-from-behind victory against the Eagles. The game featured Eagles QB Michael Vick returning to Atlanta for the first time as starter

Patrick will conclude each show with a segment featuring his Football Night colleagues Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison that covers the most relevant NFL topics, such as this week’s examination of whether or not the Steelers defense is still championship quality. They will also look ahead to the upcoming Sunday Night Football game on NBC.

Aside from this week’s episode, which airs at 9 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET/PT, NFL Turning Point airs a new episode at 10 p.m. ET/PT every week through November 3. Beginning on November 10, when Thursday night NFL games begin on NFL Network, new episodes of NFL Turning Point will air at midnight ET.

That’s it.

Versus Announces Its NHL Preseason Schedule

Altogether, Versus airs four games in the preseason starting tomorrow with the Toronto at Philadelphia game. To save costs, Versus will pick up the Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and Comcast SportsNet Chicago broadcasts for the four games will air this preseason. I hope that’s not a trend for the upcoming season and playoffs as Versus did that as a way to cut corners last season.

So Versus airs four games produced by the Comcast family, however, it will produce its own studio show for the intermissions. This means fans won’t get to hear the teams of Mike Emrick, Ed Olcyzk and Pierre McGuire or Dave Strader and Brian Engblom until the regular season begins.

Here’s the announcement.

HOCKEY IS BACK AS NBC SPORTS GROUP DROPS THE PUCK ON NHL PRESEASON

VERSUS To Air Four Preseason Games, Starting Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET

NEW YORK (September 20, 2011)— The NBC Sports Group drops the puck on the 2011-12 NHL season a little earlier this year by televising four preseason games on VERSUS, beginning tomorrow night at 7 p.m.ET. The network will nationally simulcast the games from Comcast SportsNet Chicago and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia to give hockey fans increased coverage just weeks before the season officially opens with a double-header on Thursday, October 6 on VERSUS.

VERSUS will present live intermission reports hosted by Liam McHugh along with NBC Sports Group NHL analysts Mike Milbury, Keith Jones and Pierre McGuire alternating positions for nightly coverage.

VERSUS NHL preseason schedule (all times ET and subject to change):

Wednesday, September 21 — Toronto at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Intermissions: McHugh, Milbury, McGuire

Monday, September 26 — New York Rangers at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Intermissions: McHugh, Jones, McGuire

Wednesday, September 28 — Detroit at Chicago 8:30 p.m.
Intermissions: McHugh, Jones, McGuire

Thursday, September 29 — New Jersey at Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Intermissions: McHugh, Milbury, McGuire

The NBC Sports Group’s 2011-12 NHL schedule is highlighted by 100 regular-season games across NBC and VERSUS, which will be re-branded the NBC Sports Network midway through the season on January 2; expanded exclusive cable coverage, including Wednesday and Sunday nights, and live 30-minute pre- and post-game shows for every game on VERSUS; the return of Hockey Day in America on NBC and NHL All-Star Weekend on VERSUS; the introduction of a Thanksgiving Friday NBC broadcast; and national distribution of all Stanley Cup Playoff games.

That’s all.

A Monday Linkage Post

Let’s do you some links on this Monday, a get back to work day for many of you.

Starting with John Ourand of Sports Business Journal, he writes that ESPN is now shooting back at critics who say the network will pass its huge Monday Night Football deal down to cable subscribers.

Sports Business Journal hears from various sports and marketing executives discussing the viability of stadium naming rights deals.

In a sidebar story, David Broughton of SBJ writes that Target has renewed its deal for the rights to the Minneapolis arena for another three years.

Sports Business Daily looks at Sunday Night Football’s overnight ratings and has a roundup of media opinion on Sunday’s NFL coverage.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that Fox NFL insider Jay Glazer grabbed another exclusive for Fox NFL Sunday.

Steve Gardner of USA Today reviews MLB Network’s documentary on statistics.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid has some of the best signs seen at College GameDay in Tallahassee on Saturday.

Dan asks us if the Sunday Night Football open featuring singer Faith Hill is the worst in TV history.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine looks at the ambush marketers trying to make a name for themselves on the Olympics.

Stephanie DeVito at ESPN’s Front Row blog gives us a funny video explaining the TV ratings system and how the video was made.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that SNF beat the Emmys in the ratings last night.

Neil waxes poetic about the return of “Giants Online.”

Neil is amused over the Floyd Mayweather-Larry Merchant squabble on Saturday.

Neil wonders if Kyle Chandler’s Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama for “Friday Night Lights” is the first Emmy win for a TV series set in a football locale.

This feels like the early days of the blog when I used to link to Neil as many as six or seven times in a link dump. I feel complete!

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post tries to make a point about ESPN airing football and attempting to note concussions.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette notes that HBO will re-air the Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight this Saturday.

Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says ESPN’s College GameDay will make its first visit to Morgantown and the West Virginia University campus this weekend.

Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun says NBC’s Football Night in America crew said they were surprised over the Ravens performance in Tennessee on Sunday.

David Zurawik of the Sun writes that CBS and the NFL poured on the promotion during yesterday’s Ravens-Titans game.

Dan Steinberg and Scott Clement of the Washington Post write about a new poll that is not good news for DC NFL team owner Daniel Snyder.

Dan has a bit more on the poll in the DC Sports Bog.

Chris Baysden of the Triangle Business Journal says ESPN will air both North Carolina and NC State separately in action this week.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times reviews the weekend that was in sports television.

Jeff Washburn of the Lafayette (IN) Journal & Courier says ESPN’s Bob Knight was in town for an appearance.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel liked Jim Mora’s work on Fox during the Panthers-Packers game.

Bob delves into Prince Fielder’s comments to TBS about his speculation on leaving the Brewers after the season.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post writes that the debate over which quarterback, Kyle Orton or Tim Tebow, should start for the Broncos continues on local sports radio.

Tom Hoffarh in the Los Angeles Daily News feels SoCal got screwed when CBS cut away from the exciting Oakland Raiders-Buffalo Bills game to give them the start of Chargers-Pats.

Tom has the sports calendar for this week.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star looks at the NHL’s new social media policy and wonders what took the league so long?

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that Canadian college football may finally get some attention on the nation’s airwaves.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has some Monday thoughts including some news that will get the attention of Hazel Mae fans.

Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says Versus’ NHL Overtime will air just three nights a week at first.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing notes that San Diego Chargers voice Josh Lewin of the Lisping Lewins made fun of portly Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork as he intercepted Philip Rivers. Who had the last laugh, Josh?

And that’s going to do it.