Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, December 29, 2011

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 8 p.m. ET with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the

Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks followed by the LA Lakers @ Portland Trailblazers

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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith

Smith on the discipline of being a point guard in the NBA: “The point guard position is the toughest in the NBA because it’s the only position where you have to learn to say no even when guys are open.”

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Game 1: Dallas Mavericks (102) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (104)

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Mike Fratello (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)

Kerr on the fate of the Dallas Mavericks: “I think (owner Mark) Cuban knows with (Jason) Kidd and (Dirk) Nowitzki aging, this is not a team you can go with as they currently stand. By not signing (Tyson) Chandler, you open that cap room to go after your next star that will carry your franchise. It wasn’t going to be Chandler; he wasn’t that kind of player.”

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavericks trades: “As a player, we would have loved to have kept the team together. We understand we have been around a long time and the business is part of it. With the new CBA, (Dallas Mavericks owner Mark) Cuban felt that it was better for him to be in a position to have some cap room, really, for the first time in his owner career.”

Kerr on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook: “The reason you play zone against Oklahoma City is to keep him out of the paint.”

Kerr on Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle and job security: “When coaches win a championship, they can just be themselves. This business is so insecure in terms of how long you can keep your job. Once you establish yourself, you can coach the way you want to coach because you know you have that job security. I see Carlisle very comfortable in his own skin.”

Kerr on the Thunder’s run for a championship this year: “If Oklahoma City is going to win a title, and that’s their goal, their half court offense has to improve.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

O’Neal on Mavericks guard Delonte West: “He’s a beast. He’s the key. He’s crazy. He’s not scared of anything and he will fight. I love the kid to death.”

Barkley on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship potential this season: “They aren’t tough enough.yet.”

Smith on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s abilities: “This is a championship team. They have versatility in certain areas and scoring is not a problem.”

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Game 2: New York Knicks (82) @ L.A. Lakers (99)
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Miller on Lakers forward Josh McRoberts: “I like Josh McRoberts, he has great hands for a 6’10 guy. Throw an alley-oop or whatever, he can catch them.”

TNT reporter Craig Sager interviews New York Knicks guard Baron Davis during the second quarter

Davis on his reasons for joining the Knicks: “I have always wanted to play in New York because of the basketball energy and the opportunity to play at the Garden (Madison Square Garden) day-in and day-out. That was really the deciding factor, as well as the ability to play with Melo (Carmelo Anthony) and Amar’e (Stoudemire).”

Miller on playing with Lakers forward (Ron Artest) Metta World Peace when they were both with the Indiana Pacers: “I had him at his best and a lot of people will say at his worst. It was a challenge at times, he was younger and a bit more bull-headed, but there was one thing you could never take away from Metta World Peace and that was his heart and desire to play.”

Miller on Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and the maturity of his game over the years: “At 33, because of his time in the gym and working on his shot and offensive repertoire – a couple of dribbles, making your opponent dance and a fade away. That’s the difference between Kobe Bryant at 33 and 23.”

Miller on how coaches and teams are adapting to a shortened season: “Every coach is going to have to play 10 and 12 deep and everyone is going to get minutes.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

Barkley on teams thinking they are better than their records show: “I hate when teams say they are better than their record. No you are not better than your record. Your record is your record.”

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Miller on what he is seeing with older teams and how they are adjusting to shortened season: I’m seeing more injuries especially with some of the older teams like Boston (Celtics). When you have players that are 30 plus it is a little difficult for them to get their motors running. Especially early, when you are playing so many games a week and a month.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interviews Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant following the game

Bryant on the Lakers improved defense: “We drill it (defense) every single day. It’s non-stop. Coach Brown holds everyone accountable for our defensive execution and it’s paying off.”

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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

Barkley on what the return of center Andrew Bynum will mean for the Lakers: “He is a good player. But they are still going to struggle with some of the same problems – they are slow on the perimeter. The Lakers have always been bigger than everyone else; that was their strength. They are not good enough to make up for their lack of bench and athletic ability on the perimeter. They are going to struggle with the elite teams.”

Smith on the Lakers’ biggest advantage: “The advantage they have always had that made them great from the Shaq days until now was size. So now you have (Andrew) Bynum back and it makes them too big to guard and that is the most difficult thing.”

Smith on point guards controlling the tempo of the game: “It doesn’t make you a great point guard if you score or get assists. What makes you great is you can control the tempo of the game. There is no one on the Knicks who can control the tempo of the game.”

Barkley on the New York Knicks this season: “The Knicks don’t have a good team. They have Carmelo Anthony, who is the best scorer in the NBA. I like his game a little bit better than (Kevin) Durant because he posts up more than Durant.”

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Filed Under: NBA, TNT

“Cold War On Ice: Summit Series ’72” Airs On NBC Sports Network Debut Day On January 2

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

90-minute film presented by Lexus with limited commercial interruption focuses on historic 1972 hockey series between Canadian NHL All-Stars and U.S.S.R National Team

Interviews Include: Team Canada Coach Harry Sinden; Players Phil Esposito, Tony Esposito, Rod Gilbert, Bobby Clarke, Paul Henderson; Soviet players Boris Mikhailov, Vladislov Tretiak, Alexander Yakushev

Film Produced by 51-time Emmy Award-winner Ross Greenburg

Part of NBC Sports Network’s DAY 1 Schedule

“I really thought it was going to be an all star game. We were going to have some laughs and some fun.” – Phil Esposito on the series

“I don’t know what I was thinking at all. It was an awful thing to do. It sure felt good.” – Bobby Clarke on slashing Russian Star Valeri Kharlamov, breaking his ankle.

“It’s the closest I’ve ever come to kissing a man.” – Phil Esposito on Henderson’s game-winning goal in Game 8

“COLD WAR ON ICE: SUMMIT SERIES ’72” IS AN NBC SPORTS GROUP ORIGINAL PRODUCTION

 

NEW YORK – December 28, 2011 – Cold War on Ice: Summit Series ’72 presented by Lexus, a 90-minute documentary with limited commercial interruption, will be a featured component in the launch of the NBC Sports Network as it debuts at 4:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, the same day the channel is re-branded from VERSUS.

 

Click here for a promo of Cold War on Ice: Summit Series ’72

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/45804134#45804134

 

Cold War on Ice, produced by 51-time Emmy Award-winner Ross Greenburg, chronicles the historic 27-day Summit Series in September of 1972 between a team of NHL All-Stars from Canada and the Soviet National Team during the height of the Cold War.

“It is an honor to present this unique story as the first original program on the new NBC Sports Network,” said Greenburg. “This historic confrontation between the Canadian National Team and the Soviet Union was a battle of two cultures both on and off the ice. This was a defining moment in hockey and NHL history. It is exciting to give this story the platform it deserves.”

Team Canada was composed of the National Hockey League’s greatest stars, expected to easily defeat the Soviet team. In fact, on the eve of the ‘good will’ eight-game series, the Montreal Gazette published predictions from people inside the hockey world. The great majority of those polled shared the opinion of all-star goalie Jacques Plante and New York Times Hockey writer Gerald Eskenazi, who both claimed that the NHL squad “will slaughter them in 8 straight.”

The event left its stamp on the national psyche of Canada and the entire National Hockey League. Hockey is not a sport in Canada; it is a matter of national pride, and what started as a friendly exhibition series turned into a microcosm of the Cold War. It was a dramatic confrontation that jumped the Iron Curtain to pit the east against the west, communism against capitalism, and good vs. evil.

Phil Esposito of the Boston Bruins scored past Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak just 30 seconds into Game 1 (at the Montreal Forum). Team Canada went up 2-0 five minutes later. Team Canada’s predicted rout was on as the entire nation watched.

The country’s mood would quickly change as the Soviet’s went on to completely dominate the rest of the game. They mesmerized the NHL squad with their precision playmaking, effortless skating, and intricate offensive attack, and stunned Team Canada by charging back to win Game 1, 7-3.

The Soviets were disciplined and relentless and their three third-period goals signified their superior conditioning. The NHL squad was rested, coming off a summer off-season, and they were completely outworked and dominated by the Soviets, who competed at the highest level, all year round. The pre-series predictions were thrown out the window and the war was on.

Team Canada bounced back to take Game 2 of the series, 4-1 (Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto), and led Game 3 (Winnipeg Arena) by two goals late in the third period, until the Soviets scored two late goals to end Game 3 in a 4-4 tie.

Team Canada played poorly in Game 4 in Vancouver, losing 5-3.

The crowd of 16,000 booed Team Canada off the ice in Vancouver. Feelings of frustration had turned to anger as the Canadian faithful felt that the poor play of Team Canada was both embarrassing and shameful. In response to the overwhelming negative public and media reaction, Phil Esposito called out the fans for their conduct.

“We are absolutely giving it our all and we are really disappointed in you (fans),” said Esposito, the captain of Team Canada after Game 4. “We cannot believe…were trying like hell. Canada is our home and it is just not fair. It is totally ridiculous that we are being booed.”

The series shifted to the Soviet Union for the remaining four games of the series as Team Canada contemplated the end to its perceived dominance in the sport they so dearly love, but not before a two-week European hiatus in which Team Canada played two exhibition games against the Swedish national team in Stockholm.

The second game against Sweden featured many fights. Team Canada was criticized by the Swedes for their ‘goonish’ style of play, but these two games along with Esposito’s impassioned speech, helped galvanize the NHL team. The Canadian squad was made up of players from different NHL teams, many of who hated each other, but now were coming together because of a common enemy, the Soviets.

While the final four games of the Summit Series were hosted by the Soviets, more than 3,000 Canadian fans accompanied the NHL squad. Team Canada got out to a 4-1 lead in Game 5, but the Soviets scored four unanswered goals to win that game, 5-4, and take a 3-1-1 lead in the series.

Team Canada would now have to win all three remaining games to win the series. Despite the backbreaking loss, and the apparent stranglehold they had on their game, all 3,000 fans sang “Oh Canada” as Team Canada left the ice after Game 5.

Prior to Game 6, the Canadian team became upset over a shipment of beer they believed that the Soviets had deliberately “lost” at the airport. They took any additional incentives they could get and Team Canada held on for a 3-2 win. Unheralded Paul Henderson scored what turned out to be the game-winner late in the second period. This game also featured the most controversial play of the series. Philadelphia Flyers Bobby Clarke was instructed by Team Canada’s bench to stop the high-flying Soviet star and captain, Valeri Kharlamov. During his next shift Clarke deliberately slashed Kharlomov and broke his ankle.

“He was killing us and somebody had to do it. This is war. It is us versus them and the guy was killing us.” said Clarke after the game.

Team Canada would capture Game 7, 4-3, with Paul Henderson once again scoring the game-winning tally late in the 3rd period. The game also featured a controversial rebuttal by the Soviets, as Boris Mikhailov used his skate as a weapon and kicked Team Canada’s Gary Bergman twice during an on-ice altercation.

GAME 8, WITH SERIES TIED 3-3-1

Team Canada was down by two goals heading into the third period of the decisive Game 8, and the Soviets were on the verge of laying claim to Canada’s national sport.

Team Canada however came out roaring in the third period and tied the score at 5-5 with the series tied 3-3-1.

In the final minute of play Esposito got off a good shot and Henderson, the journeyman turned hero, who later said he knew he was going to score, put the rebound past Tretiak in perhaps the single most-famous moment in Canadian sports history. The “Goal Heard Round the World” became one the countries most endearing images, one that is as fresh and vivid to the entire nation 40 years after that late September day in 1972.

In the end, the Summit Series proved that the gap between the best Canadian NHL players and the top players in Europe was much narrower than most observers on both sides realized. The success of the series led to the Super Series, where Soviet clubs played NHL clubs on numerous occasions throughout the 1970’s and eventually the immersion of many Soviet players to the National Hockey League in the 1980’s.

INTERVIEWS FOR “COLD WAR ON ICE”

Subjects include – Team Canada Coach Harry Sinden; Players Phil Esposito, Tony Esposito, Rod Gilbert, Bobby Clarke, Paul Henderson, Peter Mahovlich, JP Parise; Soviet players Boris Mikhailov, Vladislov Tretiak, Alexander Yakushev.

ON PLAYING FOR TEAM CANADA:

Clarke: “It was certainly an honor to wear the Canadian jersey, but it was also supposed to be a vacation almost. It was supposed to be a cakewalk for Canada”

Phil Esposito: “I really thought it was going to be an all star game. We were going to have some laughs and some fun.”

Henderson: “It was going to be a wonderful experience to be able to play with the Espositos, Cournoyer, Savard, Lapointe, and get to enjoy their ability and be on the same ice with them. The other side of the coin is, anyone who kept you from winning the Stanley Cup you didn’t like them, and you had to bump heads with them.”

Tony Esposito: “They were your rivals and a few of the guys you really didn’t like. We weren’t a team; we were just a bunch of guys thrown together. So when we went over there (to Russia for games four through eight), that’s when we really gelled.”

ON THE RUSSIANS STEALING THE CANADIAN’S BEER:

Phil Esposito: “They stole our beer. We had to drink vodka. Homemade vodka. You ever taste homemade vodka? Go into your garage and get turpentine and drink it. Holy cripe it is bad.”

ON BOBBY CLARKE SLASHING RUSSIAN VALERI KHARLAMOV IN GAME 6, BREAKING HIS ANKLE:

Clarke: “I don’t know what I was thinking at all. Obviously I wasn’t. I chased him down the ice and wacked him.”

Henderson: “That’s the way Clarkie played the game. Probably on that team he was the only guy that would go out there and do something like that. But he would’ve done that for the Philadelphia Flyers. That’s who he was. He wasn’t out of character. He was so competitive that he would push his grandmother down a flight of stairs to win a hockey game.”

Phil Esposito: “The only thing I regret about that is he didn’t do it in the first game. Are you kidding me? Are you KIDDING me? That’s part of the game and I have no problem with it. None, you understand? This is war.”

Clarke: “As I said often, it was an awful thing to do. It sure felt good.”

ON PLAYING RUSSIA DURING THE COLD WAR:

Henderson: “They were challenging us as a people, and certainly as a hockey empire.”

Mahovlich: “The Cold War. The us-against-them attitude was certainly what this turned out to be.”

Phil Esposito: “I would’ve killed those son of a bitches to win. It scares me every time I think about it.”

ON HENDERSON SCORING THE GAME-WINNING GOAL IN GAME 8 GIVING TEAM CANADA THE SERIES WIN:

Parise: “We went nuts.”

Clarke: “Ecstatic, but there was also a real…whew…relief.”

Phil Esposito: “It’s the closest I’ve ever come to kissing a man. Really kissing him. I loved that man that moment. I did.”

CREDITS:
Producers: Ross Greenburg, George Roy, Steve Stern
Director and Editor: George Roy
Writer: Steve Stern
Narrator: Peter Coyote

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: Hockey, NBC Sports Network

CBS’s Fouts on Balt-Cincy

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 17 (SUNDAY, JAN. 1, 2012)

AUDIBLES WITH “THE NFL ON CBS’s” DAN FOUTS

The CBS Television Network continues its 52nd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Jan. 1 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the Kansas City Chiefs-Denver Broncos game, live from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports, and serves as Executive Producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

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DAN FOUTS

(On Baltimore-Cincinnati and playoff implications): Baltimore is undefeated at home, so obviously they’d like to win to get to play at home and get the bye. But for motivation, getting to the playoffs, the Bengals have that. And, playing at home is a bonus for them because Baltimore is just 3-4 on the road. Cincinnati is a team that a lot of people haven’t given enough credit for being as good as they really are.

(Keys to Game): Baltimore has to find a way to run the ball against Cincinnati, and that is no easy chore. On the road, if you’re throwing a lot and having incompletions, that just jacks the crowd up. Cincinnati’s pass-rush is very good. So in order to slow that down, Ray Rice is going to have to have a real good day. Cincinnati has a chance with their wide receivers to do some damage here. A.J. Green did not play in the first game against Baltimore. Jerome Simpson got a lot of attention for his leap into the endzone last week and he had a huge game against these guys the first time. But the guy to keep your eye on may be Jermaine Gresham more than anybody else.

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Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 17 (subject to change).

WEEK 17 – January 1, 2012 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

·N.Y. Jets @ Miami Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

·Buffalo @ New England Don Criqui/Randy Cross Ken Mack/Chris Svendsen

·Tennessee @ Houston Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker Victor Frank/Andy Goldberg

·Indianapolis @ Jacksonville Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein Steve Scheer/Jim Cornell

4:15 PM, ET starts:

·Baltimore @ Cincinnati Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

·San Diego @ Oakland Marv Albert/Rich Gannon Ross Schneiderman/Mark Grant

·Kansas City @ Denver Jim Nantz/Phil Simms Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Pittsburgh @ Cleveland Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

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Follow CBS Sports on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang

“THE NFL TODAY’s” BOOMER ESIASON LOOKS BACK AT 2011 SEASON’S HIGHS AND LOWS FOR WEEK 17 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON

NEW YEAR’S DAY, SUNDAY, JAN. 1

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 52nd year of the NFL, continues its 2011 season on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

From costly coaching decisions, to blown catches, to confused referees, to Ndamukong Suh’s not-so spectacular Thanksgiving Day stomp, THE NFL TODAY’s Boomer Esiason takes a look back at some highs and lows of the 2011 season including moments that coaches, players and fans might want to forget. Shawn Robbins is the producer.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports and serves as the Executive Producer for THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

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Filed Under: CBS, NFL

NFL on FOX Rings in 2012 With Week 17 Battles for Playoff Position

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NFL on FOX Rings in 2012 With Week 17 Battles for Playoff Position

Johnson’s Biggest Disappointments of the 2011Season & Aikman Interviews Brees Before Showdown with Panthers on FOX NFL SUNDAY at 12:00 PM ET

RECORD-SETTING BREES AND ROOKIE SENSATION NEWTON HEADLINE WEEK 17 ACTION

On Sunday, Jan. 1 FOX Sports rings in the New Year by closing out the NFL regular season with doubleheader coverage of seven NFC matchups – each presented in true HD. A battle of high-flying QBs takes place in the Bayou as all-time single-season passing record-holder Drew Brees and the Saints look to better the aerial and ground show of Cam Newton and the Panthers. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call all the action from New Orleans. In Philadelphia, Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and the Eagles try to close out their season on a strong note as they host NFC East rival Washington. A pair of playoff participants from the NFC North square-off as Matthew Stafford and the Lions head to Green Bay to battle Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.  Meanwhile the Vikings host the Bears and the 49ers travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams.  FOX Sports concludes its doubleheader and regular season coverage in Atlanta as Matt Ryan and the playoff-bound Falcons welcome the Bucs to the Georgia Dome. Also at 4:15 PM ET, the Seahawks and Cardinals meet in Arizona.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched Sunday afternoon pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson.  NFL Insider Jay Glazer presents the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment.

This Sunday, Aikman catches up with Brees on the field prior to the Saints showdown with the Panthers that helps determine playoff position for New Orleans.  Also, Johnson goes through the 2011 season and lists his biggest disappointments.  The Cowboys and Giants talk about their mindset as the two teams prepare for their “win and get in” showdown for the NFC East crown.

For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Follow the NFL on FOX on-air personalities @Buck @Jay_Glazer, @JimmyJohnson, @CurtMenefee, @MikePereira, @MichaelStrahan, @TroyAikman, @KennyAlbert, @CoachBillick, @TimBrewster, @CFD22 (Charles Davis), @DarylJohnston, @The_ChrisMyers, @LauraOkmin, @ChadPennington, @TimRyan99 & @TonySiragusa on Twitter as they provide insight and analysis all weekend. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

 

 

GAME                                                                                     PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE                COV.                       TIME 

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints                   Joe Buck, Troy Aikman                                     59%                       1:00PM 

                                                                                                & Pam Oliver

Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, West Palm Beach

 

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles            Ron Pitts, Charles Davis                                     9%                        1:00PM

                                                                                                & Drea Avent

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Richmond, Washington

 

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers                              Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick                         7%                        1:00PM

                                                                                                & Laura Okmin

Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI

MARKETS INCLUDE: Detroit, Fort Myers, Milwaukee

 

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings                            Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston                             7%                        1:00PM

                                                                                                & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa

Mall of America Field – Minneapolis, MN

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Minneapolis

 

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams                       Chris Myers, Tim Ryan                                       11%                       1:00PM 

                                                                                                & Jennifer Hale

Edward Jones Dome– St. Louis, MO

MARKETS INCLUDE: Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle

 

Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons                              Dick Stockton, John Lynch                              89%                       4:15PM

                                                                                                & Jamie Maggio

Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

 

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals                       Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington                           4%                        4:15PM

                                                                                                & Jody Jackson

University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ

MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Portland, Seattle

STRAHAN: GIANTS’ RUNNING GAME IS CATALYST FOR TEAM – Following the New York Giants victory this past Saturday over the New York Jets, FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Michael Strahan is convinced his former team needs its running game to set the tone for the rest of the team.  “That game showed the Giants need to let their running game set the tempo for the team,” said Strahan.  “Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw were very physical.  Their defense then picked it up in the second half unlike they’ve done all season.”

BILLICK: YOU CAN’T PLAY THE GAME AFRAID OF GETTING HURT – On this week’s Coach Speak, NFL on FOX analyst Brian Billick weighed in on Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson’s knee injury in what some called a meaningless game for the 3-12 Vikings.  Billick said other teams who have locked up playoff positioning will be faced with a similar decision this week on whether or not to play their star players.  “You can’t play the game afraid,” said Billick. “You have to stay in a rhythm, you have to go out and play 100 percent every time.  Every time you take someone off the field, you double or triple the reps for someone else and therefore, give them a higher propensity for possibly getting hurt.  Although it’s regrettable that Adrian Peterson got hurt, I don’t second guess the fact that he was playing.  That’s not the nature of this game.  When you play, you’ve got to play.  You can’t play being afraid to get hurt.”

To hear Billick’s full analysis, click here for this week’s Coach Speak: http://tinyurl.com/cfjoass

Filed Under: FOX, NFL

Giants Host Cowboys For NFC East Division Title On “Sunday Night Football”

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

COVERAGE BEGINS WITH FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA AT 7 PM ET

“This is a playoff game.” – Tony Dungy

“In tight games like this, I trust Eli not Romo.” – Rodney Harrison

24.0 Million Watch Bears-Packers; Most-Watched NFL Christmas Primetime Game Since 1995

Sunday Night Football is Most-Watched and Highest-Rated Show of Primetime Television Season

NEW YORK – December 28, 2011 – The NFC East division title is on the line as the New York Giants (8-7) host the Dallas Cowboys (8-7) in a win-and-in game on Sunday Night Football. The winner will be the No. 4 seed in the NFC and will host a Wild Card round playoff game next week, while the loser’s season is over. The last time these two teams met was Week 14 on Sunday Night Football with the Giants rallying from 12 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cowboys, 37-34, in Dallas. The game was seen by 24.5 million people, the second-most watched SNF game this season (see chart below).

Calling Cowboys-Giants will be six-time Emmy Award-winner Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his 26th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 12-time Emmy Award-winner Collinsworth, who won the Emmy for outstanding event analyst in both of his seasons in the Sunday Night Football booth; and sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, in her first season on SNF.

Coverage begins Sunday with Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET with 22-time Emmy Award-winner Bob Costas hosting the program live from inside MetLife Stadium. Costas is joined on site by Michaels and Collinsworth for reaction to the afternoon games.

Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com. Alex Flanagan will report from Sports Authority Field at Mile High on the Chiefs-Broncos game.

ON COWBOYS-GIANTS:
Collinsworth: “There were so many points and so many yards put up in that last one (Week 14 game) that maybe it comes down to the defensive side of the ball on Sunday. Jason Pierre Paul was remarkable in the last game. He really almost won the thing by himself. And DeMarcus Ware is going to have to get after Eli Manning.”

Harrison: “It’s going to be more of a defensive-minded game. The Cowboys are going to come out and try to slow down the Giants pass rush by running the ball. The Giants will win. They will run the ball with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, and in tight games like this, I trust Eli not Romo.”

Dungy: “This is a playoff game.”

# # #

24.0 MILLION WATCHED BEARS-PACKERS; MOST-WATCHED NFL CHRISTMAS PRIMETIME GAME SINCE 1995

The Bears-Packers game on Sunday Night Football was seen by 24.0 million viewers, the most for an NFL game played on Christmas night since 1995 (Cowboys-Cardinals, 25.4 million on ABC). The 24.0 million for Sunday’s game is three percent higher than the last game played on Christmas night (Eagles-Cowboys, 23.4 million on Christmas 2006 on NBC), and 39 percent higher than the Christmas night game in 2000 (Cowboys-Titans, 17.3 million on ABC).

Additionally, the Christmas night game is the third most-watched SNF game this season, the eighth most-watched game in the six-year history of NBC Sunday Night Football and one percent higher than last year’s Week 16 game (Vikings-Eagles, 23.7 million), which was played on a Tuesday night due to a snow postponement.

MOST WATCHED “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” GAMES:

*Sundays Only

1. 25.8 million, Cowboys-Jets, 9/11/11 (2011 SNF Week 1)
2. 25.73 million, Eagles-Cowboys, 12/12/10 (2010 SNF Week 14)
3. 25.68 million, Vikings-Packers, 10/24/10, (Favre Return to Lambeau II)
4. 25.3 million, Cowboys-Redskins, 9/12/10 (2010 SNF: Week 1)
5. 24.8 million, Giants-Cowboys, 9/20/09 (Dallas Cowboys Stadium Debut)
6. 24.5 million, Giants-Cowboys, 12/11/11 (2011 SNF Week 14)
7. 24.2 million, Packers-Patriots, 12/19/10 (2010 SNF Week 15)
8. 24.0 million, Bears-Packers, 12/25/11 (2011 Christmas Night Game)
9. 23.7 million, Vikings-Eagles, 12/28/10 (2010 SNF Week 16 – Tuesday Game)
10. 23.4 million, Eagles-Falcons, 9/18/11 (2011 SNF Week 2)

*9/9/10, Vikings-Saints, 27.5 million (2010 Thursday Night Opener)
*9/8/11, Saints-Packers, 27.2 million (2011 Thursday Night Opener)

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR BEARS-PACKERS:

1. Milwaukee, 45.8/73
2. Chicago, 29.2/55
3. New Orleans, 20.7/32
4. Las Vegas, 18.5/33
5. Minneapolis, 17.9/37
6. Nashville, 17.3/28
7. Albuquerque, 16.6/29
8. Greenville/Spartanburg, 15.5/25
9. Norfolk, 14.8/26
10. Richmond, 14.7/25

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DOMINATES PRIMETIME

Through 16 weeks of the NFL season (16 Sundays and one Thursday), Sunday Night Football is averaging 21.2 million viewers, and a household rating of 12.7/20.

  • For the primetime television season,* Sunday Night Football ranks as the most-watched (persons 2+) and highest-rated show, and the No. 1 program across the key demographics of Adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54 as well as Men 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, based on Nielsen live + same day data. Additionally, SNF is the No. 4 show among both Women 18-34 and Women 18-49

*NOTE: The primetime television season began on Sept. 19 and does not include the first three NBC primetime games (Thursday night NFL Kickoff Opener and first two SNF games).

· The critically acclaimed Football Night in America is the most-watched and highest-rated NFL pregame show averaging 8.7 million viewers and a household rating of 5.3/9 (7:30-8:15 p.m. ET) through 16 weeks, both up six percent from last season and the most in the six-year history of Football Night.

# # #

Follow NBC Sports PR on Twitter @NBCSportsPR
Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter @SNFonNBC
Follow NBC SportsTalk on Twitter @NBCSportsTalk
Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at: facebook.com/snfonnbc
Visit SNF All-Access at: http://snfallaccess.nbcsports.com/

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL

ESPN College Football Analysts Predict Winners of Five BCS Games

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

ESPN College Football Analysts Predict Winners of Five BCS Games
Alabama Favored to Win Allstate BCS National Championship

ESPN and its platforms will have full coverage of all five of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) matchups for the second straight year, and in anticipation of the upcoming games ESPN analysts took a crack at predicting the winners.
ESPN analysts’ selections are as followed:

  • No. 5 Oregon was the favorite as the winner of the Rose Bowl Game Presented by VIZIO – netting 80 percent of the votes, while 20 percent selected No. 10 Wisconsin
  • No. 15 Clemson also earned 80 percent of the selections to be victorious over No. 23 West Virginia (20 percent) in the Discover Orange Bowl
  • No. 13 Michigan claimed 78.6 percent of the analysts picks over No. 11 Virginia Tech (21.4 percent) for the Allstate Sugar Bowl
  • No. 3 Oklahoma State was chosen as the winner of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – grabbing 66.7 percent of the votes, while 33.3 percent picked No. 4 Stanford
  • The Allstate BCS National Championship featuring an anticipated rematch of No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama saw 66.7 percent of the analysts selecting Alabama, while 33.3 chose LSU

All five BCS games can been found on ESPN, ESPN3 and ESPN Radio, while the Allstate National Championship will also air on ESPN 3D and ESPN Deportes.

2011 ESPN Analysts College Football BCS Picks

Analyst

Rose Bowl

Fiesta Bowl

Sugar Bowl

Orange Bowl

National Championship

Mike Bellotti

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

LSU

Todd Blackledge

Oregon

Stanford

–

West Virginia

–

Jenn Brown

Wisconsin

Oklahoma St.

Virginia Tech

West Virginia

LSU

Ed Cunningham

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Virginia Tech

Clemson

Alabama

Rod Gilmore

Wisconsin

Stanford

Michigan

–

LSU

Brian Griese

Oregon

Stanford

Michigan

Clemson

Alabama

Dan Hawkins

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Virginia Tech

Clemson

Alabama

Lou Holtz

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

West Virginia

Alabama

Brock Huard

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

LSU

Danny Kanell

Wisconsin

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

Alabama

Mark May

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

Alabama

Todd McShay

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

LSU

Matt Millen

Oregon

–

–

Clemson

Alabama

Jesse Palmer

Oregon

Stanford

Michigan

Clemson

Alabama

Chris Spielman

–

Stanford

Michigan

Clemson

Alabama

Robert Smith

Oregon

Oklahoma St.

Michigan

Clemson

Alabama

ESPN analysts did not pick games they are calling

BCS Games

Rose Bowl

80% – Oregon

20% – Wisconsin

Fiesta Bowl

66.7% – Oklahoma State

33.3% – Stanford

Sugar Bowl

78.6% – Michigan

21.4% – Virginia Tech

Orange Bowl

80% – Clemson

20% – West Virginia

National Championship

66.7% – Alabama

33.3% – LSU

Filed Under: ESPN, NCAA Football

Maurice Jones-Drew Joins This Week’s Episode of INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS’ MAURICE JONES-DREW JOINS VIA SATELLITE TO TALK ABOUT HIS COMMENTS ON PLAYERS HIDING THEIR CONCUSSIONS

New Episode Tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK (Dec. 28, 2011) – On this week’s edition of INSIDE THE NFL, James Brown, Phil Simms, Cris Collinsworth, and Warren Sapp are joined via satellite by Maurice Jones-Drew, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as he talks about the controversial comments he made in this week’s Associated Press article regarding players hiding their concussions in order to stay in the game.

Plus Michael Lombardi joins INSIDE THE NFL for a special Lombardi Report.

This week’s episode of INSIDE THE NFL premieres tonight, Dec. 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

INSIDE THE NFL, now in its 33rd season, airs every Wednesday night through the NFL season on SHOWTIME for a total of 23 episodes, with multiple replays each week on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME® and availability on SHOWTIME On Demand.

INSIDE THE NFL is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films. The executive producers are CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus and NFL Films President Steve Sabol.  Pete Radovich Jr., the Emmy Award-winning Creative Director for CBS Sports, serves as coordinating producer.

Following are excerpts from this week’s episode:

 

Interview with Maurice Jones-Drew where he expands on his comments made to the Associated Press about playing through a concussion…

JONES-DREW: Long term [effects], I can’t really think about that.  All I can really think about is what I can do now for this organization, for my family, whoever I can, to help this team out.  That’s just my way of thinking.  The other guys think a different way, other guys are looking towards the future but, I figure if I can’t take care of them now there will be no future.  So that’s something I continue to work on and try and get better at.  Obviously if you do have concussions…they’ve done a lot of protocols to help you get back in and do whatever they can to protect the brain.  And I commend the league on doing that but at the same time as a player you have to think about being labeled as a guy who gets concussions and not being able to get a job, or being labeled as an injury-prone type of guy and teams backing away from you.  And so at the end of the day this is a multi-billion dollar business and that’s what we’re playing.  Let’s be serious.  You’re playing this way to be famous and to take care of your families.

COLLINSWORTH: We’ve heard in the past that people fake injuries for a variety of reasons in the NFL.  Now you are saying we have to fake health.  We basically have to fake the idea that we are OK to go play the game.

JONES-DREW: I don’t see it as faking.  In certain situations; an ankle sprain you can play through, a broken leg you can’t.  A ding is a ding, a concussion is a concussion.  And so there are guys that are going to get dinged up.  I play running back.  I get hit in the head every play.  I think I’ve been face-masked about 100 times this year; I’ve been driven into the ground.  And there are all these different things that go on and I don’t have headaches or anything like that, that last a long time.  When you get dinged though, off a good hit, it’s a good hit.  That’s how I was raised playing the game.  There are things that you have to be able to play through in this game and that is why we play football.  That’s why we’re called football players.

 

COLLINSWORTH: The basic premise of what [Jones-Drew] said is true.  When you have dings, if you don’t go back out on the field, than you’re not going to play long… It is an interesting dynamic going on here.  And that is, the NFL keeps telling everybody how dangerous these concussions are.  And I think the players are getting the message and that’s a great thing.  One of the problems is a lot of moms are getting this message too.  And there are a lot of moms out there that have a lot of influence over whether or not their children are playing football or not.  And believe me, there are a lot of people thinking, is this right for my kid?

COLLINSWORTH: You know what’s really interesting is, what Maurice Jones-Drew said, ‘I was raised that way.’  In other words that’s how you play football.  If you get dinged you go back in the game.  I was raised that way.  And it really struck a chord with me.  Sometimes it takes the next generation to start playing a different way.  He’s right.  We were raised to play and throw our bodies around and if you got dinged you went back in the game. That’s how you were a tough guy.  But the bottom line of what he said is absolutely true. If you keep taking yourself out of the game, you’re not going to be playing this game for long.

 

On this upcoming Sunday’s Cowboys vs. Giants game…

COLLINSWORTH: Felix Jones, it is time for him to answer the bell.  Here’s a guy that over the years he’s been sort of a, sometimes he’s a factor, sometimes he is not.  But it’s all on him now.  DeMarco Murray is out; he has that fractured ankle, and now is the moment.  Felix Jones was drafted for this moment.  If they don’t get the balance, if they can’t slowdown that pass rush a little bit with some form of running game, I don’t think the Cowboys can win it.

SIMMS: I don’t think we can underscore Tony Romo and the hand. You know, one, he plays down in Dallas.  It is basically an indoor stadium.  Now he’s going outside.  I kind of compare it a little bit to Drew Brees.  You know, they are not as good on the road because there is something about being in those domes where the passing game just clicks.  So that hand’s hurting, the pass rush, even though the weather is not going to be severe, it’s going to be enough.  I think it is going to be a problem for Tony Romo.

 

On Cam Newton…

COLLINSWORTH: You’re talking about a guy [Cam Newton] that may be changing the game a little bit.  In that, okay, we’ve all been talking about Tim Tebow this whole time, whatever.  But this guy (Newton) has proven that he can stand in the pocket and make some throws.  It’s something.

 

Michael Lombardi’s thoughts on the St. Louis Rams…

LOMBARDI: I think St. Louis obviously has been really a disappointment last year.  After winning seven games they come back.  They’re going to make a lot of changes.  I think St. Louis is going to rebuild their entire organization with new owner Stan Kroenke in there, front office included.  I think there are going to be many changes in St. Louis.  Jeff Fisher is a logical choice there [for head coach].  The one survivor in St. Louis will be Kevin Demoff, he is the chief executive officer.  Kevin Demoff’s father is Marvin Demoff who represents Jeff Fisher so there’s a lineage there between the two.

On this upcoming Sunday’s Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos game…

COLLINSWORTH: Now it really comes down to one guy in my estimation.  Tamba Hali is a beast.  And he is athletic enough to not only take Tim Tebow and force him to pitch the ball on those option plays, but go make the tackle out there too.  He is one of the great talents in this league.  And really he doesn’t get a whole lot of help in the pass rush in Kansas City.

On the Cincinnati Bengals…

SAPP: The Bengals are like the Tampa Bay Bucaneers when I first got there.  There were a lot of walls that needed to be broken down and they only have one win versus a team that has better than .500 record right now.  So when the going gets tough the Bengals kind of cower away from that challenge.  So I want to see if they are going to come out this Sunday and meet the Baltimore Ravens at the 50-yard line and fight for four quarters for a playoff spot.

SIMMS:  You know this is a new group and Marvin Lewis, the head coach (Cincinnati Bengals), he got a second chance with the same team.  How many coaches in history get to do that?  And you can see the difference in their attitude, the way they play, the way they look.  I did get a chance to talk to him this week and he’s got a young team and you know what he says, ‘I know two things about this game this weekend.  I am going to see something incredible from my team because of that young talent.’  But he goes, ‘I also know I’m going to see something incredibly stupid too.’  But it’s exciting.  I think that you can hear it when you talk to him how excited he is because he is in control again and the young players buy into what they are doing.

Filed Under: NFL, ShowTime

NFL Games Top Ratings In 29 Markets

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Bears-Packers on NBC Sunday Night Football Most-Watched Show of Week

The Bears-Packers Sunday night game on NBC was the most-watched show among all programs last week with 24.0 million viewers.

Locally, NFL games top the ratings in NFL markets 90 percent of the time through 16 weeks.  Following is the list of the 29 NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of Dec. 19-25:

 

Week of 12/19-12/25  

 

HH

 

HH

 

RTG
Market Game

Date

RTG

SHR

Rank
Milwaukee Bears at Packers

12/25/11

46.5

73

1
Pittsburgh Steelers at 49ers*

12/19/11

44.2

67

1
Baltimore Browns at Ravens

12/24/11

31.9

61

1
Kansas City Raiders at Chiefs

12/24/11

31.9

60

1
Boston Dolphins at Patriots

12/24/11

30.3

61

1
Chicago Bears at Packers

12/25/11

28.7

53

1
San Fran-Oakland Steelers at 49ers*

12/19/11

28.2

50

1
Atlanta Falcons at Saints

12/26/11

27.6

44

1
Denver Broncos at Bills

12/24/11

26.8

59

1
Dallas Eagles at Cowboys

12/24/11

25.6

52

1
Seattle 49ers at Seahawks

12/24/11

24.6

55

1
Detroit Chargers at Lions

12/24/11

24.4

52

1
Nashville Jaguars at Titans

12/24/11

23.5

44

1
New Orleans Steelers at 49ers

12/19/11

23.3

32

1
Indianapolis Texans at Colts**

12/22/11

22.9

36

1
Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys

12/24/11

22.7

47

1
Houston Texans at Colts**

12/22/11

22.4

36

1
Minneapolis Vikings at Redskins

12/24/11

22.4

59

1
San Diego Chargers at Lions

12/24/11

21.8

44

1
New York Giants at Jets

12/24/11

21.6

47

1
Charlotte Buccaneers at Panthers

12/24/11

19.2

41

1
Cleveland Browns at Ravens

12/24/11

19.0

40

1
Phoenix Cardinals at Bengals

12/24/11

15.8

35

1
Washington, DC Vikings at Redskins

12/24/11

15.0

33

1
St. Louis Rams at Steelers

12/24/11

13.6

29

1
Buffalo Bears at Packers

12/25/11

13.6

24

1
Jacksonville Bears at Packers

12/25/11

13.3

23

1
Tampa Buccaneers at Panthers

12/24/11

13.2

31

1
Cincinnati Giants at Jets

12/24/11

13.0

28

1

* Local affiliate & ESPN combined

** Local affiliate & NFL Network combined

Source: NFL & The Nielsen Company

Filed Under: NFL, Ratings

ESPN’s Monday Night Football: Cable’s Most-Watched Series for Sixth Straight Year

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
14 of 20 Biggest Cable Household Audiences of 2011; Saints-Falcons MNF Finale Helps ESPN Win the Night
 
For the sixth straight year, ESPN’s Monday Night Football ranks as the most-watched series on cable television, drawing 14 of the calendar year’s 20 biggest cable household audiences, and 13 of the top 20 among viewers. ESPN’s 17 Monday Night Football telecasts in 2011 averaged a 9.7 rating (8.4 US rating), representing an average of 9,589,000 households (13,252,000 viewers – P2+), according to Nielsen.  Additionally, ESPN ranked as the No. 1 network each Monday night this season among the coveted key male demographics (M18-34 and M18-49).
 
In six seasons on ESPN, Monday Night Football has registered eight of the top 10 all-time biggest household audiences in cable history. (Only two 2011 Bowl Championship Series college football games – which also aired on ESPN – rank higher.)
 
MNF Season-Finale: Falcons-Saints
MNF ended its 42nd season on a strong note this week with the New Orleans Saints’ 45-16 victory over NFC South rival Atlanta, as Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke Hall of Famer Dan Marino’s 27-year-old NFL single-season passing record. The telecast delivered a 10.6 rating (9.2 US rating), representing an average of 10,530,000 households (15,638,000 viewers – P2+).  MNF led all the night’s programs (broadcast or cable) among households, viewers and all key male and adult demos, making ESPN the top network for the night in all categories.
 
MNF on TV
Highlights for the 2011 NFL season:
  • ESPN’s MNF games rank as 14 of the 20 biggest audiences among households and 13 of the 20 biggest among total viewers for cable television in 2011;
  • ESPN led all networks – cable or broadcast – in delivery of men 18-34 and 18-49 every Monday in prime time this season; ESPN was also No. 1 in men 25-54 in 15 of 16 weeks, and No. 1 among adults 25-54 on 10 Mondays;
  • Four times, ESPN won the night as the most-watched network among households and five times among viewers – cable or broadcast – in prime time on Monday;
  • ESPN’s highest-rated MNF game of 2011 was the Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (Sep. 26) with 12,173,000 households and 17,104,000 viewers based on a 12.3 rating.
 
ESPN Monday Night Football Season Averages (2006-11)
Year Rating Households (000s) Viewers (000s)
2011 9.7 9.589 13.252
2010 10.5 10.495 14.657
2009 10.4 10.315 14.382
2008 8.9 8.679 11.962
2007 8.6 8.277 11.230
2006 9.9 9.109 12.325
Source: Nielsen
 
NFL on ESPN Digital Platforms
On Saturday through Monday, ESPN digital platforms generated an average minute audience of 100,000 – up 8 percent compared to the same time period last season (source: Adobe/Omniture).  The Fantasy Football section on ESPN.com was also up 14 percent with an average minute audience of 13,000.  Additionally, the NFL section on the ESPN mobile Web site logged an average minute audience of 20,000, a 37 percent gain.  Season-to-date, the average minute audience of NFL content across digital platforms is up 16% from last year.
MNF Team to Call 2012 Discover Orange Bowl
ESPN’s Monday Night Football team of Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski will return to the booth to call the 2012 Discover Orange Bowl between Big East champion West Virginia (ranked No. 23) and ACC champion Clemson (No. 15). The Bowl Championship Series game will be played at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, on ESPN and ESPN HD (simulcast on ESPN3.com) at 8:30 p.m. ET.
 
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Filed Under: ESPN, NFL, Ratings

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

TNT’s NBA coverage continues on Thursday, December 29 with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder (8 p.m. ET) followed by the

New York Knicks @ Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET)

**** **** **** ****

TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal

O’Neal on Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh as a premier power center: “I don’t compare him to a Charles Barkley or Karl Malone yet.”

Barkley on the Miami Heat’s style of play starting the 2011-12 season: “They should’ve been playing that fast last year. They should just run-and-gun the entire game.”

Smith on the Miami Heat’s style of play: “If you give both of these guys [LeBron James and Dwyane Wade] 25 shots apiece, they’re going to beat most teams. I never understood why they walked the ball up. You want to get the two best players the most shots. They have the two best players every single night. Why would you want to slow it down and not give them opportunities?”

**** **** **** ****

Game 1: Boston Celtics (107) @ Miami Heat (115)

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Mike Fratello (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Kerr on Miami Heat forward LeBron James after his first quarter fastbreak dunk: “The speed and power of this guy is unbelievable.”

Kerr on the Miami Heat this year vs. last year: “Because of the motivation of losing last year in the Finals, it seems like they’re going to run away with this thing [this year].”

**** **** **** ****

Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O’Neal

O’Neal on the Boston Celtics: “Boston is a different team without Paul Pierce. They are a dangerous team when they have all their pieces.”

**** **** **** ****

Game 2: Utah Jazz (71) @ L.A. Lakers (96)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)

Miller on Kobe Bryant who is playing in his 16th season, including 208 playoff games during his career: “He’s 33 but really he’s like 34 or 35 with all the wear-and-tear.”

**** **** **** ****

Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O’Neal

Barkley on the Utah Jazz youthful make-up: “They’re young and trying to build for the future. The Utah Jazz are not going to win a championship anytime soon. They’ve got a very young team and should go out and try to entertain their fans and play at a faster pace.”

**** **** **** ****

Miller on the Lakers head coach Mike Brown: “He’s bringing East Coast basketball – the grind-out type of style. I know they are used to show-time, flash and glitz but people are going to appreciate what this team will be able to do in the defensive end.”

**** **** **** ****

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant following the game:

Bryant on treatment for his injured wrist: “Suck it up. Don’t be a baby.”

**** **** **** ****

Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O’Neal

O’Neal on L.A. Lakers’ win and their prospect for the season: “I was anxious to see this team play without the triangle [offense]. When the ‘big fella’ [Andrew Bynum] comes back they’re going to be a dangerous team. They have a legitimate big three.”

Barkley on the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love: “Kevin Love is one of the most underrated players in the game.”

Smith on Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette and why he’ll make it in the NBA: “What separates him, he is a not a standstill shooter. He can actually make moves and shoot the ball.”

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Filed Under: NBA, TNT
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