February 22, 2012

NBC Sports Group To Air More Than 50 Hours Of Live Tournament And News Coverage Of WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

WGC-Accenture Match Play Marks One Year Anniversary Golf Channel/NBC Collaboration

‘Golf Central’ Live and On-Site Throughout the Week

‘Golf Central’ to Air Live on NBC Saturday and Sunday

Miller, Chamblee and Faldo to Participate in ‘State of the Game’ Special Friday Night on Golf

 

ORLANDO, Fla. Feb. 17, 2012 – Golf Channel and NBC Sports will mark the one year anniversary of the collaboration between the two networks next week at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship with a combined more than 50 hours of on-site news and live tournament coverage from Dove Mountain Resort in Marana, Ariz.

Golf Channel and NBC will air a total of 28 hours of live tournament action Wednesday through Sunday. Golf Channel also will deliver comprehensive news coverage throughout the week – produced and broadcast on-site – and headlined by a special State of the Game show Friday in primetime, and Golf Central Pre Game shows airing on NBC prior to NBC’s live tournament coverage.

Golf Channel / NBC Live Tournament Airtimes (all times Eastern)
Wednesday Noon-6 p.m. (Golf Channel) Day One Matches – 32
Thursday 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel) Day Two Matches – 16
Friday 2-6 p.m. (Golf Channel) Day Three Matches – 8
Saturday Noon-2 p.m. (Golf Channel) First Two Quarterfinal Matches (Front Nine Only)
Saturday 2-6 p.m. (NBC) Quarterfinal Matches
Sunday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Golf Channel) Two Semifinal Matches
Sunday 2-6 p.m. (NBC) Consolation and Championship Matches

More than 25 Hours of On-Site News Coverage: Golf Channel’s news coverage will begin Monday with an hour-long Golf Central and will continue Tuesday with pre-tournament news conferences. Golf Central will provide on-site, wraparound news coverage for both Golf Channel and NBC Sports’ live tournament coverage for the balance of the week, including special Golf Central Pre Game shows that will air exclusively on NBC at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday. Morning Drive, the network’s live, weekday morning show, will expand its weekday coverage and will air a bonus show on Sunday leading into Golf Channel’s live tournament coverage.

State of the Game: The biggest names in golf that cover the game – Dan Hicks, Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo and Brandel Chamblee – will discuss golf’s biggest issues in a roundtable format on State of the Game, Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. A Golf Central special, State of the Game will feature discussion of relevant events making news at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, including Tiger Woods and his recent troubles closing tournaments; Mickelson’s sudden resurgence and the ongoing long putter debate.

Golf Central on NBC: Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee, Frank Nobilo Tim Rosaforte and Steve Sands will host special editions of Golf Central that will air exclusively on NBC Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET leading in to live tournament coverage. The shows will feature early highlights, analysis and interviews, preparing viewers for all of the upcoming action on NBC.

Golf Channel and Golf Channel on NBC Broadcast Team: Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller, in their 13th season together, will anchor ‘Golf Channel on NBC’ coverage Saturday and Sunday from the main tower. Gary Koch and Peter Jacobsen will serve as tower reporters while Roger Maltbie, Mark Rolfing and Dottie Pepper will report from the course. Jimmy Roberts will serve as interviewer/essayist. Kelly Tilghman will host Golf Channel’s tournament coverage Wednesday-Sunday with Terry Gannon and Nick Faldo anchoring from the main tower. Maltbie, Koch, Rolfing, Pepper and Roberts will have dual roles joining Curt Byrum and Steve Sands for Golf Channel’s live tournament coverage.

GolfChannel.com Editorial Coverage and Live Chats: Golf Channel’s online team will complement the network’s on-air coverage throughout the week on GolfChannel.com. Rex Hoggard and Randall Mell will report on-site from Dove Mountain throughout the week with daily columns, blogs, news articles and breaking news. John Hawkins also will participate in a live chat online at Noon ET on Wednesday.

Golf Channel and NBC will share 10 tournaments on the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup schedule in 2012, including the PGA TOUR Playoffs. The WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship is the start of NBC’s six-week run on the PGA TOUR leading up to the Masters in April.

Media Conference Call: NBC Sports Group will conduct a media conference call Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET to preview the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Participating on the call will be Johnny Miller, Nick Faldo, Brandel Chamblee and Dan Hicks. Dial-in numbers are: 877-941-2935 (U.S.) and 480-629-9037 (International).

Golf Channel / NBC WGC-Accenture Match Play News Coverage Airtimes (all times Eastern)

Monday
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Golf Central 6-7 p.m.

Tuesday
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Golf Central Special: News Conferences 4:30-6 p.m.
Golf Central 6-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Morning Drive 7-10 a.m.
Golf Central Pre Game 10 a.m.-Noon
Golf Central 6-7:30 p.m.

Thursday
Morning Drive 7-9:30 a.m.
Golf Central Pre Game 1:30-2 p.m.
Golf Central 6-6:30 p.m.
Golf Central 12:30-1 a.m.
Grey Goose 19th Hole 1-1:30 a.m.

Friday
Morning Drive 7-9:30 a.m.
Golf Central Pre Game 1:30-2 p.m.
Golf Central 6-6:30 p.m.
State of the Game 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Golf Central 1:30-2 a.m.
Grey Goose 19th Hole 2-2:30 a.m.

Saturday
Golf Central Pre Game 11:30 a.m.-Noon
Golf Central Pre Game 1:30-2 p.m. (NBC)
Golf Central 6-6:30 p.m.
Golf Central 12:30-1 a.m.

Sunday
Morning Drive 7-9 a.m.
Golf Central Pre Game 1-1:30 p.m.
Golf Central Pre Game 1:30-2 p.m. (NBC)
Golf Central 6-7 p.m.
Golf Central 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

-NBC Sports Group-

Filed Under: Golf, Golf Channel, NBC

The Sprint US Grand Prix To Air On NBC This Weekend

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Three-day competition from Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah Features the World’s Best Snowboardcross and Skicross riders

NBC’s coverage begins at 3:30p.m. ET on Saturday

 

New York – February 16, 2012 – Olympic snowboarder Nate Holland, coming off an X Games gold medal winning performance, leads a stacked field into the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix – a three-day competition at Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, featuring the top snowboardcross and skicross athletes. Athletes joining Holland on the mountain include, two-time World Cup runner-up Jonathan Cheever, Alpine skier turned skicross champion John Teller, X Games Gold Medalist Chris Del Bosco and Olympian Nick Baumgartner. This is the second year the U.S. Grand Prix returns to Canyons Resorts.

Coverage begins on NBC at 3:30pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012.

Filed Under: NBC

NBC Sports Celebrates Hockey Across The U.S. With Second Annual “Hockey Day In America” Presented By Mcdonald’s

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Stories throughout day to explore hockey’s influence and impact in America

Nine hours of NHL coverage includes three regional games at Noon ET plus Bruins at Wild at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by Devils at Canadiens at 6 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

 

NEW YORK – Feb. 14, 2012 – NBC Sports will once again celebrate hockey in the United States with the second annual “Hockey Day in America” presented by McDonald’s this Sunday from Noon-6 p.m. ET on NBC. Immediately following “Hockey Day in America,” NBC Sports Network will present the New Jersey Devils at the Montreal Canadiens at 6 p.m. ET to conclude a nine-hour NHL block of programming across the broadcast and cable platforms of the NBC Sports Group.

From legendary high school hockey rivalries to the physically challenged who drive for hours to play their favorite sport to “The Program” that changed the game forever for the U.S. hockey elite, NBC Sports will weave the stories of America’s affinity for hockey into and around its coverage of four NHL games (three regional and one national), which will include interviewing and highlighting U.S. players. Among the stories scheduled to be told on Sunday:

Roseau High School vs. Warroad High School: It’s a “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere whenever Roseau (population 2,633) and Warroad (1,781) meet in Minnesota high school hockey. Considering their relatively small populations, the two schools near the Canadian border have produced a disproportionately large number of NHL players. Neal Broten is one of three brothers from Roseau to play in the NHL, and he also was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. Warroad boasts a similar crop of NHL and former Olympic players.

Tampa Bay Lightning Sled Hockey: Through the Lightning Foundation, Tampa Bay was the first in the NHL to fund a community sled hockey program for the physically challenged. The program is so successful that numerous NHL teams have emulated it with participants of all ages traveling from across the state of Florida, some traveling up to six hours, to take to the ice with the Lightning sled hockey team.

The Program: Arguably nothing has had a greater impact on the growth and success of American-born hockey players as “The Program’” enacted in 1996 by USA Hockey. The National Team Development Program was founded with a dual goal: to provide a viable domestic alternative for elite American players who might otherwise opt for top Canadian junior leagues, and to improve U.S. results in international play. Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane is one of the Ann Arbor, Mich., program’s many success stories. At the Vancouver Games, the U.S. won a silver medal by fielding the youngest roster in the tournament, complete with seven NTDP alums, including Kane.

Liam McHugh, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire and Mike Milbury will anchor NBC Sports’ live pre-game and early-game intermission coverage from the Wells Fargo WinterSkate rink in downtown St. Paul, Minn. Olczyk (analyst) and McGuire (Inside the Glass analyst) will then move inside to join Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) for the call of Bruins-Wild.

Calling the early games on NBC will be Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (Inside the Glass analyst) for Penguins-Sabres; Ken Daniels (play-by-play) and Darren Pang (Inside the Glass analyst) for Sharks-Red Wings; and Dave Strader (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (Inside the Glass analyst) for Blues-Blackhawks. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Andy Brickley will call Devils-Canadiens (Inside the Glass analyst) for NBC Sports Network.

Sunday’s games on NBC and NBC Sports Network:

Noon-3 pm ET NBC Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo Sabres (regional)

NBC San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings (regional)

NBC St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks (regional)

3-6 pm ET NBC Boston Bruins at Minnesota Wild (national)

6-9 pm ET NBCSN New Jersey Devils at Montreal Canadiens (national)

“Hockey Day in America” is part of “Hockey Weekend Across America.” Launched by USA Hockey in 2008, “Hockey Weekend Across America” is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the game and those involved at all levels and to expose hockey to new audiences.

NBC Sports experienced ratings success last year with the inaugural “Hockey Day in America.” Coverage of last year’s national game, Penguins-Blackhawks, which went head-to-head with the Daytona 500, was watched by 1.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched non-Winter Classic NHL regular-season game in five years (1/14/06, three-game regional on NBC, 2.0 million).

–Hockey Day in America–

Filed Under: NBC, NHL

CAA and NBC Sports Group Reach Five-Year Agreements For National Basketball And Football Rights

February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

RICHMOND, Va. (February 13, 2012) – The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) has reached five-year agreements with the NBC Sports Group that will provide the most extensive and comprehensive exposure of the conference in its history with coverage on NBC Sports Network and across the group’s regional sports networks.

The agreements, which begin with the 2012-13 season and runs through 2016-17, will provide national television coverage of CAA men’s basketball and football games on the NBC Sports Network, regional television coverage of CAA men’s and women’s basketball and football through the Comcast SportsNet regional networks and coverage of a variety of other CAA sports through NBCSports.com. The CAA is the first collegiate athletic conference to sign a broadcast agreement with the NBC Sports Network, which launched on January 2, 2012.

“We are thrilled to be associated with the NBC Sports Group,” CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager said. “The NBC Sports Network now provides a national platform to elevate the conference in conjunction with the relationship we’ve had with the Comcast SportsNets, which have been the foundation of our television package for almost three decades.”

“We are very excited to begin our new relationship with the Colonial Athletic Association and extend our college sports offerings,” said Michael Sheehey, Senior Vice President, Sports Content and College Sports, NBC Sports Group. “Given our unique four-tier portfolio of assets, we are able to deliver high-quality production of the conference’s football, basketball and other sports to viewers nationally, regionally and online unlike anyone else.”

NBC Sports Network will provide national television coverage for a minimum of 12 men’s basketball games each year, including the semifinals and finals of the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship. In addition, the NBC Sports Network will televise a minimum of five CAA Football games annually. CAA Football is regarded as the top conference in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

The Comcast SportsNet regional networks, which have partnered with the CAA for the past 28 years, will regionally televise 39 additional men’s and women’s basketball games, including the quarterfinals of the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship and the semifinals and finals of the CAA Women’s Basketball Championship. The Comcast Sports Group will also televise an additional 13 regular-season CAA Football games.

Throughout the term of the agreement, there are plans to telecast numerous additional CAA games and various CAA championships on NBCSports.com.

SUMMARY OF CAA AGREEMENT WITH THE NBC SPORTS GROUP

  • 12 national telecasts of CAA men’s basketball games, including national television coverage of the semifinals and finals of the CAA Men’s Basketball Championship for the first time.
  • Five national telecasts of CAA Football games for the first time in conference history.
  • A strong regional television package maintained with the Comcast SportsNet regional networks, featuring 39 men’s and women’s basketball games and 13 football games.
  • Numerous other CAA games and CAA championships broadcast on NBCSports.com.

The Colonial Athletic Association is a 12-member Division I athletic conference with a geographic footprint that stretches from Boston to Atlanta and encompasses five of the nation’s nine largest metropolitan areas. The CAA has had two men’s basketball teams (George Mason – 2006, VCU – 2011) and one women’s basketball team (Old Dominion – 1997) advance to the NCAA Final Four and has produced 16 national team champions in five different sports. Member schools include the University of Delaware, Drexel University, George Mason University, Georgia State University, Hofstra University, James Madison University, the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Northeastern University, Old Dominion University, Towson University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the College of William and Mary.

CAA Football is an 11-member Division I conference that competes in the Football Championship Subdivision. CAA Football has produced five national champions (Massachusetts – 1998, Delaware – 2003, James Madison – 2004, Richmond – 2008, Villanova – 2009) and has had a team advance to the national title game in five of the last six years. Member schools include the University of Delaware, Georgia State University, James Madison University, the University of Maine, the University of New Hampshire, Old Dominion University, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Richmond, Towson University, Villanova University and the College of William and Mary.

A part of the NBC Sports Group, NBC Sports Network is the 24/7 cable platform for NBC Sports’ rich heritage of unmatched storytelling, best-in-class production and utilizing broad promotion to make big events bigger. Now in more than 75 million homes, NBC Sports Network serves sports fans by airing coverage of the Olympic Games and Trials as well as the National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France, major college football, basketball and hockey, and horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown, among other events. The network’s original programming, such as Costas Tonight, NFL Turning Point and NBC SportsTalk, exemplifies NBC Sports’ ability to tell stories and provide meaningful, relevant content. The network is also home to the best outdoor programming on television. NBC Sports Network, which prides itself on serving sports fans across multiple platforms, is distributed via cable, satellite and telco operators throughout the United States.

Comcast Sports Group, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 14 local networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and breaking news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s sports networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.

Filed Under: NBC, NCAA Basketball, NCAA Football

NBCUniversal To Conduct Extensive Research Effort During 2012 London Olympics

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Company Partners with Google and comScore to Explore New Methods of Single Source Cross Platform Video Measurement

NEW YORK – (February 13, 2012) Continuing its pioneering research efforts surrounding the Beijing and Vancouver Olympics known as “The Billion Dollar Lab,” NBCUniversal will conduct a third Olympics research initiative during the 2012 London Games. The company will work with Google and comScore for a series of innovative research projects that will explore new ways to measure single source consumption of video content on TV, mobile, the PC, and for the first time in this Olympics, the tablet.

The initiative will combine Google’s unparalleled analytical and digital expertise with NBCUniversal’s extensive experience using the Olympics to explore consumer media behavior. NBCUniversal and comScore will also partner on a project to measure how different demographic groups use media to follow the Games.

Alan Wurtzel, President, Research, NBCUniversal, said, “Since we first began the Olympics Billion Dollar Lab, non-linear video consumption has increased dramatically. Cross-platform measurement is extraordinarily challenging, but we believe the unique and complementary nature of these research projects will bring us one step closer to cracking the code of single source measurement.”

Considered the “holy grail” of media measurement, single source data measures the use of different devices by an individual consumer across multiple channels, online services and apps. In order to achieve this, the Google project will feature a panel of approximately 3,000 respondents who have agreed to participate. The project will also utilize a number of proprietary algorithms developed specifically for this project by Google.

The comScore initiative will tap into the company’s new 10,000 member single source TV/Online panel to focus on several hundred Olympic enthusiasts who plan to follow the Games on multiple platforms. It will employ set top boxes, electronic meters and panelist self reports to provide new insights into how today’s media platforms contribute to the Olympic experience for the biggest fans.

NBCUniversal, Google, and comScore intend to share both the results of consumer Olympic media consumption, as well as the broader learnings obtained about the various approaches to cross platform measurement. In coming weeks, NBCUniversal will announce other research partnerships for the “Billion Dollar Lab.”

About NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

Filed Under: NBC, Olympics, Universal

Detroit Red Wings To Host The Toronto Maple Leafs In Hockeytown For The 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic At Michigan Stadium Jan. 1, 2013

February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Event Poised To Set All-Time Attendance Record For A Hockey Game  

Red Wings vs. Maple Leafs in Alumni Showdown at Comerica Park is Centerpiece of Hockeytown Winter Festival™, a Celebration of Hockey Expected to Attract 250,000 Fans to Downtown Detroit

2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® Broadcast Live On NBC in U.S., CBC & RDS In Canada

NEW YORK (February 9, 2012) – The Detroit Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® on Tuesday, Jan. 1, the National Hockey League announced today.  Nicknamed “The Big House,” the stadium is the largest in North America.  It is anticipated that the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® could set an all-time world attendance record for a hockey game.  The game will be broadcast live on NBC in the U.S. and on CBC and RDS in Canada.  

“The Red Wings’ tradition of excellence, Detroit’s passion for hockey and the glorious history of the Maple Leafs create a Winter Classic scenario for the ages,” Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The meeting of these two ‘Original Six’ rivals, at this iconic venue, will lift this Winter Classic to incomparable heights. The demand to be there will be so great that this event could only be held at ‘The Big House.’”

In concert with the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, beginning in mid-December Comerica Park in downtown Detroit will be home to a celebration of hockey titled the Hockeytown Winter Festival™.  The main attraction of the festival will be an ice rink built on the Comerica Park field where a special game between notable Red Wings and Maple Leafs alumni – the NHL Alumni Showdown – will be played.  

The outdoor rink at Comerica Park will feature games between teams representing every level of hockey and opportunities for open skating for the public.  Over a quarter of a million fans are expected to watch youth games, high school hockey games, sled hockey games, AHL games, OHL games and more.  The Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Red Wings, will play the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs, on the Comerica Park rink.  For the first time in its history, the Great Lakes Invitational will be played outdoors as Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan, Michigan State and Western Michigan University will be part of the Hockeytown Winter Festival.  Also, the ballpark will host two OHL matchups: the Windsor Spitfires vs. Saginaw Spirit and the Plymouth Whalers vs. London Knights.

“Mike and Marian Ilitch are deeply committed to their beloved Detroit.  That commitment has never wavered,” Commissioner Bettman added.  “The Hockeytown Winter Festival is just the latest example of their passion for their city and for hockey.”

The 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® continues the tradition the NHL® has established of hosting a regular-season game outdoors at the onset of the new year to celebrate the origin and traditions of hockey.  This season in Philadelphia, both the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® between the Flyers and New York Rangers and the alumni game two days prior attracted sellout crowds.  More than 100,000 fans visited Spectator Plaza, the official outdoor hockey festival adjacent to the ballpark.

Further details on the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, including the official event logo, ticketing information and uniform design for each team, will be released in the coming months.  Fans can visit www.NHL.com/winterclassic and www.Detroitredwings.com/2013winterclassic for the latest news.

Two members of the NHL’s “Original Six®,” the Red Wings and Maple Leafs are longtime rivals, having first played against each other on Jan. 4, 1927 as the Toronto St. Patricks defeated the Detroit Cougars 2-1 in a game near Detroit.  Just over a month later, the Toronto team was re-named the Maple Leafs.  The Maple Leafs captured a 4-3 victory on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 in the only regular-season meeting of the teams this season, marking the 644th regular-season contest between the franchises.  As of today, each is the second most-common regular-season opponent for the other.  The Maple Leafs have faced only the Montreal Canadiens more often; the Red Wings only the Chicago Blackhawks.

Not only is the Detroit-Toronto hockey rivalry a storied one, it is a competitive one.  All-time during the regular season, Detroit (275-273-93-3) has captured 646 points against Toronto, holding an advantage by the slimmest of margins over Toronto’s 645 versus Detroit (276-275-93-0).

More than just a regular-season phenomenon, the rivalry remains as profound and closely contested in the Stanley Cup® Playoffs.  The 117 playoff games between the franchises is the second most in NHL history (Boston vs. Montreal=170).  The Red Wings have won 59 of those games to the Maple Leafs’ 58, outscoring Toronto 321-311.  However, the Maple Leafs hold the edge in terms of playoff series victories, 12-11.

The 2011-12 versions of the teams feature some of the top talent in the NHL.  The Red Wings are led by captain Nicklas Lidstrom, the seven-time and defending Norris Trophy winner who also is an 11-time NHL All-Star.  Lidstrom, along with Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Tomas Holmstrom, Jimmy Howard and more, have the Red Wings fighting for top spot in the Western Conference once again.  

“We are honored to host the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® and bring the Hockeytown Winter Festival to our fans,” said Red Wings Owner Michael Ilitch.  “This is one of the greatest sports towns ever and to be able to host this celebration of the sport of hockey will provide a tremendous positive economic impact to our community. We are proud to show the world why we love Hockeytown!”

The Maple Leafs were well represented at the recent 2012 NHL All-Star weekend with three players in Ottawa.  Captain Dion Phaneuf and the high-scoring tandem of Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel were recognized for their outstanding seasons.  
 
        “The Toronto Maple Leafs and our fans are extremely thrilled to be a part of the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic,” said Brian Burke, Maple Leafs President and General Manager. “The rich hockey heritage of these two Original Six hockey clubs will make for an extremely memorable event played in front of the NHL’s largest crowd ever. The atmosphere and pageantry will be an outstanding spectacle for our sport.”  

“For the players on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings, having this opportunity to play hockey outdoors at ‘The Big House’ in front of a passionate and potentially record-setting crowd will be a unique experience that they will always remember,” said NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr. “The Leafs and Red Wings Players are looking forward to what should be a great day for everyone involved.”

Michigan Stadium re-claimed the title of the largest stadium in the U.S. after the completion of seating renovations in 2010 increased its official capacity to 109,901.  The historic home of Wolverine football easily becomes the largest venue to host the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®.

“We are excited to provide the NHL with use of our beautiful Michigan Stadium for the NHL Winter Classic,” said Dave Brandon, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “This will be a way for hockey fans around the globe to experience Michigan Stadium and the University of Michigan. This event will have a significant positive economic impact on the Ann Arbor community and the State of Michigan.”

The five previous editions of the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® comprise five of the top six most watched regular-season NHL games in the U.S. in the past 37 years.  The 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® in Pittsburgh on NBC Sports aired in primetime and was the most-watched NHL regular season game in the U.S. in 36 years with an average of 4.5 million viewers.  The event also drew the largest audience on CBC for any of the U.S.-based outdoor NHL games.  

“It’s more than appropriate that the NHL’s biggest regular-season event is now moving to North America’s biggest venue,” said Jon Miller, president programming, NBC Sports & NBC Sports Network. “If any venue can grow the spectacle of the NHL Winter Classic, it’s The Big House. We continue to be extraordinarily proud of our contribution in creating and growing this tremendous event with our partners at the NHL.”

“Canadians have come to expect the best hockey coverage from CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and we’re proud to once again be the host broadcaster of the NHL Winter Classic in 2013, when the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Detroit Red Wings,” said Jeffrey Orridge, Executive Director, CBC Sports Properties. “This game has quickly become appointment viewing for hockey fans across country and even more so this season with an Original Six matchup featuring one of Canada’s most storied franchises, live from Michigan Stadium. We have no doubt that this will be one of the most anticipated and exciting NHL Winter Classic games yet.”

Sirius XM Satellite Radio will provide radio coverage.  NHL.com will provide extensive digital video coverage and NHL Network™ will once again provide hours of coverage live from Hockeytown in the days leading up to and after the game.  

The Bridgestone brand, the Official Tire of the NHL® and the NHLPA, returns for the fifth consecutive year as title sponsor of the event.  

“The Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic has become a New Year’s Day tradition and truly a Performance Moment in the sports world — it is the same Passion for Performance that the Bridgestone brand instills in its products every day,” said Phil Pacsi, Vice President, Customer Marketing & Training, U.S. & Canada Consumer Tire Sales, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, (BATO). “Watching two of the NHL’s most storied rivals square off at the 2013 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® at the Big House is an event not to be missed, and will be talked about for years to come. We are excited and proud to be part of this New Year’s tradition.”

        The first-ever NHL regular-season game contested outdoors was played in 2003 when the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium.  Since 2008, the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® has been contested every year on or just after New Year’s Day.  The first contest featured the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium.  In 2009, the Blackhawks hosted the Red Wings at Wrigley Field.  In 2010, the Boston Bruins hosted the Flyers at Fenway Park.  In 2011, the Penguins hosted the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field.  In 2012, the Flyers hosted the Rangers at Citizens Bank Park.  In February 2011, the Calgary Flames hosted the Canadiens in the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ at McMahon Stadium.

Filed Under: NBC, NHL

Super Bowl XLVI Most-Watched TV Show Of All Time — 166.8 Million Total Viewers

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

166.8 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS

SUPER BOWLS RANK AS TV’S TOP 21 SHOWS

The 2011 NFL season concluded with another television milestone as Super Bowl XLVI on NBC reached a total audience of 166.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched show in U.S. television history according to The Nielsen Company.

The Giants-Patriots championship game topped the previous record of 162.9 million total viewers set last year (Packers-Steelers in Super Bowl XLV) and marks the fifth consecutive record-setting total audience for the Super Bowl. Super Bowls account for the 21 most-watched programs in history in terms of total audience.

Most-Watched TV Programs, Total Viewers

Game  Total Viewers
Super Bowl XLVI (Giants-Patriots), 2/5/12 166.8 million
Super Bowl XLV (Packers-Steelers), 2/6/11 162.9 million
Super Bowl XLIV (Colts-Saints), 2/7/10 153.4 million
Super Bowl XLIII (Cardinals-Steelers), 2/1/09 151.6 million
Super Bowl XLII (Giants-Patriots), 2/3/08 148.3 million

Source: NFL, The Nielsen Company

In addition, a record average of 111.3 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLVI – topping the previous mark of 111 million for Super Bowl XLV. 

###

SUPER BOWL XLVI IS MOST-WATCHED SHOW IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY

111.3 Million Watch Super Bowl XLVI, Tops Last Year’s Super Bowl (111.0 Million)

47.0 Household Rating is Best in 26 Years, Since 48.3 for Super Bowl XX

40.5 Adult 18-49 Rating is Best for a Super Bowl in 16 Years

14% Higher Than Last Giants-Patriots Super Bowl in 2008

12% Higher Than Last NBC Super Bowl in 2009

7th Straight Year Super Bowl Audience Increases

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 6, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI is the most-watched television program in U.S. history and the highest-rated Super Bowl in 26 years, according to fast national data released today by The Nielsen Company.

The game, in which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, was seen by a record 111.3 million viewers (6:31-9:58 p.m. ET), topping last year’s 111.0 for Super Bowl XLV on Fox and is the biggest audience to watch a television program in U.S. history.

MOST-WATCHED PROGRAMS IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY

1. 111.3 Million – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
2. 111.0 Million – Super Bowl XLV, Fox
3. 106.5 Million – Super Bowl XLIV, CBS
4. 106.0 Million – M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS
5. 98.7 Million – Super Bowl XLIII, NBC

HIGHEST-RATED SUPER BOWL IN 26 YEARS: The game earned a 47.0 rating and a 71 share, a gain of two percent from last year’s 46.0/69 for Super Bowl XLV and is the highest-rated Super Bowl since 1986 (Bears-Patriots, Super Bowl XX, 48.3/70). The 47.0 rating is the 6th highest in Super Bowl history.

· The game drew a 40.5 rating in the advertiser-coveted Adult 18-49 demographic, the highest for a Super Bowl in 16 years (41.2 for Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996)

HIGEST-RATED SUPER BOWLS:

1. 49.1/73 – Super Bowl XVI, CBS
2. 48.6/69 – Super Bowl XVII, NBC
3. 48.3/70 – Super Bowl XX, NBC
4. 47.2/67 – Super Bowl XII, CBS
5. 47.1/74 – Super Bowl XIII, NBC
6. 47.0/71 – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
T7. 46.4/71 – Super Bowl XVIII, CBS
T7. 46.4/63 – Super Bowl XIX, ABC
9. 46.3/67 – Super Bowl XIV, CBS
10. 46.0/69 – Super Bowl XLV, Fox

VIEWERSHIP GROWS THROUGHOUT THE GAME: The viewership and rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 117.7 million viewers and a 50.7/72, respectively, from 9:30-9:58 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.

HALF HOUR VIEWERSHIP (Times ET):

6:31-7, 99.2 million
7-7:30, 107.9 million
7:30-8, 110.9 million
8-8:30, 114.0 million
8:30-9, 114.3 million
9-9:30, 115.4 million
9:30-9:58, 117.7 million

HALF HOUR RATINGS (Times ET):

6:31-7, 42.5/69
7-7:30, 45.5/71
7:30-8, 46.4/71
8-8:30, 47.4/70
8:30-9, 47.7/70
9-9:30, 48.9/70
9:30-9:58, 50.7/72

HALFTIME SHOW FEATURING MADONNA IS MOST-WATCHED EVER: The halftime performance by Madonna (8-8:30), was seen by 114.0 million viewers, nearly four million more than last year’s performance featuring the Black Eyed Peas (110.3 million), and is the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show featuring entertainment ever (dating back to 1991).

· The halftime viewership 18.3 million more than NBC’s last Super Bowl with Bruce Springsteen (95.7 million).

· The halftime show earned a 47.4 household rating, six percent higher than last year (44.7/68) and is the highest-rated halftime show featuring entertainment ever.

“THE VOICE” DELIVERS HUGE NUMBERS: The season two premiere of “The Voice” that followed the Super Bowl averaged a 16.3 rating in adults 18-49 and 37.6 million viewers overall, making it the highest-rated entertainment program in 18-49 in six years, since ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” post-Super Bowl telecast on February 5, 2006 (16.5). “The Voice” is up versus last year’s post-Super Bowl telecast of “Glee” by 47 percent in 18-49 (16.3 vs. 11.1) and up one percent versus the 2010 post-Super Bowl telecast of “Undercover Boss” (16.3 vs. 16.2).

BOSTON SETS LOCAL MARKET RECORD: The rating in Boston was the best ever for an NFL game in that market (56.7/81) topping the previous high of 56.1/78 for Super Bowl XXXVI (56.1/78 on Fox).

· The New York market registered a 49.7/74, the second-highest overnight for an NFL game in that market, trailing only the 53.4/72 for Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first-ever Super Bowl. By comparison, New York registered a 44.9/67 for Super Bowl XLII, the last time they were in the big game.

· The host market of Indianapolis registered a 56.4/79 overnight rating, the second-best overnight for a host market only trailing Jacksonville (58.9/77) for Super Bowl XXXIX).

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI:

1. Boston, 56.7/81
2. Indianapolis, 56.4/79
3. Norfolk, 54.2/73
4. Columbus, 54.1/72
5. New Orleans, 54.0/72
T6. Nashville, 53.5/74
T6. Jacksonville, 53.5/70
8. Buffalo, 52.9/72
9. Kansas City, 52.1/73
10. Milwaukee, 52.0/73
*New York ranked 18th with a 49.7/74

–SUPER BOWL XLVI–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL, Ratings

Super Bowl XLVI Earns 47.8 Overnight Rating

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

3rd Highest Super Bowl Overnight Ever, Less Than One Percent Behind Super Bowls XLV and XXI (47.9)

14% Higher Than Last NBC Super Bowl

7% Higher Than Last Time Giants and Patriots Met in Super Bowl XLII

Boston Registered a 56.7/81, Best Overnight Rating Ever for an NFL game in Boston

New York Registered a 49.7/74, Second-Best Overnight Ever for an NFL game in New York

Final Half-Hour of Pre-Game Show Best Since 2003

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 6, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI in which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17, earned a 47.8/71 overnight rating/share last night on NBC, the third-highest overnight rating in Super Bowl history and less than one percent off the highest (47.9 for both Super Bowl XLV and Super Bowl XXI), according to overnight data released today by The Nielsen Company.

· The 47.8/71 is seven percent higher than Super Bowl XLII on Fox when the Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14.

· The overnight rating is 14 percent higher than the last Super Bowl on NBC (Super Bowl XLIII, Steelers 27, Cardinals 23) and higher than any of NBC’s previous 11 Super Bowls in which there were metered markets.

· Tops all other Super Bowls involving the Giants and Patriots in Nielsen People Meter History (Since 1988).

“This confirms that the Super Bowl is the most dominant and consistent property on television,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “We are fortunate, in our new agreement with the NFL, to be able to broadcast three more Super Bowls over the next nine years.”

TOP 5 SUPER BOWL OVERNIGHTS OF ALL TIME:

T1. 47.9/71 – Super Bowl XLV, Packers 31-Steelers 25, Fox

T1. 47.9/68 – Super Bowl XXI, Giants 39-Broncos 20, CBS

3. 47.8/71 – Super Bowl XLVI, Giants 21-Patriots 17, NBC

4. 47.4/NA – Super Bowl XIV, Steelers 31-Rams 19, CBS

5. 46.9/70 – Super Bowl XX, Bears 46-Patriots 10, NBC

RATING GROWS THROUGHOUT THE GAME: The rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 51.8/73 from 9:30-10 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.

HALF HOURS (Times ET):

6:30-7, 43.3/69

7-7:30, 45.9/71

7:30-8, 47.7/72

8-8:30, 48.1/72

8:30-9, 48.3/71

9-9:30, 49.3/70

9:30-10, 51.8/73

FINAL HALF HOUR OF PRE-GAME SHOW BEST SINCE ’03: From 6-6:30, the Super Bowl XLVI Pre-Game show drew a 34.5 overnight rating, two percent higher than last year and the best for the final half-hour of the pre-game show since Super Bowl XXXVII (35.3 on ABC). Total pre-game (2-6:30) registered a 12.0/23 just two percent off from last year’s (12.2/23) and two percent higher than the last NBC Super Bowl (11.8/23 for Super Bowl XLIII).

 

 

· The halftime performance by Madonna (8-8:30), earned a 48.1/72 overnight, one percent ahead of last year’s 8-8:30 time period featuring the Black Eyed Peas (47.4/70) and 20 percent higher than NBC’s last Super Bowl with Bruce Springsteen (40.2/62).

 

 

· The post-game (10-10:15) registered a 35.3/54, 17 percent higher than last year’s 30.3 for Super Bowl XLV in Fox.

BOSTON SETS LOCAL MARKET RECORD: The rating in Boston was the best ever for an NFL game in that market (56.7/81) topping the previous high of 56.1/78 for Super Bowl XXXVI (56.1/78 on Fox).

· The New York market registered a 49.7/74, the second-highest overnight for an NFL game in that market, trailing only the 53.4/72 for Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first-ever Super Bowl. By comparison, New York registered a 44.9/67 for Super Bowl XLII, the last time they were in the big game.

· The host market of Indianapolis registered a 56.4/79 overnight rating, the second-best overnight for a host market only trailing Jacksonville (58.9/77) for Super Bowl XXXIX).

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI:

1. Boston, 56.7/81

2. Indianapolis, 56.4/79

3. Norfolk, 54.2/73

4. Columbus, 54.1/72

5. New Orleans, 54.0/72

T6. Nashville, 53.5/74

T6. Jacksonville, 53.5/70

8. Buffalo, 52.9/72

9. Kansas City, 52.1/73

10. Milwaukee, 52.0/73

*New York ranked 18th with a 49.7/74

When Fast National data is available from Nielsen this afternoon, the viewership could approach last year’s 111.0 million that watched Super Bowl XLV, the most-watched Super Bowl ever, and the most-watched television audience in U.S. history.

*Note, the “fast affiliate” data that is available later this morning does NOT reflect live audience for the Super Bowl across the country.

*Overnight ratings measure the top 56 U.S. metered markets.

–SUPER BOWL XLVI–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL, Ratings

Post-Game Comments From NBC Sports’ Coverage Of Super Bowl XLVI

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

“One of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.” – Cirs Collinsworth on Mario Manningham’s 38-yard catch in fourth quarter

“He won this football game.” – Rodney Harrison on Eli Manning

“It’s (Tom) Coughlin and Eli Manning who put themselves in the discussion for the Hall of Fame.” – Bob Costas

INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 5, 2012 – The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI, the 17th Super Bowl broadcast by NBC. Following are post-game highlights from the broadcast:

CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON MARIO MANNINGHAM’S CATCH: “Absolutely unbelievable. Will go down as one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history. And it reminds you just a bit of David Tyree and the last time Eli Manning had the unbelievable drive. The Velcro on the helmet as Al Michaels described it.

COLLINSWORTH ON MANNING: “How brilliant can Easy-Eli be? And he will never again have to answer questions, ‘Do you consider yourself and elite quarterback and in Tom Brady’s class?’”

AL MICHAELS ON MANNING: “And he wins it in the house that his brother built.”

MICHAELS ON PATRIOTS: “The New England Patriots will have another Super Bowl tape that they won’t want to look at.”

TONY DUNGY AND RODNEY HARRISON POST-GAME COMMENTS

Harrison: “We knew this game was going to come down to the fourth quarter, and everyone thought I was crazy a week ago when I said I trust Eli Manning more in the fourth quarter than I did Tom Brady. I think you saw tonight why I said that. Tom Brady had a couple opportunities, missed some opportunities down the field. Eli didn’t. He won this football game.”

Dungy: “I was in New York with the Giants last week and every defensive player told me how much confidence they had in Eli Manning. Justin Tuck said, ‘We know if we can just get that stop in the fourth quarter Eli will win it for us.’ And he proved them right tonight.”

BOB COSTAS’ FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE GAME: “Had it turned out the other way, with a victory tonight Belichick and Brady would have put themselves at or near the top of the discussion of the greatest coach and quarterback of the Super Bowl era. Instead it turns out that it’s Coughlin and Eli Manning who put themselves in the discussion for the Hall of Fame. Because quite simply, in dramatic fashion they have now twice bested the team considered to be the best of it’s era in the game that matters most.”

Filed Under: NBC, NFL

NBC Sports Presents Six Hours Of Super Bowl XLVI Pre-Game Coverage

February 3, 2012 By 1 Comment

Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy & Rodney Harrison preview Super Bowl XLVI with interviews, analysis and commentary

Super Bowl MVPs Aaron Rodgers & Hines Ward serve as guest analysts

Lenny Kravitz & The Fray perform live

Cast of The Voice and other celebrities make red-carpet appearances

TODAY’s Matt Lauer interviews President Barack Obama

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

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

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

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

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

THE GAME

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

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

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

· Bob Costas interviews Tom Brady

· Dan Patrick interviews Eli Manning

· Tony Dungy sits with Tom Coughlin and visits with Victor Cruz at his former Paterson, N.J. home.

· Rodney Harrison interviews his former coach, Bill Belichick, and goes on the field with Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.

· Al Michaels visits with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who has dedicated this season to his wife Myra, who passed away in 2011.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE PRESIDENT

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

ENTERTAINMENT

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

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

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

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

ATMOSPHERE

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

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

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

REGIONAL COVERAGE

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

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

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

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

–NBC Sports Group–

Filed Under: NBC, NFL
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