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Archives for December 2008

Rice and Western Michigan Face off in Third Annual Texas Bowl Exclusively on NFL Network Dec. 30 at 8:00 PM ET

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Rice and Western Michigan Face off in Third Annual Texas Bowl Exclusively on NFL Network Dec. 30 at 8:00 PM ET

NFL Network will televise the third annual Texas Bowl featuring a matchup between the Rice University Owls (9-3) and the Western Michigan Broncos (9-3) live in high-definition from Reliant Stadium in Houston Tuesday, December 30 at 8:00 PM ET.

NFL Network’s Fran Charles has the call, alongside Tom Waddle in the booth and Kara Henderson on the sidelines.

The Texas Bowl is the first of two live games airing on back-to-back nights on NFL Network. The Insight Bowl featuring Kansas vs. Minnesota follows in high-definition on New Year’s Eve at 6:00 PM ET. The Texas Bowl also marks the first meeting ever between the two schools and is one of only five non-BCS bowl games to match two nine-win teams.

Rice University brings a 9-3 record to Houston, including a 7-1 mark in Conference USA. Owls head coach David Bailiff is in his second season at the helm and leads Rice to its second bowl appearance in three seasons.

The Owls boast an impressive offensive attack that ranks in the top 10 nationally among three offensive categories. Standout QB Chase Clement, WR Jarrett Dillard and TE James Casey anchor Rice’s offensive that ranks fifth in passing (327.8 yards/game), eighth in scoring (41.6 points/game) and 10th in total offense (472.3 yards/game).

Western Michigan also has one of the nation’s top offenses, ranking 10th in passing (301.2 yards/game). Broncos QB Tim Hiller ranks 14th in the nation in total offense, while WR Jamarko Simmons holds the third spot nationwide in receptions (8.17 per game). 2008 marks the Broncos fourth bowl appearance all-time and second under head coach Bill Cubit.

The game will be televised locally in Western Michigan’s home market of Grand Rapids, MI on WXMI FOX-17.

This is the third year NFL Network has had the exclusive rights to the Texas Bowl. The 2008 Texas Bowl is part of NFL Network’s college football and Path to the Draft programming which includes College Football Now, the Insight Bowl, the Under Armour Senior Bowl and the 2009 Scouting Combine. Live pick-by-pick coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft airs April 25-26 on NFL Network.  Earlier this season, NFL Network aired the Circle City Classic between Tuskegee and Alabama A&M.

HBO Jan. Boxing After Dark; Duke-North Carolina basketball documentary.

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RISING STARS LIGHT UP THE NEW YEAR WHEN HBO BOXING AFTER DARK(r):  ANDRE BERTO VS. LUIS COLLAZO AND SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. JOE GREENE IS PRESENTED SATURDAY, JAN. 17 ON HBO

An undefeated young titleholder looks to start the new year off with a bang and intriguing veterans aim to shine in the 2009 premiere of the network’s hit late-night boxing franchise when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK:  ANDRE BERTO VS. LUIS COLLAZO AND SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. JOE GREENE is presented SATURDAY, JAN. 17 at 9:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT), from the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss., exclusively on HBO.  The HBO Sports team will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdate:  Jan. 18 (10:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates:  Jan. 18 (5:45 p.m.) and 20 (11:30 p.m.)
Undefeated Florida native Andre Berto (23-0, 19 KOs) enjoyed a splendid 2008, winning all three of his fights and serving notice he is on the verge of becoming one of the elite stars of the talented welterweight division.  Now he gets to test his game against a rock-solid opponent in former welterweight champion Luis Collazo (29-3, 14 KOs) of Brooklyn.  The winner gets a head start on sorting out the crowded 147-pound division in 2009.

In the opening bout, fast-rising junior middleweight Sergio Martinez (44-1-1, 24 KOs) of Madrid, Spain returns to the HBO spotlight to meet Joe Greene (20-0, 14 KOs) of Queens, NY.  Following his stunning victory over Alex Bunema on BOXING AFTER DARK last October, the 33-year-old Martinez looks to reaffirm his considerable skills in this 154-pound showdown.  Standing in his way is Joe Greene, a skilled southpaw with knockout power.

The executive producer of HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Mike Sheehan.

(r) BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

HBO SPORTS BEGINS PRODUCTION ON DOCUMENTARY “BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD:  DUKE VS. NORTH CAROLINA,” EXAMINING COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S FIERCEST RIVALRY,DEBUTING FEB. 23

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2008 – HBO Sports has begun production on the documentary BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD:  DUKE VS. CAROLINA, chronicling what many hardwood observers consider college basketball’s fiercest rivalry, it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports.  Tracing the history of the rivalry, as well as examining the different cultures and characteristics of the programs in Durham and Chapel Hill, the special debuts MONDAY, FEB. 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

“This film will explore how a cross-town rivalry between two prestigious academic universities in North Carolina has escalated into one of the most scrutinized and intense rivalries in college sports,” said Greenburg.  “The regular season showdowns and the ACC Tournament meetings between these two schools have become national events, and we’ll explore how it all started and what it means to have played in one of these contests.”

Separated by fewer than ten miles, the two schools have been going at it on the hardwood since 1920.  But over the past 25 years, their heated competition has steadily grown in intensity, with Duke and North Carolina gearing up each season to reach a common goal:  to beat their archrival twice in the regular season, regardless of rankings or won-loss records.  These two Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouses frequently dominate the conference standings, and routinely compete for the top spot in the national polls.  Remarkably, since the NCAA Tournament expanded to its current configuration in 1985, these two schools alone have combined for more national titles (five) and made more Final Four appearances (18), than any other entire conference.

The high-profile list of interviewees from the Blue Devils and Tar Heels weighing in on the intense rivalry in BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD:  DUKE VS. CAROLINA includes Hall of Fame coaches Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski, and all-time great players Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Charlie Scott, Grant Hill, Johnny Dawkins and Christian Laettner.

The executive producers of BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD:  DUKE VS. CAROLINA are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; produced by George Roy.

Inside the NFL on Showtime – Greatest Game and 2008 Playoff Race

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“INSIDE THE NFL” ON SHOWTIME LOOKS BACK AT THE “GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED” AND LOOKS AHEAD TO THE NFL PLAYOFF RACE; PLUS PHIL SIMMS’ PET PEEVES RETURNS ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24

NEW YORK (Dec. 23, 2008) –- This week’s INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME is highlighted by a feature on the 1958 National Football League Championship Game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts, known as the “Greatest Game Ever Played.” Among those featured are Frank Gifford, Art Donovan, Pat Summerall, Gino Marchetti, Don Maynard and Raymond Berry on Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Also on the show, a look at the NFL playoff picture heading into the final week of the season and Phil Simms’ “Pet Peeves” returns.

Host James Brown anchors INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME with All Pro NFL greats Cris Collinsworth, Simms and Warren Sapp serving as expert analysts. INSIDE THE NFL is being produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films with new shows airing on SHOWTIME every Wednesday during the NFL season through February 11, 2009.  The executive producers are Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, and NFL Films President Steve Sabol.

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NBA TV and NBA.com to Dedicate 24 Hours of Coverage to LeBron James in Celebration of His 24th Birthday

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NBA TV and NBA.com to Dedicate 24 Hours of Coverage

to LeBron James in Celebration of His 24th Birthday

24 Hours of LeBron presented by Nike airs Dec. 29 – 30

In celebration of LeBron James’ 24th birthday, NBA TV will televise 24 Hours of LeBron presented by Nike, a full day of programming featuring live games, highlights, classic performances and new original specials focused on the Cleveland Cavaliers forward who turns 24 on Tues., Dec. 30.  NBA.com will also run a day-long online showcase of coverage on James, featuring online editorial, videos and photos.

The 24 Hours of LeBron presented by Nike tips off on NBA TV Mon., Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. ET with the airing of James’ first NBA game which was originally played on Oct. 29, 2003.  Throughout the day the network will televise various Cleveland Cavaliers classic match-ups featuring James, as well as his first nationally televised high school game.  The schedule will also include several never-seen-before original features (see schedule below).

NBA TV’s live studio shows will also feature a focus on the Cavaliers superstar as the studio announcers provide insight and analysis on the player also known as “King James.”  The day-long itinerary will conclude with a special Fan Night presentation of the Cavaliers @ Heat game on Tues., Dec. 30 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Highlights from NBA TV’s 24 Hours of LeBron presented by Nike schedule:

Monday, December 29

1:00 p.m.         Hardwood Classic:  Cavaliers @ Kings

LeBron James’ first NBA game

3:00 p.m.         Hardwood Classic:  Wizards @ Cavaliers

2006 Eastern Conference 1st Round – Game 5

4:00 p.m.         Hardwood Classic:  Cavaliers @ Pistons

2006 Eastern Conference Semifnals – Game 5

5:00 p.m.         NBA TV 24 Hours of LeBron presented by Nike Tip-Off

6:00 p.m.         LeBron James:  Steps for Success

So you want to be just like LeBron James?  Then this special is for you.  Presented in a fun, tongue-in-cheek style, this special lets viewers in on the secrets of how to attain the lofty heights occupied by the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar.

6:30 p.m.         Fresh Cutz with LBJ

Hang out with NBA superstar LeBron James as he visits his local Akron barbershop while discussing hoops, his hometown and life in general.  Each barbershop conversation is a launching pad to the top highlights of LeBron’s career, including his greatest dunks, moves, assists, defensive plays and clutch moments.

Tuesday, December 30

1:00 p.m.         Hardwood Classic:  Oak Hill Academy vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary’s

LeBron James’ first nationally televised high school game

2:00 p.m.         The Run:  LeBron James

2:30 p.m.         Hardwood Classic:  Cavaliers @ Pistons

2007 Eastern Conference Finals – Game 5

5:00 p.m.         LeBron James:  Steps for Success

5:30 p.m.         Fresh Cutz with LBJ

6:00 p.m.         The Beat (live)

Special LeBron James edition

7:00 p.m.         NBA GameTime (live)

Ahmad Rashad, Gary Payton and Chris Webber

7:30 p.m.         Cavaliers @ Heat (live)

NBA TV LIVE AND ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times ET)
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23: FAN NIGHT
6 – 6:30p.m.

THE BEAT

6:30 – 7 p.m.

THE BEAT (reair)

7 – 7:30 p.m.

NBA GameTime

Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton
7:30 – 8 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton
8 – 10:30 p.m.

FAN NIGHT: L.A. Lakers @ New Orleans Hornets

Local Announcers
10:30 – 11 p.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton
11 p.m. – 12 a.m.

2008 NBA TV Holiday Special

Special Musical Performances
12 – 1 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24: PREMIERE NIGHT
4 – 4:30 p.m.

D-League Central

Rick Kamla
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

NBA D-League: Dakota Wizards @ Erie BayHawks

Local Announcers

6:30 – 7 p.m.

The Beat

Marc Fein and David Aldridge
7 – 7:30 p.m.

REAL NBA

8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: 2008 NBA Finals

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25: LEGENDS NIGHT
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: Lakers/Celtics 2008 NBA Finals

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26
7 – 10 p.m.

NBA GameTime

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
10 – 10:30 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
10:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Boston Celtics @ Golden State Warriors

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
1 – 2 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
1 – 3 p.m.

Euroleague Game of the Week:Alba Berlin @ Tau Ceramica

Local Announcers
7 – 8 p.m.

NBA GameTime

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
8 – 8:30p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
8:30 – 11 p.m.

Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets

Local Announcers
11 p.m. – 2 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28
12. – 5 p.m.

NBA TOP 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK

6:30 – 7 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Andre Aldridge and Eric Snow
7 – 9:30 p.m.

New Orleans Hornets @ Indiana Pacers

Local Announcers
9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Andre Aldridge and Eric Snow

NBA TV LIVE AND ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times ET)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29
8 – 8:30 a.m.

NBA.COM FANTASY INSIDER

Rick Kamla

3 – 4 p.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: Wizards/Cavs Game 5

4 – 5 p.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: Cavs/Pistons Game 6

5 – 7 p.m.

NBA SPECIAL: 24 Hours of LeBron James

7 – 7:30 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
7:30 – 10 p.m.

New York Knicks @ Phoenix Suns

Local Announcers
10 – 10:30 p.m.

Postgame Show Presented by Hyundai

Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
10:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Tronto Raptors @ Golden State

Local Announcers
1 – 2 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Andre Aldridge, Steve Smith and Eric Snow
2 – 2:30 a.m.

NBA SPECIAL:  LeBron James(2008)

2:30 – 3 a.m.

NBA SPECIAL:  LeBron James Top Ten (2008)

3 – 4 a.m.

NBA GameTime: 24 Hours of LeBron

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30:
6 a.m. – 1 p.m.

NBA GameTime: 24 Hours of LeBron
1 – 2 p.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: Oak Hill Academy/St. Vincent-St. Mary

2 – 2:30 p.m.

THE RUN: LeBron James

2:30 – 5 p.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: Cavs/Pistons Game 5 (2007)

5 – 6 p.m.

NBA SPECIAL: LeBron James

6 – 6:30p.m.

THE BEAT

7 – 7:30 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton
7:30 – 10 p.m.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Miami Heat

Local Announcers
10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton
1:30 – 2 a.m.

THE BEAT: 24 Hours of LeBron
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31: PREMIERE NIGHT
3:30- 5:30 p.m.

NBA D-League

Local Announcers
5:30 – 6 p.m.

REAL NBA

6:30 – 7 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Ernie Johnson, Eric Snow and Kenny Smith
7 – 9:30 p.m.

Denver Nuggets @ Toronto Raptors

Local Announcers
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Marc Fein, Eric Snow and Kenny Smith
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1: LEGENDS NIGHT
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.

HARDWOOD CLASSIC: 2008 NBA All-Star Game

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
7 – 7:30 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
7:30 – 10 p.m.

Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks

10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
1 – 3 p.m.

Euroleague Game of the Week:DKV Joventut @ Fenerbahce Ulker

Local Announcers
7 – 8 p.m.

NBA GameTime

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
8 – 8:30p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
8:30 – 11 p.m.

Philadelphia 76ers @ San Antonio Spurs

Local Announcers
11 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4
12. – 5 p.m.

NBA TOP 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK

5:30 – 6 p.m.

AutoTrader.com Pregame Show

Andre Aldridge and Eric Snow
6 – 8:30 p.m.

New Orleans Hornets @ Indiana Pacers

Local Announcers
8:30p.m. – 12:30a.m.

NBA GameTime Presented by Hyundai

Andre Aldridge and Eric Snow

CBS’s Boomer on AFC race: Dolphins-Jets shouldn’t watch scoreboard

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December 22, 2008

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 17 (SUNDAY, DEC. 28)

AUDIBLES WITH “THE NFL TODAY” ANALYST BOOMER ESIASON

The CBS Television Network concludes regular-season coverage of its 49th year broadcasting the NFL with THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Dec. 28 (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 Miami Dolphins-New York Jets game, live from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.  Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

Throughout the 2008 season, THE NFL ON CBS has broadcast virtually all of its games each week in HDTV, the highest definition television format – 1080i lines of picture resolution – along with 5.1 digital audio.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports, and serves as executive producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS.  Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

* * * * *

BOOMER ESIASON

(On timing): It’s interesting that the New England game is being played at 1:00 PM.  I would have liked to have seen the New England game at 4:15 PM also.  I don’t know what kind of advantage or disadvantage it is if you know what happens at 1:00 PM…(On Jets): Since the Jets cannot muster a pass rush without blitzing, the last thing they want to do is let Chad Pennington sit in the pocket all comfy-cozy.  You have to blitz and get pressure on Chad Pennington any way you can.  You can’t just let him sit back there.  Brett Favre has to get out of this malaise.  And this offense has to show more energy than it has at any time in the past four weeks…(On AFC playoff race): The 4:00 o’clock games better not be worrying about what is happening on the scoreboard.  They better worry about taking care of their own business.  In that regard New England has an advantage because obviously Miami, the Jets and Baltimore are playing after New England.  But as Bill Belichick has always said, keep your eye on the prize – and the prize is the next game.  If the Jets and Miami are scoreboard watching, or know what their situation is, maybe that is a little bit circumspect, especially if Baltimore and Jacksonville get locked in to a tight game.  That’s probably one of the reasons Mike Shanahan didn’t put the San Diego score up in the stadium, but then again that may have backfired.

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 17.

WEEK 17 – Dec. 28

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

· Cleveland @ Pittsburgh          Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker                    Victor Frank/Mark Grant

· Tennessee @ Indianapolis       Ian Eagle/Solomon Wilcots                   Ken Mack/Andy Goldberg

· New England @ Buffalo         Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf                   Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

· Kansas City @ Cincinnati       Bill Macatee/Steve Beuerlein                 Ross Schneiderman/Chris Svendsen

· Oakland @ Tampa Bay          Kevin Harlan/Rich Gannon                    Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

4:15 PM, ET starts:

· Jacksonville @ Baltimore        Dick Enberg/Randy Cross                    Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

· Miami @ N.Y. Jets                Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                            Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

Ravens-Cowboys On NFL Network Fourth-Highest Rated Sporting Event On Cable In 2008

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RAVENS-COWBOYS ON NFL NETWORK FOURTH-HIGHEST RATED SPORTING EVENT ON CABLE IN 2008

NFL.com LIVE Averages Record 57 Minutes per Visitor

Last Saturday’s Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys game on NFL Network posted a 9.22 cable rating – tied for the fourth-highest cable rating of any sporting event in 2008.

The three highest-rated sporting events on cable this year are ESPN Monday Night Football games. Ravens-Cowboys on NFL Network tied for fourth with American League Championship Series Game 7 (Rays-Red Sox) on TBS. Ravens-Cowboys out-rated the highest-rated event for all other sports on cable in 2008.

Online, fans watched for a record 57 minutes per visitor to NFL.com Live: Saturday Night Football coverage of Ravens-Cowboys, featuring live “look-ins” at :15 and :45 of each hour, select “red zone” possessions and other key moments, during the game broadcast.

All 24 NFL Network regular-season games (eight per season since 2006) have been the top-rated show of the day on cable. Ravens-Cowboys is the highest-rated game on NFL Network this season and the second-highest rated game in NFL Network history (Packers-Cowboys, 11/29/07, 14.6 rating).

Following are the five highest-rated cable sports programs in 2008 and a comparison of NFL Network’s Ravens-Cowboys to other top rated sporting events on cable this year:

Five Highest-Rated Sporting Events on Cable, 2008

Sporting Event

Cable Rating

ESPN Monday Night Football (Eagles-Cowboys), 9/15

13.27

ESPN Monday Night Football (Steelers-Redskins), 11/3

10.20

ESPN Monday Night Football (Vikings-Packers), 9/8

9.27

NFL Network Saturday Night Football (Ravens-Cowboys), 12/20

9.22

TBS MLB Playoffs (ALCS Game 7 – Rays-Red Sox), 10/19

9.22

Ravens-Cowboys on NFLN vs. Top Rated Sporting Events on Cable, 2008

Sporting Event

Cable Rating

NFL Network Saturday Night Football (Ravens-Cowboys), 12/20

9.22

TBS MLB Playoffs (ALCS Game 7 – Rays-Red Sox), 10/19

9.22

TNT NBA Playoffs (West Conf. Finals Gm 4 – Lakers-Spurs), 5/27

5.62

ESPN Nascar Sprint Cup, 7/27

5.09

TNT NBA All-Star Game, 2/17

4.50

ESPN U.S. Open Golf (Monday playoff – Woods-Mediate), 6/16

4.21

Versus NHL Stanley Cup Final (Gm 2 – Red Wings-Penguins), 5/26

1.97

Golf Channel PGA WGC Match Play Final (Tiger Woods wins), 2/24

1.65

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NFL Network (coverage area ratings from 1/1/08-12/21/08)

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

“The scary thing is this is a rebuilding year. They continue to put pieces together for the future.” — Steve Mariucci on the Atlanta Falcons — Quotable from NFL GameDay Final

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Week 16 (Dec. 21, 2008) – Quotable from NFL GameDay Final

on NFL Network

(Airs Sunday at 11:30 PM ET)

“Everyone thought this was a rebuilding year.”

— Deion Sanders on 10-5 Atlanta Falcons earning a playoff berth

“The scary thing is this is a rebuilding year.  They continue to put pieces together for the future.”

— Steve Mariucci on Falcons

“Norv Turner does a great job of allowing that team to peak late in the year. They stay fresh in the way they practice and their approach to the game.”

— Steve Mariucci on the San Diego Chargers

“He is improving. He is going to be in this league for a long time.”

— Steve Mariucci on Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen

“He should be the Comeback Player of the Year.”

— Deion Sanders on Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant, who has 435 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his last three games

“These teams are built for the playoffs because they can run the football. Whether there’s snow, rain or wind, they handle it.”

— Steve Mariucci on the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers

“I have a saddle on this team and I’m riding them.”

— Deion Sanders on the Tennessee Titans

“That’s the advantage that he gives you that Tom Brady can’t.”

— Deion Sanders on Patriots QB Matt Cassel’s running ability

“How many times have the Eagles wound up one yard shy of what they needed all year?”

— Rich Eisen on the Eagles QB Donovan McNabb’s pass to WR Reggie Brown falling one yard shy of a game-winning touchdown

“The momentum is with the Dolphins right now, but if you allow the New England Patriots to get into the playoffs, they have enough weapons to do something.”

— Deion Sanders on AFC East outlook

***        Additional exclusive video clips from Sunday’s NFL GameDay Final are available on NFL.com.  Click on the video segments.  These videos include:

– A Look at the Thrilling Week 16 Panthers-Giants OT Matchup

– http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d88acf

– Deion’s “Let’s Go Primetime” Segment

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d89ca6

Week 16’s Catches of the Week

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d865c0

And 37 Week 16 highlights on the “Featured Video” page plus much more on the NFL GameDay page.

11:30 PM -1:00 AM ET: NFL GameDay Final

Host: Rich Eisen Analysts: Deion Sanders and Steve Mariucci

NFL GameDay Final is the definitive exclamation point on Sundays providing unlimited highlights of all the games, plus post-game press conferences, interviews from the field and locker room, audio captured throughout the day and expert analysis.

Dolphins-Chiefs, Ravens-Cowboys and Panthers-Giants Tuesday and Wednesday on Week 16 of NFL Network’s NFL Replay

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gIANTS CLINCH HOME FIELD ADVANTAGe IN AN OVERTIME Thriller, The dolphins remain in the playoff hunt and the Cowboys say goodbye to texas STADIUM IN WEEK 16 ON NFL NETWORK’S NFL REPLAY

NFL REPLAY REAL TIME TONIGHT AT 7:30 PM ET

At 9:30 PM ET on Christmas Eve Giants fans will be treated to a second look at their team clinching home field advantage when RB Derrick Ward ran for 215 yards in an overtime win over the Panthers. The contest will be re-aired in a unique 90-minute format on NFL Replay Wednesday, December 24 at 9:30 PM ET, exclusively on NFL Network.

On Tuesday, December 23 at 8:00 PM ET, NFL Replay will feature Chad Pennington’s keeping the Dolphins alive in their playoff run, finishing 26-of-34 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs and the Dolphins were tied going in to the fourth quarter when Chad Pennington led Miami on a 13-play, 85-yard drive for the go-ahead score in the freezing cold weather.

At 9:30 PM ET, The last game at Texas Stadium where the Ravens defeated the Cowboys 33-24 will re-air. Ravens safety Ed Reed intercepted two passes and the Ravens clinched the win with two long touchdown runs at the end of the fourth quarter.

Tonight’s 7:30 PM ET episode of NFL Replay Real-Time features a minute-by-minute look at the best of what happened on Sunday. This week, see WR Josh Morgan cap an impressive 49ers comeback from a 16-3 deficit by catching a Hail Mary pass from Shaun Hill with a minute remaining; Chargers first-round pick CB Antoine Cason put the finishing touches on a big win for the Chargers with an interception return for a score; and Randy Moss take a screen pass 76 yards for a Patriots score against the Cardinals.

Pitt-Tenn highlights CBS Ratings as best of day

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“THE NFL ON CBS” SINGLEHEADER ACTION SCORES HIGHEST RATING OF DAY ON ANY NETWORK

Pittsburgh-Tennessee Battle For AFC Home-Field Advantage Highlights Network’s Coverage

THE NFL ON CBS’s singleheader action on Sunday, Dec. 21, highlighted by Tennessee’s win over Pittsburgh in the battle for home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs, scored an average overnight household rating/share of 14.3/28, which was the highest-rated game of the day on any Network.

Overall, yesterday was THE NFL ON CBS’s highest-rated singleheader telecast in the metered markets since CBS re-acquired the NFL in 1998.  THE NFL ON CBS’s previous highest-rated singleheader telecast was a 14.2/30 in Week 15 of the 2005 season (12/18/05; 1:00-4:15 PM, San Diego-Indianapolis was the high coverage game.  The Chargers beat the Colts 26-17 to end the Indianapolis’s unbeaten season at 13 games.)

Other NFL ON CBS regional action yesterday included San Diego-Tampa Bay, Miami-Kansas City, Cincinnati-Cleveland, New York Jets-Seattle, Houston-Oakland and Buffalo-Denver.

Panthers-Giants Continue Strong Ratings For SNF

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PANTHERS-GIANTS CONTINUE STRONG RATINGS FOR SNF

No. 1 Program of the Week for Second Consecutive Week

NEW YORK – Dec. 22, 2008 – The Super Bowl champion New York Giants 34-28 overtime victory over the Carolina Panthers on “NBC Sunday Night Football” is the top rated primetime program of the week and led NBC to a Sunday night win for the second consecutive week according to data provided by Nielsen Media Research.

Last night’s SNF game registered a metered market rating of 12.9 with a 21 share, a gain of 30 percent over the comparable game last season (Washington-Minnesota, 9.9/17 on 12-23-07). The game peaked in the 11 pm ET half-hour at a 15.1/26.

The SNF game powered NBC to its second consecutive Sunday night win and based on these metered-market results and other preliminary data, “NBC Sunday Night Football” is likely to rank No. 1 among primetime programs for the week of December 15-21 among households, average viewers and other key ratings categories also for the second straight week. Official results for the week are due from Nielsen Tuesday morning.

SNF CONTUNIES DOMINANCE ON NBC: Last week’s Giants-Cowboys game on “NBC Sunday Night Football” drew 23.1 million viewers, the most viewers ever for a “Sunday Night Football” game and was the No.1 primetime program for the week and the No. 3 primetime program for the entire television season. Additionally, SNF was the No. 1 series in the November sweeps period among Adults 18-49 and other key advertising demographics and NBC has won the night with SNF in 12 of 15 weeks this season in Adults 18-49.

Top Ten Metered Markets For Panthers-Giants:
1. Charlotte, 38.9/55
2. Greensboro, 27.0/39
3. New York, 19.6/29
4. Raleigh-Durham, 17.4/26
5. Greenville-Spartanburg, 17.3/25
6. Indianapolis, 17.1/26
7. Richmond, 17.0/26
8. Nashville, 15.9/23
9. Washington, D.C., 15.6/25
10. Las Vegas, 14.7/23