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Archives for January 2010

Relive The Jets’ Upset Of The Colts In Super Bowl III On Super Bowl Classics Saturday At 8:30 PM ET — NFL Network Programming Notes (1/20-1/26)

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NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (1/20-1/26)

RELIVE THE JETS’ UPSET OF THE COLTS IN SUPER BOWL III

ON SUPER BOWL CLASSICS SATURDAY AT 8:30 PM ET

Six-Hour Championship Sunday NFL GameDay Morning

Begins at 9:00 AM ET

2010 Under Armour Senior Bowl Practice Coverage

Starts Monday at 3:30 PM ET

NFL Classic Games Features AFC and NFC Championship

Games of the Past: Giants-Packers ’07, Patriots-Colts ’06,

Falcons-Vikings ’98 & Packers-Cowboys ‘95

Full Color Football: The History of the AFL Examines the Rise of Jets QB Joe Namath Thursday at 10:00 PM ET

SPECIAL SIX-HOUR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

SUNDAY FROM 9:00 AM-3:00 PM ET – Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Stacey Dales and Rich Eisen

  • Interviews and wired sound from two people who know Colts QB Peyton Manning best: offensive line coach Howard Mudd and C Jeff Saturday.
  • On Super Bowl Journey, Jets S Kerry Rhodes and Chargers LB Shaun Phillips give all-access looks into last Sunday’s Jets-Chargers Divisional Playoff game.
  • On Vikings WR Sidney Rice’s Super Bowl Journey, he talks about his record-setting three-touchdown game against the Cowboys.
  • NFL Films president Steve Sabol reveals a few things not everyone knows about Brett Favre’s trip to the Louisiana Superdome in Super Bowl XXXI.
  • Sabol compares and contrasts the coaching styles of Jets head coach Rex Ryan and Colts head coach Jim Caldwell.
  • New Orleans music legend and Saints fan Harry Connick Jr. meets Saints QB Drew Brees. The two talk about life after Hurricane Katrina and what the Saints mean to the city.
  • Excerpts from America’s Game: Super Bowl XLI when the Peyton Manning and the Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17.
  • Scott Hanson and Michael Lombardi report from Jets-Colts matchup
  • Kara Henderson and Steve Wyche report from Vikings-Saints matchup

SUPER BOWL CLASSICS: BALTIMORE COLTS VS. NEW YORK JETS (SUPER BOWL III) – SATURDAY AT 8:30 PM ET

On the Thursday prior to the game, Jets QB Joe Namath guarantees a win against the one-loss Baltimore Colts. “Broadway Joe” and the Jets make good on their promise, leading New York to a 16-7 victory.

Super Bowl Classics exclusively replays the complete broadcasts of classic Super Bowl games featuring the original announcers and network graphics as well as select halftime shows and post-game celebrations.

NFL CLASSIC GAMES

Thursday at 10:30 AM ET – New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers (2007 NFC Championship)

The Packers fall to the Giants 23-20 at frigid Lambeau Field in QB Brett Favre’s last NFC Championship game appearance as a Packer.

Friday at 8:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts (2006 AFC Championship)

Down 21-6 at halftime, QB Peyton Manning leads the Colts in a 32-point second-half comeback victory over QB Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Saturday at 10:00 AM ET – Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings (1998 NFC Championship)

K Morten Andersen’s 38-yard field goal in overtime lifts Atlanta to a stunning 30-27 upset of the Vikings in Minnesota.

Saturday at 1:30 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (1995 NFC Championship)

RB Emmitt Smith carries the Cowboys to a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Packers as Dallas scores 14 unanswered fourth-quarter points to secure a trip to Super Bowl XXX.

NFL Classic Games is the only show on television where fans can catch complete network broadcasts of classic NFL regular season and playoff games.

BRETT FAVRE-RELATED PROGRAMMING

Thursday at 2:30 PM ET – NFL Film Session: Favre 4Ever

A one-hour documentary, narrated by Billy Bob Thornton, tells the complete story of football legend QB Brett Favre. It features an extensive, emotional new interview with Favre himself which delves into all the highs and lows of his remarkable, record-breaking career.

Thursday at 11:00 PM ET & Friday at 4:30 PM ET – NFL Films Presents: Brett Favre’s Backups

Steve Sabol leads a roundtable discussion with Mark Brunell, Ty Detmer, Doug Pederson and Matt Hasselbeck – all quarterbacks who spent part of their careers backing up then-Packers QB Brett Favre.

Friday at 9:30 AM ET – In Their Own Words: Brett Favre

In Their Own Words reveals QB Brett Favre’s intensity, humor, competitiveness and humanity using rare interviews, archival action footage and exclusive sound captured on the field, on the sidelines and in the locker room.

Friday at 4:00 PM ET – Sound FX: Week 10, 2009

Week 10’s episode features sound from QB Brett Favre during the Vikings’ win over the Lions. The award-winning NFL Films crew captures exclusive on-field and off-field sound using sideline microphones and wireless microphones mounted on players’ shoulder pads and coaches’ shirts.

FULL COLOR FOOTBALL: THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE – THURSDAY 10:00 PM & FRIDAY AT 11:30 AM ET

The third episode of Full Color Football, with new introductions by Hall of Famer John Madden, covers the AFL and NFL “signing wars” that occurred when drafting and signing college players. Also, a deal with NBC boosts the league’s visibility and makes a media star of Jets QB Joe Namath.

Full Color Football follows the birth of the maverick American Football League from the beginning to its merger with the rival National Football League. The five-part series, which debuted on Showtime last year, profiles the personalities, teams, and news events that the exciting new league brought to the fans.

NFL FILMS PRESENTS: FOOTBALL FAMILIES – SATURDAY AT 9:00 AM ET

This week’s episode features Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, whose wife of 27 years died unexpectedly in October. Zimmer has spent the season giving everything he had to both his family – daughters Marki and Corri and son Adam, an assistant coach in New Orleans – and to his team, which won the 2009 AFC North title. Also, some might consider it a burden to have the same name as your father when he is Hall of Famer RB Barry Sanders.  However, this high school sophomore finds it to be a blessing.

NFL Films Presents, hosted by Steve Sabol, explores the depth of the NFL Films archive – the world’s largest sports film library – with unique perspectives on football’s greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor.

NFL TOTAL ACCESS

Wednesday, January 20

  • On ‘Official Review,’ NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira talks about Chargers WR Vincent Jackson’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and whether Chargers WR Malcom Floyd had both feet down with possession before seemingly fumbling against the Jets.
  • Kara Henderson reports from Vikings training facility
  • Michelle Beisner reports from Saints training facility
  • Michael Lombardi reports from Jets training facility
  • Scott Hanson reports from Colts training facility
  • Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
  • Steve Wyche goes ‘Around the League’

Thursday, January 21

  • Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’

Friday, January 22

  • Scott Hanson reports from Colts training facility
  • Steve Wyche reports from Saints training facility
  • Michael Lombardi goes ‘Around the League’

Saturday, January 23

  • Scott Hanson reports from Colts training facility
  • Steve Wyche reports from Saints training facility
  • Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Wednesday, January 20

  • Vic Carucci on Dolphins Cam


Thursday, January 21

  • New Orleans Times-Picayune writer Mike Triplett on Saints Cam
  • Minneapolis Star Tribune writer Judd Zulgad on Vikings Cam


Friday, January 22

  • Vic Carucci on Dolphins Cam
  • Steve Wyche on Saints Cam

THIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK: Colts LB Gary Brackett & Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff Thursday, Vikings QB Brett Favre & Patriots head coach Bill Belichick Friday, Jets CB Darrelle Revis & Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier Saturday

Wednesday at 6:30 PM ET – Wednesday recap edition – Mike Mayock, Solomon Wilcots and Brian Billick discuss:

  • How the Vikings defense shut down Cowboys QB Tony Romo
  • How Vikings QB Brett Favre had a career day against the Cowboys
  • Why Saints QB Drew Brees was able to outperform Cardinals QB Kurt Warner
  • Why Saints RB Reggie Bush had such a big day against the Cardinals

Thursday at 6:30 PM ET – AFC edition – Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots, and Brian Billick discuss:

  • How the Colts offense can have success against the Jets defense
  • Colts LB Gary Brackett explains how Indianapolis can slow down the Jets’ rush offense
  • Jets special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff explains why kickoff returns could be the difference-maker in the AFC Championship


Friday at 6:30 PM ET – NFC edition – Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots, and Brian Billick discuss:

  • Why the Saints defense will struggle to slow down the Vikings offense
  • Vikings QB Brett Favre explains why TE Visanthe Shiancoe is so vital to Minnesota’s offense
  • Patriots head coach Bill Belichick tells Michael Lombardi why Saints QB Drew Brees is a perfect fit for New Orleans’ offense

Saturday at 6:30 PM ET – AFC/NFC edition – Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots, and Brian Billick discuss:

  • How the Colts defense can shut down the Jets’ running game
  • Jets CB Darrelle Revis goes 1-on-1 with Deion Sanders to explain why it’s not a good idea to throw the ball anywhere near Revis
  • Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier explains how DE Jared Allen and DT Kevin Williams will create matchup problems

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM

Wednesday, January 20

  • In bonus ‘Official Review’ content, NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira discusses the play in which Cardinals WR Jerheme Urban fumbled, Arizona was called for two personal fouls and New Orleans was called for one. Pereira clarifies why these penalties were ruled offsetting.

Thursday, January 21

  • 11:00 AM – NFL Network reporter Jason La Canfora chat
  • 12 NOON ET – NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock chat
  • 1:00 PM ET – NFL.com writer Bucky Brooks chat

Friday, January 22

  • 12 NOON ET – NFL.com writer Vic Carucci chat
  • 1:00 PM ET – Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew chat

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

Wednesday, January 20

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – special 90-minute edition

8:30 PM – NFL Replay: Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings (HD)

10:00 PM – NFL Replay: New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:00 AM – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

Thursday, January 21

10:30 AM – NFL Classic Games: New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers (2007 NFC Championship) (HD)

1:30 PM – America’s Game – The Missing Rings: 1998 Minnesota Vikings (HD)

2:30 PM – NFL Film Session: Brett Favre 4-Ever

3:30 PM – NFL Replay: Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints (Week 5, 2008) (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – special 90-minute edition

8:30 PM – Sound FX: Divisional Weekend (HD)

9:00 PM – Full Color Football: Episode 2 (HD)

10:00 PM – Full Color Football: Episode 3 (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Brett Favre’s Backups (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

Friday, January 22

9:00 AM – Sound FX: Divisional Weekend (HD)

9:30 AM – In Their Own Words: Brett Favre

10:30 AM – Full Color Football: Episode 2 (HD)

11:30 AM – Full Color Football: Episode 3 (HD)

12:30 PM– NFL’s Greatest Games: Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos (1987 AFC Championship)

2:00 PM – NFL’s Greatest Games: San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys (1992 NFC Championship)

3:30 PM – Sound FX: Divisional Weekend (HD)

4:00 PM – Sound FX: Week 10, 2009 (HD)

4:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Brett Favre’s Backups (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – special 90-minute edition

8:30 PM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts (2006 AFC Championship) (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

Saturday, January 23

7:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Brett Favre’s Backups (HD)

8:00 AM – NFL Film Session: Brett Favre 4-Ever

9:00 AM – NFL Films Presents: Football Families (HD)

9:30 AM – Sound FX: Divisional Weekend (HD)

10:00 AM – NFL Classic Games: Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings (1998 NFC Championship)

1:30 AM – NFL Classic Games: Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (1995 NFC Championship)

4:30 PM – Game Changers: Drew Brees and Harry Connick Jr. (HD)

5:00 PM – NFL Replay: New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts (Week 16, 2009)

6:30 PM – Playbook: AFC/NFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – special 90-minute edition

8:30 PM – Super Bowl Classics: Baltimore Colts vs. New York Jets (Super Bowl III)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

Sunday, January 24

6:00 AM – Game Changers: New Orleans (HD)

6:30 AM – Sound FX: Week 10, 2009 (HD)

7:00 AM – Sound FX: Divisional Weekend (HD)

7:30 AM – Playbook: AFC edition

8:00 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

8:30 AM – Playbook: AFC/NFC edition

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning (HD)

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Upsets

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Power Backs

5:00 PM – NFL Football Follies: NFL’s 100 Greatest Follies (1993)

6:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard (HD)

10:00 PM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Monday, January 25

3:30 PM – 2010 Senior Bowl Practice: North Team (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – Path to the Draft (HD) – 2010 Senior Bowl Day 1 Practice Recap

8:30 PM – Programming TBD

11:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

Tuesday, January 26

8:00 AM – 2005 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge

10:00 AM – 2006 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge

12 NOON – 2010 Senior Bowl Practice: North Team (HD)

1:00 PM – Programming TBD

3:00 PM – 2010 Senior Bowl Practice: South Team (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Coaches Who Never Won a Championship

5:00 PM – 2007 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – Path to the Draft (HD) – 2010 Senior Bowl Day 2 Practice Recap

8:30 PM – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

9:00 PM – Programming TBD

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

Chicago Blackhawks President John McDonough and Calgary Flames President and CEO Ken King are Today’s Guests on “NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman”

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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS PRESIDENT JOHN MCDONOUGH AND CALGARY FLAMES PRESIDENT AND CEO KEN KING
ARE TODAY’S GUESTS ON “NHL HOUR WITH COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN”

NEW YORK (January 21, 2010) – Live from Calgary, Chicago Blackhawks president John McDonough and Calgary Flames president and CEO Ken King are guests on today’s edition of NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio at 6 p.m. ET.

McDonough, a Chicago native named President of the Blackhawks on Nov. 20, 2007, has played an instrumental role in the revitalization of the team’s profile. Last season, the Blackhawks led the NHL in attendance with an average of 21,783 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Chicago’s 34-12-4 record after 50 games is the organization’s best mark since 1972.

King, an enthusiastic businessman, has been in his position with the Flames organization since 2001. Overseer of a Flames team that is four points off the Northwest Division lead, King spends an enormous amount of time with community efforts including his current involvement as co-chair of REACH (a $300-million medical fund-raising initiative).

Calgary hosts Chicago tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Saddledome which will be the second game of TSN’s doubleheader (Toronto at Tampa Bay, 7:00 p.m. ET).  The Blackhawks who are in second place overall, lead the Central Division with 72 points and are on pace for an all-time franchise points record.  Calgary sits third in the Northwest Division with 58 points.

The show encourages fans to call in with questions for the Commissioner. To submit questions to NHL Hour call 1-877-645-6696.

NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman now broadcasts live on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on NHL Home Ice (XM Channel 204 and on SIRIUS Channel 208 as part of the “Best of XM” programming package) and NHL.com. The show will re-air on SIRIUS XM Radio, with archived shows available for download via podcast on NHL.com.

NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman is a production of NHL Radio.

### (1/21/10)

ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 Spring Slate Announced; Ricky Williams Film Added

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Spring Schedule for ESPN Films’ Acclaimed ’30 for 30′ Series Announced

Run Ricky Run about Ricky Williams Added to Lineup

ESPN Films and its acclaimed “30 for 30” series will return this spring with eight films from a star-studded filmmaker roster that includes Ice Cube, Steve James, Dan Klores, Brett Morgen and more.  Joining the lineup will be Sean Pamphilon’s intimate portrait of embattled football player Ricky Williams’ hiatus from football in Run Ricky Run.  The slate begins with a special presentation Sunday, March 14 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPNHD with Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks. The schedule then gets underway again in its regular Tuesday slot with No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson April 13 at 8 p.m.

The schedule:

Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks (Dan Klores) – March 14, 9 p.m.

Reggie Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knick fans multiple times.  But it was the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals which solidified Miller as “The Garden’s Greatest Villain.” With seconds to go in Game 1, and facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit of 105 – 99, Miller scored 8 points in 8.9 seconds to give his Indiana Pacers an astonishing victory. This career-defining performance, combined with his give-and-take with Knick fan Spike Lee, made Miller and the Knicks the spotlight story of the 1995 NBA post season. Award-winning director Dan Klores will explore how Miller proudly built his legend as the Big Apple’s Public Enemy #1 to become the king of the New York streets.

No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson (Steve James) – April 13, 8 p.m.

On Valentine’s Day 1993, 17-year-old Bethel High School basketball star Allen Iverson was bowling in Hampton, Va., with five high school friends. It was supposed to be an ordinary evening, but it became a night that defined Iverson’s young life. A quarrel soon erupted into a brawl pitting Iverson’s young, black friends against a group of white patrons. The fallout from the fight and the handling of the subsequent trial landed the teenager — considered by some the nation’s best high school athlete — in jail and sharply divided the city along racial lines. Oscar nominee Steve James (Hoop Dreams) returns to his hometown of Hampton, where he once played basketball, to take a personal look at this still-disputed incident and examine its impact on Iverson and the shared community.

Silly Little Game (Adam Kurland and Lucas Jansen) – April 20, 8 p.m.

Fantasy sports are estimated to be a $4 billion dollar industry that boasts over 30 million participants and a league for almost every sport imaginable. But for all this success, the story of the game’s inception is little known. The modern fantasy leagues can be traced back to a group of writers and academics who met at La Rotisserie Francaise in New York City to form a baseball league of their own: The Rotisserie League. The game quickly grew in popularity, and with the growing use and attractiveness of the internet, the “Founding Fathers” never foresaw how their creation would take off and ultimately leave them behind. Innovative filmmakers Adam Kurland and Lucas Jansen will chronicle the early development and ultimate explosion of fantasy baseball, and shine a light on its mostly unnoticed innovators.

Run Ricky Run (Sean Pamphilon) – April 27, 8 p.m.

Ricky Williams does not conform to America’s definition of the modern athlete. In 2004, with rumors of another positive marijuana test looming, the Miami Dolphins running back traded adulation and a mansion in South Florida for anonymity and a $7 a night tent in Australia. His decision created a media frenzy that dismantled his reputation and branded him as America’s Pothead. But while most in the media thought Williams was ruining his life by leaving football, Ricky thought he was saving it. Through personal footage recorded with Williams during his time away from football and beyond, filmmaker Sean Pamphilon takes a fresh look at a player who had become a media punching bag and has since redeemed himself as a father and a teammate.

Straight Outta L.A. (Ice Cube) – May 4, 8 p.m.

In 1982, Raiders owner Al Davis beat the NFL in court and moved his team from Oakland to Los Angeles. With a squad as colorful as its owner, the Raiders captivated a large numbers of black and Hispanic fans in L.A. at a time when gang warfare, immigration and the real estate boom were rapidly changing the city. The L.A. Raiders morphed into a worldwide brand as the team’s colors, swagger and anti-establishment ethos became linked with “Gangsta Rap” and the hip-hop scene that was permeating South Central Los Angeles. Rapper-turned-filmmaker Ice Cube was not only witness to this revolution, he was also a part of it. As a member of the controversial rap group N.W.A, Ice Cube helped make the silver and black culturally significant to a new generation and demographic. Still a die-hard Raiders fan, Cube will explore the unlikely marriage between the NFL’s rebel franchise and America’s glamour city, and show how pro football’s outlaw team became the toast of La La Land.

The Two Escobars (Jeff Zimbalist) – May 11, 8 p.m.

Born in the same city in Colombia with the same last name, Andres Escobar and Pablo Escobar shared a fanatical childhood love for soccer. Andres grew up to become one of Colombia’s most beloved players, while Pablo rose through the ranks of the criminal underground to become not only the most notorious drug baron of all time, but also arguably the secret weapon responsible for Colombian soccer’s unprecedented rise to glory. Soccer was the vehicle for Colombia to transform its image on the international stage. But after its shocking early elimination from the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the mysterious murder of Andres Escobar dashed the hopes of a nation. Fifteen years later, The Two Escobars investigates the secret marriage of crime and sport, and uncovers the surprising connections between the murders of Andres and Pablo.

June 17, 1994 (Brett Morgen) – June 16, 10 p.m.

Do you remember where you were on June 17, 1994?  Thanks to a wide array of unrelated, coast-to-coast occurrences, this Friday has come to be known for its firsts, lasts, triumphs and tragedy. Arnold Palmer played his last U.S. Open round at Oakmont, the FIFA World Cup kicked off in Chicago, the Rangers celebrated their first Stanley Cup in 54 years on Broadway, Ken Griffey Jr. reached a milestone in Kansas City and Patrick Ewing desperately pursued a long evasive championship in the Garden. And yet, all of that was a prelude to OJ Simpson leading America on a slow speed chase in a white Ford Bronco around Los Angeles.  Oscar-nominated and Peabody Award-winning director Brett Morgen will artistically weave these moments and others to create a unique and nostalgic look at a day that no sports fan could forget.

The 16th Man (Cliff Bestall, Lori McCreary and Morgan Freeman) – June 22, 8 p.m.
Rugby has long been viewed in South Africa as a game for the white population, and the country’s success in the sport has been a true source of Afrikaner pride.  When the long entrenched injustices of apartheid were finally overthrown in 1992, Nelson Mandela’s new government began rebuilding a nation badly in need of racial unity. So the world was watching when South Africa played host to the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Though mostly white, the South African Springboks gained supporters of all colors as they made an improbable run into the finals and then beat heavily favored New Zealand. When Mandela himself marched to the center of the pitch cloaked in a Springbok jersey and embraced the members of the South African team, two nations became one. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman, producer Lori McCreary and director Cliff Bestall will tell the emotional story of that cornerstone moment and what it meant to South Africa’s healing process.

Festival Selections

Winning Time has been named an official selection of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival while No Crossover has been tagged for the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival, continuing the series’ presence at prestigious industry events. Kings Ransom and The Band That Wouldn’t Die were official selections of the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival.

Ratings So Far

The December 12, 2009 airing of  Billy Corben’s The U, posted a 1.8 rating for an average of 1.8 million homes (2.368 M viewers, P2+) making it ESPN’s highest-rated documentary of all time (The Greatest Game Ever Played aired December 13, 2008, and earned a 1.4 rating – 1.369 million households, 1.811 M viewers). To date, the series’ first seven films earned an average 1.0 rating (1,007,000 homes, 1,258,000 viewers).

“30 for 30”

Other previously announced “30 for 30” projects are: Reggie Rock Bythewood (One Night in Vegas), Academy Award winner Bill Couturié (Guru of Go), Academy Award winner Alex Gibney (Steve Bartman: Catching Hell), Jonathan Hock (The Best That Never Was), Spike Jonze, Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine (Birth of Big Air), two-time Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (The House That George Built), Academy Award nominee Frank Marshall (Right to Play), Steve Michaels, Joel Surnow and Jonathan Koch (Charismatic), two-time NBA MVP and first-time filmmaker Steve Nash (Into the Wind), Academy Award nominee Ron Shelton (Jordan Rides the Bus) and two-time Academy Award nominee John Singleton (Marion Jones: Press Pause).

TNT Celebrates a Decade of EJ, Kenny and Charles during NBA All-Star 2010 with an Inside the NBA Special

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TNT Celebrates a Decade of EJ, Kenny and Charles during NBA All-Star 2010 with an Inside the NBA Special;

The Network also Salutes the Best in the NBA with the TNT All-Decade NBA Show

H.O.R.S.E. presented by GEICO returns and moves to prime time on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. (ET)

TNT, exclusive home of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, announced today that they will celebrate the five-time Emmy® award-winning Inside the NBA with a special edition on Friday, Feb. 12 at 11 p.m. (ET) commemorating the ten years of host Ernie Johnson and studio analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith working together on the show.  The one-hour special will feature a compilation of highlights from the past decade of Inside the NBA as well as current and former players sharing their favorite memories from the popular studio show post-game show.  Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai will follow the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam during TNT’s exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star 2010.

Best of Inside the NBA Video Clip – TNT’s Charles Barkley tries to break the record for holding his breath underwater

Best of Inside the NBA Video Clip – Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant explains how to hit a game-winning shot on Kenny’s Court

The Inside the NBA studio team of Johnson, Barkley and Smith will also reflect on the past decade on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. (ET) with TNT All-Decade presented by esurance, a one-hour special announcing the ‘TNT All-Decade NBA’ winners.  Throughout the regular season, 13 categories featuring the top performances, games and moments throughout the 2000’s were voted and selected by the fans on NBA.com.

Fans will determine the NBA Player of the Decade by casting their vote on NBA.com through the third quarter of the 2010 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 14.  The winner of the fan voting will be announced during Inside the NBA following the 2010 NBA All-Star Game.  The NBA Player of the Decade nominees, selected by TNT’s NBA announcers, will be unveiled during TNT All-Decade presented by esurance.

The network also announced today that H.O.R.S.E. presented by GEICO will return and will now be featured in prime time on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. (ET).  The competition will showcase three NBA players challenging each other with thrilling moves and creative shot-making skills in a classic basketball competition.  Participants for the event will be announced at a later date.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming.  With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com.  Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; Men of a Certain Age, with Ray Romano; Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter; HawthoRNe, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and Dark Blue, starring Dylan McDermott; as well as the newly acquired Southland, from ER creator John Wells.  TNT also presents such powerful dramas as Bones, CSI: NY and Numb3rs; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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Season Premiere of Boxing After Dark on HBO Jan. 23

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HBO BOXING AFTER DARK®:  STEVEN LUEVANO VS. JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ AND

YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. ROGERS MTAGWA RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR

WITH A HARD-HITTING DOUBLEHEADER SATURDAY, JAN. 23

HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® kicks off 2010 with an explosive featherweight doubleheader from the Big Apple when STEVEN LUEVANO VS. JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ AND YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. ROGERS MTAGWA is presented SATURDAY, JAN. 23 (9:45 p.m. live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, exclusively on HBO.  The HBO Sports team of blow-by-blow announcer Bob Papa, commentator Max Kellerman and expert analyst Lennox Lewis 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.

Making his sixth title defense, featherweight champ Steven Luevano (37-1-1, 15 KOs) of La Puente, Cal. meets undefeated, fast-rising Juan Manuel Lopez of Caguas, Puerto Rico (27-0, 24 KOs).  Luevano is an experienced fighter who uses his range and speed to tactically pick apart opponents.  His challenger, junior featherweight titleholder Lopez, looks to prove that his technically sound style and power punching will be just as effective at 126 pounds when he moves up a weight class for this 12-round slugfest.

The opening bout pits undefeated featherweight titleholder Yuriorkis Gamboa of Guantanamo, Cuba (16-0, 14 KOs) against veteran challenger Rogers Mtagwa of Dodoma, Tanzania (26-13-2, 18 KOs) in a 12-round fight for Gamboa’s 126-pound crown.  With incredible hand speed and the ability to attack from all angles, knockout artist Gamboa has made quick work of nearly every fighter he’s faced to date.  Opponent Mtagwa is a battle-tested, aggressive fighter with a wide-open style.  Last October, he brought the pressure to Juan Manuel Lopez, putting the junior featherweight champ on the ropes in the late rounds before losing in a close decision.

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

® HBO BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night – Tuesday, January 19, 2010

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night – Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Toronto Raptors (100) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (108)

Voting is open on NBA.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Fans can select between the following games:

L.A. Lakers @ Washington Wizards

Minnesota Timberwolves @ New York Knicks

Milwaukee Bucks @ Dallas Mavericks

Charlotte Bobcats @ Phoenix Suns

Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings

CLIP OF THE DAY

(click on link below to watch)

NBA TV’s Ernie Johnson, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber interviewed Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal about his role on the team and playing with LeBron James.

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AutoTrader.com Pre-Game Show

Johnson, Webber and McHale

Webber on why the addition of Raptors forward Hedo Turkoglu hasn’t paid dividends yet: “There are three reasons that the relationship hasn’t clicked. One, it’s just a new situation. A lot of times in a new situation you’ve got to get your feet wet and figure out who the people are that you’re playing with.  Secondly, and most importantly, I don’t know that the team uses him the way he likes to play. It may be best for them, but maybe not the way he likes to play. He needs to have the ball in his hands, he’s not a catch and shoot guy.  When he has the ball he draws so much attention to himself that he can then let other people get involved. He’s a facilitator; he doesn’t need you to get him the ball. Lastly, I think that Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh play two different styles of ball. Chris Bosh can use the ball and post up without anyone around, but Dwight Howard needed Hedo to get him the ball. Those three reasons are the reasons why it hasn’t jelled and they haven’t seen the possibilities of how everything can come together.”

Webber on the catalyst for the Raptors to improve their defense: “Losing did it. We sit and talk about (the Raptors), their fans do, their families do, saying you guys haven’t reached your potential. You’re second in the league in scoring and you’re 26th in defense? That is terrible, that really means that you don’t care about defense. I think that losing was the turnaround and helped be the catalyst for the coach to jump up and say, ‘listen guys, we’ve got to play defense, can’t you see?’”

McHale on the Raptors’ players needing to realize that they have to get serious about their defensive game: “You know (the Raptors) are watching film and when you’re giving up 110 points a game you know there are some terrible defensive plays. There’s some stuff where you’re not even working, you’re sitting there hoping the coach doesn’t look at you.  To give up that many points, there is no effort. I just think that what happens with a good coach he’ll watch it and watch it and watch it but eventually the players have to buy in. You get embarrassed. When you’re that bad defensively you get embarrassed. They’ve improved their defense by 11 points during this winning streak, going from 108 to 97. That’s hard to do, that’s a big jump.”

McHale on the top Eastern Conference teams: “Right now Cleveland is the best team in the Eastern Conference. But I think going down the stretch when Marquis Daniels get back and gets healthy and KG (Kevin Garnett) gets back and they get a little bit of rhythm, I love their bench with Rasheed (Wallace), Marquis Daniels, Big Baby (Glen Davis) and Eddie House, those are four guy who can really play basketball. The Celtics have to catch that wave after the All-Star break, they come in and get healthy and ride that last 25 games. I always say that I’d rather be 22-3 coming down the stretch and be the seventh seed than I would be 15-15 and be the second seed.”

Sacramento Kings rookies Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi joined Fan Night live in studio for the pregame show.

Evans on one of his first NBA experiences during the preseason: “When I first came in the NBA and I was in the preseason, I was thinking that everything was going to be easy. We went down to Oklahoma City for our first game and they played like they were the world champs. That’s when I realized in the NBA you can’t take a day off. Every night you’ve got to bring it and I just do my best to put it all out there.”

Casspi on what it’s like to play in the NBA after growing up and watching it in Israel: “I remember myself waking up at four or five in the morning with my father and older brother to watch NBA games, especially in the 90’s with Michael Jordan. It’s big, I remember the first time we got to Chicago or L.A. at the Staples Center. I was excited, I was excited to go out there and even at shoot around in the morning I had a lot of energy. I’m just happy to be here, it’s a dream come true, I’m living my dream.”

Raptors forward Chris Bosh on how he approaches each game: “Me and Andrea (Bargnani) know that we’re kind of a key to the team’s success. I know that I’ve got to do my part every time I step out onto the court, and I try to be consistent no matter who we’re playing. Cleveland is a great defensive team. They are great team period. They are probably the hottest team in the NBA this year. We’re really going to have to concentrate and really execute what we’re supposed to do on their home floor.”

Webber on Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan who is competing in the NBA Slam Dunk-In for a spot in the Sprite Slam Dunk: “I’m sure I’m like most fans in that I’m not that familiar with (DeMar) DeRozan because I haven’t seen him dunk that much. But he has a strategy already saying he’s got to save some dunks for Saturday in case he gets to the championship. Anyone who puts that much planning into a dunk contest, he’s hired a consulting agency, anytime you do all that maybe you have some skills to upset some people. He has a great thought process.”

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T-Mobile Halftime Report

Johnson, Webber and McHale

Webber on Raptors’ ability to score inside being a big factor in playing well in against the Cavaliers: “The fact that Toronto and has gotten in the paint and they are shooting so many jumpers, this just goes to show you that when you play inside, and defense is optional in this game, it gives you a chance to stay in this game.  Cleveland has done a great job, but they have guys who can get in the paint. There is no way that Toronto should have this many points in the paint which shows you why they are playing a great game on the road with this great team because they are getting just as many points inside.”

McHale on Raptors forward Chris Bosh’s versatility: “(Chris Bosh) can put you on the floor and take you off the dribble, he can make jump shots. He’s just so versatile. I like the fact that he can put the ball on the floor and he makes contested shots, but yet he’s got that game where he’s just got enough speed and quickness. He’s hard to guard.”

Webber: “Speed and quickness and pacing. He doesn’t let his speed get him out of control, he’s not dribbling off of people’s feet and things like that. He’s got a very controlled game. He has one option, jump shot, a second option, pump fake and drive, third option, pump fake and step back, jump shot. You don’t know which of those three options are coming so it’s very hard to check.”

Webber on whether Cavaliers guard Mo Williams deserves to be an All-Star: “Cleveland has the best record in the East and (Mo Williams) is the point guard? Yes. Someone else from that team has to come and with the record of the team, the way he’s played – you can’t go back to playoffs, we’re talking about right now – he’s the point guard and one of the leaders with one of the best records in the East. I think so.”

McHale on the Cavaliers’ improvement as a team when guard Mo Williams improved individually: “I don’t think it’s any coincidence that (the Cavaliers) started playing better when Mo Williams started playing better.  A couple of weeks into the season I think that Mo was wondering, ‘how am I going to fit in with Shaq?’ He finally said, ‘I’m going to be Mo Williams.’ And when he did, then this team took a big jump up. I think that Mo is the second most valuable player on this team for their success, so yeah, he should be an All-Star.”

McHale on the Miami Heat’s inconsistency: “(The Miami Heat) started and stopped, they sputtered, you think they are going to start playing better, but they just have not caught fire. I’ve said it all year long, (Michael) Beasley has got to become more consistent, be that second or third option to help Dwyane Wade. Sometimes you watch them play and Dwyane Wade looks like he’s playing by himself. He’s just not getting any offensive help.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Webber and McHale

Webber on the lessons the Raptors can take from their loss to the Cavaliers: “There are not any moral victories of this game, but Toronto should go home and look at this tape and be proud. (They should) look at this game as a template to say if we play this way every night, meaning hard, guys are going to make more shots than this, if they play this way, execute and play hard, they’ll be in games. If you come to play hard you can steal some games. They played hard and smart but just not enough against ‘The King’ (LeBron James) and his team.”

Webber on the many facets of LeBron James’ game: “Imagine if you have a quarterback who can throw like a Montana, run like a Steve Young or Michael Vick and be a winner like a Montana. Hopefully that’s what (LeBron James) is trying to do. This guy, when he has the ball he can score at anytime, he’s athletic so he can catch an alley-oop, he’s strong so he can post up and finish like a four, he’s unselfish so he can pass it like a (Steve) Nash.  He has so much talent and the great thing about him is that he’s a guy who makes you better, and he’s someone you want to play with because he has fun and he keeps you involved. It’s not just about him, it’s about the team.”

Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal joined the Fan Night post-game show via ArenaLink after the Cavaliers victory over the Raptors.

O’Neal on his role with the Cavaliers: “This is a different point of me in my career and it would be very idiotic of me to get 20-25 shots when you have a great player like LeBron on the court. I’m not really worried about scoring; I’ve been a high level role player. Whatever they want me to do, I will do it. I have a Shaq O’Neal quote. Listen closely, Barkley.  The only demise of Shaquille O’Neal will be his age. I don’t know what that means, but it sounds cool.”

O’Neal on his long tenure in the NBA: “I’ve been in (the NBA) a long time. I always joke with my son Shareeff, he’s 10 now. He’s always saying, ‘hey, LeBron is the man,’ and ‘I tell him, ‘son, I’ve been the man for four different presidents.’ I’m just having fun and I always remember the great players like Kevin McHale and Wilt (Chamberlain) and Bill Russell. When I started playing I said, ‘when I’m done I would like to have my name mentioned with those guys.’ You too, Sir Master C-Webb!”

O’Neal on being only the fifth player to hit the milestone of 28,000 career points: “The funniest thing about me scoring 28,000 points is I just got to the locker room and I got a call from my father. He said, ‘I’m not going to take congratulations. If you had hit your free throws, dummy, you would have had 33,000.’”

McHale on encountering a rookie Shaquille O’Neal in the final year of McHale’s playing career: “My last year was (O’Neal’s) first year and I played against them, played down in Orlando. We got into an overtime game, we made a couple of shots on them and we won the game late. Shaq came up to me and said, ‘it was really an honor to play against you.’ I looked at this great big guy and I said, ‘big fella, by the time you’re done you’re going to rewrite the record books.’ You could see it back then. What a gracious guy. I’ve always enjoyed him and what a fun guy to be around.”

Webber on Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal’s impact on the game of basketball: “(Shaquille O’Neal) is a balance between a competitor and being gracious. If you get into it with him, he’s going to compete against you hard and let you know he means business. But he’s been one of the best ambassadors for the game that we’ve had with his humor and his honesty and sometimes with his sarcasm. I’ve had some great battles against him and at the end of the day, if I’ve hated him or loved him I always respected him and loved him again. He’s just been great for the game of basketball and we’ve all benefited from it.”

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Joe Namath Narrates CBS’s AFC Champ Opening

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LEGENDARY NEW YORK JETS QUARTERBACK JOE NAMATH NARRATES OPENING FOR “THE NFL TODAY” IN PREVIEW OF

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ON SUNDAY, JAN. 24 LIVE ON CBS

BOOMER ESIASON GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH NEW YORK JETS’ DARELLE REVIS; AND SHANNON SHARPE TALKS WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS RECEIVING CORPS OF BERNARD BERRIAN, PERCY HARVIN, SIDNEY RICE AND VISANTHE SHIANCOE

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms Report Live From Indianapolis on AFC Championship Game; and

Lesley Visser Reports Live From New Orleans on NFC Championship Game

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLIV and celebrating its Golden 50th year broadcasting the NFL, travels to Indianapolis for the 2010 American Football Conference Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 24 (3:00 PM, ET) as the No. 5-seeded NEW YORK JETS (11-7) take on the AFC South champions and No. 1-seeded INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (15-2) live on the CBS Television Network.

CBS Sports’ coverage of the AFC Championship Game begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show, on Sunday (2:00-3:00 PM, ET) live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

Legendary New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, who led the Jets to their only Super Bowl title in Super Bowl III with a stunning upset of the Baltimore Colts, narrates the opening of THE NFL TODAY in preview of the AFC Championship Game pitting the New York Jets against the Indianapolis Colts.  Shawn Robbins is the producer.

THE NFL TODAY’s Boomer Esiason goes one-on-one with Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis talking about how he has shut down every receiver he has faced this season including Marques Colston, Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, Steve Smith, and Reggie Wayne.  Sunday, Revis, the runner up for Defensive Player of the Year, gets his second crack at Wayne and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship with a chance for the Jets’ first Super Bowl appearance in 41 years.  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

Also, THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe sits down with Brett Favre’s receiving corps of Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe.  When Brett Favre signed with Minnesota this season, he thought he would be mainly handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson but he ended up throwing the ball to this quartet a lot more than anticipated as he and the Vikings are now one win away from their first Super Bowl in 33 years.  Deb Gelman will be the producer. It will be shot in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

In addition, THE NFL ON CBS’s lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms report live from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

And Lesley Visser reports live from New Orleans with a preview of the NFC Championship Game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Saints.

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

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

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports and serves as executive producer for the Network’s coverage of the NFL.  Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

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24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona debuts Jan. 26

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24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA

JAN. 26 EPISODE

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise presents its first non-boxing series with the all-access show 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA.  Debuting TUESDAY, JAN. 26 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), the four-week series spotlights one of racing’s biggest stars, reigning four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, and gives viewers an inside look at the driver and his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team as they prepare for the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl of auto racing.

Episode #1

Debut:  TUESDAY, JAN. 26 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates:  Jan. 26 (2:15 a.m.), 27 (2:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 29 (7:30 p.m., 11:45 p.m.), 30 (11:00 a.m., 8:30 p.m. PT only, 11:30 p.m. ET only) and 31 (9:00 a.m.), and Feb. 1 (8:00 p.m., 12:15 a.m.), 2 (11:30 a.m.), 13 (11:00 p.m.) and 14 (8:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates:  Jan. 28 (9:45 p.m.) and 31 (5:45 p.m.), and Feb. 11 (12:25 a.m.)

HBO On Demand availability begins:   Feb. 1

Four-time Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson (who was named 2009’s Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press) and his accomplished NASCAR racing team begin preparations for the Super Bowl of auto racing:  the 2010 Daytona 500, set for Feb. 14 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Other episodes of 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA debut on subsequent Tuesdays – Feb. 2, 9 and 16 – in prime time at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT).  The Feb. 16 series finale debuts two days after the race, with cameras tracking all the drama and excitement surrounding Johnson and his team on race day.  All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

The executive producers of 24/7 JIMMIE JOHNSON:  RACE TO DAYTONA are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Scott Boggins; writer, Peter Nelson.  Liev Schreiber narrates.

2010 NBA All-Star Starters Announced Exclusively on TNT NBA Thursday Prior to Lakers @ Cavaliers Match-Up

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MEDIA ADVISORY

2010 NBA All-Star Starters Announced Exclusively on TNT NBA Thursday Prior to Lakers @ Cavaliers Match-Up

Exclusive doubleheader also features Clippers @ Nuggets

TNT will have the exclusive announcement of the 2010 NBA All-Star Starters on Thursday, Jan. 21 during a special one hour edition of NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com beginning at 7 p.m. ET with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst). TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2010 All-Star Game from Dallas, TX will air on Sun., February 14 at 8:30 p.m. (ET).

The first game of TNT’s doubleheader will feature Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers visiting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 p.m. (ET).  Marv Albert (play-by-play) will call the game alongside Mike Fratello (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager reporting.  In the second game of the night, Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets will host Baron Davis and the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. (ET).  Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) will be courtside with David Aldridge reporting.  The Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber will recap the games.

This week, TNT will announce the nominees for its ‘TNT All-Decade Presented by esurance: Posterization: Regular Season’ category.  Fans can visit NBA.com’s ‘TNT All-Decade Presented by esurance’ page (http://www.nba.com/alldecade/vote3/) to view clips of the previously announced nominees and cast a vote on who they think should win.   ‘TNT All-Decade’ includes the top performances, games and moments throughout the 2000’s and winners will be announced in a special one-hour show airing during TNT’s exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. (ET).

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week.   Check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

TNT NBA THURSDAY SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE

TIME (ET)         EVENT

Thursday,  Jan. 21

7 p.m.                      NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com: 2010 NBA All-Star Starters Announced

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

8 p.m.                      Los Angeles Lakers @ Cleveland Cavaliers

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

10:30 p.m.               Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)

Post-game             Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

NBA ON TNT UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thursday,  Jan. 28

7 p.m.                      NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com:  2010 NBA All-Star Reserves Announced

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

8 p.m.                      Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

10:30 p.m.               Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns

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

Post-game             Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

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Clashes of the Titans: Ovechkin vs. Crosby Highlights Big-Game Week on NHL Network U.S.

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CLASHES OF THE TITANS: OVECHKIN VS. CROSBY HIGHLIGHTS BIG-GAME WEEK ON NHL NETWORK U.S.

NEW YORK (January 19, 2010) – NHL Network™ U.S. is the place where hockey fans must tune-in and stay tuned this week to catch three days of hockey’s best from the National Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League and the NCAA.

The first scheduled match up of the decade between Alex Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins will be broadcast live from Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh on Thursday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The contest will mark the first meeting between Ovechkin and Crosby since they filled both nets in a seven-game playoff series won by the Penguins last spring.

Washington, which sits atop the Southeast Division, is tied with Buffalo for the Eastern Conference lead with 66 points.  Ovechkin’s plus-28 leads the League and he ranks second in the NHL in points (64), goals (30) and shots (209).

The Stanley Cup Champion Penguins recently completed a five-game road trip (3-2) and are home to the New York Islanders tonight.  They are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with 61 points.  Crosby is on pace for his first 40-plus goal season and is tied for fourth in League scoring with 57 points.

The 2010 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will air Wednesday, January 20, from Windsor, Ontario, starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.  Team rosters are comprised of 2010 NHL Draft-eligible players from the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. One team will be coached by the legendary Bobby Orr, the other by the irrepressible Don Cherry.

Friday night, two of the NCAA’s powerhouses face off at 8:00 p.m. ET to cap off three days of top-flight competition on NHL Network U.S. Denver, the top-ranked team in the nation, takes on No. 3 Wisconsin in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association showdown in Madison, Wisconsin.

U.S. NHL Network Schedule – Highlighted Games For Week of Jan. 18

Wednesday, Jan. 20        CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 21        Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan 22                NCAA Hockey: Denver (1) at Wisconsin (3), 8:00 p.m.

About NHL NETWORK
As the definitive hockey destination, NHL Network offers viewers a 24-hour all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games.  The network’s daily signature show – NHL On The Fly – offers fans exclusive live look-ins to NHL games, including goals, shootouts, features, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players, plus special coverage from NHL events.  Additional programming includes simulcast of Sirius XM Radio’s “NHL Live” which broadcasts Mon-Fri from NHL Powered By Reebok, international and amateur hockey, player profiles, interview shows and youth-oriented programs.  NHL Network is available in the U.S. and Canada by contacting digital cable or satellite providers.  For more information on NHL Network, log on to nhlnetwork.com.