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Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

Archives for April 2012

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Day 8

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ELIMINATION GAMES BEGIN

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET – NBC Sports Network

NY Rangers @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. ET – CNBC

Vancouver @ Los Angeles, 10 p.m. ET – NBC Sports Network

Coverage begins nightly with NHL Live at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – April 18, 2012 – Day 8 – The NBC Sports Group begins its second week of 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage tonight with two potential series clinchers on NBC Sports Network, and a tight series on CNBC. Coverage begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live on NBC Sports Network.

TONIGHT

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, the #5 Philadelphia Flyers, up 3-0 in the series, can eliminate the #4 Pittsburgh Penguins in Philadelphia and move on to the Conference Semi-Finals with a victory. . Also in the East, the #8 Ottawa Senators look to even their series on their home-ice against the #1 New York Rangers (lead series 2-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET on CNBC. Concluding tonight’s action on NBC Sports Network at 10 p.m. ET, the host #8 Los Angeles Kings, leading the series 3-0, hope to finish their series tonight against the #1 Vancouver Canucks. Tonight’s schedule (all times ET):

7:30 p.m. #4 Pit @ #5 Phi (Game 4) NBCSN
7:30 p.m. #1 NYR @ #8 Ott (Game 4) CNBC
10 p.m. #1 Van @ #8 LA (Game 4) NBCSN


COMCAST SPORTSNETS

Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia will air live first-round coverage of tonight’s Flyers game as well as additional Stanley Cup-relayed coverage in its local market.

7:30 p.m. #4 Pit @ #5 Phi (Game 4) CSN Philadelphia

CHANNEL FINDER

With all 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games airing nationally for the first time, the NBC Sports Group created a channel finder to help fans find NBC, NBC Sports Network, CNBC or NHL Network in their area by simply entering a zip code.

Click here for the channel finder.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the first time in the 95-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally. The NBC Sports Group will provide unprecedented access to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in April, May and June, televising as many as 105 playoff games and possibly more than 262.5 hours of programming. Games will be presented on NBC, the NBC Sports Network, the NHL Network, and NBCUniversal’s business channel CNBC in primetime.

NBC Sports Network 13
CNBC 6
NBC 3
NHL Network 3

–NBC Sports Group–

Bryant Gumbel’s Closing Commentary – Episode #181

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BRYANT GUMBEL CLOSING COMMENTARY

REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL

EPISODE #181

AIRS TONIGHT (4/17) @ 10:00 PM ET/PT

“Finally, it’s worth noting that tonight marks the 51st anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion. That, of course, has nothing to do with sports; but it has lots to do with the rhetoric that’s followed the heavily publicized comments of Marlins’ manager Ozzie Guillen.

Back in 1961, the ill-fated invasion was fueled by Cuban exiles who had convinced two U.S. administrations to help them launch an attack on their former homeland. An attack that was easily repelled by the forces of Fidel Castro, and the Cuban masses who the invaders had mistakenly hoped would rise up and help them. Ever since that failure, exploiting anti-communist fears to portray Castro as a monstrous boogeyman has been a cottage industry in Florida and Washington. While many have certainly assailed Fidel, and still do, for very legitimate reasons. Others simply hate that he overthrew their dictator, Fulgencio Batista, whose corrupt government helped them enrich privileged Cubans, and American interests, at the expense of the country’s poorest people.

Given that backdrop, when the manager of the Miami Marlins recently said that he essentially admired Fidel for his longevity, it wasn’t surprising that a number of Castro’s critics demanded not just Guillen’s job, but his head to boot. And while there is no way to defend Ozzie or the blatant insensitivity of his remarks, let’s not pretend there’s no politics at work in some of those calls for his ouster. Whipping up a frenzy, over slights real and imagined, is a play straight out of a far-right handbook and Florida’s electoral clout has often given Fidel’s critics far more leverage than their arguments merit.

If the Marlins start winning, the furor will, most likely, die. But for many, I doubt Ozzie’s words will ever be forgotten. Cuba may have been a foreign battlefield 51 years ago tonight, but it’s a domestic minefield now and for a variety of complex reasons, still a dangerous subject on which to tread.”

#

Filed Under: HBO

ESPN Radio to be USC Football’s Exclusive National Broadcaster for Home Games

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LOS ANGELES – ESPN Radio and the University of Southern California (USC) today announced a multi-year agreement in which the network will have exclusive national broadcast rights for all home Trojans football games.

This marks ESPN Radio’s first nationally exclusive broadcasting agreement with a college football program and only the second such agreement in the industry (Notre Dame and IMG Sports).

“We have had a long relationship with USC which has proven to be an excellent one in many ways,” says Tim McCarthy, Sr. Vice President, ESPN Radio Play by Play & Talent Planning. “We will work closely with USC to develop ancillary marketing opportunities to touch USC fans everywhere.”

 

The ESPN Radio-USC agreement also provides Spanish-language rights for ESPN Deportes Radio, the country’s first and only 24/7 national Spanish-language sports radio network, with every USC home and away game being cleared in the LA market.

“USC and the Trojan football program are extremely excited to have all of our home games carried nationally by ESPN Radio,” said Pat Haden, USC’s Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics’ Chair. “To partner with ESPN Radio and have the USC brand distributed at this level is a fantastic opportunity to reach Trojan fans throughout the nation. It is also immensely important that we will be able to reach our Hispanic fan base throughout Southern California with ESPN Deportes.”

“This agreement with ESPN Radio will provide tremendous, unprecedented exposure for USC football and it will help elevate the USC brand,” said Dan Shell, Vice President and General Manager, USC Sports Properties.  “It will also benefit our sponsors by providing them with a nationally distributed platform to connect with their target audience.”

USC Sports Properties will retain the right to sell local radio inventory in packages as part of its overall sales efforts for USC athletics.

ESPN Radio will present USC games on up to 300 affiliates nationwide. 710 ESPN Los Angeles (KSPN) has been the flagship station of the USC Football Radio Network (Fresno to San Diego) since 2006.

USC Sports Properties
A division of Fox Sports Net, USC Sports Properties is a full service sales and marketing organization representing the University of Southern California. Its mission is to create long-term strategic partnerships through customized, integrated marketing programs that deliver great value while addressing the needs and objectives of its corporate partners, USC, and its stakeholders.

About ESPN Audio

ESPN Audio is comprised of the country’s largest sports radio network, featured event programming, ESPN Deportes, ESPNRadio.com, and ESPN Podcasts.

ESPN Radio provides more than 9,000 hours of talk and event content annually to 24 million listeners a week on more than 700 stations, including owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas, and more than 300 full-time affiliates.  ESPN Radio offers the only all-sports Spanish radio network, ESPN Deportes, which has 45 affiliates with stations in nine of the top 10 Hispanic markets.  ESPNRadio.com is the most listened to live stream of any terrestrial broadcaster in the world – reaching more than three million unique users per month (source: Omniture) and one million unique listeners per month (source: Ando Media).

–30–

2012 “Sunday Night Football” Schedule Announced

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NBC to Air Thanksgiving Night Game for the First Time with Jets Hosting Patriots

Peyton Manning and Denver Broncos Host Pittsburgh Steelers in Opening SNF Game on September 9

NFL Season Begins on NBC with Wednesday NFL Kickoff Featuring Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Hosting Dallas Cowboys

NBC to Broadcast 19 Primetime Games in 2012, up from 18 in 2011 and 17 from 2006-2010

NEW YORK – April 17, 2012 – NBC will broadcast 19 primetime NFL games during the 2012 season, highlighted by: the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants hosting their division rivals the Dallas Cowboys on NFL Kickoff 2012; storied rivalries such as Steelers-Ravens, Eagles-Cowboys, and Giants-Eagles; two games featuring Peyton Manning with his new team the Denver Broncos – hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers on the first Sunday Night Football game of the season, and the New Orleans Saints in Week 8; and NBC’s first Thanksgiving night game, featuring New England Patriots at the New York Jets.

MARK LAZARUS, CHAIRMAN, NBC SPORTS GROUP:

“The NFL is the most powerful content in the sports and entertainment universe, and we are once again poised for another exciting season of Sunday Night Football, the most-watched show on primetime television.”

Highlights of the 2012 Sunday Night Football schedule:

  • 19 primetime games, including the opening Wednesday night game and a new Thanksgiving night game;
  • Every 2011 playoff team makes an appearance on Sunday Night Football; 16 of NBC’s 18 scheduled games involve at least one playoff team from last season; 10 of 18 include two playoff teams (Week 17 game TBD);
  • Three games each for Giants, Cowboys, Patriots, Steelers and Packers.
  • The defending Super Bowl Champion Giants host their division rivals the Cowboys in the Wednesday night NFL Kickoff 2012 on September 5;
  • The Jets host the Patriots on NBC’s first-ever Thanksgiving night game. NBC will broadcast a Thanksgiving night game each season through 2022 as part of the new NFL agreement;
  • Peyton Manning, in his first game as a member of the Denver Broncos, as they host Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opening Sunday Night Football game of the season on September 9;
  • Three matchups among bitter NFC East rivals: Cowboys-Giants, Giants-Eagles, and Eagles-Cowboys;
  • Three playoff rematches, including a rematch of the AFC Championship Game when the Ravens host the Patriots in Week 3;
  • The first Sunday Night Football regular-season trip to Houston, as the Texans host the Packers in Week 6, and Cincinnati as the Bengals host the Steelers in Week 7;

NBC TO BROADCAST 19 NFL GAMES IN 2012: As part of the new agreement NBC signed with the NFL in December, 2011, NBC will now broadcast 19 regular-season games, including 17 regular season Sunday Night Football games, NFL Kickoff 2012, and the new Thanksgiving night game. NBC’s original Sunday Night Football agreement, which began in 2006, included 17 regular-season games. It was increased to 18 games in 2010.

SNF NO. 1 PRIMETIME PROGRAM ON TELEVISION: For the primetime television season (September 19-April 16), *Sunday Night Football ranks as the most-watched (persons 2+) and highest-rated show, and the No. 1 program across the key demographics of Adults 18-49, 18-34, 25-54, as well as Men 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, based on Nielsen live + same day data. Additionally, SNF is the No. 3 show among Women 18-34, and the No. 4 show among Women 18-49.

*NOTE: The primetime television season began on Monday, Sept. 19 2011, and does not include the first three NBC primetime games of the 2011 season (Thursday night NFL Kickoff Opener and first two SNF games).

The critically acclaimed Football Night in America, which precedes Sunday Night Football, each week at 7 p.m. ET, was seen by an average of 8.9 million in 2011, its best season ever.

2012 SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Wed. Sept. 5 NFL Kickoff Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Sun. Sept. 9 Week 1 Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
Sun. Sept. 16 Week 2 Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
Sun. Sept. 23 Week 3 New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
Sun. Sept. 30 Week 4 New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Sun. Oct. 7 Week 5 San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints
Sun. Oct. 14 Week 6 Green Bay Packers at Houston Texans
Sun. Oct. 21 Week 7 Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Sun. Oct. 28 Week 8 New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos
Sun. Nov. 4 Week 9 Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons
Sun. Nov. 11 Week 10 Houston Texans at Chicago Bears
*Sun. Nov. 18 Week 11 Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
**Thurs. Nov. 22 Week 12 New England Patriots at New York Jets
*Sun. Nov. 25 Week 12 Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
*Sun. Dec. 2 Week 13 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
*Sun. Dec. 9 Week 14 Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
*Sun. Dec. 16 Week 15 San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots
*Sun. Dec. 23 Week 16 San Diego Chargers at New York Jets
*Sun. Dec. 30 Week 17 TBA

*Flex Week
** Thanksgiving Night Game

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 – NFL KICKOFF 2012

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.)

The Super Bowl champion New York Giants host NFC East rival the Dallas Cowboys in NFL Kickoff 2012, the opening game of the 2012 NFL season. NFL Kickoff 2012 will be played on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 8:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The 2011 regular season ended on Sunday Night Football with the Giants defeating the Cowboys, 31-14, to capture the NFC East title. That game averaged 27.6 million viewers, the most ever for a Sunday Night Football game (Thursday openers included), and making it the most-watched regular-season primetime game on any network in 15 years (Packers-Cowboys, 31.5 million, Nov. 18, 1996, on ABC).

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9 – WEEK ONE

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.)

Peyton Manning makes his regular-season debut as quarterback of the Denver Broncos as they take on Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch of last year’s Wild Card overtime thriller won by the Broncos, 29-23.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16 – WEEK TWO

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers (Candlestick Park, San Francisco, Calif.)

Two NFC playoff teams square off as the 49ers, who lost in last season’s NFC Championship Game to the Giants, host the Detroit Lions, who last year qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 23 – WEEK THREE

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.)

The Baltimore Ravens head to Foxboro to take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game, which the Patriots won 23-20.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 30 – WEEK FOUR

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.)

Eli Manning and the defending Super Bowl Champion Giants travel to Philadelphia to take on Michael Vick and the Eagles, who failed to qualify for last season’s playoffs for the first time in four years. These two teams split their season series last year with each team winning on the road.

SUNDAY OCT. 7 – WEEK FIVE

San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints (Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.)

Drew Brees and the Saints host Philip Rivers and the Chargers in what could be a record-setting performance for Brees. If he throws touchdown passes in each of the first four weeks, a touchdown pass against the Chargers on Sunday Night Football would break Johnny Unitas’ record for most consecutive games with a TD pass (46), a record that has stood since 1960.

SUNDAY, OCT. 14 – WEEK SIX

Green Bay Packers at Houston Texans (Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas)

Sunday Night Football makes its first trip to Houston, as the defending AFC South champion Texans host 2011 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the NFC North champion Packers.

SUNDAY, OCT. 21 – WEEK SEVEN

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio)

The first regular-season Sunday Night Football game to be played in Cincinnati, will see the Bengals host the Steelers in a key AFC North divisional matchup.

SUNDAY, OCT. 28 – WEEK EIGHT

New Orleans Saints at Denver Broncos (Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.)

A matchup of the two quarterbacks from Super Bowl XLIV, as Peyton Manning and the Broncos host Drew Brees and the Saints in what could be a fall classic.

SUNDAY, NOV. 4 – WEEK NINE

Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons (Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Ga.)

The Falcons, who have qualified for the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, host Tony Romo and the Cowboys, who are looking to get back to the playoffs after failing to qualify in each of the last two seasons.

SUNDAY, NOV. 11 – WEEK 10

Houston Texans at Chicago Bears (Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.)

The AFC South champion Texans travel to Chicago to take on Jay Cutler and the Bears in a key inter-conference matchup.

SUNDAY, NOV. 18 – WEEK 11

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.)

This game has become one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL. Both teams finished the season 12-4 last year with the Ravens taking the division on the basis of sweeping the season series from the Steelers, 35-7 in Week 1, and 23-20 in Week 9.

THURSDAY, NOV. 22 – WEEK 12 – THANKSGIVING NIGHT GAME

New England Patriots at New York Jets (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.)

For the first time ever the Thanksgiving night game will air on network television, as the AFC East rivals the New England Patriots and the New York Jets meet at the Meadowlands in what is annually one of the most anticipated games of the season.

SUNDAY, NOV. 25 – WEEK 12

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.)

The 2011 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers meets the Super Bowl XLVI MVP Eli Manning in a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional Game, which the Giants won 37-20 to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

SUNDAY, DEC. 2 – WEEK 13

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas)

A fierce NFC East division rivalry pits Michael Vick and the Eagles against Tony Romo and the Cowboys. The Eagles swept the season series winning 34-7 at home in Week 8 and 20-7 at Dallas in Week 16. The Eagles finished the season with four straight wins to even their record at 8-8.

SUNDAY, DEC. 9 – WEEK 14

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.)

Sunday Night Football returns to Lambeau Field for a key NFC North division game, as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers host Matthew Stafford and the Lions. The Packers swept the season series last year, winning 27-15 in Week 12 and 45-41 in Week 17, in a game that saw 1,125 yards of total offense and 11 touchdown passes combined.

SUNDAY, DEC. 16 – WEEK 15

San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots (Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.)

The NFC West champion 49ers, who lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Giants, travel to Foxboro to take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, who lost to the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. This is the first matchup between these two teams since Week 5 of the 2008, season when the Patriots beat the 49ers, 30-21.

SUNDAY, DEC. 23 – WEEK 16

San Diego Chargers at New York Jets (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.)

A key AFC intra-division game as the Rex Ryan and his Jets host Philip Rivers and the Chargers.

SUNDAY, DEC. 30 – WEEK 17

Teams to be announced by NFL at least six days prior.

The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but the NFL will choose matchups for each of their network partners to ensure a national game with playoff implications to conclude the season.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: The season again will utilize “flexible scheduling” in Weeks 11-17. In Weeks 11-16, the schedule lists the games tentatively set for Sunday Night Football on NBC. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game would be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights.

A flexible scheduling move would be announced at least 12 days before the game. For Week 17, the change will be announced no later than six days before the game. The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but an afternoon game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot to conclude the season.

Flexible scheduling will ensure quality matchups in all Sunday time slots in those weeks, and give “surprise” teams a chance to play their way into primetime.

 

Follow NBC Sports PR on Twitter @NBCSportsPR
Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter @SNFonNBC
Follow NBC SportsTalk on Twitter @NBCSportsTalk
Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at: facebook.com/snfonnbc

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Super Bowl XLVII Highlights NFL ON CBS 2012 Broadcast Schedule

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CBS SPORTS MARKS 53rd YEAR OF NFL COVERAGE AS

NETWORK ANNOUNCES 2012 “NFL ON CBS” BROADCAST SCHEDULE

SUPER BOWL XLVII HIGHLIGHTS CBS TELEVISION NETWORK’S SCHEDULE

Highlighted by Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013 from New Orleans, the CBS Television Network marks its 53rd year of coverage of the NFL by broadcasting a total of 105 games during its 17 weeks of regular-season coverage of the NFL’s American Football Conference.  The regular-season schedule is followed by a full post-season slate including an AFC Wild Card playoff game on January 6, 2013, two divisional playoff games on January 12 and January 13, the AFC Championship Game on January 20 and Super Bowl XLVII

CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XLVII marks the 18th time the Network will broadcast the Super Bowl with the last being in 2010 when the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in Miami, Fla.

►NEW ENGLAND, HOUSTON AND CINCINNATI SLATED FOR 11 APPEARANCES;

DENVER, BALTIMORE AND NEW YORK JETS SET FOR 10 APPEARANCES; PITTSBURGH AND SAN DIEGO TO MAKE NINE APPEARANCES

Last year’s Super Bowl XLVI runner-up and AFC Champions New England Patriots, AFC South Champions Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals will appear 11 times each on THE NFL ON CBS.  The AFC West Champions and Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos, AFC North Champions Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets will make 10 appearances each; while the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers will make nine appearances each; the Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders are slated for 12 appearances each; and the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns 13 times each.

► NINE NFL ON CBS DOUBLEHEADER WEEKENDS

The broadcast schedule, which includes nine doubleheader weekends, features several of last year’s powerhouse teams in the AFC and key AFC-NFC match-ups including:

AFC MATCH-UPS

Denver-New England (10/7)

Pittsburgh-Baltimore (12/2)

Denver-Baltimore (12/16)

San Diego-Denver (11/18)

New York Jets-Pittsburgh (9/16)


AFC-NFC MATCH-UPS

Pittsburgh-New York Giants (11/4)

Pittsburgh-Dallas (12/16)

Cleveland-Dallas (11/18)

Cleveland-New York Giants (10/7)

Baltimore-Philadelphia (9/16)

Kansas City-New Orleans (9/23)

Buffalo-San Francisco (10/7)

 

* * * * *

 

Other AFC-NFC match-ups during the season include: Baltimore-Washington (12/9), Jacksonville-Green Bay (10/28), Tennessee-Green Bay (12/23), Denver-Carolina (11/11) and Miami-San Francisco (12/9)

► AFC DIVISIONAL RIVALRIES

Along with near-weekly divisional battles, AFC games highlighted include Peyton Manning’s first game on CBS as a Denver Bronco; Houston-Denver (9/23), New York Jets-New England (10/21), Indianapolis-New England (11/18) and Week 17 with teams from the four AFC Divisions squaring off against each other in games that could have major playoff implications: New York Jets-Buffalo, Miami-New England, Baltimore-Cincinnati, Cleveland-Pittsburgh, Houston-Indianapolis, Jacksonville-Tennessee, Kansas City-Denver and Oakland-San Diego (12/30/12).

► LONDON CALLING

In Week 8 (10/28) THE NFL ON CBS, for the fourth-of-the-past-five years, travels across the Atlantic Ocean to cover the New England Patriots-St. Louis Rams clash live from Wembley Stadium in London, England.

► THANKSGIVING DAY GAME

Thanksgiving Day (11/22) will feature the Houston Texans at Detroit Lions.

► OPENING KICK-OFF

THE NFL ON CBS kicks off Week 1 with singleheader coverage on Sunday, Sept. 9 (12:00 Noon-4:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show. The day’s NFL action is highlighted by an AFC-NFC tilt between Indianapolis and Chicago and New England taking on Tennessee. Other regional action that day on THE NFL ON CBS includes Jacksonville-Minnesota, Buffalo-New York Jets and Miami-Houston games live on the CBS Television Network.

► PRESEASON

CBS Sports’ NFL pre-season schedule begins Friday, Aug. 24 (8:00 PM, ET) live in prime time with the Super Bowl champion New York Giants hosting the Chicago Bears. The Network’s second pre-season game sees the AFC South champion Houston Texans taking on the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints live in prime time on Saturday, Aug. 25 (8:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms are the lead announce team for the Network’s coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. THE NFL TODAY, CBS Sports’ NFL pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, begins on Sunday, Sept. 9 (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown, along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher.

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

Following is the complete 2012 CBS Sports NFL broadcast schedule.

[gview file=”https://sportsmedianews.com/wp//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Broadcast-Sked.doc”%5D

NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers & Packers Host Bears in Opener of Expanded NFL Network 2012 ‘Thursday Night Football’ Schedule

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185th Bears-Packers Game Kicks Off NFLN’s 13-Game Schedule in Week 2

Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning & Giants visit Rookie of Year Cam Newton & Panthers in Week 3

Peyton Manning’s first visit to Oakland’s “Black Hole” as Broncos QB

9 Division Matchups Highlighted

NFL Network today announced its expanded 13-game, regular-season primetime Thursday Night Football schedule which kicks off in Week 2 (Sept. 13) and features nine 2011 playoff teams, including six which won division crowns and both NFC Championship Game teams (Giants and 49ers). Game times for the contests are 8:00 PM ET.

Among the highlights of NFL Network’s 2012 schedule:

  • Opener features 185th meeting between Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers – the most-played rivalry in NFL history.
  • No. 1 drafted QBs face off in Week 3 – Giants’ Eli Manning (two-time Super Bowl MVP) and Carolina’s Cam Newton (2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year)
  • Peyton Manning’s first start as Broncos QB at Oakland’s “Black Hole”
  • Indianapolis and their new No. 1 overall draft pick at Jacksonville
  • New Orleans visits Atlanta in a meeting of clubs which have won past three NFC South titles
  • Nine divisional matchups

The critically acclaimed Thursday Night Football broadcast team returns featuring Emmy-nominated game analyst Mike Mayock, play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler and sideline reporter Alex Flanagan.

NFL Network 2012 Thursday Night Football Schedule

 

Week 2: Thursday, September 13 at 8:00 PM ET

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

Week 3: Thursday, September 20 at 8:00 PM ET

New York Giants at Carolina Panthers

Week 4: Thursday, September 27 at 8:00 PM ET

   Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

Week 5: Thursday, October 4 at 8:00 PM ET

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams

Week 6: Thursday, October 11 at 8:00 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans

Week 7: Thursday, October 18 at 8:00 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Week 8: Thursday, October 25 at 8:00 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings

Week 9: Thursday, November 1 at 8:00 PM ET

Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers

Week 10: Thursday, November 8 at 8:00 PM ET

   Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 11: Thursday, November 15 at 8:00 PM ET

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

Week 13: Thursday, November 29 at 8:00 PM ET

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

Week 14: Thursday, December 6 at 8:00 PM ET

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Week 15: Thursday, December 13 at 8:00 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles

For the entire 2012 NFL schedule, visit www.NFL.com.

This year marks the seventh season of live regular season primetime games on NFL Network. Last year’s edition of Thursday Night Football was the most-watched in the network’s history with a record average of 7.3 million viewers per game (including OTAs).

Each NFL Network game telecast will feature a live, two-hour pregame show. In addition, a one-hour postgame show will wrap up the action with interviews, highlights and press conferences.

NFL.com LIVE again will offer complementary Thursday Night Football game coverage including select live video, statistics and interactive applications.

NFL Network games also will be carried on free, over-the-air television in the city of the visiting team and in the city where the game is played if it is sold out 72 hours in advance of kickoff.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network dedicated entirely 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. 

– NFL Network-

ESPN’s 2012 Monday Night Football Schedule

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AFC Bengals-Ravens, Chargers-Raiders Division Matchups in Season-Opening Doubleheader on Sept. 10
 
MNF Highlights:
  • Appearances by both Super Bowl teams – New York Giants at Washington Redskins (Dec. 3); and New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans (Dec. 10);
  • Chicago Bears lead all NFL teams with three MNF appearances. Eight teams (49ers, Broncos, Chargers, Eagles, Falcons, Jets, Lions and Texans) have two appearances each;
  • Six of 17 MNF games involve divisional matchups.
 
The 43rd season of Monday Night Football will kick off on ESPN with a doubleheader Monday, September 10 –Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (7 p.m. ET) and San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (10:15 p.m. / 7:15 p.m. PT) – and will continue with a total of 17 prime-time games.  Following a season that delivered 14 of the 20 biggest cable household audiences of the year, ESPN’s MNF schedule will feature all 12 playoff teams from 2011, including both the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and AFC champion New England Patriots.
Andy Dalton and the Bengals, who returned to the AFC playoffs last year, open the season against Ray Lewis and the division rival Ravens in Baltimore in the first game of ESPN’s nationally televised week 1 doubleheader.
The Ravens won the AFC North in 2011 and advanced to last year’s conference championship. In the second game, Philip Rivers and the Chargers play Carson Palmer and the Raiders in Oakland in a matchup of longtime AFC West foes.
Play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico, analyst Jon Gruden and recently named sideline reporter Lisa Salters will call the Bengals-Ravens opener, and the MNF games each week at 8:30 p.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s 24-hour Spanish-language domestic sports network, will continue to offer a Spanish-language production of MNF games during the 2012 NFL season. Additional MNF “game around the game” content will be available throughout the day across ESPN’s multimedia platforms.
 
September: Peyton Manning Returns to MNF in Week 2
  • Sept. 10: Season-opening doubleheader – Bengals at Ravens and Chargers at Raiders in a pair of AFC divisional matchups;
  • Sept. 17: Peyton Manning and the new look Denver Broncos travel to Atlanta to play Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. The AFC West champions extend the NFL’s longest current streak of 21 consecutive seasons playing on MNF (1992-present);
  • Sept. 24: NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the NFC North champion Green Bay Packers travel west to face former Packers back-up quarterback Matt Flynn and the Seattle Seahawks.
 
October: Bears-Cowboys NFC Showdown in ‘Big D’
  • Oct. 1: NFC contenders collide in Texas as Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears tackle Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys;
  • Oct. 8: Matt Schaub and the AFC South champion Houston Texans try to take a bite out of Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets in the Big Apple;
  • Oct. 15: Elite quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers will be on display when the Broncos travel to San Diego to play the Chargers;
  • Oct. 22: It’s an old fashioned NFC North grudge match when Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions go head-to-head with Cutler and the Bears in the Windy City, a rematch of one of MNF’s most exciting games in 2011;
  • Oct. 29: In an NFC West duel in the desert, Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals host Alex Smith and the division champion San Francisco 49ers.
 
November: Vick and Eagles Look to Take Flight with Two MNF Games
  • Nov. 5: On the eve of the U.S. presidential election, MNF will be declared a winner when Drew Brees and the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints host Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles at the home of Super Bowl XLVII;
  • Nov. 12: Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers play host to Jamaal Charles and the Kansas City Chiefs. As extra motivation, former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, now the Steelers offensive coordinator, will face his former team;
  • Nov. 19: In the 34th MNF game played at Candlestick Park (most among all NFL stadiums), Frank Gore and the 49ers host Matt Forte and the Bears in a matchup of tradition-rich NFC franchises;
  • Nov. 26: Thanksgiving weekend concludes with a feast of electrifying quarterbacks as 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year Cam Newton makes his MNF debut for the Carolina Panthers against Vick and the high-flying Eagles in Philadelphia.
 
December: Super Bowl Teams in Back-to-Back Weeks; Falcons-Lions Season-Finale in Motown:
  • Dec. 3: Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and the world champion New York Giants face NFC East rival Washington Redskins in the Nation’s Capital. Washington won both games in 2011;
  • Dec. 10: In a matchup of AFC playoff teams from last season, Schaub and the Texans battle Tom Brady and the AFC champion New England Patriots in Foxboro;
  • Dec. 17: Sanchez and the Jets fly into Nashville to try to ground Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans;
  • Dec. 22 (Sat.): Last season’s NFC Wild Card teams, Atlanta and Detroit, look to be in the playoff hunt again as Ryan and the Falcons face Matthew Stafford and the Lions in the MNF season finale in Motown. (Note: The game will be played on Saturday in prime time due to the Christmas holiday).
 
ESPN’s Monday Night Football
ESPN’s Monday Night Football is the most-watched series in cable television history.  In six seasons on ESPN, MNF has registered seven of the top 10 all-time biggest household audiences in cable history. For the 2011 season, ESPN’s MNF delivered 14 of the 20 biggest household audiences (and 13 of the top 20 among viewers) for cable television in 2011, averaging a 9.7 rating (8.4 US rating) and 9,589,000 homes (13,252,000 viewers).
 
ESPN’s 2012 Monday Night Football Schedule
Preseason    
Date Time (ET) Teams
Aug. 9 8 p.m. Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers
Aug. 13 8 p.m. Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders
Aug. 20 8 p.m. Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots
Aug. 23 8 p.m. Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
Regular Season    
Sept. 10 7 p.m. Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
  10:15 p.m. San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
Sept. 17 8:30 p.m. Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons
Sept. 24 8:30 p.m. Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
Oct. 1 8:30 p.m. Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys
Oct. 8 8:30 p.m. Houston Texans at New York Jets
Oct. 15 8:30 p.m. Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers 
Oct. 22 8:30 p.m. Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Oct. 29 8:30 p.m. San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Nov. 5 8:30 p.m. Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints
Nov. 12 8:30 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov. 19 8:30 p.m. Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
Nov. 26 8:30 p.m. Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles
Dec. 3 8:30 p.m. New York Giants at Washington Redskins
Dec. 10 8:30 p.m. Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Dec. 17 8:30 p.m. New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
Dec. 22 (Sat.) 8:30 p.m. Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions
 
-30-

2012 NFL on FOX Season Kicks Off Sunday Sept. 9

By

Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Featured Nine Times Including

Oct. 14th NFC Championship Rematch Against San Francisco 49ers

Week 1 Highlighted by Super Bowl XLV Champion Green Bay Packers

Hosting 49ers & Saints’ First Game without Coach Payton

NFL on FOX Looks for Continued Ratings Growth with

Playoff Teams Making 68 Appearances on 2012 Schedule

 

New York, NY – The 19th season of the NFL on FOX premieres Sunday, Sept. 9 with doubleheader coverage of seven games including one of the most anticipated matchups of the season as Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers host Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers.  Week 1 action begins with the New Orleans Saints playing their first game without head coach Sean Payton hosting the Washington Redskins in what could be Robert Griffin III’s NFL debut.

At present, FOX Sports is scheduled to broadcast 103 regular-season games, including nine editions of AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK (NFL on FOX’s national doubleheader window and the highest-rated most-watched NFL game on any network) and the traditional Thanksgiving Day game this year featuring the Redskins taking on Tony Romo’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, TX.

Viewers can look forward to many exciting matchups on the NFL on FOX schedule including two recent Super Bowl Champions facing off on Sunday, Sept. 30 when the Packers host the Saints in Week 4.  The reigning Super Bowl Champs headline Week 6 when the Giants travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in a highly anticipated NFC Championship Game rematch on Sunday, Oct. 14.  The Giants are also featured Week 8 when Eli Manning’s team heads to Arlington to take on the Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 28.  Other key dates include a clash in Philadelphia with the Eagles hosting the Cowboys in an NFC East battle on Sunday, Nov. 11 followed by a Week 12 NFC Divisional Playoff rematch between the 49ers and Saints in New Orleans on Sunday, Nov. 25.  Week 14 features two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL when Drew Brees’ Saints faceoff against Eli Manning’s Giants on Sunday, Dec. 9.  As the regular season reaches its final stretch, the NFL’s oldest rivalry resumes on FOX Sports in a Week 15 matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 16. Weeks 16 and 17 could see many teams fighting for playoff positioning with the Cowboys hosting the Saints and the Giants traveling to Baltimore to take on the reigning AFC North Champions on Sunday, Dec. 23.  The following week features two key divisional matchups with the Eagles traveling to MetLife Stadium to face the Giants and the Detroit Lions hosting the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 30.

Each week, coverage begins with FOX NFL SUNDAY (12:00-1:00 PM ET/9:00-10:00 AM PT), America’s most-watched pregame show for 18-straight seasons. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee return as co-hosts alongside analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan, NFL insider Jay Glazer and comedian Frank Caliendo. Since its premiere in September 1994, FOX NFL SUNDAY has won 20 Emmy Awards for its production and personalities, including four for Outstanding Studio Show.

The 2011 NFL season was one for the record books for FOX Sports. Just when you thought that NFL ratings couldn’t get any higher, the regular season averaged a 12.0/24 national household rating/share and was FOX Sports’ highest-rated NFL season in 16 years (12.5/29 in 1995).  It also marked ratings growth for the third consecutive year, a first for the NFC package since the 1970 merger.  FOX was the only full-season NFL television carrier to boast a year-over-year ratings increase last season.  The NFL on FOX 2011 season was +2% compared to 2010 (11.8/24), and since posting a 10.5 HH rating for the 2008 season, NFL on FOX ratings have grown +14% over the last three seasons (10.5 in 2008 to 12.0 in 2011).  In addition, audience for the NFL on FOX for 2011 averaged 20.1 million viewers, tying 2010 as FOX Sports’ most-watched NFL season ever.

The 2012 NFL on FOX season includes 68 appearances of last season’s playoff teams, including nine games featuring the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.  The NFC South Champion New Orleans Saints and the NFC Wild Card Atlanta Falcons each play 11 games on FOX, while the NFC Wild Card Lions play 10.  The NFC West Champion 49ers and NFC North Champion Packers are each scheduled for nine games.

Once the playoff teams are determined, the NFL on FOX presents exclusive live postseason coverage, including an NFC Wild Card Game on Sunday, Jan. 6, the NFC Divisional Playoffs, Saturday, Jan. 12 and Sunday, Jan. 13, and the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 20.

The NFL on FOX’s 19th season of coverage kicks off with three preseason contests beginning on Thursday, Aug. 16 (8:00 PM ET) with the Cincinnati Bengals’ Andy Dalton and A.J. Green looking to build on their rookie success taking on Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and the Atlanta Falcons.  That game is followed up the next night with the reigning AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens hosting Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh’s Detroit Lions on Friday, Aug. 17 (8:00 PM ET).  FOX Sports’ preseason coverage wraps up on Sunday, Aug. 26 (4:00 PM ET) with the new-look Denver Broncos featuring Peyton Manning hosting the 49ers.

Following is a complete list of games on the 2012 NFL on FOX regular and postseason broadcast schedules.

 

2012 NFL ON FOX BROADCAST SCHEDULE

(ALL TIMES ET)

 

Sunday, September 9
(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions

      Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints

      Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns

      Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs

4:15 PM                      San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers

      Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

      Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, September 16

 

1:00 PM                      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants

      New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

      Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots

      Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts

4:05 PM                      Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks

      Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams

Sunday, September 23

 

1:00 PM                      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys

      St. Louis Rams at Chicago Bears

      San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings

      Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans

4:05 PM                      Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals

      Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers

Sunday, September 30

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

      Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

      Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams

      San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets

4:15 PM                      New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

      Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 

Sunday, October 7

 

1:00 PM                      Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins

      Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers

      Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts

4:05 PM                      Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

      Chicago Bears at Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday, October 14

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles

      St. Louis Rams at Miami Dolphins

      Dallas Cowboys at Baltimore Ravens

     

4:15 PM                      New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers

      Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins

Sunday, October 21

 

1:00 PM                      Washington Redskins at New York Giants

      Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

      Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers

      New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

      Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams

Sunday, October 28

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

      Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears

      Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions

      Washington Redskins at Pittsburgh Steelers

4:15 PM                      New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Sunday, November 4

 

1:00 PM                      Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins

      Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers

      Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars

      Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans

                                         

4:05 PM                      Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Oakland Raiders

Sunday, November 11

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals

      Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

      Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

4:15 PM                      Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

      St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, November 18*

 

1:00 PM                      Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins

      Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

      Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

4:05 PM                      New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders

 

Thursday, November 22 (THANKSGIVING DAY)

 

4:15 PM                      Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

 

Sunday, November 25*

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

      Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

      Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins

4:15 PM                      San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

      St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

 

Sunday, December 2*

 

1:00 PM                      Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

      Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

      San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

      Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets

      Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs

4:05 PM                      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos

Sunday, December 9*

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

      Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

      Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

      St. Louis Rams at Buffalo Bills

      Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals

4:15 PM                      New Orleans Saints at New York Giants

      Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks

Sunday, December 16*

 

1:00 PM                      Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

      New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

      Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams

      Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns

4:05 PM                      Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals

      Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers

      Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills (Toronto)

Sunday, December 23*

(FOX NFL SUNDAY Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys

      Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles

      St. Louis Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

      New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens

      Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans

4:15 PM                      Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals

      San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

Sunday, December 30*

(FOX NFL SUNDAY & CBS Doubleheader)

 

1:00 PM                      Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

      Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

      Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

      Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons

      Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

4:15 PM                      Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

      St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks

 

Sunday, January 6, 2013

NFC Wild Card Game (teams, site & time to be determined)

Saturday, January 12, 2013

NFC Divisional Playoff Game (teams, site & time to be determined)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

NFC Divisional Playoff Game (teams, site & time to be determined)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

NFC Championship Game (teams, site & time to be determined)

* NFL on FOX games scheduled in Weeks 11 – 17 are part of the NFL’s flexible schedule plan.  After consultation with FOX Sports, the NFL will determine start times on these dates, with a game or games likely moving to the late afternoon broadcast window.

— FOX SPORTS —

www.foxsports.com

Notes from TNT’s NBA Coverage – Tuesday, April 17, 2012

By

TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, April 19, with a doubleheader featuring the Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat (8 p.m. ET) followed by the Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns (10:30 p.m. ET)

 

***CLIP OF THE NIGHT***

(Please click the text below to view)

 

The Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai studio team discusses the defending NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks chances of making the Playoffs

 

 

****    ****    ****    ****

TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal

Barkley on New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony: “He’s the best scorer in the NBA. He is a fantastic scorer and he’s going to get plenty of time to rest after the first round when they get beat by the Bulls or the Heat.”

O’Neal on New York’s Amar’e Stoudemire’s role with the team: “I think it would be best for Amar’e (Stoudemire) to come off the bench. He doesn’t have the same explosiveness that he had when he played for the Phoenix Suns. I think he could be the ultimate scorer off the bench.”

O’Neal on Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo: “He’s the true definition of a point guard. He gets everyone involved and makes everyone better.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Game 1:  Boston Celtics (110) @ New York Knicks (118)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Fratello on Celtics forward Brandon Bass returning from injury: “When you’re playing alongside pros like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, you tend to recover quickly [from injury]. They understand what they are playing for. They are trying to win their division and get home court [advantage] in the playoffs…they are playing for a lot and they need Bass in the lineup.”

Fratello on how Celtics head coach Doc Rivers’ player rotation helps the second unit: “Doc Rivers takes Kevin Garnett out of the game early and when he puts him back in the second unit is on the floor. [Ray] Allen and Garnett together provide enough offensive punch to the second unit that they can either hold their own or they build up the lead that they have to that point.”

Fratello on Knicks guard J.R. Smith’s streaky shooting: “One of the biggest complaints about J.R. Smith is that even though he can shoot you into a bunch of games he can shoot you out just as quickly.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Sprint Halftime Report

Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal

Barkley on Knicks guard Steve Novak: “Steve Novak has officially become the best shooter in the NBA. I like Kyle Korver but I have to elevate Mr. Novak. He can shoot it.”

Barkley on how Amar’e Stoudemire’s return from injury changes the dynamic of the Knicks: “Once they get Amar’e Stoudemire back, that’s going to change the whole dynamic, [Anthony] won’t be getting every shot. The reason the Knicks can’t advance [in the playoffs] is because the game is going to come down to how well Carmelo and Amar’e play defense and rebound the ball.”

Barkley on Knicks guard J.R. Smith: “No one has ever questioned his athletic ability. They’ve questioned his brains and rightfully so. If he could get it together, he could be scary because he has incredible athletic ability.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Fratello on if Knicks head coach Mike Woodson deserves a contract extension: “With the job [Woodson’s] done right now and the support that the players have given him…down the stretch is so important. They’ve got to get into the playoffs and can they do any damage in the playoffs? He’s shown that he can coach and this team has responded to him.”

Fratello on Celtics guard Sasha Pavlovic’s confidence: “I wish he would get his confidence back on the offensive end of the court. He’s been hesitant to shoot the basketball. When he was playing with LeBron [James] in Cleveland, he was a threat from behind the three-point line.”

Fratello on the Celtics’ three-point shooting: “The Celtics picked up two guys who can make three-point shots. One is [Keyon] Dooling and one is [Sasha] Pavlovic but they have to shoot the ball with confidence to be a contributor for the Celtics.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Game 2:  San Antonio Spurs (112) @ Los Angeles Lakers (91)

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)

Kerr on San Antonio Spurs: “San Antonio wants the No. 1 seed [in the Western Conference]. They’ve got to play it smart in the last week, they don’t want to extend themselves and risk injury. It would be nice for them to avoid the Oklahoma City/Lakers [potential] matchup and let them battle it out in the second round.”

Miller on Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum: “Sometimes I think it was the negative press that turned Andrew around a little bit. This is the best I’ve seen Andrew Bynum play the last two or three weeks.”

Kerr on the Lakers getting into a good rhythm offensively: “The Lakers have played better as a team since the All-Star break mainly because this is [head coach] Mike Brown’s first year, no training camp, very few practices early on. They were trying to replace [former head coach] Phil Jackson and the triangle offense. I think they had a really hard time finding their rhythm offensively and now they are starting to get comfortable with one another.”

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed injured Lakers guard Kobe Bryant during the second quarter

Bryant on how he’s been able to observe the team while sitting out with an injury: “It’s been an adjustment but it’s been a good one. I got a chance to sit and really observe my guys. It’s a lot easier to identify the struggles that they go through throughout the course of a game when I’m sitting down and observing for 48 minutes.”

Bryant on how his absence has forced the Lakers’ bench players to step up: “Without me on the floor, particularly our second unit, has really had to step up to the challenge and perform. As opposed to when I’m out there and they [think], ‘ehh, maybe I shouldn’t [shoot], I’ll just throw it to him [Bryant] and take a step back.’ Because of it, we’re a much better ball club.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Barkley and O’Neal

O’Neal on the Spurs: “They are playing with great speed and confidence…I think they are going to win the West [Conference].”

****    ****    ****    ****

Miller on Spurs forward Boris Diaw: “One thing that Diaw brings [to the Spurs] is his ability to score, especially around the basket. He has great hands and great moves.”

Kerr: “He’s a wonderful passer from the high post area so they can run some offense through him.”

Kerr on the improved outside shooting of Spurs guard Tony Parker: “He’s put so much work into [his outside shooting] over the last several years. This is best I’ve ever seen him shoot. It’s a combination of years of work, shot selection and confidence.”

Kerr on the Spurs’ deep player rotation: “The thing that playing so many people does is it creates unbelievable chemistry in the locker room. Just the morale of having everyone contribute, feeling good about themselves. That allows you to sit guys on certain nights and they are going to be ok with that because they know the next night might be their turn.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barkley and O’Neal

Barkley on San Antonio Spurs: “They [San Antonio Spurs] are the deepest team in the league and they went out and got all these swing men.  They are going to be tough to beat in the Western Conference.”

Barkley on a possible matchup in the Western Conference playoffs:  “If the season ended today, Memphis [Grizzlies] and the [Los Angeles] Clippers would be a fantastic series.”

TNT’s Craig Sager interviews New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony after the game

Anthony on the New York Knicks three-point shooting for the night:  “We got open shots and guys made shots today.  JR [Smith] was terrific.  We took advantage of what was given and found the open man.”

Anthony on the return of New York Knicks Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire from their injuries and how they are going to fit in:  “We want those guys to come back and be healthy. The guys that are playing now, we are holding it down until they get back.”

 

– 30 –

2012 NFL SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

By

— 2012 Schedules Available on NFL.com and NFL Mobile —

The NFL announced today its 17-week, 256-game regular-season schedule for 2012, which kicks off on Wednesday night, September 5 and concludes on Sunday, December 30 with 16 division games.

The season begins with the NFL’s annual primetime kickoff game. The opener on September 5 on NBC (8:30 PM ET) will feature the defending-champion New York Giants hosting the division-rival Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. In a format introduced in 2004, the Super Bowl champion annually hosts the NFL season opener.

NBC’s Sunday Night Football will get underway on September 9 when the Denver Broncos host the Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 PM ET) in a rematch of last season’s Wild Card playoff thriller.

Among the highlights of Kickoff Weekend are six division games, including a pair on Monday night, September 10.  ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheader will feature the AFC North’s Cincinnati Bengals at the Baltimore Ravens (7:00 PM ET) followed by the AFC West’s Oakland Raiders hosting the San Diego Chargers (10:15 PM ET).

For the remainder of the season, ESPN will televise one game each Monday night in Weeks 2-15 and a Saturday-night contest in Week 16. There will be no Monday night game on the final regular-season weekend (Week 17) to provide more flexibility to the scheduling of the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs.

[gview file=”https://sportsmedianews.com/wp//srv/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Schedule-Release.doc”%5D

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