Archives for December 2013

SEC Network Hires Tim Tebow for Pregame Show SEC Nation, Additional ESPN Duties

December 31, 2013 By admin

Will Make Analyst Debut During ESPN’s VIZIO BCS National Championship Coverage January 6 from Pasadena

Former Florida quarterback and Heisman winner, Tim Tebow, has been hired as a college football analyst for the SEC Network launching in August 2014. Through a multi-year agreement, Tebow’s primary role will be as an analyst for SEC Nation, the network’s traveling pregame show that will originate from a different SEC campus each week beginning August 28, 2014. In the months leading up to launch and after, he will contribute to a variety of ESPN platforms including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, and the network’s Heisman Trophy coverage, offering in-depth perspective as a legendary Southeastern Conference player.

On Monday, Jan. 6, Tebow will make his first appearance as an ESPN analyst during pregame coverage of the 2013 VIZIO BCS National Championship. He will contribute to the 9 a.m. ET edition of SportsCenter, College Football Live (3 p.m.) and College GameDay Built by The Home Depot (7 p.m.). He will also be part of studio coverage for the new College Football Playoff (semifinals and championship game), which begins next season.

Tebow is the first college football analyst hired for the SEC Network. He joins a commentating roster that includes Joe Tessitore, host of SEC Nation, and Paul Finebaum, host of The Paul Finebaum radio show.

“Tim is a SEC icon with a national fan base and broad appeal. He will be a significant contributor to the compelling content we will deliver with the SEC Network,” said Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, programming, college networks. “Tim brings a wealth of knowledge about the game, the conference and the passion among SEC fans.”

“I am so excited that ESPN has given me this incredible opportunity,” said Tebow. “When I was six years old I fell in love with the game of football, and while I continue to pursue my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL, this is an amazing opportunity to be part of the unparalleled passion of college football and the SEC.”

Tebow and Tessitore’s first SEC Nation show will air from Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Aug. 28, for the Texas A&M at South Carolina game. The game will be televised exclusively on the network. The show’s two-hour (10 a.m. – noon) Saturday debut will be August 30 from Auburn, Ala., when Arkansas visits Auburn. SEC Nation will air every Saturday throughout the SEC college football season and offer an immersive look at game day around SEC campuses.

”SEC Nation will be a tent pole program for the network and as a recent SEC star, Tim Tebow was the ideal candidate to deliver first-hand insight into the coaches, players and programs,” said Stephanie Druley, vice president production, college networks.

Tebow’s role with ESPN will not preclude him from continuing to pursue playing opportunities in the NFL.

The SEC Network
The Southeastern Conference and ESPN have signed a 20-year agreement through 2034 to create and operate a multiplatform network which will launch in August 2014. The new network and its accompanying digital platform will air SEC content 24/7 including more than 1,000 events in its first year. The network will televise approximately 45 SEC football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 60 women’s basketball games, 75 baseball games, and events from across the SEC’s 21 sports annually. Programming will also include studio shows, original content such as SEC Storied, spring football games, signing day and pro days coverage. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform.

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News & Sound Bites From Week 17 Editions of NFL Network’s ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning’

December 31, 2013 By admin

Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning

– “I want to find out if he can finish a game when they need him in the game and they don’t have Tony Romo…Right now, this is a statement for DeMarco Murray. He must answer.” – Marshall Faulk on Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray

– “They win with spectacular plays from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant. This is not a methodical offense, a system that you can sit someone else in and have success. They are going to miss Tony Romo.” – Michael Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys with Kyle Orton at quarterback

– “They’re going to come out firing. The Green Bay Packers are going to put the ball in Aaron Rodgers’ hands and show the Chicago Bears how healthy he really is.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears

– “They certainly have that possibility. Going into next year, having them both under contract is actually a position of strength.” – Mike Tannenbaum on if either Geno Smith or Mark Sanchez could be a franchise quarterback for the New York Jets

– “Over the last three weeks, they showed us they’re human because we all put them on that pedestal that everything is going to go through Seattle. Offensively, they’re just not the same.” – Steve Mariucci on the Seattle Seahawks, who have lost two of their last three games

– “This team is completely built around [Peyton Manning]. If he doesn’t play well, I don’t believe this team can advance.” – Kurt Warner on the Denver Broncos entering the playoffs

– “The biggest free agent for the Giants this offseason has to be Jon Beason. There is a big correlation between his arrival and that defense playing improved football.” – Shaun O’Hara on the New York Giants this offseason

– “Bill O’Brien has emerged as a top candidate with the Houston Texans. They interviewed him this week on Thursday; I’m told it went well.” – Ian Rapoport on the Houston Texans’ head coaching search

– “I’m told that owner Bob McNair is very much spearheading this process and that they are telling people they’d like to be done by Tuesday.” – Mike Silver on the Houston Texans’ head coaching search

***For complete quotes from ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***

Quotes from NFL GameDay First

Every Sunday morning at 7:00 AM ET, NFL Network is first on the field with NFL GameDay First. Host Melissa Stark, co-host/analyst Sterling Sharpe, and analyst Shaun O’Hara provide the first analysis of the day’s games, while NFL Network reporters stationed across the league report from stadiums with the first on-location reports of the day. This week, former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum joined as a guest analyst.

– “They’re going to come out firing. The Green Bay Packers are going to put the ball in Aaron Rodgers’ hands and show the Chicago Bears how healthy he really is… They saw what the Eagles did, the throws that Nick Foles made on Sunday night – Aaron Rodgers can make those throws.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Green Bay Packers facing the Chicago Bears

– “This really comes down to the development of Geno Smith. If they would make a change with Rex [Ryan], presumably they’ll bring in another offensive coach. That would give Geno three offensive coordinators in three years.” – Mike Tannenbaum on the future of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan

– “They certainly have that possibility. Going into next year, having them both under contract is actually a position of strength. And if you keep Rex [Ryan] and presumably [offensive coordinator Marty] Mornhinweg, that gives you some continuity. Even though [Mark] Sanchez didn’t play this year, he did learn the system and that probably would give them their best chance at being successful in 2014.” – Mike Tannenbaum on if either Geno Smith or Mark Sanchez could be a franchise quarterback for the New York Jets

– “The Saints aren’t the same team on the road as they are at home…Against the defenses that they will see in the playoffs – on the road – they are not beating any of those teams on the road the way they have played this season on the road. Their history this year has told us: they are a one-and-done football team. They will get in and they will get out.” – Sterling Sharpe on the New Orleans Saints’ chances in the postseason

– “The biggest free agent for the Giants this offseason has to be Jon Beason. There is a big correlation between his arrival and that defense playing improved football. Also, in that building, he has been a leader for those guys…He has had a huge impact and they have to find a way to get him back.” – Shaun O’Hara on the New York Giants in the offseason

– “When you can’t run the ball for Joe Flacco and set up his play-action pass game, he struggles. I’m not taking anything away from Joe; he is an outstanding quarterback in the NFL. But watching him this season, he needs the running game.” – Sterling Sharpe on quarterback Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens

– “He’s done enough…Four game-winning drives so far this season? Cam has silenced his critics.” – Sterling Sharpe on if the Carolina Panthers need to win the NFC South for quarterback Cam Newton to silence his critics

– “If they had thought about leaving [Robert Griffin III] on the PUP list, which would have made him ineligible to play in the first six games, that would have solved a lot of problems. That would have brought the temperature down. That could have changed the course of this season.” – Mike Tannenbaum on the Washington Redskins

– “Von Miller wasn’t just getting sacks, he was hitting quarterbacks and forcing them to get the ball out. They are going to miss that in Denver.” – Shaun O’Hara on Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning

NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning, airing at 9:00 AM ET for four hours on NFL Network and taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews. Additionally, NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver provide the latest inside information from around the league.

– “When the Dallas Cowboys win, they win with spectacular plays from Tony Romo to Dez Bryant. This is not a methodical offense, a system that you can sit someone else in and have success. They are going to miss Tony Romo.” – Michael Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys without quarterback Tony Romo

– “The thing they’re going to miss the most [without Tony Romo] is the improvisation. We know that Kyle Orton doesn’t have what Tony Romo has, but just buy a little bit of time, extend plays a little bit and make the throws down the field. This is what they need from Kyle Orton.” – Kurt Warner on quarterback Kyle Orton starting for the Dallas Cowboys

– “Can he remain healthy throughout this game? I want to find out if he can finish a game when they need him in the game and they don’t have Tony Romo…Right now, this is a statement for DeMarco Murray. He must answer.” – Marshall Faulk on Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray

– “Defense does not win championships; defense gives you a chance and your offense has to win it for you. That’s what this Dallas Cowboys defense has to figure out a way [to do] today: give this offense a chance. Keep Kyle Orton in the football game with defense and the run game.” – Warren Sapp on the Dallas Cowboys

– “He’s playing for his NFL life, not only his Bears life, because he’s auditioning for everybody…If he doesn’t get the Bears in the playoffs and a quarterback comes off the bench rusty and beats him in his home stadium, you’re in trouble.” – Warren Sapp on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler entering tonight’s game against the Green Bay Packers

– “For Jay Cutler, I can’t imagine the stakes being higher…[Marc Trestman and Phil Emery] have provided him with better offensive weapons than he has ever had; a refurbished offensive line, two receivers with an excess of 2,500 yards [combined], Matt Forte with 1,800 all-purpose yards. It is time for Jay Cutler to return the favor, to beat the Packers.” – Mark Kriegel on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler facing the Green Bay Packers

– “This team is completely built around [Peyton Manning]. If he doesn’t play well, I don’t believe this team can advance…When he plays bad [in the playoffs], his teams usually lose and I believe that’s exactly what’s going to happen with this team. If he goes in and has a bad game, I don’t believe they have enough to be able to cover for a bad Peyton Manning game.” – Kurt Warner on the Denver Broncos’ concerns entering the playoffs

– “Very vulnerable…If Seattle cannot get open and they expect Marshawn Lynch and this run game to run them through the playoffs, they’re in trouble.” – Warren Sapp on how vulnerable the Seattle Seahawks are

– “Over the last three weeks, they showed us they’re human because we all put them on that pedestal that everything is going to go through Seattle. Offensively, they’re just not the same.” – Steve Mariucci on the Seattle Seahawks, who have lost two of their last three games

– “If he can remain this way and play that way, be that pocket passer, he can lead them to a Super Bowl.” – Michael Irvin on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

– “The most complete team in the NFC is the San Francisco 49ers…When you’re taking the ball away and are able to dominate the line of scrimmage like the San Francisco 49ers can do, that’s the most complete team in the NFC.” – Warren Sapp on the San Francisco 49ers

NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport & Mike Silver

On the Houston Texans head coaching search:

Ian Rapoport: “Bill O’Brien has emerged as a top candidate with the Houston Texans. They interviewed him this week on Thursday; I’m told it went well. They also interviewed interim coach Wade Phillips and of course they’ve talked to Lovie Smith, but they are not done interviewing. My expectation is for them to talk to Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt; that could happen on Monday.”

Mike Silver: “There is a reason that they fired Gary Kubiak during the season, so they could get a jump on people like Bill O’Brien. I’m told that owner Bob McNair is very much spearheading this process and that they are telling people they’d like to be done by Tuesday.”

On Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien:

Rapoport: “Bill O’Brien is telling people that he does want to be in the NFL; we know he interviewed last year for two teams – I’m told he actually talked to four teams, including the Chargers and the Cardinals. He is so confident that he’s getting this job, he’s told staff members be ready to come with me if I do come to Houston. Penn State is preparing to lose Bill O’Brien. They are preparing a strong push for Bucs coach Greg Schiano; the athletic director may actually fly down to Tampa on Monday.”

On Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano:

Silver: “For what it’s worth, he has told his bosses very clearly I want to stay here, I want to be in the NFL, I want to be in Tampa.”

On the Detroit Lions:

Rapoport: “The expectation from inside the building, including from Jim Schwartz I’m told, is that they will be fired. I am also told it’s a strong possibility the entire front office could be cleared out there. Some serious dysfunction with the Lions, including the front office bringing in players [and] the coaches simply not using them. By the end of the year, the two sides they weren’t really talking to each other.

Silver: “We know owner William Clay Ford was extraordinarily patient and loyal when it came to Matt Millen. His son Bill Ford, Jr. will be making this call; we’ll see how patient he is. I’m told that if they do make a change, they’re going to want offense, somebody who can work with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Greg Roman, a hot name the last couple of years the 49ers offensive coordinator, would be very, very interested in this job.”

On Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin:

Rapoport: “I am now told it is doubtful that Percy Harvin plays for the Seahawks anytime soon. The likelihood is he is out for the playoffs. They face a roster decision coming up, probably next week; I’m told the likelihood is that he is headed to Injured Reserve. It all goes back to the torn labrum he had surgery on in the offseason; it hasn’t healed, it is still sore.”

On the New York Jets:

Rapoport: “From what I’m hearing, there are a lot of positive feelings from owner Woody Johnson to Rex Ryan. It’s clear Woody would like him to stay. Two potential issues. I’m told general manager John Idzik is pushing Rex Ryan to make staff changes on defense – his guys; that could complicate things. Rex also wants a contract extension going into the last year of his deal; it is unclear whether Idzik wants to give him one.”

On the Oakland Raiders:

Silver: “General manager Reggie McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen getting signals this week from owner Mark Davis that he is leaning toward keeping both. Two caveats: an embarrassing loss to the Broncos and Peyton Manning today could change his thinking, and then there is the elephant in the room. Mark Davis and Jon Gruden remain in touch. If Gruden would come back, Mark Davis would turn it all over to him and blow everybody out. Probably not likely to happen.”

On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:

– Week 17 Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provide their Bold Predictions for the final week of the regular season:

http://on.nfl.com/1fSNXet

– Week 17 Sunday Statements – The NFL GameDay Morning crew gives their top storylines for Week 17:

http://on.nfl.com/1ejzxmK

– ‘Front Office View’ with Mike Tannenbaum – Mike Tannenbaum talks about the status of some head coaches he believes are on the hot seat:

http://on.nfl.com/18RJJop

– Big Changes with Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Kyle Orton Under Center? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses how the Dallas Cowboys will change the gameplan to better fit quarterback Kyle Orton:

http://on.nfl.com/1gdcUSO

– Why Do the Dallas Cowboys Struggle So Late? – Sterling Sharpe, Shaun O’Hara and Mike Tannenbaum try to answer why the Dallas Cowboys continue to struggle late in the season:

http://on.nfl.com/1lrcJno

– Penn State Head Coach Bill O’Brien to Houston, Tampa Bay Head Coach Greg Schiano to Happy Valley? – NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver provide the latest on the Houston Texans head coaching search, Bill O’Brien and the Detroit Lions:

http://on.nfl.com/19vApXX

– Rivalry Renewed – Mark Kriegel takes you through the history of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears rivalry, and explains why the 188th meeting of the two teams is a battle of two quarterbacks:

http://on.nfl.com/JCh2Qc

– Will Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Show Rust? – Sterling Sharpe and Kurt Warner take a look at the quarterbacks in the NFC North matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears:

http://on.nfl.com/19uXZhM

– Warren Sapp: ‘Jay Cutler is Playing for his NFL Life’ – Chicago faces a win-and-in situation Sunday against the Green Bay Packers and the NFL GameDay Morning crew explains why this game is pivotal for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler:

http://on.nfl.com/1ejJTTF

– Cause for Concern in Seattle? – After losing at home to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, how vulnerable are the Seattle Seahawks? The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses:

http://on.nfl.com/KeostM

– Will Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning be One-and-Done Again? – Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Mike Silver discuss what the Denver Broncos’ biggest concerns are entering the playoffs:

http://on.nfl.com/1czDGUE

– When the New England Patriots Are at Their Best – Steve Mariucci explains why the New England Patriots always seem to play their best when they are facing adversity:

http://on.nfl.com/1fSRKZo

– Ian Rapoport: Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Percy Harvin to the IR? – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport brings the latest news on the Houston Texans’ head coaching search and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin:

http://on.nfl.com/1eNPA0E

– Will Rex Ryan Return to the New York Jets? – NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver report the latest regarding New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and the Oakland Raiders:

http://on.nfl.com/Jnnxag

– Ian Rapoport: Randall Cobb Back for the Green Bay Packers – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport updates all the injuries around the NFL:

http://on.nfl.com/1io5wHu

– Records Will Fall – Rich Eisen reminds fans just how many offensive records could fall today, including new single-season marks for touchdowns and total points scored in a season:

http://on.nfl.com/1ceHqdp

Cowboys Host Eagles In “NFC East Championship Game” On NBC’S “Sunday Night Football”

December 27, 2013 By admin

Coverage Begins with Football Night In America at 7 p.m. ET on NBC

NBC Sports Live Extra to Live Stream Eagles-Cowboys

NFL Turning Point Wednesday Nights at 11 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Pro Football Talk Weeknights at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Stamford, Conn. – December 26, 2013 – The NFC East champion will be crowned on NBC this Sunday night when Nick Foles and the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to take on the second-place Dallas Cowboys (8-7) in a win-or-go-home contest on Sunday Night Football. Coverage begins with Football Night In America at 7 p.m. ET on NBC.

The final game of the regular season will decide the NFC East and which team will fill the last remaining spot in the 2013 playoffs. The Cowboys kept their season alive with a come-from-behind win against the Redskins last Sunday. A win against the Eagles will earn the Cowboys the division title and their first playoff appearance since 2009. The team has played “win-and-in” season finales the past two years against the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, but lost both times. Sunday night’s game will be the eighth “win-or-go-home” game for the Cowboys in Week 17 or the playoffs, since Tony Romo became the team’s starting quarterback. The Cowboys have lost six of those seven games. Romo’s status for Sunday is uncertain due to a back injury.

The Eagles can clinch their first NFC East crown since 2010 with a win against the Cowboys on Sunday night. The Eagles scored 54 points and racked up 514 net yards of offense in their win against the Bears this past weekend (225 pass/289 rush). The team has the NFL’s top rushing offense and rank second in the league in total offense. In addition, QB Nick Foles has the NFL’s best passer rating (118.7), and RB LeSean McCoy leads the league in rushing yards (1,476).

Calling Eagles-Cowboys is seven-time Emmy Award-winner Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his 28th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 14-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth, who has won the Emmy for Outstanding Event Analyst in each of his four seasons in the Sunday Night Football booth; and Emmy Award-winning sideline reporter Michele Tafoya.

NBC’s coverage of Sunday Night Football is led by Emmy Award-winning coordinating producer Fred Gaudelli and Emmy Award-winning director Drew Esocoff. Sunday Night Football has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Series for five consecutive years. In addition, NBC’s Sunday Night Football on air and production team have a combined 40 Emmy Awards.

Football Night In America, the most-watched pre-game show in sports, is hosted by 25-time Emmy Award-winner Bob Costas, who will report from AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Costas will be joined on-site by Michaels, Collinsworth, and two-time Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward.

Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from NBC’s famed Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Patrick will be joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN and NBCSports.com, and longtime NFL front office veteran and former NFL Executive of the Year Scott Pioli. Carolyn Manno will report from Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., on the Packers-Bears game.

EAGLES-COWBOYS PREVIEW

“The Eagles played about as well as they possibly could have against the Bears. They got the tune-up that they were looking for going in to the showdown against the Cowboys, but we understand what the NFL is all about. You have a young man in Nick Foles who is going in to the lions den now. With close to 100,000 people probably watching this one, it is going to be very emotional. And now you begin to wonder, how is Tony Romo? How is the back? Is he going to be able to play at full speed? Here we go again.” – Cris Collinsworth

“The Cowboys have to take away the Eagles number one weapon, LeSean McCoy. You have to stop the run. He is so tremendous and versatile.” – Rodney Harrison

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

For the sixth consecutive season, the entire Sunday Night Football schedule will be streamed live online. NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops and tablets, will stream all SNF games televised on NBC. The video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcast of SNF, and will include additional camera angles and interactive features.

NBC Sports Live Extra employs a full HD-quality player, which includes a draggable picture-in-picture feature for any of the online-only cameras, plus full DVR functionality, allowing the user to pause, scroll back-and-forth, and review plays in slo-motion.

In addition, online coverage features in-game analysis from the Sunday Night Football and Football Night In America teams as well as fantasy tips from Rotoworld fantasy experts.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for tablets is available at the App Store for iPad and iPod touch, and on select tablet devices within Google Play.

In addition to Sunday Night Football and Football Night In America, NBC Sports Group’s NFL coverage also includes digital content and social media extensions that are available online, as well as NFL-related shoulder programming on NBCSN.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DIGITAL AND SOCIAL COVERAGE

This season, NBC Sports Group is utilizing its wide array of digital and social assets to provide fans with more behind-the-scenes content of Sunday Night Football than ever before. New additions to NBC Sports Group’s SNF coverage include Sunday Night Football-All Access and The Sunday Night Football, as well as continued comprehensive coverage via NBC Sports Group’s social media channels. Click here for full details of NBC Sports Group’s SNF digital and social coverage.

Each week @SNFonNBC will promote a guest player who will live tweet during the Sunday Night Football broadcast on NBC. On Sunday, December 29 @SNFonNBC will feature two guest players. Former Cowboys WR, Drew Pearson @DrewPearsonShow, and former Eagles RB, Brian Westbrook @36Westbrook, will be live tweeting about the game.

NBC SPORTS GROUP NFL PROGRAMMING

In addition to NFL Turning Point and FNIA Coach’s Clicker, NBC Sports Group boasts a wide array of NFL programming each week that will highlight topical NFL news, provide in-depth coverage of each week’s biggest games, and deliver expert analysis of the fantasy football world.

PRO FOOTBALL TALK – WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Pro Football Talk, NBCSN’s daily NFL studio show co-hosted by Mike Florio and Erik Kuselias, provides all-encompassing coverage of the NFL, including the most current news and analysis, engaging features, thought-provoking debates, and interviews with a wide array of NFL newsmakers. The show regularly features a roster of NBC Sports football commentators, including Rodney Harrison, Hines Ward, Doug Flutie, Ross Tucker, Peter King, and Scott Pioli.

NFL TURNING POINT – WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 11 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Hosted by Footbal Night In America’s Dan Patrick, Emmy-nominated NFL Turning Point airs every Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET on NBCSN, during the NFL season. NFL Turning Point is built around select NFL matchups from the previous weekend, and focuses on the crucial turning point moments that ultimately defined the outcome of each game. The show features anatomy-of-a-play type segments, and long form game-of-the-week style features, that include pregame and post-game access to the teams.

FANTASY FOOTBALL LIVE – TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS AT 6:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Building off of Yahoo! Sports’ popular Sunday live streaming show, Fantasy Football Live on NBCSN combines the best fantasy football expertise from Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports. Hosted by NBC Sports’ Erik Kuselias, Fantasy Football Live features a mix of Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and Rotoworld fantasy experts, including NBC Sports’ Shaun King, and Yahoo! Sports’ Brad Evans and Brandon Funston. Yahoo! Sports’ Melanie Collins will host the digital show. Rotoworld’s Kay Adams will be a regular contributor for the show across both platforms. A subsequent, digital-only version of Fantasy Football Live is available from 7-7:30 p.m. ET through video-on-demand across web and mobile devices on both Yahoo! Sports and NBCSports.com. Click here for more information on Fantasy Football Live.

NBC SPORTS RADIO

NBC Sports Radio will surround the 2013 NFL season with daily coverage on 339 radio affiliates, highlighted by McNabb and Malone; an all-sports show that leverages the unique perspective of two former NFL quarterbacks, and Safety Blitz with Rodney Harrison; featuring three-time All Pro and two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison.

NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS

NBC Sports Regional Networks, which serve top NFL markets such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco, will surround the 2013 NFL season with in-depth news, analysis and original programming on the teams that matter most in more than 50 million U.S. households.

VIEWERSHIP

Sunday Night Football is TV’s #1 primetime show, based on Live+Same Day viewing, averaging 21.5 million viewers – up 3% from last year at this time.

*2013 SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL* SCHEDULE**
Sun. Dec. 29	Week 17	Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter @SNFonNBCFollow NBC Sports PR on Twitter @NBCSportsPR

Follow NBC SportsTalk on Twitter @NBCSportsTalk

Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at:

Facebook.com/SNFonNBC

Visit SNF All-Access at: http://snfallaccess.nbcsports.com/

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Dan Marino Sits Down With Peyton Manning For Week 17 Of “THE NFL ON CBS” On Sunday, Dec. 29

December 27, 2013 By admin

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 17 (SUNDAY, DEC. 29)

“THE NFL TODAY’s” DAN MARINO SITS DOWN WITH PEYTON MANNING FOR

WEEK 17 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, DEC. 29

“THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW” ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK CONTINUES WITH TALK ABOUT WEEK 17 ISSUES

The CBS Television Network continues its 54^thyear broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Dec. 29 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), and THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW on CBS Sports Network (9:00 AM-1:00 PM, ET) live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals game live from Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY Insider Jason La Canfora, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.

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

* * * * *

This week THE NFL TODAY is highlighted by Dan Marino’s sit down interview with Denver Broncos four-time league MVP Peyton Manning after breaking Tom Brady’s single-season touchdown pass record on Sunday against the Houston Texans and who many believe will win the MVP award unanimously. Manning would join Brady as the only players in NFL history to do so. Charlie Bloom is the producer. In addition, the crew focuses in on the AFC and NFC playoff picture and makes their predictions. Drew Kaliski is producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW (TOPS) continues its unique fan-focused take on all of the week’s NFL and college action, headlines and hot-button issues, giving viewers all the latest information as it happens. “TOPS” is hosted by Adam Schein along with 11-year NFL veteran Bart Scott, long-time Oakland Raiders executive Amy Trask, CBS Sports Radio’s Brandon Tierney, CBSSports.com fantasy analyst Nathan Zegura and LEAD OFF’s Allie LaForce reporting. Shawn Robbins and Andrew Finger produce and Jay Kincaid directs THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW.

* * * * *

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

WEEK 17 – Dec. 29 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

·Baltimore @ Cincinnati Jim Nantz/Phil Simms Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Pittsburgh @ Cleveland Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein Ryan Galvin/Jim Cornell

·Jacksonville @ Indianapolis Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker Victor Frank/Chris Svendsen

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

·Houston @ Tennessee Andrew Catalon/Adam Archuleta Sellers Shy/John Coleman

4:25 PM, ET starts:

·Denver @ Oakland Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots Ken Mack/Mark Grant

·Kansas City @ San Diego Marv Albert/Rich Gannon Jim Rikhoff/Andy Goldberg

·Buffalo @ New England Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

* * * * *

ESPN NFL Programming Update – Week 17

December 27, 2013 By admin

Sunday NFL Countdown: Eagles-Cowboys Rivalry Revisited, Reviewing Bears QB Decision, and More

Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson, will preview the NFL’s final regular-season games on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 10 a.m. ET. The three-hour program will also feature NFL insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter reporting the day’s news from across the league.

ESPN reporters will provide on-site updates from seven games during Sunday NFL Countdown:

Josina Anderson (Jets at Dolphins)
Michele Steele (Panthers at Falcons)
Bob Holtzman (Ravens at Bengals)
Mark Schwarz (Browns at Steelers)
Sal Paolantonio (Packers at Bears)
Shelley Smith (Chiefs at Chargers)
Ed Werder (Eagles at Cowboys)

Features:

Eagle-Cowboys Rivalry: If Eagles vs. Cowboys is not the most famous rivalry in football, it has arguably been the league’s nastiest. From the 1980 NFC Championship, through Buddy Ryan and “the Bounty Bowl,” to this week’s “win-and-get-into-the-playoffs” game, reporter Jeremy Schaap presents the classic moments from this NFC East rivalry.
Reviewing Bears Quarterback Decision: Perhaps no quarterback is under more scrutiny this weekend than the Bears’ Jay Cutler since he replaced Josh McCown, who played so well while Cutler was out with an injury. Countdown takes a closer look at how the Bears’ decision to go back to Cutler has played out.
Childhood Friends and Chargers Fans Share an Organ: Two childhood friends lost touch for decades until, coincidentally, they wound up getting Chargers’ season tickets sitting next to each other. As they shared their seats at games, one friend found out the other desperately needed a new kidney. SportsCenter anchor Lindsay Czarniak reports the story on how a meeting between childhood friends decades later became a life saver.
Cam Newton Soundtracks: Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was wired for in-game audio during Carolina’s week 14 win over the Jets and is the subject of this week’s Soundtracks.

DJ Steve Porter-Sounds of 2013 Season: DJ Steve Porter offers a mix-up of audio from the memorable moments of the 2013 season, including Redskins’ Robert Griffin III and head coach Mike Shanahan, Eagles coach Chip Kelly and his insistence on not naming a starting quarterback, and more.

NFL Matchup: Bears Pass Protection, Protecting Ryan Tannehill, Eagles Defensive Line Stunts, and More

NFL Matchup host Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview the weekend’s key matchups by taking viewers inside the film room with X’s and O’s analysis on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN2 (re-air on ESPN, Sunday at 6:30 a.m.). Highlights:

Inside the Matchup – Andy Dalton Sack vs. Ravens: Hoge goes inside the matchup and explains how Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is a timing and rhythm passer who is at his best when he hits his back foot and the ball comes out.
The Money Down – Ray Rice Pass Protection: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has struggled this season on third downs with his line giving up 23 sacks. Hoge goes inside the matchup to show how running back Ray Rice has equally struggled when called upon to pass-protect.
Passing Thought – Cam Newton to Ted Ginn on 37-yard Throw: With a minute left in the fourth quarter at home vs. the Saints, quarterback Cam Newton drove the Panthers 65 yards down the field for a comeback victory that clinched the team’s first playoff berth since 2008. Jaworski breaks down Newton’s arm strength and his ability to deliver when the pocket is muddied.
Blitz Breakdown – Ryan Tannehill Third Down Blitz Sack vs. the Bills: Hoge shows how the Dolphins offensive line has struggled with blitz recognition and blocking execution, a problem the team must fix to have a chance in Sunday’s must-win game for playoff contention.
Jaws Playbook – Keenan Allen 29 yards out of Bunch versus Chiefs: Jaworski goes to the playbook to explain how the Chargers bunch set created some difficulties for the Chiefs defense in their first meeting.
Let’s see it Hoge – Bears Pass Protection: Over the last two weeks, the Bears have struggled with pass protection, contends Hoge as he isolates the weaknesses with the offensive line and running back Matt Forte in blocking for quarterback Jay Culter.
Between the Lines – Drew Brees’ Audible: Jaworski goes between the lines to explain how quarterback Drew Brees’ pre-snap audible at the line of scrimmage sets up the Saints for success.
Hoge Breakdown – Cowboys Run Defense vs. Eagles: In their first matchup, the Cowboys defense held LeSean McCoy to 55 yards. With quarterback Tony Romo questionable for the game, the poor Cowboys defense will need to have a similar performance against the Eagles again. Hoge shows how the Dallas defense was able to control the Eagles offense in their first meeting.
The Film Room – Eagles Defensive Stunts: The Eagles are a blitz heavy team, which makes their disguise tough for opponents to read. Jaworski goes to the film room to show how Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis is creative with stunts and coverage concepts, including blitz packages that could confuse the Cowboys offense on Sunday.

ESPN.com “Hot Read” on how Panthers Thomas Davies Recovered from Three ACL Surgeries

In this week’s ESPN.com “NFL Hot Read,” writer Tommy Tomlinson captures how Panthers Thomas Davies became the first NFL player to overcome three anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears on one knee. The story also chronicles the rehabilitation Davies underwent to become one of the top linebackers in the league.

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Manchester City v. Crystal Palace to be Saturday 10 a.m. ET NBCSN Match

December 27, 2013 By admin

MANCHESTER CITY V. CRYSTAL PALACE TO BE SATURDAY, DEC. 28, 10 A.M. ET NBCSN MATCH

NBCSN to Present Southampton v. Chelsea on New Year’s Day at 10 a.m. ET

Bonus New Year’s Day 90-Minute Match of the Day on NBCSN at 3:30 p.m. ET

Stamford, Conn. – December 27, 2013 – NBC Sports Group continues Premier League coverage with 20 matches through this weekend and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1. NBCSN’s 10 a.m. ET slot on Saturday, Dec. 28, will feature Manchester City v. Crystal Palace. The NBCSN 10 a.m. ET slot on Wednesday, New Year’s Day, will feature Southampton v. Chelsea.

Bonus New Year’s Day coverage includes an extended 90-minute, live Match of the Day on NBCSN at 3:30 p.m. ET as host Rebecca Lowe, former Jamaican National Team footballer Robbie Earle and former U.S. National Team midfielder Kyle Martino provide in-depth analysis, post-match interviews and reaction, plus extended highlights with the match commentators.

The additional matches in the 10 a.m. ET slots on Dec. 28 and New Year’s Day will be available on Premier League Extra Time, a bonus television package available to MVPDs at no extra cost for customers who receive NBCSN.

The interactive Premier League Game Finder can be accessed at http://www.nbcsports.com/ExtraTime.

Below is the NBCUniversal schedule for this weekend and New Year’s Day (all times ET, subject to change):

Date	Time	Home v. Away	Network
Sat., Dec. 28	7 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Sat., Dec. 28	7:45 a.m.	West Ham United v. West Bromwich Albion	NBCSN
Sat., Dec. 28	10 a.m.	Manchester City v. Crystal Palace	NBCSN
Sat., Dec. 28	10 a.m.	Hull City v. Fulham	Extra Time
Sat., Dec. 28	10 a.m.	Aston Villa v. Swansea City	Extra Time
Sat., Dec. 28	10 a.m.	Norwich City v. Manchester United	Extra Time
Sat., Dec. 28	Noon	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Sat., Dec. 28	12:30 p.m.	Cardiff City v. Sunderland	NBC
Sat., Dec. 28	11 p.m.	NBCSN’s Match of the Day	NBCSN
Sun., Dec. 29	8 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Sun., Dec. 29	8:30 a.m.	Newcastle United v. Arsenal	NBCSN, mun2
Sun., Dec. 29	8:30 a.m.	Everton v. Southampton	Extra Time
Sun., Dec. 29	10:30 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Sun., Dec. 29	11 a.m.	Chelsea v. Liverpool	NBCSN, Telemundo
Sun., Dec. 29	11 a.m.	Tottenham Hotspur v. Stoke City	Extra Time
Sun., Dec. 29	11 p.m.	NBCSN’s Match of the Day II	NBCSN
Mon., Dec. 30	11 p.m.	Barclays Premier League Review	NBCSN
Tues., Dec. 31	12 a.m.	Premier League Encore: Manchester Monday	NBCSN
Tues., Dec. 31	11:30 p.m.	Premier League Encore	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	7 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	7:45 a.m.	Swansea City v. Manchester City	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	9:45 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Southampton v. Chelsea	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Crystal Palace v. Norwich City	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Fulham v. West Ham United	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Liverpool v. Hull City	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Stoke City v. Everton	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Sunderland v. Aston Villa	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	West Bromwich Albion v. Newcastle United	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	10 a.m.	Arsenal v. Cardiff City	Extra Time
Wed., Jan. 1	Noon	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	12:30 p.m.	Manchester United v. Tottenham Hotspur	NBCSN
Wed., Jan. 1	3:30 p.m.	Match of the Day	NBCSN

Lead play-by-play voice Arlo White joins Graeme Le Saux, the former Premier League star who played in 36 international matches for England, on NBCSN to call Chelsea v. Liverpool on Sun., Dec. 29 at 11 a.m. ET; and Manchester United v. Tottenham on New Year’s Day at 12:30 p.m. ET. White teams with former Premier League star and four-time league champion Lee Dixon to call Cardiff City v. Sunderland on NBC on Sat., Dec. 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

All matches will be preceded and followed by Premier League Live pre- and post-match shows from the NBC Sports Group International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. Lowe hosts Premier League Live alongside Earle, Martino, and former English footballer Robbie Mustoe.

All Premier League games will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets. Games airing on NBC Sports Network will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

To date, AT&T U-verse®, Bright House Networks, Cablevision’s Optimum, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Cox, DIRECTV, Mediacom, Suddenlink, and Time Warner Cable have opted to carry the additional Premier League matches via the Premier League Extra Time package, and AT&T U-verse, Cablevision’s Optimum, Charter, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Cox, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink and Verizon FiOS will make all Premier League games available through TV Everywhere. Additionally, over 100 NCTC partners have either signed-on to the Premier League Extra Time package or have opted-in via TV Everywhere, including Blue Ridge Communications, Buckeye CableSystem, CenturyLink Prism, and RCN. In some cases, the Premier League Extra Time package will be available in select markets.

NBC Sports Group presents the most ambitious, extensive and comprehensive coverage of the Premier League available anywhere in the world with all 380 Premier League matches available live in the United States on the networks of NBCUniversal, on the Premier League Extra Time bonus TV package, and streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra. In total, NBC Sports Group will present more than 1,600 hours of Premier League programming.

–NBC Sports Group–

Week 17 Editions of NFL Network’s ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning’

December 27, 2013 By admin

Former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum Joins ‘NFL GameDay First’ as Guest Analyst at 7:00 AM ET

‘NFL GameDay Morning’ Analyzes the Push to the Playoffs at 9:00 AM ET

Sunday is ‘GameDay’ and every week NFL Network provides 12 hours of live coverage, beginning at 7:00 AM ET with NFL GameDay First. The day continues at 9:00 AM ET with NFL GameDay Morning leading viewers into the early games. At 4:00 PM ET, NFL GameDay Scoreboard recaps the early action and at 7:30 PM ET, NFL GameDay Highlights recaps the entire afternoon. At 11:30 PM ET, NFL GameDay Final provides complete analysis on the entire football Sunday.

This week on NFL GameDay First

Host: Melissa Stark

Co-Host/Analyst: Sterling Sharpe

Analyst: Shaun O’Hara

Guest Analyst: Mike Tannenbaum

Featured this week on NFL GameDay First:

NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner discusses if Kyle Orton can step in for Tony Romo and lead the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs

Front Office View – Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum
- Which head coaches are on the hot seat?
- Will the Chicago Bears re-sign quarterback Jay Cutler?

Win or Go Home – Who will win the NFC East & NFC North?

AFC Wild Card Race – Which Wild Card contender is best built for postseason success?

Playoff Seeding
- Who is the most dangerous team in the NFC entering the playoffs?
- Is there a formula for beating the Seattle Seahawks?
- How will the Denver Broncos recover from the loss of linebacker Von Miller?

NFC South
- Will quarterback Cam Newton complete the Carolina Panthers’ worst-to-first season?
- Are there concerns about the New Orleans Saints offense heading into the playoffs?

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport checks in live with the latest news reports and injury updates

Live report from Aditi Kinkhabwala for Ravens-Bengals

Picks for every game on Sunday

This week on NFL GameDay Morning

Host: Rich Eisen

Analysts: Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin

NFL Media Insiders: Ian Rapoport, Mike Silver

Featured this week on NFL GameDay Morning:

NFL Network’s Mark Kriegel explores the Green Bay Packers – Chicago Bears rivalry and what makes it the best in sports

NFL Network’s Steve Cyphers examines the Dallas Cowboys’ losses in recent Week 17 must-win games

The NFL GameDay Morning crew analyze the two “win-and-in” games – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

Can the Cowboys win without quarterback Tony Romo, and how does the game plan change?

How Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers changes the NFC playoff landscape

Who is under more pressure to win on Sunday – Aaron Rodgers or Jay Cutler?

Are the Carolina Panthers the most complete team in the NFC?

NFL GameDay Morning analyzes the race for the No. 6 see in the AFC

NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver have the latest news from around the NFL

Live reports
- Aditi Kinkhabwala from Cincinnati for Ravens-Bengals
- Kim Jones from Miami for Jets-Dolphins
- Jeff Darlington from Atlanta for Panthers-Falcons
- Steve Cyphers from Dallas for Eagles-Cowboys
- Stacey Dales from Chicago for Packers-Bears

NFL GameDay Scoreboard, NFL GameDay Highlights and NFL GameDay Final Conclude Sunday Coverage

‘GameDay’ continues at 4:00 PM ET with NFL GameDay Scoreboard, with host Paul Burmeister and analysts Jamie Dukes and Darren Sharper providing news updates from the afternoon games.

At 7:30 PM ET, Chris Rose hosts NFL GameDay Highlights, along with Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Mariucci.

At 11:30 PM ET, Rose and analysts Sanders, Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin recap all of the day’s action on NFL GameDay Final with game highlights, player and coach press conferences, post-game interviews and analysis of every game.

Episode #3: 24/7 Red Wings/Maple Leafs debuts Saturday Night on HBO

December 27, 2013 By admin

DEC. 28 EPISODE

Episode #3

Debut: SATURDAY, DEC. 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 28 (3:25 a.m.), 29 (8:45 a.m.), 30 (7:00 p.m., 2:30 a.m.) and 31 (2:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Dec. 29 (11:30 p.m.) and 30 (1:30 p.m.)

Detroit heads to Toronto for the teams’ only head-to-head competition prior to their much-anticipated Jan. 1 outdoor showdown.

For the first time, all four episodes of the HBO Sports HD presentation debut in prime time, on consecutive Saturday nights. The series finale debuts Saturday, Jan. 4, three days after the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, with cameras tracking all the drama of game day in Ann Arbor, Mich. The series is also available on HBO On Demand and HBO GO.

With 17 Sports Emmys^®, “24/7” is the most-honored sports series of the past six years. At the 2012 Sports Emmy^® Awards, the series received the Dick Schaap Writing Award for “24/7 Flyers/Rangers,” while “24/7 Penguins/Capitals” won the Sports Emmy^® for Outstanding Edited Sports Special in 2011. Launched in 2007, the earliest editions of “24/7” were devoted to boxing.

The executive producer of 24/7 RED WINGS/MAPLE LEAFS: ROAD TO THE NHL WINTER CLASSIC is Rick Bernstein; senior producer, Dave Harmon; coordinating producer, Bentley Weiner; producer, Thomas Odelfelt; writer, Aaron Cohen; narrator, Liev Schreiber.

homeboxoffice.com

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Detroit Red Wings Host Toronto Maple Leafs Before 100,000+ Fans On New Year’s Day In 2014 NHL Winter Classic On NBC

December 27, 2013 By admin

World-Record Crowd of 100,000+ Anticipated for Original Six Clash at Michigan Stadium on New Year’s Day

Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and Pierre McGuire to Call Action at Ice Level for First Time in NBC Sports Broadcast-Television History

Winter Classic Media Conference Call with Emrick, Olczyk, McGuire and Executive Producer Sam Flood Monday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. ET

NHL Live’s Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones and Jeremy Roenick On-Site From “The Big House”

Team USA Men’s and Women’s Hockey Rosters to Be Announced

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 26, 2013 – Two storied NHL franchises will face off at one of college football’s most historic stadiums in front of more than 100,000 fans on New Year’s Day, when NBC presents the 2014 NHL Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. ET, from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. In addition, NBCSN will present coverage of the Maple Leafs-Red Wings Alumni Games on New Year’s Eve, a pre-Olympic exhibition game in women’s hockey between Team USA and Team Canada on Saturday, Dec. 28, and a matchup of the previous two Stanley Cup winners on Monday night, when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings.

Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, analyst Eddie Olczyk and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will have the Winter Classic call rink-side from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., home of the University of Michigan Wolverines football team. It will be the first time a full broadcast team has called an NHL regular-season game at ice level in NBC Sports broadcast-television history.

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NHL WINTER CLASSIC CONFERENCE CALL – MONDAY, DEC. 30 AT 1 P.M. ET

Emrick, Olczyk, McGuire and executive producer Sam Flood, will preview the upcoming NHL Winter Classic on a media conference call Monday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. ET. Media interested in participating should call 719-325-2458; Passcode: 7161389.

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NHL Live host Liam McHugh will be on-site at Michigan Stadium alongside former players and analysts Mike Milbury, Keith Jones and Jeremy Roenick to provide pre-game and post-game analysis, as well as commentary during intermissions.

In addition, The Weather Channel on-camera meteorologist and storm tracker Jim Cantore will be on-site to provide weather updates and conduct interviews throughout the game, a role he has held at previous NHL Winter Classics.

The Red Wings will make their second appearance in the NHL Winter Classic, having defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-4, in 2009 at Wrigley Field, while the Maple Leafs become the first Canadian team to appear in the annual New Year’s Day outdoor affair. The event will aim to set the Guinness World Record for highest attendance at a hockey game, which was set at Michigan Stadium in a college hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State in 2010 (104,073).

In advance of the NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, NBCSN will provide live coverage of two alumni games between former members of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, starting at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from Comerica Park in Detroit, Mich.

The NHL Winter Classic will also have an Olympic element, with less than 50 days remaining until the start of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. During the second intermission, NBC will provide live coverage of the final roster announcement for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Women’s ice hockey team. Following the game, NBC will also provide coverage of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s ice hockey team roster announcement.

On Saturday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. ET, Team USA faces Team Canada in a pre-Olympic women’s exhibition game on NBCSN. Last Friday, Team USA defeated Team Canada, by a score of 4-1, for their second straight victory against their rivals to the north. Dave Strader will provide play-by-play action alongside former Team USA members A.J. Mlezcko (analyst) and Natalie Darwitz (analyst), from Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn.

NBC Sports Group’s NHL coverage next week begins Monday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN with a matchup of the two previous Stanley Cup Champions, when Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks host Dustin Brown and the Los Angeles Kings. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (analyst) will provide live commentary from United Center in Chicago, Ill.

NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will stream all 2013-14 NHL regular-season games televised on NBC and NBCSN, including this week’s Kings-Blackhawks matchup, the NHL Winter Classic, both alumni games and the Team USA-Team Canada pre-Olympic exhibition game.

Date	Coverage	Network	Time (ET)
Sat., December 28	Team USA vs. Team Canada – Women’s Exhibition	NBCSN	4 p.m.
Mon., December 30	NHL Live	NBCSN	7 p.m.
	Los Angeles at Chicago	NBCSN	8 p.m.
Tue., December 31	Winter Classic Alumni Game #1	NBCSN	1 p.m.
	NHL Top 10	NBCSN	3 p.m.
	NHL Top 10	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.
	Winter Classic Alumni Game #2	NBCSN	4 p.m.
Wed., January 1	Toronto at Detroit – 2014 NHL Winter Classic	NBC	1 p.m.
	Return to Vancouver – 2010 Gold Medal Game	NBCSN	8 p.m.

NHL WINTER CLASSIC PRODUCES MOST-WATCHED NHL REGULAR-SEASON GAMES

The Winter Classic, which was co-created by NBC Sports and the NHL and debuted in 2008, has produced five of the six most-watched NHL regular-season games in the past 38 years (average viewers).

Viewership	Date	Network	Game
1. 4.5 million	Jan. 1, 2011	NBC	Capitals-Penguins
2. 4.4 million	Jan. 1, 2009	NBC	Red Wings-Blackhawks
3. 3.8 million	Jan. 27, 1996	FOX	Six-game regional coverage
4. 3.8 million	Jan. 1, 2008	NBC	Penguins-Sabres
5. 3.74 million	Jan. 2, 2012	NBC	Rangers-Flyers
6. 3.68 million	Jan. 1, 2010	NBC	Flyers-Bruins

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will stream NHL coverage via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Games airing on:

NBC will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra;
NBCSN will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs.

2013-14 REGULAR-SEASON COVERAGE ON NBC & NBCSN

NBC Sports Group will deliver coverage of 103 NHL regular-season games during the 2013-14 season, featuring 13 games on NBC and 90 games on NBCSN. All games will be streamed live via NBC Sports Live Extra. Click here for more information on NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive NHL coverage this season.

NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS

NBC Sports Regional Networks, which serve top NHL markets such as Boston (Bruins), Philadelphia (Flyers), Washington D.C. (Capitals), Chicago (Blackhawks) and the Bay Area (Sharks), will air more than 300 live NHL games and surround the 2013-14 NHL season with in-depth news, analysis and original programming on the teams that matter most.

NBC SPORTS GROUP’S DIGITAL AND SOCIAL NHL COVERAGE

NBC Sports Group will continue to provide hockey fans with up-to-the-minute news, video, and information on the NHL and hockey from around the world via its digital and social properties, including NBCSports.com, Twitter and Facebook.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

2014 Pro Bowl Players Revealed Exclusively on NFL Network Friday, December 27 at 9:00 PM ET

December 27, 2013 By admin

Pro Bowl Captains Deion Sanders & Jerry Rice Provide Their Analysis of the Players on ‘NFL Total Access: Pro Bowl Players Revealed’

Newly-Selected Pro Bowl Players Join the Show to Provide Their Reaction

The 2014 Pro Bowl players are revealed exclusively on NFL Network Friday, December 27 at 9:00 PM ET on the NFL Total Access Pro Bowl Players Revealed show. Andrew Siciliano hosts the one-hour show, along with NFL Network analysts Darren Sharper and Daniel Jeremiah providing draft rankings, their thoughts on those that made it, and who they believe should have been selected.

The full 2014 Pro Bowl list of players will be published on NFL.com at 9:00 PM ET.

Throughout the show, Pro Bowl captains Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice provide their analysis of each player and give insight into their draft strategy. Additionally, a few newly-selected Pro Bowlers join the show to provide their thoughts and reaction to being selected.

The 2014 Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday, January 26 at 7:00 PM ET and broadcast on NBC.

For the first time ever, the Pro Bowl is “unconferenced.” This year, players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players, and will then be assigned to teams during the first-ever Pro Bowl Draft Wednesday, January 22 at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network.

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