Archives for February 2016

(All times ET)

The “Press Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box is a quick overview of upcoming program information and highlights from the NBC Sports Group Communications team. For live streaming information on NBC Sports Live Extra, and Golf Channel Live Extra, click here.

Friday, February 26
2 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR Honda Classic
6 p.m. on NBCSN – Pro Football Talk
7:30 p.m. on NBCSN – College Hockey: Boston University @ Notre Dame
10 p.m. on NBCSN – Curling Night in America

Saturday, February 27  
1 a.m. on Golf Channel – Honda LPGA Thailand
5 a.m. on Golf Channel – ISPS Handa Perth International
6 a.m. on NBCSN – Barclay’s Premier League Preview
7 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Live
7:45 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League: West Ham v. Sunderland
10 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League: Leicester City v. Norwich City
12:30 p.m. on NBC – Premier League: West Brom v. Crystal Palace
12:30 p.m. on NBCSN – College Basketball: VCU @ George Washington
1 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR Honda Classic
2:30 p.m. on NBC – Goal Zone
2:30 p.m. on NBCSN – College Basketball: William & Mary @ James Madison
3 p.m. on NBC – PGA TOUR Honda Classic
7 p.m. on NBCSN – College Hockey: Boston University @ Notre Dame
8 p.m. on NBC – NHL Live
8:20 p.m. on NBC – NHL: Detroit Red Wings @ Colorado Avalanche
10 p.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Match of the Day
12 a.m. on NBCSN – Tokyo Marathon

Sunday, February 28  
1 a.m. on Golf Channel – Honda LPGA Thailand
5 a.m. on Golf Channel – ISPS Handa Perth International
8 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Live
9:05 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League: Manchester United v. Arsenal
11 a.m. on NBCSN – Goal Zone
12 p.m. on NBC – NHL Live
12:30 p.m. on NBC – NHL: Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks
1 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR Honda Classic
3 p.m. on NBC – PGA TOUR Honda Classic
5:30 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Live
6:30 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning @ Boston Bruins
9 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL: Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks
11:30 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Overtime
12 a.m. on NBCSN – NHL Sunday Shootout
12:30 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Match of the Day II
1:30 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Match of the Week 

NHL  
NBC Sports Group presents wall-to-wall hockey this weekend highlighted by NBC’s primetime presentation of the NHL Stadium Series on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, when rookie phenom Dylan Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings face off against Matt Duchene and the Colorado Avalanche at Coors Field in Denver, Colo., home of Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies.

Play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, analyst Eddie Olczyk, and ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will call the Red Wings-Avalanche NHL Stadium Series matchup on NBC from Coors Field. Kathryn Tappen and Jeremy Roenick will provide pre-game and intermission coverage on-site.

NBC’s weekend hockey coverage continues Sunday with a matchup of Stanley Cup Final frontrunners in the NHL Game of the Week, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Washington Capitals in a showdown of conference leaders at 12:30 p.m. ET.

John Forslund (play-by-play) and Brian Engblom (‘Inside-the-Glass) will call the action from United Center in Chicago, Ill.

Following the Sunday matinee, NBCSN will present a Sunday Night Hockey doubleheader, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET, when the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Boston Bruins. Coverage continues at 9 p.m. ET, when the Anaheim Ducks host the rival Los Angeles Kings.

Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will have the call from TD Garden.

Liam McHugh and Tappen will combine to anchor this week’s NHL Live studio coverage, alongside analysts Mike Milbury, Keith Jones, Brian Boucher, Anson Carter and Roenick.

COLLEGE HOCKEY
NBCSN continues its coverage of the 2015-16 college hockey season this weekend with a pair of matchups between No. 9 Boston University and No. 10 Notre Dame. Friday night’s game will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET, while puck drop for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Dan Parkhurst (play-by-play) will call both games from Compton Family Ice Arena in Notre Dame, Ind. Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass) handles analysis on Friday, while Anson Carter will man the ‘Inside-the-Glass’ position on Saturday.

PREMIER LEAGUE
NBC Sports Group continues its coverage of Premier League this weekend highlighted by a matchup between top-tier Premier League teams, when fifth-place Manchester United host third-place Arsenal this Sunday, Feb. 28, at 9:05 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

This weekend’s coverage kickoffs tomorrow at 6 a.m. ET with Barclays Premier League Preview on NBCSN, immediately followed by Premier League Live at 7 a.m. ET.

Live match coverage kickoffs with West Ham v. Sunderland at 7:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN, immediately followed by Leicester City v. Norwich City at 10 a.m. ET. Coverage moves to NBC at 12:30 p.m. ET with West Brom v. Crystal Palace, immediately followed by Goal Zone at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Sunday’s coverage of Premier League begins at 8 a.m. ET with Premier League Live on NBCSN, immediately followed by Manchester United v. Arsenal at 9:05 a.m. ET. Weekend coverage wraps with Goal Zone at 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

U.S. Men’s National Team and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard joins Arlo White at the Etihad Stadium to call Manchester City v. Tottenham just one day after Everton’s match against West Bromwich Albion (Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on NBCSN).

Rebecca Lowe hosts Premier League Live joined by Kyle Martino and Robbie Mustoe.

Saturday, February 27
7:45 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League: West Ham v. Sunderland, commentated by Jim Proudfoot and Danny Mills
10 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League: Leicester City v. Norwich City, commentated by Ian Crocker and Garry Birtles
10 a.m. on Premier League Extra Time – Southampton v. Chelsea, commentated by Gary Taphouse and David Prutton
10 a.m. on Premier League Extra Time – Stoke City v. Aston Villa, commentated by Gary Weaver and Dean Sturridge
10 a.m. on Premier League Extra Time – Watford v. Bournemouth, commentated by Joe Speight and Tony Gale
12:30 p.m. on NBC – Premier League: West Brom v. Crystal Palace, commentated by Peter Drury and Jim Beglin

Sunday, February 28
9:05 a.m. on NBCSN – Manchester United v. Arsenal, commentated by Arlo White and Graeme Le Saux
9:05 a.m. on Premier League Extra Time – Tottenham v. Swansea City, commentated by Tony Jones and Iain Dowie

COLLEGE BASKETBALL 
NBCSN continues its 2015-16 college basketball coverage this weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27, tipping off at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Saturday’s A-10 action tips off with VCU at George Washington at 12:30 ET, immediately followed by CAA action with William & Mary at James Madison at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Terry Gannon and Dalen Cuff call VCU-George Washington from Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, D.C. Mike Corey and Ron Thompson call William & Mary-James Madison from JMU Convocation Center in Harrisonburg, Va.

CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA 
Friday Night is Curling Night on NBCSN with a new episode of Curling Night In America tonight at 10 p.m. ET. Jason Knapp (play-by-play) and Pete Fenson (analyst) will provide commentary, while Tanith White (reporter) offers reports from Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, Minn.

GOLF
NBC Sports Group presents coverage the PGA TOUR’s The Honda Classic, LPGA Tour’s Honda LPGA Thailand, and the European Tour’s ISPS Handa Perth International this weekend across the NBCUniversal platforms.

Live coverage of The Honda Classic continues today at 2 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. Saturday’s coverage begins on Golf Channel at 1 p.m. ET, and then moves to NBC at 3 p.m. ET. Sunday’s coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, and then shifts to NBC at 3 p.m. ET.

Leading weekend coverage will be Dan Hicks (play-by-play) and Johnny Miller (lead analyst). Joining Hicks and Miller will be Notah Begay, David Feherty, Peter Jacobsen, Gary Koch, Roger Maltbie and Steve Sands. Calling the action for Golf Channel’s early round coverage will be Rich Lerner and Koch, supported by the NBC crew, as well as Steve Burkowski reporting for Golf Central.

Live weekend coverage of the Honda LPGA Thailand on Golf Channel continues Saturday at 1 a.m. ET, and concludes Sunday at 1 a.m. ET.

Tom Abbott hosts coverage of the LPGA Tour from Golf Channel’s studio in Orlando, Fla. Calling the action from the Siam Country Club Pattaya in Thailand are Peter Donegan (play-by-play), Sandy McKenzie (analyst), and Kate Burton (on-course).

This weekend’s coverage of the ISPS Handa Perth International on Golf Channel continues Saturday at 5 a.m. ET, and wraps Sunday at 5 a.m. ET.

Brendon Julian (play-by-play) hosts Golf Channel’s coverage from Perth, Australia. Julian is joined by analysts Warren Humphreys and Ossie Moore, with Paul Gow on the course.

Golf Channel Interviewing Patrons, Fans, Fellow Professionals and Celebrities, Celebrating the 30-Year Anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ Final Major Championship Win

’86 to Premiere on Golf Channel on Tuesday, April 5 at 9 p.m. ET

Video Trailer: ’86 Trailer

ORLANDO, Fla., (Feb. 25, 2016) – A tremendous response to Golf Channel’s call to share your “Where Was I” stories resulted in more than 500 submissions from all over the world for the upcoming special, ’86, commemorating the 30-year anniversary of Jack Nicklaus’ historic victory at the 1986 Masters. A sneak preview (’86 Trailer) of this Golf Channel Films project will debut during today’s coverage of The Honda Classic on Golf Channel, where live coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET.

Premiering Tuesday, April 5, at 9 p.m. ET, ‘86 will tell the full story of Nicklaus’ memorable come-from-behind victory in securing his record 18th major championship victory and sixth green jacket. Highlighted by a final-round 65 and a 6-under-par 30 on the final nine holes, Nicklaus became the oldest winner of the Masters at age 46 and the second oldest winner of any major championship in history.

Golf Channel continues to ask fans to share their own personal stories about the 1986 Masters at GolfChannel.com/Jack, including answering the question: “Where was I” on that historic Sunday three decades ago. Story submissions have come not only from throughout North America, but also Europe, Asia and Australia.

The special will feature interviews with Nicklaus, his wife Barbara, their son Steve, daughter Nan, and oldest son, Jack II – who caddied for his father at the ’86 Masters – members of the broadcast team, fellow professionals, caddies, media members, volunteers and patrons who were on hand. In addition, this Golf Channel Films project will paint a picture of the world’s cultural climate at the time, giving viewers insight into the significance of the victory.

“Playing in front of Jack on that Sunday was truly incredible. Bob Tway was my playing partner and on the second nine, we spent more time looking back to watch Jack play than we did on our own games. The roars were so loud the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. The energy and electricity in the air were amazing. It was a truly unique experience.” – NBC golf analyst Gary Koch, who played in the group in front of Nicklaus during the 1986 Masters final round.

’86 is being produced by Golf Channel Films, which has developed award-winning, critically acclaimed long-form documentaries and specials including the Emmy-nominated Payne; the three-part documentary Arnie and a follow-up fourth installment, Arnie & Me; and Ben Crenshaw: A Walk Through Augusta.

Nicklaus’ memorable victory came 23 years after he donned his first green jacket, and put an exclamation point on a 25-year period in which he won his record 18 majors. The Golden Bear’s final round in ’86 was highlighted by an eagle-birdie-birdie streak at Nos. 15, 16 and 17 for a second-nine 30. GOLF Magazine called the Nicklaus’ win the “Best Tournament of the 20th Century.” GolfWorld called it the “Greatest Masters Tournament” in history, and the final-round 65 the “Greatest Final Round in Major Championship” history. Golf Digest ranked the ’86 Masters as one of the “10 Defining Moments in Golf History.”

From 1959-2005, Nicklaus made 45 starts at the Masters, winning in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, and ’86. He also holds records for the most top-5, top-10, and top-25 finishes at Augusta National. Even 30 years removed from his final Masters’ victory, and more than 10 years after his final round at Augusta National, Nicklaus owns or is tied for no fewer than 35 Masters’ records.

 

-NBC Sports Group-

Tripleheader Across NBC and NBCSN Averages More Than 1.2 Million Viewers

Blackhawks-Wild NHL Stadium Series Game on NBC Averages 1.86 Million Viewers; Second-Most Watched Hockey Day In America Game Ever

Red Wings-Rangers Sunday Night Hockey Matchup Is NBCSN’s Most-Watched Hockey Day In America Game Ever

NBCSN On Pace For Most-Watched NHL Regular Season Ever With Strong Viewership for Wednesday Night Rivalry and Sunday Night Hockey

STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 24, 2016 – NBC Sports Group’s Hockey Day In America tripleheader this past Sunday, Feb. 21 – highlighted by the NHL Stadium Series matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. – averaged more than 1.2 million viewers across NBC and NBCSN, up 21% vs. NBC Sports Group’s 2015 Hockey Day In America coverage (992,000), according to data provided by The Nielsen Company.

Hockey Day In America capped a week of NHL coverage that featured the two most-watched NHL games on NBCSN since opening night, putting NBCSN on pace to have its most-watched NHL regular season ever.
NBC SPORTS GROUP’S HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA TRIPLEHEADER VIEWERSHIP IS UP 21% VS. 2015

NBC’s presentation of the Blackhawks-Wild NHL Stadium Series game (3:32-6:20 p.m. ET), in which Minnesota defeated Chicago 6-1, delivered a 1.13 HH rating and averaged 1.86 million viewers to become the second-most watched Hockey Day In America game ever (PIT-CHI, 2/20/11; 1.89 million), excluding regionalized coverage.

NBCSN’s Sunday Night Hockey matchup featuring the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers (7:01-9:51 p.m. ET), in which New York earned a 1-0 overtime win, produced a 0.42 HH rating and averaged 694,000 viewers to become the network’s most-watched Hockey Day In America telecast.

NBC Sports Group’s Hockey Day In America tripleheader began with a matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres (12:38-3:17 p.m. ET), as more than 1 million viewers watched Pittsburgh defeat Buffalo 4-3. The game delivered a 0.71 HH rating, and overall, the tripleheader on NBC and NBCSN produced a 0.75 HH rating.

Buffalo led all local markets during NBC Sports Group’s Hockey Day In America coverage with a 10.1 HH rating for Penguins-Sabres. Minneapolis delivered a 9.4 HH rating for Blackhawks-Wild to rank as the highest-rated regular-season game ever on NBC in the market.

 

NBCSN ON PACE FOR MOST-WATCHED NHL REGULAR SEASON EVER WITH STRONG VIEWERSHIP FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY AND SUNDAY NIGHT HOCKEY

Through 61 games, NBCSN is on pace to have its most-watched NHL regular season ever, averaging 361,000 viewers, up 8% vs. 2015 viewership (335,000; 61 games), along with a 0.22 HH rating. NBCSN’s increased NHL viewership has been driven by its Wednesday Night Rivalry and Sunday Night Hockey telecasts.

• Through 16 games, Wednesday Night Rivalry has averaged 573,000 viewers, up 10% vs. the 2014-15 Wednesday Night Rivalry average through the same date last year (523,000; 19 games);

 

• Last week’s Blackhawks-Rangers Wednesday Night Rivalry game on Feb. 17 was the most-watched game on NBCSN (769,000 viewers) since the two teams met on opening night this season;

 

• Through four games this year, Sunday Night Hockey has averaged 557,000 viewers, up 72% vs. Sunday Night Hockey through the same date last year (324,000; seven games);

 

• Flyers-Rangers on Sunday Night Hockey on Feb. 14 averaged 738,000 viewers to rank as NBCSN’s second-most watched Sunday Night Hockey game ever and its most-watched Sunday night game in three years (MTL-BOS, 3/3/13; 813,000).

Hockey Day In America celebrates the roots of hockey in the United States. Throughout Sunday’s tripleheader, NBC Sports Group showcased the sport’s influence and impact in America through a series of features, including segments on Auston Matthews, who is projected to be a contender for the first selection in the 2016 NHL Draft; U.S. Army veteran and Minneapolis native Andrew Qualy, who founded the Minnesota Wounded Warriors Adult Hockey League; and Bob Chase, who is in his 63^rd season as the play-by-play voice of the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets, and served as the inspiration for Doc Emrick to become a play-by-play announcer. Click here to view all of NBC Sports Group’s Hockey Day In America features.

-NBC SPORTS GROUP-

PGA TOUR Kicks off Florida Swing at The Honda Classic, with NBC Sports Group Televising More Than 20 Hours of Live Tournament Coverage

Eight of Top-10 in the World to Compete in Honda LPGA Thailand

European Tour in Australia for ISPS Handa Perth International

ORLANDO, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2016) – The PGA TOUR moves from West Coast to East Coast this week to kick off the “Florida Swing” at The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens. This week also marks the first of six consecutive tournament weeks airing exclusively on Golf Channel and NBC. Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler headline the field (World No. 3 & 5 respectively) and will be featured (along with Phil Mickelson) during a Golf Central player news conference show on Wednesday at Noon ET. Eight of the top-10 players in the world will tee it up in the Honda LPGA Thailand this week, which include Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson. And the European Tour is in Australia for the ISPS Handa Perth International, as Thorbjorn Olesen defends his 2014 title, when the event was last contested.

PGA TOUR

The Honda Classic

Dates: Feb. 25-28

Venue: PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion Course), Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         2-6 p.m. (Live) / 7-11 p.m. (Replay)

Friday              2-6 p.m. (Live) / 7-11 p.m. (Replay)

Saturday          1-3 p.m. (Live) / 7 p.m.-Midnight (Replay)

Sunday            1-3 p.m. (Live) / 7 p.m.-Midnight (Replay)

Tournament Airtimes on NBC (Eastern):

Saturday          3-6 p.m. (Live)

Sunday            3-6 p.m. (Live)

Broadcast Notes:

Golf Channel, NBC to kick off six-week stretch of exclusive live PGA TOUR coverage this week: Golf Channel and NBC Sports will dedicate nearly 20 live hours of tournament coverage from The Honda Classic, which will commence six consecutive weeks of PGA TOUR action on Golf Channel and NBC, including: The Honda Classic (Feb. 25-28); WGC-Cadillac Championship (March 3-6); Valspar Championship (March 10-13); Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 17-20); WGC-Dell Match Play (March 23-27); Puerto Rico Open (March 24-27) and the Shell Houston Open (March 31-April 3).

Golf Central player news conference, Wednesday at Noon ET: On Wednesday at Noon ET, Golf Central will present a special player news conference from PGA National, featuring Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson.

The Honda Classic Pro-Am airing at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday: Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. ET, Golf Channel will televise The Honda Classic Pro-Am, as players make their final preparations for Thursday’s opening round. 

David Feherty making Florida Swing debut: David Feherty joined the NBC broadcast team exclusively in 2016 and will be a course reporter for Golf Channel and NBC’s weekend coverage of The Honda Classic. This week begins a stretch of five consecutive weeks on Golf Channel and NBC for Feherty, rotating as a tower analyst and course reporter for each of the Florida Swing events in addition to the WGC-Dell Match Play (March 23-27) in Austin, Texas.

Morning Drive on-site from PGA National: Golf Channel’s daily news program, Morning Drive (beginning at 9 a.m. ET Thursday-Sunday), will feature on-site reports from PGA National. Cara Robinson and John Cook will provide live updates on location and conduct interviews with players and other guests throughout the week.

Harrington defends: Padraig Harrington defeated Daniel Berger with a par on the second playoff hole during a rain-delayed Monday finish for his sixth career PGA TOUR win, and first since the 2008 PGA Championship.

Headlining the field: Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, Branden Grace, Zach Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Kisner, Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott and Justin Thomas.

Golf Channel / NBC Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Rich Lerner (Golf Channel) / Dan Hicks (NBC)

Analyst: Gary Koch (Golf Channel) / Johnny Miller (NBC)

Tower: Peter Jacobsen / Gary Koch (NBC) / Steve Sands (Golf Channel)

On-Course: Roger Maltbie / David Feherty / Notah Begay

Interviews: Steve Burkowski (Golf Channel) / Steve Sands (NBC)

LPGA TOUR

Honda LPGA Thailand

Dates: Feb. 25-28

Venue: Siam Country Club Pattaya (Old Course), Chonburi, Thailand

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         1-5 a.m. (Live) / 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Replay)

Friday              1-5 a.m. (Live) / 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Replay)

Saturday          1-5 a.m. (Live) / 3-6 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday            1-5 a.m. (Live) / 3-6 p.m. (Replay)

Broadcast Notes:

Strong field features eight of top-10 in the world: The field at the Honda LPGA Thailand is made up of eight of the top-10 players in the world, including Stacy Lewis (No. 3) and Lexi Thompson (No. 4).

Yang defends: Amy Yang won by two shots over Stacy Lewis, Yani Tseng and Mirim Lee for her second LPGA Tour victory.

Headlining the field: Stacy Lewis, Lexi Thompson, Charley Hull, Sei Young Kim, So Yeon Ryu, Shanshan Feng, Hyo Joo Kim, Ha Na Jang, In Gee Chun, Michelle Wie and Amy Yang.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Studio Host: Tom Abbott

Play by Play: Peter Donegan

Analyst: Sandy Mackenzie

On-Course: Kate Burton

EUROPEAN TOUR

ISPS Handa Perth International

Dates: Feb. 25-28

Venue: Lake Karrinyup Country Club, Perth, Australia

Tournament Airtimes on Golf Channel (Eastern):

Thursday         5-9 a.m. (Tape delay)

Friday              5-9 a.m. (Tape delay)

Saturday          5-9 a.m. (Tape delay)

Sunday            5-9 a.m. (Tape delay)

Broadcast Notes:

Olesen defends: Thorbjorn Olesen defeated Victor Dubuisson by three shots to earn his second career European Tour win.

Headlining the field: Louis Oosthuizen, Victor Dubuisson, Peter Uihlein, Thorbjorn Olesen, Matteo Manassero, Peter Senior, Stephen Gallacher, David Lipsky and Mikko Ilonen.

Golf Channel Broadcast Team:

Play by Play: Brendon Julian

Analyst: Warren Humphreys / Ossie Moore

On-Course: Paul Gow