Archives for January 2017

NBC SPORTS DIGITAL “BYTES”

January 27, 2017 – Vol. 99

NBC Sports Digital “Bytes” is a collection of highlights, information and metrics for NBC Sports Digital properties. Previous editions can be found on NBCSportsGroupPressbox.com.

U.S. Figure Skating Championships Score on NBC Olympics Social

NBC Olympics’ social media accounts surrounded the 2017 U.S. Figure Skating Championships with video highlights, Facebook Lives, and a Live Story on Snapchat story the day of the event. Videos of 2017 U.S. Figure Skating men’s champion Nathan Chen, who landed a record seven quad jumps between his two performances, ladies’ champion Karen Chen, ladies’ silver medalist Ashley Wagner, and ice dance champions Maia and Alex Shibutani racked up nearly seven million views on NBC Olympics Facebook. Click here to view the videos.

NBC Olympics’ produced a video with Nathan Chen before his championship performance last weekend, showing an interview NBC Sports did with him at 10 years old where he declares his intention to compete in the 2018 Olympic Games. Click here to see his reaction.

NBC Olympics conducted Facebook Lives throughout the week with 1992 Olympic and U.S. champion Kristi Yamaguchi, and 2006 Olympian and 2007 U.S. silver medalist Emily Hughes, reaching 1.8 million fans. In addition NBC Sports analysts, Tara Lipinski, the 1998 Olympic gold medalist and the youngest person to win a U.S. Championships title at 14, and three-time U.S. figure skating champion Johnny Weir conduced Facebook Lives on the Team USA Facebook page.

Hockey Goes Hollywood – NBC Sports Unveils Its Biggest NHL All-Star Game Consumer Engagement Plan Ever

With the movie capital of the world hosting the NHL’s biggest stars, NBC Sports is rolling out its biggest NHL All-Star Game engagement plan ever with “Hockey Goes Hollywood.” The multi-platform campaign weaves together this year’s NHL All-Stars with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood moviemaking, and many of Los Angeles’ world famous landmarks.

The “Hockey Goes Hollywood” plan contains pieces that will come to life across digital and social content, including:

• “Audition”: Are they aspiring actors or aspiring All-Stars? “Audition” forces some of the game’s greatest players to audition in front of two insufferable casting agents for an All-Star roster spot in the stereotypical way an actor has to land a job in Hollywood. “Audition” will be used as long-form digital and social content, and will be cut into spots for television. Click here to watch the full video.

• Movie Posters: NBC Sports has created four hockey versions of some of the movie industry’s most iconic pictures, which will be used extensively across its digital and social platforms. At noon ET on Wednesday, January 25, all NBC Sports and NHL social media accounts conducted a social media roadblock to promote the game in a coordinated effort, including using the hashtag #HockeyGoesHollywood.

Click here for more information.

Golf Advisor’s List of Top 50 Courses in the United States, Generated by More Than 100K Golfer Reviews, Revealed Today on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive Show

Golf Advisor announced its anticipated, annual list of Top-50 golf courses in the United States this week. The list was revealed from more than 100,000 authentic reviews posted in 2016 from golfers who use and depend on the world’s leading golf course ratings and review website.

Unlike rankings published by various golf publications, which normally are geared toward architecture or history and conducted by a panel of industry insiders, the Golf Advisor Top 50 is totally consumer-driven.  Ages, handicaps and budgets of golfers using the site run the gamut, so the nearly 600,000 reviews Golf Advisor has accumulated showcase the golf course characteristics that are most important to avid golfers across the country.  In addition to rating course layout, the Top 50 list also rates other subcategories like staff friendliness, pace of play, value and more. More than 2,000 U.S. golf courses were considered, having received the minimum 15 reviews to qualify for the Top 50.

Click here for more information and to view the list.

NBC Sports Group Surrounds NASCAR’s Stage-Based Race Format Announcement

On Monday, NASCAR announced strategic adjustments to the competition format of all three NASCAR national series in 2017. NBCSports.com and NBC Sports social media sites surrounded the news with the latest analysts from NBC Sports Group’s writers, Facebook Lives with NBC’s NASCAR announce team, and clips from the live simulcast of the announcement on NBCSN and FS1.

Analysis of the news from NASCARTalk can be found here, Facebook Lives with NBC Sports Group’s broadcast team can be found here, and clips of the simulcast can be found here.

CSN New England’s Gary Tanguay Hits the Road to Houston For Super Bowl LI on a Multi-City Tour — “Tanguay Takes America”

The New England Patriots are Super Bowl bound and will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Houston on Sunday, February 5th.  CSN New England’s Gary Tanguay is also Houston-bound, boarding a CSN trailer on his own road trip to Super Bowl LI – and fans can get an inside look as TANGUAY TAKES AMERICA!

Tanguay departed from the CSN studios in Burlington, Mass., Monday morning at 6 a.m. ET.  He has made several Patriots-related stops along the way and continues on his journey to Houston.

Patriots fans can follow Gary’s journey via @Gary_Tanguay and @CSNNE on Twitter and Facebook, as well as on CSNNE.com and on CSN’s television programming.

–NBC SPORTS DIGITAL–

(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 NBCSports.com, and Golf Channel Live Extra, click here.

Friday, January 27^th
2 p.m. on NBCSN – European Figure Skating Championships: Ladies Free
2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
3 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR: Farmers Insurance Open
5 p.m. on Universal HD – Two-Woman Bobsled/ Women’s Skeleton – Koenigssee
7 p.m. on NBCSN – Curling Night in America
7 p.m. on Universal HD – Men’s Downhill – Garmisch
7 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
8 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR: Farmers Insurance Open
9 p.m. on NBCSN – The NHL 100 Pre-Show
9:30 p.m. on NBCSN – The NHL100

Saturday, January 28^th
4 a.m. on Golf Channel – European Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
6 a.m. on NBCSN –FIS World Cup: Men’s Downhill – Garmish
6 a.m. on NBCSN – FIS World Cup: Women’s Downhill – Cortina
7:30 a.m. on NBCSN – FIS World Cup: Women’s Downhill – Cortina D’Ampezzo
9 a.m. on NBCSN – European Figure Skating Championships: Free Dance
10:30 a.m. on Golf Channel – European Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
12 p.m. on NBCSN – College Basketball: Davidson @ Fordham
1 p.m. on NBC –Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Snowboard Cross
1 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR: Farmers Insurance Open
2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
2 p.m. on NBCSN – College Basketball: St. Bonaventure @ Rhode Island
2:30 p.m. on NBC –US Figure Skating Championship Gala
3 pm on Golf Channel – Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic
4 p.m. on NBCSN – New Balance Indoor Boston Grand Prix
4:30 p.m. on NBC – Pegasus World Cup Invitational
6 p.m. on NBCSN – European Figure Skating Championships: Men’s Free
6 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
7 p.m. on Golf Channel – Farmers Insurance Open
7 p.m. on NBCSN – 2017 NHL All-Star Skills Competition
9:30 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Overtime
10 p.m. on Universal HD – Men’s Skeleton/Two-Man Bobsled – Koenigssee**

Sunday, January 29^th
4 a.m. on Golf Channel – European Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
7:30 a.m. on NBCSN – FIS World Cup: Men’s Giant Slalom – Garmisch
10 a.m. on NBCSN – Big Bash League Cricket: Championship
10:30 a.m. on Golf Channel – European Tour: Commercial Bank Qatar Masters
1 p.m. on Golf Channel –PGA TOUR:  Farmers Insurance Open
1:30 p.m. on NBC – Mecum Auto Auctions: Kissimmee
2:30 p.m. on NBC – Detroit Auto Show
2:30 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
3 p.m. on Golf Channel – Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic
3:30 p.m. on NBC – 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game
3:30 p.m. on NBCSN – Luge World Championships – Innsbruck
4:30 p.m. on NBCSN – IBSF World Cup: 4-Man Bobsleigh – Konigssee
5:30 p.m. on NBCSN – FIS World Cup: Women’s Super G – Cortina D’Ampezzo
6:30 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
7:30 p.m. on Golf Channel – Farmers Insurance Open
7 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Overtime 

NHL
NBC Sports presents seven consecutive days of hockey this week, culminating with live coverage of the 3-on-3 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Game from Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Coverage of 2017 NHL All-Star Weekend begins tonight at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN with The NHL 100, as the league reveals the 100 greatest NHL players of all-time to coincide with its Centennial celebration.

The league’s top players will also showcase their world-class abilities in events ranging from fastest skater to hardest shot in the 2017 NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play), Eddie Olczyk (analyst), Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass analyst), and Jeremy Roenick will call the All-Star Game on Sunday. Liam McHugh anchors studio coverage on Sunday with analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones.

Kenny Albert (play-by-play), McGuire, and Roenick will provide commentary for the Skills Competition. Kathryn Tappen and Roenick will anchor coverage of the NHL 100 on Friday night.

HORSE RACING
California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in 2014 and the winningest North American horse in career prize money, headlines a star-studded field in the debut of the $12 Million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest horse race, from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., this Saturday, Jan. 28, live at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Mike Tirico hosts the show, alongside analyst Jerry Bailey; analyst Randy Moss; analyst/handicapper Eddie Olczyk; host/reporter Laffit Pincay, III; and reporter Donna Brothers. E! News’ Maria Menounos joins the telecast as a co-host, covering the pageantry, celebrities, and fashion at the event.

FIGURE SKATING
NBC Sports Group continues coverage of the 2017 ISU European Figure Skating Championships this weekend.. Coverage continues this afternoon at 2 p.m. ET with ladies’ free, and culminates this Saturday, Jan. 28, with the free dance live at 9 a.m. ET and the men’s free program at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN. NBC presents encore coverage of the ladies’ and men’s free skate on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 3 p.m. ET.

Andrea Joyce calls the action on NBCSN alongside Ryan Bradley. Joyce will be joined by Ben Agosto for the ice dance events. Tanith White, who won the 2006 Olympic ice dance silver medal with Agosto, calls the event on NBC, joined by Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir.

GOLF
Tiger Woods will make his first official PGA TOUR start in 17 months this week when he tees it up at the Farmers Insurance Open. The event marks the first of four scheduled events on Woods’ calendar over the next five weeks. World No. 1 Jason Day and No. 3 Dustin Johnson also are in the field. The LPGA Tour will kick off its 2017 season this week at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, with Ariya Jutanugarn (No. 2) and Lexi Thompson (No. 5) headlining the field. The European Tour will stage the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, with Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Ernie Els and Martin Kaymer leading the field. And the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic continues on the Web.com Tour, with final round coverage airing Wednesday afternoon live on Golf Channel.

Live coverage of the Farmers Insurance Open continues at 3 p.m. on Golf Channel. Saturday’s coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, and coverage concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Terry Gannon (play-by-play) will provide play-by-play for Golf Channel’s coverage from La Jolla, Calif. Gannon is joined by Nick Faldo and Matt Gogel (tower), with Arron Oberholser from the course. Todd Lewis will contribute with interviews.

Live coverage of the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic continues Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. Coverage concludes at 3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Calling the action from Paradise Island, Bahamas are Whit Watson (play-by-play), analyst Judy Rankin, Tom Abbot (tower), and Jerry Foltz and Karen Stupples on the course. Lisa Cornwell will contribute with interviews.

Live coverage of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will continue Saturday 4 a.m. ET on Golf Channel and conclude on Sunday 4 a.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Mike Ritz hosts coverage from Doha, Qatar. Calling the action from Doha Golf Club are Dom Holyer (play-by-play), analysts Jay Townsend and Tony Johnstone, and Ken Brown from the course.

TRACK & FIELD
NBCSN kicks off coverage of the 2017 USATF Indoor Championship Series with the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, the first event in the series, this Saturday, Jan. 28, live at 4 p.m. ET from Boston, Mass.

Announcer Rick Allen calls the event in his track and field debut. Joining Allen at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Mass., are analyst Ato Boldon, and reporters Lewis Johnson and Todd Harris.

SKIING
NBC Sports Group’s Olympic Winter Sports coverage this weekend is highlighted by coverage of the FIS Women’s World Cup downhill event in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN, as Lindsey Vonn looks to build off of her 77^th career World Cup victory last weekend in the downhill event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin is expected to compete in Sunday’s super-G event in Italy at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

NBCSN’s coverage of the downhill from Cortina will air Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET, followed by the super-G on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will live stream Saturday’s downhill at 4:30 a.m. ET, as well as Sunday’s super-G on Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET.

Steve Schlanger (play-by-play) and Steve Porino (analyst) call this weekend event in Italy.

On the men’s side, Steven Nyman and Travis Ganong headline the U.S. contingent in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this weekend, with live coverage beginning Saturday at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

NBCSN presents live coverage of this weekend’s men’s World Cup alpine event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, as the season moves towards the World Championships next month in St. Moritz, Swizterland.

Universal HD televises the first run of the downhill tonight at 7 p.m. ET, followed by live coverage of the second run on Saturday at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN, and live coverage of the giant slalom on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

Schlanger (play-by-play) and Porino (analyst) will provide commentary for this weekend’s event.

CURLING
NBCSN’s Curling Night in America coverage continues tonight at 7 p.m. ET, when 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Joe Polo and Tabitha Peterson represent Team USA in a mixed doubles match against China.

Jason Knapp (play-by-play), Pete Fenson (analyst), and Tanith White (reporter) provide commentary for all Curling Night in America telecasts. The event took place at the Duluth Curling Club, in Duluth, Minn., from Dec. 1-3.

LUGE & BOBSLED
2014 Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin seeks her first world title since 2009 at the FIL Luge World Championships on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Tucker West leads the U.S. men in Innsbruck this weekend, while the U.S. doubles team of Matt Mortensen and Jayson Terdiman, which is currently ranked third in the world, looks to build off a second-place finish in December’s World Cup event in Lake Placid, N.Y.

IBSF World Cup four-man bobsled action from Koenigssee, Germany, follows the FIL Luge World Championships on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, featuring three-time Olympic medalist Steven Holcomb.

Bill Doleman (play-by-play) calls the Luge World Championships with Kate Hansen (analyst), while John Morgan (play-by-play) handles commentary for this weekend’s bobsled coverage with Martin Haven (analyst).

ATLANTIC 10
NBCSN’s coverage of the Atlantic 10 men’s basketball season continues tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at Noon ET, when the Davidson Wildcats (10-8, 3-4) visit the Fordham Rams (9-11, 3-4) at the historic Rose Hill Gymnasium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Fordham and A-10 Co-Player of the Week Javontae Hawkins seek their third consecutive win against Davidson to take control of the all-time series. Rich Lerner (play-by-play) and David Kaplan (analyst) will provide commentary of the Davidson-Fordham matchup.

Coverage continues at 2 p.m. ET, when the Rhode Island Rams (12-7, 4-3) host the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (13-6, 5-2) at the Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I. The Bonnies, who are tied for third in the A-10, aim to extend their three-game conference winning streak with a victory over the Rams.

Paul Burmeister calls St. Bonaventure-Rhode Island alongside former Division I basketball player and coach Ron Thompson.

Fordham Hosts Davidson at Noon ET on NBCSN

St. Bonaventure Travels to Rhode Island at 2 p.m. ET on NBCSN

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 27, 2017 – NBCSN’s coverage of the Atlantic 10 men’s basketball season continues tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at Noon ET, when the Davidson Wildcats (10-8, 3-4) visit the Fordham Rams (9-11, 3-4) at the historic Rose Hill Gymnasium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Fordham and A-10 Co-Player of the Week Javontae Hawkins seek their third consecutive win against Davidson to take control of the all-time series. Rich Lerner (play-by-play) and David Kaplan (analyst) will provide commentary of the Davidson-Fordham matchup.

Coverage continues at 2 p.m. ET, when the Rhode Island Rams (12-7, 4-3) host the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (13-6, 5-2) at the Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I. The Bonnies, who are tied for third in the A-10, aim to extend their three-game conference winning streak with a victory over the Rams.

Paul Burmeister calls St. Bonaventure-Rhode Island alongside former Division I basketball player and coach Ron Thompson.

All A-10 basketball games televised on NBCSN will also be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

A-10 COVERAGE ON NBCSN

NBCSN will present more than 35 Atlantic 10 basketball games during the 2016-17 season, including 25 regular-season Atlantic 10 men’s basketball matchups, as well as exclusive coverage of the second round and quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena.

NBCSN’s 2016-17 A-10 men’s basketball schedule features all 14 member schools, including Davidson, Dayton, Duquesne, Fordham, George Mason, George Washington, La Salle, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Louis, and VCU. The schedule boasts three games with 2016 A-10 Championship winner Saint Joseph’s, and six games featuring teams from last season’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (Dayton, Saint Joseph’s and VCU).

In addition, NBCSN will present three regular-season A-10 women’s basketball games, featuring five member schools, including Dayton, Fordham, 2016 Atlantic 10 Champion George Washington, St. Bonaventure and Saint Louis.

NBCSPORTS.COM AND THE NBC SPORTS APP

All A-10 basketball games will be streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs. The NBC Sports app will stream all games via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. Powered by Playmaker Media, the NBC Sports app is available on Apple iOS, Android and select Samsung devices, as well as on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku.

NBCSN 2017 A-10 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

DATE	GAME	TIME
Saturday, January 28	Davidson at Fordham	Noon
Saturday, January 28	St. Bonaventure at Rhode Island	2 p.m.
Wednesday, February 1	Fordham at George Washington (Women’s)	Noon
Saturday, February 4	Duquesne at Dayton	12:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 4	George Washington at Richmond	2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 11	UMass at Saint Joseph’s	2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 11	St. Bonaventure at George Washington	4:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 18	Davidson at UMass	Noon
Saturday, February 18	St. Bonaventure at Dayton	2 p.m.
Saturday, February 18	Rhode Island at George Mason	4 p.m.
Sunday, February 19	George Washington at Duquesne	Noon
Sunday, February 19	Dayton at Fordham (Women’s)	2 p.m.
Saturday, February 25	Richmond at Fordham	2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 25	Saint Joseph’s at Saint Louis	4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 9	Atlantic 10 Championship Second Round	Noon
Thursday, March 9	Atlantic 10 Championship Second Round	2:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 9	Atlantic 10 Championship Second Round	6 p.m.
Thursday, March 9	Atlantic 10 Championship Second Round	8:30 p.m.
Friday, March 10	Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinals	Noon
Friday, March 10	Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinals	2:30 p.m.
Friday, March 10	Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinals	6 p.m.
Friday, March 10	Atlantic 10 Championship Quarterfinals	8:30 p.m.

All games and times subject to change.

ABOUT THE ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE

The Atlantic 10 Conference was founded in 1975 and consists of 14 diverse members across eight states and Washington, D.C. The mission of the Atlantic 10 is to provide an enhanced student-athlete experience through 21 nationally competitive championship sports. The basketball-centric conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for its student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. The membership consists of Davidson College, the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information, visit www.atlantic10.com.

-NBC SPORTS GROUP-

CSN Talent on-site in Houston to Include Troy Brown, Dan Koppen, Michael Felger, Tom Curran, Mike Giardi, Jerod Mayo, and More

CSNNE.com and CSN’s Social Media Channels to Provide Robust 24/7 Online Coverage of the Patriots “Drive for Five” throughout Super Bowl Week

BURLINGTON, MA, January 26, 2017 – The Patriots will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI and CSN New England will be there in full-force with more than 70-hours of Super Bowl related coverage originating from on-site in Houston — the most comprehensive coverage in the network’s history and the most of any local station or regional network in New England. On-site coverage from Houston begins Sunday, January 29th and will continue through Super Bowl Sunday.

CSN’s on-location programming will include every one of the networks’ news and opinion shows, plus dedicated Patriots-related programs, including: Sports Sunday, Chevrolet SportsNet Central, Arbella Early Edition, Town Fair Tire Sports Tonight, Felger & Mazz presented by Nissan, Toucher & Rich presented by Mattress Firm, Quick Slants presented by Papa Gino’s, Patriots Wednesday Live presented by Nissan, New England Football Night presented by AT&T (including New England Tailgate presented by Town Fair Tire and Patriots Football Weekly), Monday Night Patriots, and Football Day in New England presented by New England Acura Dealers which includes Pre-Game Live presented by Ace Ticket and Post-Game Live presented by Twin River Casino.

On-air talent covering the events from Houston for CSN include Troy Brown, Dan Koppen, Michael Felger, Tom Curran, Mike Giardi, Jerod Mayo, Gary Tanguay, Trenni Kusnierek, Tom Giles, Phil Perry, Albert Breer and several other special guests who will bring viewers all the action and perspectives from Houston as the Patriots prepare to take on Atlanta.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide passionate New England fans with wall-to-wall coverage of the Patriots as they battle for their 5th Super Bowl title,” said Princell Hair, SVP and General Manager, CSN New England. “Our extensive on-site coverage from Houston, combined with a full slate of content originating from back in New England, will provide Patriots fans with a one-stop destination for all things Super Bowl both on TV and online throughout the week.”

CSN’s week of comprehensive programming originating from Houston will all lead up to the network’s gameday coverage — Football Day in New England — which includes a 3-hour pregame show beginning at 3PM and 2.5 hours of postgame coverage immediately following the game. Gameday coverage will originate from a set in the heart of the
action at NRG Stadium in Houston.

CSNNE.com will continue to feature digital exclusives throughout the week from Patriots Insider Curran and CSNNE.com Patriots writer, Phil Perry, as well as the rest of the on-site team, with daily columns, practice updates for both teams, breaking news and opinion. CSNNE.com will also feature special Super Bowl episodes of the two popular football podcasts: the Quick Slants podcast with Curran and Perry as well as the Ex-Pats Podcast featuring Giardi, Koppen and Mayo. Additionally, CSNNE.com will feature daily video notebook reports from Houston, exclusive content from the network’s television coverage, and The Pulse presented by New England Ford will once again be the best online destination for all the social media chatter throughout the week.

CSN’s “Drive for 5” coverage is presented by New England Chevy Dealers. Coverage from Houston includes:

Sunday, January 29
6pm SportsNet Central
8pm Sports Sunday
10:30pm SportsNet Central
12am SportsNet Central

Monday, January 30
6am Toucher & Rich
2pm Felger & Mazz
6pm SportsNet Central
6:30pm Early Edition
9:00pm SportsNet Central: Media Day

Tuesday, January 31
6am Toucher & Rich
2pm Felger & Mazz
6pm SportsNet Central
6:30pm Early Edition
7:00pm Monday Night Patriots
7:30pm Quick Slants
10pm Sports Tonight
10:30pm SportsNet Central
11:30pm SportsNet Central
12:00am SportsNet Central

Wednesday, February 1
6am Toucher & Rich
12pm Patriots Wednesday Live
2pm Felger & Mazz
6pm SportsNet Central
6:30pm Early Edition
11pm SportsNet Central
11:30pm Sports Tonight
12:00am SportsNet Central

Thursday, February 2 “New England Football Night”
6am Toucher & Rich
2pm Felger & Mazz
6pm SportsNet Central
6:30pm Early Edition
7pm New England Tailgate
7:30pm Patriots Football Weekly
10pm Sports Tonight
10:30pm SportsNet Central
11:30pm SportsNet Central
12am SportsNet Central

Friday, February 3
6:00am Toucher & Rich
2pm Felger & Mazz
6pm SportsNet Central
6:30pm Early Edition
11:30pm Sports Tonight
12:00am SportsNet Central
12:30am SportsNet Central

Saturday, February 4
6pm SportsNet Central Special

Sunday, February 5 “Football Day in New England”
3pm Pregame Live
10pm (or immediately following game) Post-game Live
12:00am SportsNet Central

Monday, February 6
* Originating from the CSNNE Studios in Burlington, MA
6pm SportsNet Central
6:30pm Early Edition
7pm Monday Night Patriots
7:30pm Quick Slants

About CSN New England

Comcast SportsNet New England reaches more than 4 million households in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Comcast SportsNet’s programming includes the Boston Celtics, New England Revolution, Chevrolet SportsNet Central, Arbella Early Edition, Town Fair Tire Sports Tonight, Sports Sunday, Celtics Insider, The Baseball Show, Monday Night Patriots, Quick Slants, New England Tailgate, New England Football Night, Football Day in New England including pre and post-game programs surrounding all Patriots games, CAA football, basketball and more. CSNNE.com, the online home of Comcast SportsNet, provides continuous news, video and indepth, up-to-the-minute coverage of New England sports. Comcast SportsNet New England is part of the NBC Sports Group. Visit http://www.csnne.com for more information. Check local listings for the specific channel location for your area.

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Vonn Aims to Build Off Last Weekend’s Win in Germany; NBCSN’s Coverage from Cortina D’Ampezzo Begins Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET

Steven Nyman and Travis Ganong Compete in Men’s World Cup Event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on NBCSN Beginning Saturday

Friday Night is Curling Night in America – Coverage Airs Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN – Last Week’s Season Debut Averages Nearly 150,000 Viewers

FIL Luge World Championships – Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, Followed by Four-Man Bobsled World Cup at 4:30 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 26, 2017 – NBC Sports Group’s Olympic Winter Sports  coverage this weekend is highlighted by coverage of the FIS Women’s World Cup downhill event in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy, on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN, as Lindsey Vonn looks to build off of her 77^th career World Cup victory last weekend in the downhill event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin is expected to compete in Sunday’s super-G event in Italy at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

On the men’s side, Steven Nyman and Travis Ganong headline the U.S. contingent in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this weekend, with live coverage beginning Saturday at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

This weekend’s Olympic sports coverage on NBCSN also includes the second episode of Curling Night in America on Friday night at 7 p.m. ET, and the 2017 FIL World Luge Championships from Innsbruck, Austria, on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming platforms for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will provide streaming coverage of this weekend’s events.

Coverage of Olympic Sports on NBC Sports Group platforms is a presentation of the Olympic Channel, Home of Team USA.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP ALPINE SKIING IN ITALY – SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ON NBCSN

Lindsey Vonn won the downhill last weekend in Germany for her 77^th career World Cup victory, nine shy of Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, who holds the all-time World Cup record with 86 race wins on the men’s circuit. Vonn has 11 career wins at Cortina, and swept both races there last season. Mikaela Shiffrin is expected to compete in Sunday’s super-G event, and still leads Lara Gut in the World Cup overall standings (1,053 to 923).

NBCSN’s coverage of the downhill from Cortina will air Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET, followed by the super-G on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will live stream Saturday’s downhill at 4:30 a.m. ET, as well as Sunday’s super-G on Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET.

Steve Schlanger (play-by-play) and former World Cup ski racer Steve Porino (analyst) call this weekend event in Italy.

MEN’S WORLD CUP ALPINE SKIING IN GERMANY – LIVE ON NBCSN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

NBCSN presents live coverage of this weekend’s men’s World Cup alpine event in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, as the season moves towards the World Championships next month in St. Moritz, Swizterland. Three-time Olympian Steven Nyman and Travis Ganong, who finished fifth in the downhill at the 2014 Sochi Games, are both expected to compete in the downhill.

Universal HD televises the first run of the downhill tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET, followed by live coverage of the second run on Saturday at 6 a.m. ET on NBCSN, and live coverage of the giant slalom on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

Schlanger (play-by-play) and Porino (analyst) will provide commentary for this weekend’s event.

FRIDAY NIGHT IS CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA – COVERAGE AIRS TOMORROW AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NBCSN’s Curling Night in America coverage continues tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET, when 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Joe Polo and Tabitha Peterson represent Team USA in a mixed doubles match against China. The third consecutive season of Curling Night began last Thursday, as John Shuster and Team USA fell to China in the opening match of the event on the men’s side.

Last Thursday’s season premiere of Curling Night in America on NBSCN averaged nearly 150,000 viewers (148,000; 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET), and is the second most-watched Curling Night telecast to date (157,000; 2/12/16).

Jason Knapp (play-by-play), 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson (analyst), and Tanith White (reporter) provide commentary for all Curling Night in America telecasts. The event took place at the Duluth Curling Club, in Duluth, Minn., from Dec. 1-3. Click here for more information.

FIL LUGE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS & FOUR-MAN BOBSLED WORLD CUP – COVERAGE BEGINS SUNDAY AT 3:30 P.M. ET

2014 Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin seeks her first world title since 2009 at the FIL Luge World Championships on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Tucker West leads the U.S. men in Innsbruck this weekend, while the U.S. doubles team of Matt Mortensen and Jayson Terdiman, which is currently ranked third in the world, looks to build off a second-place finish in December’s World Cup event in Lake Placid, N.Y.

IBSF World Cup four-man bobsled action from Koenigssee, Germany, follows the FIL Luge World Championships on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, featuring three-time Olympic medalist Steven Holcomb.

Bill Doleman (play-by-play) calls the Luge World Championships with Olympian Kate Hansen (analyst), while John Morgan (play-by-play) handles commentary for this weekend’s bobsled coverage with Martin Haven (analyst).

Following is NBC Sports Group’s Olympic Winter Sports coverage this weekend:

Date	Coverage	Network	Time (ET)
Fri., January 27	Two-Woman Bobsled – Koenigssee	Streaming*	4 a.m.
	Women’s & Men’s Snowboarding Slopestyle – Seiser Alm	Streaming*	6 a.m.
	Men’s Downhill – Garmisch	Streaming*	7 a.m.
	Women’s Skeleton – Koenigssee	Streaming*	7:15 a.m.
	Two-Woman Bobsled/ Women’s Skeleton – Koenigssee**	Universal HD	5 p.m.
	Men’s Downhill – Garmisch**	Universal HD	7 p.m.
	Curling Night in America – Team USA v. China	NBCSN	7 p.m.
Sat., January 28	Women’s Downhill – Cortina D’Ampezzo	Streaming*	4:30 a.m.
	Men’s Skeleton – Koenigssee	Streaming*	4:30 a.m.
	Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle – Seiser Alm	Streaming*	5:30 a.m.
	Ski Jumping Women’s Normal Hill – Rasnov	Streaming*	5:30 a.m.
	Men’s Downhill – Garmisch	NBCSN	6 a.m.
	Women’s Downhill – Cortina D’Ampezzo**	NBCSN	7:30 a.m.
	Cross-Country Freestyle Sprint – Falun	Streaming*	7:30 a.m.
	Two-Man Bobsled – Koenigssee	Streaming*	8:30 a.m.
	Ski Jumping Men’s Team – Willingen	Streaming*	10 a.m.
	U.S. Grand Prix Snowboard Cross (Encore)	NBC	1 p.m.
	Freestyle Skiing Moguls – Calgary	Streaming*	3:30 p.m.
	Men’s Skeleton/Two-Man Bobsled – Koenigssee**	Universal HD	10 p.m.
Sun., January 29	Curling Night in America (Encore)	NBCSN	1 a.m.
	Men’s Giant Slalom – Garmisch	Streaming*	4:15 a.m.
	Cross-Country Mass Start – Falun	Streaming*	5:15 a.m.
	Women’s Super-G – Cortina D’Ampezzo	Streaming*	5:30 a.m.
	Ski Jumping Women’s Normal Hill – Rasnov	Streaming*	6:30 a.m.
	Four-Man Bobsled – Koenigssee	Streaming*	7 a.m.
	Men’s Giant Slalom – Garmisch	NBCSN	7:30 a.m.
	Ski Jumping Men’s Indiv. Large Hill – Willingen	Streaming*	9 a.m.
	FIL Luge World Championships – Innsbruck**	NBCSN	3:30 p.m.
	Four-Man Bobsled – Koenigssee**	NBCSN	4:30 p.m.
	Women’s Super-G – Cortina D’Ampezzo**	NBCSN	5:30 p.m.

*NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app
**delayed coverage

FIS WORLD CUP SKIING ON NBCSPORTS.COM AND THE NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming platforms for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will provide extensive live streaming coverage of the 2016-17 FIS World Cup skiing season via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are powered by Playmaker Media and available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

-NBC SPORTS GROUP-