Archives for April 2017

(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, April 28^th
3:30 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
5:30 p.m. on NBCSN – Penn Relays
7 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Live
8 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Nashville Predators @ St. Louis Blues –Game 2
10:30 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Edmonton Oilers @ Anaheim Ducks – Game 2
10: 30 p.m. on Golf Channel – EUROPEAN TOUR: Volvo China Open
1 a.m. on NBCSN – NHL Overtime
1:30 a.m. on NBCSN – World Curling Championships: Mixed Doubles

Saturday, April 29^th
6 a.m. on Golf Channel – EUROPEAN TOUR: Volvo China Open
8 a.m. on CNBC – F1 Russian Grand Prix – Qualifying
9 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Live
9:30 a.m. on CNBC – Off the Grid
10 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League: Southampton v. Hull City
10 a.m. on CNBC – Premier League: Sunderland v. Bournemouth
12 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
12:30 p.m. on NBC – Premier League: Crystal Palace v. Burnley
12:30 p.m. on NBCSN – Penn Relays
1 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
2:30 p.m. on NBC – Goal Zone
3 p.m. on NBC – NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: New York Rangers @ Ottawa Senators – Game 2
3 p.m. on NBCSN – Drake Relays
3 p.m. on Golf Channel – LPGA TOUR: Volunteers of America Texas Shootout
6 p.m. on NBCSN – F1 Russian Grand Prix – Qualifying (Encore)
7:30 p.m. on NBCSN – IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix – Qualifying (Encore)
8 p.m. on NBC – NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Washington Capitals – Game 2
9 p.m. on NBCSN – IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix
11:30 p.m. on NBCSN – IndyCar Post-Race
12 a.m. on NBCSN – World Curling Championships: Mixed Doubles

Sunday, April 30^th
6 a.m. on Golf Channel – EUROPEAN TOUR: Volvo China Open
6:30 a.m. on CNBC – Premier League Live
7 a.m. on NBCSN – F1 Countdown
7 a.m. on CNBC – Premier League: Manchester United v. Swansea City
7:30 a.m. on NBCSN – F1 Russian Grand Prix
9:05 a.m. on CNBC – Premier League: Everton v. Chelsea
10 a.m. on NBCSN – F1 Extra
11 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Live
11:30 a.m. on NCBSN – Premier League: Tottenham v. Arsenal
12 p.m. on Golf Channel – Golf Central
1 p.m. on NBC – Red Bull Global RallyCross – Memphis
1 p.m. on Golf Channel – PGA TOUR: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
1:30 p.m. on NBCSN – Goal Zone
2:30 p.m. on NBCSN – Aviva Premiership Rugby: Bath v. Gloucester
3 p.m. on NBC – NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: St. Louis Blues @ Nashville Predators – Game 3
3 p.m. on Golf Channel – LPGA TOUR: Volunteers of America Texas Shootout
4:30 p.m. on NBCSN – F1 Russian Grand Prix (Encore)
6 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Live
7 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton Oilers – Game 3
9:45 p.m. on NBCSN – NHL Overtime
11 p.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Match of the Day II
12 a.m. on NBCSN – Premier League Match of the Week

NHL
NBC Sports will present six NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games this weekend, headlined by a Saturday night primetime Game 2 clash on NBC between Sidney Crosby and the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin and the (1) Washington Capitals at 8 p.m. ET. Puck drop will be preceded by NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery.

NBC will present a total of three games this weekend, beginning Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, with Game 2 of the (WC1) New York Rangers-(2) Ottawa Senators series. Sunday’s coverage on NBC features Game 3 between the (3) St. Louis Blues and (WC2) Nashville Predators at 3 p.m. ET.

This weekend’s coverage kicks off with a Western Conference Game 2 doubleheader tonight on NBCSN, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, when the Blues host the Predators. The action shifts west at 10:30 p.m. ET, when the (1) Anaheim Ducks host the (2) Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of their series.

NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh with analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Paul Burmeister and Anson Carter will handle late-game intermission coverage.

Sunday’s coverage begins on NBC at 3 p.m. ET with Game 3 of the Blues and Predators series in Nashville. NHL Live will handle pre-game coverage on NBCSN at 6 p.m. ET, leading into Game 3 between the Ducks and Oilers in Edmonton at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

NBC will present live coverage of the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET, prior to puck drop of Game 2 between the Penguins and Capitals. The 2017 NHL Draft Lottery, which will be held tomorrow in Toronto, will determine the order of selection for the first 15 picks in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

THE PASS – FRIDAY, APRIL 28-SUNDAY, APRIL 30 (All times ET)

FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Time	Coverage	Network	Commentators
7 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones,
8 p.m.	Game 2 – (WC2) Nashville at (3) St. Louis	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
10:30 p.m.	Game 2 – (2) Edmonton at (1) Anaheim	NBCSN	Brendan Burke, Joe Micheletti
	NHL Live (Late Coverage)	NBCSN	Paul Burmeister, Anson Carter
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
3 p.m.	Game 2 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at  (2) Ottawa	NBC	John Forslund, Brian Boucher
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	NBC	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick
8 p.m.	Game 2 – (2) Pittsburgh at (1) Washington	NBC	Mike “Doc” Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	NBC	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones, Kathryn Tappen
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
3 p.m.	Game 3 – (3) St. Louis at (WC2) Nashville	NBC	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	NBC	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick
6 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Kathryn Tappen, Jeremy Roenick, Anson Carter
7 p.m.	Game 3 – (1) Anaheim at (2) Edmonton	NBCSN	Chris Cuthbert, Joe Micheletti

PREMIER LEAGUE
NBC Sports Group continues its coverage of the Premier League season this weekend, highlighted by the North London Derby between second-place Tottenham and Arsenal on Premier League Sunday this Sunday, April 30, at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN.

NBC Sports Group’s lead Premier League play-by-play announcer Arlo White calls the match, joined by analysts Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux at White Hart Lane.

Weekend Premier League coverage begins this Saturday, April 29, at 9 a.m. ET with Premier League Live, followed by Southampton v. Hull City at 10 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Sunderland v. Bournemouth at 10 a.m. ET on CNBC.

Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET Crystal Palace host Burnley on NBC. Following the match, NBC presents a live Goal Zone at 2:30 p.m. ET. Rebecca Lowe hosts Goal Zone and Premier League Live, joined by Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe.

Premier League Sunday begins at 6:30 a.m. ET on Sunday with Premier League Live on CNBC, followed by Manchester United v. Swansea City at 7 a.m. ET on CNBC.

League leaders Chelsea visit Everton this Sunday at 9:05 a.m. ET on CNBC. Steve Bower calls the match, joined by analyst Phil Neville.

This week’s Premier League coverage wraps up Monday, May 1, at 2 p.m. ET with Premier League Live on NBCSN, followed by Watford v. Liverpool at 3 p.m. ET.

Following the match on Monday, NBCSN presents a new live episode of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW hosted by Roger Bennett and Michael Davies at 5:30 p.m. ET. Filmmaker Guy Ritchie will guest on this week’s episode.

Saturday April 29^th
10 a.m. on NBCSN – Southampton v. Hull City, commentated by Gary Taphouse and Tony Gale
10 a.m. on CNBC – Sunderland v. Bournemouth, commentated by Jim Proudfoot and Phil Neville
10 a.m. on Extra Time – West Bromwich Albion v. Leicester City, commentated by Jonathan Beck and Andy Hinchcliffe
10 a.m. on Extra Time – Stoke City v. West Ham, commentated by Tony Jones and Iain Dowie
12:30 p.m. on NBC – Crystal Palace v. Burnley, commentated by Arlo White and Lee Dixon

Sunday April 30^th
7 a.m. on CNBC – Manchester United v. Swansea City, commentated by Joe Speight and David Prutton
9:05 a.m. on CNBC – Everton v. Chelsea, commentated by Steve Bower and Phil Neville
9:05 a.m. on Extra Time – Middlesbrough v. Manchester City, commentated by Ian Crocker and Andy Walker
11:30 a.m. on NBCSN – Tottenham v. Arsenal, commentated by Arlo White, Graeme Le Saux and Lee Dixon

Monday May, 1^st
3 p.m. on NBCSN – Watford v. Liverpool, commentated by Martin Tyler and Danny Higginbotham

INDYCAR
The 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series rolls into Phoenix for its first oval race of the season following a thrilling Grand Prix of Alabama last Sunday on NBCSN under the lights in primetime on Saturday night with the IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix at 9 p.m. ET.

Coverage from Phoenix begins with tonight at 11 p.m. ET with qualifying, which will stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. NBCSN will present qualifying on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, prior to live race coverage at 9 p.m. ET.

Rick Allen, who serves as NBC Sports Group’s lead NASCAR play-by-play announcer, will handle the play-by-play duties for this week’s Phoenix Grand Prix, filling in for lead IndyCar and F1 announcer Leigh Diffey, who will call the F1 Russian Grand Prix. Allen will be joined by analysts Paul Tracy and Townsend Bell. Marty Snider, Robin Miller, Kevin Lee, and Katie Hargitt will handle coverage in the pits in Phoenix.

F1
NBCSN presents live IndyCar coverage on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. ET with the F1 Russian Grand Prix from Sochi, Russia – home of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app stream Practice 3 on Saturday at 5 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying on CNBC at 8 a.m. ET (encore on NBCSN on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET).

F1 Countdown kicks things off on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. ET prior to live race action from Sochi at 7:30 a.m. ET, followed by F1 Extra at 10 a.m. ET. NBCSN will air an encore presentation of the race on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Lead F1 announcer Leigh Diffey will call this weekend’s action, and will be joined by veteran analyst and former racecar driver David Hobbs, and analyst and former race mechanic for the Benetton F1 team Steve Matchett. F1 insider Will Buxton will serve as the team’s on-site reporter from Sochi Autodrom in Russia.

RED BULL
NBC Sports Group begins its coverage of the 2017 Red Bull Global RallyCross season this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC with the first event of the season in Memphis, Tenn. The field of competitors will all look to topple defending two-time champion Scott Speed (Volkswagen Andretti). He may face the strongest competition from teammate Tanner Foust, who won four races last season and finished second to Speed in the final standings by just four points. Toby Moody (play-by-play) and Will Christien (analyst) will call the action.

TRACK AND FIELD
NBCSN presents live coverage of “USA vs. the World” at the Penn Relays tomorrow, Friday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m. ET and Saturday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET, plus live coverage of the Drake Relays Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Coverage will be streamed live on NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass,” as well as on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The Penn Relays and Drake Relays are part of the USA Track & Field Championship Series.

Tim Hutchings handles the call for the Drake Relays from Des Moines, Iowa, joined by Ato Boldon, and reporter Todd Harris.

GOLF
The PGA TOUR moves to Louisiana this week to unveil an exciting new format at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The LPGA Tour this week boasts a field that includes the entire top-20 in the current Rolex Women’s World Rankings, all convening at the Volunteers of American Texas Shootout. The European Tour will stage the Volvo China Open in Beijing, as Haotong Li is set to defend his 2016 title.

Live weekend coverage of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans begins today at 3:30 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. Golf Channel’s coverage continues Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Originating from on-site at TPC Louisiana, Golf Central will provide the latest news and storylines continuing through Sunday’s final round. Cara Robinson will host, while Brandel Chamblee and David Duval will offer analysis, and Heather Cox will provide reports and conduct interviews with players in the field.

Rich Lerner (play-by-play) calls the action from TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La. Calling the action with Lerner are analysts Frank Nobilo, Curt Byrum and Craig Perks (tower) with Arron Oberholser on the course.

Live coverage of the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout continues Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

Steve Sands will provide play-by-play for Golf Channel’s coverage from Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas. Sands is joined by analysts Judy Rankin and Tom Abbott (tower) with Jerry Foltz and Kay Cockerill on the course.

Golf Channel’s weekend coverage of the Volvo China Open continues Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. ET.

Dougie Donnelly will provide play-by-play for Golf Channel’s coverage from Topwin Golf & Country Club, Beijing, China. Donnelly is joined by analysts Dom Boulet and Jamie Spence with Jay Townsend on the course.

NBC SPORTS DIGITAL “BYTES”

April 28, 2017 – Vol. 104

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.

Connected TVs Drive NBC Sports Digital to Record First-Round Stanley Cup Playoffs Consumption

Increased connected TV consumption drove NBC Sports Digital to record live streaming metrics for the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Connected TVs accounted for 204,000 uniques and 68 million minutes, up 98% and 78%, respectively, for the 39 first round games this year versus 42 games in the first round of 2016 (103,000 uniques and 38 million minutes).

Overall, the first round of the Playoffs delivered 798,000 total unique users and 134 million minutes, both up 19% versus last year.

Following are the top five most-streamed NHL Playoff games in the first round in minutes:

1. Capitals vs. Maple Leafs Game 6 (4/23/17, 7.9 million minutes)
2. Blackhawks vs. Predators Game 3 (4/17/17, 6.4 million minutes)
3. Maple Leafs vs. Capitals Game 2 (4/15/17, 6.3 million minutes)
4. Blues vs. Wild Game 5 (4/22/17, 5.4 million minutes)
5. Blackhawks vs. Predators Game 4 (4/20/17, 4.5 million minutes)

The NBC Sports app Surpasses 30 Million Downloads

The NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – surpassed 30 million app downloads across all platforms through late-April. In the past month, the NBC Sports app has streamed events including the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Premier League, Formula One, and more. The NBC Sports app is powered by Playmaker Media.

The NBC Sports app delivered more than 15,000 hours of streaming coverage of more than 10,000 events last year, including the biggest digital media event in history – the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, setting a new sports category record by reaching 110 million uniques in August (according to multiplatform data released by comScore).

NBC Sports’ Weekly NASCAR on NBC Podcast Surpasses 1 Million Total Listens

Currently in its second season, the weekly NASCAR on NBC podcast has now surpassed more than 1 million listens across its 76 episodes. Tuesday’s episode, featuring NASCAR on NBC analyst Steve Letarte discussing Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s announcement to retire, is on pace to become the series’ No. 1 most-listened podcast, exceeding 100,000 listens in its first four days. NBC Sports lead motorsports writer Nate Ryan launched the podcast showcasing the latest NASCAR news and interviews in February of 2016. The NASCAR on NBC podcast is available each Wednesday on NASCAR Talk, Apple Podcasts, AudioBoom, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and podcasting apps. For more info click here.

NBC Sports Gold Surrounds Penn and Drake Relays with Live Coverage

NBC Sports Gold’s direct-to-consumer “Track and Field Pass” continues its coverage of the USA Track & Field Championship Series this weekend with live coverage of the Penn Relays today at 5:30 p.m. ET and tomorrow, April 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET, plus live coverage of the Drake Relays Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. The events feature some of the biggest names in the sport, including 2016 Olympic 100m and 200m gold medalist Elaine Thompson of Jamaica, and 2016 Olympic 4x100m gold medalists for Team USA English Gardner and Morolake Akinosun at the Penn Relays, and a 2016 Olympic rematch at the Drake Relays in the women’s 100m hurdles, featuring 2016 Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Kristi Castlin.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass” gives fans access to more than 25 major marathon, track and field events from April through December 2017, and is available for $69.99. In addition to live video streaming, viewers will have access to full stage video replays and highlights.  NBC Sports Gold is available on Apple iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and online at NBCSportsGold.com.

–NBC SPORTS DIGITAL–

PENGUINS-CAPITALS GAME 2 AIRS ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN PRIMETIME ON NBC

NBC to Televise 2017 NHL Draft Lottery on Saturday Night, Prior to Puck Drop of Penguins-Capitals on Saturday Night at 8 p.m. ET

Western Conference Game 2 Doubleheader Tonight on NBCSN – Blues-Predators at 8 p.m. ET, Followed by Oilers-Ducks at 10:30 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 28, 2017 – NBC Sports will present six NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games this weekend, headlined by a Saturday night primetime Game 2 clash on NBC between Sidney Crosby and the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin and the (1) Washington Capitals at 8 p.m. ET. Puck drop will be preceded by NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery.

NBC will present a total of three games this weekend, beginning Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, with Game 2 of the (WC1) New York Rangers-(2) Ottawa Senators series. Sunday’s coverage on NBC features Game 3 between the (3) St. Louis Blues and (WC2) Nashville Predators at 3 p.m. ET.

This weekend’s coverage kicks off with a Western Conference Game 2 doubleheader tonight on NBCSN, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, when the Blues host the Predators. The action shifts west at 10:30 p.m. ET, when the (1) Anaheim Ducks host the (2) Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of their series. Below is the Stanley Cup Playoff schedule this weekend on NBC and NBCSN.

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“NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, plus information and highlights. The Pass will be published weekdays to preview that evening’s games. Friday editions will include weekend information.

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THE PASS – FRIDAY, APRIL 28-SUNDAY, APRIL 30 (All times ET)

FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Time	Coverage	Network	Commentators
7 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones,
8 p.m.	Game 2 – (WC2) Nashville at (3) St. Louis	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
10:30 p.m.	Game 2 – (2) Edmonton at (1) Anaheim	NBCSN	Brendan Burke, Joe Micheletti
	NHL Live (Late Coverage)	NBCSN	Paul Burmeister, Anson Carter
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
3 p.m.	Game 2 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at  (2) Ottawa	NBC	John Forslund, Brian Boucher
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	NBC	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick
8 p.m.	Game 2 – (2) Pittsburgh at (1) Washington	NBC	Mike “Doc” Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	NBC	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones, Kathryn Tappen
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
3 p.m.	Game 3 – (3) St. Louis at (WC2) Nashville	NBC	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	NBC	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick
6 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Kathryn Tappen, Jeremy Roenick, Anson Carter
7 p.m.	Game 3 – (1) Anaheim at (2) Edmonton	NBCSN	Chris Cuthbert, Joe Micheletti

 

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will live stream all games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC, all via “TV Everywhere.”

For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

NBC PRESENTS LIVE COVERAGE OF 2017 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY PRIOR TO PENGUINS-CAPITALS ON SATURDAY

NBC will present live coverage of the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET, prior to puck drop of Game 2 between the Penguins and Capitals. The 2017 NHL Draft Lottery, which will be held tomorrow in Toronto, will determine the order of selection for the first 15 picks in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Participants in the NHL Draft Lottery include the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, who begin play in the 2017-18 season, and all other clubs that did not qualify for this season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs (or clubs that acquired the first-round picks of those non-playoff clubs). NHL on NBC host Kathryn Tappen will be on-site in Toronto to provide reports. Click here for more information.

 

TONIGHT – APRIL 28

NHL Live, hosted by Liam McHugh with analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Paul Burmeister and Anson Carter will handle late-game intermission coverage.

Game action begins at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when Vladimir Tarasenko and the Blues host P.K. Subban and the Predators in Game 2 of their second-round series. Nashville took a 1-0 series lead with a 4-3 win on Wednesday night, led by Subban, who netted his first goal of the postseason and added two assists.

NBCSN’s coverage shifts west at 10:30 p.m. ET for Game 2 between the Ducks and Oilers, as Anaheim attempts to draw even in the series. Edmonton took Game 1 by a score of 5-3, as defenseman Adam Larsson scored twice, and Leon Draisaitl registered a goal and two assists. Connor McDavid had an assist in the game, and has five points (2g/3a) in seven games in his first postseason.

 

*NOTE* – If Predators-Blues runs beyond 10:45 p.m. ET:

• Predators-Blues remains on NBCSN for national audience, and satellite TV subscribers in Anaheim. This audience can find the start of Oilers-Ducks on NHL Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app;

 

• Cable and AT&T U-verse subscribers in Anaheim market only will receive Oilers-Ducks on NBCSN, and can watch conclusion of Predators-Blues on NHL Network, and stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app;

 

• Oilers-Ducks will return to NBCSN for all viewers immediately following conclusion of Predators-Blues.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29

NBC presents a pair of Game 2 matchups in the Eastern Conference on Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. ET, when Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers look to tie the series at one game apiece with a win against Erik Karlsson and the Senators. Karlsson scored the game-winner late in the third period of Game 1 on Thursday, banking a sharp-angle shot off of Lundqvist into the net to propel Ottawa to a 2-1 win.

Saturday night’s primetime clash on NBC features Game 2 of the highly-anticipated matchup between the Penguins and Capitals, as Washington looks to rebound from a Game 1 loss on Thursday. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin continued their torrid scoring pace in their head-to-head postseason matchups last night. Crosby scored twice in a 52-second span early in the second period to lead Pittsburgh to a 3-2 victory, while Alex Ovechkin scored in the loss for Washington. In 14 career head-to-head playoff games, Ovechkin has recorded 23 points (11g/12a), while Crosby has recorded 17 points (10g/7a), but Pittsburgh has won both of the previous series that both players participated in (2009 and 2016).

SUNDAY, APRIL 30

Sunday’s coverage begins on NBC at 3 p.m. ET with Game 3 of the Blues and Predators series in Nashville. NHL Live will handle pre-game coverage on NBCSN at 6 p.m. ET, leading into Game 3 between the Ducks and Oilers in Edmonton at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

NBCSPORTS.COM & NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games to desktops, tablets, and connected TVs. The NBC Sports app will stream coverage 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, Roku, Win10, and Xbox.

 

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

 

Live Coverage from the Penn Relays Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. ET & Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Live Drake Relays Action Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Coverage Available with New Direct-to-Consumer offering, NBC Sports Gold’s “Track & Field Pass”

Content Presented As Part of Recently-Announced Olympic Channel Partnership among NBCUniversal, the IOC, and the USOC

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2017 – NBCSN presents live coverage of “USA vs. the World” at the Penn Relays tomorrow, Friday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m. ET and Saturday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m. ET, plus live coverage of the Drake Relays Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Coverage will be streamed live on NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass,” as well as on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. The Penn Relays and Drake Relays are part of the USA Track & Field Championship Series.

Coverage from the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Penn., includes the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and 4x400m relay. Headlining Team USA in the women’s field are a trio who won gold in Rio: 2016 Olympic 4x100m gold medalists English Gardner and Morolake Akinosun; and two-time 4x400m Olympic gold medalist Natasha Hastings. They face competition from the Jamaican team, led by 2016 Olympic 100m and 200m gold medalist Elaine Thompson and teammate Kerron Stewart, who owns two Olympic silver medals and one bronze.

Two-time U.S. Olympian Wallace Spearmon leads the men’s team, along with American Brycen Spratling, who is part of the team that set the world record in the distance medley relay, and 2011 world gold medalist in the 4x400m Mike Berry.

The Drake Relays includes a 2016 Olympic rematch in the women’s 100m hurdles, featuring 2016 Olympic silver medalist Nia Ali and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Kristi Castlin. Ali and Castlin will face current world-record holder Keni Harrison, who is back to defend her Drake Relays title in the event, as well as 2016 Olympians (and sisters) Tiffany Ofili Porter and Cindy Ofili of Great Britain, and fellow Americans Dawn Harper-Nelson (2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2012 Olympic silver medalist), Queen Harrison (2008 Olympian), and Jasmin Stowers. Additional events include:

• 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy competing in the men’s 1500m. Murphy anchored Team USA to gold in the 4x800m at World Relays last weekend, and set a course record on Tuesday, April 25 in winning the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships in Des Moines, Iowa;
• Current world-record holder and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Aries Merritt facing 2016 Olympic champion Omar McLeod of Jamaica in the men’s 110m hurdles;
• 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Sam Kendricks in the pole vault;
• Two-time Olympic long jump medalist Brittney Reese facing last year’s Drake Relays champion Lorraine Ugen of Great Britain.

Paul Swangard hosts coverage of the Penn Relays, joined by analyst Craig Masback and reporter Carolyn Manno at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Penn.

Tim Hutchings handles the call for the Drake Relays from Des Moines, Iowa, joined by four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon, and reporter Todd Harris.

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

Below is the full schedule for NBC Sports Group’s track and field coverage this weekend:

Date	Time	Event	Network
Fri., April 28	5:30 p.m.	Penn Relays	NBCSN
Sat., April 29	12:30 p.m.	Penn Relays	NBCSN
Sat., April 29	3 p.m.	Drake Relays	NBCSN

NBC SPORTS GOLD: NBC Sports Gold — NBC Sports Digital’s direct-to-consumer live streaming product — offers access to the events with its “Track and Field Pass.”

In addition to live video streaming, viewers will have access to full stage video replays and highlights.  NBC Sports Gold is available on Apple iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and online at NBCSportsGold.com.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass” gives fans access to more than 25 major marathon, track and field events from April through December 2017. The direct-to-consumer pass, powered by Playmaker Media, offers fans unprecedented coverage — much of which cannot be seen on any linear television platform in the United States — live and on-demand, online, on mobile, tablets and connected TV devices.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass,” available for $69.99, also includes coverage of the top USATF outdoor events, including the Nike Prefontaine Classic, and the USATF Outdoor Championships. Also included are the world’s most anticipated international track and field events, including all 14 Diamond League stops as well as unprecedented coverage of every event from all 10 days of the 2017 IAAF World Track & Field Championships from London. The “Track and Field Pass” can be purchased by visiting NBCSportsGold.com.

NBC Sports Gold’s “Track and Field Pass” continues NBC Sports’ commitment, along with the IOC and the USOC, to increased access to Olympic-sports programming.  As previously announced, during the second half of 2017, a new U.S. television network — “Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA” — will launch, offering sports fans year-round Olympic-sport programming from around the world, with an emphasis on favorite American athletes and teams.  Additional details about the launch of the new linear cable channel will be provided at a later date.

NBC SPORTS APP: The NBC Sports app — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will stream coverage via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports app is available on Apple iOS, Android and select Samsung devices, as well as on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Comcast’s X1, Roku, Win10, and Xbox.

Both the NBC Sports app and NBC Sports Gold are powered by Playmaker Media, NBC Sports Digital’s technology service which provides end-to-end support for companies in need of best-in-class live streaming and VOD solutions.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

VIDEO: Lopez on Coming Up Short in Career Bid to Win U.S. Women’s Open

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 27, 2017) – World Golf Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez will join David Feherty on his self-titled, Emmy-nominated “Outstanding Weekly Studio Show” – Feherty presented by Farmers Insurance^®  – premiering Monday, May 1 at 9 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.

The 48-time LPGA Tour winner and Emmy-nominated television personality cover an array of subjects over the course of the interview, including:

• Lopez’ relationship with her father, and his influence in her taking up the game.
• Navigating around a previous regulation in place that would have kept her from participating on her high school boy’s golf team, and ultimately helping the team win the state championship.
• Her decision to leave college early to turn professional, and the relatively immediate validation in the decision through success on the LPGA Tour right away.
• Recalling her first encounter with Arnold Palmer, at age 15.
• Why captaining the 2005 Solheim Cup became what she considers to be the “best win” of her career.

Scheduled airdates for upcoming Feherty episodes – premiering Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET – include fellow World Golf Hall of Fame member Hale Irwin (Monday, May 8) and All-Star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry (Monday, May 15).

Described as “golf’s iconoclast,” by Rolling Stone, and “the last unscripted man on TV,” by Men’s Journal, Feherty is coming off a banner year in 2016. Highlights include: sitting down with now four U.S. Presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump; serving as an NBC Olympic correspondent in Rio; appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; being profiled on the Emmy award-winning HBO original series, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel; and playing a key role in NBC Sports’ unprecedented 12-week stretch of premier golf events beginning with The Open and concluding with the Ryder Cup.

-NBC Sports Group-

Game 1 – (2) Pittsburgh Penguins at (1) Washington Capitals – 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Game 1 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Ottawa Senators – 7 p.m. ET on CNBC

Western Conference Game 1 Matchups Continue First-Round Viewership Momentum

“Inside-The-Glass” Analyst Brian Boucher Working Overtime in First Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2017 – Tonight’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoff coverage is headlined by a clash of this season’s Presidents’ Trophy winner and the defending Stanley Cup champion and features the NHL’s two best players of the last decade, as Alex Ovechkin and the (1) Washington Capitals host Sidney Crosby and the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with NHL Live.

CNBC presents Game 1 of the (WC1) New York Rangers-(2) Ottawa Senators series at 7 p.m. ET, as New York’s Henrik Lundqvist faces off against Norris Trophy finalist and Olympic teammate Erik Karlsson.

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“NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, plus information and highlights. The Pass will be published weekdays to preview that evening’s games. Friday editions will include weekend information.

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THE PASS – THURSDAY, APRIL 27 (All times ET)

Time	Program	Network	Commentators
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones
7 p.m.	Game 1 – (WC1) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Ottawa	CNBC	John Forslund, Brian Boucher
	NHL Live (Intermission Reports)	CNBC	Kathryn Tappen, Jeremy Roenick, Anson Carter
7:30 p.m.	Game 1 – (2) Pittsburgh at (1) Washington	NBCSN	Mike “Doc” Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire

 

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will live stream all games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC, all via “TV Everywhere.”

For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

(WC1) N.Y. RANGERS AT (2) OTTAWA SENATORS – GAME 1 AT 7 P.M. ET ON CNBC

Both the Rangers and Senators advanced to the second round following 4-2 series victories in the first round against Montreal and Boston, respectively. New York has reached the second round for the fifth time in the last six seasons, while Ottawa makes a second-round appearances for just the second time in 10 years.

Henrik Lundqvist returned to form in the Rangers’ series with Montreal, posting a 1.70 goals against average and a .947 save percentage across the six games. Bobby Ryan was a standout performer for Ottawa in the first round, netting four goals against the Bruins, including two game-winners. New York led the NHL with 27 road wins this season, and won two of three games in Montreal in the first round.
(2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS AT (1) WASHINGTON CAPITALS – GAME 1 AT 7:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

The Capitals (118 points) and Penguins (111 points) finished the regular-season as the top two teams in points in the NHL. Last year, a season when the Caps also won the Presidents’ Trophy, Pittsburgh defeated the Washington in six games en route to its fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. Each time the Pens have won the Stanley Cup, they’ve defeated the Caps along the way. Pittsburgh has dominated playoff series with Washington, posting an 8-1 all-time series record against the Capitals.

Crosby and Ovechkin have dominated the ice for more than a decade. Ovechkin leads all players in regular-season points since 2005-06 (1,035 points), followed closely by Crosby who ranks second (1,027 points). Crosby has recorded 144 points in 129 career playoff games, while Ovechkin has posted 85 points in 90 career postseason tilts. Both have brought the best out of each other head-to-head in the playoffs as well. Crosby boasts 15 points (8g/7a) in 13 games against Ovechkin and the Caps, while Ovechkin has recorded 22 points (10g/12a) in those 12 games.

Pittsburgh dispatched of the Blue Jackets in five games in their first round series, while the Capitals earned a hard-fought win against Toronto in six games. Evgeni Malkin recorded 11 points (2g/9a) in Pittsburgh’s first-round series, while rookie Jake Guentzel led all players with five goals.

Five of Washington’s six games against Toronto went to overtime. T.J. Oshie led the Caps with seven points (3g/4a). The home team won all four games in the regular season in the Pens-Caps matchup.

WESTERN CONFERENCE GAME 1 MATCHUPS CONTINUE FIRST-ROUND VIEWERSHIP MOMENTUM

Last night’s Western Conference Game 1 matchups on NBCSN delivered overnight ratings increases to continue NBC Sports Group’s first-round viewership momentum.

Game 1 of Predators-Blues on NBCSN (8-11 p.m. ET) posted a 0.79 overnight rating, up 18% vs. Game 1 of Islanders-Lightning on the comparable night last year (0.67). Game 1 of Oilers-ducks registered a 0.48 overnight rating, up 17% vs. Game 1 of Flames-Ducks in 2015 on NBCSN in the comparable day/window (0.41).

On the strength of a record 18 overtime games, dazzling performances by young stars like Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid, and side-by-side coverage for the first time in local markets, NBC Sports Group’s Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of the first round of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs averaged 742,000 viewers, up 4% vs 2016 (713,000 viewers).

This was the most-watched first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2014 (753,000 viewers), despite no Game 7 matchups for the first time since the 2001 postseason. In addition, the 2017 first round featured five Canadian teams – compared to no Canadian teams last season. Click here for more information.
“INSIDE-THE-GLASS” ANALYST BRIAN BOUCHER WORKING OVERTIME IN FIRST ROUND OF STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

If tonight’s Game 1 matchup between the Rangers and Senators goes beyond regulation, fans can thank NHL on NBC “Inside-the-Glass” analyst Brian Boucher, who will call tonight’s game in Ottawa. Six of seven games that Boucher called in the first round went into overtime, including two that required double overtime.

Boucher called a total of 108:21 minutes of overtime in those games – nearly two additional games. If there’s anyone who’s built for overtime marathons, it’s Boucher. He was the winning goaltender in the longest NHL game in the modern era, when he stopped 57 of 58 shots in Philadelphia’s 5 OT win against Pittsburgh on May 4, 2000, alongside Flyers teammate Keith Jones.

NBCSPORTS.COM & NBC SPORTS APP

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games to desktops, tablets, and connected TVs. The NBC Sports app will stream coverage 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, Roku, Win10, and Xbox.

 

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

League-Leaders Chelsea visit Everton Sunday at 9:05 a.m. ET on CNBC

Crystal Palace v. Burnley Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Sunderland Look to Avoid Relegation v. Burnley Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on CNBC

New Live Episode of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW Monday at 5:30 p.m. ET Featuring Filmmaker Guy Ritchie as Guest

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2016 – Second-place Tottenham host Arsenal in the North London Derby on Premier League Sunday this Sunday, April 30, at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN, highlighting NBC Sports Group’s Premier League coverage this weekend. With a win, Spurs can clinch a higher finish than Arsenal for the first time since 1994-95. Tottenham come off a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, reducing first-place Chelsea’s lead to four points. Spurs have won their last eight Premier League matches. The Gunners come off a 1-0 win over Leicester City yesterday, and are in jeopardy of missing out on a top-4 spot for the first time under manager Arsene Wenger.

NBC Sports Group’s lead Premier League play-by-play announcer Arlo White calls the match, joined by analysts Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux at White Hart Lane.

Weekend Premier League coverage begins this Saturday, April 29, at 9 a.m. ET with Premier League Live, followed by Southampton v. Hull City at 10 a.m. ET on NBCSN and Sunderland v. Bournemouth at 10 a.m. ET on CNBC. After a 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough yesterday, Sunderland will be relegated from the Premier League on Saturday if Hull City better their result.

Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET Crystal Palace host Burnley on NBC. Palace look to rebound following their 1-0 loss to Tottenham, while Burnley come off a 2-0 loss to Manchester United. White calls the match, joined by Dixon at Selhurst Park.

Following the match, NBC presents a live Goal Zone at 2:30 p.m. ET. Rebecca Lowe hosts Goal Zone and Premier League Live, joined by former Jamaica National Team player Robbie Earle, and former Premier League footballer Robbie Mustoe.

Premier League Sunday begins at 6:30 a.m. ET on Sunday with Premier League Live on CNBC, followed by Manchester United v. Swansea City at 7 a.m. ET on CNBC and Universo. The Red Devils currently sit in fifth place, coming off a 0-0 draw against Manchester City in this afternoon’s Manchester Derby.

League leaders Chelsea visit Everton this Sunday at 9:05 a.m. ET on CNBC and Universo. With five matches remaining in the season, Chelsea can guarantee the Premier League title by winning 4 of their final 5 matches. Steve Bower calls the match, joined by analyst Phil Neville.

This week’s Premier League coverage wraps up Monday, May 1, at 2 p.m. ET with Premier League Live on NBCSN, followed by Watford v. Liverpool at 3 p.m. ET.

Following the match on Monday, NBCSN presents a new live episode of THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW hosted by Roger Bennett and Michael Davies at 5:30 p.m. ET. Filmmaker Guy Ritchie will guest on this week’s episode.

All matches not on NBCSN or CNBC in multiple television windows will be available on Premier League Extra Time, a bonus television package available to MVPDs at no extra cost for customers who receive NBCSN.

All Premier League 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 matches 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.

NBC Sports Digital presents four Premier League Productions programs each week throughout the season, available on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, as well as Premier League Shorts, a short-form, digital-exclusive video series. Click here for more information.

Below is the schedule for NBCUniversal’s soccer coverage this week (all times ET):

Date	Time	Match	Network
Sat., April 29	9 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Sat., April 29	10 a.m.	Southampton v. Hull City	NBCSN
Sat., April 29	10 a.m.	Sunderland v. Bournemouth	CNBC
Sat., April 29	10 a.m.	West Bromwich Albion v. Leicester City	Extra Time
Sat., April 29	10 a.m.	Goal Rush	Extra Time
Sat., April 29	10 a.m.	Sunderland v. Bournemouth	Extra Time
Sat., April 29	12:30 p.m.	Crystal Palace v. Burnley	NBC
Sat., April 29	2:30 p.m.	Goal Zone	NBC
Sun., April 30	6:30 a.m.	Premier League Live	CNBC
Sun., April 30	7 a.m.	Manchester United v. Swansea City	CNBC, Universo
Sun., April 30	9:05 a.m.	Everton v. Chelsea	CNBC, Universo
Sun., April 30	9:05 a.m.	Middlesbrough v. Manchester City	Extra Time
Sun., April 30	11 a.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Sun., April 30	11:30 a.m.	Tottenham v. Arsenal	NBCSN
Sun., April 30	1:30 p.m.	Goal Zone	NBCSN
Sun., April 30	11 p.m.	Match of the Day II	NBCSN
Sun., April 30	12 a.m.	Match of the Week	NBCSN
Mon., May 1	2 p.m.	Premier League Live	NBCSN
Mon., May 1	3 p.m.	Watford v. Liverpool	NBCSN
Mon., May 1	5 p.m.	Goal Zone	NBCSN
Mon., May 1	5:30 p.m.	THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW	NBCSN

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

 

IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix – Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Formula One Russian Grand Prix – Sunday at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN

IndyCar Grand Prix of Alabama Viewership Up 68% vs. 2016

Red Bull Global RallyCross Season Opens in Memphis Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2017 – NBCSN presents live IndyCar and Formula One race coverage this weekend, beginning under the lights in primetime on Saturday night with the IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix at 9 p.m. ET. Coverage continues on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. ET with live coverage of the F1 Russian Grand Prix from Sochi, Russia – home of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

In addition, NBC Sports Group begins its coverage of the 2017 Red Bull Global RallyCross season with the first event from Memphis this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs – will provide comprehensive streaming coverage of this week’s motorsports action.

 

INDYCAR GRAND PRIX OF PHOENIX – SATURDAY AT 9 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

The 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series rolls into Phoenix for its first oval race of the season following a thrilling Grand Prix of Alabama last Sunday on NBCSN. Josef Newgarden won his first race as a member of Team Penske, his second career win at Barber Motorsports Park, holding off four-time series champion Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing). Dixon took the checkered flag at Phoenix last season, leading 155 of 250 laps en route to victory.

Coverage from Phoenix begins with Friday night at 11 p.m. ET with qualifying, which will stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. NBCSN will present qualifying on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, prior to live race coverage at 9 p.m. ET.

Rick Allen, who serves as NBC Sports Group’s lead NASCAR play-by-play announcer, will handle the play-by-play duties for this week’s Phoenix Grand Prix, filling in for lead IndyCar and F1 announcer Leigh Diffey, who will call the F1 Russian Grand Prix. Allen will be joined by analysts Paul Tracy and Townsend Bell. Marty Snider, Robin Miller, Kevin Lee, and Katie Hargitt will handle coverage in the pits in Phoenix.

Last Sunday’s thrilling Grand Prix of Alabama on NBCSN (3:40-5:42 p.m. ET) averaged 470,000 viewers, up 68% vs. last year’s event, to rank as the most-watched Grand Prix of Alabama on the network. Through two races, NBCSN’s 2017 IndyCar coverage is averaging 395,000 viewers, up 17% vs. the average viewership of the 2016 Long Beach and Alabama races (339,000 viewers).

 

FORMULA ONE RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX – SUNDAY AT 7:30 A.M. ET ON NBCSN

The 2017 F1 season continues this weekend on the streets of Sochi, Russia, home of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, with this year’s Russian Grand Prix. Mercedes has dominated all three of the races that have been held in Sochi, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg combining to lead ever single racing lap in the history of Sochi Autodrom.

Mercedes and Hamilton will likely face a challenge this weekend from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. The four-time World Champion has won two of the first three races of the 2017 campaign, including a victory in Bahrain two weeks ago. Mercedes’ Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas finished second and third, respectively, in Bahrain, despite Vettel’s win. Ferrari (102 points) currently holds a slight edge over Mercedes (99 points) in the Constructor Standings.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream Practice 1 live tomorrow at 4 a.m. ET, followed by Practice 2 on NBCSN at 8 a.m. ET. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app stream Practice 3 on Saturday at 5 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying on CNBC at 8 a.m. ET (encore on NBCSN on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET).

F1 Countdown kicks things off on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. ET prior to live race action from Sochi at 7:30 a.m. ET, followed by F1 Extra at 10 a.m. ET. NBCSN will air an encore presentation of the race on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Lead F1 announcer Leigh Diffey will call this weekend’s action, and will be joined by veteran analyst and former racecar driver David Hobbs, and analyst and former race mechanic for the Benetton F1 team Steve Matchett. F1 insider Will Buxton will serve as the team’s on-site reporter from Sochi Autodrom in Russia.

 

RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS – MEMPHIS – SUNDAY AT 1 P.M. ET ON NBC

NBC Sports Group begins its coverage of the 2017 Red Bull Global RallyCross season this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC with the first event of the season in Memphis, Tenn. The field of competitors will all look to topple defending two-time champion Scott Speed (Volkswagen Andretti). He may face the strongest competition from teammate Tanner Foust, who won four races last season and finished second to Speed in the final standings by just four points. Toby Moody (play-by-play) and Will Christien (analyst) will call the action.

 

Following is this week’s motorsports coverage schedule on NBCSN:

Date	Program	Network	Time (ET)
Thurs., April 27	NASCAR K&N Pro Series East – Bristol	NBCSN	11 p.m.
Fri., April 28	F1 Russian Grand Prix – Practice 1	Streaming*	4 a.m.
	F1 Russian Grand Prix – Practice 2	NBCSN	8 a.m.
	Mecum Auctions – Monterey (Encore)	NBCSN	12 p.m.
	IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix – Qualifying	Streaming*	11 p.m.
Sat., April 29	F1 Russian Grand Prix – Practice 3	Streaming*	5 a.m.
	F1 Russian Grand Prix – Qualifying	CNBC	8 a.m.
	F1 Russian Grand Prix – Qualifying (Encore)	NBCSN	6 p.m.
	IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix – Qualifying (Encore)	NBCSN	7:30 p.m.
	IndyCar Phoenix Grand Prix	NBCSN	9 p.m.
	IndyCar Post-Race	NBCSN	11:30 p.m.
Sun., April 30	F1 Countdown	NBCSN	7 a.m.
	F1 Russian Grand Prix	NBCSN	7:30 a.m.
	F1 Extra	NBCSN	10 a.m.
	Red Bull Global RallyCross – Memphis	NBC	1 p.m.
	F1 Russian Grand Prix (Encore)	NBCSN	4:30 p.m.

*NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app

NBC SPORTS GROUP STREAMING, DIGITAL AND SOCIAL CONTENT

NBC Sports Group will provide comprehensive streaming and digital coverage surrounding its motorsports properties via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – and NASCAR Talk and MotorSportsTalk, NBC Sports Group’s digital home for the latest motorsports news.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide season-long live streaming coverage of all Formula One practices, qualifying sessions and Grands Prix, including exclusive coverage of practices that will not air on NBC or NBCSN.  NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream NASCAR and IndyCar content that will air on NBC and NBCSN (race coverage and some practice and qualifying), as well as the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, Red Bull Global RallyCross series, and Red Bull Air Race.

MOTORSPORTSTALK: MotorSportsTalk (@MotorSportsTalk) on NBCSports.com brings racing fans up-to-the-minute news, video and information on Formula One, the Verizon IndyCar Series, and other open-wheel and off-road racing from around the world. The site also serves as the destination for all news, analysis and video from NBC and NBCSN productions of IndyCar and F1, including contributions from on-air commentators.

SOCIAL: NBC Sports Group will continue to provide comprehensive motorsports social coverage across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. On Twitter, fans can follow @MotorsportsTalk for all-encompassing content across NBC Sports Group’s motorsports properties. @NASCARonNBC and@NASCARTalkNBC share the latest NASCAR content, @F1onNBCSports provides the latest news in Formula One, and @IndyCaronNBCSN delivers up-to-the-minute information on the Verizon IndyCar Series.

In addition, the NASCAR on NBC Facebook page will provide users with videos, interactive content and much more. Fans should also “like” NBC Sports on Facebook for the most up-to-date news, videos and commentary about NBC Sports Group’s motorsports properties.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

– NBC SPORTS GROUP –