Archives for April 2018

NBC & NBCSN Present Three Days of Coverage, Including Saturday’s Live “Run for the Roses”

15 Commentators to Contribute to Live Telecasts, Beginning This Thursday, May 3 at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Derby Coverage Features New Backstretch Aerial Camera That can Travel up to 80 MPH

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app to Live Stream Kentucky Derby Draw Tomorrow, with Derby Day Coverage Featuring Red Carpet, Exclusive Camera Angles plus In-Booth “Collmus Cam”; NBC Sports Radio to Air Live Derby Day Coverage

Louisville Native Pro Golfer Justin Thomas to be Featured on NBC’s Kentucky Derby Coverage; “NBC Sports’ Championship Season” Continues At THE PLAYERS Championship May 10-13 on Golf Channel & NBC

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 30, 2018 – The road to the Triple Crown begins this week, highlighted by NBC’s record live five-hour Kentucky Derby Day telecast this Saturday, May 5 at 2:30 p.m. ET. NBC Sports Group kicks off its 14 hours of Kentucky Derby Week coverage this Thursday, May 3, live at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Saturday’s live Derby Day coverage begins at Noon ET on NBCSN.

 

Following are highlights of NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the 144^th Kentucky Derby, which includes more than seven live hours on Derby Day between NBC and NBCSN:

 

• Live coverage of 20 races on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
  • Four live races on Thursday, May 3, at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN
  • Six live races on Friday, May 4, at Noon ET and 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN
  • Ten live races during NBCSN (Noon ET) and NBC Derby Day (2:30 p.m. ET) coverage (including five live races in the NBC show)
• For first time ever at Triple Crown race, NBC Sports will utilize an aerial camera over the full backstretch, which will offer a perspective of 15-18 feet above the track and travel up to 80 MPH;
• More than 50 additional cameras will be used, including a helmet camera on the outrider (escorts the winning horse and jockey to the winner’s circle); a camera suspended 80-feet high on the Churchill Downs video board structure, a robotic camera in the paddock saddling area, and a camera focused on race caller Larry Collmus;
• A jockey, trainer and owner will be wired-for-sound for final jockeys’ instructions and post-race reactions.

 

Among the features on NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage on Saturday, May 5:

• Mike Tirico’s interview with Vinnie Viola and Mike Repole, co-owners of Vino Rosso; Tirico will also narrate a feature on Mick Ruis, trainer and owner of Bolt d’Oro;
• Tara Lipinski and Rutledge Wood visit American Pharoah to see how the Triple Crown winner is taking to his new job in the Stallion Barn;
• Bob Costas narrates a feature on the how the fires in Southern California devastated the San Luis Rey Downs training center in San Diego County, plus the incredible success that many of the rescued horses have had since;
• Tom Colicchio from Bravo’s Top Chef will whip up a Derby Day treat in celebration of Top Chef’s upcoming season in Kentucky;
• Nick Luck hosts a feature on 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn, who is trained by Aidan O’Brien in the U.K.

 

COMMENTATORS: NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby features hosts Bob Costas, a 27-time Emmy Award-winner, and Mike Tirico; NBCSN host Laffit Pincay, III; analysts Randy Moss and Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey and two-time Kentucky Derby winner; handicappers Eddie Olczyk and Britney Eurton, who makes her NBC Sports Group Triple Crown debut; reporters Donna Brothers, Carolyn Manno, and Kenny Rice; and race caller Larry Collmus. Former U.S. Olympic figure skaters and NBC figure skating analysts Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski reprise their roles as fashion and lifestyle experts along with NBC News weather anchor and correspondent Dylan Dreyer; and NBC Sports Group’s NASCAR features reporter Rutledge Wood returns. Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated will also contribute to NBC Sports Group’s coverage.

 

The coordinating producer of NBC’s horse racing coverage is Rob Hyland, who has been a part of the network’s horse racing coverage since 2001. The Kentucky Derby is directed by Sunday Night Football and NBC Sports’ horse racing director, Drew Esocoff. The coverage on NBCSN is produced by Billy Matthews and directed by Pierre Moossa. The executive producer of NBC Sports and NBCSN is Sam Flood.

 

MORE THAN 28 HOURS OF TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE: NBC Sports Group will present more than 28 hours of Triple Crown coverage this season from Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont Park, including live racing from all three tracks prior to the Triple Crown races. This marks the eighth consecutive year that all three Triple Crown races will air on NBC.

 

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NBC SPORTS GROUP TRIPLE CROWN COVERAGE (All Times ET):

 

KENTUCKY DERBY
Date	Time	Event	Network/Platform
Tues., May 1	11 a.m.	Kentucky Derby Draw	NBCSports.com & the NBC Sports app
Thurs., May 3	4 p.m.	Kentucky Derby Access	NBCSN
Fri., May 4	Noon	Kentucky Oaks	NBCSN
Fri., May 4	5 p.m.	Kentucky Oaks	NBCSN
Sat., May 5	Noon	Kentucky Derby Prep	NBCSN
Sat., May 5	2:30 p.m.	Kentucky Derby	NBC

 

PREAKNESS STAKES
Date	Time	Event	Network
Fri., May 18	3 p.m.	Black-Eyed Susan Stakes	NBCSN
Sat., May 19	2:30 p.m.	Preakness Prep	NBCSN
Sat., May 19	5 p.m.	Preakness Stakes	NBC

 

BELMONT STAKES
Date	Time	Event	Network
Fri., June 8	5 p.m.	Belmont Stakes Access	NBCSN
Sat., June 9	3 p.m.	Belmont Stakes Prep	NBCSN
Sat., June 9	5 p.m.	Belmont Stakes	NBC

 

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KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE ON NBCSPORTS.COM & THE NBC SPORTS APP

 

For the first time, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will livestream the Kentucky Derby Draw tomorrow, Tuesday, May 1, at 11 a.m. ET. A digital-only 10–minute “Ultimate Kentucky Derby Primer” featuring Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey and Eddie Olczyk discussing the greatest Derby races of all time, previewing this year’s race, and breaking down the odds, with be available Thursday on NBCSports.com and NBC Sports app.

 

On Derby Day, the NBC Sports app will livestream red carpet coverage beginning at Noon ET, and will offer a mosaic of four different camera angles, including the NBC broadcast, a grandstand camera, an overhead camera, and an infield camera. During the race, the infield camera will be replaced by “Collmus Cam” – Larry Collmus’ Kentucky Derby race call live as streamed by a camera in his booth at Churchill Downs.

 

NBC and NBCSN coverage will be streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app 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. The NBC Sports app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

 

NBCSports.com & the NBC Sports app’s Derby Day coverage also includes:

 

• Horse-by-horse video previews with Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss
• Bonus analysis by NBC Sports commentators
• Replays and footage from the key “Road to the Kentucky Derby” prep races

 

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NBC SPORTS RADIO KENTUCKY DERBY COVERAGE

 

NBC Sports Radio will present 2.5 hours of live Kentucky Derby coverage beginning Saturday, May 5 at 5 p.m. ET, and offer a two-hour pre-race show hosted by Mike Penna on Derby Day beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

 

For more information on programming, please contact Westwood One at NBCSportsRadio@westwoodone.com.  For a complete schedule of shows, bios, exclusive audio content, and a list of radio stations airing NBC Sports Radio, log on to NBCSportsRadio.com.

 

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“NBC SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON” CONTINUES WITH THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP MAY 10-13 ON GOLF CHANNEL & NBC

Following this weekend’s Kentucky Derby, “NBC Sports Championship Season” continues with live coverage of THE PLAYERS Championship next Thursday, May 10, through Sunday, May 13, on NBC and Golf Channel. First- and second-round coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel on May 10-11. NBC airs third- and final-round coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13. In addition, NBC Sports Group’s Derby Coverage on Saturday will include an interview with top-ranked pro golfer Justin Thomas.

 

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NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports Group is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup, Pegasus World Cup Invitational, Dubai World Cup, and the Epsom Derby and the Royal Ascot meet. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown. The 2017 Kentucky Derby posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 16.5 million viewers across NBC and NBC Sports Digital platforms – marking the largest Kentucky Derby audience since 1989.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

 

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA ANNOUNCES SIXERS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS COVERAGE

SIXERS PREGAME LIVE, SIXERS POSTGAME LIVE AND END GAME CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE PLAYOFFS

One Lucky Authentic Fan Can Win Tickets to Game Four

Philadelphia, PA (April 10, 2018) – NBC Sports Philadelphia remains the place for exclusive multiplatform playoff coverage of the Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics.  The network’s robust multiplatform coverage continues with Sixers Pregame Live, Sixers Postgame Live and End Game for every playoff game.

“Sixers Pregame Live” and “Sixers Postgame Live” hosted by Michael Barkann, airs before and after every Sixers playoff game. Jim Lynam and Marc Jackson will provide analysis, with Marc Zumoff and Jessica Camerato offering inside access both home and on the road. There is additional exclusive coverage, photos and behind the scenes action on www.NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com, and by following the network’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (@NBCSPhilly).

“Philly Sports Talk” and “SportsNet Central” also provides fans with additional Sixers news, analysis and discussion.

Fans can connect with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Sixers coverage on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, or by following:

@JCameratoNBCS

@MarcZumoff

@MBarkannNBCS

@NBCSPhilly

Marc Zumoff’s latest “Zoo’s Views” podcast previews the second round series against Boston with Amir Johnson and Tom McGinnis.  The podcast can be found here:  Zoo’s Views

NBC Sports Philadelphia is giving one lucky fan the chance to win two lower level tickets to the Sixers – Celtics game at the Wells Fargo Center on Monday, May 7 at 6 p.m.  Fans can enter on the network’s Authentic Fan site, found here.

-NBC Sports Group-

New Partnership Brings IMSA Racing To NBC Sports Networks, Digital Platforms

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2018) – The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) will have a new U.S. broadcast home for its flagship IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, what is currently known as the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and the IMSA Prototype Challenge presented by Mazda, as NBC Sports Group and IMSA today announced a six-year partnership starting with the 2019 season.

This enhanced media rights partnership includes a significant increase in network coverage of the WeatherTech Championship over 2018. Three races will broadcast on NBC and there will be more than 45 hours of WeatherTech Championship action televised on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) throughout the season. NBC Sports will present more than 100 hours of IMSA coverage across its broadcast, cable, and digital platforms. The NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com will offer flag-to-flag live streaming coverage of every WeatherTech Championship race to authenticated subscribers.

“The resonance and gravity of this new partnership with NBC Sports Group for IMSA fans and our stakeholders cannot be overstated,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett. “This agreement is the culmination of a comprehensive process to align ourselves with a media rights partner that will capitalize on the tremendous momentum the WeatherTech Championship and IMSA is currently enjoying, and will help our sport reach new heights. Without question, NBC Sports Group ‘gets’ motorsports and our unique premium product. We could not be prouder to call NBC Sports our future partner.”

“As the U.S. home of motorsports, we are excited to present IMSA’s high-quality and diverse racing circuit to our abundance of racing fans,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBCSN. “By utilizing our wide-array of broadcast, cable, and digital platforms, we can service IMSA and motorsports fans with more coverage and in more ways than ever before.”

This media rights agreement with NBC Sports Group capitalizes on IMSA’s unprecedented growth and its bright future including the sanctioning body celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in 2019. Among the highlights of this growth include record attendance at each race this year, unique television viewership for the year is on track to surpass last year’s record of 6.5 million viewers, and significant digital and social media growth.

NBC Sports Group is the home of motorsports in the U.S., with this agreement adding to its extensive portfolio of auto racing that includes NASCAR and INDYCAR.

The 2019 season starts with the 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 26-27, 2019 and the entire season broadcast schedule will be announced in the coming months.

ABOUT IMSA

The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and the IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda, as well as four one-make series: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama; Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama; Ferrari Challenge North America; and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information, visit www.IMSA.com, www.twitter.com/IMSA or www.facebook.com/IMSA.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS GROUP

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com, GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, Rotoworld, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, INDYCAR, PGA TOUR, The R&A, PGA of America, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, and many more.

Steven Stamkos and (1) Tampa Bay Lightning Look to Even Series Against Brad Marchand and (2) Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN

(1) Golden Knights-(3) Sharks Clash in Pivotal Game 3 at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN – Series Tied 1-1

Pre-Game Coverage Begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with NHL Live

Second Round Viewership Delivers Year-Over-Year Increases and Local Milestones

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 30, 2018 – NBC Sports continues its exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight with a Second Round doubleheader on NBCSN, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, as Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning look to even the series against Brad Marchand and the Boston Bruins in Game 2.

Coverage continues on NBCSN at 10 p.m. ET, as Marc-Andre Fleury and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights visit Joe Pavelski and the San Jose Sharks in a pivotal Game 3 with the series tied 1-1. The Sharks defeated the Golden Knights, 4-3, in double overtime on Saturday in primetime on NBC. Pre-game coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN with NHL Live.

NBC Sports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming platforms for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will provide live streaming coverage of all remaining Stanley Cup Playoff games.

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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 – MONDAY, APRIL 30 (All times ET)

Time	Coverage	Network	Commentators
6:30 p.m.	NHL Live	NBCSN	Kathryn Tappen, Jeremy Roenick, Mike Milbury, Anson Carter
7 p.m.	Game 2 – (2) Boston at (1) Tampa Bay	NBCSN	Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire
10 p.m.	Game 3 – (1) Vegas at (3) San Jose	NBCSN	John Forslund, 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, CNBC, and Golf Channel, all via “TV Everywhere” throughout the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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

SECOND ROUND VIEWERSHIP DELIVERS YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASES AND LOCAL MILESTONES

• Sunday afternoon’s Penguins-Capitals Game 2 on NBC delivered a 1.52 overnight rating, up 16% vs. the comparable matchup on NBC last year (STL-NSH, Game 3; 1.31)

 

• Locally, Pens-Caps Game 2 on NBC produced a 21.2 rating in Pittsburgh to rank as NBC’s second-highest rated Round 2 game ever in the Pittsburgh market (MTL-PIT, Game 3, 2010; 24.3). Washington delivered a 6.3 local rating, and NBC was the No. 1 network in both markets during the game.

 

• Sunday night’s Jets-Predators double-overtime Game 2 on NBCSN delivered a 0.96 overnight rating, up 39% vs. the comparable matchup on NBCSN last year (ANA-EDM; 0.69)

 

• Locally, the Predators’ Game 2 win on NBCSN produced a 10.9 rating in Nashville to rank as NBC Sports Group’s highest-rated Round 2 game on record in the market.

 

 

(2) BOSTON BRUINS AT (1) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – GAME 2 AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak combined for 11 points as the Bruins defeated the Lightning, 6-2, in Game 1 on Saturday. Pastrnak recorded four assists in the victory to become the 13^th player in NHL history to total 17 points through his first eight games of a postseason, and the first to do so since Mario Lemieux in 1992. Boston has won four of five matchups this season against Tampa Bay and has outscored the Lightning 16-10 in those contests. It marked the first loss on home ice for the Lightning this postseason.

 

(1) VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS AT (3) SAN JOSE SHARKS – GAME 3 AT 10 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

The Sharks climbed back from a 2-0 deficit in the second period and toppled the Golden Knights, 4-3, in double overtime, to hand Vegas its first loss of the postseason. Brent Burns spearheaded San Jose’s comeback with two goals and Logan Couture netted the game-winner on a power play to even the series. Burns snapped a four-game goal drought and became the only NHL defenseman to record more than one multi-goal game in the playoffs since 2012. Jonathan Marchessault appeared to give Vegas the win late in the first overtime, but the goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference. Fleury, whose consecutive shutout streak was snapped in Game 2, owns a 5-1 record following losses in the postseason dating back to last year.

COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE

Through the NBC Sports Regional Networks, comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be provided daily via NBC Sports Regional Networks, available in more than 35 million U.S. households. NBC Sports Regional Networks serve the hometown fans of the Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals, with first-round game coverage, pre- and post-game shows, and extensive on-line coverage via NBC Sports’ team of NHL Insiders.

For teams that advance past the first round, NBC Sports Regional Networks will deliver extensive pre- and post-game coverage as well as breaking news and analysis throughout each team’s playoff run.

ABOUT NBC SPORTS RADIO 

NBC Sports Radio is a joint venture between NBC Sports Group and Westwood One and will broadcast select games throughout the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  It provides sports talk programming to radio stations nationwide and is distributed by Westwood One.  Content includes hourly sports news updates, daily features, and long-form shows. On social media, join the NBC Sports Radio community on Twitter at twitter.com/nbcsportsradio. To listen live or on demand, or to find a station, visit www.nbcsportsradio.com.

STREAMING COVERAGE 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 live streaming coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 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.

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, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–