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Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

ESPN+ to Launch with Exclusive 30 for 30 Documentary “The Last Days of Knight” and Full 30 for 30 Library

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Film directed by Robert Abbott debuts April 12, with launch of direct-to-consumer streaming service ESPN+ will also be the exclusive home of the entire 30 for 30 library ESPN’s latest installment in the acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary series, “The Last Days of Knight,” will be the first film in the award-winning series to appear … Read More

The post ESPN+ to Launch with Exclusive <em>30 for 30</em> Documentary “The Last Days of Knight” and Full <em>30 for 30</em> Library appeared first on ESPN MediaZone U.S..

SEC Network Devotes 50 hours to SEC Basketball Tournament Coverage

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Maria Taylor hosting SEC Now on-site coverage at the SEC Women's Basketball TournamentSEC Network concludes producing more than 370 regular-season games in the men’s and women’s basketball schedule with first, second, third and quarterfinal Southeastern Conference tournament games airing on the network, accompanied with a live SEC Now desk on-site throughout each. The 2017 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament also marks the end of SEC Inside’s basketball regular-season … Read More

ESPNU’s Coverage of College Basketball Media Days

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ACC College Basketball Media Day - October 29, 2014Additional Coverage on SEC Network, ESPN3 and ACC Network Extra ESPNU will air six episodes of College Basketball Live in October, covering the media days of six conferences—ACC, American, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and the SEC. Ahead of the 2016-2017 college basketball season, College Basketball Live will preview the upcoming season with Brendan Fitzgerald, … Read More

2015 NCAA Tournament National Championship Game Featuring Duke Over Wisconsin Scores Highest Overnight Rating In 18 Years

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cbs-tnt-tbs-ncaaDuke vs. Wisconsin on CBS Delivers 17.1/27, Up 33%

2015 NCAA Tournament Across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV Garners
Highest Overall Average Rating in 22 Years

NCAA March Madness Live Generates Record-Setting 3.4 Million Live Video Streams
for Championship Game

CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of last night’s NCAA Tournament Men’s National Championship between Duke and Wisconsin on CBS scored a 17.1/27 HH rating/share to deliver the highest overnight rating for the NCAA Men’s National Championship in the metered markets in 18 years (1997; 18.0/28, Arizona-Kentucky), based on Nielsen metered market ratings. The broadcast’s 17.1/27 is up 33% over last year (12.9/21; Connecticut-Kentucky) and peaked with a 20.1/34 from 11:00-11:30 PM, ET.

Overall, 2015 NCAA Tournament coverage across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV averaged a 7.8/16 overnight rating/share, up 13% and is the best overnight rating in 22 years (7.9/17 in 1993).

Top five rated metered markets for last night’s game:

  • Milwaukee – 42.2/59
  • Raleigh-Durham – 36.2/54
  • Louisville – 33.5/48
  • Columbus – 29.9/44
  • Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem – 29.5/43

Additionally, NCAA March Madness Live garnered a record-setting 3.4 million live video streams for last night’s NCAA Championship game and nearly one million hours of live video consumed, also an all-time record.  Last night’s live video streams are up 66%, with the live hours of consumption up 69% over last year.  NCAA March Madness Live generated 80.7 million live video streams and 17.8 million hours of live video consumption during this year’s tournament, both all-time highs.  This year’s live video streams are up 17%, with live hours of consumption netting a 19% increase.

The NCAA Tournament grossed a record 350 million total social impressions across Facebook and Twitter for a 45% increase over 2014.

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Kentucky-Wisconsin Delivers Best Overnight Rating for National Semifinal in 22 Years as NCAA Tournament Continues Record-Setting Numbers

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cbs-tnt-tbs-ncaaKentucky vs. Wisconsin Across TBS, TNT and truTV Garners Highest Overnight Rating for College Basketball Game in Cable Television History

NCAA Tournament to Date Nets Highest Overnight Rating in 23 Years

NCAA March Madness Live Nets Record 77 Million Live Streams Through Saturday

Turner Sports and CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of last night’s NCAA Tournament National Semifinal between Kentucky and Wisconsin across TBS, TNT and truTV averaged a 13.3/24 overnight rating/share to deliver the highest rating for a college basketball game in the history of cable television and the highest rating for a Final Four game in 22 years (13.8/24 in 1993).  The networks’ collective coverage of Kentucky/Wisconsin peaked with a 16.4/30 overnight rating/share from 11-11:15 p.m. ET.  The game telecast is up 48% over last year, based on Nielsen metered market ratings.

The NCAA Final Four National Semifinals doubleheader – including Duke vs. Michigan State – averaged an 11.4/22 overnight rating/share to register as the highest average overnight rating for the doubleheader in 20 years (11.6/22 in 1995).  Last night’s National Semifinals are up 39% over last year.

The Duke/Michigan State telecast across TBS, TNT and truTV averaged a 9.6/20 overnight rating/share, the highest overnight rating in 10 years (10.3/19 in 2005) and a 30% increase over last year.

Overall, the NCAA Tournament coverage across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging a 7.5/15 overnight rating/share, tied as the best overnight rating in 23 years (7.7/16 in 1992).

Additionally, NCAA March Madness Live has garnered more than 77 million live video streams and 16.8 million live hours of video consumption through Saturday’s National Semifinals, both all-time records.   This year’s live streams are up 15% over last year, with live hours of video consumed up 17%.  Yesterday, NCAA March Madness Live delivered a record-setting six million live video streams and 1.5 million live hours of consumption for the National Semifinals, up 59% and 53%, respectively.

 

The NCAA Tournament has grossed a record 306 million total social impressions across Facebook and Twitter through the second Thursday for a 36% increase over 2014.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Arianna, Live +SD data stream. 3/17/15 – 4/4/15 vs. 3/18/15 – 4/5/15.   2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. Conviva, Adobe Analytics for digital metrics. Facebook Insights and Twitter for social analytics.

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Saturday’s NCAA Final Four Coverage on TBS Tips Off with Pre-Game Shows Beginning at 3 p.m. ET

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cbs-tnt-tbs-ncaaNetwork to Feature One-Hour At the Final Four Presented by Infiniti Sports and Entertainment Show Starring Dennis Miller, Charles Barkley and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at 3 p.m.

The Final Four Show to Offer Comprehensive Game Previews & Special Features

During Two-Hour Pre-Game Program at 4 p.m.

Turner Sports and CBS Sports will provide exclusive coverage of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship from Indianapolis with NCAA Final Four National Semifinal game coverage on TBS – Duke vs. Michigan State and Kentucky vs. Wisconsin – beginning Saturday, April 4, at 6 p.m. ET.  In addition to TBS’ coverage, TNT and truTV will feature “Team Stream Presented by Bleacher Report” or team-specific presentations tailored to the schools participating in each game.  Team Stream coverage for Duke and Kentucky will be available on TNT, with Wisconsin and Michigan State on truTV.  Preceding the live game action, TBS will televise three hours of pre-game coverage beginning at 3 p.m.

At the Final Four Presented by Infiniti (3-4 p.m.) will feature Dennis Miller, Charles Barkley and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – star of the upcoming movie “San Andreas” – in a show including a combination of sports and entertainment segments.  The show will include appearances by the commentator team of Jim Nantz, Grant Hill and Bill Raftery; studio host Ernie Johnson and analyst Kenny Smith; and “The Rock” talking about his upcoming movie and his experiences at the cross-hairs of sports and entertainment throughout his career.

The Final Four Show (4-6 p.m.) will include Johnson hosting with analysts Barkley, Clark Kellogg and Kenny Smith – joined by Greg Gumbel and analysts Reggie Miller, Seth Davis, Steve Smith and reporter Tracy Wolfson. The two-hour program will also include a feature on the “Pursuit of Perfection” and Kentucky’s run towards the historic mark, along with a profile on Indiana basketball legend Damon Bailey.

Following Saturday’s NCAA Final Four National Semifinals, CBS will broadcast the National Championship Game on Monday, April 6, with pre-game coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. and the game tipping off at 9:18 p.m.

Accompanying the live television coverage, NCAA March Madness Live will once again provide live streaming of the NCAA Final Four National Semifinals — including the Team Stream presentations — and the National Championship Game.

Follow us on Twitter: @MarchMadnessTV and NCAA.com for schedule updates and the latest NCAA Tournament broadcast news and information.

NCAA, March Madness, Final Four and Road to the Final Four are trademarks owned or licensed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

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Turner Sports and CBS Sports Announce Coverage Plans for 2015 NCAA Men’s Final Four

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cbs-tnt-tbs-ncaaTBS to Present NCAA Final Four National Semifinals on Saturday, April 4

CBS to Broadcast National Championship Game on Monday, April 6

TNT & truTV to Feature “Team Stream Presented by Bleacher Report”

Team Specific Coverage for National Semifinal Games

CBS Sports and Turner Sports will provide exclusive coverage of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship from Indianapolis with Duke, Kentucky, Michigan State and Wisconsin competing for the national championship.  TBS will televise the NCAA Final Four National Semifinal games on Saturday, April 4, with game coverage beginning at 6 p.m. ET.  The network will feature three hours of pre-game coverage beginning at 3 p.m. CBS will broadcast the National Championship on Monday, April 6, with pre-game coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. and the game tipping off at 9:18 p.m.

Saturday’s NCAA Final Four National Semifinals will feature Duke against Michigan State at 6:09 p.m. on TBS.  Kentucky against Wisconsin will follow 40 minutes after the completion of the Duke/Michigan State game. Jim Nantz will call the action with analysts Grant Hill and Bill Raftery with reporter Tracy Wolfson.  Nantz will be calling his 25th Final Four and National Championship, with Hill and Raftery working the marquee event for the first time this year.

Ernie Johnson will host studio coverage from the Final Four and National Championship with analysts Charles Barkley, Clark Kellogg and Kenny Smith – joined by Greg Gumbel and analysts Reggie Miller, Seth Davis, Steve Smith and college coaches.

In addition to TBS’ Final Four National Semifinal game coverage, TNT and truTV will feature “Team Stream Presented by Bleacher Report” or team-specific presentations tailored to the schools participating in each game. The inventive concept will continue to present the game with unprecedented local flavor including comprehensive team and player storylines, custom graphics, music, graphics and show packaging, additional cameras and team-centric replays, custom halftimes with school features and more.

Accompanying the live television coverage, NCAA March Madness Live will once again provide live streaming of the NCAA Final Four National Semifinals — including the Team Stream presentations — and the National Championship Game.

Team Stream commentator teams include:

“Duke Team Stream” on TNT at 6 p.m.

Tom Werme, play-by-play – Werme is a 20-year broadcasting veteran who has hosted the ACC Blitz and has provided commentary for the ACC Network, ACC Digital Network and Raycom Sports, among others.

Alaa Abdelnaby, analyst – Abdelnaby is a former Duke standout that played for the Blue Devils from 1996-2000 and was All-ACC third team during his senior year.  He is currently a CBS Sports Network studio analyst and commentator for Westwood One.

Chris Spatola, reporter – Spatola is a former director of basketball operations at Duke and current CBS Sports Network commentator.  He is also the son-in-law of Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“Michigan State Team Stream” on truTV at 6 p.m.

Brian Anderson, play-by-play – Anderson is a veteran and versatile Turner Sports commentator who has done play-by-play for leading properties such as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, NBA on TNT and MLB Postseason on TBS, among others.  He has also previously called games for the Big Ten Network.

Mateen Cleaves, analyst – A former Michigan State legend, Cleaves led the Spartans to an NCAA Championship in 2000 and was names the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.  Cleaves is the only three-time All-American is school history and was named Big Ten Player of the Year twice.  Currently a studio analyst for CBS Sports Network, Cleaves’ Michigan State jersey was retired in 2007.

Shireen Saski, reporter – a Michigan State alum, Saski is currently a CBS Sports Network reporter and has previously worked for the Big Ten Network.  The veteran broadcaster has also been the recipient of three Michigan Emmy Awards, then working for Fox Sports Detroit.

“Kentucky Team Stream” on TNT (following first game)

Dave Baker, play-by-play – Baker is a long-time sports broadcaster at WKYT in Lexington and television play-by-play commentator for UK/IMG’s University of Kentucky basketball coverage.  He has spent more than two decades being involved with broadcasting events surrounding the Southeastern Conference.

Rex Chapman, analyst – A former Kentucky star, Chapman was a two-time All-SEC player who helped lead the team to an SEC Championship and run to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 during his sophomore year.  Chapman amassed more than 1,000 points in only two years at Kentucky, which was followed by a 12-year NBA career.

Michael Eaves, reporter – a Kentucky alum, Eaves has previously covered University of Kentucky basketball extensively as a sports anchor, reporter and producer at WKYT in Lexington.  He is currently an anchor and reporter for Al Jazeera America.

“Wisconsin Team Stream” on truTV (following first game)

Wayne Larrivee, play-by-play – Larrivee is the radio play-by-play voice of the Green Bay Packers on the Packers Radio Network and has called college basketball for the Big Ten Network.  He has also provided play-by-play for Westwood One during the NCAA Tournament.

Mike Kelley, analyst – A former Wisconsin standout, Kelley helped guide the team to the Final Four in 2000 and, during his collegiate career, he helped lead the team to its best four-season win total in school history.  Kelley was inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.

Phil Dawson, reporter – Dawson is host of the Badger Radio Network, as well as a talk show host in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

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ESPN & ESPN2 Home to NCAA Women’s Regional Games

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espn-logoAlbany, Greensboro, Oklahoma City and Spokane Host Cities

The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Presented by Capital One continues across ESPN, ESPN2 and WatchESPN with the top four seeds advancing to Regional rounds. Coverage tips with No. 1 seed South Carolina facing No. 4 seed North Carolina on Friday, March 27, from the Greensboro (N.C.) Regional at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Action from Greensboro, continues at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2 with No. 2 Florida State against No. 3 Arizona State.

Also on Friday, from the Oklahoma City Regional, is No. 2 Baylor vs. No. 3 Iowa at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2, followed by No. 1 Notre Dame against No. 4 Stanford at 10 p.m. on ESPN.

Top-seeded Connecticut takes to the court against No. 5 Texas on Saturday, March 28, at noon from the Albany (N.Y.) Regional, prior to No. 3 Louisville against No. 7 Dayton, both on ESPN. The Spokane (Wash.) Regional tips at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday when No. 1 Maryland faces No. 4 Duke and No. 2 Tennessee plays No. 11 Gonzaga, at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., respectively, on ESPN.

The Regional Finals will air on Sunday, March 29 and Monday, March 30, on ESPN. Play culminates with the NCAA Women’s National Championship game on Tuesday, April 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and WatchESPN from Tampa Bay, Fla.

All games can be seen on WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

Additional NCAA Championship content will be available across multiple platforms, including espnW.com, SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and ESPN International.
Coverage Highlights

  • Continuing to elevate the tops stars during game telecasts with ESPN’s “Need to Know” highlighting top players throughout the Tournament
  • Vignettes and segments from feature shoots at UConn, Maryland, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
  • Creative elements featuring the song “Fire and Gold” by Disney recording artist Bea Miller.
  • espnW’s Tourney Snapshots (photos from game sites) featured throughout the telecasts.
  • Interact on twitter via @espnW, @ESPN_WomenHoop and #NCAAW for the first, second and regional rounds and #NCAAWFF for the final weekend. Also interact on Facebook at facebook.com/espnW.

Commentator Highlights

espnW.com

News, analysis and commentary will be provided throughout the women’s tournament leading into the Women’s Final Four in Tampa Bay. Highlights:

  • Stats, analysis and stories on additional players to watch.
  • Columnists will provide live coverage of each round of games from coast-to-coast, with video highlights of the matchups, plus Lobo will also contribute.
  • Coverage of the top stars in the women’s game through ESPN’s “3 to See” initiative – Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Breanna Stewart (UConn) and Jewell Loyd (Notre Dame), in addition to the “Need to Know” series – Nina Davis (Baylor); Brittany Boyd (Cal); Moriah Jefferson (UConn); Elizabeth Williams (Duke); Lexie Brown (Maryland); Rachel Banham (Minnesota); Tiffany Mitchell (South Carolina); Aleighsa Welch (South Carolina); A’ja Wilson (South Carolina) and Amanda Zahui B. (Minnesota).
  • Tourney Snapshots, which includes team- and fan-submitted social media photos and video with behind-the-scenes access to teams, players and coaches, will return for the third consecutive season.
  • espnW.com staff and a handful of WNBA players face off in an Women’s Tournament Challenge group.
  • UConn’s dominance came to be (by Kate Fagan) and Harvard’s 16-over-1 upset of Stanford in 1998 (by Michelle Smith).
  • W @ NCAA Final Four is an exclusive espnW franchise devoted to capturing the excitement surrounding the Final Four & Championship games in Tampa Bay. The content will consist of all-access from the behind-the-scenes lens with the use of video interviews, social media activation and television integration.

FiveThirtyEight

For the first time, FiveThirtyEight will cover the probabilistic projections for the NCAA Women’s Championship. On Tuesday, March 17, the website will debut an interactive bracket that calculates each team’s chance of advancing through the rounds. In addition to updating the data in the bracket throughout the week, FiveThirtyEight’s sportswriters will deliver a variety of data-driven stories tied to the tournament.

2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Presented By Capital One Regional Schedule (subject to change)

Date Time (ET) Game/Commentators Networks
Fri, Mar 27 7 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 4 North Carolina vs. No. 1 South Carolina (Greensboro, N.C.)

Pam Ward, Carolyn Peck, LaChina Robinson

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  7:30 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 3 Iowa vs. No. 2 Baylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

Beth Mowins, Stephanie White, Maria Taylor

 ESPN2 / WatchESPN
  9 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 3 Arizona State vs. No. 2 Florida State (Greensboro, N.C.) ESPN / WatchESPN
  9:30 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 4 Stanford vs. No. 1 Notre Dame (Oklahoma City, Okla.) ESPN2 / WatchESPN
Sat, Mar 28 Noon Regional Semifinal: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 1 UConn (Albany, N.Y.)

Dave O’Brien, Doris Burke, Holly Rowe

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  2 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 7 Dayton vs. No. 3 Louisville (Albany, N.Y.) ESPN / WatchESPN
  4:30 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 4 Duke vs. No. 1 Maryland (Spokane, Wash.)

Dave Pasch, Debbie Antonelli, Allison Williams

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  6:30 p.m. Regional Semifinal: No. 11 Gonzaga vs. No. 2 Tennessee (Spokane, Wash.) ESPN / WatchESPN
Sun, Mar 29 Noon Regional Final (Greensboro, N.C.)

 

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  8:30 p.m. Regional Final (Oklahoma City, Okla.) ESPN / WatchESPN
Mon, Mar 30 7 p.m. Regional Final (Albany, N.Y.) ESPN / WatchESPN
  9 p.m. Regional Final (Spokane, Wash.) ESPN / WatchESPN

2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Presented By Capital One Final Four Schedule (subject to change)

Sun, Apr 5 6 p.m. NCAA Women’s Final Four Special Presented by Capital One (Tampa Bay, Fla.)

Kevin Negandhi, Kara Lawson, Rebecca Lobo

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  6:30 p.m. National Semifinal Game 1 (Tampa Bay, Fla.)

Dave O’Brien, Doris Burke, Holly Rowe

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  9 p.m. National Semifinal Game 2 (Tampa Bay, Fla.) ESPN / WatchESPN
Tue, Apr 7 5:30 p.m. College Basketball Live: NCAA Women’s Championship Special

Matt Schick, Brooke Weisbrod & Steffi Sorensen

 ESPNU / WatchESPN
  7:30 p.m. NCAA Women’s Championship Special Presented by Capital One (Tampa Bay, Fla.)

Kevin Negandhi, Kara Lawson, Rebecca Lobo

 ESPN / WatchESPN
  8:30 p.m. National Final (Tampa Bay, Fla.)

Dave O’Brien, Doris Burke, Holly Rowe

 ESPN / WatchESPN

 

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2015 NCAA Tournament Delivers Record-Setting Opening Week

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cbs-tnt-tbs-ncaaNCAA Tournament Opening Week Generates Highest-Ever Overnight Television Ratings

NCAA March Madness Live Nets Record 54 Million Live Video Streams Through Sunday

The 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship continues to generate record-setting consumption across all multimedia platforms.  CBS Sports and Turner Sports’ exclusive coverage of the NCAA Tournament across TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV is averaging a 6.7/14 overnight rating/share to register as the highest-ever rating for the event through the first Sunday (since the tournament expanded to its current television format in 1991). This year’s NCAA Tournament to date overnight rating (6.7/14) is up 6% compared to a 6.3/14 in 2014, based on Nielsen metered market ratings.

This weekend’s exclusive third round coverage delivered a 7.3/16 overnight rating/share, the highest rating for the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament in 22 years and a 7% increase over last year.

NCAA March Madness Live has also generated a record-setting 54 million live video streams through Sunday, a 7% increase over last year.  Additionally, NCAA March Madness Live has netted more than 11 million live hours of video consumption through the first week of the tournament, up 8% through the same period a year ago.

The NCAA Tournament has also grossed a record 108 million total social impressions across Facebook and Twitter through Sunday for a 40% increase over 2014.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Arianna, Live +SD data stream. 3/17/15 – 3/22/15 vs. 3/18/15 – 3/23/15.   2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 averages based on weighted average of 4 telecast gross across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Historical audiences, CBS 1991 through 2005 based on Live data. Conviva, Adobe Analytics for digital metrics. Facebook Insights and Twitter for social analytics.

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