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NOTES & QUOTES FROM AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF EDITION OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBC

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“It’s not just a hashtag, it’s a movement.” – Liam McHugh on Bills Mafia

“Two of the best players in the sport — ability to make plays off schedule, backyard-type football that’s fun to watch.” – Chris Simms on Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson

“They have that chemistry and that’s the difference this year.” – Tony Dungy on Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs

Chris Simms Interviews Josh Allen; Jac Collinsworth Interviews Lamar Jackson

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 16, 2021 – NBC Sports’ presentation of the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills from Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., began tonight with a special edition of Football Night in America on NBC.

Mike Tirico hosted FNIA from NBC Sports Group’s Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn., and was joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms. NFL Insider Mike Florio joined Football Night remotely from his home studio. Liam McHugh and two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison reported on-site from Bills Stadium.

Earlier in the week, Simms interviewed Bills QB Josh Allen and NBC Sports’ Jac Collinsworth spoke with Lamar Jackson. Portions of the interviews aired during tonight’s show.

Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) are calling tonight’s game.

This is NBC Sports’ final NFL broadcast of the 2020 season.

***

Following are highlights from tonight’s edition of Football Night in America on NBC:

ON TONIGHT’S GAME

Simms on tonight’s quarterback showdown between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen: “Two of the best players in the sport — ability to make plays off schedule, backyard-type football that’s fun to watch. Oddly enough for Lamar Jackson, yes, it’s always about his legs. The Bills are going to sell out to stop the run. It’s going to be his right arm making four or five big-time throws like we saw last week for them to win this game. On the other side of the ball, I think it’s the same story for Josh Allen. He has a big arm, we know that. They don’t have a running game, so his ability to run, scrambling or quarterback-designed runs, I think could really make a difference about who has success tonight.”

Dungy on importance of both teams’ cornerbacks tonight: “Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier told me they have to stop Lamar Jackson from running. That’s going to mean a lot of man-to-man coverage for their cornerbacks. On the other side of the coin, Baltimore blitzes like crazy. Man-to-man coverage there. Which set of secondary people is going to have the best game tonight?”

ON RAVENS

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to Jac Collinsworth on how he feels before big games: “I get anxious. I just want to get out there and get a feel (for the game) at first. I don’t get nervous.”

Tirico on QB Lamar Jackson’s leadership ability: “You walk into that Baltimore room, they tell you he’s a leader. That’s a place where they had leaders like Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. Lamar Jackson is the leader of this generation of Ravens.”

Harrison on CB Marlon Humphrey: “He’s their best cornerback. He’s the most versatile guy in their secondary.”

Simms on Ravens’ offensive philosophy tonight: “This is going to be one of the keys to the game…Lamar Jackson making the defense defend the whole field. The (Bills) defense will be all about stopping the run. There’s going to be some opportunities for (Marquise) “Hollywood” Brown and Lamar to connect.”

ON BILLS

McHugh: “Bills Mafia, you know all about it. But it’s not just a hashtag, it’s a movement.”

Harrison on Bills Stadium atmosphere: “Nothing but love and respect for Bills Mafia. 6,500 fans may not seem like a lot, but they are bringing a lot of energy.”

QB Josh Allen to Simms on answering critics: “My whole thing about playing football is not proving everybody wrong, it’s proving myself right. There’s nothing anybody can say that will hurt my feelings. Odds are I’ve already said it to myself. That’s what gets me going. It’s me kicking myself in the butt and trying to shake things off that way.”

Simms on Allen’s improvement: “Last year was inaccurate. This year is always on the money.”

Dungy: “They have that chemistry and that’s the difference this year, Stefon Diggs, that home run hitter. If Baltimore comes with that steady diet of blitzes, I think they’re (the Bills) going to burn the blitz tonight.”

Tirico: “No one blitzes more than Baltimore, and Allen’s been the best against the blitz.”

ON TEXANS

Florio on QB Deshaun Watson and the organization: “The tension is very real. It was known that Deshaun Watson had recommended that the Texans interview Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. That request was initially ignored. I’m told that Watson also recommended that the Texans interview former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who has since been hired by the Jets. That was also ignored. They’re the only team that had a vacancy that didn’t interview Robert Saleh. Watson views that as a sign of disrespect. He has not yet asked for a trade, but it’s moving in that direction. He hasn’t done it because he knows once he says those words, he’s past the point of no return.”

Tirico: “In that (AFC South) division now – Urban Meyer, Mike Vrabel, Frank Reich. Houston is going to have to find a big-name head coach to go with their quarterback.”

–FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA–

NBC SPORTS TO PRESENT FIRST-EVER NHL QUADRUPLEHEADER ON MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

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Quadrupleheader on Monday, Jan. 18, Begins at Noon ET on NBCSN; Day-Long Coverage to Spotlight Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Features and Interviews

Season Two of Hockey Culture with Anson Carter Debuts on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with Willie O’Ree Interview

This Sunday – First NHL on NBC Matchup of Season Between Alexander Ovechkin and Capitals vs. Sidney Crosby and Penguins at Noon ET on NBC

Penguins-Flyers Opening Night Matchup is NBCSN’s Most-Watched NHL Regular-Season Game on Record

13-Year Veteran Dominic Moore Makes Studio Analyst Debut on Monday

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 15, 2021 – NBC Sports presents its first-ever NHL quadrupleheader on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this Monday, Jan. 18, beginning at Noon ET on NBCSN, with a matinee between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings. The evening tripleheader on NBCSN features Patrice Bergeron and the Boston Bruins facing the New York Islanders at 5 p.m. ET, Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres against Claude Giroux and the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the nightcap between Max Pacioretty and the Vegas Golden Knights hosting Phil Kessel and the Arizona Coyotes at 10 p.m. ET.

During daytime studio coverage of Blue Jackets-Red Wings, Paul Burmeister hosts alongside analysts Keith Jones and 13-year NHL veteran Dominic Moore, who will make his NBC Sports studio analyst debut on Monday.

Kathryn Tappen anchors studio coverage throughout the evening with analysts Anson Carter, Patrick Sharp and Moore.

Sunday’s NHL on NBC matchup, the first of a record 16 to air throughout the season, features an all-time rivalry when Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Noon ET. Tappen, Jones and Sharp anchor studio coverage.

HOW TO WATCH

  • TV – NBC, NBCSN
  • Streaming – NBC Sports app and NBCSports.com
Date Coverage Commentators Time (ET) Network
Sun., January 17 Washington at Pittsburgh John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher Noon NBC
Mon., January 18 Columbus at Detroit Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire Noon NBCSN
  Boston at New York Islanders John Forslund, Brian Boucher 5 p.m. NBCSN
  Buffalo at Philadelphia Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire 7:30 p.m. NBCSN
  Arizona at Vegas John Forslund, Joe Micheletti 10 p.m. NBCSN
  NHL Overtime Kathryn Tappen, Anson Carter, Patrick Sharp 12:30 a.m.* NBCSN

*Immediately following game coverage

PENGUINS-FLYERS OPENING NIGHT MATCHUP IS NBCSN’S MOST-WATCHED NHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME ON RECORD

Wednesday’s Opening Night tripleheader on NBCSN saw numerous viewership milestones. Below are highlights:

  • The first game of the 2020-21 NHL season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 972,000 viewers Wednesday night on NBCSN, making it the network’s most-watched regular-season game on record.
  • The Opening Night tripleheader on NBCSN, which also included Chicago at Tampa Bay and St. Louis at Colorado, averaged a TAD of 774,000 viewers, making it the network’s most-watched multi-game Opening Night on record and up 29% from last year’s doubleheader (600,000).
  • Digitally, the 2020-21 Opening Night tripleheader is NBC Sports’ most-streamed Opening Night on record with 17.3 million minutes and 285,000 unique devices, up 75% and 72%, respectively, vs. last year’s Opening Night doubleheader.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY COVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS

Throughout NBCSN’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day NHL coverage, numerous features will be presented, including:

  • A tribute to Marlowe Stoudamire, a community leader in Detroit, Mich., who helped launch a grassroots program in the city that helped bring the sport of hockey over 30,000 children, who passed away earlier this year from COVID-19;
  • Anson Carter interviews Kim Davis, NHL Senior Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Growth Initiatives & Legislative Affairs;
  • A segment on the 2020 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award recipient, Dampy Brar.

HOCKEY CULTURE SEASON TWO

Season Two of Hockey Culture debuts an interview with Hockey Hall of Famer Willie O’Ree on Monday. On the same day that marks the 63rd anniversary of O’Ree becoming the first black player to skate in an NHL game, Anson Carter speaks with the hockey icon and discusses his historic career, how he remains involved with the NHL and other mentorship programs, and the intersection between race and politics in modern-day America.

The conversation premieres on Hockey Culture’s dedicated YouTube Channel and will be featured throughout Monday’s NBCSN coverage.

WILLIE AVAILABLE TO STREAM FREE ON PEACOCK

Willie, a 90-minute documentary that chronicles the trailblazing life of Willie O’Ree, is available to stream free on Peacock. The documentary can be viewed here.

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON COVERAGE ON NBC SPORTS

NBC Sports is scheduled to present roughly 100 games featuring all 31 teams on NBC and NBCSN during the 2020-21 NHL regular-season, including a record 16 regular-season games on the NBC broadcast network. Click here for more info.

–NBC SPORTS–

PENGUINS-FLYERS OPENING NIGHT MATCHUP IS NBCSN’S MOST-WATCHED NHL REGULAR-SEASON GAME ON RECORD

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Opening Night Tripleheader is NBCSN’s Most-Watched Multi-Game Opening Night on Record and Up 29% vs. Last Season’s Opening Night Doubleheader

Penguins-Flyers is NBC Sports’ Most-Streamed Regular-Season Game on Record; Last Night is NBC Sports’ Most-Streamed Opening Night on Record

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 14, 2021 – The first game of the 2020-21 NHL season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 972,000 viewers last night on NBCSN, making it the network’s most-watched regular-season game on record.

The Opening Night tripleheader on NBCSN, which also included Chicago at Tampa Bay and St. Louis at Colorado, averaged a TAD of 774,000 viewers, making it the network’s most-watched multi-game Opening Night on record and up 29% from last year’s doubleheader (600,000).

Digitally, the 2020-21 Opening Night tripleheader is NBC Sports’ most-streamed Opening Night on record with 17.3 million minutes and 285,000 unique devices, up 75% and 72%, respectively, vs. last year’s Opening Night doubleheader.

“We’re thrilled with these Opening Night tripleheader viewership results and that the league was willing to take a chance on our recommendation to start the season with Penguins-Flyers in the late afternoon,” said Sam Flood, executive producer, NBC Sports. “We can now add the most-watched Opening Night cable game on record to our impressive list of NHL viewership milestones, which includes the most-watched regular-season on record and the most-watched NHL game on record, among others.”

Average viewership for the Flyers’ 6-3 win over the Penguins (5:15-8:06 p.m. ET) surpassed NBCSN’s previous Opening Night record set in 2014 for Flyers-Bruins (966,000) and also making it the most-watched Opening Night cable game on record. Last night’s game peaked with 1.264 million viewers from 7:30-7:45 p.m. ET and averaged a 0.48 HH rating.

Penguins-Flyers is also NBC Sports’ most-streamed NHL regular-season game on record, totaling 7 million minutes and 152,000 unique devices.

Following are the Top Five markets for Penguins-Flyers on NBCSN (out of 44 markets):

Rank Market Rating
1 Pittsburgh 9.35
2 Philadelphia 4.72
3 Las Vegas 1.33
4 Tampa-St. Petersburg 1.25
5 Charlotte 0.88

The defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning revealed their banner and then defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1. The game (8:06-10:54 p.m. ET) averaged a TAD of 880,000 viewers and a 0.46 HH rating.

In the final game of the night, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-1. The game (10:54 p.m. – 1:14 a.m. ET), which was blacked out locally in Denver, averaged 403,000 viewers and a 0.23 HH rating.

Following are the Top Five markets for all three Opening Night games on NBCSN (out of 44 markets):

Rank Market Rating
1 Pittsburgh 3.90
2 St. Louis 2.28
3 Tampa-St. Petersburg 2.02
4 Philadelphia 1.90
5 Las Vegas 1.58

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

PEACOCK PREMIUM BECOMES EXCLUSIVE STREAMING HOME OF NBC SPORTS’ SPEED SKATING COVERAGE FOR 2021 INTERNATIONAL SKATING SEASON

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Speed Skating on Peacock Premium Includes Live, Commercial-Free Coverage of ISU World Cup Events, ISU World Short Track Championships & More

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 14, 2021 – NBC Sports’ exclusive speed skating streaming coverage, offering fans extensive live and commercial-free events, will move from NBC Sports Gold’s “Speed Skating Pass” to Peacock Premium beginning with the start of the 2021 season this Saturday, Jan. 16. Peacock Premium is available for $4.99 per month.

Speed skating on Peacock Premium features comprehensive coverage of major 2021 international competitions, including the World Speed Skating Championships and World Short Track Championships. Coverage begins with European Speed Skating Championships this Saturday and culminates with the 2021 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships from March 6-7.

Coverage includes access to 75 hours of live, commercial-free speed skating events. Click here for more information.

Following is the schedule for Peacock Premium’s 2021 Speed Skating coverage:

    • European Speed Skating Championships: January 16-17
    • World Cup Speed Skating: January 23-24 and January 30-31
    • European Short Track Speed Skating Championships: January 23-24
    • World Speed Skating Championships: February 11-14
    • World Short Track Speed Skating Championships: March 6-7

 

Speed skating is the most recent addition to live sports on Peacock. Upcoming live sports on Peacock includes coverage of Premier League, Supercross, Pro Motocross, and select events from the upcoming Tokyo and Beijing Olympics. Fans can also watch on demand replays of events like Triple Crown horse races, daily highlights from NBC Sports, and hundreds of hours of sports series, documentaries and films such as Tiger Woods: Chasing History; 1968; I Am Ali; Dream Team; Being Evel; Feherty; Willie; and Peacock Originals Lost Speedways and In Deep with Ryan Lochte.

Viewers can sign up for Peacock at peacocktv.com. Peacock is currently available on the Roku platform; Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices including Android™, Android TV™ devices, Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; and VIZIO SmartCast™ TVs and LG Smart TVs. Comcast’s eligible Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, as well as eligible Cox Contour customers, enjoy Peacock Premium included with their service at no additional cost.

JOSH ALLEN & BUFFALO BILLS HOST LAMAR JACKSON & BALTIMORE RAVENS IN AFC DIVISIONAL MATCHUP THIS SATURDAY AT 8:15 P.M. ET ON NBC

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Coverage Begins with Special Edition of Football Night in America at 7:30 p.m. ET

Fans Can Participate in “Sunday Night 7” Free-to-Play Game, Featuring $100,000 Jackpot

New Episode of “Sports Uncovered” Podcast Series Hosted by Michele Tafoya Debuts Today, Jan. 14, Featuring Gayle Sierens, the First Woman to Call an NFL Game

Universo to Televise Saturday’s Game in Spanish-Language

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 14, 2021 – 2020 NFL MVP candidate Josh Allen and the No. 2-seed Buffalo Bills (14-3) host 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (12-5) this Saturday in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on NBC. Coverage begins with a special playoff edition of Football Night in America at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET from Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. It is NBC Sports’ final NFL game of the season.

Baltimore and Buffalo, who will meet in the playoffs for the first timed, both enter the Divisional Round on winning streaks, as the Ravens have won six straight and the Bills have won seven. The teams last met in Week 14 of 2019, when the Ravens won, 24-17, behind Jackson’s three touchdown passes at Bills Stadium.

In the Wild Card round, the Bills topped the Colts, 27-24, snapping a six-game playoff losing streak with their first postseason victory since 1995. Allen passed for 324 yards and two touchdowns and added 54 rushing yards and a touchdown in the win. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who led the NFL with 127 receptions and 1,535 receiving yards this season, had six catches for 128 yards and a score against Indianapolis.

The Ravens advanced to the Divisional round by beating the Titans, 20-13, last weekend. Jackson, who earned his first career playoff victory, rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown and had 179 passing yards, while Baltimore’s defense held Tennessee to 209 total net yards.

Calling Baltimore-Buffalo is Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his record 35th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 16-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth; and three-time Emmy Award-winning sideline reporter Michele Tafoya. Three-time Super Bowl referee Terry McAulay is the rules analyst.

NBC’s coverage of Sunday Night Football is led by executive producer Fred Gaudelli and director Drew Esocoff. SNF is the only show to win 10 Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Live Sports Series.

Mike Tirico hosts Football Night in America at 7:30 p.m. ET prior to Ravens-Bills from NBC Sports Group’s Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn., alongside Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms and with NFL Insider Mike Florio joining remotely from his home studio. Liam McHugh and two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison will report on-site from Bills Stadium. Football Night is produced by Rob Hyland and directed by Mike Sheehan.

During Saturday’s FNIA, Simms speaks with Josh Allen and Jac Collinsworth interviews Lamar Jackson.

On Saturday afternoon on NBC, NBC Sports’ Tim Layden delivers an essay tracing Buffalo’s quarterback legacy from Jack Kemp to Jim Kelly, and now, to Allen.

The second episode of season two of NBC Sports’ “Sports Uncovered” podcast series, hosted by Michele Tafoya, debuts today featuring Gayle Sierens, who in December 1987 became the first woman to call an NFL game, handling play-by-play of Seahawks-Chiefs on NBC. Podcast episodes are available for download now on all major podcast platforms, including: NBCSports.com/podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

In addition to television availability, broadcasts of all NBC NFL postseason games can be streamed digitally across devices on NBC and NFL digital properties, and on mobile via Verizon Media mobile properties and the mobile properties of the participating teams.

DECADE OF DOMINANCE: NBC’S “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” CONCLUDES SEASON ON PACE TO BE TV’S #1 PRIMETIME SHOW FOR UNPRECEDENTED 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

NBC concluded its 15th season of Sunday Night Football, topping all primetime television series in the fall and once again pacing to finish as primetime’s #1 TV show in all key metrics for an unprecedented 10th consecutive year. NBC’s SNF extended its record for the most consecutive years atop the charts (since 1950), based on official live plus same day data provided by Nielsen.

Click here for more information.

NBCSPORTS.COM & NBC SPORTS APP TO LIVE STREAM ALL NBC NFL GAMES

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream all NBC games to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs 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. The full HD-quality video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcasts. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast.

TELEMUNDO DEPORTES PRESENTS FULL SEASON OF SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Telemundo Deportes will televise the entire NBC Sunday Night Football package live including all Sunday night regular-season games, the NFL Kickoff game, the annual Thanksgiving night game and three Playoff Games, including Saturday’s Divisional matchup. Universo will televise 21 games, including the Ravens-Bills game, and Telemundo broadcasted the newly-added primetime NFL Wild Card playoff game on Sunday, January 10. Coverage of the 2020 NFL season across both Telemundo and sister network, Universo, mark the first time ever that the full SNF schedule is available in Spanish-language in the U.S.

“SUNDAY NIGHT 7” FREE-TO-PLAY GAME AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WITH $100,000 JACKPOT FOR BOTH WILD CARD MATCHUPS

Fans can participate in NBC Sports’ free-to-play game, Sunday Night 7, on Sunday, which features a $100,000 jackpot for the Divisional matchup. Sunday Night 7 is available for download NOW on the NBC Sports Predictor app (available in the App Store and Google Play Store) and at NBCSports.com/Predictor.

Last weekend, one user finished in first place with a score of 65 points on Saturday, and 14 users tied for first place with a score of 50 points on Sunday.

PETER KING’S NFL COLUMN “FOOTBALL MORNING IN AMERICA” DEBUTS EVERY MONDAY EXCLUSIVELY ON NBCSPORTS.COM

A new “Football Morning in America” will post every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com. It was announced in May 2019 that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

CHRIS SIMMS UNBUTTONED

NBC Sports’ Chris Simms examines everything happening in the NFL and around the sports world. Along with a rotation of NBC Sports hosts including Ahmed Fareed, Paul Burmeister and Liam McHugh, Chris Simms Unbuttoned analyses the NFL with in-depth Xs and Os breakdowns; one-on-one interviews with players, coaches and executives; and game recaps and preview.

ROTOWORLD

Rotoworld offers comprehensive fantasy football coverage throughout the 2020 NFL season across NBC Sports’ platforms. Rotoworld’s Fantasy Football Draft Guide and premium tools are available for purchase now via Rotoworld’s new subscription model, beginning at only $3.99 per month. The industry-leading source for fantasy football news and information, the 2020 Rotoworld Fantasy Football Draft Guide features more than 450 extensive player profiles, ‘Sleepers and Busts,’ player projections, positional rankings and tier groupings from Rotoworld’s NFL experts, and more. For the first time, Rotoworld’s Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet is downloadable and available for free by registering on Rotoworld.com. The Cheat Sheet, which includes top 200 PPR rankings, PPR positional rankings, dynasty rookies, and more, is also available as part of the 2020 Draft Guide.

PFT LIVE – WEEKDAYS AT 7 A.M. ET ON PEACOCK

Mike Florio and co-host Chris Simms bring fans the latest NFL news and interviews with players and coaches every weekday morning with PFT Live streaming live on Peacock at 7 a.m. ET. Peter King and NBC Football Night in America analyst Rodney Harrison also contribute regularly to PFT Live’s coverage throughout the season.

The two-hour PFT Live is known for delivering inside information and comprehensive analysis from an independent perspective. The show covers all the latest news around the league, breaks down reports and rumors and features interviews with players, coaches and executives. The show will be re-aired on NBCSN from 9-11 a.m. ET.

PODCASTS

NBC Sports’ football podcasts provide extensive weekly offerings from NBC Sports’ most popular personalities and present special guests, exclusive interviews, and robust conversations across all of football on The Peter King Podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned, PFT PM, and Rotoworld Football. While The Peter King Podcast features intimate discussions with the NFL’s top players, Chris Simms Unbuttoned and PFT PM dive into deep conversations around the sports’ hottest topics, and Rotoworld Football explores fantasy implications for fans. New episodes of NBC Sports podcasts are available for download each week on all major podcast platforms including: NBCSports.com/podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SOCIAL MEDIA

    • SNF ON INSTAGRAM: Through the unique filter of Instagram, fans will get an in-depth look at each week’s Sunday Night Football game with the most engaging photos and videos from across the NFL. SNF also utilizes Instagram Stories for up-to-the-minute coverage of the league.
    • SNF ON TWITTER: The very latest news, video, analysis from the Football Night in America crew and much more lives on @SNFonNBC, the real-time engine for NBC’s year-round NFL coverage.
    • SNF ON FACEBOOK: With more than 3.5 million followers, SNF’s Facebook page is the hub of football conversation. It’s the place to converse and engage with fellow fans on the latest news and action across the NFL.
    • NBC SPORTS ON TIKTOK: New for 2020, NBC Sports’ presence on TikTok puts the spotlight on the offbeat and exuberant side of the National Football League for a young, highly-engaged audience.

 

NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS

NBC Sports Regional Networks, which serve top NFL markets such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco, will surround the 2020 NFL season with in-depth news, analysis and original programming on the teams that matter most in 32 million U.S. households.

2020 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sat. Jan. 16 Divisional Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills

 

– SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL –

MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS BEGINS 2021 SEASON IN HOUSTON THIS SATURDAY LIVE AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

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Season Opening Supercross Event Kicks Off Tripleheader in Houston: Round 2 on Tues., Jan. 19, and Round 3 on Sat., Jan. 23, on NBCSN

Peacock Premium is New Streaming Home of Supercross

Mecum Auctions Begins 2021 in Kissimmee with 20+ Hours of World’s Largest Annual Collector-Car Auction Coverage Across NBC and NBCSN  

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 14, 2021 – The 2021 Monster Energy Supercross season begins this Saturday from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, live at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Saturday kicks off a tripleheader in Houston with Round 2 on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 10:30 p.m. ET and Round 3 on Saturday, Jan. 23, live at 8 p.m. ET.

Peacock Premium, the new streaming home of Supercross, provides live and commercial-free coverage of qualifiers and races as well as on-demand replays.

Broadcast Team

  • Play by Play: Leigh Diffey
  • Analyst: Ricky Carmichael
  • Host: Daniel Blair
  • Reporter: Will Christien

HOW TO WATCH

  • TV – NBCSN
  • Streaming – Peacock Premium
Date Coverage Network/Streaming Time (ET)
Sat., Jan. 16 Monster Energy Supercross – Qualifying Peacock Premium 12 p.m.
  Monster Energy Supercross – Event NBCSN* 6 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 19 Monster Energy Supercross – Qualifying Peacock Premium 2:30 p.m.
  Monster Energy Supercross – Event Peacock Premium 8:30 p.m.
  Monster Energy Supercross – Event NBCSN^ 10:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 23 Monster Energy Supercross – Qualifying Peacock Premium 2 p.m.
  Monster Energy Supercross – Event NBCSN* 8 p.m.

*also streams live on Peacock Premium

^Same-day delay

BROADCAST NOTES

  • Star-Studded Field of Competitors: Reigning Supercross Champion Eli Tomac looks to defend his title against Ken Roczen, Cooper Webb, Justin Barcia, Adam Cianciarulo, Chase Sexton and Zach Osborne in the 450SX Class. The 250SX Class features Austin Forkner and Jett Lawrence.
  • Gearing Up: An encore presentation of the Supercross season preview special will air this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The NBC Sports broadcast team discussed the upcoming season, including the season opener in Houston here.
  • Malcolm Stewart: 2016 250SX Eastern Regional Champion and current 450SX rider Malcolm Stewart is featured in a story by NBC Sports’ motorsports writer Nate Ryan that focuses on social justice efforts he’s involved in within the sport, his love for fishing, and his new ride with Yamaha this upcoming season. The story is available here.
  • The Lone Star State: Event marks the first time the series will begin the season outside of California in 25 years.

MECUM AUCTIONS: KISSIMMEE

Broadcast Team

  • Host: Scott Hoke
  • Analysts: John Kraman, Stephen Cox
  • Reporters: Bill Stephens, Katie Osborne

HOW TO WATCH

  • TV – NBC, NBCSN
  • Streaming – NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app
Date Network Time (ET)
Thurs., Jan. 14 NBCSN 11 a.m.
  NBCSN 8 p.m.*
Fri., Jan. 15 NBCSN 11 a.m.
  NBCSN 6:30 p.m.*
Sat., Jan. 16 NBCSN 12:30 p.m.
  NBCSN 4 p.m.^
Sun., Jan. 17 NBCSN 11:30 a.m.^
  NBC 2:30 p.m.
  NBCSN 7 p.m.^

*Same day-delay

^Taped coverage

BROADCAST NOTES

  • Kissimmee Headliners: The 10-day auction from Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Fla., features nearly 3,000 classic and collector vehicles ranging from entry-level collectibles to multimillion-dollar auctions, headlined by the 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback Shelby No. 13 and 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC.
  • Coverage: Nearly 25 hours will be presented across NBC and NBCSN over the course of four days, including an hour-long broadcast on NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

 

Monster Energy Supercross and Mecum Auctions are part of NBC Sports’ “Home of Motorsports” programming throughout 2021, spanning NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, MotoGP, Monster Jam, American Flat Track, Dakar Rally, and more.

–NBC SPORTS–

PGA TOUR SONY OPEN LIVE IN PRIMETIME THIS WEEK FROM HONOLULU ON GOLF CHANNEL

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PGA TOUR Hawaii Swing Continues This Week at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu

Golf Today and Golf Central Provide Wraparound Tournament Coverage Thursday-Sunday on GOLF Channel

Broadcast Team: Steve Sands, Justin Leonard, Mark Rolfing, Jim “Bones” Mackay, John Wood, Todd Lewis

GOLF Channel and NBC Deliver Most-Watched PGA TOUR Sentry Tournament of Champions Since 2017

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 13, 2021 – The PGA TOUR continues its Hawaii swing with the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii, live in primetime Thursday-Sunday on GOLF Channel. The first full-field PGA TOUR event of the year features Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Harris English attempting to join Justin Thomas and Ernie Els as the players to win both events in Hawaii in the same year since 1999.

Last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions on GOLF Channel and NBC was the most-watched edition of the event since 2017, averaging 477,000 viewers across the two networks, up 4% vs. 2020 (457,000 viewers). Additional Sentry Tournament of Champions viewership highlights:

  • Most-watched First and Third Rounds on GOLF Channel since 2018
  • Most-watched Second Round on GOLF Channel since 2016
  • Final Round on GOLF Channel/NBC up 12% vs. comparable Third Round on GOLF Channel/NBC last year.

GOLF Channel Broadcast Team – Sony Open

  • Play by Play: Steve Sands
  • Analyst: Justin Leonard
  • Tower: Mark Rolfing
  • On-Course: Jim “Bones” Mackay / John Wood
  • Interviews: Todd Lewis


HOW TO WATCH – THURSDAY, JAN. 14 – SUNDAY, JAN. 17

  • TV – GOLF Channel
  • Streaming – NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app
Date GOLF Channel
Thursday 7–10:30 p.m.
Friday 7–10:30 p.m.
Saturday 7–10:30 p.m.
Sunday 6–10 p.m.

*All times Eastern


NOTABLES PLAYERS THIS WEEK

  • Adam Scott
  • Collin Morikawa
  • Harris English
  • Jim Furyk
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Webb Simpson
  • Zach Johnson
  • Matt Kuchar
  • Sungjae Im


BROADCAST NOTES

  • Aloha State of Mind: The Sony Open marks the first full-field PGA TOUR event of the year. Sentry Tournament of Champions winner Harris English attempts to join Justin Thomas (2017) and Ernie Els (2003) as the players to win both events in Hawaii in the same year since 1999.
  • Smith defends: Cameron Smith defeated Brendan Steele in a playoff to earn his second career PGA TOUR victory at the 2020 Sony Open.
  • Golf Today and Golf Central: Golf Today and Golf Central will provide pre-and post-tournament coverage on GOLF Channel Thursday-Sunday. Shane Bacon and Damon Hack anchor Wednesday-Sunday editions of Golf Today. Cara Banks, Brandel Chamblee and Jaime Diaz contribute to Golf Central pre- and post-round coverage this week.
Date Golf Today Golf Central
Thursday 4-6 p.m. 6-7 p.m./10:30-11:30 p.m.
Friday 4-6 p.m. 6-7 p.m./10:30-11:30 p.m.
Saturday 4-6 p.m. 6-7 p.m./10:30-11:30 p.m.
Sunday 3-5 p.m. 5-6 p.m./10-11 p.m.

 

–NBC SPORTS–

2020-21 NHL SEASON BEGINS TONIGHT WITH TRIPLEHEADER ON NBCSN

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Penguins-Flyers Drop Puck on Opening Night on NBCSN at 5:30 p.m. ET; Coverage Begins with NHL Live at 5:15 p.m. ET on NBCSN

Defending Stanley Cup Champion Lightning Host Blackhawks at 8 p.m. ET; Blues-Avalanche at 10:30 p.m. ET

Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick Voices Opening Night Tease

“We’re going to have a 56-game sprint. I think that’s going to create for a lot of intrigue…I think it makes for good drama.” – Brian Boucher on the Upcoming Season

“Nathan MacKinnon is the best player in the entire National Hockey League…The Avalanche absolutely 110% are the (Stanley Cup) favorite.” – Eddie Olczyk on the Colorado Avalanche

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 13, 2021 – The 2020-21 NHL season begins tonight with a tripleheader on NBCSN, headlined by the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning raising their Stanley Cup banner and hosting Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks at 8 p.m. ET. Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against Claude Giroux and the Philadelphia Flyers at 5:30 p.m. ET in the opener. The nightcap will feature Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche hosting Ryan O’Reilly and the St. Louis Blues at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Opening night coverage begins with a special edition of NHL Live at 5:15 p.m. ET on NBCSN, leading into coverage of Penguins-Flyers. Kathryn Tappen anchors studio coverage throughout the evening with analysts Keith Jones and Patrick Sharp as well as NHL insider Bob McKenzie.

Eight-time Emmy Award-winner and recently retired Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick voices an opening night tease that previews the upcoming drama and storylines to follow during the unique 2020-21 season.

HOW TO WATCH – TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13

  • TV – NBCSN
  • Streaming – NBC Sports app and NBCSports.com
Date Coverage Commentators Time (ET)
Wed., January 13 NHL Live Kathryn Tappen, Keith Jones,
Patrick Sharp, Bob McKenzie		 5:15 p.m.
  Pittsburgh at Philadelphia Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire 5:30 p.m.
  Chicago at Tampa Bay John Forslund, Eddie Olczyk,
Brian Boucher		 8 p.m.
  St. Louis at Colorado Brendan Burke, AJ Mleczko 10:30 p.m.
  NHL Overtime Kathryn Tappen, Keith Jones,
Patrick Sharp		 1 a.m.*

*Immediately following game coverage

BROADCAST NOTES & FUN FACTS

  • The Lightning hold the NHL’s best points percentage in season openers (.704), going 18-7-2 in 27 all-time contests, and currently own the NHL’s longest active win streak in season-opening games (6-0-0).
  • Defending Stanley Cup champions are 58-25-16 in season openers in NHL history.
  • The Penguins and Flyers are set to clash in the ‘Battle of Pennsylvania’ when they meet in a season-opening game for the eighth time and first since 2012-13. The clubs have identical 3-3-1 records over the previous seven matchups.
  • Nathan MacKinnon had 93 points in 2019-20, which was 43 more than his next-closest teammate and 27 more than any other current member of the new West Division (Max Pacioretty, Vegas, 66).
  • Patrick Kane has 18 points in 13 career season-opening games, tied with the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin for the most such points among active NHL players.
  • 2020-21 marks the first regular season in NHL history in which teams will face only intra-divisional opponents.

NHL SEASON PREVIEW CONFERENCE CALL

On Monday, Olczyk, Boucher, McGuire, and Mleczko joined NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood to preview the upcoming NHL season on a media conference call. Following are highlights:

Brian Boucher on the upcoming season: “We’re going to have a 56-game sprint. I think that’s going to create for a lot of intrigue…I think it makes for good drama.”

AJ Mleczko: “No matter what adjustments we have to make as fans, as broadcasters, obviously for the teams, the NHL, the NHLPA, I’m just so excited to see these guys back on the ice. I’m so excited to be able to call these games.”

Eddie Olczyk on the Colorado Avalanche: “Nathan MacKinnon is the best player in the entire National Hockey League…The Avalanche absolutely 110% are the (Stanley Cup) favorite.”

Pierre McGuire on the Philadelphia Flyers: “Grinder, character guys, guys that aren’t afraid to take risks to make plays, they’re important players. The Flyers have a lot of those guys. I think the Flyers proved a lot last year. I think they will prove a lot this year.”

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON COVERAGE ON NBC SPORTS

NBC Sports is scheduled to present roughly 100 games featuring all 31 teams on NBC and NBCSN during the 2020-21 NHL regular-season, including a record 16 regular-season games on the NBC broadcast network. Click here for more info.

–NBC SPORTS–

NATHAN CHEN STARS IN NBC SPORTS’ LIVE COVERAGE OF 2021 TOYOTA U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEK, PART OF 2021 TEAM USA CHAMPIONS SERIES, PRESENTED BY XFINITY

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15+ Hours of Live Event Programming Across NBC and NBCSN; TV Coverage Begins Tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN

 Two-Time Defending U.S. Champion Alysa Liu Takes on Talented Field in Ladies’ Free Skate Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC

Nathan Chen Headlines Live Men’s Short Program Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on NBC and Men’s Free Skate Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Every Skater in Every Discipline Streamed Live on Peacock Premium

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 13, 2021 – Two-time reigning world champion Nathan Chen headlines NBC Sports’ 15+ hours of live coverage of the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships, part of the 2021 Team USA Champions Series, presented by Xfinity, beginning tomorrow, January 14. The event will be contested at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Live television coverage kicks off tomorrow on NBCSN with the pairs’ (6-8 p.m. ET) and ladies’ (10 p.m. – midnight ET) short programs. On Friday, Jan. 15, the rhythm dance will be televised live on NBCSN (4-6 p.m. ET), and the ladies’ free skate will air live on NBC (8-11 p.m. ET/PT).

Weekend coverage begins on Saturday, Jan. 16, with the men’s short program live on NBC (4-6 p.m. ET), followed by the free dance and pairs’ free skate live on NBCSN (9 p.m. – midnight ET). Live U.S. Championships coverage concludes on Sunday, Jan. 17 on NBC with the men’s free skate (3:30-6 p.m. ET).

Headlining the men’s field is Chen, who seeks his fifth consecutive U.S. title and is undefeated since placing fifth at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. With a victory, Chen would be the first to win five national titles since Todd Eldredge and the first to win five straight since two-time Olympic gold medalist Dick Button, who won seven in a row from 1946 to 1952. 2015 U.S. champion Jason Brown and 2019 world bronze medalist Vincent Zhou are also expected to contend in the men’s field.

The ladies’ field features two-time defending champion Alysa Liu, who won a bronze medal at the world junior championships last season, as well as 2020 U.S. silver medalist Mariah Bell and 2018 U.S. champion and Olympic team bronze medalist Bradie Tennell, who finished first and second, respectively, at Skate America in October. Bell, Tennell, and 2017 U.S. champion Karen Chen are expected to be the top contenders in the ladies’ event.

Two-time U.S. champions Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue aim for a third title in the ice dance event in a showdown with their training mates, two-time champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who won national titles last year and in 2015.

The U.S. Championships serve as the final qualifying event for the 2021 World Figure Skating Championships, which are scheduled for late March in Stockholm, Sweden.

On the NBC and NBCSN shows, Terry Gannon handles play-by-play for all disciplines, joined by 1998 Olympic gold medalist Tara Lipinski and recently-elected U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer and three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir on men’s, ladies’, and pairs’ programs. 2006 Olympic ice dance silver medalist Tanith White serves as the analyst on ice dance and Andrea Joyce will be the on-site reporter.

The Skating Spectacular will air on NBC from 1-3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 14. Additionally, a U.S. Figure Skating “Best Of” show will air on Sunday, Jan. 31 on NBC from Noon-2 p.m. ET. The 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships competitions, including every skater in every discipline, can be streamed live and on-demand on NBCUniversal’s digital streaming platform Peacock Premium.

Coverage on NBC and NBCSN is live streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships
All times Eastern. Check local listing. Subject to change.

Date Event Time Network
Thurs., Jan. 14 Pairs’ Short 6 – 8 p.m. NBCSN (Live)
Thurs., Jan. 14 Ladies’ Short 10 p.m. – Midnight NBCSN (Live)
Fri., Jan. 15 Rhythm Dance 4 – 6 p.m. NBCSN (Live)
Fri., Jan. 15 Ladies’ Free 8 – 11 p.m. NBC (Live ET)
Sat., Jan. 16 Men’s Short 4 – 6 p.m. NBC (Live)
Sat., Jan. 16 Free Dance / Pairs’ Free 9 p.m. – Midnight NBCSN (Live)
Sun, Jan. 17 Men’s Free 3:30 – 6 p.m. NBC (Live)
Sun., Jan. 24 Free Dance 5 – 6 p.m. NBC
Sun., Jan. 31 U.S. Championships – Best Of 12 – 2 p.m. NBC
Sat, Feb. 14 U.S. Championships Skating Spectacular 1 – 3 p.m. NBC

 

– NBC SPORTS –

BEYOND THE FAIRWAY – NEW NBC SPORTS PODCAST HOSTED BY DOUG SMITH AND WILL LOWERY – DEBUTS JAN. 19

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“The Intersection of Culture and the Lifestyle of Golf.”

Podcast to Examine Golf from Different Perspectives with In-Depth Interviews with Celebrities, Athletes and Golf Influencers

Debut Episode to Feature Two-Time NBA Champion Ray Allen; Don Cheadle, Larry Fitzgerald, Kyle Lowry and Cedric The Entertainer Slated to Appear

New Episodes Drop Each Tuesday – Trailer and Preview Available Now

Video Clips on GOLFChannel.com and GOLF Channel YouTube Page

STAMFORD, Conn. – January 13, 2021 – NBC Sports has launched Beyond The Fairway, a new podcast hosted by professional golfers Doug Smith and Will Lowery, aimed at examining golf from different perspectives through interviews with celebrities, athletes and golf influencers and expanding the reach of the game.

Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion Ray Allen will be the first guest on Beyond The Fairway, which will debut on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Click here to listen to a preview of Beyond The Fairway, which is available now across major podcast platforms.

Additional guests slated to appear on Beyond The Fairway in the coming weeks and months include actors Don Cheadle and Cedric The Entertainer, Arizona Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, and Toronto Raptors PG Kyle Lowry.

“We want Beyond The Fairway to be the intersection of culture and the lifestyle of golf,” said Smith. “Let’s dive into why people love this game so much. Why do we do such crazy things to chase a little white ball around grass? What drives our obsession and passion for this game? And never before have two black men been opposite each other to talk golf like this. It shows how NBC Sports and GOLF Channel are actually doing something to help diversify the golf landscape.”

“We’re going to be talking golf from a different clubhouse,” said Lowery. “Beyond The Fairway is going to have a relaxed atmosphere and welcome all golfers, opening the door to the casual golfer who might not care about greens-in-regulation statistics on the PGA TOUR. We’re not afraid of going out-of-bounds with conversations – and we might not make may holes-in-one either – but you’ve got two individuals who are from the rough to guide you through the experience.”

Lowery was a cast member on GOLF Channel’s hit reality series, “The Big Break,” and appeared on both “Big Break Indian Wells” and “Big Break NFL: Puerto Rico.” He currently competes on the SwingThought Tour and Advocates Pro Golf Tour, has several top-10 finishes and two victories on the mini-tour circuit, and advocates for minorities through production and content creation in the entertainment space.

Smith played collegiate golf at Florida A&M University and the University of Louisville, was the first African-American to play golf at Louisville and won the 2005 PGA National Minority Collegiate Championship during his time as a Cardinal.

Beyond the Fairway will be available for download on all major podcast platforms, including: NBCSports.com/podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

Video clips of Beyond The Fairway will be posted on GOLFChannel.com as well as the GOLF Channel YouTube page. Beyond The Fairway joins NBC Sports’ slate of podcasts spanning the NFL, the NHL, NASCAR and other motorsports, MLB, the NBA, rugby, and more.

-NBC SPORTS-