NFL
Feb
15
ESPN Makes Monday Night Football A Two Man Booth; Jaws Moves To Countdown
John Ourand in Sports Business Daily breaks another sports media story.
He’s reporting that ESPN will move Rob Jaworski out of the Monday Night Football booth and into the Network’s studio pregame shows next season.
In addition, Jaws will get a five year contract.
It means Monday Night Football will become a two man booth with Mike Tirico and Jon “This Guy Can Play For Me” Gruden.
Jaworski will continue in his role as co-analyst on NFL Matchup and will join a crowded set on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown.
Jaws joined Monday Night Football in 2007 replacing Joe Theismann and worked as the main analyst with Mike Tirico and Tony Kornheiser. After Mr. Tony left the booth after the 2008 season, Jon Gruden came on board giving MNF some stability for three seasons.
With Gruden locked into ESPN with a new contract that takes effect next season and this new contract for Jaws, it appears the MNF booth is set for a while.
We have ESPN’s official announcement on the move.
Ron Jaworski Signs Five-Year Extension for New, Expanded Multiplatform Analyst Role
New ESPN Monday Night Football Commentator Team: Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden
Ron Jaworski has signed a five-year extension with ESPN for a new, expanded multiplatform NFL analyst role that includes appearances on Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, NFL Matchup, NFL-branded specials, Mike & Mike in the Morning, Pardon the Interruption, and other platforms and shows throughout the year. Also, ESPN’s Monday Night Football will have a new two-person commentator team for the first time during the 2012 NFL season with Mike Tirico and analyst Jon Gruden.
Jaworski, the former Philadelphia Eagles standout quarterback, will have a greater year-round presence on ESPN in his new role. In addition to appearing weekly on both Countdown shows and Matchup, Jaworski will make regular appearances on SportsCenter (primarily Sundays and Mondays), NFL Live, NFL Kickoff, Mike & Mike, and the PTI’s “Five Good Minutes”. He will also be featured in ESPN’s annual NFL Draft and Super Bowl week coverage, in addition to having his own NFL-themed SportsCenter Special shows highlighting his expert analysis and X’s and O’s film evaluations.
Jaworski has covered the league from virtually every angle since joining ESPN in 1990, including sideline reporter, game-site reporter, host, and both studio and game analyst. He served as a MNF analyst the past five seasons.
“I am grateful for having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of working on Monday Night Football the past five seasons with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and so many other talented people behind the scenes who make the show so great, and I look forward to bringing my passion and knowledge of the game to more fans in more places than ever before on any and all football topics,” said Jaworski.
“I thank Ron for the great contributions he has made to Monday Night Football and look forward to the many ways he will enhance our studio presentation from our NFL-branded shows to SportsCenter,” said ESPN President John Skipper. “With two strong analysts in Ron and Jon, these moves will better utilize their strengths and benefit our entire NFL presentation.”
With Jaworski’s new role, Tirico, one of the industry’s top play-by-play voices, and Gruden, the dynamic Super Bowl-winning head coach, will combine to give ESPN one of the top duos in NFL broadcasting. In addition to working alongside Jaworski the past three seasons on Monday nights, Tirico and Gruden have called a number of college football bowl games together, including the 2011 and 2012 Outback Bowl games, and the 2011 BCS National Championship (with Todd Blackledge) on ESPN Radio. They will make their regular season MNF debut on September 10.
The Tirico-Gruden pairing marks just the sixth time in MNF’s 42-year history that sports television’s signature series will feature a two-person commentator team. In addition, this will be the first time in 15 years that ESPN has used a two-person lead team on its NFL game coverage. The last was Mike Patrick and Joe Theismann who called Sunday Night Football games together from 1988-1997.
ESPN’S MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
ESPN’s Monday Night Football has ranked as the most-watched series on cable television for six straight years, drawing 14 of the 2011 calendar year’s 20 biggest cable household audiences, and 13 of the top 20 among viewers. ESPN’s 17 Monday Night Football telecasts in 2011 averaged a 9.7 rating (8.4 US rating), representing an average of 9,589,000 households (13,252,000 viewers – P2+), according to Nielsen. Additionally, ESPN ranked as the No. 1 network each Monday night last season among the coveted key male demographics (M18-34 and M18-49). Since its debut on ESPN in 2006, MNF has registered seven of the top 10 all-time biggest household audiences in cable history (three Bowl Championship Series college football games – which also aired on ESPN – occupy the other top 10 spots).
That will do it.
Feb
14
Report: No New NFL TV Package
This comes from the Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand who has been on top of this story since last year. He’s reporting (subscription required) in this week’s issue that with the announcement of five additional games to the Thursday Night Football schedule on NFL Network, it now appears unlikely that there will be a new 1st half package of TNF games sent out for bid.
It was thought that the expansion of the Thursday Night Football schedule for the 2012 season would eventually lead to a split contract between a new partner (ESPN, Turner Sports or NBC Sports Network) and NFL Network when the new television contract began in 2014. However, Ourand is reporting through sources that any new package will have to wait for the foreseeable future.
During the NFL Lockout, Commissioner Roger Goodell gauged interest from the networks for a potential 1st half, 8 game Thursday Night Football package, but then it appeared that the Commish took the idea off the table when the 2011 season began, only to seemingly bring it back again before the regular season was about to end.
However, with 13 games on NFL Network and 15 Thursday Night games overall (the remaining two will be aired by NBC on Opening Night and the Thanksgiving holiday), it seems that the schedule is now etched in stone for now.
This also could be a ploy to get leverage against two large cable providers, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable which remain steadfast in their refusal to pick up NFL Network. While the NFL has made several gains with several larger cable providers in the last few years, they still cannot penetrate Time Warner and Cablevision systems. And there doesn’t appear to be any discussions on the horizon with either company at the present time.
The big losers in this are Comcast and Turner Sports, both of which have wanted to get NFL games for their respective cable channels. Of course, Comcast has been hoping to get a Thursday Night package for Versus now NBC Sports Network since the last decade, only to see it passed over for NFL Network twice. And Turner has been eyeing a return to the NFL since losing the first half of the Sunday Night Football package to ESPN in the late 1990′s.
It’s all quite a fascinating turn in the world of the NFL.
Feb
08
Our Mid-Week Linkage
Time for some sports media links for today. Let’s get to them without further delay.
Let’s start with USA Today and Michael Hiestand who looks at the record online numbers for the first live legal stream of the Super Bowl.
Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated lists the best and worst NFL announcing teams.
Over to Mike Farrell of Multichannel News who writes that the MSG Network/Time Warner Cable dispute could last a long time and there’s no end in sight.
Eriq Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter says a magistrate judge has blocked an attempt by several former athletes wanting access to NCAA TV contracts in a dispute over EA Sports using their likenesses for video games.
Lacy Rose of the Reporter writes that actor/director Clint Eastwood is spearheading the launch of a new golf TV network.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reports that the FCC has refused to reverse a decision against Comcast requiring it to carry Tennis Channel.
Tim Baysinger of B&C notes that Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl received a lower viewership than last year.
Adweek has all of your Super Bowl ads in 2 minutes.
Andrew Gauthier of TVSpy says an Old Milwaukee Beer spot with Will Ferrell that ran on Super Bowl Sunday in the 2nd smallest market of the country, is getting some of the biggest buzz this week.
Erin Gloria Ryan at Jezebel notes that ESPN had a section for commentors to complain about female announcers. ESPN has taken it down and issued a statement.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says NBC missed obscuring the now-infamous M.I.A. middle finger in the Madonna Super Bowl halftime show by less than on second.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says USA Network will air an inspirational NFL Films documentary on Friday.
TVNews Check has WCBS-TV claiming an NYC ratings victory for its coverage of Tuesday’s New York Giants Super Bowl parade.
Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY says WNBC-TV won the New York ratings for last week thanks to the Giants playing in Super Bowl XLVI.
Laura Nachman says the Philadelphia 76ers’ ratings on Comcast SportsNet are way up over last year.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle notes that Doritos and M&M’s were TiVO’s most watched Super Bowl ads for this year.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman writes about NBC’s ratings for Super Bowl XLVI.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says a Great American Ballpark scoreboard operator will represent the Reds in MLB Network’s Baseball IQ game show.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers pleased with his guest analyst stint on NBC Sunday.
Robert Feder from Time Out Chicago notes a local sportscaster who has a side gig with a podcast on science fiction and pop culture.
To Crain’s Chicago Business and Ed Sherman who says this year’s Super Bowl ratings in the Windy City were down significantly from last year.
Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune says a local sports radio talk show host was fired after calling a women’s college basketball analyst for the mtn. not just one but several derogatory terms.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that Hall of Fame Dodgers voice Vin Scully won’t be calling Spring Training games until the team returns from Arizona.
Michael Passanisi of Fenway West is not a fan of the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy. Not many of us are.
Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes here and here.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog compares NFL to CFL ratings in the Great White North.
Mike Silva in Sports Media Watchdog looks at Mad Dog Radio’s Dino Costa ranting about teams removing media credentials.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has video of MSG Network host Al Trautwig pounding the table after the New York Rangers lost to the New Jersey Devils after a no goal call on Tuesday.
And Tim Ryan has a photo of NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar posing with the dainty Zooey Deschanel? It’s not sports media, but I’ll take any excuse to post a link to a Zooey Deschanel pic.
Ok, we’re done. Enjoy your Wednesday and the college basketball games tonight.
Feb
08
Dial Global Says 23 Million People Listened to Super Bowl XLVI
This from our friends at Dial Global Radio, the official radio partner of the NFL. Through phone surveys, Dial Global was able to determine from interviews conducted by Edison Research that 23.1 million people listened to Super Bowl XLVI either at home, at work, in the car or in other locations. This follows the 22.9 million who listened to the NFL Conference Championship Games through Dial Global stations the two weeks previous.
Not sure how Edison Research was able to determine 23 million people listened to Super Bowl XLVI, but I’m sure they have a formula which it says works.
We have the Dial Global press release for you.
23 Million Radio Listeners Tune Into Super Bowl XLVI
Study highlights demand for radio broadcast coverage of NFL games
NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2012 – Dial Global announced today that 23.1 million people tuned in to hear the radio broadcast of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, February 5, 2012 featuring the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Dial Global commissioned the study from Edison Research, designed to accurately measure the number of people that tuned in to hear Super Bowl XLVI broadcasts and make this information available within two days of the event’s conclusion.
The survey found that listeners accessed the live broadcast in multiple listening environments, including the home, while driving, at work and other locations, on over 680 stations nationwide.
The national survey was conducted via live telephone interviews on February 6, 2012, following the Giants 21-17 victory over the Patriots. The game, which wasn’t decided until the final play, marked the second time in four years that the Giants topped the Patriots in the Super Bowl. For exclusive player interviews, radio broadcast highlights and photos from the field after the final whistle, visit www.dialglobalsports.com.
“We are again excited, but not surprised, to see that our research findings highlight the strength of the Dial Global brand and the ongoing demand for radio broadcast coverage of live sporting events,” said David Landau, Co-President CEO of Dial Global. “Dial Global is committed to showcasing the value of our content and exemplifying our commitment to being the most innovative, service focused company in the industry while supporting our affiliates and advertisers.”
Broadcasting nearly 100 NFL games, exclusive NFL primetime games, the Playoffs and the Super Bowl, Dial Global commissioned the Super Bowl study following the results of their initial research during the Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots (AFC Championship) and New York Giants vs. San Francisco Forty-Niners (NFC Championship) games on Sunday, January 22, 2012, which found that 22.9 million Americans listened to radio broadcast coverage of these two live NFL events.
“Given the popularity of The Super Bowl as ‘television’s ultimate event’ where people actually look forward to the commercials and the halftime show, the number of radio listeners may come as a surprise to those who are not familiar with the significant reach of broadcast radio. We are excited that our ongoing research continues to highlight the power of radio,” said Larry Rosin, Edison President.
Dial Global’s NFL listener research highlights the continued demand for radio broadcast coverage of live events, including live sporting events. Dial Global is the network radio home to some of the biggest, most widely-followed sports in America including: NFL Football, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball and The Final Four, The Masters Tournament, MRN/NASCAR Radio and the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London.
There you have it.
Feb
07
More Than 2 Million Watched Super Bowl XLVI Online
NBC and the National Football League have announced that 2.1 million people watched the very first legal online stream of the Super Bowl this past Sunday. It marks the largest online audience for a sporting event. In 2011, the NFL announced it would allow NBC to stream Super Bowl XLVI. CBS had requested to stream Super Bowl XLIV two years ago, but the NFL turned it down.
NBC promoted the Super Bowl online as a companion to its over the air broadcast giving online viewers four extra camera angles.
Those watching on their computers noticed that the TV ads nor the Madonna halftime show were part of the online stream. And there were buffering issues as well as delays of up to 30 seconds compared to the TV broadcast. Even with those problems, both NBC and the NFL are declaring Sunday’s stream as asuccess.
We have the NBC press release.
SUPER BOWL XLVI LIVE STREAM SETS TRAFFIC RECORDS
Over Two Million Streamed Super Bowl XLVI
More than 78 Million Minutes StreamedNEW YORK -– Feb. 7, 2012 –- The first-ever live stream of a Super Bowl in the United States attracted 2,105,441 users, making it the most-watched, single-game sports event ever online, according to data provided by Omniture and mDialog, surpassing any previously reported record. The live game stream was available on both NBCSports.com as well asNFL.com. NBC Sports’ live stream was also available on NFL Mobile only from Verizon. Yesterday, NBC Sports announced its broadcast coverage of Super Bowl XLVI was the most-watched television program in U.S. history (111.3 million viewers) and the highest-rated Super Bowl in 26 years (47.0 household rating)
“The Super Bowl XLVI live stream exceeded our expectations in every way. Increasingly, sports fans are looking to digital coverage as a complementary ‘second screen’ experience, and we delivered on that promise with unprecedented robust coverage,” said Kevin Monaghan, SVP, Business Development & Managing Director Digital Media, NBC Sports Group. “The record traffic that grew throughout the event, as well as the record high engagement numbers, underscores the complementary aspect of digital as an enhancement to our exceptional television coverage.”
“It was exciting to work with NBC Sports to offer fans the Super Bowl in more ways than ever before,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL, SVP, Media Strategy and Development. “The Super Bowl live stream was a tremendous success in its first year. We will continue to look for more ways to reach our fans.”
NBCSports.com‘s online streaming of Super Bowl XLVI featured HD-quality video, DVR controls and multiple camera angles along with social interactivity, including a live chat with Mike Florio from NBC’s ProFootballTalk, and tweets from Michele Tafoya, NBC Sports’ sideline reporter, and Jimmy Fallon, the host of NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Florio and commentator Randy Moss also supplied the halftime content for the live stream with a live video report and game analysis from just outside the team locker rooms. In addition to game highlights, viewers were also able to watch replays of popular Super Bowl TV commercials.
Online Traffic Data
Unique Users - 2,105,441 (live stream online)
Live Video Streams - 4,589,593 (live stream online)
Total Minutes Streamed - 78,624,422
On-Demand Clips - 1,838,812 VOD clips viewed
User-Generated Camera Switches - 1,835,676
Engagement - More than 39 minutes per visit.
That’s going to do it.
Feb
07
Tuesday Links with Some Overdue Monday Linkage
I was hoping to do links on Monday featuring reviews of the Super Bowl and the ads, but real life got in the way. Plus, a link from SI.com to my Biff Henderson post temporarily knocked my site down. Much appreciated to Jimmy Traina and Hot Clicks for the link.
The links begin with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch who doles out his grades for the Super Bowl production.
Michael Hiestand from USA Today says Al Michaels was on top of his game on Sunday.
Bruce Horovitz of USA Today has the results of the paper’s Super Bowl Ad Meter. The results may or may not surprise you.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that Super Bowl XLVI on NBC set a viewership record.
Tim Nudd of Adweek lists the five best Super Bowl commercials according to the publication.
Adweek’s David Griner has the five most debated Super Bowl adverts.
Todd Cunningham at The Wrap says NBC has apologized for the now-infamous middle finger from M.I.A. during the Madonna halftime performance.
Kristi Dosh at ESPN.com has some off-the-field winners for Super Bowl XLVI.
Sports Business Daily notes that dogs were a favorite of the Super Bowl ads.
SBD notes that NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show was mostly praised.
Michael Smith and John Ourand of Sports Business Journal say the ACC is looking for a big payday from ESPN with two new members entering the conference.
Eriq Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter says the FCC likely won’t fine NBC for M.I.A’s middle appendage.
The Hollywood Reporter says Super Bowl XLVI set a Twitter record.
George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable says the Super Bowl was the biggest event ever on social media.
John Eggerton of B&C writes that the FCC has ruled a Chicago NBC affiliate was within its rights to reject an anti-abortion Super Bowl ad.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes about the ratings and viewership standards set by Super Bowl XLVI.
Mike writes that MSG Network will air the February 11 Buffalo Sabres-Tampa Bay Lightning game on NBC affiliates in Buffalo and Rochester as an end run around Time Warner Cable.
Simon Dumenco of Advertising Age has the 10 Super Bowl ads that set social media afire.
Ad Age’s Rich Thomaselli notes that Giants Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning is now expected to equal or surpass his brother Peyton as a commercial endorser.
Ad Age’s experts break down the Super Bowl ads.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has video of ESPN’s Rick Reilly making a preposterous statement following Super Bowl XLVI.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says Super Bowl XLVI lived up to the ratings hype.
SVG notes that Super Bowl XLVI garnered its highest audience ever in Canada even beating the CFL Grey Cup.
The With Leather blog has some pictures from the infamous Playboy Super Bowl party where CNBC’s Darren Rovell got into trouble with women.
Stephen Douglas at The Big Lead notes that Extra host and Massachusetts Maria Menounos native paid up on a Super Bowl bet and hosted yesterday’s show in a Giants bikini in the middle of Times Square.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC’s Cris Collinsworth stepped up in the biggest moment of the Super Bowl.
The Times’ Brian Stelter has NBC calling its online stream of Super Bowl XLVI a success.
Stuart Elliot of the Times says the Super Bowl ads were meh.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels NBC covered up Rob Gronkowski’s ankle injury when the game began. You’re reaching, Phil.
Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY says WCBS-TV scored impressive numbers for its post-Super Bowl coverage.
Howard Megdal of the Journal News’ LoHud Mets Blog says the team, invoking memories of the Soviet Union, has revoked his media credential for the 2012 season.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union feels Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth weren’t up to par on Sunday.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call notes that the Philadelphia Phillies will be heard on the FM dial starting this season.
Laura Nachman has her Super Bowl XLVI highlights.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun says NBC’s Super Bowl telecast rose above the ads and the halftime show.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says a local sports radio producer is getting out of the business to become a restauranteur.
Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald praises NBC for its coverage of the Big Game.
Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times feels NBC got the job done on Super Bowl Sunday.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Super Bowl got another huge rating.
David provides his thoughts on the NBC Super Bowl production.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer lists his best and worst Super Bowl ads.
Robert King of the Indianapolis Star has the national media heaping praise on the city for hosting the Super Bowl.
King writes that the earliest Indy could host the Super Bowl again would be in 2017.
Lou Harry and Anthony Schoette of the Indianapolis Business Journal review Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime performance.
Anthony and Cory Schouten say Lucas Oil Stadium passed the test of holding its first Super Bowl.
Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feels Aaron Rodgers did well in his guest stint on NBC.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his wrap of the Super Bowl.
Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Gateway City lagged behind the national average ratings for the Super Bowl.
Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post writes NBC did yeoman’s work and then some on Super Bowl Sunday.
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune lists his favorite Super Bowls XLVI ads.
Jay Posner in the San Diego Union-Tribune feels NBC was good, but not Super on Sunday.
John Maffei of the North County Times for the most part enjoyed NBC’s Super Bowl coverage.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News also liked NBC’s broadcast.
Tom has a longer review on his blog.
Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders why the Super Bowl has so many prop bets.
Slate’s Matthew Black was stuck watching the lackluster Canadian Super Bowl ads.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes the Super Bowl did really well in Canada.
Leah Goldman at the Business Insider Sports Page keeps an eye out for ESPN’s Erin Andrews and Fox’s Troy Aikman as a potential sports media power couple.
Sports Media Watch has some other Super Bowl ratings news.
Mike Silva of the Sports Media Watchdog has suggestions on how to handle fan taunts unlike Gisele Bündchen.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that NBC Sports Network will have a hockey doubleheader on Wednesday.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing gives his bests and worsts of Super Bowl XLVI.
Matt also looks at the running feud between ESPN Radio’s Ryen Russillo and WEEI’s John Dennis.
Surviving Grady speaks with Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle.
And those are your links. Got them done before noon. I’m happy.
Feb
06
Sports Media Weekly Podcast, Super Bowl XLVI Edition
Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and yours truly are in for a special edition of the Sports Media Weekly podcast. We talk about the record ratings and viewership for Super Bowl XLVI.
We go from discussing NBC’s production to the inaugural online streaming of the Big Game. Keith and I talked about the announcing of Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. We reviewed NBC’s pregame show and we also opined on the Super Bowl ads.
Take a listen. It’s a quick 25 minutes. Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by searching for Sports Media Journal or listen right here.
Feb
06
Super Bowl XLVI Breaks Total Viewership Record
One more record broken by Super Bowl XLVI. Nielsen says the Big Game between the New England Patriots and New York Giants broke the record for total viewership. A whopping 166.8 million viewers watched part or all of yesterday’s game shattering last year’s record of 162.9 million set in Super Bowl XLV.
The NFL says this marks the 5th straight year the Super Bowl has set a viewership record.
166.8 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS
SUPER BOWLS RANK AS TV’S TOP 21 SHOWS
The 2011 NFL season concluded with another television milestone as Super Bowl XLVI on NBC reached a total audience of 166.8 million viewers, making it the most-watched show in U.S. television history according to The Nielsen Company.
The Giants-Patriots championship game topped the previous record of 162.9 million total viewers set last year (Packers-Steelers in Super Bowl XLV) and marks the fifth consecutive record-setting total audience for the Super Bowl. Super Bowls account for the 21 most-watched programs in history in terms of total audience.
Most-Watched TV Programs, Total Viewers
Game Total Viewers Super Bowl XLVI (Giants-Patriots), 2/5/12 166.8 million Super Bowl XLV (Packers-Steelers), 2/6/11 162.9 million Super Bowl XLIV (Colts-Saints), 2/7/10 153.4 million Super Bowl XLIII (Cardinals-Steelers), 2/1/09 151.6 million Super Bowl XLII (Giants-Patriots), 2/3/08 148.3 million Source: NFL, The Nielsen Company
In addition, a record average of 111.3 million viewers watched Super Bowl XLVI – topping the previous mark of 111 million for Super Bowl XLV.
That will do it.
Feb
06
Super Bowl XLVI Becomes Most Watched TV Program of All-Time
From NBC Sports, we knew that Super Bowl XLVI had the potential to set a viewership record and it did just that, but just barely. The previous record of an average 111 million viewers was set last year with Super Bowl XLV on Fox between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. This year for Super Bowl XLVI on NBC, the average viewership was 111.3 million. So 300,000 more people watched Super Bowl XLVI than Super Bowl XLV.
The rating for the game was 47.0 with a whopping 71 share. That’s up 2% from last year’s 46.0/69 and it’s the highest rated Super Bowl since Super Bowl XX in 1986 which received a 48.3/70.
Boston had the highest rating of all markets with a 56.7/81 and that was a local ratings record breaking the previous standard set for Super Bowl XXXVI ten years ago. Host city Indianapolis was next with a 56.4/79.
For halftime, the performance by Madonna was seen by 114 million people, outpacing the Super Bowl by 2.8 million viewers. That received a 47.4 rating, beating last year’s halftime with the Black Eyed Peas which received a 44.7.
And the lead-in from the Super Bowl gave NBC’s The Voice a big rating as well.
We have the press release from NBC Sports.
111.3 Million Watch Super Bowl XLVI, Tops Last Year’s Super Bowl (111.0 Million)
47.0 Household Rating is Best in 26 Years, Since 48.3 for Super Bowl XX
40.5 Adult 18-49 Rating is Best for a Super Bowl in 16 Years
14% Higher Than Last Giants-Patriots Super Bowl in 2008
12% Higher Than Last NBC Super Bowl in 2009
7th Straight Year Super Bowl Audience IncreasesINDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 6, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI is the most-watched television program in U.S. history and the highest-rated Super Bowl in 26 years, according to fast national data released today by The Nielsen Company.
The game, in which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots, 21-17, was seen by a record 111.3 million viewers (6:31-9:58 p.m. ET), topping last year’s 111.0 for Super Bowl XLV on Fox and is the biggest audience to watch a television program in U.S. history.
MOST-WATCHED PROGRAMS IN U.S. TELEVISION HISTORY
1. 111.3 Million – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
2. 111.0 Million – Super Bowl XLV, Fox
3. 106.5 Million – Super Bowl XLIV, CBS
4. 106.0 Million – M.A.S.H. Finale, CBS
5. 98.7 Million – Super Bowl XLIII, NBCHIGHEST-RATED SUPER BOWL IN 26 YEARS: The game earned a 47.0 rating and a 71 share, a gain of two percent from last year’s 46.0/69 for Super Bowl XLV and is the highest-rated Super Bowl since 1986 (Bears-Patriots, Super Bowl XX, 48.3/70). The 47.0 rating is the 6th highest in Super Bowl history.
- The game drew a 40.5 rating in the advertiser-coveted Adult 18-49 demographic, the highest for a Super Bowl in 16 years (41.2 for Super Bowl XXX on Jan. 28, 1996)
HIGEST-RATED SUPER BOWLS:
1. 49.1/73 – Super Bowl XVI, CBS
2. 48.6/69 – Super Bowl XVII, NBC
3. 48.3/70 – Super Bowl XX, NBC
4. 47.2/67 – Super Bowl XII, CBS
5. 47.1/74 – Super Bowl XIII, NBC
6. 47.0/71 – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Last Night’s Game)
T7. 46.4/71 – Super Bowl XVIII, CBS
T7. 46.4/63 – Super Bowl XIX, ABC
9. 46.3/67 – Super Bowl XIV, CBS
10. 46.0/69 – Super Bowl XLV, FoxVIEWERSHIP GROWS THROUGHOUT THE GAME: The viewership and rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 117.7 million viewers and a 50.7/72, respectively, from 9:30-9:58 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.
HALF HOUR VIEWERSHIP (Times ET):
6:31-7, 99.2 million
7-7:30, 107.9 million
7:30-8, 110.9 million
8-8:30, 114.0 million
8:30-9, 114.3 million
9-9:30, 115.4 million
9:30-9:58, 117.7 millionHALF HOUR RATINGS (Times ET):
6:31-7, 42.5/69
7-7:30, 45.5/71
7:30-8, 46.4/71
8-8:30, 47.4/70
8:30-9, 47.7/70
9-9:30, 48.9/70
9:30-9:58, 50.7/72HALFTIME SHOW FEATURING MADONNA IS MOST-WATCHED EVER: The halftime performance by Madonna (8-8:30), was seen by 114.0 million viewers, nearly four million more than last year’s performance featuring the Black Eyed Peas (110.3 million), and is the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show featuring entertainment ever (dating back to 1991).
- The halftime viewership 18.3 million more than NBC’s last Super Bowl with Bruce Springsteen (95.7 million).
- The halftime show earned a 47.4 household rating, six percent higher than last year (44.7/68) and is the highest-rated halftime show featuring entertainment ever.
“THE VOICE” DELIVERS HUGE NUMBERS: The season two premiere of “The Voice” that followed the Super Bowl averaged a 16.3 rating in adults 18-49 and 37.6 million viewers overall, making it the highest-rated entertainment program in 18-49 in six years, since ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” post-Super Bowl telecast on February 5, 2006 (16.5). “The Voice” is up versus last year’s post-Super Bowl telecast of “Glee” by 47 percent in 18-49 (16.3 vs. 11.1) and up one percent versus the 2010 post-Super Bowl telecast of “Undercover Boss” (16.3 vs. 16.2).
BOSTON SETS LOCAL MARKET RECORD: The rating in Boston was the best ever for an NFL game in that market (56.7/81) topping the previous high of 56.1/78 for Super Bowl XXXVI (56.1/78 on Fox).
- The New York market registered a 49.7/74, the second-highest overnight for an NFL game in that market, trailing only the 53.4/72 for Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first-ever Super Bowl. By comparison, New York registered a 44.9/67 for Super Bowl XLII, the last time they were in the big game.
· The host market of Indianapolis registered a 56.4/79 overnight rating, the second-best overnight for a host market only trailing Jacksonville (58.9/77) for Super Bowl XXXIX).
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI:
1. Boston, 56.7/81
2. Indianapolis, 56.4/79
3. Norfolk, 54.2/73
4. Columbus, 54.1/72
5. New Orleans, 54.0/72
T6. Nashville, 53.5/74
T6. Jacksonville, 53.5/70
8. Buffalo, 52.9/72
9. Kansas City, 52.1/73
10. Milwaukee, 52.0/73*New York ranked 18th with a 49.7/74
And that is a wrap on the 2011-12 NFL season.
Feb
06
Super Bowl Overnight Rating Down From Last Year
Super Bowl XLVI on NBC received a 47.8 rating, one-tenth of a point below the record of 47.9 set by Super Bowl XLV on Fox last year. It’s the 3rd highest overnight in history.
Locally, Boston set a local overnight rating record with a 56.7 while New York was off the record set in 2008 for Super Bowl XLII. NYC had a 49.7 last night, off from the 53.4 set four years ago.
Interestingly, the Madonna Super Bowl halftime show received a 48.1 overnight, higher than the actual game.
No official press release yet, when it comes, I’ll pass it along.
UPDATE, 11:10 a.m.: As soon as I post this, the NBC press release arrives in the Fang’s Bites inbox.
3rd Highest Super Bowl Overnight Ever, Less Than One Percent Behind Super Bowls XLV and XXI (47.9)
14% Higher Than Last NBC Super Bowl
7% Higher Than Last Time Giants and Patriots Met in Super Bowl XLII
Boston Registered a 56.7/81, Best Overnight Rating Ever for an NFL game in Boston
New York Registered a 49.7/74, Second-Best Overnight Ever for an NFL game in New York
Final Half-Hour of Pre-Game Show Best Since 2003INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 6, 2012 – Super Bowl XLVI in which the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17, earned a 47.8/71 overnight rating/share last night on NBC, the third-highest overnight rating in Super Bowl history and less than one percent off the highest (47.9 for both Super Bowl XLV and Super Bowl XXI), according to overnight data released today by The Nielsen Company.
- 47.8/71 is seven percent higher than Super Bowl XLII on Fox when the Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14.
- The overnight rating is 14 percent higher than the last Super Bowl on NBC (Super Bowl XLIII, Steelers 27, Cardinals 23) and higher than any of NBC’s previous 11 Super Bowls in which there were metered markets.
- Tops all other Super Bowls involving the Giants and Patriots in Nielsen People Meter History (Since 1988).
“This confirms that the Super Bowl is the most dominant and consistent property on television,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “We are fortunate, in our new agreement with the NFL, to be able to broadcast three more Super Bowls over the next nine years.”
TOP 5 SUPER BOWL OVERNIGHTS OF ALL TIME:
T1. 47.9/71 – Super Bowl XLV, Packers 31-Steelers 25, Fox
T1. 47.9/68 – Super Bowl XXI, Giants 39-Broncos 20, CBS
3. 47.8/71 – Super Bowl XLVI, Giants 21-Patriots 17, NBC
4. 47.4/NA – Super Bowl XIV, Steelers 31-Rams 19, CBS
5. 46.9/70 – Super Bowl XX, Bears 46-Patriots 10, NBCRATING GROWS THROUGHOUT THE GAME: The rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 51.8/73 from 9:30-10 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.
HALF HOURS (Times ET):
6:30-7, 43.3/69
7-7:30, 45.9/71
7:30-8, 47.7/72
8-8:30, 48.1/72
8:30-9, 48.3/71
9-9:30, 49.3/70
9:30-10, 51.8/73FINAL HALF HOUR OF PRE-GAME SHOW BEST SINCE ’03: From 6-6:30, the Super Bowl XLVI Pre-Game show drew a 34.5 overnight rating, two percent higher than last year and the best for the final half-hour of the pre-game show since Super Bowl XXXVII (35.3 on ABC). Total pre-game (2-6:30) registered a 12.0/23 just two percent off from last year’s (12.2/23) and two percent higher than the last NBC Super Bowl (11.8/23 for Super Bowl XLIII).
- The halftime performance by Madonna (8-8:30), earned a 48.1/72 overnight, one percent ahead of last year’s 8-8:30 time period featuring the Black Eyed Peas (47.4/70) and 20 percent higher than NBC’s last Super Bowl with Bruce Springsteen (40.2/62).
- The post-game (10-10:15) registered a 35.3/54, 17 percent higher than last year’s 30.3 for Super Bowl XLV in Fox.
BOSTON SETS LOCAL MARKET RECORD: The rating in Boston was the best ever for an NFL game in that market (56.7/81) topping the previous high of 56.1/78 for Super Bowl XXXVI (56.1/78 on Fox).
- The New York market registered a 49.7/74, the second-highest overnight for an NFL game in that market, trailing only the 53.4/72 for Super Bowl XXI, the Giants first-ever Super Bowl. By comparison, New York registered a 44.9/67 for Super Bowl XLII, the last time they were in the big game.
- The host market of Indianapolis registered a 56.4/79 overnight rating, the second-best overnight for a host market only trailing Jacksonville (58.9/77) for Super Bowl XXXIX).
TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR SUPER BOWL XLVI:
1. Boston, 56.7/81
2. Indianapolis, 56.4/79
3. Norfolk, 54.2/73
4. Columbus, 54.1/72
5. New Orleans, 54.0/72
T6. Nashville, 53.5/74
T6. Jacksonville, 53.5/70
8. Buffalo, 52.9/72
9. Kansas City, 52.1/73
10. Milwaukee, 52.0/73*New York ranked 18th with a 49.7/74
When Fast National data is available from Nielsen this afternoon, the viewership could approach last year’s 111.0 million that watched Super Bowl XLV, the most-watched Super Bowl ever, and the most-watched television audience in U.S. history.
*Note, the “fast affiliate” data that is available later this morning does NOT reflect live audience for the Super Bowl across the country.
*Overnight ratings measure the top 56 U.S. metered markets.
Viewership numbers are expected later today. We’ll see if Super Bowl XLVI has set a record. Remember the record set last year is 111 million.
Feb
06
Super Bowl XLVI Was A Thriller; NBC Up To The Task
Super Bowl XLVI gave viewers a thrill down to the last play, giving the New York Football Giants a 21-17 win over the New England Patriots, and the G-Men’s 4th Championship. In a telecast that should shatter an average and total viewership record, NBC did a fantastic job keeping the game as its focus, and didn’t stray from the formula. Thanks to the game remaining close throughout, NBC did not have to rely on cutaways of celebrities, NFL dignitaries, random fans and cheerleaders.
Instead, producer Fred Gaudelli, director Drew Esocoff and the announcing crew of Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya were able to concentrate on the game action. In his 8th Super Bowl, Michaels again rose to the occasion, spotting trends, explaining key calls as was the case with the extremely rare safety called against Tom Brady for intentional grounding, and rising for the big moments such as the soon-to-be legendary Mario Manningham catch on the sidelines that kept the Giants winning drive alive.
The Manningham catch was captured perfectly by NBC’s cameras and replayed to show not only did the Giants wide receiver keep both of his feet in-bounds, but that he maintained possession of the ball. The NBCee It feature blowing up a clear and resolute picture of Manningham’s shoes on the sidelines enabled the viewers at home and at Lucas Oil Stadium to confirm the catch and also assisted the official review. Collinsworth’s analysis of the play was tops as well.
For the entire game, Collinsworth did a bang up job and showed why he continues to be among the upper echelon of NFL analysts on TV.
NBC’s graphics showed the tackle box to show why an intentional grounding penalty and safety were called on Tom Brady. It was used again to demonstrate why Manningham gave Giants quarterback Eli Manning little room to throw him a pass on the sidelines in the 4th quarter.
The network did a fantastic job for Super Bowl XLVI and should still be on top of its game when it airs Super Bowl XLIX in 2015.
For the first time in a long time, I was able to view all of NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show. There were pros and cons.
PROS
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward both did very well in their guest analyst roles. Rodgers and Ward were relaxed and expressed their viewpoints clearly and concisely. In particular, Rodgers made some good points on the Giants defense and why they able to cause turnovers. Rodgers was better than many current analysts.
- A feature on former New Orleans Saints special teams player Steve Gleason narrated by Peter King was well produced. Gleason blocked a punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints’ first game at the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina and now suffers from ALS. NBC’s piece on his struggles was one of the best I’ve seen.
- A segment focusing on NBC’s Rodney Harrison and former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree in which Harrison said the catch Tyree made against him in Super Bowl XLII still affects him and standing next to Tyree was affecting him at that moment.
- An on-field segment with Cris Collinsworth, Harrison and Doug Flutie demonstrating how Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s injured ankle would come into play in the Giants coverage.
- A profile of Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wolfork and his wife. We need a reality show featuring this couple.
CONS
- Nick Cannon interviewing celebrities. Cannon was a disaster, yelling, screaming and making no sense. Awful.
- A cooking segment with Bravo’s Top Chef personalities giving a client stroke to a cracker company. A waste of time.
As for the Super Bowls, it was another weak crop. I’ve graded the entire batch and many were average. The best of the ads was the Chrysler commercial narrated by Clint Eastwood on Detroit’s comeback. I also loved Samsung’s ad featuring The Darkness’ “I Believe in A Thing Called Love”. Volkswagen’s follow-up to its mini-Darth Vader ad garnered a B. Many ads lost their luster having been released early. It might behoove the advertisers to return to the old school way of showing them during the game first and then worry about social media buzz later.
And halftime by Madonna was a fun time, but she should not have lip synced. NBC has apologized for not catching M.I.A. flipping the bird during the performance, however, NFL Network was responsible for this halftime as it produced the show.
Overall, NBC gets an A for its production of the game and a B for the pregame The ads were mostly average. Halftime gets a B minus. A fun Super Bowl Sunday. Now let’s get back to work.
Feb
06
NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI Postgame Quotage
NBC has provided the postgame quotes from its NFL crew for Super Bowl XLVI. This will end the NFL season until we kick back in with the preseason in August and then the regular season opening game at the new Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey on Thursday, September 6 with the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants raising their banner against either the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers.
Nice of NBC to send this over. I wasn’t expecting this and it’s nice to have to wrap up the NFL quotage.
I do expect Super Bowl XLVI to set a viewership record as the game was close heading into the 4th quarter. We’ll have details of that later.
The quotage.
“One of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.” – Cris Collinsworth on Mario Manningham’s 38-yard catch in fourth quarter
“He won this football game.” – Rodney Harrison on Eli Manning
“It’s (Tom) Coughlin and Eli Manning who put themselves in the discussion for the Hall of Fame.” – Bob CostasINDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 5, 2012 – The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI, the 17th Super Bowl broadcast by NBC. Following are post-game highlights from the broadcast:
CRIS COLLINSWORTH ON MARIO MANNINGHAM’S CATCH: “Absolutely unbelievable. Will go down as one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history. And it reminds you just a bit of David Tyree and the last time Eli Manning had the unbelievable drive. The Velcro on the helmet as Al Michaels described it.
COLLINSWORTH ON MANNING: “How brilliant can Easy-Eli be? And he will never again have to answer questions, ‘Do you consider yourself and elite quarterback and in Tom Brady’s class?’”
AL MICHAELS ON MANNING: “And he wins it in the house that his brother built.”
MICHAELS ON PATRIOTS: “The New England Patriots will have another Super Bowl tape that they won’t want to look at.”TONY DUNGY AND RODNEY HARRISON POST-GAME COMMENTS
Harrison: “We knew this game was going to come down to the fourth quarter, and everyone thought I was crazy a week ago when I said I trust Eli Manning more in the fourth quarter than I did Tom Brady. I think you saw tonight why I said that. Tom Brady had a couple opportunities, missed some opportunities down the field. Eli didn’t. He won this football game.”
Dungy: “I was in New York with the Giants last week and every defensive player told me how much confidence they had in Eli Manning. Justin Tuck said, ‘We know if we can just get that stop in the fourth quarter Eli will win it for us.’ And he proved them right tonight.”BOB COSTAS’ FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE GAME: “Had it turned out the other way, with a victory tonight Belichick and Brady would have put themselves at or near the top of the discussion of the greatest coach and quarterback of the Super Bowl era. Instead it turns out that it’s Coughlin and Eli Manning who put themselves in the discussion for the Hall of Fame. Because quite simply, in dramatic fashion they have now twice bested the team considered to be the best of it’s era in the game that matters most.”
Thats’s going to do it.
Feb
05
Quotage From the Super Bowl Edition of NFL GameDay Morning
NFL GameDay Morning went 8½ hours and as of this writing, is still going strong. We do have some quotage from earlier today and let’s get to it.
News, Sound Bites & Video Clips From Super Bowl XLVI Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“If Tom Brady wins this game, it’s simple: he’s the greatest of all time.” – Warren Sapp
“If he wins this game, that ‘E’ in his name will stand for ‘Elite.’” – Charles Woodson on Giants QB Eli Manning
“This game is going to be determined by how New England protects.” – Michael Lombardi on the Patriots offensive line
“This guy is supernatural.” – Steve Mariucci on Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski
“Julian Edelman will be the most versatile player in Super Bowl history.” – Steve MariucciWith 21 on-air personalities and a combined 14 Super Bowl rings, NFL GameDay Morning on NFL Network provided expert analysis, the latest news and reports, Super Bowl-related features and sitdown interviews today on a special 8 ½ hour edition on NFL Network live from Lucas Oil Stadium.
Host Rich Eisen was joined by analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin on the main set at Lucas Oil Stadium, while host Melissa Stark and Super Bowl winners Deion Sanders, Brian Billick and special guest analyst Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers provided additional analysis from the field.
Three-time Super Bowl champion linebacker Willie McGinest offered his insight into playing in the Super Bowl from the Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis, while Michael Lombardi and Jason La Canfora provided the latest inside reports.
Host Fran Charles and analysts McGinest and Heath Evans provided additional analysis from the pregame tailgate leading up to Lucas Oil Stadium.
NFL Network reporters Albert Breer and Stacey Dales were live from outside each team’s hotel.
‘Sunday Sitdown’ — Patriots QB Tom Brady 1-on-1 Interview with Willie McGinest
Three-time Super Bowl champion linebacker with the New England Patriots Willie McGinest sits down with his former teammate Tom Brady for a 1-on-1 interview:
On New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick:
“He coaches us hard, he coaches me hard. He is relentless; ‘Brady can’t complete a hitch, wide open and you throw it in the dirt.’ Part of me wants to strangle him and say, ‘Don’t you know?’ But he doesn’t care. He wants us to be at our best every single day. That’s why we’re in this position.”On playing against Peyton Manning and Eli Manning:
“These guys bring the best out of you. They have a great football family, their dad obviously was a great quarterback and you know they’re going to play their best. Eli always does; every time we play Eli, I sit on the sideline and watch him go up and down the field and I go, ‘Can we slow this guy down?’”To view the entire interview with Brady, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d826a6766/Super-Sunday-Sitdown-Tom-Brady‘Sunday Sitdown’ — Giants QB Eli Manning 1-on-1 Interview with Kurt Warner
Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner sits down with Super Bowl XLII MVP and former teammate Eli Manning for a 1-on-1 interview:
On if he can imagine his brother Peyton Manning playing with any team other than the Indianapolis Colts:
“It’d be tough. He’s been so important to this town. When he came to Indianapolis, they were not known for their football – it was truly a basketball town. What he’s built and done here in his 13 years of playing, it would be hard to imagine him playing somewhere else. We’ll have to see what happens.”On the rivalry with his brother:
“There is always a rivalry with your brother. Playing in high school football, who can have more touchdowns – those things are fun. Once you get to this level, this is our job, this is what we do for our career. It’s not something that you joke around a whole lot [about]. I know Peyton is proud of me. He’s proud that I’m in this situation; he’s rooting me on like I’m proud of him of what he’s done in his career and rooted him on when he was playing in his second Super Bowl and first Super Bowl. I want to win for all of the right reasons – it’s about the Giants, about our coaches, about just winning a championship. Not for bragging rights.”To view the entire interview with Manning, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a6c3b/Super-Sunday-Sitdown-Eli-Manning‘Sunday Sitdown’ — Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick 1-on-1 Interview with Michael Lombardi
NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi sits down with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for a 1-on-1 interview:
On Patriots quarterback Tom Brady:
“It is an honor as a coach to be able to work with a player as skilled as he is to mentally and physically be able to perform at the highest level.”On special teams:
“A big key for us is the kicking game…Hopefully we can make a couple of plays in that area that will help us win.”To view the entire interview with Belichick, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a6985/Super-Sunday-Sitdown-Bill-Belichick‘Sunday Sitdown’ — Giants WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks & Mario Manningham with Michael Irvin
Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver Michael Irvin sits down with New York Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham:
On if the Patriots’ Julian Edelman is covering him in the game:
Mario Manningham: “I’d probably get Eli’s attention after I’m done pointing telling him look who’s out here. Not to put anything past him, but that’s not your real position. I want him to be out there. I take it as an insult. Me, Cruz and Hakeem, not saying we’re better than everyone else, but we can’t let that go down.”On the meetings Eli Manning holds with wide receivers and tight ends each week:
Victor Cruz: “It usually happens two or three days before the game. It’s just a complete rundown of everything that he’s been looking at throughout the week, everything that he feels is important for us to know so when game time comes and we see those coverages, we can just adjust on the fly.”To view the entire interview with Cruz, Nicks and Manningham, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a63a4/The-talented-trioQuotes from NFL GameDay Morning
“This guy is supernatural and he commands a double-team. That is going to open up some other things for some of these other receivers.” – Steve Mariucci on New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski
“It was a foregone conclusion that Peyton Manning was the best Manning in that family when it comes to quarterbacks. But for Eli to put himself into a position to win two rings – we know how hard it is to win just one ring, and older brother Peyton only has one – it puts Eli in a class by himself. That argument about him being an elite quarterback, if he wins this game that ‘E’ in his name will stand for ‘Elite.’” – Charles Woodson on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning
“It takes you away from football, especially when you have an offensive football team – a passing offensive football team because it’s all about timing. If you look at the last four Super Bowls, there have been some really good offenses but only two of those eight teams have scored more than three points in the first quarter. It’s going to affect momentum early in the game.” – Kurt Warner on the effect of the bye week on teams before the Super Bowl
“The reason he doesn’t get more credit is because he is not flashy.” – Warren Sapp on Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
“Bill Belichick is the best at understanding his players’ strengths and weaknesses. Even if he has injuries he has to deal with or guys playing out of position, he knows how [to put them in the best position].” – Willie McGinest on New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
“Their biggest challenge could be if Tom Brady has another bad game, can they hold up? If Tom Brady has no touchdowns, two interceptions and he plays the type of game like he did against the Baltimore Ravens, this defense against a hot offense with three really good receivers and a running game that is starting to emerge could be in trouble and exposed.” – Marshall Faulk on the New England Patriots defense
“Tiquan Underwood did not take very many reps this week in practice; we’re going to see the Chad Ochocinco show here. They wanted Alex Silvestro to be able to play on nickel downs. It’s going to be hot in this stadium; they need to rotate their defensive linemen. This clearly was a move that basically they wanted a defensive lineman on the roster and they had a spot with Underwood. Underwood will still get a game check and if they win the Super Bowl. He’ll still get a ring.” – Michael Lombardi on the release of New England Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood on Saturday
“Julian Edelman will be the most versatile player in Super Bowl history.” – Steve Mariucci
“I promise you Bill Belichick is going back to that tape if for no other reason to show his guys, ‘Look where we left ourselves vulnerable; this is where we didn’t finish, this is where we broke down, this is where we’ve got to get better.’ That’s a lot more of a motivator than Tom Coughlin showing his guys the film going, ‘Don’t we look good here, wasn’t this nice here, we have to go do this again.’ Bill Belichick is going to tap into the emotion of that last loss by looking at the tape.” – Brian Billick on the adjustments Bill Belichick will make from the Patriots’ Week 9 loss to the New York Giants
“He is the face and the voice of this organization. There is no doubt who the leader is: Eli Manning is one of the very best quarterbacks in the National Football League.” – Steve Mariucci on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning
“They’ll have a complete protection plan to frustrate this four-man pressure and to keep them off-balance. The game is going to be won by how New England protects, and New England understands that. The other factor is New England’s offensive line is much better today than it was last time they played them and certainly in 2007.” – Michael Lombardi on the New England Patriots’ offensive line
“If Tom Brady wins this game, it’s simple: he’s the greatest of all time.” – Warren Sapp
“Talking to Peyton, he wants to be a Colt. He wants to be a part of this organization, he wants to be a part of this team and my gut feeling is that he and Jim Irsay, they’re going to sit down and find out how to make that happen.” – Marshall Faulk on Peyton Manning’s future in Indianapolis
“While the Patriots are about to board their buses to the stadium, the Giants [staying nearby] might be able to zip-line their way to the stadium.” – Rich Eisen noting the popular zip-line for fans during Super Bowl week in downtown Indianapolis
Super Bowl XLVI Winner & MVP Predictions:
Marshall Faulk: New York Giants, Tom Brady
Michael Irvin: New York Giants, Eli Manning
Warren Sapp: New York Giants, Eli Manning
Kurt Warner: New England Patriots Tom Brady & Wes Welker
Steve Mariucci: New York Giants, Ahmad Bradshaw
Deion Sanders: New York Giants
Brian Billick: New York Giants
Charles Woodson: New England Patriots
Willie McGinest: New England PatriotsOn NFL.com, the following video clips from the Super Bowl XLVI edition of NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
Lombardi’s Locker Room: Super Bowl XLVI – Legendary head coach Vince Lombardi delivers a pregame speech to the New York Giants and New England Patriots prior to Super Bowl XLVI.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d8269a113/Lombardi-s-locker-room-Super-Bowl-XLVIBack to the Future – The 2011 Giants season has eerie similarity to New York’s 2007 Super Bowl run, but will they walk away champions?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a3f39/Back-to-the-FutureDear Tom… – Boston sports fan Denis Leary writes an open letter to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a55d2/Dear-TomAmerica’s Tebow Obsession – Tim Tebow captured the attention of the entire country this season. What made Tebow so interesting? NFL Network’s Steve Cyphers asks professors at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a560d/America-s-Tebow-obsessionWhere is Tyree? – Former Giants wide receiver David Tyree will be remembered for his spectacular catch in Super Bowl XLII. What is Tyree doing now? Find out.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a607b/Where-is-Tyree-nowEli Creating a Legacy? – What would another Super Bowl victory for Eli Manning mean for his legacy? Deion Sanders, Brian Billick and Charles Woodson debate Manning’s legacy if he defeats Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a51c6/Eli-creating-legacyLeaving a Legacy – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will certainly be remembered long after his playing years are over, but is he the best to ever play the game? NFL GameDay Morning debates.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a50b4/Leaving-a-legacyThe Patriot Way – Melissa Stark sits down with New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez, Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater to talk about some of the unconventional positions they find themselves playing.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a3ae4/The-Patriot-WayBuying into Belichick – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s methods might be eccentric, but do players believe in the Patriot way? Former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest and Deion Sanders weigh in.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a3b74/Buying-into-BelichickThe Better Manning? – Will Eli Manning establish himself as the better brother with another Super Bowl victory? The NFL GameDay Morning crew gives their answers.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d826a5c3f/The-better-ManningWoodson’s Defensive Factors – How much will defense be a factor today? Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson joins NFL GameDay Morning to give an insider’s look on the importance of the Giants and Patriots pass rush.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a3ffb/Woodson-s-defensive-factorsHeart & Pulse of the Pats – What impact has the Kraft family had on the Patriots organization? With the passing of Myra Kraft, former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest reflects on his own personal relationship and experiences with the Kraft family.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a4e94/Heart-pulse-of-the-PatsWhat will we Learn? – Steve Mariucci has some interesting predictions for Super Bowl XLVI, including how versatile Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman will be on both sides of the ball.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a3ff8/What-will-we-learnOffseason Moves – Michael Lombardi and Jason La Canfora examine the potential offseason moves for both the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a4206/Offseason-movesProtecting the Playmaker – The Giants hope to rattle Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, but can New England’s offensive line keep them in check? NFL GameDay Morning discusses.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a45d0/Protecting-the-playmakerBenefits of a Rematch – Is there a benefit for either team in playing a Super Bowl rematch? Charles Woodson, Marshall Faulk and Brian Billick give their opinions on facing the same team twice.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a4441/Benefits-of-a-rematchThe Saga Continues – Michael Lombardi and Jason La Canfora discuss the future of quarterback Peyton Manning.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d826a58a0/The-saga-continuesEXTRA POINTS:
- NFL GameDay Final After Giants-Patriots: Host Rich Eisen and analysts Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin provide analysis and highlights from the field, plus live interviews with all of the stars of the game and the winning head coach on NFL GameDay Final after Super Bowl XLVI. Albert Breer, Stacey Dales and Lindsay Soto provide interviews after the game from both locker rooms.
That’s going to do it for the quotage.
Feb
05
Quick Pre-Super Bowl Links
Let’s do some Super Bowl Sunday links today.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says media analysts are predicting another record viewership for the Super Bowl.
Mike says MSG Network remains off Time Warner Cable systems for the fifth consecutive week with no agreement in sight.
Kate Fagan of espnW has a look at what Super Bowl XLVI sideline reporter Michele Tafoya will deal with on the Lucas Oil Stadium field tonight.
Peter Pachal from Mashable has a look at NBC’s streaming of the Super Bowl.
Sean Newell at Deadspin says CNBC’s Darren Rovell may have lost the female vote forever.
Deadspin’s Timothy Burke tells us about a media feud between WEEI’s John Dennis and ESPN Radio’s Ryan Russillo.
Speaking of Darren Rovell, he wonders if Eli Manning can become a more prolific endorser than Tom Brady.
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe talks about Twitter and some of the New England Patriots who use the social media service.
The New York Times’ Ritchie S. King and Kevin Quealy look at some of the clichés that have enveloped ESPN SportsCenter.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Times is speaking in tongues today.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has the NBC football crew talking about today’s Super Bowl.
Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports’ John Lynch about the Super Bowl.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Super Bowl could decide the local news race.
Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Green Bay Packers’ Charles Woodson is doing well for the NFL Network.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with NBC’s Al Michaels.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog has NBC’s and CTV’s coverage plans for the Super Bowl.
Mike Silva from the Sports Media Watchdog goes over Darren Rovell’s downfall with women this weekend.
Joe Favorito has a few sports business tidbits for us.
And those are the quick links for today. Enjoy the Super Bowl. I’ll have grades on the Super Bowl ads tonight.
Feb
05
SiriusXM NFL Radio To Air Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
If you’ve listened to the Super Bowl on Westwood One Radio in the past, you’ll know that it’s rarely aired the halftime concert, choosing to analyze the game with their studio crew.
SiriusXM’s NFL Radio will air the Dial Global/Westwood One feed today, but will also air Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show. The concert will air in its entirety for SiriusXM subscribers.
Madonna’s Performance During the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show to Air Live on SiriusXM
Multi Grammy Award®-winning artist’s performance from Super Bowl to air live on SiriusXM NFL Radio
NEW YORK–February 4, 2012– Sirius XM Radio will air Madonna’s halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI live on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Sunday, February 5.
The performance will air live on SiriusXM NFL Radio, channel 88 on Sirius and XM Premier (formerly known as “The Best of Sirius”). SiriusXM, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, will broadcast Super Bowl XLVI in 10 languages, offering listeners 13 different live broadcasts.
SiriusXM broadcasts every NFL game live nationwide, from the preseason through the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.
That will do it.
Feb
05
Revised NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Sunday Rundown
Happy Super Sunday! The day has finally arrived. NFL Network has sent a revised rundown for today’s 8½ hour NFL GameDay Morning pregame show. Rich Eisen is your host. Melissa Stark will also be on hand.
There will be a million analysts and reporters joining them. Here’s your rundown
‘Sunday Sitdowns’ on Special 8 ½ Hour Pregame Show –
Kurt Warner with Giants QB Eli Manning
Willie McGinest with Patriots QB Tom Brady
Michael Lombardi with Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick
Michael Irvin with Giants WRs Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks & Mario ManninghamSpecial Guest Analyst Packers CB Charles Woodson Joins NFL Network’s Roster of 21 Analysts, Hosts & Reporters
On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s pregame show, NFL GameDay Morning will provide 8 ½ hours of live coverage starting at 9:00 AM ET with 21 on-air personalities who have won a total of 14 Super Bowl rings. NFL GameDay Morning is live from seven locations, including two sets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additional locations include the Giants and Patriots team hotels, the NFL Tailgate, the Super Bowl Village, and with the fans at Super Bowl parties in New York and Foxborough restaurants.
NFL GameDay Morning features host Rich Eisen joined by Super Bowl winners Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp, along with Steve Mariucci. The special Super Bowl edition also includes host Melissa Stark on a second set along with Super Bowl winners Deion Sanders, Willie McGinest, Heath Evans and Brian Billick previewing the game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
Super Bowl-winning cornerback of the Green Bay Packers Charles Woodson joins the set as a special guest analyst to provide insight into the game and his own experience playing in last year’s Super Bowl.
Actor Dan Lauria returns in his role as Vince Lombardi to prepare the Giants and the Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI.
The following are highlights of Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame show on NFL Network:
9:00 AM ET
- What to look for in Super Bowl XLVI with Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Steve Mariucci
- Melissa Stark on “The Patriot Way” – how Bill Belichick turns spare parts into champions; includes interviews with Patriots Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater and Aaron Hernandez.
10:00 AM ET
- NFL Films-produced feature goes “Back to the Future” to show the similarities between the Giants’ late-season runs in 2007 and 2011
- The NFL Season: A Biography examines the unique relationship between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his mentor Tom Martinez, who is waiting for a kidney transplant:
(Advanced preview of the feature: http://ftp2.nflfilmstv.com/filmsint/ftp-inet/flashplayer.html?s_video=Preview/the_season_more_than_a_mentor_v1_600ws.flv)
- Analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin highlight the key matchups
11:00 AM ET
- Feature on how “The Catch” in Super Bowl XLII changed former Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s life:
(Advanced preview link: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82694e59/Catching-up-with-David-Tyree)
- Michael Lombardi on how Bill Belichick uses the Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLII to motivate his players
- Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders discuss the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012
- Players Only: The best and worst parts of Super Bowl week
12 Noon ET
- Actor/comedian and Boston sports fan Dennis Leary pays tribute to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
- Steve Cyphers visits the Norman Lear Center for research and public policy at the USC Annenberg School for Communication to investigate why America was obsessed with Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow during the 2011 NFL season
- Deion Sanders, Brian Billick and Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson discuss how winning the Super Bowl has changed their lives
1:00 PM ET
- Three-time Super Bowl champion Michael Irvin sits down with Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham
- Steve Cyphers on the anxiety of the Manning Family on Super Bowl Sunday
- NFL Network analysts debate if Eli Manning wins Super Bowl XLVI, which Manning has achieved more in his career?
- NFL Films presents piece on the emotional year Patriots owner Robert Kraft has experienced with the passing of his wife and the Patriots winning the AFC title.
- Former New England linebacker Willie McGinest on the impact of the Kraft Family on the Patriots
2:00 PM ET
- Three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest sits down with his former teammate Tom Brady for a 1-on-1 interview:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8269594b/Sunday-Sitdown-Tom-Brady
- Michael Lombardi sits down with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for a 1-on-1 interview:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82691550/Belichick-preparing-Patriots-for-Sunday
- Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate the hot topics of Super Bowl XLVI
3:00 – 5:30 PM ET
- Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner sits down with Super Bowl XLII MVP and
former teammate Eli Manning for a 1-on-1 interview:http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8267a9e4/Sunday-Sitdown-Eli-Manning
- Essay written by Indiana native Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated on what hosting the Super Bowl means to the Hoosier State
- Stars of the upcoming film “That’s My Boy,” Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg join the set
- Tale of the Tape: how the Giants and Patriots match up at quarterback (Kurt Warner), running back (Marshall Faulk), wide receiver (Michael Irvin), on defense (Warren Sapp) and coaching (Steve Mariucci)
- Super Bowl XLVI MVP picks
- Game picks
***Immediately after the NBC postgame show – NFL GameDay Final
Host Rich Eisen and analysts Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin provide analysis and highlights from the field, plus live interviews with all the stars of the game and the winning coach. Albert Breer, Stacey Dales and Lindsay Soto provide interviews following the game.
NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Pregame Show Roster
Michael Irvin: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Deion Sanders: Analyst (2 Super Bowl ring)
Marshall Faulk: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Kurt Warner: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Warren Sapp: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Charles Woodson: Guest Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Willie McGinest: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Brian Billick: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Heath Evans: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Steve Mariucci: Analyst
Rich Eisen: Host
Melissa Stark: Host
Fran Charles: Host
Michelle Beisner: Reporter
Albert Breer: Reporter
Stacey Dales: Reporter
Steve Cyphers: Reporter
Jason La Canfora: Reporter
Michael Lombardi: Reporter
Ari Wolfe: Reporter
Steve Wyche: Reporter
That does it.
Feb
03
NFL Network Airs The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Announcement Live
On Saturday, NFL Network will be busy as it airs live programming from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. ET. Part of that live programming will be the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Announcement. There are several candidates hoping to hear the call from the selection committee including wide receiver Cris Carter, coach Bill Parcells, running back Curtis Martin, defensive end Charles Haley and several others.
Fran Charles will host for NFL Network and he’ll be joined by Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Warren Moon.
The program airs at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday. And there will be instant reaction from some of those in attendance in Indianapolis. It will be interesting to watch.
Here’s the NFL Network press release.
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2012 ANNOUNCED LIVE ON NFL NETWORK
Enshrinees Unveiled Saturday, February 4 at 5:30 PM ET on Road to Canton: Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 2012
In a special ceremony the day before Super Bowl XLVI, NFL Network will announce the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees on Saturday, February 4 at 5:30 PM ET on Road to Canton: Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 2012.
From the Super Bowl Media Center in Indianapolis, Fran Charles hosts alongside Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. They will be joined by the new enshrinees and current Hall of Fame members for interviews. In addition, the show will cover the process that determines who is inducted and the toughest decisions that were made this year. Portions of the announcement ceremony will also be available live on NFL.com.
Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 are Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Jack Butler, Cris Carter, Dermontti Dawson, Edward DeBartolo, Jr., Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, Bill Parcells, Andre Reed, Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Dick Stanfel, and Aeneas Williams. For more information, please visit www.profootballhof.com.
Following the Hall of Fame announcement, NFL Network continues its live coverage at 7:00 PM ET with a one-hour NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl. Then at 8:00 PM ET, the Super Bowl Saturday Night debuts on NFL Network.
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only network dedicated entirely to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.
More stuff is coming up.
Feb
03
ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues This Weekend
ESPN wraps up its Super Bowl coverage this weekend from Pan Am Plaza in Indianapolis and from the World Headquarters in Bristol, CT. As usual, multiple networks on TV and radio are involved.
We have your schedule for Saturday and Sunday.
ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues through the weekend from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis. All shows are available for free public viewing.
Actors Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, and Indy Car driver Graham Rahal, who will be part of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown season finale, are among the notable guests scheduled to appear on ESPN programs this weekend. Scheduled highlights (all times ET):
Schedule of ESPN’s on-site programming for Saturday, Feb. 4:
10 a.m. — SportsCenter (ESPN)
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: Tedy Bruschi and Steve Young.1 p.m. – ESPN Deportes and ESPN International SportsCenter
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Alvaro Martin, Raul Allegre.6 p.m. — SportsCenter (ESPN)
Host: Stuart Scott. Analysts: Trent Dilfer and Keyshawn Johnson.Schedule of ESPN’s Super Bowl programming for Sunday, Feb. 5:
Sunday’s coverage will feature more than 17 hours of Super Bowl-related programming, beginning at 6 a.m. with Mike & Mike in the Morning live from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios.
Chris Berman, covering his 30th Super Bowl, will host a four-hour Super Bowl XLVI edition of Sunday NFL Countdown (10 a.m. — 2 p.m.) with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young. Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski will join the crew from the stadium. NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will also contribute reports, and reporters Rachel Nichols (covering the Giants) and Ed Werder (Patriots) will provide updates on the teams throughout the day.
Special celebrity guest appearances at Pan Am Plaza during Countdown
11:45 a.m. – Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, stars of the upcoming movie That’s My Boy will be on-set (Jets head coach Rex Ryan made a cameo appearance in the movie);
1:55 p.m. – IndyCar driver Graham Rahal will drive through downtown Indianapolis to deliver the Super Bowl XLVI picks to the set.Pre-game coverage:
3 a.m. — NFL Matchup (ESPN – re-airs at 6:30 a.m.) – Taped Saturday in Indianapolis
Host: Sal Paolantonio. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski6 a.m. — Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2) **
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: ESPN analyst Herm Edwards (7 a.m.), Super Bowl winning coach and Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden (7 a.m.), and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (9:03 a.m.)9 a.m. — SportsCenter (ESPN) **
Hosts: Bob Ley and Hannah Storm
(Super Bowl XLVI segments from Lucas Oil Stadium – Host: Mike Tirico. Analysts: Merril Hoge, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski)
SportsCenter anchor Karl Ravech will be live in Durham, Conn., midpoint between and Met Life Stadium (Giants) and Gillette Stadium (Patriots).9 a.m. — SportsNation (ESPN2) **
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd. Guest analyst: Herm Edwards10 a.m. — Sunday NFL Countdown(ESPN)
Full release11 a.m. – First Take(ESPN2)
Host: Jay Crawford. Analyst: Skip BaylessPost-game coverage:
10:30 p.m. – NFL PrimeTime(ESPN) – live from Lucas Oil Stadium
Host: Berman. Analysts: Jackson and Young.11:30 p.m. – SportsCenter(ESPN) **
Hosts: Steve Berthiaume and Robert Flores
(Super Bowl XLVI segments from Pan Am Plaza – Hosts: Stuart Scott and Steve Levy. Analysts: Cris Carter, Trent Dilfer, and Keyshawn Johnson)* Commentator and guest schedules subject to change
** Originating from ESPN Studios in Bristol, Conn.
That will do it.
Feb
03
NFL Network’s Super Bowl Week Day 5 Quotage Plus Day 6 Schedule
Let’s do the quotage from Friday’s coverage of the NFL Network’s day at the Super Bowl. Lots of stuff including an interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell who announced that NFL Network will get five additional games for its Thursday Night Football schedule, but it is not included in this set of quotage unfortunately. You can see it here.
We have links to video and tomorrow’s schedule of programming on NFL Network.
Special 8 ½ Hour Edition of NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Sunday at 9:00 AM ET from Lucas Oil Stadium
New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick Sits Down with Michael Lombardi on NFL GameDay Morning
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Announcement & Super Bowl Saturday Night Saturday, Feb. 4 on NFL NetworkVideo Links from Friday’s Edition of Super Bowl Live
The following special guests appeared on Super Bowl Live Friday:
- Peyton Manning’s agent Tom Condon:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/indianapolis-colts/09000d5d82691d72/Condon-Peyton-expects-to-play- New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d82691280/Coughlin-wired-in- Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8269344e/What-s-up-Wayne- Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82693eff/Gronk-s-tough
- Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82695177/Peyton-s-best-man- Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82693b07/Matthews-more-than-just-hair- Former NFL defensive end Jason Taylor:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/miami-dolphins/09000d5d826919a1/Is-Taylor-finished- Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Kate Upton:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82694a1f/Kate-Upton-chats-about-the-big-gameNew England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick 1-on-1 Interview with NFL Network Analyst Michael Lombardi on NFL GameDay Morning Sunday, February 5 at 9:00 AM ET
On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network is live in Indianapolis from Lucas Oil Stadium with a special 8 ½ hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 PM ET. Host Rich Eisen is joined by analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin on the first and most comprehensive pregame show on television. With the latest news reports, sitdown interviews, special guest appearances, Super Bowl features and expert analysis, NFL GameDay Morning is the go-to destination leading up to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLVI.
During the show, NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi sits down with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to discuss the team’s season and their preparation leading up to facing the New York Giants.
Below is a preview of the interview:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82691550/Belichick-getting-team-ready-for-SundayAdditional sitdown interviews on NFL GameDay Morning include:
- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with Willie McGinest
- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning with Kurt Warner
- New York Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham with Michael Irvin
In total, NFL GameDay Morning features 21 on-air personalities who have won a total of 14 Super Bowl rings to break down Super Bowl XLVI between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Class of 2012 & Super Bowl Saturday Night on NFL Network Saturday, February 4
In a special ceremony the day before Super Bowl XLVI, NFL Network will announce the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees on Saturday, February 4 at 5:30 PM ET on Road to Canton: Pro Football Hall of Fame: Class of 2012.
From the Super Bowl Media Center in Indianapolis, Fran Charles hosts alongside Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Fouts and Warren Moon. They will be joined by the new enshrinees and current Hall of Fame members for interviews. In addition, the show will cover the process that determines who is inducted and the toughest decisions that were made this year. Portions of the announcement ceremony will also be available live on NFL.com
Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012 are Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Jack Butler, Cris Carter, Dermontti Dawson, Edward DeBartolo, Jr., Chris Doleman, Kevin Greene, Charles Haley, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, Bill Parcells, Andre Reed, Willie Roaf, Will Shields, Dick Stanfel, and Aeneas Williams. For more information, please visit www.profootballhof.com.
At 8:00 PM ET, Rich Eisen and Melissa Stark are on the red carpet at the Murat Theater on Super Bowl Saturday Night, the one-hour show leading up to the inaugural NFL Honors awards show.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 NFL NETWORK’S SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)
7:00 AM – No Huddle
8:00 AM – Bill Parcells: A Life in Football
9:30 AM – Sound FX: 2011 New England Patriots
10:00 AM – Brady 6
11:00 AM – Playbook
12 NOON – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Super Bowls
2:00 PM – Super Bowl XLII: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
2:30 PM – NFL Replay: New York Giants at New England Patriots – Week 9, 2011
5:00 PM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center
5:30 PM – Hall of Fame Announcement Show: Class of 2012 – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE from NFL Experience
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Saturday Night – LIVE from Murat Theater
9:00 PM – Playbook
10:00 PM – Sound FX: Super Bowls I-XLV
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Honors
2:00 AM – Full Game Re-Air: New York Giants at New England Patriots – Week 9, 2011
We’ll have ESPN’s schedule for Saturday coming up next.
Feb
03
The Super Bowl Weekend Megalinks
Let’s do some linkage on this Super Bowl Weekend.
The Weekend Viewing Picks have my sports and entertainment suggestions.
Time for your links. As you can imagine, many of the stories will deal with Sunday’s Super Bowl.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with NBC’s Bob Costas about his past experiences in hosing a Super Bowl pregame show.
The Nielsen Wire Blog has a look at the 10 Most Liked Super Bowl ads in the last five years.
Daisy Whitney at MediaPost says a large portion of viewers go online to look up information about a Super Bowl ad.
Wayne Friedman of MediaPost writes that the Super Bowl is reaching almost half of all female viewers.
Peter Pachal of Mashable says NBC will hold a Google+ hangout to after the Super Bowl to discuss the ads.
Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter talks with NBC Sports Group Fearless Leader Mark Lazarus about the Super Bowl, winning the Olympics and losing Wimbledon to ESPN.
John Eggerton in Broadcasting & Cable writes that a fan lobbying group hopes the FCC will call for the elimination of the NFL’s antiquated TV blackout rules.
John says a Michigan man has been charged with illegally streaming NFL games online.
Thomas Umstead from Multichannel News says Saturday’s UFC pay per view event will be available in 3-D for the first time.
Todd Spangler of Multichannel looks at Verizon’s streaming of Sunday’s Super Bowl on select mobile devices.
Adweek talks with Sports Illustrated/NBC’s Peter King.
Tim Nudd from Adweek notes the return of the E*Trade baby to the Super Bowl.
The International Olympic Committee has awarded the Japanese rights for the 2014/16 Games at a much lower rate than the US rights paid by NBC.
Robert Livingston at Games Bid says the 2014 Olympics in Sochi will be the first to be produced in 3-D TV.
André Lowe of the Jamaica (yes the country) Gleaner says ESPN has gathered some former NFL players in a cruise ship for the Super Bowl at Sea. I’m not making this up.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch talks with The Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre about his recent profile of ESPN Radio Hack Colin Cowherd.
Allison Stoneberg at ESPN’s Front Row discusses how the network’s producers book guests for the studio and radio shows during Super Bowl Week.
Jack Dickey at Deadspin explains how the New York Times really messed up the story of former Yale quarterback Patrick Witt.
Dylan Stableford at Yahoo’s The Cutline explains why the Puppy Bowl has become so popular on Super Bowl Sunday.
Sports Media Watch delves into the expanded NFL Network Thursday Night Football schedule.
SMW has a few ratings news and notes including one on the Winter X Games.
Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group goes behind the scenes with NBC’s Super Bowl production crew.
Jason Dachman of SVG goes into NBC’s first-ever online streaming of the Super Bowl.
And Dan Daily from SVG writes about this year’s Super Bowl World Feed.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Wednesday night NHL games are doing well for NBC Sports Network.
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe speaks with NBC’s Rodney Harrison on the unspoken revenge factor for the New England Patriots in this year’s Super Bowl.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette has NBC’s Cris Collinsworth talking about the Super Bowl.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says one of the Mets’ TV partners may help to bail out the team from its financial troubles.
Judy Battista of the Times reports on the expanded Thursday Night Football schedule.
Stuart Elliot of the Times says the Shazam mobile app will play a prominent role during many Super Bowl ads.
A rare appearance by Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News in the links. He has his Top 5 Super Bowl announcing teams of all-time.
Phil Mushnick from the New York Post has some Super Bowl storylines the media has missed.
Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette looks at the NFL Network announcement of five more games added to Thursday Night Football.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has NFL Commish Roger Goodell shooting down rumors of more Monday Night Football doubleheaders.
Pete says Commissioner Goodell is firing a warning shot at Time Warner Cable.
Pete reviews the 11 men who have called a Super Bowl on network television.
The Crossing Broad blog says the Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer may be on a slow death march to oblivion.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call discusses NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl XLVI.
South
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle notes that NBC’s Rodney Harrison may be an ex-New England Patriots, but he says he can remain fair.
David says NFL Network gets a beefed up schedule next season.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says NBC’s Cris Collinsworth gets to call his second Super Bowl on TV.
Mel notes that College GameDay will be covering the Big 12 on Saturday.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that one local radio show will be on radio row in Indianapolis today.
Scott Olson of the Indianapolis Business Journal says ESPN is very happy about choosing Pan Am Plaza as its Super Bowl headquarters this week.
The Indianapolis Star has what journalists are saying about the city as a Super Bowl host.
Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says two participants in last year’s Big Game will be on NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show.
Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin will return to call games this season.
Steve Walentik of the Columbia (MO) Tribune calls ESPN’s Jay Bilas, “College Hoops’ Deepest Thinker.” Ok.
West
John Maffei of the North County Times says Al Michaels still loves calling Super Bowls.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says Michaels is hoping for overtime.
Jim has NBC’s Rodney Harrison keeping the David Tyree catch from Super Bowl XLVII in proper perspective.
Richard Varrier of the Los Angeles Times looks at the Fed crackdown on websites that were illegally streaming NFL games.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with former Lakers voice Paul Sunderland and lists the 20 best play-by-play men in Southern California.
Tom has more about Paul in his blog and adds a couple of media notes.
Canada
Susan Krashinsky of the Toronto Globe and Mail explains why Canada can’t see the U.S. Super Bowl ads in real time.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog has NBC’s Super Bowl production by the numbers.
And that’s going to do it for the links. Enjoy the Big Game.
Feb
03
NFL Officially Announces 13 Game Thursday Night Football Sked; Spanish Language RedZone To Begin in 2012
We know of the expanded 13 game Thursday Night Football schedule for NFL Network as was announced today by Commish Roger Goodell. What wasn’t announced during his press conference today and tacked onto the official NFL press release was that a Spanish language version of NFL RedZone will launch next season.
Goodell apparently made the Spanish RedZone announcement during an appearance with NFL Network. He’s full of news today.
So as previously posted, NFL Network will have 13 Thursday Night games spanning from Week 2 through Week 15. There will not be a NFL Network game on Thanksgiving Night in Week 12 as that goes to NBC under the provisions of the new TV contract.
There will be no Saturday night games, all of NFL Network’s games will fall on a Thursday night and with the expanded schedule, it means all teams will get at least one primetime game a season.
Here’s the official announcement.
FIVE ADDITIONAL GAMES FOR NFL NETWORK’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
New 13-game Thursday night slate runs from Weeks 2-15
All 32 teams to play in primetime in 2012
New Spanish-language NFL RedZone channel to debut in ‘12NFL Network will televise five additional regular-season games in 2012 as part of its Thursday Night Football package, NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL announced today.
The Thursday Night Football schedule on NFL Network will now feature 13 games, all on Thursdays, from Weeks 2-15 (skipping Week 12). In previous years, the NFLN slate included at least one Saturday night game. NBC will televise the Thursday night game on Thanksgiving in Week 12, in addition to the NFL Kickoff game.
“Adding these games to the NFL Network schedule will give more players, teams, and cities the primetime stage,” Commissioner Goodell said. “Our fans can now get an early start on the NFL weekend in the season’s first 15 weeks.”
With the expansion of the Thursday Night Football schedule, all 32 NFL teams will now play at least one primetime game in 2012. In addition, every club will play on one Thursday following a Sunday game.
Also in 2012, NFL Network will unveil a new Spanish-language NFL RedZone channel. NFL RedZone, produced by NFL Network, debuted in 2009 and whips around to every NFL game on Sunday afternoons, delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments as they happen. The channel keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see the important plays.
Thursday Night Football averaged a record 6.2 million viewers in 2011 (not including over-the-air stations) – topping the average playoff viewership of other sports on cable. TNF has doubled average viewership from its inaugural season in 2006 (3.1 million viewers).
Working on the Friday megalinks. I hope to have those up later today.
Feb
03
BREAKING NEWS: NFL Network Expands Its Thursday Night Football Schedule
This just announced by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at his Super Bowl press conference in Indianapolis. Starting in 2012, Thursday Night Football on NFL Network will expand from 8 to 13 games. The schedule will span from Week 2 through Week 15. Goodell says this will allow every team to be in primetime.
This is a shot across the bow to the two major cable holdouts to NFL Network, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. Both have held out due to NFL Network carrying 8 games. Both said the cost of NFL Network does not justify carrying just 8 games, but now with five more, NFL Network is saying, “We have more games, dare not to pick us up now.”
Cablevision has also wanted to carry NFL Sunday Ticket which is exclusive to DirecTV. With the added games, we’ll see where the standoff goes.
We’ll find out more about the expanded Thursday Night Football schedule in the days and weeks to come.
Feb
03
Super Bowl XLVI Viewing Picks
All Times Eastern
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Road to the Super Bowl — NBC, noon
Super Bowl XLVI Pregame — NBC, 1 p.m.
SportsNet Central Extra: Super Bowl Pregame — Comcast SportsNet New England, 3 p.m.
Super Bowl Pre-Kick Show — NBC, 6 p.m.
Super Bowl XLVI: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots — NBC, 6:30 p.m.
Announcers: NBC — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya; Dial Global — Kevin Harlan/Boomer Esiason/James Lofton/Mark Malone
SportsNet Central Extra: Super Bowl Postgame — Comcast SportsNet New England, 10 p.m.
SportsNite: Big Blue Live — SNY, 10 p.m.
NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, 10:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, 10:30 p.m.
Feb
03
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Super Bowl Edition Rundown
This will complete our Super Bowl Sunday pregame rundowns. I have already posted NFL GameDay Morning’s 8½ extravaganza and NBC’s Super Bowl XLVI pregame rundowns. It’s now time for Sunday NFL Countdown that will air at 10 a.m. Eastern on Super Bowl Sunday on ESPN.
This will include interviews with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and for some strange reason, a Hannah Storm interview of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.
Mayne Event with Kenny Mayne will be back for the Super Bowl and there will be a year-ending edition of C’mon Man!
Your entire rundown is below.
ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown Features for Super Bowl XLVI
Chris Berman and Countdown Analysts Live at Pan Am Plaza in Downtown Indianapolis;
Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Gruden and Jaworski at Lucas Oil Stadium;
Special Guests Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, and IndyCar driver Graham RahalESPN’s special four-hour Super Bowl XLVI edition of Sunday NFL Countdown featuring host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will preview the New England Patriots-New York Giants Super Bowl matchup beginning at 10 a.m. ET from Pan Am Plaza in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. The show will also include Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski from a set at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additionally, Super Bowl-winning ESPN analysts Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Bill Parcells, Antonio Pierce, Jerry Rice and Steve Young, and Merril Hoge, will contribute from an adjoining set at Pan Am Plaza with host Suzy Kolber. Reporters Rachel Nichols (covering the Giants) and Ed Werder (Patriots) will provide updates throughout the program from the team hotels. In all, ESPN’s roster of Countdown analysts has a combined 16 Super Bowl rings in 25 appearances in the NFL’s biggest game.
Special Guests:
Countdown will feature celebrity guest appearances at the Pan Am Plaza, including:
11:45 a.m. – Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, stars of the upcoming movie That’s My Boywill be on-set (Jets head coach Rex Ryan made a cameo appearance in the movie);
1:55 p.m. – IndyCar driver Graham Rahal will drive through downtown Indianapolis to deliver the Super Bowl XLVI picks to the set.Planned Countdown features, in order of timing by quarter-hour (all times subject to change):
Bill Parcells on the Super Bowl coaches (10:30 a.m.)
Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells will offer his unique insight on this year’s Super Bowl coaches – Bill Belichick (Patriots) and Tom Coughlin (Giants) – both of whom he mentored and had on his former Giants staff.Quarterback Eli Manning’s Elusiveness (11 a.m.)
Though quarterback Eli Manning has managed to trip, stumble and spin his way into making spectacular plays for his team this season, elusive is not the first word that comes to mind when describing the Giants signal-caller. While his inside-the-pocket play may not be pretty, Manning’s unique ability to escape pressure has played a huge part in the Giants success this season. Nichols reports on the elusive side of Eli.Chris and LaKeasha Draft (11:30 a.m.)
LaKeasha Draft, the 38 year-old wife of former NFL linebacker Chris Draft, lost her life to lung cancer one month after they were married last December. Reporter Jeremy Schaap tells the story of courage and true love shared by a dying wife and her loving husband, who played 12 years in the NFL.Peyton Manning Conversation (12 p.m.)
In the first television interview this week after considerable recent speculation about his future, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning talks to NFL Live host Trey Wingo. He discusses his health, his future, and his younger brother Eli’s Super Bowl appearance this weekend in Indianapolis.Introduced as a Team (12 p.m.)
Flashy, individual player introductions of high-profile players such as Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, and Ray Lewis had been part of the Super Bowl pre-game spectacle until Super Bowl XXXVI in 2001 when the New England Patriots demanded to be introduced as a team. Bruschi, a member of that first Patriots’ Super Bowl-winning team, reports how a united group of players changed a Super Bowl tradition.Bill Belichick Conversation (12:15 p.m.)
In Bill Belichick’s 12 seasons as head coach, the Patriots have won three Super Bowls, gone undefeated in the regular season, and have set a number of offensive records. Countdown’s Keyshawn Johnson sits for a one-on-one interview where Belichick discusses his legacy as a five-time Super Bowl winner, quarterback Tom Brady, and New England’s 31st-ranked defense.Tim Tebow Conversation (12:30 p.m.)
Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow became the season’s biggest story on the strength of an 8-5 record, turning the team’s 1-4 start into a playoff berth and Wild Card win at home over the favored Steelers. Tebow sits for an extensive conversation with ESPN’s Hannah Storm where he addresses the season, his performance and popularity.“All In” (1 p.m.)
After 14 games the Giants were sitting at 7-7 and staring at the possibility of yet another late-season collapse. Then, a speech delivered by a local high school teacher during a chapel service on Friday night before their game against the Jets, changed the course of the season. In that speech, the speaker told them that in order to be committed to something you have to be “All In.” The last two words have become the team’s battle cry as the Giants have now won five straight games on their way to the Super Bowl, reports Rick Reilly.Mayne Event – Motherly Love (1:15 p.m.)
Like most NFL players, Giants defensive end Dave Tollefson gets pumped up for battle by receiving a pregame speech. Unlike most NFL players, that speech comes in the form of an obscenity laced phone call from his mother. In a special Super Bowl edition of “Mayne Event,” Kenny Mayne goes behind the scenes to capture Tollefson’s unique ritual and examines the impact it has had on the player’s Super Bowl preparations in Indy.Wide Receiver Demo (1:15 p.m.)
ESPN’s trio of former NFL receivers – Carter, Johnson and Hall of Famer Rice – discuss the pass catchers who will have the biggest impact on Sunday’s game in a demo field segment.Tedy Bruschi and Antonio Pierce On-Set (1:30 p.m.)
The day their former teams renew their Super Bowl rivalry, ESPN analysts Bruschi and Pierce – former linebackers for the Patriots and Giants, respectively — discuss this year’s matchup and the experience of playing in Super Bowl XLII when New York upset previously unbeaten New England.Tom Brady Super Bowl Soundtracks (1:30 p.m.)
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will lead his team to its fifth Super Bowl Sunday. In “Soundtracks,” Countdown features some of the best in-game audio of Brady from his past four Super Bowls.Super Bowl Edition of C’mon Man (1:30 p.m.)
The Countdown crew offers a special edition of its popular weekly Monday Night Countdown segment C’Mon Man
That will do it for today. Up too late again. C,mon Man!
Feb
03
ESPN’s Super Bowl XLVI Coverage Continues Friday
We have the ESPN Family of Networks schedule for Friday live from Indianapolis. You have the live shows on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes. Check it all out.
ESPN’s multimedia coverage of Super Bowl XLVI continues Friday, Feb. 3, from Pan Am Plaza (201 South Capitol Avenue) in downtown Indianapolis. All shows are available for free public viewing.
Among the notable guests scheduled to appear on ESPN programs tomorrow include Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, actor Adam Sandler, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, and player agent Tom Condon.
Scheduled highlights (all times ET):
6 a.m. Mike and Mike in the Morning (ESPN Radio/ESPN2)
Hosts: Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic
Guests: Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton (6:45 a.m.), ESPN analyst Merril Hoge (7 a.m.), 2011 Heisman Trophy winner and 2012 NFL Draft prospect Robert Griffin III (7:45 a.m.), former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor (8 a.m.), Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (8:15 a.m.), ESPN analyst Steve Young (8:30 a.m.), Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (8:45 a.m.), former Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs (9 a.m.), Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (9:15 a.m.), and actor Adam Sandler with rapper Vanilla Ice (9:30 a.m.).10 a.m. The Herd (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS)
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn (10:30 a.m.), former NFL player Chris Doleman (10:45 a.m.), Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (11:15 a.m.), Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley (11:30 a.m.), Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (11:45 a.m.), former NFL player Bill Romanowski (12 p.m.), and Falcons Owner Arthur Blank (12:45 p.m.).1 p.m. Scott Van Pelt Show (ESPN Radio/ESPNEWS through 3 p.m. ET)
Hosts: Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo
Guests: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and/or Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver AJ Green (time TBD), Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (1:15 p.m.), Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (1:45 p.m.), ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer (2 p.m.), Green Bay packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (3:15 p.m.) and NY Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress(time TBD).1 p.m. NFL Semenal (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro Martin3 p.m. SportsCenter Special: The Champions (ESPN)
Host: Mike Tirico. Analysts: Tedy Bruschi, Trent Dilfer, Mike Ditka, Jon Gruden, Keyshawn Johnson, Jerry Rice, Mark Schlereth, Steve Young
Guest: Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (3:45 p.m.)4 p.m. NFL Live (ESPN)
Host: Trey Wingo. Analysts: Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski5 p.m. SportsNation (ESPN2)
Hosts: Michelle Beadle and Cowherd. Guest analyst Herm Edwards
Throughout the week (M-F, 5-6 p.m.), SportsNation features two acts – the Blue Monkey Sideshow carnival act for SN’s ‘Halftime Show’ and Indy’s own “The Twin Cats” (official house band).
Guests: Former NFL running back Brian Westbrook, San Diego Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes, and rapper and actor Ice Cube (5 p.m.)6 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN)
Host: Steve Levy. Analysts: Jerry Rice and Steve Young6 p.m. NFL 32 (ESPN2)
Hosts: Suzy Kolber and Chris Mortensen. Analysts: Trent Dilfer and Tom Jackson
Guest: NFL agent Tom Condon (6 p.m.) – Agent for quarterbacks Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Peyton Manning8 p.m. SportsCenter (ESPN Deportes)
Host: Ciro Procuna. Analysts: Raul Allegre and Alvaro MartinNote: Commentator and guest schedules subject to change
That’s going to be it for this post.
Feb
03
NFL Network’s Super Bowl Week Day 4 Quotage Plus Day 5 Schedule
We have the quotage from NFL Network’s day at the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. We also have what’s coming up on Friday. Check it all out.
Live Coverage of Commissioner, Team Head Coaches, Walter Payton Man of the Year & Don Shula Coach of the Year Press Conferences Friday, Feb. 3 at 8:30 AM ET
Special Guests on Friday Include Adam Sandler, Clay Matthews, Matthew Stafford, Robert Griffin III & Others
Brady 6 & Bill Belichick: A Football Life Friday at 8:00 PM ETVideo Links from Thursday’s Seven-Hour Edition of Super Bowl Live
The following special guests appeared on Super Bowl Live on Thursday:
- Madonna:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268b31f/Madonna-ready-to-rock-Indy- Former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268b737/Luck-Can-t-replace-Peyton-Manning- Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82689a61/Tebow-time-in-Indy- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d82689ac0/Swag-Newton- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82689c5a/Fitzgerald-talks-playoff-WRs- Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d82689f36/Montana-Brady-is-in-best-ever-discussion- New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268a178/Brees-rebounding-from-loss
- St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268bd21/Fisher-ready-to-revitalize-Rams- Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/09000d5d8268b252/Strahan-Never-wrote-the-Giants-offSpecial Guests Scheduled to Appear on NFL Network Friday, February 3
The following guests are scheduled to appear on NFL Network Friday, February 3:
- Actor Adam Sandler
- Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews
- Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford
- Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III
- Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck
- Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon
- Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday
- Model Kate Upton
- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie JohnsonLive Coverage of Commissioner Roger Goodell, Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin Press Conferences Friday, February 3 at 8:30 AM ET
NFL Network provides live coverage of Commissioner Roger Goodell, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin’s press conferences on Friday, February 3 at 8:30 AM ET.
Former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick are live from the Media Center to discuss the comments of each head coach, detail the preparations each team is making heading into Sunday and more.
Additionally, the press conferences for the Walter Payton Man of the Year and Don Shula Coach of the Year awards will be covered.
Below is a schedule of the press conferences NFL Network will carry live:
8:30 AM – New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
9:00 AM ET – Walter Payton Man of the Year
9:15 AM ET – Don Shula Coach of the Year
9:30 AM ET – New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
11:30 AM ET – Commissioner Roger GoodellNFL Films-Produced Documentaries Brady 6 & Bill Belichick: A Football Life on Friday, February 3 at 8:00 PM ET
Before the New England Patriots face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, get ready for the game with Patriots-related documentaries Brady 6 and Bill Belichick: A Football Life on Friday, February 3.
At 8:00 PM ET, Brady 6 examines the career of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft and the stories of the six quarterbacks who were taken ahead of him.
Below are video links to segments from Brady 6:
- Draft Day:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d825b6ec5/The-Brady-6-Draft-day- Where are they Now?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d825b7012/The-Brady-6-Where-are-they-now- Tom’s Turn:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-england-patriots/09000d5d825b6868/The-Brady-6-Tom-s-turnAt 9:00 PM ET, the first part of the critically acclaimed Bill Belichick: A Football Life airs, followed by the second part at 10:00 PM ET. The most-watched documentary in the history of NFL Network provides unprecedented access into the life on and off the football field of the head coach of the New England Patriots.
Below are video links to segments from Bill Belichick: A Football Life:
- Meet Bill Belichick:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d822469c5/A-Football-Life-Meet-Bill-Belichick- The Patriots go for it on 4th Down Against the Colts:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d8227bb57/A-Football-Life-Belichick-s-gambles- Belichick Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d82246b02/A-Football-Life-Belichick-takes-a-trip-down-memory-laneJack Del Rio Joins Brian Billick on The Coaches Show LIVE from the NFL Experience Friday, February 3 at 6:30 PM ET
The new defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos Jack Del Rio joins former NFL head coach Brian Billick live on The Coaches Show Friday, February 3 at 6:30 PM ET from the NFL Experience.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3 NFL NETWORK’S SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)
8:00 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
8:30 AM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE coverage of Super Bowl press conferences
- New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick press conference
- NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year press conference
- NFL Don Shula Coach of the Year press conference
- New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin press conference
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell press conference
12:30 PM – Super Bowl Live – LIVE from Super Bowl Media Center
6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl – LIVE
from NFL Experience
8:00 PM – Brady 6
9:00 PM – Bill Belichick: A Football Life – Part I
10:00 PM – Bill Belichick: A Football Life – Part II
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access at the Super Bowl
12 MIDNIGHT – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLII
3:00 AM – Playbook
3:30 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
ESPN’s schedule at Indianapolis for Friday is next.
Feb
02
NFL GameDay Morning Goes Long on Super Bowl Sunday. How Long? Try 8.5 Hours Long
As it has on past Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s GameDay Morning goes for an amazing 8½ hours starting at 9 a.m. Eastern time. There will be plenty of interviews, features, profiles, debates and live reports during the entire show.
Rich Eisen will host and be joined by a cast of thousands. Ok, maybe not thousands, but it’ll look like it when all is said and done. NFL Network announces that Melissa Stark will also be a host during the program. That’s appreciated on this end.
Why don’t we take a look at the press release. This one is not over 3,000 words as with past NFL Network press release. This comes at a manageable 944 words. Here is the rundown of NFL GameDay Morning for Super Bowl Sunday.
Kurt Warner 1-on-1 with Giants Eli Manning & Willie McGinest Sit Down with Tom Brady & Much More on 8½ Hour Pregame Show
Special Guest Analyst Packers CB Charles Woodson Joins NFL Network’s Roster of 21 Analysts, Hosts & ReportersOn Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s pregame show, NFL GameDay Morning will provide 8½ hours of live coverage starting at 9:00 AM ET with 21 on-air personalities who have won a total of 14 Super Bowl rings. NFL GameDay Morning is live from seven locations, including two sets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additional locations include the Giants and Patriots team hotels, the NFL Tailgate, the Super Bowl Village, and with the fans at Super Bowl parties in New York and Foxborough restaurants.
NFL GameDay Morning features host Rich Eisen joined by Super Bowl winners Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp, along with Steve Mariucci. The special Super Bowl edition also includes host Melissa Stark on a second set along with Super Bowl winners Deion Sanders, Willie McGinest, Heath Evans and Brian Billick previewing the game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.
Super Bowl-winning cornerback of the Green Bay Packers Charles Woodson joins the set as a special guest analyst to provide insight into the game and his own experience playing in last year’s Super Bowl.
Actor Dan Lauria returns in his role as Vince Lombardi to prepare the Giants and the Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI.
The following are highlights of Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame show on NFL Network:
9:00 AM ET
- What to look for in Super Bowl XLVI with Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Steve Mariucci
- Melissa Stark on “The Patriot Way” – how Bill Belichick turns spare parts into champions; includes interviews with Patriots Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater and Aaron Hernandez
10:00 AM ET
- NFL Films-produced feature goes “Back to the Future” to show the similarities between the Giants’ late-season runs in 2007 and 2011
- The NFL Season: A Biography examines the unique relationship between Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his mentor Tom Martinez, who is waiting for a kidney transplant:
(Advanced preview of the feature): http://ftp2.nflfilmstv.com/filmsint/ftp-inet/flashplayer.html?s_video=Preview/the_season_more_than_a_mentor_v1_600ws.flv- Analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin highlight the key matchups
11:00 AM ET
- Feature on how “The Catch” in Super Bowl XLII changed former Giants wide receiver David Tyree’s life
- Michael Lombardi on how Bill Belichick uses the Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLII to motivate his players
- Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders discuss the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012
- Players Only: The best and worst parts of Super Bowl week
12 Noon ET
- Actor/comedian and Boston sports fan Dennis Leary pays tribute to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady
- Steve Cyphers visits the Norman Lear Center for research and public policy at the USC Annenberg School for Communication to investigate why America was obsessed with Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow during the 2011 NFL season
- Deion Sanders, Brian Billick and Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson discuss how winning the Super Bowl has changed their lives
1:00 PM ET
- Steve Cyphers on the anxiety of the Manning Family on Super Bowl Sunday
- NFL Network analysts debate if Eli Manning wins Super Bowl XLVI, which Manning has achieved more in his career?
- NFL Films presents piece on the emotional year Patriots owner Robert Kraft has experienced with the passing of his wife and the Patriots winning the AFC title.
- Former New England linebacker Willie McGinest on the impact of the Kraft Family on the Patriots
2:00 PM ET
- Three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest sits down with his former teammate Tom Brady for a 1-on-1 interview
- Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate the hot topics of Super Bowl XLVI
3:00 – 5:30 PM ET
- Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner sits down with Super Bowl XLII MVP and former teammate Eli Manning for a 1-on-1 interview:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/09000d5d8267a9e4/Sunday-Sitdown-Eli-Manning- Essay written by Indiana native Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated on what hosting the Super Bowl means to the Hoosier State
- Stars of the upcoming film “That’s My Boy,” Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg join the set
- Tale of the Tape: how the Giants and Patriots match up at quarterback (Kurt Warner), running back (Marshall Faulk), wide receiver (Michael Irvin), on defense (Warren Sapp) and coaching (Steve Mariucci).
- Super Bowl XLVI MVP picks
- Game picks
***Immediately after the NBC postgame show – NFL GameDay Final
Host Rich Eisen and analysts Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin provide analysis and highlights from the field, plus live interviews with all the stars of the game and the winning coach. Albert Breer, Stacey Dales and Lindsay Soto provide interviews following the game.
NFL GameDay Morning Super Bowl Pregame Show Roster
Michael Irvin: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Deion Sanders: Analyst (2 Super Bowl rings)
Marshall Faulk: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Kurt Warner: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Warren Sapp: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Charles Woodson: Guest Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Willie McGinest: Analyst (3 Super Bowl rings)
Brian Billick: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Heath Evans: Analyst (1 Super Bowl ring)
Steve Mariucci: Analyst
Rich Eisen: Host
Melissa Stark: Host
Fran Charles: Host
Michelle Beisner: Reporter
Albert Breer: Reporter
Stacey Dales: Reporter
Steve Cyphers: Reporter
Jason La Canfora: Reporter
Michael Lombardi: Reporter
Ari Wolfe: Reporter
Steve Wyche: Reporter
That will do it.
Feb
02
Time For Our Thursday Linkage
Let’s do our linkage now. Lots of good stories.
First, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch speaks with NBC’s NFL crew on what we’ll see on Super Bowl Sunday.
Richard’s latest Media Circus podcast is up and his guest this week is NBC’s Cris Collinsworth who will call Sunday’s game with Al Michaels.
Good on Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead for breaking the story that Selena Roberts has left SI.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says Time Warner Cable hopes to capture some good feelings with its local Super Bowl ad that will run in selected markets.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that General Motors is cutting back on its ad spending, but will remain on the Super Bowl.
Adweek’s Tim Nudd says Kia’s Super Bowl tries to cram a lot into its Super Bowl spot.
Robert Klara from Adweek notes that tennis players are getting more than just shoe endorsements these days.
Matthew Creamer at Advertising Age has a primer on the Super Bowl ads.
Brian Steinberg from AdAge notes that NBCUniversal corporate sibling Fandango will latch onto one Super Bowl movie ad.
Cotton Delo of AdAge says Honda’s Ferris Bueller ad is the most watched Super Bowl ad on the web right now.
Mark Wilson of Popular Mechanics wonders if NBC’s streaming of Super Bowl XLVI will lead to more events online.
Tom Cheredar from MediaBeat says the Feds cracked down today on several sites illegally streaming sports.
Maggie Hendricks at Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner says Pats QB Tom Brady watched last year’s Super Bowl through an illegal website. Great thing to admit, Tom.
To Graham Watson at Yahoo’s Dr. Saturday blog and he says ESPN may have inadvertently helped USC coach Lane Kiffin commit a recruiting violation. It would not be the first time.
Good story from Jeremy Rapanich in Deadspin on NBC’s preparation for Super Bowl XLVI.
Matt Yoder from Awful Announcing looks at the next potential wave of NFL TV analysts.
Ryan Yoder at AA recaps Texas US Senate candidate Craig James interview on a state radio station.
Glenn Davis at SportsGrid wonders if Steven A. “A is for Acrimony” Smith flipped the bird to Skip Bayless today.
The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn takes a look at Radio Row at the Super Bowl.
Newsday’s Neil Best says WFAN’s Mike Francesa and the agent for former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor are in a feud.
Neil says Miami sports radio host Sid Rosenberg is no longer doing morning drive sports reports for NYC radio station WINS.
Neil speaks with WFAN’s Giants beat reporter.
Neil says NBC is hopeful that Super Bowl XLVI will set a viewership record.
Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the rundown for NBC’s Super Bowl 6-hour pregame.
Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has ESPN’s BracketBusters schedule.
Evan Weiner of the New Jersey Newsroom notes that the NFL is the best of both capitalism and socialism.
Isabelle Khurshudyan of the University of South Carolina’s student newspaper, the Daily Gamecock, recaps a campus appearance by ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen.
John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer says Fox Sports Ohio has set its Reds programming for this month.
Zak Keeler from the Indianapolis Star writes that visiting reporters are heaping praise on Indy as Super Bowl host.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is surprised over the Pro Bowl’s ratings.
Mark Schuttenhelm of the Jamestown (ND) Sun questions the choices NBC Sports Network has made for its college hockey games.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News breaks down the Super Bowl by play-by-play announcer.
The Los Angeles Times reports that ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad was admonished for live tweeting his jury selection. Really, Norman?
Jessica Lantz has a look at one of the better Super Bowl ads, only this one will play in Canada only.
Speaking of Canada, the Canadian Sports Media Blog says CTV will begin its promotional push for this year’s Summer Olympic Games during the Super Bowl.
Sports Media Watch says this year’s NHL All-Star Game ratings finished below last year’s.
Mike Silva at Sports Media Watchdog says this week’s Mike and the Mad Dog reunion reminds fans what they’ve been missing since 2008.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has some suggestions on how to improve NBC’s NHL coverage.
Jackie Pepper continues her coverage of Super Bowl XLVI.
And we’re done with our links for today.
Feb
02
NBC’s Super Bowl Pregame Rundown
Some of the following elements and features were unveiled during a NBC Sports media conference call that took place on Wednesday. We have the official press release now.
We know that Bob Costas will interview halftime performer Madonna and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Dan Patrick will interview New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon will conduct celebrity interviews on the red carpet, something we all need to see. Today show co-host Matt Lauer will interview President Barack Obama.
Other interviews include Football Night in America’s Tony Dungy talking with Giants coach Tom Coughlin and Rodney Harrison speaking with his former coach, Bill Belichick of the Patriots. Al Michaels will interview his friend, Patriots team owner Robert Kraft about the loss of his wife, Myra and how this season has meant to him.
There will be plenty of features including one on players’ hometowns and the patented NBC Olympic-style profiles that get “Up Close and Personal” with selected athletes participating in Sunday’s game.
Lots of stuff packed into 6 hours. Pregame starts at noon ET. We’ll be watching.
Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy & Rodney Harrison preview Super Bowl XLVI with interviews, analysis and commentary
Super Bowl MVPs Aaron Rodgers & Hines Ward serve as guest analysts
Lenny Kravitz & The Fray perform live
Cast of The Voice and other celebrities make red-carpet appearances
TODAY’s Matt Lauer interviews President Barack ObamaIndianapolis, IN – February 2, 2012 – Bob Costas will open NBC Sports’ six hours of Super Bowl XLVI pre-game coverage with a live report from Georgia Street in downtown Indianapolis at Noon ET on Sunday, Feb. 5. In the hours leading up to the game, NBC Sports will surround the Super Bowl teams with live team hotel and sideline reports, player features and interviews, and X’s and O’s analysis.
Coverage will also include the events surrounding the Super Bowl, including an interview with halftime performer Madonna, live musical performances, red-carpet interviews with music, television and film stars, reports from the festive atmosphere taking place just outside Lucas Oil Stadium, and more. NBC News’ Matt Lauer will also interview President Barack Obama during a special pre-game edition of TODAY airing late Sunday afternoon.
In addition to Costas, NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football team of Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya, and Football Night in America team of Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King and Mike Florio will contribute to the pre-game coverage, with taped interviews and live on-site commentary and analysis. Liam McHugh, Alex Flanagan and Randy Moss will report from the team hotels, Doug Flutie will appear in field-set segments, and The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore will provide reports on the weather and event atmosphere.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, two Super Bowl MVPs who each played in last year’s game, will join NBC Sports’ coverage as guest analysts. Ward, who has played in three Super Bowls and won two, was named MVP of Super Bowl XL when he made five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who is an NFL MVP candidate this season, passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns in last year’s Super Bowl, helping the Packers defeat Ward’s Steelers, 31-25, and earning him the MVP award.
Following is a summary NBC Sports’ Super Bowl XLVI pre-game coverage:
THE GAME
Hotel & Arrival Reports: Randy Moss will provide updates from the Patriots team hotel, while Alex Flanagan will report from the Giants hotel. They will also report on their respective teams’ arrival at the stadium.
Field Set: Doug Flutie (playing quarterback), Cris Collinsworth (wide receiver), and Rodney Harrison (defensive back) will analyze the play of Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, acting out the X’s and O’s on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Interviews: During the two weeks leading up to the game, NBC Sports conducted extensive interviews with Super Bowl XLVI players and coaches:
- Bob Costas interviews Tom Brady
- Dan Patrick interviews Eli Manning
- Tony Dungy sits with Tom Coughlin and visits with Victor Cruz at his former Paterson, N.J. home.
- Rodney Harrison interviews his former coach, Bill Belichick, and goes on the field with Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.
- Al Michaels visits with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who has dedicated this season to his wife Myra, who passed away in 2011.
Hometown Hero: How does a player get to the Super Bowl? NBC Sports will visit the hometowns of five of Sunday’s featured players — Eli Manning and Jason Pierre-Paul of the Giants, and Tom Brady, Aaron Hernandez and Wes Welker of the Patriots – by speaking with the people who made an early impact on their lives, including former coaches, teachers and neighborhood friends.
Steve Gleason: Peter King tells the story of former New Orleans Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Gleason famously blocked the punt that led to an early touchdown the night the Saints returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. King chronicles the challenges facing Gleason and his family while battling the debilitating muscular disease.
Vince Wilfork: Get ready, America. Here come the Wilforks. NBC Sports visits the home of New England defensive lineman Vince Wilfork, and discovers the surprising personalities behind one the fiercest players in the league.
Mathias Kiwanuka: NBC Sports examines the compelling story of Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, who grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Cathedral High School, located roughly 10 miles from Lucas Oil Stadium. However, Kiwanuka’s true roots extend back to Africa and the compelling story of his grandfather, Benedicto Kiwanuka, the first prime minister of Uganda, and a man assassinated by the regime of notorious dictator Idi Amin while he served as Amin’s chief justice in 1972.
Behind the Quarterbacks: NBC Sports will examine the people behind Sunday’s successful quarterbacks by interviewing Eli Manning’s parents, Archie and Olivia, and Tom Martinez, who has served as Tom Brady’s mentor and personal quarterback coach since high school.
Additional Features & Interviews: In addition to the aforementioned features, additional pieces will air on wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz of the Giants, and tight end Rob Gronkowski and punter Zoltan Mesko of the Patriots.
Helmet Catch: Bob Costas interviews live former Patriots safety and current NBC Sports analyst Rodney Harrison along with former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, two men who are forever linked in NFL history due to Tyree’s famous and improbable “helmet catch” in Super Bowl XLII.
Commissioner Goodell: An excerpt from Bob Costas’ one-on-one interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell from Thursday night’s Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl will air.
NFL Turning Point: The NBC Sports Network program, which normally highlights the “turning point” of a game by utilizing NFL Films’ unsurpassed access and production, will examine the “turning point” of the season for both the Giants and Patriots.
Road to the Super Bowl: Kicking off NBC Sports’ six hours of pre-game coverage at Noon ET is NFL Films’ Road to the Super Bowl. How did the New York Giants and New England Patriots advance to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis? Re-live the journey as only NFL Films can present it. Road to the Super Bowl begins with Kickoff Weekend and chronicles the 2011 NFL season utilizing NFL Films’ signature captivating video and sound from on the field, and in the locker room from exclusive player and coach wirings.
THE PRESIDENT
Interview: NBC News’ Matt Lauer will interview President Barack Obama from The White House during a special pre-game edition of TODAY airing late Sunday afternoon.
ENTERTAINMENT
Madonna: Bob Costas interviews The Material Girl herself, Madonna, who will perform in Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show. A world class entertainer, singer, songwriter, actress, producer, director and video visionary, Madonna has sold more than 300 million records in the course of her three decade career as The Material Girl. She is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Her last tour was the most successful tour by a solo artist in history.
Red Carpet: Nick Cannon hosts NBC’s pre-game red-carpet coverage. Celebrities expected to attend include: Adam Sandler; Danny Devito from Universal Pictures’ upcoming film, The Lorax; Chris Evans from The Avengers; and the stars of NBC’s new primetime programs — Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Carson Daly of The Voice, which makes its second-season premiere immediately after the Super Bowl; Katharine McPhee of Smash, which debuts Monday night; and Jessica Simpson of Fashion Star.
Live Performances: Musical acts Lenny Kravitz and The Fray will perform live from the NFL’s Super Bowl XLVI Tailgate Party.
Top Chef: Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning culinary show, Top Chef, will be on-site in Indianapolis with host Tom Colicchio and two popular former contestants, Richard Blais and Antonia Lofaso, competing to create the perfect tailgate food. Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison will determine which of their tailgate preparations wins.
ATMOSPHERE
Zip Line: In addition to filing weather reports, The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore will provide reports on the fan atmosphere surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium, including a ride on the popular 800-foot zip line located in the Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Legacy: NBC Sports will examine how Indianapolis became a shining example of how the biggest of sporting events can provide the means to unite a community in astonishing ways. After the city was awarded the game in 2008, it used the Super Bowl to plant thousands of trees, fight cancer, redevelop an entire neighborhood, and bring hope to those in need. When the Super Bowl is over, its impact in Indianapolis will remain for a very long time.
Great Moments in Indiana Sports History: NBC Sports examines the role the state of Indiana has had on some of sports’ greatest moments. The personalities and events featured include Larry Bird, John Wooden, Bobby Knight, Hank Aaron, the Indy 500, and Hoosiers.
REGIONAL COVERAGE
The NBC Sports Group has regional sports networks in New York and Boston that will be providing robust local pre- and post-game coverage for Super Bowl XLVI.
SNY: Super Bowl coverage will begin on Sat., Feb. 4 with Big Blue Live, an in-depth pre-game show that will deliver football fans the latest news and developments from Indianapolis. The show will feature live commentary from a panel of analysts, players and coaches who will provide a comprehensive look at Super Bowl XLVI as well as break down all the key matchups for the game. Big Blue Live will also include highlights from earlier in the week, including exclusive interviews with players and coaches from both the Giants and Patriots.
Immediately following Super Bowl XLVI, SNY’s SportsNite Big Blue Live post-game show will provide fans extensive coverage, including all of the post-game press conferences as well as exclusive on-field interviews and reactions from both the Giants and Patriots players and coaches. On-air talent for Big Blue Live will include former Giants Tiki Barber and Shaun O’Hara, NFL Insider Adam Schein and host Chris Carlin. In addition, SNY’s Giants reporter Mike Garafolo, Gary Apple and Jonas Schwartz contribute to Big Blue Live – reporting on-site from Indianapolis.
Comcast SportsNet New England: Super Bowl Sunday coverage will include special pre- and post-game editions of SportsNet Central Extra. The pre-game show will begin at 3 p.m. ET with the post-game show beginning immediately after the game. Both shows will originate on-site at Lucas Oil Stadium. Hosting will be: Michael Felger, Ty Law, Troy Brown, Tom E. Curran, Mike Giardi and Kevin Walsh. Bob Neumeier will be part of the SNC Extra post-game show as well from the CSN studios.
That does it.
Feb
01
Inside The NFL Quotage From Its Super Bowl Edition
The Super Bowl edition of Inside the NFL debuted Wednesday on Showtime. If you missed the premiere, there will be replays throughout the weekend leading up to the game.
On this week’s edition, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch made guest appearances and answered questions from the Inside the NFL crew.
We have the quotage for you below.
ON INSIDE THE NFL ON SHOWTIME®
SUPER BOWL SPECIAL EDITION INCLUDING INTERVIEWS WITH NEW YORK GIANTS JUSTIN TUCK AND NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS DEION BRANCH PLUS ATLANTA’S TONY GONZALEZ AND JIM ROME
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 1, 2012) – Prior to their Super Bowl XLVI showdown, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and New England Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch sit down for interviews with James Brown, Phil Simms, Cris Collinsworth, and Warren Sapp on this week’s edition of INSIDE THE NFL.
Plus Atlanta Falcons Tony Gonzalez joins INSIDE THE NFL to give an on-field tight end demonstration, and the newest member of the CBS and SHOWTIME family, Jim Rome, joins to give his unique insight into this weekend’s Super Bowl in Indianapolis.
INSIDE THE NFL, now in its 33rd season, airs every Wednesday night through the NFL season on SHOWTIME for a total of 23 episodes, with multiple replays each week on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME EXTREME® and availability on SHOWTIME On Demand. INSIDE THE NFL is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films. The executive producers are CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus and NFL Films President Steve Sabol. Pete Radovich Jr., the Emmy Award-winning Creative Director for CBS Sports, serves as coordinating producer.
Following are excerpts from this week’s episode:
Tuck on rushing Tom Brady…
TUCK: You’ve got to be in his face. Some quarterbacks you don’t really care where the rush comes from. But with a guy like Tom, if you allow him to step up and step up into his throws, you’re going to have a long night. And I think that’s why it’s so important for our front four and particularly our defensive tackles, getting people right in his face so he has to be mobile in the pocket. That’s not his strength. When he is able to step up he is deadly. We’ve got some things in that hopefully can knock him off his point and make him be a little bit more of an athlete and I think we stand a better chance of having success against him when we are able to do that.On his health going into Super Bowl XLVI…
TUCK: It’s the Super Bowl man, I’m great. We can get it all in after this and I can go get the MRIs and all that after this but you don’t ever want to regret having an opportunity like this. The adrenaline of this football game here, you are going to feel like 100%. I don’t care who you are. I expect (Rob) Gronkowski to play because he knows as well I know, playing in this game, I’m not worried about any of the injuries I’ve had. I’m going to go out there and give it everything I’ve got and I told our doctors 10 weeks ago, we’ll deal with that at the end of the year.On Tom Coughlin coaching through the season while fans called for his termination…
TUCK: He has continued to be the Coughlin that everybody knows, but I think he’s done a great job of allowing his players to have a little bit more say-so. So he’s given us a lot of leeway to make some of the decisions about how we go about things in the locker room and with the Giants and I think it’s paid off for us.Branch on the difference between playing for the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots…
BRANCH: To commend the guys, things didn’t work out the way we thought it would and I was traded to Seattle which I was very thankful to be blessed to go to another first class organization. You start noticing when you have a high turnover within an organization there is no stability, so therefore you are not producing on the football field. You are not producing wins. Those W’s turn to L’s…When Coach Belichick gave me a call and told me he was thinking of bringing me back, this and that, and trust me I was truly honored to have the opportunity to return to the team that drafted me with the same head coach and the same quarterback. The stability is there (and) the foundation for greatness with this organizationOn the New England Patriots playbook…
BRANCH: It is a very complex offense, it is a demanding offense. I think we change so much stuff week to week and daily. There’s so much stuff that we go through during the course of the week and then Friday here it is, they spring another 20 plays on us, 48 hours before the game. That’s just part of being here.SIMMS: You said it right. It is a memorization offense. One word tells everybody. A lot of offenses have a lot of words and they tell everybody what to do…You have to learn the whole concept.
The press releases continue. Keep your feeds updated.
Howdy. Welcome to Fang's Bites!
Thanks for dropping by! Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the RSS feed. See ya around!