With the Independence Day holiday upon us, we felt that we would give you some “independence” for the Sports Media Weekly program this week.
I know we were also away last week. Ken Fang of Fang’s Bites and I will return next week. Thank you!
The Rest
Vacation Time!
NBA TV Has Playoff Match-up Tomorrow Night
NBA TV will provide coverage of Game Five of the first round NBA Playoff series between the Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks.
Here are the details of the network’s coverage tomorrow night:
NBA Playoffs on NBA TV Schedule:
| Wednesday, May 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET | AutoTrader.com Pregame Show |
| Vince Cellini (host), Dennis Scott and Monty Williams (analysts) | ||
| 8 p.m. | Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers (Game 5) | |
| Kevin Calabro (play-by-play), Greg Anthony and Steve Smith (analysts) with Dei Lynam (reporter) | ||
| Postgame | NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai | |
| Cellini, Scott and Williams |
Hockey Action this Week on NBC Sports
Once again NBC Sports will provide a plentiful slate of hockey action. NBC Sports Network will have double header action tomorrow while NBC has its game Sunday afternoon.
Here is the schedule, along with announcer assignments and network designation:
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | NETWORK |
| Wed., Feb. 27 | Washington at Philadelphia Mike Emrick, Ed Olczyk, Pierre McGuire |
7:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Detroit at Los Angeles Randy Hahn, Drew Remenda |
10 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Fri., Mar. 1 | Wisconsin at No. 15 Nebraska-Omaha (college) Dan Parkhurst, Ken Hodge |
7:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Sun., Mar. 3 | Chicago at Detroit Mike Emrick, Ed Olczyk, Pierre McGuire |
12:30 p.m. | NBC |
| Montreal at Boston Dave Strader, Brian Engblom |
7:30 p.m. | NBCSN | |
| Mon., Mar. 4 | Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire |
7:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
| Tues., Mar. 5 | Philadelphia at N.Y. Rangers Dave Strader, Brian Engblom |
7:30 p.m. | NBCSN |
MLB Network’s Spring Training Game Schedule
The MLB Network has unveiled a schedule of 150 spring training games from Florida and Arizona.
MLB Network will also again originate from every Spring Training site as part of its 30 Clubs in 30 Days program. The program begins tomorrow.
Here is the proposed MLB Network Spring Training game schedule:
| Sat., Feb. 23 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Washington Nationals @ New York Mets |
| Sun., Feb. 24 | 12:00 a.m. | Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers |
| Sun., Feb. 24 | 3:00 a.m. | Tampa Bay Rays Split Squad @ Boston Red Sox |
| Sun., Feb. 24 | 6:00 a.m. | Houston Astros @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Sun., Feb. 24 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays Split Squad @ New York Yankees |
| Sun., Feb. 24 | 4:00 p.m. | Oakland Athletics @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Mon., Feb. 25 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Detroit Tigers @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Mon., Feb. 25 – LIVE | 6:00 p.m. | Washington Nationals @ New York Mets |
| Mon., Feb. 25 | 9:00 p.m. | New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles |
| Tue., Feb. 26 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | New York Yankees @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Tue., Feb. 26 | 4:00 p.m. | Arizona D-backs Split Squad @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Wed., Feb. 27 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets |
| Wed., Feb. 27 | 4:00 p.m. | San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Wed., Feb. 27 – LIVE | 7:00 p.m. | Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles Split Squad |
| Thu., Feb. 28 | 2:00 a.m. | Baltimore Orioles Split Squad @ New York Yankees |
| Thu., Feb. 28 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Thu., Feb. 28 – LIVE | 6:00 p.m. | New York Mets @ Washington Nationals |
| Thu., Feb. 28 | 10:00 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees Split Sqaud |
| Fri., March 1 | 2:00 a.m. | New York Yankees Split Squad @ Houston Astros |
| Fri., March 1 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Detroit Tigers @ New York Mets |
| Fri., March 1 | 4:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees |
| Fri., March 1 – LIVE | 7:00 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates Split Squad @ Boston Red Sox |
| Sat., March 2 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Miami Marlins @ New York Mets |
| Sat., March 2 | 4:00 p.m. | Philadelphia Phillies @ Toronto Blue Jays |
| Sun., March 3 | 9:00 a.m. | Detroit Tigers Split Squad @ New York Yankees |
| Sun., March 3 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays @ Philadelphia Phillies Split Squad |
| Sun., March 3 | 4:00 p.m. | New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox |
| Sun., March 3 | 8:00 p.m. | Detroit Tigers @ Atlanta Braves |
| Sun., March 3 | 11:00 p.m. | Chicago White Sox @ San Diego Padres |
| Mon., March 4 | 9:30 a.m. | Chicago Cubs Split Squad @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Mon., March 4 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets |
| Mon., March 4 | 4:00 p.m. | Colorado Rockies @ Seattle Mariners |
| Mon., March 4 | 8:30 p.m. | Houston Astros @ Detroit Tigers |
| Tue., March 5 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Dominican Republic @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Tue., March 5 | 4:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres |
| Tue., March 5 – LIVE | 9:00 p.m. | Mexico @ Arizona D-backs |
| Wed., March 6 | 12:00 a.m. | Atlanta Braves @ New York Yankees |
| Wed., March 6 | 9:00 a.m. | Cincinnati Reds @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Wed., March 6 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Dominican Republic @ New York Yankees |
| Wed., March 6 | 4:00 p.m. | Italy @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Wed., March 6 | 9:00 p.m. | Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Fri., March 8 | 2:00 a.m. | Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros |
| Fri., March 8 | 9:00 a.m. | Miami Marlins @ New York Mets |
| Sat., March 9 | 1:00 a.m. | Arizona D-backs @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Sun., March 10 | 1:00 a.m. | Minnesota Twins @ Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Mon., March 11 | 12:00 a.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers @ Colorado Rockies |
| Mon., March 11 | 3:00 a.m. | New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays |
| Mon., March 11 | 10:00 a.m. | Philadelphia Phillies @ Houston Astros |
| Mon., March 11 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Oakland Athletics @ San Diego Padres |
| Mon., March 11 | 9:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers @ Milwaukee Brewers |
| Tue., March 12 | 12:00 a.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Yankees |
| Tue., March 12 | 3:00 a.m. | Los Angeles Angels @ Cleveland Indians |
| Tue., March 12 | 4:00 p.m. | Detroit Tigers @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Wed., March 13 | 12:00 a.m. | San Diego Padres @ San Francisco Giants |
| Wed., March 13 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Angels @ San Diego Padres |
| Wed., March 13 | 11:00 p.m. | Milwaukee Brewers @ Arizona D-backs |
| Thu., March 14 | 3:00 a.m. | Atlanta Braves @ Miami Marlins |
| Thu., March 14 | 8:00 a.m. | Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees |
| Thu., March 14 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Atlanta Braves @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Thu., March 14 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Chicago White Sox @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Thu., March 14 | 11:00 p.m. | Tampa Bay Rays @ Baltimore Orioles |
| Fri., March 15 | 3:00 a.m. | Detroit Tigers @ New York Mets |
| Fri., March 15 | 8:00 a.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Fri., March 15 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates @ Houston Astros |
| Fri., March 15 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Texas Rangers @ San Francisco Giants |
| Fri., March 15 | 11:00 p.m. | Minnesota Twins @ Boston Red Sox Split Squad |
| Sat., March 16 | 3:00 a.m. | Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Sat., March 16 | 6:00 a.m. | New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves |
| Sat., March 16 | 9:00 a.m. | Miami Marlins @ New York Yankees |
| Sat., March 16 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Texas Rangers Split Squad @ Chicago Cubs Split Squad |
| Sat., March 16 | 8:00 p.m. | Houston Astros @ Washington Nationals |
| Sun., March 17 | 12:00 a.m. | Miami Marlins @ New York Mets |
| Sun., March 17 | 3:00 a.m. | Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Yankees Split Squad |
| Sun., March 17 | 6:00 a.m. | New York Yankees Split Squad @ Atlanta Braves |
| Sun., March 17 | 9:00 a.m. | Kansas City Royals @ Chicago Cubs Split Squad |
| Sun., March 17 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins |
| Sun., March 17 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Cleveland Indians @ Cincinnati Reds |
| Mon., March 18 | 1:00 a.m. | Colorado Rockies @ San Francisco Giants |
| Mon., March 18 | 4:00 a.m. | San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Mon., March 18 | 7:00 a.m. | Minnesota Twins @ Baltimore Orioles |
| Mon., March 18 | 10:00 a.m. | Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers Split Squad |
| Mon., March 18 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Milwaukee Brewers @ Cleveland Indians |
| Tue., March 19 | 1:00 a.m. | Kansas City Royals @ Texas Rangers |
| Tue., March 19 | 8:00 a.m. | New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Wed., March 20 | 12:00 a.m. | San Francisco Giants @ Seattle Mariners |
| Wed., March 20 | 3:00 a.m. | Miami Marlins @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Wed., March 20 | 6:00 a.m. | Tampa Bay Rays @ Detroit Tigers |
| Wed., March 20 | 9:00 a.m. | Los Angeles Angels @ Milwaukee Brewers |
| Wed., March 20 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Cleveland Indians @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Wed., March 20 | 8:00 p.m. | Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees |
| Wed., March 20 | 11:00 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates @ Atlanta Braves |
| Thu., March 21 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets |
| Thu., March 21 – LIVE | 6:00 p.m. | Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves |
| Thu., March 21 – LIVE | 9:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Angels @ Texas Rangers |
| Fri., March 22 | 1:00 a.m. | Chicago Cubs Split Squad @ Seattle Mariners |
| Fri., March 22 | 6:00 a.m. | Houston Astros @ Detroit Tigers |
| Fri., March 22 | 9:00 a.m. | Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees |
| Fri., March 22 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Detroit Tigers @ Washington Nationals |
| Fri., March 22 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Kansas City Royals @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Fri., March 22 | 9:00 p.m. | Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Sat., March 23 | 12:00 a.m. | Chicago White Sox @ Oakland Athletics |
| Sat., March 23 | 3:00 a.m. | Arizona D-backs @ Cleveland Indians |
| Sat., March 23 | 6:00 a.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ Houston Astros |
| Sat., March 23 | 9:00 a.m. | Seattle Mariners @ San Diego Padres |
| Sat., March 23 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins |
| Sat., March 23 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Cleveland Indians @ Seattle Mariners |
| Sat., March 23 | 8:00 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates @ Boston Red Sox |
| Sun., March 24 | 12:00 a.m. | Washington Nationals @ New York Mets |
| Sun., March 24 | 3:00 a.m. | Texas Rangers @ Cincinnati Reds |
| Sun., March 24 | 6:00 a.m. | Philadelphia Phillies @ Baltimore Orioles |
| Sun., March 24 | 9:00 a.m. | Oakland Athletics @ San Francisco Giants |
| Sun., March 24 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees |
| Sun., March 24 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Cincinnati Reds @ Texas Rangers |
| Sun., March 24 | 8:00 p.m. | Baltimore Orioles @ Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Mon., March 25 | 12:00 a.m. | Kansas City Royals @ Chicago White Sox |
| Mon., March 25 | 3:00 a.m. | Miami Marlins @ Houston Astros |
| Mon., March 25 | 7:00 a.m. | Chicago Cubs @ Cleveland Indians |
| Mon., March 25 | 10:00 a.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers @ Oakland Athletics |
| Mon., March 25 | 5:00 p.m. | Detroit Tigers @ Miami Marlins |
| Mon., March 25 – LIVE | 9:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers @ Kansas City Royals |
| Tue., March 26 | 12:00 a.m. | Cleveland Indians @ Colorado Rockies |
| Tue., March 26 | 3:00 a.m. | Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros |
| Tue., March 26 | 7:00 a.m. | San Francisco Giants @ Chicago Cubs |
| Tue., March 26 | 10:00 a.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ Minnesota Twins |
| Tue., March 26 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Chicago White Sox @ Texas Rangers |
| Tue., March 26 – LIVE | 7:00 p.m. | Houston Astros @ New York Yankees |
| Tue., March 26 | 11:00 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Mets |
| Wed., March 27 | 2:00 a.m. | Los Angeles Angels @ Arizona D-backs |
| Wed., March 27 | 7:00 a.m. | Tampa Bay Rays @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Wed., March 27 | 10:00 a.m. | Colorado Rockies @ Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Wed., March 27 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | Texas Rangers @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Wed., March 27 – LIVE | 7:00 p.m. | New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles |
| Wed., March 27 | 11:00 p.m. | Washington Nationals Split Squad @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Thu., March 28 | 2:00 a.m. | Chicago Cubs @ Kansas City Royals Split Squad |
| Thu., March 28 | 7:00 a.m. | Toronto Blue Jays @ Tampa Bay Rays |
| Thu., March 28 | 10:00 a.m. | Cleveland Indians @ Chicago White Sox |
| Thu., March 28 | 4:00 p.m. | Miami Marlins @ St. Louis Cardinals |
| Thu., March 28 – LIVE | 7:00 p.m. | Minnesota Twins @ Boston Red Sox |
| Thu., March 28 | 11:00 p.m. | Oakland Athletics @ San Francisco Giants |
| Fri., March 29 | 2:00 a.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers Split Squad @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Fri., March 29 | 7:00 a.m. | Seattle Mariners @ Chicago Cubs |
| Fri., March 29 | 10:00 a.m. | Toronto Blue Jays @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Fri., March 29 – LIVE | 2:00 p.m. | New York Yankees @ Washington Nationals |
| Fri., March 29 – LIVE | 7:00 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays @ Philadelphia Phillies |
| Fri., March 29 – LIVE | 10:00 p.m. | Oakland Athletics @ San Francisco Giants |
| Sat., March 30 | 12:00 a.m. | San Diego Padres @ Texas Rangers |
| Sat., March 30 | 3:00 a.m. | Seattle Mariners @ Colorado Rockies |
| Sat., March 30 – LIVE | 1:00 p.m. | Minnesota Twins @ Boston Red Sox |
| Sat., March 30 – LIVE | 4:00 p.m. | San Francisco Giants @ Oakland Athletics |
| Sat., March 30 – LIVE | 9:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Dodgers @ Los Angeles Angels |
| Sun., March 31 | 12:00 a.m. | San Diego Padres @ Texas Rangers |
| Sun., March 31 | 3:00 a.m. | Seattle Mariners @ Colorado Rockies |
ESPN’s Coverage at Daytona
Even though they do not have the television rights to the Daytona 500, ESPN will be providing blanket coverage of the activities around at the Daytona Motor Speedway.
ESPN will be producing its NASCAR Now program from Daytona throughout the period.
ESPN will also have coverage of the Nationwide Series race from Daytona on February 23rd at Noon ET. Allen Bestwicxk will call the race with Dale Jarrett and Andy Petrie. Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Dr. Jerry Punch and Vince Welch will report from the pits. Nicole Briscoe, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham, and Brad Daugherty will handle pre and post race duties.
Here is ESPN’s complete schedule of coverage of the activities at the Daytona 500:
| Date | Time | Program | Network |
| Wednesday, Feb. 13 | 12:30 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 14 | 2 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 14 | Noon | NASCAR Now: Media Day Special | ESPNEWS |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | Midnight | SportsCentury: Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 1 a.m. | 1998 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 1:30 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 3 a.m. | 3 Nation: The Life & Legacy of Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 4 a.m. | SportsCentury: Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 5 a.m. | 3 Nation: The Life & Legacy of Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 7 a.m. | 1998 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 15 | 9 a.m. | SportsCentury: Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Saturday, Feb. 16 | 6 a.m. | RaceDay | ESPN Radio |
| Sunday, Feb. 17 | 6 a.m. | RaceDay | ESPN Radio |
| Tuesday, Feb. 19 | 12:30 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 12:30 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 8:30 a.m. | SportsCentury: Mario Andretti | ESPN Classic |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 9:30 a.m. | SportsCentury: Tim Flock | ESPN Clsssic |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 10:30 a.m. | SportsCentury: Jeff Gordon | ESPN Classic |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m. | 1993 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 1 p.m. | 2007 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 3 p.m. | 1997 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Wednesday, Feb. 20 | 5 p.m. | 1999 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 2 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 2:30 a.m. | 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series Preview | ESPN2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 8 a.m. | Tim Richmond: To the Limit | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 9 a.m. | 3 Nation: The Life & Legacy of Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m. | NASCAR Nationwide Series practice | ESPN2 |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 10 a.m. | SportsCentury: Dale Earnhardt Jr. | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 11 a.m. | SportsCentury: Dale Earnhardt | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | Noon | 1976 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 1 p.m. | 1981 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 3 p.m. | 1983 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Thursday, Feb. 21 | 5 p.m. | 1979 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 1:30 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 2 a.m. | 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Preview | ESPN2 |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 7:30 a.m. | 1998 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 9:30 a.m. | SportsCentury: Tony Stewart | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 11 a.m. | SportsCentury: Richard Petty | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | Noon | 1973 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 1 p.m. | 1978 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 2 p.m. | 1988 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying | ESPN2 |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 4 p.m. | 1993 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Friday, Feb. 22 | 6 p.m. | 1998 Daytona 500 | ESPN Classic |
| Saturday, Feb. 23 | 1:30 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Saturday, Feb. 23 | 6 a.m. | RaceDay | ESPN Radio |
| Saturday, Feb. 23 | Noon | NASCAR Countdown | ESPN |
| Saturday, Feb. 23 | 1:15 p.m. | NASCAR Nationwide Series race, telecast presented by Royal Purple | ESPN |
| Sunday, Feb. 24 | 2:30 a.m. | NASCAR Nationwide Series race (re-air) | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, Feb. 24 | 4 a.m. | NASCAR Nationwide Series race | ESPN Deportes |
| Sunday, Feb. 24 | 6 a.m. | RaceDay | ESPN Radio |
| Sunday, Feb. 24 | 9 a.m. | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Monday, Feb. 25 | Midnight | NASCAR Now | ESPN2 |
| Monday, Feb. 25 | TBA | Daytona 500 winner at ESPN | Various outlets |
The Australian Open on the Tennis Channel
Tennis’ first major is on the horizon and the Tennis Channel will provide 30 hours of live match telecasts during the two-week tournament again this year, with more than 180 hours of dedicated tournament coverage overall.
Among the programming will be a daily highlight and encore-match show called Australian Open Today. This year’s version will feature two daily editions, one dedicated to the tournament’s most recent day session and one to the most recent night session.
Bill Macatee and Martina Navratilova will serve as the main play-by-play and analyst team. Brett Haber and commentator Justin Gimelstob will also call live action
Lindsay Davenport will lend her championship perspective to Tennis Channel’s booth while Rennae Stubbs will handle specials reports and vignettes. Sports Illustrated reporter Jon Wertheim will also appear on the network in Melbourne this year.
Here is the Australian Open schedule on Tennis Channel beginning January 14th:
Date Time Event
Monday, Jan. 14 7 p.m.-9 p.m. First Round
Tuesday, Jan. 15 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Second Round
Wednesday, Jan. 16 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Second Round
Thursday, Jan. 17 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Third Round
Friday, Jan. 18 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Third Round
Saturday, Jan. 19 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Round of 16
Sunday, Jan. 20 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Round of 16
Monday, Jan. 21 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Jan. 22 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Jan. 23 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. TBA
Thursday, Jan. 24 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Mixed Doubles Semifinal
and Women’s Doubles Final
Saturday, Jan. 26 5:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. Men’s Doubles Final
Sunday, Jan. 27 12:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Mixed Doubles Final
Merry Christmas from Sports Media Journal
Have a great holiday!
Fox Sports Adds Teeth Inside the Big 12, Gains Rights to Oklahoma State Athletics
Fox Sports has announced that it has reached another rights deal to telecast athletics from a Big 12 school, signing a deal today with Oklahoma State University. The deal also includes participation by Learfield Sports, the exclusive multimedia rights holder for OSU Athletics.
From Fox Sports PR:
The multi-year agreement provides for one football game to be televised annually on a FOX Sports platform, which could include FOX Sports Oklahoma, FOX Sports Southwest, FOX Sports Southwest Plus and nationally on FOX College Sports (FCS). Oklahoma State’s home football opener against Savannah State telecast on FOX College Sports Sept. 1 officially kicked off the partnership. FOX Sports platforms also will distribute all available men’s basketball games, up to 20 Olympic sports, and additional non-game programming mutually selected by FOX Sports and Oklahoma State. The selected non-game programming may include any of OSU’s 30-minute, sports magazine shows: Cowboy Football Roundup, Cowboy Basketball Roundup, Cowgirl Basketball Roundup and OSU Spring Sports Roundup.
The FOX Sports agreement with Learfield Sports still allows Oklahoma State to retain streaming rights on its official athletics website, www.okstate.com, for any event not selected for distribution by FOX Sports or any FOX Sports-designated platform.
“Our deal with FOX Sports enables more than 9 million viewers in a four-state region and beyond to enjoy live Oklahoma State athletics programming,” said Learfield Sports’ Chief Content Officer Joe Ferreira. “This is an outstanding opportunity to help extend the Cowboys’ visibility on all levels, and we’re excited to help bring the drama of OSU sports to millions of fans through this television partnership.”
“We are excited to take this next step in our relationship with FOX Sports and Learfield Sports,” said OSU Athletic Director Mike Holder. “The added exposure generated by this agreement will alert an even bigger audience to all of the good things that are happening at Oklahoma State.”
“We’re excited to partner with Oklahoma State,” said FOX Sports Southwest Senior Vice President/General Manager Jon Heidtke. “This exclusive agreement helps reinforce FOX Sports Oklahoma as the preeminent sports television network in the state and allows us to showcase compelling Cowboys programming across the region on FOX Sports Southwest.”
Monday Night Football on ESPN- Lions at Bears
ESPN’s Monday Night Football returns tonight as the Chicago Bears host the Detroit Lions. Kick-off is 8:30p.m. ET with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Lisa Salters.
Pre-game action begins at 6:30p.m. ET with Monday Night Countdown. Chris Berman will host with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. On-site host Stuart Scott, analysts Trent Dilfer and Steve Young, contributor Rick Reilly and Salters will add to the show.
From ESPN PR, here are the anticipated highlights for the show:
- ‘Gruden Extra’ with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall: Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall are now teammates for the second time and just like their stint in Denver, the duo has shown great chemistry. This week, Cutler and Marshall visit Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden in the MNF bus to discuss the Bears 4-1 start.
- Rick Reilly Feature – The many faces of Jay Cutler: Cutler’s on-field demeanor has been a major topic in the media this season. In his weekly feature, ESPN.com columnist and Monday Night Countdown essayist Rick Reilly breaks down the many faces of Jay Cutler.
- Jim Schwartz Soundtracks: After reaching the playoffs in 2011, the Lions have had a slow start this season. During their week four loss to the NFC North rivals Vikings, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was wired for sound. This week’s Soundtracks captures the best moments from a tough day for Schwartz.
- Matthew Stafford Conversation: After a 1-3 start and facing a 10-point fourth quarter deficit, Matthew Stafford led the Lions to an overtime win over the Eagles. Before a divisional road test on Monday Night Football, the Lions quarterback sits down with Lisa Salters.
Sports Media Journal 